NCERT Solutions for Class 7th History Chapter: Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years
Q1. Who was considered a “foreigner” in the past?
Answer: In the past, a “foreigner” was any stranger who was not a part of a specific society or village. For example, someone from a different village, city, or country could be considered a foreigner.
Q2. State whether true or false:
- (a) We do not find inscriptions for the period after 700. Answer: False.
- (b) The Marathas asserted their political importance during this period. Answer: True.
- (c) Forest-dwellers were sometimes pushed out of their lands with the spread of agricultural settlements. Answer: True.
- (d) Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban controlled Assam, Manipur, and Kashmir. Answer: False.
Q3. Fill in the blanks:
- (a) Archives are places where __________ are kept. Answer: Manuscripts.
- (b) __________ was a fourteenth-century chronicler. Answer: Ziyauddin Barani.
- (c) ________, ________, ________, and ________ were some of the new crops introduced into the subcontinent during this period. Answer: Potatoes, corn, chillies, and tomatoes.
Q4. List some of the technological changes associated with this period.
Answer: Some of the technological changes associated with this period include:
- The introduction of Persian wheel in irrigation.
- The use of the spinning wheel in weaving.
- The improvement in the construction of firearms.
Q5. What were some of the major religious developments during this period?
Answer: Major religious developments during this period include:
- The rise of the Bhakti movement which emphasized devotion to a personal god.
- The spread of Sufism, a mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God.
- The emergence of new sects such as the Sikhs, led by Guru Nanak.
Q6. In what ways has the meaning of the term “Hindustan” changed over the centuries?
Answer: The term “Hindustan” was used differently by different people in different periods. For example:
- In the 13th century, Minhaj-i-Siraj, a chronicler, used “Hindustan” to refer to the areas around Delhi and Punjab.
- In the 16th century, Babur used the term to describe the geography, fauna, and culture of the subcontinent.
- However, in modern usage, it refers to the whole of India.
Q7. How were the affairs of jatis regulated?
Answer: The affairs of jatis were regulated by a system of rules made by the jati panchayat, which was an assembly of elders. These rules governed the conduct of members, as well as their occupation and social standing.
Q8. What does the term pan-regional empire mean?
Answer: The term pan-regional empire refers to an empire that spans multiple regions, cutting across geographical, cultural, and linguistic boundaries, thus integrating different areas under a single political authority. Examples include the Mughal Empire and the Delhi Sultanate.
Q9. What are the difficulties that historians face in using manuscripts?
Answer: Historians face several difficulties in using manuscripts:
- Manuscripts were often written by hand, making each copy slightly different from the others, leading to variations in the text.
- The manuscripts were written on materials that are prone to decay, so many have not survived.
- They were often written in a script or language that is no longer in use, making them difficult to read and interpret.
Q10. How do historians divide the past into periods? Do they face any problems in doing so?
Answer: Historians divide the past into periods to make the study of history more manageable. They often use milestones like the rise and fall of empires, major wars, and other significant events. However, this process can be problematic because it often reflects the perspective of the historian and may oversimplify the complexities of history.
Q11. Compare either Map 1 or Map 2 with the present-day map of the subcontinent, listing as many similarities and differences as you can find.
Answer: (This question requires students to visually compare maps and list observations, so answers will vary.)
Q12. Find out where records are kept in your village or city. Who writes these records? Is there an archive? Who manages it? What kinds of documents are stored there? Who are the people who use it?
Answer: (This is a research-based question and the answer will vary depending on the student’s locality.)
Extra 30 Short Answer Type Questions with Answers (Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years)
Q1. What is the significance of manuscripts in history?
Answer: Manuscripts provide valuable insights into the culture, society, and governance of the past. They are primary sources that historians rely on to reconstruct historical events and understand ancient civilizations.
Q2. Who were the “foresters”?
Answer: “Foresters” were people who lived in forests and were often involved in activities like hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation. They sometimes came into conflict with agricultural communities as land was cleared for farming.
Q3. What is the Bhakti movement?
Answer: The Bhakti movement was a religious reform movement that emphasized devotion to a personal god and rejected ritualism and caste discrimination.
Q4. Who was Ziyauddin Barani?
Answer: Ziyauddin Barani was a 14th-century Muslim historian and chronicler, known for his work “Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi,” which covers the history of the Delhi Sultanate.
Q5. What does the term “periodisation” refer to in history?
Answer: Periodisation refers to the process of dividing history into different periods or epochs to facilitate its study and understanding.
Q6. What were the main occupations of people during this period?
Answer: The main occupations included agriculture, trade, crafts, and services related to governance and military.
Q7. What was the Persian wheel?
Answer: The Persian wheel was an irrigation device introduced during this period that allowed for more efficient water lifting from wells.
Q8. How did the introduction of new crops affect the Indian subcontinent?
Answer: The introduction of new crops like potatoes, corn, and chillies diversified agriculture and contributed to changes in the diet and economy.
Q9. What were some of the important crops during this period?
Answer: Important crops included wheat, rice, barley, and pulses, along with newly introduced crops like potatoes and corn.
Q10. Who was Babur?
Answer: Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, establishing a dynasty that would rule for several centuries.
Q11. What role did regional cultures play in this period?
Answer: Regional cultures contributed to the diversity of the Indian subcontinent, with each region developing its own distinct language, art, architecture, and customs.
Q12. Who were the Marathas?
Answer: The Marathas were a warrior group from the Deccan Plateau who played a significant role in the politics of the Indian subcontinent, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Q13. What were the archives, and why were they important?
Answer: Archives were places where important documents and records were stored, such as manuscripts, official orders, and treaties. They were essential for maintaining a record of governance and administration.
Q14. What is the difference between a manuscript and an inscription?
Answer: A manuscript is a handwritten document, often made on materials like paper or palm leaves, whereas an inscription is a text that is carved or written on a hard surface like stone or metal.
Q15. What was the role of the jati panchayat?
Answer: The jati panchayat was responsible for regulating the social and economic affairs of the jati (caste) members, enforcing rules, and resolving disputes.
Q16. What does “pan-regional” mean?
Answer: “Pan-regional” refers to something that spans or covers multiple regions, transcending local boundaries.
Q17. Why were chronicles important?
Answer: Chronicles were important because they recorded the history and events of a particular time period, often providing a detailed account of the political and social happenings.
Q18. How did the Persian wheel impact agriculture?
Answer: The Persian wheel improved the efficiency of irrigation, allowing farmers to water larger areas of land, which in turn increased agricultural productivity.
Q19. What was the significance of the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer: The Delhi Sultanate was significant as it established Muslim rule in India and laid the foundation for subsequent empires, including the Mughals.
Q20. What role did trade play in this period?
Answer: Trade played a crucial role in the economy, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture across regions and contributing to the prosperity of towns and cities.
Q21. Who were the Bhakti saints?
Answer: Bhakti saints were religious reformers who preached devotion to a personal god and emphasized equality and love over ritualistic practices.
Q22. What is a chronicle?
Answer: A chronicle is a historical account of events arranged in chronological order, often written by a contemporary observer.
Q23. Why was the term “Hindustan” used?
Answer: The term “Hindustan” was used by various rulers and chroniclers to describe the land and people of the Indian subcontinent.
Q24. What changes did the Bhakti movement bring?
Answer: The Bhakti movement challenged the rigid caste system, promoted social equality, and brought about a new form of worship centered on personal devotion.
Q25. What was the role of forest dwellers?
Answer: Forest dwellers played a role in providing resources like timber, honey, and medicinal plants, and they sometimes cleared land for agriculture.
Q26. Who introduced the Persian wheel in India?
Answer: The Persian wheel was introduced by Persian and Central Asian settlers who came to India during the medieval period.
Q27. What is the significance of the Mughal Empire?
Answer: The Mughal Empire is significant for its contributions to art, architecture, and culture, as well as for its administrative and military achievements.
Q28. What were the key features of the Sufi movement?
Answer: The Sufi movement emphasized mysticism, personal experience of God, and the rejection of materialism, often spreading its teachings through poetry and music.
Q29. What were the challenges of maintaining archives?
Answer: Challenges included the preservation of delicate materials, the organization of vast amounts of information, and the need to protect documents from damage or theft.
Q30. How did new crops influence society during this period?
Answer: New crops led to changes in agricultural practices, influenced diet and cuisine, and contributed to economic changes by introducing new goods for trade.
These questions and answers provide a comprehensive understanding of the chapter and can serve as an effective study guide for students.
