Important Chapters from NCERT Class 7 History and Summaries | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

NCERT books from classes 6 to 12 are really important if you want to prepare for the Civil Services Examination (CSE). These books cover all the important topics and help you understand the basic concepts really well. Many questions in the exam come directly from these books, so they're a key part of what you need to study.

For UPSC exams, especially if you're from a commerce or science background, NCERT History books are crucial. History is a big part of the IAS Prelims GS Paper 1 and IAS Mains GS Paper 1. Starting your history preparation with NCERT books is a great idea because it gives you a strong base to build on. This article gives a summary of the important chapters from the Class 7 History NCERT books that you need to focus on for UPSC preparation.

Important Chapters of History Class 7th NCERT for UPSC

NCERT Name: Our Pasts Part-2

Total No. Of Chapters: 10 Chapters

Important Chapters:

• Chapter 3: The Delhi Sultans
• Chapter 4: The Mughal Empire
• Chapter 7: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities
• Chapter 8: Devotional Paths to the Divine
• Chapter 10: Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

Let's Start with the summary of chapters one by one 

Chapter3: The Delhi Sultans 

Introduction:

• Delhi's journey as a capital began with the Tomara Rajputs, followed by the Chauhans, who laid its foundation as an important center.
• The Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century marked a significant transformation, establishing Delhi as a key power in the Indian subcontinent.
  

Key Points:

1. Delhi Sultanate's Establishment:

   • Founded in the early 13th century, the Delhi Sultanate initiated the city's development as a capital.
   • Sultanate rulers constructed numerous cities within the region we now know as Delhi.

2. Sources of Information:

   • Information about the Delhi Sultans primarily comes from inscriptions, coins, and architectural remains.
   • Persian was the administrative language under the Delhi Sultans, and Persian chronicles (Tawarikh) provide detailed accounts of their reigns.

3. Rulers of Delhi Sultanate:

   • Notable sultans include Iltutmish, whose daughter Razia briefly ruled as Sultan in 1236 but was removed in 1240.
   • Ghiyasuddin Balban, Alauddin Khalji, and Muhammad Tughluq were pivotal in consolidating and expanding the Sultanate's territory.

4. Expansion and Challenges:

   • Delhi Sultanate faced challenges from Mongol invasions, especially during the reigns of Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq.
   • Expansion efforts were focused on consolidating internal and external frontiers through military campaigns and administrative reforms.

5. Governance and Control:

   • The Sultanate appointed governors (iqtadars or muqtis) to administer territories known as iqta.
   • Despite efforts, large parts of the subcontinent remained beyond direct control, with local chieftains establishing independent rule.

6. Later Dynasties and Changes:

   • After the Tughluqs, the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties ruled from Delhi until 1526.
   • During this period, regional powers like Bengal, Jaunpur, Malwa, Gujarat, and South India emerged independently, challenging Delhi's authority.

7. Emergence of New Powers:

   • Sher Shah Suri, starting as a manager in Bihar, rose to power and challenged the Mughal emperor Humayun, highlighting the changing political landscape.

Conclusion:

• The Delhi Sultanate marked a crucial phase in Indian history, transforming Delhi into a major capital and shaping subsequent political developments.
• Despite its expansions and challenges, the Sultanate's legacy paved the way for diverse regional powers and new ruling groups in the following centuries.

Chapter 4: The Mughal Empire

Introduction:

• The Mughal Empire, beginning in the late 16th century from Agra and Delhi, expanded to encompass nearly the entire Indian subcontinent by the 17th century.
• The Mughals introduced administrative structures and governance principles that left a lasting impact even after their rule.

Key Points:

1. Origins and Early Emperors:

   • The Mughals were descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur, renowned rulers of Central Asia.
   • Babur, the first Mughal emperor, established the empire in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the Battle of Panipat. He further consolidated power by defeating Rajput and Afghan rulers.

2. Succession of Emperors:

   • Humayun, Babur's son, faced challenges and lost his empire briefly to Sher Shah Suri but regained it later.
   • Akbar, known for his military campaigns and administrative reforms, expanded the empire extensively, including campaigns in Gujarat, Bengal, the Deccan, and the northwest.

3. Later Emperors and Expansion:

   • Jahangir focused on maintaining internal stability and expanding Mughal influence, although he faced challenges from various quarters.
   • Shah Jahan continued expansion efforts in the Deccan but faced setbacks such as the loss of Qandahar to the Safavids.

4. Aurangzeb's Reign and Challenges:

   • Aurangzeb's reign marked the peak of Mughal power but also faced significant challenges, including rebellions from Sikhs, Jats, and Marathas.
   • He annexed Bijapur and Golconda but struggled with the Deccan campaigns and internal unrest.

5. Administration and Governance:

   • Mughal administration was characterized by the Mansabdari system, where officials (mansabdars) held military ranks and received revenue assignments (jagirs).
   • Revenue collection was organized through the zabt system, initiated by Akbar, which involved a survey of crop yields and fixed taxes.

6. Cultural and Social Policies:

   • Akbar promoted religious tolerance through his policy of sulh-i kul (universal peace), which was continued by his successors.
   • The Mughal court became a center of economic and cultural prosperity, benefiting artisans and peasants who supplied goods and produce.

Conclusion:

• The Mughal Empire's legacy in India was marked by its vast territorial expansion, innovative administrative systems, and cultural richness.
• Despite facing challenges in the later years, the Mughals left a profound impact on India's political, social, and economic landscape, influencing subsequent developments in the region.

Chapter 7: Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

Introduction:

In ancient India, society was structured by the varna system, as guided by Brahmanical texts and accepted by ruling kingdoms. Beyond cities, diverse tribal societies thrived in remote areas like forests, hills, and deserts.

Key Points:

1. Diverse Tribal Communities:

   • Tribes across India varied greatly, each with its own customs and habitats.
   • Examples include the Khokhars and Gakkhars in Punjab, Langahs and Arghuns in Multan and Sind, and Balochis in the northwest.
   • In central and southern India, tribes like Bhils, Gonds, Mundas, Santals, and others lived.

2. Nomadic and Mobile Lifestyles:

   • Nomadic herders moved with their animals across long distances, relying on dairy products.
   • They traded these goods for crops, cloth, and tools with settled farmers.
   • Banjaras were well-known trader-nomads with extensive networks.

3. Integration into Caste Society:

   • Many tribes were absorbed into the caste system as jatis, including artisans like smiths and carpenters.
   • Rajput clans gained power as Kshatriyas with support from Brahmanas.

4. Case Studies:

   • Gonds: In Gondwana, Gonds practiced shifting agriculture and were organized into clans with their own leaders. Their autonomy weakened under Mughal and later rulers.
   • Ahoms: Originating from Myanmar, Ahoms settled in the Brahmaputra Valley and established a strong kingdom by the 16th century. They had advanced military technology and a centralized administration, adopting Hinduism in the 18th century.

• Conclusion:

  • Ancient India's tribal societies were diverse and resilient, adapting to various environments and interacting with settled communities.
  • Their integration into caste systems and contributions to local economies shaped the social fabric of the subcontinent.
  • Studying tribal histories offers insights into the complex dynamics of early Indian society, showing both continuity and change over time.

Chapter 8: Devotional Paths to Divine

Chapter 10: Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

Introduction: 

By the end of the 17th century, the Mughal Empire, which had once been the dominant power in India, began to falter. Several factors contributed to this decline, leading to the emergence of independent regional states across the subcontinent.
 

Reasons for Decline:

1. Aurangzeb's Depletion:

   • Emperor Aurangzeb's prolonged campaigns in the Deccan strained the empire's military and financial resources. His efforts to expand Mughal control southwards were costly and unsustainable.

2. Administrative Breakdown:

   • After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the efficiency of Mughal administration declined significantly. Successors lacked his strong central authority and struggled to maintain order across the vast empire.

3. Peasant and Zamindar Rebellions:

   • Peasant uprisings and unrest among local landlords (zamindars) erupted in northern and western India. These rebellions were partly due to economic hardships and discontent with Mughal taxation policies.

4. Nadir Shah's Invasion (1739):

   • In 1739, Nadir Shah of Persia invaded India and sacked Delhi. This invasion resulted in widespread devastation and the loss of enormous wealth, further weakening the Mughal Empire's hold over its territories.

5. Internal Divisions:

   • The Mughal court was divided into factions, notably the Iranis and Turanis, who competed for influence and power. This internal strife undermined the empire's ability to respond cohesively to external threats and internal challenges.

Rise of Independent States:

1. Old Mughal Provinces:

   • Hyderabad: Founded by Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah in the early 18th century, Hyderabad became a powerful state in southern India. It faced constant challenges from the Marathas and local Telugu chieftains (nayakas).

   • Awadh: Established by Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa‘adat Khan, Awadh controlled the fertile Ganga plain, strategically located between northern India and Bengal. Sa‘adat Khan reduced Mughal influence by appointing loyal administrators and selling revenue rights (ijaras).

   • Bengal: Under Murshid Quli Khan and later Alivardi Khan, Bengal emerged as a prosperous state with a strong revenue administration. The banking house of Jagat Seth became influential during Alivardi Khan's reign.

2. Rajput Watan Jagirs:

   • Many Rajput rulers governed semi-autonomous regions known as watan jagirs. They enjoyed considerable autonomy within their territories and attempted to expand their influence into neighboring Mughal territories despite Maratha opposition.

3. States Controlled by Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats:

   • Sikhs: Following Guru Gobind Singh's efforts to consolidate Sikh power in Punjab, Banda Bahadur led the Khalsa to challenge Mughal authority. Despite initial setbacks, Maharaja Ranjit Singh reunited Sikh groups and established a strong Sikh kingdom in the late 18th century.

   • Marathas: Shivaji Maharaj's establishment of a Maratha kingdom in the 17th century was followed by Peshwa administration that expanded Maratha influence across the Deccan. By the mid-18th century, the Marathas were recognized as overlords in the region, establishing new trade routes and administrative systems.

   • Jats: Centered around Delhi, the Jats under Churaman consolidated power and became prosperous agriculturalists. They controlled important trading centers like Panipat and Ballabgarh, challenging Mughal authority in the region.

Conclusion:

• The decline of the Mughal Empire in the late 17th and 18th centuries was precipitated by internal strife, external invasions, and economic challenges.
• This decline allowed various regions across India to assert independence and establish their own political identities.
• The emergence of independent states like Hyderabad, Awadh, Bengal, and those controlled by Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats marked a significant shift in Indian political dynamics, setting the stage for future developments in the subcontinent.