NCERT Solutions For Class 7 History Social Science Chapter 2 New Kings And Kingdoms

 

1.    Match the following:

 

Gurjara-Pratiharas                  Western Deccan

Rashtrakutas                             Bengal

Palas                                             Gujarat and Rajasthan

Cholas                                  Tamil Nadu

 

 

Answer: 

Gurjara-Pratiharas ⇒Gujarat and Rajasthan

Rashtrakutas ⇒Western Deccan

Palas ⇒Bengal

Cholas⇒ Tamil Nadu

 

2. Who were the parties involved in the ‘tripartite struggle’?

Answer: The parties involved in the tripartite struggle were Gurjar-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, and Pala dynasties.

 

3. What were the qualifications necessary to become a member of a committee of the sabha in the Chola empire?

 

Answer: The following qualifications were necessary for becoming a member of the sabha in the Chola empire :

a. To become members of the sabha, one should be the owner of the land from which land revenue is collected and should have their own home.

b. One should be aged between 35 years to 70 years of age and should have knowledge of the Vedas.

c. One should be honest and well-versed in administrative matters.

d. If anyone has been a member of any committee in the last three years, he cannot become a member of another committee.

e. Anyone who has not submitted his accounts or of his relatives, cannot contest the elections.

 

 

4. What were the two major cities under the control of the Chahamanas?

Answer:  Delhi and Ajmer were the two cities under control of the Chahamanas.

 

5. How did the Rashtrakutas become powerful?

Answer: The Rashtrakutas in the Deccan were the subordinate to the Chalukyas of Karnataka. It was during the mid-8th century when Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, overthrew his Chalukya overlord and performed a ritual called ‘Hiranya-garbha’ with the help of Brahmanas. During this period, it was thought that the sacrifcer would be reborn as a Kshatriya, even if he was not one by birth. Also, they fought against the dynasties of Gurjara Pratihara and Palas. Thus, successfully establishing kingdoms in Karnataka and Rajasthan respectively.

 

6. What did the new dynasties do to gain acceptance?
Answer:  The new dynasties gained power and wealth. Thereafter they declared themselves to be maha-samantas or mahamandaleshwara. Many of such kings adopted high sounding titles like maharaja-adhiraja or tribhuvana-chakravartin. They also deputed learned brahmanas to depict them as valiant, victorious warriors. Their activities were recorded in Prashastis. They tried to demonstrate their power and resources by building large temples.

7. What kind of irrigation works were developed in the Tamil Nadu?
Answer:
Large scale cultivation was developed in Tamil Nadu and in many cases artificial irrigation became necessary. A variety of methods were used:

·         Wells were dug

·         Huge tanks were constructed to collect rainwater

·         Canals were constructed

All this work required planning, organizing labour and resources. Decisions were taken collectively on the usage of water. New rulers and people took an active interest in these activities.

 

8. What were the activities associated with Chola temples?
Answer:
Splendid temples and bronze sculptures of the Cholas:

1.    Rajaraja and Rajendra built big temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram.

2.    They are architectural and sculptural marvels.

3.    Chola temples often became the centre of settlements around them.

4.    These were centres of craft production.

5.    Temples were also endowed with land by both rulers and others.

6.    The produce of this land went to maintain all the specialists who worked at the temple and very often lived near it.

7.    They included priests, garland makers, cooks, sweepers, musicians, dancers, etc.

8.    In other words, temples were not only places of worship; but also the hub of economic, social and cultural life.

9.    Amongst the crafts associated with temples, the making of bronze images was the most important.

10. Chola bronze images are amongst the finest in the world.

11. Most images were of deities, sometimes images were made of devotees also.