Worksheet Solutions: Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1: Who was the ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire who conducted 17 campaigns in India between 1000-1030?
(a) Muhammad Ghūrī
(b) Mahmūd of Ghazni
(c) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
(d) Bakhtiyār Khiljī

Ans: (b)

Mahmūd of Ghazni ruled the Ghaznavid Empire with capital at Ghazna and conducted 17 campaigns in India, returning with enormous wealth after each raid.

Q2: Which famous work on mathematics was written by Bhāskarāchārya using riddles and problems?
(a) Siddhāntaśhiromaṇi
(b) Bījagaṇita
(c) Līlāvatī
(d) Yogasūtras

Ans: (c)

Līlāvatī was written by Bhāskarāchārya to teach basic mathematics using riddles and problems in an enjoyable way for students.

Q3: Which Chola ruler took the title 'Gangaikoṇḍachola'?
(a) Rājarāja Chola I
(b) Rājendra Chola I
(c) Viṣhṇuvardhana
(d) Someśhvara III

Ans: (b)

Rājendra Chola I expanded his empire into parts of Odisha and Bengal, earning the title 'Gangaikoṇḍachola' meaning 'the Chola who seized Gangā'.

Q4: In which year did Pṛithvīrāja III defeat Muhammad Ghūrī in the First Battle of Tarain?
(a) 1178
(b) 1191
(c) 1192
(d) 1203

Ans: (b)

The First Battle of Tarain occurred in 1191 when Pṛithvīrāja III successfully defeated Muhammad Ghūrī's forces.

Q5: Which famous Buddhist university was destroyed by Bakhtiyār Khiljī around 1203-04?
(a) Takṣhaśhilā
(b) Vikramaśhilā
(c) Nālandā
(d) Both (b) and (c)

Ans: (d)

Bakhtiyār Khiljī destroyed both Nālandā and Vikramaśhilā Buddhist monasteries and universities during his campaigns in eastern India around 1203-04.

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The Hindu Shāhis controlled the _______, a major mountain pass through the Hindu Kush range.

Ans: Khyber Pass

Q2: Al-Bīrūnī translated Patanjali's _______ into Arabic.

Ans: Yogasūtras

Q3: The Hoysalas had their capital at Velāpura (Belur) and _______ (Halebidu).

Ans: Dvārasamudra

Q4: King Bhoja of the Paramāras authored _______, a work on architecture, town planning, temple construction, and mechanical devices.

Ans: Samarāṅgaṇa Sūtradhāra

Q5: _______ founded the Lingāyat movement at Kalyāṇī in Karnataka, rejecting caste distinctions and ritualism.

Ans: Basaveśhvara

True or False

Q1: Mahmūd of Ghazni established permanent rule throughout most of India beyond Punjab.

Ans: False

Mahmūd did not establish permanent rule in India beyond Punjab; his campaigns were primarily focused on plunder and raids.

Q2: Rājarāja Chola I built the Bṛihadīśhvara temple at Thanjavur.

Ans: True

Muhammad Ghūrī was defeated by Mūlarāja II of the Chaulukya dynasty at Mount Abu in 1178.

Ans: True

Q4: The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia was originally dedicated to Śhiva.

Ans: False

Angkor Wat was originally dedicated to Viṣhṇu and was built by Khmer king Sūryavarman II in the 12th century.

Q5: Bhāskarāchārya's works were translated into Persian during the Mughal period.

Ans: True

Match the Following

Q1: Match the rulers in Column A with their corresponding achievements or attributes in Column B.

Ans:

1 - C (Mahmūd of Ghazni destroyed the Somanātha Śhiva temple in Gujarat in 1026 despite strong local resistance and looted its treasures.)

2 - D (King Bhoja was a scholar-king who authored Samarāṅgaṇa Sūtradhāra on architecture, town planning, and mechanical devices amongst other works.)

3 - E (Rājendra Chola I expanded his empire into Odisha and Bengal, earning the title 'Gangaikoṇḍachola' meaning 'the Chola who seized Gangā'.)

4 - B (Pṛithvīrāja III (Prithviraj Chauhan) of the Chāhamāna dynasty defeated Muhammad Ghūrī in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191.)

5 - A (Basaveśhvara founded the Lingāyat movement at Kalyāṇī, Karnataka, rejecting caste distinctions and promoting personal devotion and equality for all.)

Short Answer Questions

Q1: Describe Mahmūd of Ghazni's motives for invading India and the impact of his campaigns.

Ans: Mahmūd of Ghazni had dual motives for invading India: plundering temple wealth accumulated over centuries and spreading his version of Islam by destroying non-Muslim places of worship. His campaigns involved destruction, civilian slaughter, and capture of prisoners sold as slaves in Central Asia. Whilst he did not establish permanent rule beyond Punjab, his invasions caused Indian sciences to retreat to safer places like Kashmir and Varanasi.

Q2: What were the major contributions of Bhāskarāchārya to mathematics and astronomy?

Ans: Bhāskarāchārya, also known as Bhāskara II, was one of India's greatest mathematicians and astronomers. His major works included Līlāvatī, which used riddles and problems to teach basic mathematics, Bījagaṇita on advanced algebra, and Siddhāntaśhiromaṇi on advanced astronomical. His works were later translated into Persian during the Mughal period. He had exceptional skill in making his writings poetic and enjoyable for students.

Q3: Explain the significance of the Chola dynasty's naval expedition against the Śhrīvijaya Empire.

Ans: Around 1025, Rājendra Chola I conducted a successful naval expedition against the Śhrīvijaya Empire in present-day Malaysia and Indonesia. The primary objective was to control important trade routes through the Strait of Malacca. This expedition demonstrated the Cholas' strong naval capabilities and their interest in protecting and expanding maritime trade connections. It showcased India's influence across Southeast Asia and the importance of controlling strategic sea routes for commerce.

Q4: What was the outcome of the Battles of Tarain and their significance?

Ans: The First Battle of Tarain in 1191 saw Pṛithvīrāja III defeat Muhammad Ghūrī. However, the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 proved decisive when Muhammad Ghūrī returned with a larger army, defeated and executed Pṛithvīrāja III. This marked a turning point as Muhammad Ghūrī captured Delhi and sought territorial conquest rather than mere raids. He left his general Qutb-ud-din Aibak to consolidate gains, eventually founding the Delhi Sultanate.

Q5: Describe the destruction of Nālandā University and its impact on Indian Buddhism.

Ans: Bakhtiyār Khiljī destroyed Nālandā University around 1203-04, slaughtering many monks and looting enormous wealth. The famous library with lakhs of manuscripts in three multi-storey buildings burned for months. Tibetan scholars fled with manuscripts to Tibet. This destruction precipitated the decline of Buddhism in India. About 30 years later, only one 90-year-old teacher remained, teaching approximately 70 students, marking the tragic end of this great centre of learning.