Q.2. Write a short note on the dwellers of the villages.
Ans. Large landowners were known as “vellalar”. Ordinary ploughmen were known as “uzhavar”. Landless labourers, including slaves were known as “adimai”.
Q.3. Describe the main functions of “grambhojaka”. Do you think that he was powerful?
Ans. Village headman was known as “grambhojaka”.
1. He collected taxes from villages.
2. He performed administrative duties.
3. He functioned as a judge and sometimes as a policeman.
Q.4. How do the travellers, sculpture, and archaeologist help in finding about cities?
Ans. They help in the following ways:-
1. Sculpture depicted people’s lives in towns and villages in their sculptures.
2. Archaeologist discovered some of the cities surrounded by massive fortification.
3. Sailors and travellers explored many main towns, commercial centers and ports etc.
4. Stories composed by ordinary people tell a lot about cities e.g. “Jataka stories”.
EXTRA QUESTIONS
Q.1. Write a note on “Sangam Literature”.
Ans. The collection of ancient Tamil Literature compositions is known as “Sangam Literature”. It was composed and compiled in assemblies of poets held in the city of Madurai.
History Lesson 10
Q.1. Write a short note on Cheras and Cholas.
Ans. Cheras & Cholas:-
1. Southern half had three main kingdoms known as:-
2. River Kaveri was the most fertile valley; the king who controlled the river was rich and powerful.
3. Each of three chiefs had two major centers of power – one inland and one on the coast.
4. Puhar (Chola) and Madurai (Pandyas) were the most important cities.
Q.2. What kind of evidence do historians use to find out about trade and trade routes?
Ans. The evidences used by historians:-
1. There are many evidences of trade in Sangam poems that show South India was famous for gold, spices and pepper etc.
2. Sangam poems reveal that traders used to travel to different countries through ships across the sea.
3. Many Roman gold coins have been found in South India.
Q.3. What do you know about the Sangam government?
Ans. Sangam government was hereditary monarchy. The king had impressive court. The king did not collect regular taxes. The main source of income was land tax. Tributes and war booty collected were also important source of state income. The king used to go on military campaigns.
Q.4. Why did kings want to control the silk route?
Ans. The traders travelling along the silk route would at times make tributes and gifts to the kings. So the kings wanted to control the silk route.
Q.5. Discuss the steps taken by Kanishka to spread Buddhism.
Ans. The steps taken by Kanishka were as follows:-
1. Kanishka declared Buddhism as the state religion.
2. He repaired old vihara and constructed new ones.
3. He gave a lot of charity to Buddhist monks.
4. He constructed many stupas and statues of Mahatma Buddha.
5. Necessary changes were carried out in Buddhism
Q.6. Throw light on the main difference between Hinayana and Mahayana.
Hinayana Mahayana
Original and unchanged form of Buddhism. New and amended form of Buddhism.
Regarded Buddha as a pious soul. Regarded Buddha as a god.
Did not believe in idol worship. Believed in idol worship.
Q.7. Why did Chinese pilgrims come to India?
Ans. Chinese pilgrims came to India to visit places associated with the life of Buddha and to visit renowned monasteries.
Q.8. What do you mean by Bhakti? Throw light on its salient features.
Ans. Bhakti is a person’s devotion to his or her chosen deity. Its salient features are as follows:-
1. All were allowed to follow the path of Bhakti rich or poor and low or high.
2. It emphasized on devotion and individual worship of a god.
3. It did not believe in complicated sacrifices.
Lesson 11
Q.1. How do the prashastis help in the reconstruction of the ancient Indian history?
Ans. Prashastis means “in praise of”. It tells us about the empire career and personality of a king. Prashastis gives account of victories in battle.
Q.2. Who was the composer of Allahabad prashastis? What does it tell us about Samuderagupta?
Ans. Allahabad prashastis was composed by court-poet Harishena. It tells that Samudragupta was a great warrior and conqueror. He won many battles. He was a great scholar, musician and talented poet.
Q.3. Discuss the difference between policies adopted by Samudergupta towards Aryavarta and Dakshinapatha.
Ans. Samudergupta annexed the defeated kingdom of Aryavarta (North) and gave back the defeated Southern kingdoms to the kings. He knew it would be difficult to rule South kingdoms.
Q.4. Discuss new administrative arrangements made during the period under consideration.
Ans. Administrative arrangements made during the period under consideration: -
1. Some important posts in administration were made hereditary.
2. More than one offices were held by one person.
3. Important persons were allowed to interfere in local administration.
Q.5. Why Gupta period is called “ The Golden Age ”.
Ans. It is so because Gupta dynasty ruled for more than 200 years and established a large kingdom over greater part of Northern India. It was great and glorious empire which saw growth of art, culture, architecture, agriculture etc.
Lesson 12
Q.1. Describe silent features of Iron Pillar at Mehrauli.
Ans. Iron Pillar is located near Qutab Minar at Mehrauli in Delhi. It is solid shaft of pure, restless iron. It is 7.2 M. high and weighs 3 tonnes. It was made 1600 years ago. It mentions name of Chandragupta II.
Q.2. What do you mean by Stupa? Discuss common features of the Stupas.
Ans. Stupa is a hemispherical dome or mound built over some sacred relics. It was built by a king or queen by paying huge amount of money. Place was carefully chosen for building. Stone was transported to the place where rough blocks of stones were shaped.
Q.3. Write a note on temple.
Ans. Temple had a hall where people could assemble. It was known as mandapa. A tower was built on the top of the garbhagriha in order to make it out as a sacred place.
Q.4. Write a short note on Silaphadikaram.
Ans. Silaphadikaram, a popular Tamil epic narrates the story of a merchant. It is a long composition about the deeds of great men and women.
Q.5. Write a note on Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Ans. The Ramayana, great epic of India was written by Valmiki, in Sanskrit. It is a story about prince Rama sent to exile for 14 years with his wife Sita and brother Lakshaman.
The Mahabharata tells about the war waged between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. They were cousins. The main cause of the war was to occupy the throne and capital Hastinapur. Bhagavad Gita is a part of Mahabharata.
EXTRA QUESTIONS
Q.1. Write a note on Aryabhatta.
Ans. Aryabhatta was a renowned mathematician. He wrote a book in Sanskrit known as Aryabhatiyam. He stated that day and night are caused due to rotation. He explained eclipses. He found out how to calculate circumference of a circle.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
02:42 | 
Posted by
Unknown |
