Unit Test (Solutions): Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years | Social Studies (SST) Class 7 (Old NCERT) PDF Download

Time: 1 hour

M.M: 30

Attempt all questions.

Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.

Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.

Question numbers 9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.

Question numbers 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1: Who was considered a "foreigner" in medieval times? (1 Mark)

Ans: In medieval times, a foreigner was anyone who was not part of a particular village or society. For example, a city-dweller might consider a forest-dweller a foreigner, even if they were from the same country.

Q2: What was the term "Hindustan" used to describe during the 13th century? (1 Mark)

Ans: In the 13th century, the term "Hindustan" referred to the areas of Punjab, Haryana, and the lands between the Ganga and Yamuna. It did not include all of India as it does today.

Q3: Fill in the blank: Manuscripts were written by ________. (1 Mark)

Ans: Scribes

Q4: True or False: Amir Khusrau mentioned that Sanskrit was widely spoken by common people in medieval India. (1 Mark)

Ans: False

Amir Khusrau noted that Sanskrit was not a language spoken by common people but was used primarily by Brahmanas.

Q5: Name one technological innovation introduced in the subcontinent between 700-1750 CE. (1 Mark)

Ans: The Persian wheel for irrigation.

Q6: In what ways has the meaning of the term "Hindustan" changed over the centuries? (2 Marks)

Ans: The term "Hindustan" in the 13th century referred to specific regions like Punjab and Haryana, primarily for political purposes. By the 16th century, Babur used "Hindustan" to describe the geography, culture, and people of the entire subcontinent. Today, "Hindustan" is synonymous with modern India.

Q7: How did the availability of paper change over the medieval period? (2 Marks)

Ans: Initially, paper was scarce and expensive in the 13th century, leading people to reuse manuscripts. By the 14th century, paper became more affordable and widely available, used even for mundane tasks like wrapping goods in markets.

Q8: What was the role of archives in medieval India? (2 Marks)

Ans: Archives were places where documents and manuscripts were stored. They preserved records of transactions, administration, and other important events. Wealthy people, rulers, and religious institutions often collected and kept these manuscripts.

Q9: What challenges do historians face when studying manuscripts from the medieval period? (3 Marks)

Ans: Historians face several challenges when studying manuscripts from the medieval period. One of the biggest challenges is the variations found in different copies of the same manuscript. Since manuscripts were copied by hand, scribes often made small changes, sometimes unintentionally and other times deliberately, introducing discrepancies over time. Additionally, as original copies of manuscripts are rarely available, historians have to rely on later copies, which may contain errors or alterations. These differences make it difficult for historians to ascertain the original text. Furthermore, some manuscripts were revised by their authors, leading to multiple versions of the same text, which adds to the complexity of historical research. This process of deciphering the original content is often time-consuming and requires comparison across several versions.

Q10: How do historians divide the past into periods, and what problems do they face in doing so? (3 Marks)

Ans: Historians divide the past into periods to organize and better understand the vast history of human civilization. They typically base these divisions on major political, economic, social, and cultural changes. For instance, British historians divided Indian history into three periods: "Hindu", "Muslim", and "British", based on the religion of the ruling power. However, this method of periodization poses several problems. One key issue is that it simplifies history and ignores the complexity of societies. For example, dividing history based on religion overlooks the rich diversity of the subcontinent and the contributions of other communities. Additionally, changes in one region may not coincide with those in another, making it difficult to apply a single periodization framework universally. Therefore, while dividing history into periods helps create a structure for understanding, it can also result in oversimplification and the loss of important nuances.

Q11: Describe how the term "foreigner" in medieval India was different from its modern meaning. (3 Marks)

Ans: In medieval India, the concept of a "foreigner" was different from the modern-day meaning of the term. Today, a foreigner refers to someone from a different country or nationality. However, in medieval India, a foreigner was anyone who did not belong to the local community, society, or region, even if they were from the same kingdom or land. For example, a person from another village, a city-dweller, or even someone from a different caste or background could be considered a foreigner in a rural village setting. The definition was more flexible and depended on social and cultural context rather than geographical or political boundaries. This highlights how perceptions of identity and belonging were shaped more by local affiliations than national borders in the past.

Q12: Explain how changes in social and political groups occurred during the thousand years from 700 to 1750 CE, and how these changes influenced the structure of society. (5 Marks)

Ans:

•  The period between 700 and 1750 CE witnessed significant changes in social and political structures, shaping the societies of the Indian subcontinent. 
• One of the most notable changes was the emergence of new groups like the Rajputs, who were warriors and rulers. The Rajputs claimed Kshatriya status and became important in the political sphere as they served in the armies of various monarchs, expanding their influence across different regions. 
• Additionally, other groups like the Kayasthas, who worked as scribes and administrators, gained political prominence during this period.
• The spread of agriculture also led to significant social changes. As forests were cleared, many forest-dwellers became peasants, leading to the expansion of agricultural societies. These peasants were integrated into the larger economic system, providing taxes and labor to the ruling elites.
•  Over time, society became more stratified, with peasants being divided into jatis (sub-castes) based on their occupation and social background. These jatis developed their own rules and regulations, often enforced by jati panchayats (village councils), which maintained social order and resolved disputes.
• Political changes were equally transformative. The rise of regional kingdoms and empires, such as the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, brought about a more centralized form of governance, influencing trade, religion, and culture. 
• The arrival of new technologies, like the Persian wheel and spinning wheel, and the introduction of crops like potatoes, chillies, and tea, further altered the economic landscape. 
• These technological and agricultural advancements contributed to increased productivity and wealth, which in turn affected social hierarchies.

Q13: Discuss the significance of new religious developments between 700 and 1750 CE in India, and how they impacted both society and governance. (5 Marks)

Ans: 

• The period between 700 and 1750 CE saw important developments in the religious landscape of India, which had a profound impact on both society and governance.
•  One of the major changes was the rise of the Bhakti movement within Hinduism. The Bhakti movement emphasized a personal connection with a loving and merciful deity, bypassing traditional priestly rituals and hierarchical structures. This movement appealed to the masses and challenged the authority of the Brahmanas, the priestly class that held significant power in society. 
• Saints like Kabir and Mirabai spread the message of devotion to a personal god, promoting social equality and bridging the gap between different castes and communities.
• Islam also became a major religion in India during this period, with the arrival of Muslim traders, scholars, and rulers. The establishment of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire further strengthened the presence of Islam in the subcontinent. 
• Islamic rulers often supported the construction of mosques, madrasas, and other religious institutions, promoting Islamic theology and jurisprudence. Sufism, a mystical form of Islam, also gained popularity during this period. 
• Sufi saints emphasized a direct, emotional connection with God, similar to the Bhakti tradition within Hinduism. The spread of Sufism encouraged peaceful coexistence between different religious communities and fostered cultural exchanges.
• Religion also played a key role in governance. Many rulers, both Hindu and Muslim, sought the legitimacy of religious institutions to strengthen their political power. For example, Mughal rulers like Akbar promoted religious tolerance through policies like "Sulh-i-Kul" (universal peace), which allowed people of different faiths to practice their religion freely. This policy helped maintain peace and stability in a diverse empire.

Overall, these religious developments not only shaped the spiritual lives of people but also had a lasting impact on the social, cultural, and political fabric of India during this period. The integration of different religious traditions created a rich tapestry of beliefs that influenced art, architecture, literature, and governance in the subcontinent.