Textbook Solutions: Where, When and How | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

I. Based on your understanding, choose the correct option.

1. 
Ans: (b)

2. 
Ans: (a)

3. 
Ans: (c)

4. 
Ans: (c)

5. 
Ans: (c)

6. 
Ans: (b)

7. 
Ans: (c)

8. 
Ans: (a)

9. 
Ans: (a)

10. 
Ans: (b)

II. Answer the following In one sentence.

1.
Ans: Royal decrees help historians by providing insights into the official policies, decisions, and proclamations of rulers during a specific period.

2.
Ans: Two biographies from the medieval period are "Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri" and "Akbarnama," while two autobiographies are "Baburnama" and "Humayunnama."

3.
Ans: Dohas are a form of Indian poetry characterized by a couplet structure and often associated with the works of poets like Kabir and Tulsidas.

4.
Ans: Calligraphy is the art of decorative handwriting, often used in medieval manuscripts to enhance the aesthetic appeal of written texts.

5.
Ans: Writings of foreign travelers help in reconstructing history by offering first-hand accounts of their observations, experiences, and interactions in regions they visited, providing valuable historical and cultural insights.

Ill. Answer the following questions In brief.

1. 
Ans: The periodization of Indian history in the medieval period involves dividing history into ancient, medieval, and modern periods based on changes in social, political, economic organization, and shifts in ideas and beliefs.

2. 
Ans: Literary works in the medieval period in India were primarily written on materials like palm leaves, birch bark, or paper made from plant fibers. Manuscripts were often beautifully illustrated and decorated.

3.
Ans: Court chronicles are official records or writings created in the courts of rulers and dynasties. Examples include the "Ain-i-Akbari" by Abul Fazl and the "Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri" by Emperor Jahangir.

4.
Ans: Major historical developments during the medieval period include the rise of regional kingdoms, the prominence of the Rajputs, the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, the practice of granting land to nobles, social changes, economic trends, religious reforms, and architectural developments.

IV. Answer the following questions in detail.

1.
Ans: The meaning of the term "Hindustan" has evolved over the centuries. Initially, it referred to the region between the Indus River and the Brahmaputra, and later it came to represent much of what is modern-day India. The name has been used by various rulers, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, to denote their Indian empire. The shift from "Sindhu" to "Hindu" contributed to the term "Hindustan." Over time, the geographical area associated with Hindustan varied, encompassing different regions in different periods.

2.
Ans: Sources of medieval Indian history are classified into two main categories: archaeological and literary sources. Archaeological sources include monuments, inscriptions, coins, sculptures, and artifacts. Literary sources encompass historical texts, biographies, autobiographies, court chronicles, and travelogues. These sources provide valuable information about the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the medieval period in India.

3.
Ans: Literary sources of the medieval period include historical texts like the "Tarikh al-Hind" by Al Biruni, biographical works such as the "Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri," autobiographies like the "Baburnama," court chronicles like the "Ain-i-Akbari," and travelogues like Ibn Battuta's accounts. These texts offer historical narratives, personal accounts, official records, and insights into various aspects of medieval Indian society.

4.
Ans: Three significant political developments during the medieval period in India were:

• The rise of regional kingdoms, leading to decentralization of power and the emergence of strong local rulers like the Rajputs.
• The establishment of the Delhi Sultanate by Turkic rulers from the northwest, which marked a significant political shift in northern India.
• The practice of granting land to nobles in return for tributes and military support, which played a crucial role in the political structure of the time, leading to the emergence of powerful nobility.