Worksheet Solutions: The Central Islamic Lands | History for Grade 11 PDF Download

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The Islamic calendar, known as the __________, was established during the caliphate of Umar in 622 CE.
Ans: Hijri era
This calendar marks the year of the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina.

Q2: The Islamic calendar is based on a lunar year of __________ days.
Ans: 354 days
It consists of 12 months (Muharram to Dhul Hijja) and is determined by the lunar cycles.

Q3: The Hijri year is about __________ days shorter than the solar year.
Ans: 11 days
This discrepancy is why Islamic festivals do not correspond to specific seasons.

Q4: The Great Mosque of al-Mutawwakil in Samarra was constructed in the year __________.
Ans: 850 CE
It is known for its massive size and distinctive architectural features.

Q5: The Quran is divided into __________ chapters.
Ans: 114 chapters
Each surah consists of verses called ayahs.

Q6: The Quran is written in the Arabic language and contains messages from __________.
Ans: God (Allah)
It serves as the central religious text of Islam.

Q7: Abd al-Latif, a 12th-century scholar from Baghdad, was known for his expertise in __________ and __________.
Ans: legal and medical studies
He contributed significantly to these fields.

Q8: Islamic art often features calligraphy and __________ designs.
Ans: arabesque
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing, often used to decorate religious texts and buildings, while arabesque designs are intricate, geometric, and vegetal patterns.

Match the Column

Q1:
Ans: 1. Mecca - d. A city of great religious significance. 
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It is the center of the Hajj pilgrimage.
2. Islamic calendar - b. Lunar calendar with 354 days. 
The Islamic calendar is lunar, based on the moon's cycles, with 354 or 355 days per year.
3. The Hijri year - c. Islamic scripture in Arabic. 
The Hijri year marks the Islamic calendar year, which begins with the migration of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina.
4. The Great Mosque of al-Mutawwakil - a. The largest mosque in the world. 
The Great Mosque of al-Mutawwakil was one of the largest mosques in the world during its time.
5. The Quran - e. Calligraphy and arabesque. 
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, and calligraphy and arabesque are often used in Islamic art.
6. Abd al-Latif - g. Legal and medical scholar from Baghdad. 
Abd al-Latif was a prominent scholar in the fields of law and medicine during the 12th century in Baghdad.
7. Calligraphy - h. A book divided into 114 chapters. 
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing, and the Quran is written in Arabic with intricate calligraphic styles.
8. Islamic art - e. Calligraphy and arabesque. 
Islamic art frequently incorporates calligraphy and arabesque designs in various forms of expression.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The Islamic calendar is based on a lunar year.
Reason: The Islamic calendar corresponds to the lunar phases, with months of 29 or 30 days.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The Islamic calendar is indeed based on the lunar calendar, and its months are determined by the phases of the moon.

Q2: Assertion: The Quran is a collection of messages from God sent to the Prophet.
Reason: The Quran narrates historical events in a straightforward manner.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (b)
While both the assertion and reason are true, the reason does not explain the assertion fully. The Quran contains messages and guidance from God but does not narrate historical events in a straightforward manner.

Q3: Assertion: Islamic art often features calligraphy and arabesque designs.
Reason: These art forms were developed due to the prohibition of representing living beings in religious art.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Option A is correct. Islamic art indeed features calligraphy and arabesque designs, which were developed because of the prohibition of representing living beings in religious art.

Q4: Assertion: The Great Mosque of al-Mutawwakil in Samarra is a significant Islamic architectural monument.
Reason: It is the smallest mosque in the world.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (d)
The assertion is false. The Great Mosque of al-Mutawwakil is significant, but it is not the smallest mosque in the world; in fact, it was one of the largest during its time.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the significance of the Islamic calendar.
Ans: The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles and begins with the migration of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina in 622 CE.

Q2: How does the Hijri year differ from the solar year?
Ans: The Hijri year is shorter than the solar year, making it about 11 days shorter.

Q3: What is the central message of the Quran?
Ans: The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, containing messages and guidance from God (Allah).

Q4: Who was Abd al-Latif, and what were his areas of expertise?
Ans: Abd al-Latif was a 12th-century scholar known for his expertise in legal and medical studies in Baghdad.

Q5: Define calligraphy in the context of Islamic art.
Ans: Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing, often used in Islamic art and to decorate religious texts and buildings.

Q6: Describe the design of a typical mosque in the Islamic world.
Ans: A typical mosque has an open courtyard, a vaulted hall, a mihrab indicating the direction of Mecca, and a pulpit for sermons.

Q7: What is the purpose of a minaret in a mosque?
Ans: The minaret is a tower attached to a mosque to call the faithful to prayer and symbolize the presence of the new faith.

Q8: Why did Islamic art avoid representing living beings?
Ans: Islamic art avoids representing living beings due to religious prohibitions.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Describe the architecture and historical importance of the Great Mosque of al-Mutawwakil in Samarra.
Ans: The Great Mosque of al-Mutawwakil in Samarra is known for its massive size and architectural significance. It was constructed in 850 CE and features unique design elements, including its spiral minaret.

Q2: Explain the structure and contents of the Quran. How does it differ from historical narratives?
Ans: The Quran is a collection of messages from God to the Prophet Muhammad. It does not narrate historical events but provides guidance on various aspects of life.

Q3: Discuss the role of the Islamic calendar in the religious and cultural life of Muslims.
Ans: The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles and plays a crucial role in determining the timing of Islamic religious events, such as Ramadan and Hajj.

Q4: What were the reasons for the development of calligraphy and arabesque in Islamic art? Provide examples.
Ans: Calligraphy and arabesque are prominent features of Islamic art. Calligraphy involves the artistic writing of Arabic script and is often used for religious texts and building decoration. Arabesque designs consist of intricate, repeating geometric patterns and vegetal motifs.

Q5: Who were the Sufis, and how did their practices challenge orthodox Islam?
Ans: Sufis were Islamic mystics who sought a deeper, personal connection with God through spiritual practices. Their practices challenged some aspects of orthodox Islam by emphasizing a direct, experiential connection with the divine.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explore the influence of Greek philosophy and science on education and intellectual life in the Islamic world during the 10th century. Provide examples of key figures and their contributions.
Ans: During the 10th century, the Islamic world witnessed a significant intellectual revival influenced by Greek philosophy and science. Scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Ibn Rushd (Averroes) played crucial roles in translating and interpreting works of Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. This revival led to advancements in various fields, including medicine, astronomy, and philosophy. For example, Ibn Sina's "Canon of Medicine" became a standard medical textbook in Europe for centuries. This interaction between Islamic and Greek thought laid the foundation for the European Renaissance.

Q2: Discuss the significance of Islamic art, including calligraphy and arabesque, in the context of religious expression and cultural identity. How did these art forms evolve over time, and what do they represent?
Ans: Islamic art, which includes calligraphy and arabesque, holds great significance in the context of religious expression and cultural identity. Calligraphy is revered for its beauty and is used to transcribe verses from the Quran and other religious texts. Arabesque patterns, characterized by intricate geometric and vegetal designs, symbolize the divine order and the infinite nature of God. These art forms evolved over time, incorporating regional and historical variations. They represent the profound influence of Islam on visual arts, uniting diverse cultures under the banner of Islamic artistic expression.