Short & Long Questions: When, Where and How | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What are the three main periods in history, and what is the focus of this chapter?
Ans: The three main periods in history are ancient, medieval, and modern. This chapter focuses on the medieval period of Indian history.

Q2: What marked the beginning of the medieval period in India?
Ans: The political instability and the breakup of Harshavardhana's empire marked the beginning of the medieval period in India.

Q3: Name two Central Asian groups that invaded India during the medieval period.
Ans: The Turks and Afghans invaded India during the medieval period.

Q4: What signi
cant changes did the Turks, Mongols, and Afghans bring to India during their rule?
Ans: They spread Islam and brought changes in the economy, society, politics, and culture of India.

Q5: What is numismatics, and how do coins help historians in understanding history?
Ans: Numismatics is the study of coins. Coins help historians by providing information about rulers, their reign, economy, and symbols of their dynasties.

Q6: Name one famous building from the medieval period that stands as an example of medieval architecture.
Ans: The Taj Mahal in Agra is a famous example of medieval architecture.

Q7: What are travelogues, and how do they assist historians in studying history?
Ans: Travelogues are accounts of a traveler's experiences. They assist historians by providing insights into kingdoms, administrative systems, and daily life in different regions.

Q8: Who wrote the famous travelogue "The Travels of Marco Polo"?
Ans: Marco Polo wrote "The Travels of Marco Polo."

Q9: What does the term "Bharatavarsha" mean, and in which ancient texts was it mentioned?
Ans: "Bharatavarsha" refers to the Indian subcontinent. It was mentioned in ancient texts like the Puranas and the Mahabharata.

Q10: What do historians mean by "chronicles," and why are they sometimes considered unreliable?
Ans: Chronicles are written records of historical events. They can be considered unreliable because court historians often focused on the positive aspects of a ruler's reign and overlooked the negatives.

Long Answer Questions

Q11: Explain the main events that marked the beginning of the medieval period in India.
Ans: The medieval period in India began with the death of Harshavardhana in 647 CE and the breakup of his empire into warring kingdoms. This political instability allowed invaders like the Turks and Afghans to enter India from the north-west, marking the start of the medieval period.

Q12: Discuss the names by which the Indian subcontinent has been known over the centuries and their meanings.
Ans: The Indian subcontinent has been known by various names, including "Bharatavarsha" (meaning the land of King Bharata), "Aryavarta" (the land of the Aryans), "Hind" or "Hindustan" (the land of the Hindus), and "India indica" (mentioned by the ancient Greek historian Ctesias). These names evolved over time and referred to different areas and time periods.

Q13: Explain the signi
cance of archaeological sources in understanding medieval Indian history, giving examples.
Ans: Archaeological sources, such as coins, monuments, buildings, sculptures, paintings, and tools, are crucial for historians in reconstructing the past. For example, coins provide information about rulers and the state of the economy, while monuments and buildings offer insights into the social, political, and economic conditions of the time. The Taj Mahal and the Qutb Minar are examples of significant monuments from the medieval period.

Q14: Describe the different types of literary sources used by historians to study medieval Indian history.
Ans: Historians use literary sources such as chronicles, biographies, autobiographies, and travelogues. Chronicles are written records of historical events during a ruler's reign. Biographies and autobiographies provide personal accounts of rulers' lives. Travelogues are accounts of travelers' experiences in different regions, offering insights into various aspects of life in medieval India.

Q15: How have travelogues of foreign travelers contributed to the study of medieval Indian history?
Ans: Travelogues of foreign travelers, such as Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta, have been valuable for historians in understanding medieval Indian history. These accounts provide detailed descriptions of the kingdoms they visited, administrative systems, and the lives of common people. They offer different perspectives and validate information obtained from other sources.