Turning Tides: 11th and 12th CenturiesClass 7 Social Science NCERT Solutions
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Q1Questions and activities
Why is the period under consideration in this chapter regarded as a major transition in Indian history? Give two examples each of change and continuity from this period.
Solution
The 11th and 12th centuries are regarded as a major transition in Indian history because they marked a significant turning point, especially in the political landscape of north India. This period witnessed the beginning of foreign rule and a profound alteration of power equations that had lasting consequences.
Examples of Change:
- Political Change: The most significant change was the establishment of Turkic rule in parts of north India. While earlier invasions had limited impact, the campaigns of Muhammad Ghūrī led to territorial conquest and the foundation for the future Delhi Sultanate. This was a departure from the rule by various native kingdoms.
- Cultural and Religious Disruption: The invasions led to the large-scale destruction of temples and major centres of learning. For example, Mahmūd of Ghazni destroyed the temples at Mathura and Somnath, while Bakhtiyār Khiljī destroyed the universities of Nālandā and Vikramaśhilā. This precipitated the decline of Buddhism in India and marked the spread of Islam as a new creed.
Examples of Continuity:
- Economic Activity: Despite the conflicts in the north, internal and external trade continued to thrive. The text mentions that India's trade with China and Southeast Asia kept growing, and powerful merchant guilds survived and adapted to the changing times.
- Cultural and Scientific Pursuits: In many parts of India, cultural traditions, art, literature, and science continued to flourish. Great mathematicians like Bhāskarāchārya produced important works, rulers like Bhoja Paramāra wrote on various subjects, and magnificent temples such as the Kandāriyā Mahādeva at Khajuraho and the Sun Temple at Konark were constructed during this period.
Q2Questions and activities
Observe Fig. 3.27 in the previous chapter and draw a similar 'star of dynasties' gathering all or most of the dynasties that appear in this chapter.
Solution
While a visual 'star of dynasties' cannot be drawn here, we can list the major dynasties from the 11th and 12th centuries and their primary regions of influence, representing a similar concept:
-
North-Western and Northern India:
- Hindu Shāhis: Afghanistan and Punjab
- Ghaznavids: Afghanistan, Punjab (Invaders)
- Ghūrids: Afghanistan, conquered North India (Invaders)
- Chāhamānas (Chauhāns): Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana
-
Central India:
- Chandellas: Khajuraho region (Bundelkhand)
- Paramāras: Malwa region (Madhya Pradesh)
-
Eastern India:
- Senas: Bengal
- Eastern Gangas: Kalinga (Odisha)
-
Deccan and Southern India:
- Western Chālukyas: Deccan (Karnataka, Maharashtra)
- Kākatīyas: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Hoysalas: Karnataka
- Cholas: Tamil Nadu, with influence in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia
- Pāṇḍyas: Southern Tamil Nadu
Q3Questions and activities
Taking a map of the Subcontinent, draw a geographical tour that covers all or most dynasties in this chapter (you may draw inspiration from some of the 'travels' the chapter's narration follows).
Solution
Following the narrative of the chapter, a geographical tour of the major dynasties of the 11th and 12th centuries would look like this:
- Start in the Northwest: Our journey begins in present-day Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, the region of the Hindu Shāhis and the base for the invading Ghaznavids (from Ghazni) and later the Ghūrids (from Ghor).
- Move into North India: From the northwest, we travel east into the lands of the Chāhamānas (Chauhāns) in Rajasthan and Delhi. We then move southeast into Central India to visit the kingdom of the Chandellas at Khajuraho and the Paramāras in the Malwa region.
- Travel to the East: Continuing east, we reach the kingdom of the Senas in Bengal. From there, we travel south along the coast to Kalinga (modern Odisha), the domain of the Eastern Gangas.
- Journey to the Deccan: Moving further south into the Deccan plateau, we encounter the territories of the Western Chālukyas. In this region, we also find the emerging powers of the Kākatīyas in modern Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and the Hoysalas in Karnataka.
- Conclude in the Far South: Our tour ends in the southernmost part of the subcontinent, in the heartland of the mighty Cholas in Tamil Nadu. Here, we also find their southern neighbours and rivals, the Pāṇḍyas.
Q4Questions and activities
With the help of a map of India and Southeast Asia, can you calculate the approximate distance that Rājendra I's fleet of ships had to navigate to reach their objective?
Solution
This is an activity-based question. To find the approximate distance, one would need a map with a scale.
The objective of Rājendra Chola I's naval expedition was the Śhrīvijaya Empire, which controlled the Strait of Malacca, located between present-day Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The Route:
- The Chola fleet would have started from a port on the eastern coast of India, likely in Tamil Nadu, such as Nāgapaṭṭinam.
- They would have sailed east across the Bay of Bengal.
- Their destination was the Strait of Malacca and the capital of the Śhrīvijaya Empire.
Approximate Distance:
Looking at a modern map, the distance from the coast of Tamil Nadu to the Strait of Malacca is roughly 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers. The actual naval journey would have been longer depending on the specific route taken, sea currents, and weather conditions. This was a significant long-distance naval operation for its time, highlighting the maritime strength of the Chola empire.
Q5Questions and activities
Match these two pairs: (a) Eastern Gangas
(i)
Belur
(b)
Chandellas
(ii)
Bṛihadīśhvara temple
(c)
Paramāras
(iii)
Konark Sun temple
(d)
Hoysalas
(iv)
Kandāriyā Mahādeva temple (e) Cholas
(v)
Bhojeshwar temple
Solution
Based on the information provided in the chapter, the correct matches are:
- (a) Eastern Gangas - (iii) Konark Sun temple: The chapter states that the Eastern Ganga dynasty initiated the construction of the Sun temple at Konark.
- (b) Chandellas - (iv) Kandāriyā Mahādeva temple: The chapter mentions the Kandāriyā Mahādeva temple as an architectural marvel constructed at Khajuraho by the Chandellas.
- (c) Paramāras - (v) Bhojeshwar temple: The chapter credits the Paramāra king Bhoja with building the impressive Bhojeshwar Temple.
- (d) Hoysalas - (i) Belur: The chapter mentions that Velāpura (today's Belur) was one of the Hoysalas' capitals and is famous for its temple architecture.
- (e) Cholas - (ii) Bṛihadīśhvara temple: The chapter states that Rājarāja Chola I built the Bṛihadīśhvara temple at Thanjavur.
Q6Questions and activities
Working in groups, compare the dynasties in this chapter and in the preceding one; create a table to list the dynasties present in both, those that disappear from the preceding period, and those that appear in this chapter's period.
Solution
Here is a comparison of the dynasties from the previous period (c. 8th-10th centuries) and the period of this chapter (11th-12th centuries).
| Category | Dynasties