CBSE Class 7  >  Class 7 Notes  >  Social Science - New NCERT ( Part 1 and Part 2)  >  Mnemonics: Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries

Mnemonics: Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries

1. Mahmud of Ghazni's Major Attacks (Chronological)

Mnemonic: "Mahmud Attacked: Mathura, Kannauj, Somnath"

  • Mahmud = Mahmud of Ghazni (ruled 1000-1030)
  • Attacked = Conducted 17 campaigns in India
  • Mathura = 1018 - Destroyed wealthy temple
  • Kannauj = Defeated the last Pratihara rulers
  • Somnath = 1026 - Destroyed the Somnath Shiva temple in Gujarat

Remember: Mahmud raided for plunder but did not establish permanent rule beyond Punjab!
 How to use: Simple sequence: "Mahmud Attacked: Mathura, Kannauj, Somnath" → MKS in order! He used the title 'Sultan', and his capital was Ghazna (Afghanistan). Easy timeline!

2. Eastern India Kingdoms

Mnemonic: "Sena Bengal, Ganga Kalinga"

  • Sena = Sena Dynasty (after Palas declined)
  • Bengal = Ruled Bengal, capital Nadiya
  • Ganga = Eastern Gangas dynasty
  • Kalinga = Ruled Kalinga (modern Odisha)

Remember: Eastern Gangas built the Jagannatha temple at Puri and the Sun temple at Konark!
 How to use: Geographic pairing: "Sena Bengal, Ganga Kalinga" → Sena ruled Bengal (west), Eastern Gangas ruled Kalinga/Odisha (east). Both in eastern India!

3. Southern Dynasties (11th-12th Centuries)

Mnemonic: "Chola Ships Sailed, Kakatiyas Hoysalas Built Temples"

  • Chola = Chola Empire (most powerful)
  • Ships Sailed = Strong navy, naval expeditions to Southeast Asia
  • Kakatiyas = Kakatiyas of Telangana-Andhra (capital: Warangal)
  • Hoysalas = Hoysalas of Karnataka (capitals: Belur, Halebidu)
  • Built Temples = Famous for temple architecture

Remember: Cholas = Naval power, Kakatiyas = Telugu literature, Hoysalas = Intricate stone carvings!
 How to use: "Chola Ships Sailed, Kakatiyas Hoysalas Built Temples" → Cholas dominated sea trade, the other two dynasties built magnificent temples. All three in South India!

4. Two Great Chola Kings

Mnemonic: "Rajaraja Built Brihadishvara, Rajendra Conquered Ganga"

  • Rajaraja = Rajaraja Chola I (985-1014)
  • Built Brihadishvara = Built Brihadishvara temple at Thanjavur
  • Rajendra = Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044)
  • Conquered Ganga = Took title "Gangaikondachola" (seized Ganga)

Remember: Rajendra also conducted a successful naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire (1025)!
 How to use: Father-son duo: "Rajaraja Built Brihadishvara, Rajendra Conquered Ganga" → Father built temples, son expanded empire to the Ganga river! Easy to remember achievements!

5. King Bhoja Paramara

Mnemonic: "Bhoja Built Bhojpur Lake, Wrote Books"

  • Bhoja = King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty (ruled 1010-1055)
  • Built Bhojpur = Founded the town of Bhojpur
  • Lake = Built a vast lake, Bhojtal for irrigation
  • Wrote Books = Authored many works, including Samarangana Sutradhara (architecture)

Remember: Bhoja was called "Scholar-King" - ruled the Malwa region, capital at Dhara!
 How to use: Alliteration helps: "Bhoja Built Bhojpur" → Plus lake and books! He was both a builder and a scholar. Capital Dhara became the centre of learning!

6. Battles of Tarain (Against Muhammad Ghuri)

Mnemonic: "Prithviraj Won First, Lost Second Tarain"

  • Prithviraj = Prithviraja III (Prithviraj Chauhan) of the Chahamana dynasty
  • Won First = First Battle of Tarain (1191) - Prithviraj defeated Ghuri
  • Lost Second = Second Battle of Tarain (1192) - Ghuri defeated Prithviraj
  • Tarain = Location in Haryana near modern Taraori

Remember: Prithviraj ruled from Ajmer (Ajayameru), controlled Delhi and most of Rajasthan!
 How to use: "Prithviraj Won First, Lost Second Tarain" → Simple win-loss sequence! First battle = Indian victory, Second battle = defeat that led to Turkic rule in Delhi!

7. Bakhtiyar Khilji's Actions in Eastern India

Mnemonic: "Bakhtiyar Destroyed: Nalanda and Vikramshila"

  • Bakhtiyar = Bakhtiyar Khilji (army commander under Aibak)
  • Destroyed = Attacked and destroyed Buddhist centres
  • Nalanda = Nalanda University (library burned for months)
  • Vikramshila = Vikramshila University

Remember: This destruction (1203-04) precipitated the decline of Buddhism in India! Tibetan scholars fled with manuscripts to Tibet.
 How to use: Tragic but important: "Bakhtiyar Destroyed: Nalanda and Vikramshila" → He conquered Bihar-Bengal (late 12th century) and destroyed both great universities. This ended Buddhism's golden age in India!

8. Two Religious Thinkers (12th Century)

Mnemonic: "Ramanuja Bhakti, Basaveshvara Lingayat"

  • Ramanuja = Ramanujacharya from South India
  • Bhakti = Developed Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, emphasised bhakti
  • Basaveshvara = Basaveshvara (also Basava) from Karnataka
  • Lingayat = Founded the Lingayat movement, rejected caste distinctions

Remember: Ramanuja challenged Adi Shankaracharya's Advaita. Basava wrote vachanas in Kannada!
 How to use: Two reformers: "Ramanuja Bhakti, Basaveshvara Lingayat" → Ramanuja taught devotion (bhakti), Basava founded a movement rejecting caste. Both promoted equality!

9. Famous Temples Built in This Period

Mnemonic: "Khajuraho Kandariya, Konark Sun, Belur-Halebidu Hoysala"

  • Khajuraho = Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh
  • Kandariya = Kandariya Mahadeva temple (built by Chandellas)
  • Konark = Konark in Odisha
  • Sun = Sun temple (built by Eastern Gangas)
  • Belur-Halebidu = Twin cities in Karnataka
  • Hoysala = Hoysala temples with intricate carvings

Remember: All are UNESCO World Heritage Sites showcasing Indian temple architecture!
 How to use: Geographic spread: "Khajuraho Kandariya (Central India), Konark Sun (East), Belur-Halebidu Hoysala (South)" → Three major temple clusters from this period!

10. Key Dynasties and Their Capitals

Mnemonic: "Chahamanas Ajmer, Paramara Dhara, Kakatiyas Warangal"

  • Chahamanas = Chahamanas (Chauhans) - Rajput dynasty
  • Ajmer = Capital at Ajayameru (modern Ajmer)
  • Paramara = Paramara dynasty of Malwa
  • Dhara = Capital at Dhara (modern Dhar, MP)
  • Kakatiyas = Kakatiya dynasty
  • Warangal = Capital at Orugallu (modern Warangal, Telangana)

Remember: Chahamanas fought Muhammad Ghuri, Paramara had scholar-king Bhoja, Kakatiyas promoted Telugu!
 How to use: Dynasty-capital pairs: "Chahamanas Ajmer, Paramara Dhara, Kakatiyas Warangal" → Three important kingdoms with their capitals. Match each dynasty to a location!

12. Timeline of Major Invasions

Mnemonic: "Mahmud 1000-1030, Ghuri 1192, Bakhtiyar 1203"

  • Mahmud = Mahmud of Ghazni's raids
  • 1000-1030 = Period of 17 campaigns (including Somnath 1026)
  • Ghuri = Muhammad Ghuri defeated Prithviraj
  • 1192 = Second Battle of Tarain
  • Bakhtiyar = Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed universities
  • 1203 = Around 1203-04, conquered Bihar-Bengal

Remember: Mahmud raided but didn't stay, Ghuri established Turkic rule, and Bakhtiyar ended Buddhist centres!
 How to use: Chronological dates: "Mahmud 1000-1030, Ghuri 1192, Bakhtiyar 1203" → Three waves of invasions spanning 200 years. Mahmud = plunder, Ghuri = conquest, Bakhtiyar = destruction of learning!

The document Mnemonics: Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries is a part of the Class 7 Course Social Science Class 7 - New NCERT ( Part 1 and Part 2).
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FAQs on Mnemonics: Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries

1. What were the major attacks of Mahmud of Ghazni on Indian territories?
Ans. Mahmud of Ghazni conducted a series of major attacks on Indian territories during the early 11th century, focusing primarily on the Punjab region. His expeditions were aimed at plundering wealth and establishing his dominance. Notable attacks included his invasions of the temples in Kanauj, Mathura, and the famous Somnath temple, where he took vast amounts of treasure. These attacks significantly impacted the socio-political landscape of India at that time.
2. Which kingdoms were prominent in Eastern India during the 11th and 12th centuries?
Ans. In Eastern India during the 11th and 12th centuries, notable kingdoms included the Pala Empire, which was known for its Buddhist patronage, and the Sena dynasty, which emerged later and was influential in the region. The Palas were based in Bengal, whereas the Senas expanded their influence over large parts of Bengal and Bihar, contributing to the cultural and political dynamics of the time.
3. Who were the two great Chola kings and what are their contributions?
Ans. The two great Chola kings were Raja Raja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I. Raja Raja Chola I is known for expanding the Chola Empire, establishing a powerful navy, and promoting temple architecture, most notably the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Rajendra Chola I continued his father's legacy, extending the empire further into Southeast Asia and promoting trade, which facilitated cultural exchanges and economic growth.
4. What were the significant battles of Tarain, and who was involved?
Ans. The Battles of Tarain refer to two significant battles fought between Muhammad Ghuri and the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan. The first battle, occurring in 1191, resulted in Prithviraj's victory. However, in the second battle in 1192, Ghuri defeated Prithviraj, marking a turning point in Indian history as it led to increased Muslim influence in northern India and the eventual establishment of the Delhi Sultanate.
5. What actions did Bakhtiyar Khilji take in Eastern India?
Ans. Bakhtiyar Khilji was instrumental in the expansion of Muslim rule in Eastern India during the late 12th century. He is best known for his conquest of the region of Bengal and for establishing the first Muslim rule there. He captured important cities like Nadia and established a foothold for the Khilji dynasty, which facilitated the spread of Islam and altered the sociopolitical landscape of the region.
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