Worksheet Solutions: Nomadic Empires | History Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The term "barbarian" is derived from the Greek word "__________," which meant a non-Greek.
Ans: barbaros
The word "barbaros" in Greek referred to someone whose language sounded like random, unintelligible noise. Greeks used this term to describe non-Greek-speaking people.

Q2: The Great Wall of China was built to defend against nomadic invasions, particularly from the __________.
Ans: Huns
The Great Wall of China was constructed primarily to protect the Chinese states and their agricultural regions from invasions by various nomadic groups, with the Huns being one of the prominent threats.

Q3: Genghis Khan was born near the __________ river in the north of present-day Mongolia.
Ans: Onon
Genghis Khan was born in the region around the Onon River, which is located in northern Mongolia.

Q4: Genghis Khan proclaimed himself as the "Universal Ruler" or "Great Khan" in the year __________.
Ans: 1206
In the year 1206, Genghis Khan united the Mongol tribes and declared himself as the "Universal Ruler" or "Great Khan."

Q5: The Mongol courier system known as "__________" connected distant areas of the empire.
Ans: yam
The "yam" was a sophisticated courier system used by the Mongols to maintain communication between distant parts of their vast empire.

Q6: "Yasa" served as a __________ code of Genghis Khan.
Ans: legal
"Yasa" was Genghis Khan's legal code that provided a set of laws and rules for his subjects and helped in governing the Mongol empire.

Q7: The administrative regulations, including the organization of the hunt and the army, were part of the "yasa" and helped integrate the __________ regions.
Ans: conquered
Genghis Khan's "yasa" included various administrative regulations, which were applied in both the Mongol homeland and the conquered regions, contributing to the integration and governance of these territories.

Q8: The tax levied on nomads for the maintenance of the Mongol communication system was known as the __________ tax.
Ans: qubcur
The "qubcur tax" was a tax imposed on nomadic people within the Mongol Empire to fund the maintenance of the courier and communication system known as the "yam."

Match the Column

Q1: 

Ans: 1. Anda - a. Blood-brother
"Anda" referred to the practice of establishing a blood-brother relationship, a significant bond among the Mongols.
2. Tama - b. Military contingents
"Tama" signified military contingents or units in Mongol armies.
3. Paiza - c. A pass or permit for safe conduct
A "paiza" was a metal or wooden tablet that served as a permit for safe conduct and was often used for trade and travel purposes.
4. Qubcur Tax - d. Tax imposed on nomads for communication facilities
The "qubcur tax" was a tax specifically imposed on nomadic populations to fund the maintenance of communication facilities like the "yam."
5. Ulus - e. Conquered but not fixed territory
"Ulus" referred to the territory controlled by a Mongol ruler, including conquered lands, but it wasn't fixed in one place.
6. Barbarian - f. Term derived from the Greek for a non-Greek
The term "barbarian" comes from the Greek word "barbaros," signifying non-Greek or foreign people.
7. Yasa - g. Compilation of customary traditions of Mongol tribes
"Yasa" was a compilation of customary traditions, legal principles, and rules of governance among the Mongol tribes.
8. Guregen - h. Title for a royal son-in-law
"Guregen" was a title given to someone who married the daughter of a Mongol ruler and became part of the royal family.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The term "barbarian" is derived from the Greek word "barbaros."
Reason: "Barbaros" referred to someone whose language sounded like a random noise.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion and reason are both accurate and connected. The term "barbarian" indeed originates from the Greek word "barbaros," which was used to describe the speech of non-Greeks as unintelligible or like random noise.

Q2: Assertion: The Mongol courier system was known as "yam."
Reason: It connected the distant areas of the Mongol empire.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion and reason are both correct. The Mongol courier system, known as the "yam," indeed connected distant areas of the Mongol empire, and this connection facilitated efficient communication and governance.

Q3: Assertion: Genghis Khan's "yasa" served as a code of law.
Reason: It was a compilation of customary traditions of Mongol tribes.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
 The assertion is true, and the reason is correct and serves as an explanation. Genghis Khan's "yasa" was a code of law, and it was compiled from the customary traditions of various Mongol tribes.

Q4: Assertion: The tax levied on nomads for communication facilities was known as the "qubcur tax."
Reason: Nomads paid this tax willingly for the multiple benefits it brought.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true as it correctly identifies the "qubcur tax." However, the reason is not accurate since nomads didn't necessarily pay this tax willingly but were required to pay it as part of the Mongol administrative system.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What does the term "barbarian" mean, and where does it originate?
Ans: The term "barbarian" historically referred to non-Greek or non-Roman peoples, often associated with being uncivilized. It originates from ancient Greece.

Q2: What was the primary purpose of the Great Wall of China?
Ans: The primary purpose of the Great Wall of China was defense against invasions, especially from northern nomadic tribes.

Q3: When and where was Genghis Khan born?
Ans: Genghis Khan was born in 1162 in the Khentii Mountains of Mongolia.

Q4: What title did Genghis Khan proclaim himself in 1206?
Ans: Genghis Khan proclaimed himself as the "Great Khan" in 1206, which made him the leader of all Mongol tribes.

Q5: What was the Mongol courier system known as, and what was its purpose?
Ans: The Mongol courier system was known as the "Yam." Its purpose was to facilitate communication and the swift relay of messages across the vast Mongol Empire.

Q6: What did "yasa" serve as, and what did it compile?
Ans: "Yasa" served as the legal code and constitution of the Mongol Empire. It compiled laws and regulations for various aspects of Mongol life.

Q7: What tax did nomads pay for the maintenance of the Mongol communication system?
Ans: Nomads paid a tax called the "yam tax" to support the maintenance of the Mongol communication system.

Q8: What was the significance of the term "guregen" in the Mongol context?
Ans: "Guregen" referred to Mongol princesses who played a crucial role in diplomatic marriages, alliances, and power dynamics within the Mongol Empire.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Describe the social and political background of the Mongols during Genghis Khan's time.
Ans: The Mongols were traditionally nomadic, organized into clans, and lacked a centralized political structure. Genghis Khan emerged from this fragmented society.

Q2: Explain the reasons for the success of Genghis Khan's military campaigns.
Ans: Genghis Khan's military success was attributed to his innovative tactics, discipline, organization, adaptability, and effective use of cavalry.

Q3: What were the main features of Genghis Khan's political system, and how did it differ from Attila's?
Ans: Genghis Khan's political system featured centralized authority and a legal code (Yasa), while Attila's Huns had a more tribal and decentralized structure.

Q4: How did the relationship between nomadic and settled societies affect trade and communication in the Mongol empire?
Ans: The Mongols facilitated trade and communication by bridging the gap between nomadic and settled societies, creating a vast network for exchange and cultural interaction.

Q5: Discuss the administrative features of Genghis Khan's rule and the significance of "yasa" in Mongol society.
Ans: Genghis Khan's rule was marked by centralized authority, meritocracy, and the "yasa" legal code, which contributed to governance and order in the empire.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Provide an overview of Genghis Khan's early life and the challenges he faced before becoming the Great Khan. How did he rise to power and unify the Mongol tribes?
Ans: Genghis Khan, originally named Temüjin, was born in 1162 in Mongolia. His early life was marked by adversity and hardship. His father, a tribal leader, was assassinated when Temüjin was a young boy, leaving his family vulnerable. They were abandoned by their tribe and lived in extreme poverty. This early experience taught Temüjin the importance of unity and resilience.
As he grew older, Temüjin began to build alliances and unite various Mongol tribes under his leadership. He was a brilliant military strategist, known for his innovative tactics and discipline. Through a series of campaigns, he defeated rival tribal leaders, consolidated power, and established himself as the Great Khan in 1206, leading all Mongol tribes.
He implemented administrative reforms, created a legal code called the "Yasa," and promoted a meritocratic system within his empire, fostering a sense of unity among diverse Mongol tribes. Genghis Khan's rise to power and his ability to unify the Mongol tribes played a pivotal role in the formation of the Mongol Empire.

Q2: Examine the impact of the Mongol Empire on Eurasian history, including its military conquests, administrative innovations, and the establishment of the Pax Mongolica. How did the Mongols facilitate cultural exchanges and trade along the Silk Road?
Ans: The Mongol Empire, under Genghis Khan and his successors, had a profound impact on Eurasian history. Their military conquests were vast and included territories from China to Eastern Europe. Their rule brought relative stability and security to these regions, allowing for the establishment of the Pax Mongolica, a period of peace and increased trade.
In terms of administration, the Mongols implemented several innovations. Genghis Khan introduced a system of rule that promoted meritocracy, appointing officials based on competence rather than birthright. The Yasa, a legal code, provided a framework for governance and law throughout the empire.
The Mongols facilitated cultural exchanges by promoting religious tolerance and supporting the exchange of ideas. The Silk Road flourished under their rule, with trade routes becoming safer and more interconnected. This resulted in the diffusion of knowledge, technology, and culture across Eurasia, fostering the exchange of goods and ideas that had a lasting impact on the development of societies within and beyond the Mongol Empire.