Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 7 History Book Solutions Chapter 8 The Crisis of the Mughal Empire offer valuable context and analysis.
WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 8 Question Answer – The Crisis of the Mughal Empire
1. Find out the odd one and underline :
a. Pune, Konkan, Agra, Bijapur.
Answer:
Agra
b. Banda Bahadur, Afjal khan, Shaista khan, Muazzam.
Answer:
Banda Bahadur
c. Astapradhan, Bargi, Mawle, Khalsa.
Answer:
Khalsa
d. Ramdas, Teg Bahdur, Jai Singha, Hargobinda.
Answer:
Jai Singha
e. Kesh(hair), Kripan(dagger), Kalam(pen), Kanga(comb).
Answer:
Kalam(pen)
2. March the column ‘A’ with column ‘B’.
| Group-A | Group-B |
| Raigad | Narnaul |
| Hindupadapadashahi | Shivaji |
| Golconda | North-West frontier |
| Satnami | Bajirao-I |
| Pathan Tribe | Deccan |
Answer:
| Group-A | Group-B |
| Raigad | Shivaji |
| Hindupadapadashahi | Bajirao-I |
| Golconda | Deccan |
| Satnami | Narnaul |
| Pathan Tribe | North-West frontier |
3. Answer the following questions in brief : (30-50 words)
a) What were the economic and political changes occured during Aurangazeb’s reign?
Answer:
The Mughal Empire during Aurangazeb’s reign was vast and trouble broke out between the nobility over the control at the Mansabs. During this time the Marathas emerged as a regional power. They refused to acknowledge Mughal supremacy. Relations with the Sikhs were also bitter. The notion at Mughal supremacy received a bloody blow with the emergence of these regional powers.
b. When and with whom was the Treaty at Purandar signed? What was its outcome?
Answer:
The Treaty of Purandar was signed betwen Shivaji and Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor.
As per this Treaty, Shivaji was forced to surrender as many as 23 forts in favour of the Mughals. The forts were the only pivot (main pillar) of security in those times. Here after, shivaji’s visit to the Mughal court was reciprocated with affront. He was imprison in the Agra fort. Hidden in a fruit basket Shivaji managed to escape. When he reached the Daccan, there began a conflict with the Mughals once again.
c. Why did the Jats have a conflict with the Mughals?
Answer:
The jats of Delhi-Agra region were mainly peasants. Many of them were landlords too. They often entered into conflicts on the issue of revenue collection during the reigns of Jahangir and Shahjahan. During Aurangzeb’s time, they put up an organ ised rebellion under the supervision of local landlord. The Jats voiced their claim for a seperate homeland. On the one hand the resistance by the Jats against the Mughals was a peasant movement and on the other, the jats were getting integrated under the identity at a different clan.
d. What was the reason behind the conflict between Shivaji and the Mughals?
Answer:
During Aurangzeb’s reign the Mughal Empire was vast and trouble broke out between the nobility over the control at the Mansabs. During this time the Marathas emerged as a regional power under the leadership at Shivaji. They refused to acknowledge Mughal supremacy, they dreant of an independent state. The Marathas were a marital tage. The dwelt in the areas adjoin Pune and the Konkan coast. Many of them were nobles at the courts at Bijapur and Golconda. Yet they did not lave a dream of separate kingdom of their own. In the 17th century, the Maratha ruler Shivaji unfied the Marathas under his fold. The rise of the Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji was a significant protest movement against a central Administration at Mughals.
e. What advantages did the Mughals enjoy due to their victory at Bijapur and Golkonda?
Answer:
vast area of the Deccan came under the Mughal rule after Aurangazeb’s victory in Bijapur and Golkonda. Aurangzeb kept the fertile lands of the area as his ‘khas land’ or ‘Khalisa’. Those were not leased as ‘Jaigirs’. The revenues derived from the ‘khas land’ were directly deposited to the central Treasury. In fact, there was no scarcity of land, but fertile land, which could be leased as jagir was less in number.
4. Answer the questions in detail (100-120 words)
a. How did the Sikhs organise themselves against the Mughals?
Answer:
There was certain conflict between the Sikhs and the Mughals during the reign of Jahanagir and Shahjahan. That was mainly political in nature. The Shikhs were loyal to their ‘Gurus’.
This was the reason behind some occasional conflicts between the Sikhs and the Mughals, Arjundev, who was the son of Ramadas, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, became the Guru of the Sikhs in the last quarter at the 16 th century AD. This time onwards came the hereditary policy of Guru Arjun, carried two swords at a time what he meant was that he had his command not only over religion but also on politics. So the rise of the Sikhs became almost synonymous with the rise of an independent power. For the Mughal regime, it was hard to put up with. The ninth Sikh Guru, Tegbahadur opposed the religious policy of Aurangzeb. However, it was the same religion, which acted as the deterrent to Mughal-Sikh conflict. A word was in circulation that Tegbahadur opposed the Mughal rule in Punjab with the support of a pathan. This incident triggered the exodus of the Sikhs under the aegis of their Tenth Sikh Guru Govinda singh to the mountaneous regions at Punjub, where they all got united.
b. Why did the agrarian crisis break out during the last phase of the Mughal age? What was the outcome of this crisis?
Answer:
Agrarian crisis was at per with the crisis at Jaigirdari and Mansabdari systems. However those who directly depended on agriculture for their livelihood grew large in numbar. In the Deccan, the Mughal Mansabdars took help at the Maratha sardars for collecting taxes during the time of warfare. This indicates that the Mughal command became considerably weak over those areas. Again there was a hike in the Price of merchandise during the 17th century AD.
As a result of this increase price hike the Aristocrats, wanted to improve the share of their income from the land. They began to mount pressure upon the Zamindars and the peasants. The peasants also chose to organise a rebellion. On several occassions, they received the patronage of the Zamindars too. It so happened sometimes that the peasants secretly deserted the villages to dodge the taxes. The cultivation remained suspended for the time being. Even taxes could not be collected when here was no farming. So, those Mansabdars, who were depended with the jagirs in these lands, could not take due care of the horseriders.
c. Why did the last phase of the Mughal era run into a crisis of the Jagirdari and Mansabdari system? What was its impact upon the Mughal empire?
Answer:
Right from the time of Shahjahan, the Mansabdari and Jaigirdari systems ran into a crisis. On many occasions the mansabdars were not allowed their dues according to their worthiness for the post. In many cases, the revenues could not be duly collected on account at the peasant rebellions. This apart, the corruption was beyond any control. Deprived at their dues, it was difficult for the Mansabdars to look after all such horseriders with whom their duty rested. In fact, the gap between the theory and the practice widened ever and ever. Aurongzeb’s reign saw a move complicated form of this problem.
During the last phase of the 17th century the Mansabdars entered into an unholy fight and conspiracy in the hope of a profitable jagir. In the Darwari pilitics there ensued a conflict among the Irani, Turani, Maratha and other Rajputs groups. No single Mughal ruler could be held responsible for the Mansabdari and Jaigirdari crisis. In fact various other pre-existing problems snowalled into such huge mess.
d. What is your view about the overall condition of Mughal empire during Aurangeb’s rule?
Answer:
The Mughal Empire during Auarangzeb’s reign was vast and trouble broke out between the nobility over the control at the Mansab’s. During this time the Marathas emerged as a regional power. They refused to acknowledge Mughal supremacy. Relations with the Sikhs were also bitter. The notion of Mughal supremacy received a bloody blow with the emergence of these regional powers. Those resistance against the Mughals took different shapes in different places. Where the Marathas dreamt of an independent state, the Jat and Satnami revolts brought forward the defects at the Mughal agricultural system.
Class 7 History Chapter 8 Question Answer West Bengal Board – The Crisis of the Mughal Empire
Multiple Choice Questions & Answers : (1 mark for each question)
Question 1.
During the reign of Aurangzeb the Marathas emerged as-
i) central power
ii) regional power
iii) foreign power
Answer:
ii) regional power
Question 2.
Shivaji was greatly influenced by his-
i) father
ii) mother
iii) teacher
iv) mother and teacher
Answer:
iv) mother and teacher
Question 3.
Shivaji killed Afzal Khan with –
i) a sword
ii) a knife
iii) bagh nakh
iv) an arrow
Answer:
iii) bagh nakh
Question 4.
Shivaj’s coronation was held in 1674 at-
i) Raigad
ii) Pune
iii) Konkan
iv) Bijapur
Answer:
i) Raigad
Question 5.
Shivaji had-
i) ten ministers
ii) twelve ministers
iii) six ministers
iv) eight ministers
Answer:
iv) eight ministers
Question 6.
The ninth Sikh Guru was –
i) Ramdas
ii) Arjundev
ii) Hargobind
iv) Tegh bahadur
Answer:
iv) Tegh bahadur
Question 7.
Khalsa was started by-
i) Tegh Bahadur
ii) Ramdas
iii) Govind Singh
iv) Hargobind
Answer:
iii) Govind Singh
Question 8.
The Jats of Delhi-Agra region weremainly-
i) soldiers
ii) peasants
iii) labours
iv) zamindars
Answer:
ii) peasants
Fill in the blanks : (1 mark for each question)
1. The Mughal rulers failed to increase the fertility of the soil using new ____.
Answer:
technology
2. After the death of Guru Govinda Singh his disciple ____ continued the fight.
Answer:
Banda bahadur
3. The Jats wanted to establish a seperate ________.
Answer:
state
4. Sometimes the peasantry used to quit their native village to avoid paying ________.
Answer:
revenue
5. In many cases the Mansabdars were deprived of their alloted ________.
Answer:
salary
6. Guru Govinda Singh could not succeed against the ________.
Answer:
Marathas
7. The Sikhs were loyal to their _______.
Answer:
Gurus
8. Forty years after the death of Shivaji political power passed in to the hands of the __________.
Answer:
Peshwa
State whether True or False : (1 mark for each question)
1. Some regional powers challenged the Mughals.
Answer:
true
2. The Marathas were skilled in warfare.
Answer:
true
3. Shivaji’s father Shahaji Bhosle was the Jagirdar of the sultan of Golkonda .
Answer:
false
4. Peswa Bajirao I wanted to unite other kingsagainst the Mughal on the basis of independence.
Answer:
false
5. Shivaji introduced well organized sovereign rule.
Answer:
true
6. The ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur opposed the religioug policy of Aurangzeb.
Answer:
true
7. A group of traders took up arms against the Mughal empire at Narnaul.
Answer:
false
8. Along with the crisis in Jagardari and Mansabdari systems, there was also the agrarian crisis.
Answer:
true
9. Guru Govind Singh succeed against the Mughals.
Answer:
false
10. The Marathas used to call their state Swarajya.
Answer:
true
Match the column A with column B.
| Column A | Column B |
| a) Guru Arjundev | i) Shivaji |
| b) eight ministers | ii) Hindupad-Padshahi |
| c) Shahaji Bhosle | iii) wooden comb |
| d) Raigad | iv) skilled in warfare |
| e) Peswa Bajirao I | v) Guru Haragobind |
| f) Kangha | vi) kachha |
| g) cotton undergarment | vii) Afzal Khan |
| h) Marathas | viii) Ashta Pradhan |
| i) Shivaji killed | ix) Shivaji’s coronation |
Answer:
| Column A | Column B |
| a) Guru Arjundev | i) Guru Haragobind |
| b) eight ministers | ii) Ashta Pradhan |
| c) Shahaji Bhosle | iii) Shivaji |
| d) Raigad | iv) Shivaji’s coronation |
| e) Peswa Bajirao I | v) Hindupad-Padshahi |
| f) Kangha | vi) wooden comb |
| g) cotton undergarment | vii) kachha |
| h) Marathas | viii) skilled in warfare |
| i) Shivaji killed | ix) Afzal Khan |
Answer in brief (within 30-50 words) : (Full mark-3)
Question 1.
Write about the rise of the Marathas under Shivaji.
Answer:
Shivaji introduced a well organized sovereign rule. His coronation wes held in 1674. His eight ministers were known as Ashta Prodhan. The prime minister was called Peshwa. The marathas used to call their state Swarjya. They invaded the neighbouring Mughal areas and extortedtax from the people. Patriotism arose among the marathas under the astute leadership of Shivaji.
Question 2.
What is Khalsa?
Answer:
In 1699 Guru govinda Singhstarted an organisation called ‘Khalsa’. The main purpose of Khalsa was to provide security to the Sikhs. Military training was part of the daily life of the Sikhs. The Sikhs who were the followers of Khalsa adopted the surname Singh.
Question 3.
Write a short note on the revolt of Jats.
Answer:
The Jats of the Delhi-Agra region were mainly peasants. many of them were Zamindars. During the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir and Shah jahan, the Jats had conflict with the Mughalsabout revenue sollection. during Aurangzeb’s reign the Jats rose in a unified rebilion under the leadership of a local zamindar. The Jats wanted to establish a seperate state.
Answer in details : (in 100 to 120 words)
Question 1.
Write about the relation between Shivaji and the Mughals.
Answer:
The Marathas, skilled in warfare, lived in Pune and the Konkan region. Many of them were high officials in the court of Bijapur and Golkunda and Bijapur. But they had no state of their own. Shavaji united them. Taking advantage of the illness of Sultan, Shivaji won over many zamindars of Bijapur. The Sultan Afzil khan to suppress him. Afzal even tried to kill him. But the alert Shivaji killed Afzal with a weapon called bagh naka. It wes not possible for Aurangzeb to accept his rise of power. Meanwhile, Shivaji attacked Surat and plundered the port city twice. It wes Jaisingh who compelled Shivaji to sign the treaty of Porbundar in 1665 .
Shivaji was forced to surrender 23 forts to the Mughals. When Shivaji reached the Mughal court at Agra, he was imprisoned in the Agra fort. But Shivaji was able to escape. On reaching the Deccan, his strife against the Mughals resumed. The rise of Marathas under Shivaji was a huge challenge to central autority. Shivaji introduced a well organized sovereign rule.
Question 2.
Write about the conflict of the Sikhs with Mughals.
Answer:
During the reign of Emperor Jahangir and Shsh Jahan the Mughals had engaged in conflict with Sikhs. This conflict was pursly political. The Sikhs were loyal to their Gurus. This had often led the Sikhs to occassional strife with the Mughals. Towards the end of 16th century Arjundev, the son of Guru Ramdas, became the Guru of the Sikh community. Since then the system of selecting the Sikh Gurus became hereditary. Guru hargobind, the son of Guru Arjundev, used to carry two șwords simultaneouly. He indicated theat he had command not only over rsligion but also ocer politics.
The Mughals could not accept the rise of Sikh power. The ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur opposed the religious policy of Aurangzeb. The Sikh conflict with Aurangzeb was mainly on political grounds. Mughals imprisoned Tegbahadur and killed him. After the death of Guru Govind singh, his disciple Banda Bahadur continued the fight. Guru Govinda Singh could not succeed against the mughals. But the Mughal control over the North West became weak.
Additional Questions and answers
Question 1.
Why did the Marathas want to expand beyond the Deccan?
Answer:
The Marathas wanted to clip away the authority of the Mughal empire. To possess the right to collect shauth and sardeshmukhi in the entire region. Maratha king to be recognised as the overlord the entire Daccan.
Question 2.
What was the effect of Aurangzeb’s long war in the Deccan?
Answer:
The military and financial resources of his empire got depleted.
Question 3.
Which parts of India were associated with peasant and Zamindari rebillions?
Answer:
Northern and western parts of India.
Question 4.
Who was Shivaji?
Answer:
Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha kingdom.
Question 5.
How were peasant-pastoralists important for Shivaji?
Answer:
Peasant-pastoralists provided the back’one of the Maratha army. Shivaji used these forces to challenge the Mughals.
Question 6.
What was Chauth?
Answer:
20% of land revenue claimed by Zamindars was known as Chauth.
Question 7.
What was Sardeshmukhi?
Answer:
10% of the land revenue paid to the head revenue sollectorin the Deccan was known as Sardeshnukhi.
Question 8.
How did the later Mughal emperors lose their control over their nobles?
Answer:
The efficiency of the administration broke down under the later Mughal emperors. It became increasingly difficult for them to keep acheck on the powerfl nobles appointed as as governors even controlled the offices of revenue. They gain political, economic and military powers ocer vast regions.
Question 9.
Under whose leadership the Jats became powerful?
Answer:
The Jats became powerful under the leadership of Churaman.
Question 10.
Describe the impact of nadir Shah’s invasion up[on Delhi.
Answer:
Nadir Shah was the ruler of Iran.He plundersd the city of Delhi in 1739 . He took away immense amounts of wealth. as a result the Mughal treasery became vacant. Delhi turned into a deserted place. Delhi was very rich but became poor after Nadir Shah looted it.