Class 7 History Chapter 2 Question Answers - New Kings and Kingdoms

Q1: What attempts were made to expand the regime by the Chauhans?
Ans: The Chauhans attempted to expand their control to the west and the east, where they were opposed by the Chalukyas of Gujarat and the Gahadavalas of western Uttar Pradesh. The best known Chauhan ruler was Prithviraja III (1168-1192), who defeated an Afghan ruler named Sultan Muhammad Ghori in 1191 but was defeated by Ghori the next year in 1192.

Q2: Describe different kinds of taxes that were collected by the Cholas.
Ans: The Cholas collected more than 400 terms for different kinds of taxes. The most prominent among these taxes was vetti, which was taken not in cash but in the form of forced labor, and kadamai, or land revenue. There were also taxes on thatching the house, the use of a ladder to climb palm trees, a levy on succession to family property, etc.

Q3: Describe the development of agriculture in the Cholas regime.
Ans: Many of the achievements of the Cholas were made possible through new developments in agriculture. The Kaveri river branched off into several channels before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Water from these channels provided the necessary irrigation for agriculture, particularly the cultivation of rice, which supported the prosperity and growth of the Chola kingdom.

Q4: Who were Kadamba Mayurasharman and Gurjara-Pratihara Harichandra, and what was their background?
Ans: Kadamba Mayurasharman and Gurjara-Pratihara Harichandra belonged to enterprising Brahmana families. They gave up their traditional professions and used their military skills to carve out kingdoms in Karnataka and Rajasthan, respectively.

Q5: How were the temples hubs for economic, social, and cultural life?
Ans: Temples were centers of craft production. These were also endowed with land by rulers as well as by others. The produce of this land went into maintaining all the specialists who worked at the temple and very often lived near it – priests, garland makers, cooks, sweepers, musicians, dancers, etc.

Q6: What was the sole reason for the tripartite struggle, and why is it called so?
Ans: The city of Kanauj in the Ganga valley was a prized area as it was very fertile. For centuries, rulers belonging to the Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, and Pala dynasties fought for control over Kanauj. Because there were three parties in this long-drawn conflict, historians often describe it as the tripartite struggle.

Q7: Describe different kinds of taxes that were collected by the Cholas.
Ans: The Cholas collected more than 400 terms for different kinds of taxes. The most prominent among these taxes was vetti, which was taken not in cash but in the form of forced labor, and kadamai, or land revenue. There were also taxes on thatching the house, the use of a ladder to climb palm trees, a levy on succession to family property, etc.

Q8: What do you know about the military achievements of Rajaraja I and Rajendra Chola?
Ans: Rajaraja I made the Chola kingdom the supreme power in south India. He was the most powerful ruler and became king in 985. He fought many wars against the Pandyas and the Cheras and expanded his control over most of these areas. He was succeeded by his son Rajendra I, who continued his father’s policy of conquests. He developed a strong navy and with its help raided the Ganga valley, Sri Lanka, and countries of South-east Asia.

Q9: What is the meaning of the term 'prashasti'? Who composed them, and what did they receive in return?
Ans: The term 'prashasti' means 'in praise of.' Prashastis contain details that may not be literally true, but they tell us how rulers wanted to depict themselves as valiant, victorious warriors, etc. These were composed by learned Brahmanas. In return, kings often rewarded them with grants of land.

Q10: What do you mean by 'maharaja-adhiraja' and 'tribhuvana-chakravartin'?
Ans: The term 'maharaja-adhiraja' means 'great king,' and 'tribhuvana-chakravartin' means 'Lord of the three worlds.' Many new kings adopted such grand titles, and they often shared power with their subordinates (samantas) as well as with associations of peasants, traders, and Brahmanas.

Q11: How was the administration managed in the kingdoms that emerged in different parts of the subcontinent between the seventh and the twelfth centuries.
Ans: 

• Several kingdoms emerged in different parts of subcontinent between the seventh and twelfth centuries. Many of the new kings of these kingdoms adopted high-sounding titles like maharaja-adhiraja and tribhuvana-chakravartin. In spite of such claims they often shared power with their samantas as well as with associations of peasants, traders and Brahmanas.
• In each of these kingdoms, resources were obtained from the producers, i.e. peasants, cattle-keepers, and artisans.
• These people were often persuaded or compelled to surrender part of what they produced. Revenue was also collected from traders.
• These resources were used to finance the king’s establishment, as well as for the construction of temples and forts. Parts of resources were used in warfare.
• The functionaries for collecting revenue were generally recruited from influential families, and positions were often hereditary. The same thing was applied to the army.

Q12: How did the Cholas rise to power? Descirbe.
Ans:

• Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola kingdom. He conquered Tanjore and ruled over the region to the north of River Kaveri. He built the town of Thanjavur and a temple for goddess Nishumbhasudini there. The successors of Vijayalaya conquered neighbouring regions and the kingdom grew in size and power. The Pandyan and the Pallava territories to the south and the north were made parts of the Chola kingdom.
• The Chola kingdom rose to the height of power during the rule of Rajaraja I and his son, Rajendra I. They were the greatest Chola rulers who strengthened their kingdom in south India. Rajaraja I became king in 985. He expanded control over most of these areas. He also reorganised the administration of the empire.
• Rajendra I succeeded his father Rajaraja I in 1016. He continued his father’s policy of conquests. He developed a strong navy and raided the Ganga valley and Sri Lanka. His campaigned in South-east Asia is worth-mentioning. It is said to be his most daring campaign.
• However, the continuous wars against the neighbouring kingdoms had weakened the Chola empire which ultimately met with its downfall at the end of the thirteenth century.