WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 7 History Book Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century offer valuable context and analysis.

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 3 Question Answer – Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

1. Find out the odd one and underline it : (Full mark-1).

a. Nadu, Chola, Ur, Nagaram.
Answer: Chola.

b. Odantapuri, Vikramshila, Nalanda, Jagaddal, Lakhnauti.
Answer: Lakhnauti.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

c. Joydeb, Dhiman, Beetpal, Sandhyakar Nandin, Charapami Dutta.
Answer: Joydeb

d. Luipada, Ashvaghosh, Sarahapa, Kanhapad.
Answer: Ashvaghosh.

2. Which one of the following statements do you think most matching with the given explanation? (Full mark-1).

a. Statement: The economy of Bengal during the Pala Sena period became agro dependent.
Exp-1 : The soil of Bengalin the Pala-Sena era became more fertile than before.
Exp-2 : On the western side of India, the maritime dominance of the Arab traders increased in the Pala-Sena era.
Exp-3 : The kings of the Pala-Sena period collected taxes from the farmers on their produce.
Answer:
Exp-2 : Oh the western side of India, the maritime dominance of the Arab traders increased in the Pala-Sena era.

b. Statement: In South India, human habitation grew up around the temple.
Exp-1 : The kings and the nobles donated rent-free lands to the temples.
Exp-2 : The system of irrigation was improved by digging canals from the rivers.
Exp-3 : The south Indian kings built many temples.
Answer:
Exp-1 : The kings and the nobles donated rent-free lands to the temples.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

c. Statement: Spread of Buddhism declined during the Sena age.
Exp-1 : Sena kings were Buddhists.
Exp-2 : Sena kings attached nuch importance of Brahmanism.
Exp-3 : The number of the Sudras increased.
Answer:
Exp-2 : Sena kings attached much importance to Brahmanism.

3. Answer in brief (30 to 50 words): (Full marks -3).

a. Why did the trade and commerce flourish in South India between the ninth and eleventh century AD?
Answer:
A growth in mercantile activities was noted in South India between the 9th and centuries. Various inscriptions inform us about the trade bodies like co-operative socities and the commodities of trade which were catered by the traders. The trade Guilds awarded land to the temples.

The copper plate inscriptions from South India record this. Due to the growing over mercantile activities of the Cholas in South east Asia, India’s influence on the trade and comment in this region gradually increased.

b. Which crops were produced in Bengal during the Pala-Sena age? Which of these are still cultivated?
Answer:
Paddy, mustard and fruits like mango, jackfruit, pomegranate, banana, date and coconut comprised the main agricultural products of the age. Today cereal is an important item of the Bengali menu. However it is not mentioned in the food items of those times. Cotton, Betal-leaf, betel nut, Cardamom and mahua were produced in huge quantity.

Bamboo forests and many forms of trees around the villages were mentioned in the contemporary writings. Their woods were an asset and the vegetables were brinjal, gourd, pumpkin, cucurbita esculent root made their presence in the food of the Bengalies since ancient times. All the above mentioned crops are still cultivated.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

c. Describe about the literary activities of the court of Lakshmana Sena.
Answer:
In the Sena era, poet Joydev was the famous poet in the court of Lakshmana Sena. The theme of his famous poetry Geet Govindam was the story of romantic love of Radha and Krishna. Another poet Dhoyee, on the court of Lakshman Sena, wrote the Pabanduta Poetry.

Three more poets of this era was Gobardhan, Umapati Dhar and Sharan. these five poets were ‘five gems’ of the court of Lakshman Sena. The book, Sadukti Karnamrits was a compilation of poems of several books.

d. Why did the Sena rule last lesser a period them that of the Pala rule?
Answer:
The Sena rule did not witness much publicity and popularity as it was in the Pala period. They attached much importance to the Brahmin religion. The Pala rule could strike their roots during their rule of400 years. But the Senas could not do so in their hundred years rule.

When Gopal became the king, he was backed by the support of the people. But Vijay Sena, the founder Of the Sena dynesty had no popular suport behind him. Pala rulers could make themselves acceptable to the people. The Senas failed to do it. In the field of learning, religion and the artistic activities, the Pala era was far above the Senas.

4. Write in details (100 to 120 words):

a. If you want to draw a picture of the feudal system, why does it look like a triangle? How did the feudal lords spend their livlihood in this system?
Answer :
The triangle is wide at the base. This means, the people at the bottom are more in number. Above them are feudal or middle level leaders. Above them are a few principal leaders. The king is above the rest. The division of authority and revenue in this manner forms a system known as feudalism.

The feudal groups had a common characteristic. They did not work to earn their living. They lived on other people’s income. There were divisions in these groups. Some headed a village. Some others controlled a group of villages. Yet some others controlled a whole region. In this manner, the society was divided into different classes, comprising the king, the group leaders and the people at large.

The principal feudal lords and the other lords always faught among themselves. Each tried to expand his authority. Often they joined hands to wage a war against the king. Apart from collecting revenues, they controlled the civil and legal administration of the annexed villages. Often they also revolted against the king. The weakness of the king’s authority becomes evident from this. Because of these feudal lords, the self-government of the villages was destroyed.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

b. Compare and contrast the agricultural and commercial progress of the Pala-Sena period.
Answer:
The basic resources of the economic condition of Bengal in the Pala-Sena period were agriculture, industry and trade. The importance of trade started reducing during this age. The mercantile activities of the Arab traders along the Arabian Sea coast in Western India led the Bengal traders to step back.

Due to the decay in foreign trade, the economy of Bengal became dependent on agriculture. The fall of trade was related to the devaluation of currency. The use of gold and silver coins started waring during the rule of the Palas and Senas in Bengal.

‘Cowrie’ become the main medium of trade. In this agarian Society, there are many instance of land grant. The kings granted land to religious institutions. The kings collected one-sixth of the produce from the farmers as revenue. Cotton was the principal commodity of trade. The fine cotton clothes of Bengal became famous all over the world. Handicrafts included wooden and metalic utensils and ornaments were useful.

c. Write a note about the art and architecture of Bengal in the Pala period.
Answer:
The art form of the Pala era is called Eastern Indian style of art. The Gupta art was the Predecessors of the Pala style. Of the Pala architecture the stupas, the Bihars and the temples deserve special mention. Due to human anger and the curse of nature the sculptures were totally destroyed.

The stupas built in the reign of the Pala kings looked like the mountain peaks. In West-Bengal and Bangladesh these stupas were found in numbers. But the original thinking was lacking in the construction of the stupas. These Bihars were the abodes of the Buddhists and the centres of Buddhist learning. Sompuri Bihar of Paharpur was the famous one of the Pala stupas.

The temple in the middle of Sompur Bihar was really remarkable among temples. These temples were square in size. There were underground compartments, a path going around the temple. Mamiupa’. were very high pillars. In construction of the temples, local burnt bricks and mud were used.

The famous specimens of the Pala arts were its sculptures. The Paharpur field of excavation was the best of them, where a large number of specimens are available. These were the examples of folk art. Happiness and miseries of daily lives, social life and religions belief have been depicted. The pictures drawn before the eleventh and twelfth centuries are not available at present.

The pictures which have been found now’ were only used as illustrations of the Buddhist manuscripts. In the Pala era, Bitpal and his son Dhiman were famous artists during the eighth and ninth centuries. They showed their skill in the metallic art, sculpture and painting.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

d. Write a note about the society and religion of the Pala-Sena era,
Answer:
The life of the general people in the society was mostly afluent. But the economic condition of the people without land property and the labourers was not at all good. The literature of that time proves the same. The Sena rule did not witness much publicity and popularity as it was in the Pala period. They attached much importance to the Brahmin religion. Though the Buddhism existed, the Buddhists were not benifitted much by the government as it was before. The Brahmins only were the sole benificiaires as the head of the society.

There were several sub-divisions among the Brahmins. Brahmins were treated as a mixed caste of the sudras. The Brahmins could perform the duties of the ton-Brahmins, but the non Brahmins could not perform duties of the Brahmins. Beside the tribal people were there in the same period. Pala rulers could make themselves acceptable to the people. The Senas failed to do it.

Class 7 History Chapter 3 Question Answer West Bengal Board – Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Multiple Choice Questions & Answers : (1 mark for each question)

Question 1.
The tribal leaders who were skilled in warfare controlled the …………….
i. king
ii. samanta
iii. officials of the princely court
iv. certain regions
Answer:
iv. certain regions

Question 2.
The structure of the feudal society looked like a ……………
i. square
ii. triangle
iii. circle
Answer:
ii. triangle

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 3.
The prime period of feudalism in Europe was A.D. ……………
i. 12th century
ii. 11th century
iii. 13th century
iv. 14th century
Answer:
i. 12th century

Question 4.
During the Chola administration ‘Nagaram’ was set up to redress the problems of …………
i. farmers
ii. priests
iii. traders
iv. Brahmins
Answer:
iii. traders

Question 5.
…………… became the main medium of exchange.
i. gold coin
ii. silver coin
iii. copper coin
iv. Cowrie
Answer:
iv. Cowrie

Question 6.
In the Paul-Sena era the subjects had to pay tax to the king for their ……………
i. village
ii. security
iii. temple
iv. playground
Answer:
ii. security

Question 7.
…………… came from Bengal.
i. wild buffalo and deer
ii. pig and deer
iii. horse and camel
iv. camel and monkey
Answer:
iii. horse and camel

Question 8.
Ramcharita of Sandhyekar Nandi was written in ……………
i. Bengali
ii. Hindi
iii. Pali
iv. Sanskrit
Answer:
iv. Sanskrit

Question 9.
Charyapada was composed in ancient ……………
i. Bengali
ii. Urdu
iii. Hindi
iv. Sanskrit
Answer:
i. Bengali

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 10.
The fame of Nalanda University continued till the ……………
i. 12th century
ii. 14th century
iii. 11th century
iv. 13th century
Answer:
iv. 13th century

Question 11.
At present Buddhist stupas can be seen in Ashrafpur village of ……………
i. West Bengal
ii. Dacca district
iii. Rajsahi district
iv. Shittagong
Answer:
ii. Dacca district

Question 12.
Geet Govinda was written by ……………
i. Dhoyee
ii. Sharana
iii. Joydev
iv. Pabanduta
Answer:
iii. Joydev

Question 13.
Halayudh was a ……………
i. texicographer
ii. soldier
iii. traveller
iv. Minister
Answer:
iv. minister

Question 14.
In ancient Bengal main source of occupation was ……………
i. agriculture
ii. business
iii. animal husbandary
iv. fishing
Answer:
i. agriculture

Question 15.
Dipankar Srijnan was the acharya of ……………
i. Vikramshila
ii. Odantapur
iii. Sompuri
iv. Vikramshila, Odantopur, Sompuri
Answer:
iv. Vikramshila, Odantopur, Sompuri

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Fill in the blanks : (1 mark for each question)

1. Atish was born in ______ village of Bikrampur.
Answer:
Bajroyogini.

2. With the introduction of Islamic Culture Indian ______ gained much.
Answer:
scholarship

3. Pala rulers could make themselves ______ to the people.
Answer:
acceptable.

4. Literature is the mirror of ______
Answer:
society.

5. Five poets in the court of Lakshmansena were called ______
Answer:
five gems.

6. In the poem of ______ was the tale of romance of Radha and Krishna.
Answer:
Geet Govinda.

7. Dhiman and his son ______ were renowned artists of the Varendra region.
Answer:
Bitpala.

8. The finest example of art in the Pala reign was ______
Answer:
sculpture.

9. Dharmapala founded the Vikramshil university on the banks of the river Ganges near ______
Answer:
Bhagalpur.

10. Hiuen Tsang studied in the ______ university.
Answer:
Nalanda.

11. ______ is a collection of poems and lyrics composed by the Buddhist Siddhacharyas
Answer:
Charyapada.

12. During the reign of the Pala rulerMahipala, the poet Sandhyakar Nandi wrote the ______
Answer:
Ramacharita.

13. ______ was a medical scientist of the Pala age.
Answer:
Chakrapani Dutta.

14. Bengalis learnt to eat potatoes from the ______
Answer:
Portuguese.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

15. The bronze handicraft of the Cholas were very ______
Answer:
famous.

16. The growing importance of the regional monarchs had an impact on contemporary Indian society and ______
Answer:
economy.

State whether True or False: (1 mark for each question).

1. The Samantas and Mahasamantas had constant conflict with each other.
Answer:
true

2. The prime period of feudalism in Europe was A.D. 12th century.
Answer:
true

3. The copper handicraft of the Cholas was very famous.
Answer:
false

4. Because of the fedual lords the self-governance of the villages was lost.
Answer:
true

5. During Pala-Sena age, the ultimate authority over land raised with the farmers.
Answer:
false

6. The traders paid tax to the king for trade and commerce.
Answer:
true

7. The fine cotton clothes of Bengal acquired fame far and wide.
Answer:
true

8. Books of medicine of Chakrapanidutta were written in Bengali.
Answer:
false

9. The kings of the pala dynasty were brahmins.
Answer:
false

10. Harapresad Shastri recovered the manuscripts of the Charyaoada from Nepal.
Answer:
true

11. Students of Nalanda University were provided food free of cost, dress, bedding.
Answer:
true

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

12. The stupas built during the Pala Age looked like Shikharas.
Answer:
true

Match the column A with column B

Column – A Column -B
a. Dhiinan and Bitpal were
b. Saduktikarnamrita
c. Geet Govinda was the tale of
d. Halayudh wrote
e. Charyapada was composed in
f. During Pala rule the king granted lands
g. Sandliyakar Nandi w rote
h. Turkish invaders
i. Dharmapala founded the
i. Brahinanasarvasya
ii. ransacked the Nalanda University
iii. renowned artists
iv. were collection of poems
v. Ramacharita
vi. romance of Radha and Krishna
vii. Vikramshil University
viii. to religious institutions
ix. ancient Bengali language

Answer:
a. Dhiman and Bitpal were renowned artists.
b. Saduktikarnamrita were collection of poems.
c. Geet Govinda was the tale of romance of Radha and Krishna.
d. Halayudh wrote Brahmanasarvasya.
e. Charyapada was composed in ancient Bengali language.
f. During Pala rule the king granted lands to religious institutions.
g. Sandhyakar Nandi wrote Ramacharita.
h. Turkish invaders ransacked the Nalanda University.
i. Dharmapala founded the Vikramshil University.

Answer in brief (within 30 – 50 words) : (Full mark-3)

Question 1.
Why was there a conflict between Samantas and Mahasamantas?
Answer:
Both Samanta and Mahasamanta or feudal lords tried to increase their influence. For this they had constant conflict with each other. Sometimes they even unified to fight against the king.

Question 2.
What was the structure of feudal society in Europe?
Answer:
The structure of the feudal society in Europe looked like a triangle. The king, feudal overlords (barons. and vassals were placed at various levels of society. The knights wore armor and fought under the feudal overlords. Serfs toiled in the manner houses of the feudal lords.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 3.
Who were knights?
Answer:
In the middle age there were three types of soldier Foot soldiers, archers, and knights. The knights were heavily armored soldiers who rode on horseback. Only the wealthiest nobles could afford to be a knight.

Question 4.
What was the feudal period in Europe?
Answer:
Feudalism was a combination of legal, economic, military and cultural customs that flourished in medieval Europe between the ninth and fifteenth centuries. Broadly defined it was a way of structuring society around relationships that were derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.

Question 5.
What was the role of temples in south India?
Answer:
South Indian monarchs built many temples. Common people arid artisans settled around the temples. Priests, cooks, singers, dancers etc. used to stay in the temple complex. The temple authorities were granted tax free land by the king, merchants and aristocrats.

Question 6.
Write a short note on the irrigation system at the time of Cholas.
Answer:
Irrigation was developed in Tamil Nadu by creating canals from river Kaveri and its tributaries. So, agricultural production was increased, in some areas cultivation could be done twice a year. In areas which had little scope for irrigation, lakes and tanks were dug up to retain rain water. Wells were found in some areas.

Question 7.
What was the significant development in trade and commerce in South India between 9th and 11th century?
Answer:
The Chetty or traders used to travel with loads of commodities. There were various trade guilds or cooperative societies. Due to the growing dominance of Cholas in South East Asia. Indian trader’s influence on trade and commerce in those countries gradually increased.

Question 8.
How many taxes were collected by the Soun Indian kings?
Answer:
The king used to levy a share from the produce of the farmers, herdsmen and artisans. Apart from land revenue, taxes were charged from the traders. Moreover/during war, the triumphant soldiers used to plunder and rampage the vanquished region. Important families of the region were given the responsibility of collecting the taxes.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 9.
Why did the economy of Bengal depend on agriculture during Pala Sena age?
Answer:
The monopoly of the Arab along the Arabian Sea coast in Western India had forced the Bengal traders to retreat. Importance of bengal traders in foreign trade and commerce had waned. So the economy of Bengal became dependent on agriculture.

Question 10.
Mention the different taxes which Pala-Sena kings collected from their subjects.
Answer:
The king collected one-sixth of the produce from the farmers. The king also accepted fruits, flowers and woods as revenue. The traders also paid tax to the king for trade and commerce. The subjects paid tax to the king for their security. The cillagers had to pay taxe for the entire village.

Question 11.
What were the agricultural products in Pala-Sena age?
Answer:
Paddy, mustard and various types of fruits like mango, jackfruit, banana, pomegranate, date and sosonut comprised the main agricultural products. Cotton, betel leaf, betel nut, cardamom and mahua were also produced in large quantity.

Question 12.
What kind of animals were found in Bengal during Pala-Sena age?
Answer:
Crow, bull, goat, duck, hen, pigeon, crow, cuckoo, different aquati birds, horse, camel, elephant, tiger, wild buffalo, monkey, deer, pig, snake etc. were found in large numbers. Of these the horse and camel came from outside Bengal.

Question 13.
Why was Sanskrit so important then?
Answer:
Sanskrit was the language of the elite and the scholars. Books on literature, grammar, religion, philosophy and medicine were usually written in Sanskrit. For example, the poem of Sandhyakar Nandi or books of medicine of Chakrapanidutta were written in Sanskrit.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 14.
Write a short note on Ramcharita.
Answer:
Ramcharita was written by the poet Sandhyakar Nandi. The poem was written following the legends of the Ramanayana. Here the poet has used allegorty. He narrated about Rama of Ramayana and also about the Pala king Rampala.

Question 15.
What is Charyapada?
Answer:
Buddhist Siddhacharyas composed Charyapada during the A.D. 8th and 12th centuries. It was composed in ancient Bengali language. Acharya Haraprasad Shastri recovered the manuscript of the Charyapada from Nepal.

Question 16.
What was the role of Buddhist monasteries in spread of learning?
Answer:
Seats of learning of the Buddhist philosophers were Buddhist monasteries. Monasteries of Nalanda, Odantaputi, Vikramshil, Somepuri, Jagaddal, Bikrampuri worth mentioning. The monastories played a significant role in education with the support of the Pala kings and the buddhist acharyas and students.

Question 17.
What is Oriental Art?
Answer:
The style of art in the Pala reign is known as Oriental Art. The forerunner of this style was the Gupta art. The main architectural monuments of the Pala age were stupa, vihara and temple, now most of them do not exist.

Question 18.
What was the finest example of art in Pala reign?
Answer:
The finest example of art in Pala reign was sculpture. In the archeological site of paharpur we find some of the best specimens. The influence of local style is evident in the stone tables on the walls of the main temple. In those tables the images of Radha-Krishna, Shive and Buddha, Avalokiteswar are found.

Question 19.
What was the condition of Buddhism during Pala period?
Answer:
Under the Sanas, Buddhism was neither spread nor propagated as in Pala period. The Buddhists were no longer benefited as before. Brahmabnical Hinduism was predominant. The Brahmins being the head of the society were the sole beneficiaries.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 20.
Who were the ‘five gems’ in the court of king Lakshmansena?
Answer:
Five poets in the court of Lakshmansena were called ‘five gems’. They were Joydev who composed Geet Govinda. It was the tale of romance of Radha and Krishna. Another poet Dhoyee who wrote Pabanduta. The other poets were Gobardhan, Umapati Dhar, and Sharana.

Question 21.
Briefly compare the Pala age with the Sena age.
Answer:
In the field of education, religion and art the Pala age was much superior to that of the Senas. The Pala had struck roots in the society of Bengal over 400 hundred years, the Senasfailed to do so in a little over 100 years. When Gopala became the king of bengal, he had a public support but Vijaysena had no such public support.

Question 22.
Who was Dipankar Srijnan?
Answer:
Dipankar Srijnan was the best and most famous Bengali buddhist preceptor. He was initiated by Acharya Silrakshit in the Odantapuri monastry. He was preceptor and acharya of Vikramsila, Odantapur and somepuri monasteries. At the request of the king of Tibet, he went to Tibet to spread Buddhism.

Answer in detail (within 100 – 120 words) (Full mark-5)

Question 1.
Write a note on Nalanda.
Answer:
During the time of Gupta Empire in the 5th centurya Buddhist vihara was set up at Naianda. With the passage of time the acamedic fame of Nalanda spread all over Asia. During the reign of King Harshavardhana and the Palas. Nalanda received royal patronage. Not only the landlords and the regional kings but also the rulers of Sumatra granted resources for the university.

From their handsome contributions students were provided food free of cost, dress, bedding and medicine. Students from far and wide like Tibet, China, Korea and Mongalia came to study here. A special fund was arranged to teach the students of China.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

In 7th century Hitien Tsang studied in the this university. Students had to go through a challenging test before admission. During the heyday of the Nalanda University 10,000 Buddhist mendicants resided here. The fame the university continued till 13th century when the Turkish invaders attacked Bihar and ransacked the university.
WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century 1

Question 2.
Write a note on cultural exchange and conflict in India between A.D. 7th century to 12th century.
Answer:
There was much interesting cultural exchange and conflict in India between A.D. 7th century to 12th century. Many instances of Indian cultural traditions can be traced in South East Asia, Tibet and China. It is clear that the multicultural exchange has helped to develop a varied Indian lifestyle.

But that lifestyle was not fixed. It changed with the passage of time. Even today we find varities of life
style in different parts of India. With the introduction of Islamic culture, Indian scholarship gained much. The mingling of two cultures had an impact on society, culture and polity.

Gradually changes came in the use of language, dress, food, music, art and ministrative ideas. A mutual understanding took place. Both the cultures influenced each other.

Additional Questions and Answers :

Multiple Choice Questions & Answers : (1 mark for each question)

Question 1.
Who ruled in Tamil Nadu ……………….
i. Chalukyas
ii. Rastrakutas
iii. Cholas
iv. None of these
Answer:
Cholas

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 2.
Who received the land could collect the taxes ………………
i. vehicles
ii. betel leaves
iii. woven clothes
iv. all of these
Answer:
all of these

Question 3.
Nagabhata was ………………………
i. Chekreyudha
ii. Malava
iii. Pratihara king
iv. Gupta king
Answer:
iii. Pratihara king

Question 4.
In which language the prashasti found in Gwalior written ……………
i. Sanskrit
ii. Urdu
iii. Hindi
iv. Bengali
Answer:
i. Sanskrit

Question 5.
Prashastis tell us how rulers wanted to depict themselves as ………………….
i. achiver
ii. leader
iii. valient victorious warriors
iv. none of these
Answer:
iii. valient victorious warriors

Question 6.
What was the use of money collected from taxes ………………………..
i. construction of forts
ii. construction of temples
iii. to fight wars
iv. all of these
Answer:
iv. all of these

Question 7.
Vetti means ……………..
i. rant
ii. revenue
iii. tax
iv. all of these
Answer:
iii. tax

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 8.
The literal meaning of hiranya garbha is ……………………….
i. golden deer
ii. golden womb
iii. Dantidurga
iv. none of these
Answer:
golden womb

Question 9.
Who were expected to bring gifts for kings in 17th century —
i. samantas
ii. maha samantas
iii. mandalesshvara
iv. landlords
Answer:
i. samantas

Question 10.
The other name of the great lord of a region was ……………………….
i. king
ii. samanta
iii. landlord
iv. maha-mandaleshvara
Answer:
iv. maha-mandaleshvara

Question 11.
The new dynasty developed in eastern part of the country ………………….
i. Cholas
ii. Rastrakutas
iii. Palas
iv. Senas
Answer:
iii. Palas

Short Questions and Answers 

Question 1.
What new dynasties emerged after the 7th century in the subcontinent?
Answer:
New dynasties emerged after 7th century –

  • Gurjara-Pratiharas
  • Rastrakutas
  • Palas,
  • Sholas
  • Shauhan

Question 2.
Who were samantas?
Answer:
Samantas were big landlords in different regions of the subcontinent.

Question 3.
What happened when Samantas gained power and wealth?
Answer:
The Samantas declared themselves maha-samantas, maha-mandaleshvara. Sometimes they asserted their independence from their overlords.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Question 4.
How’ did the Rashtrakutas gained power and became independent?
Answer:
Rashtrakutas were subordinates to the Chalukvas. In the mid-eighth century Dantidurga, a Rashtrekuta leader, overthrew his Chalukya overlord and became independent.

Question 5.
From where did resources come to the states?
Answer:
Revources came from the producers like paesants, cattle-keepers, artisans and traders.

Question 6.
How were resources used in the period 7th to 12th century?
Answer:

  • to finance king’s establishment
  • to construct temples and forts
  • to fight wars,
  • to build trade routes.

Question 7.
Who collected revenue?
Answer:
Revenue collectors were generally recruited from influencial families. In many cases relatives of the king held these positions.

Question 8.
How were Brahmanas rewarded?
Answer:
Kings often rewarded Brahmanas with grants of land.

Question 9.
What were the rights of the people who received land grants during Chola rule?
Answer:
They could collect taxes in different forms, such as ……..

  • judicial fine,
  • on betel leaves, woven cloth, vehicles etc.
  • plant trees and bushes
  • get wells dug and cacals constructed
  • stop water wastage and build embankments
  • They could build buildings.

Question 10.
Write a note on Vikramsila.
Answer:
In the A.D. 8th century the Pala emperor Dharntapala founded the Vikramshil university or mahavihara near Bhagalpur in the northern part of Magadha. This university lasted for the next 500 years. Over 100 teachers were involved in the teaching and study of religion.

Students used to come there to study. Grammar, logic, philosophy were taught here. Maximum three thousand students could avail free education. Students had to appear for an admission test before enrolment. At the end of their course they were awarded with titles.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

Vikramshila was the main centre for Vajrayana cult: Many valuable manuscripts were preserved in its library. Dipankar Srijnan (Atish. was one of the mahacharyas of this university. This university was also ransacked by the Turkish invaders in the 13th century.

Question 11.
Describe the main architectural monuments of the Pala age.
Answer:
The main architectural monuments of the Pala age were stupa, vihara and temple. Now most of them do not exist. In ancient India there was a custom of building Buddhist and Jain stupas. In fact, the Buddhists in particular, constructed many stupas. Initially these stupas were round shaped. But later, they were conical in shape.

The stupas built during the Pala Age looked like shikhams or mountain peaks. No originality is seen in the design of the stupas of Bengal. The viharas were the residences of the Buddhist monks and also seats of learning of Buddhist knowledge systems.

Sompuri vihara at Paharpur was a prominent vihara in the Pala reign. The temple of Sompuri vihara is also worth mentioning. The temple was square shaped. The temple had underground chambers or garvagriha, a path for going around the temple, an altar and lofty pillars. The temple was built with burnt brick and clay.

Question 12.
Write a short note on feudal system of India.
Answer:
The growing importance of the regional monarchs had an impact on contemporary Indian society and economy. A section of the society gained enormous power. The contemporary writers had addressed this group as ‘Samanta’, ‘Raja’, ‘Raimak’ etc. Some of them were high officials in the princely courts. Sometimes they were granted lands in lieu of salary.

The revenue from such lands was the income of this group. In some regions, the defeated kings also enjoyed the revenue of those areas. Often the tribal leaders who were skilled in warfare controlled certain regions.

These groups had one common feature. None of them gave labour for production. They lived on the revenue or output of others’ labour. Again, there were divisions in these groups. Some headed a village. Some controlled a group of villages. Others controlled an entire region. In this manner the society was stratified into different classes comprising the king, the group leaders and the common people.

WBBSE Class 7 History Solutions Chapter 3 Some Aspects of Indian Society, Economy and Culture: A.D. 7th Century to 12th Century

The Samantas Mahasamantas (feudal lords. had constant conflict with each other. Sceryone wanted to increase his influence. Sometimes they even unified to fight against the king. Besides extracting revenues, these groups used to govern the village and even give judgment. Often they refused to recognize the authority of the king. The weakness of the sovereign becomes evident.

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