Unit Test (Solutions): Reshaping India’s Political Map | Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Time: 1 Hour
M.M.: 30
Attempt all questions.
Question numbers 1 to 4 carry 1 mark each.
Question numbers 5 and 6 carry 2 marks each.
Question numbers 7 to 10 carry 3 marks each.
Question numbers 11 and 12 carry 5 marks each.

Q1. The Delhi Sultanate was established after the defeat of which king?
(a) Rana Sanga
(b) Ibrahim Lodi
(c) Prithviraj Chauhan
(d) Akbar

Ans: (c) Prithviraj Chauhan
The Delhi Sultanate was established in 1192 after the defeat of King Prithviraj Chauhan in northwestern India.
Prithviraj Chauhan

Q2. Which dynasty was the first to rule the Delhi Sultanate?
(a) Khilji
(b) Mamluk (Slave)
(c) Tughlaq
(d) Lodi

Ans: (b) Mamluk (Slave)
The Mamluk (Slave) dynasty was the first to rule the Delhi Sultanate, beginning with Qutub-ud-din Aibak.

Q3. True or False: Ala-ud-din Khilji was successful in repelling invasions by the Mongols.

Ans: True
Ala-ud-din Khilji successfully repelled invasions by the Mongols, who aimed to add India to their vast empire.

Q4. Malik Kafur was a general under which ruler?
(a) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
(b) Ala-ud-din Khilji
(c) Babur
(d) Akbar

Ans: (b) Ala-ud-din Khilji
Malik Kafur was a slave general under Ala-ud-din Khilji, leading raids deep into southern India.

Ala-ud-din Khilji

Q5. Name two kingdoms that resisted the Delhi Sultanate’s expansion in eastern and southern India.

Ans:  

• Eastern Ganga Kingdom  
• Hoysala Kingdom
  The Eastern Ganga Kingdom in eastern India and the Hoysala Kingdom in southern India resisted the Delhi Sultanate’s expansion, maintaining their independence and developing their own culture.

Q6. Explain the impact of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s ‘token currency’ policy.

Ans: Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s ‘token currency’ policy declared copper coins equal in value to silver or gold, aiming to address a shortage of precious metals. However, it caused widespread confusion among merchants and the public, leading to large-scale counterfeiting. This severely disrupted trade and damaged the economy, undermining the Sultanate’s stability due to poor implementation.

Q7. Describe the significance of Rana Kumbha and his role in resisting invasions in Rajasthan.

Ans: Rana Kumbha of Mewar was a pivotal figure in 15th-century Rajasthan, renowned for his military leadership and contributions to Rajput autonomy. His resistance against the Delhi Sultanate and regional sultanates preserved Mewar’s independence and cultural identity. 

• Military Leadership: Successfully repelled invasions from the Delhi Sultanate and other regional powers, ensuring Mewar remained a stronghold of Rajput resistance.  
• Kumbhalgarh Fort: Built the formidable Kumbhalgarh Fort with a 36 km-long wall in the Aravalli hills, making it a strategic defensive structure.  
• Cultural and Political Impact: Strengthened Rajput identity through his victories, fostering unity and pride, with the fort symbolizing his strategic vision.

Q8. Summarize the rise and contributions of the Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya.

Ans: Krishnadevaraya’s 16th-century reign marked the zenith of the Vijayanagara Empire, transforming it into the dominant power in the Deccan through military conquests and cultural patronage.  

• Military Expansion: Expanded the empire through victories against neighboring kingdoms, securing Vijayanagara’s dominance in southern India.  
• Cultural Renaissance: Patronized poets and scholars in Sanskrit, Telugu, and Kannada, authoring the epic Telugu poem Āmuktamālyada, which included governance insights.  
• Architectural Support: Endowed temples like Tirupati and the Vitthala temple, enhancing Vijayanagara’s architectural grandeur and religious life.  
• Legacy: His reign fostered a flourishing of literature, arts, and architecture, making Vijayanagara a vibrant cultural center.

Q9. How did Akbar promote religious tolerance and political stability during his reign?

Ans: Akbar, ruling from 1556 to 1605, implemented policies that fostered religious tolerance and political stability, creating a cohesive Mughal Empire.  

• Abolition of Jizya: Removed the jizya tax on non-Muslims, reducing economic burdens and promoting goodwill among diverse communities.  
• Sulh-i-kul Policy: Introduced “peace with all,” encouraging tolerance across faiths to unify the empire’s diverse population.  
• Marriage Alliances: Married Rajput princesses and welcomed regional leaders into his court, strengthening ties with Hindu and regional powers.  
• Cultural Integration: Established a ‘house of translation’ at Fatehpur Sikri, translating Sanskrit texts like the Mahābhārata into Persian, fostering cultural exchange.  
• Administrative Inclusion: Appointed Hindu officials to high posts, ensuring broader representation and loyalty across communities.

Q10. Discuss the causes and consequences of the Battle of Talikota (1565) on the Vijayanagara Empire.

Ans: The Battle of Talikota in 1565 was a turning point for the Vijayanagara Empire, triggered by regional rivalries and leading to its catastrophic decline.

Causes:  

• A coalition of Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar, Bidar) united against Vijayanagara to curb its dominance.  
• Ramaraya’s aggressive policies antagonized the sultanates, prompting their joint military action.

Consequences:  

• Vijayanagara’s defeat led to the sacking of its capital, with homes, palaces, and temples destroyed and much of the civilian population killed. 
• The empire fragmented into smaller kingdoms under Nayakas, marking the beginning of its decline.  
• By the mid-17th century, the empire ceased to exist as a unified power.

Q11. Explain the formation and rise of the Mughal Empire under Babur and the challenges faced by his successors.

Ans: The Mughal Empire, founded by Babur in 1526, rose through military innovation and strategic conquests but faced significant challenges under his successors.  

• Formation under Babur: Defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat using gunpowder and artillery, ending the Delhi Sultanate and establishing Mughal rule.  
• Consolidation: Leveraged India’s wealth to build a strong foundation, though Babur struggled with India’s unfamiliar climate and culture.  
• Humayun’s Challenges: Lost territory to Sher Shah Suri’s Sur Empire, regaining power only briefly before his death.  
• Akbar’s Rise: Defeated Himu at the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556, expanding the empire through conquests and alliances, and introducing the mansabdari system for governance.  
• Later Challenges: Successors like Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb faced rebellions, Rajput resistance, and religious tensions, with Aurangzeb’s strict policies accelerating the empire’s decline after 1707.

Q12. Describe the role of Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh in the Sikh resistance against Mughal persecution.

Ans: Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh were instrumental in transforming Sikhism into a resilient martial force against Mughal oppression, strengthening Sikh identity.  

• Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Sacrifice: In 1675, defended Kashmiri Pandits against forced conversions, leading to his arrest, torture, and public beheading by Aurangzeb in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. His defiance inspired Sikh resistance.  
• Guru Gobind Singh’s Khalsa: Founded the Khalsa in 1699, a martial brotherhood dedicated to justice and defending the faith, which frequently battled Mughal forces using guerrilla tactics.  
• Impact on Sikh Identity: Their actions solidified Sikh unity and military strength, laying the foundation for the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century.  
• Legacy: Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice and Guru Gobind Singh’s leadership remain symbols of courage and resistance against oppression.