Reshaping India’s Political Map Class 8 Question and Answers
Reshaping India’s Political Map Class 8 Question and Answers by jnvteacher complete notes with extra questions. History section with NCERT solutions
Q. In Which year the Delhi Sultanate was established?
Ans – 1206
Q. Which year Marks the re-establishment of the Mewar Kingdom?
Ans – 1326
Q. Which year Marks the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire
Ans – 1336
Q. Which year Marks the establishment of the Bahmani Sultanate
Ans – 1347
Q. In Which year Timur attacked Delhi?
Ans – 1398
Q. In Which year the Portuguese arrived in India?
Ans – 1498
Q. In Context of India Medieval Era exist in which century?
Ans – 11th to the 17th centuries
Q. Turkic or Afghan where from which part of the world?
Ans – Central Asia
Q. What does the word Turkic refers?
Ans – It refers to peoples, languages, and cultures historically associated with a vast region stretching across Central Asia, all the way to Turkey and Siberia.
Q. Why were the Turkic or Afghan drawn towards India ?
Ans – They were drawn towards India due to the following reasons –
a) Reputed riches and for territorial ambitions,
b) to spread their religion.
Q. When was the Delhi Sultanate, formed ?
Ans – It was formed after the defeat of King Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192, who ruled over parts of northwestern India.
Q. How many successive foreign dynasties of Turkic-Afghan origin ruled Delhi?
Ans – The Sultanate saw the rule of five successive foreign dynasties of Turkic-Afghan origin —
a)the Mamluks (or ‘Slave dynasty’),
b)the Khiljis (or Khaljis),
c)the Tughlaqs,
d)the Sayyids,
e)the Lodis (or Lodhis).
Q. Which two Kingdoms from east and south India resisted the Sultanate advance and also emerged as thriving centres of art, culture, and administration?
Ans – The Eastern Gangas in the east and the Hoysalas in the south.
Q. Why do you think Ala-ud-din Khilji called himself ‘the second Alexander’?
Ans – Ala-ud-din Khilji called himself ‘the second Alexander’ due to the following reasons-
a) Ala-ud-din Khilji conducted military campaigns over large areas of north and central India, sacking and plundering many cities;
b) At the same time, he also repelled several invasions by Mongol forces.
Q. Who minted the coin, which bears the inscription ‘Sikander Sani’ or ‘the second Alexander’ in Persian?
Ans – Ala-ud-din Khilji
Q. Ala-ud-din Khiljis, slave-general Malik Kafur expanded the Sultanate’s reach southward. Explain the statement.
Ans – He Conquered several kingdoms on the way;
a) Their plundered wealth helped finance the Sultanate’s enormous military apparatus.
b)He also attacked a number of Hindu centres such as Srirangam, Madurai, Chidambaram, and possibly Rameswaram.
Q. What kind of resources do you think were needed to maintain
an army and wage war in those days?
Ans – The resources the sultanate needed to maintain
an army and wage war in those days are as follows-
a) Soldiers
b) Taxes
c) Coins to pay the soldiers
d) Weapons
e) Grains to feed the soldiers
Q. For the first time since the Mauryan Empire, most of the Subcontinent was now under which sultanate ruler?
Ans – Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Q. Muhammad bin Tughlaq had ambitious schemes, but they were often poorly executed. Explain the statement.
Ans –
a) Moving his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
b) The people were forced to travel over 1,000 km, both transfers resulted in great loss of life.
c) The introduction of ‘token currency’.
Q. What was ‘token currency’, introduced by Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
Ans – Cheap copper coins were declared to be tokens and had the value of silver or gold coins, at the time this created confusion in the trade and encouraged people to counterfeit copper coins, all of which caused the economy to decline.
Q. What were the means of generating wealth by sultans and their court elite?
Ans – This wealth was largely derived from the following –
a) Plunder from their military campaigns,
b) Taxes levied on common people and conquered regions, and
c) Engagement in slave trade
Q. What was the effect of plunder by sultans and elite on the common people?
Ans – The effect of plunder led to –
a)Trade networks
b) Agricultural production reduced
Q. Define Iconoclasm?
Ans – The rejection or destruction of icons or religious images.
Q. Why do we use the term ‘image’ rather than common terms like ‘idol’ or ‘icon’?
Ans – We use the term “image” instead of “idol” or “icon” to maintain clarity, neutrality.
Q. How did the India’s classical texts used the word image?
Ans – India’s classical texts used words like mūrti, vigraha, pratimā, rūpa, etc., to designate images, often statues, used for worshipin temples or homes.
Q. What was “jizya”?
Ans – A tax on nonMuslim subjects to grant them protection and exemption from military service.
Q. Write a note on “jizya”.
Ans – It depends on the ruler, It was a discriminatory tax which was a source of economic burden and public humiliation, and formed a financial and social incentive for subjects to convert to Islam. A tax on nonMuslim subjects to grant them protection and exemption from military service.
Q. Who was Timur?
Ans – Timur, was a brutal Turkic-Mongol conqueror from central Asia. At the end of the 14th century he invaded northwest India.
Q. What was Timur’s two-fold objective?
Ans – His two-fold objective was to wage “war with the infidels and to gain something by plundering the wealth of the infidels”.
Q. Define Infidel.
Ans – Literally, someone who does not share the faith /religion.
Q. Explain Infidel in context to Religion?
Ans – For medieval Christianity, infidels were Muslims or Pagans; for medieval Islam, infidels were Christians or, in the context of India, Hindus, Buddhists or Jains.
Q. Which was the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate after the Plunder by Timur?
Ans – The Lodis Dynasty.
Q. Throughout its rule, the Delhi Sultanate faced resistance from which Kindoms?
Ans – The Delhi Sultanate faced resistance from Eastern Ganga kingdom – of Kalinga, which included present-day Odisha and parts of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
Q. Whom did Narasimhadeva I defeated of Sultanate?
Ans – He defeated the Delhi Sultanate’s governor of Bengal.
Q. Who built Sūrya temple at Konark?
Ans – Narasimhadeva I built Sūrya temple at Konark to commemorate his victories over the Sultanate.
Q. Who formed a confederacy that defeated the Delhi Sultanate forces, and expelled Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s army from Warangal (present-day Telangana) around 1330-1336?
Ans – Musunuri Nayakas, Telugu chieftains, rallied over 75 more chieftains of the region, formed a confederacy that defeated the Delhi Sultanate forces.
Q. How did the Hoysala kingdom came to an End?
Ans – Hoysala kingdom came to an End due to the following reasons –
a) Frequent attack from the Delhi Sultanate
b) Internal conflicts
In the mid-14th century, was absorbed into the Vijayanagara Empire further south.
Q. When did the Bahmani Sultanate rose to power?
Ans – The Bahmani Sultanate rose to power in the mid-14th century and controlled much of the Deccan for a while.
Q. Who was Rana Kumbha?
Ans – He was the ruler of the Mewar kingdom.
Q. Write a note on Kumbhalgarh Fort.
Ans – Kumbhalgarh Fort was built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century in the Aravalli hills and served as a stronghold forthe rulers of Mewar, a prominent Rajput kingdom (in the central and southern parts of today’s Rajasthan). Surrounded by forests and steep slopes, it is famous for its massive 36-kilometre-longwall, one of the longest continuous walls in the world.
Q. Why do you think such locations (Kumbhalgarh Fort)were chosen for many of the medieval forts?
Ans – Kumbhalgarh Fort, like many other medieval forts, was strategically located for defensive, geographic, and political reasons. Here’s why such locations were often chosen:
a)Natural Defense and Security
b)Strategic Positioning
c)Access to Resources
d)Political Boundaries
Q. Who established the Vijayanagara Empire?
Ans – In the 14th century, two brothers, Harihara and Bukka, who had initially served as governors under Muhammad bin Tughlaq, eventually rejected Delhi’s authority, and established an independent kingdom that became a significant force in southern India and grew into the Vijayanagara Empire.
Q. Where is the Virūpākṣha temple located?
Ans- It is located in Vijayanagara city (present-day Hampi) Karnataka.
Q. Who was Vidyaranya?
Ans – He was the Guru of Harihara and Bukka. He advised them to establish their capital at Vijayanagara.
Q. Name the 5 independent states fragmented from the Bahmani Sultanate called the ‘Deccan Sultanates’.
Ans – The 5 independent states eventually fragmented from the Bahmani Sultanate are as follows-
a)Bijapur
b)Golconda
c)Berar
d)Ahmednagar
e)Bidar
Q. What does the term pati in titles like ‘Gajapati’ signify?
Ans – The term pati in titles like ‘Gajapati’? Pati means ‘lord’ or ‘master’ and was commonly used by many ruling dynasties to signify power and stature. The Vijayanagara kings were called ‘Narapati’, the Bahmani Sultanate rulers ‘Ashwapati’, and the Maratha rulers ‘Chhatrapati’ — each title reflecting different aspects of kingship and power.
Q. Krishnadevaraya was related to which empire?
Ans – Krishnadevaraya was related to Vijayanagara Empire, In the 16th century, he expanded and secured the empire’s dominance over the Deccan.
Q. Write a note on Krishnadevaraya.
Ans – Under his rule, the empire achieved both military power and cultural renaissance. He patronised poets and scholars in Sanskrit, Telugu and Kannada; he himself composed an epic poem in Telugu, Āmuktamālyada, on the story of the Tamil poet-saint Āṇḍāl; one section of the work is a Rājanīti (‘royal policy’) where he expounded his ideas of good governance. He provided grants to many temples, including Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and the Vitthala temple.
Q. Monolithic pillars; when struck, their smaller columns give out different musical notes — hence their name ‘musical pillars’ is related to which temple?
Ans – Vitthala temple (Vijayanagara)
Q. Domingo Paes, foreign travellers who visited Vijayanagara for trade, left a long and detailed record of his stay in the Vijayanagara capital. He was from which foreign origin?
Ans – Portuguese
Q. When did Krishnadevaraya died of illness?
Ans – 1529.
Q. Who formed a coalition and defeated the Vijayanagara forces led by Ramaraya in 1565 at the Battle of Talikota?
Ans – The Deccan Sultanates defeated Krishnadevaraya’s son-in-law.
Q. The empire of Vijayanagara got fragmented into smaller regions after the Battle of Talikota. Who ruled the regions?
Ans – The Nayakas
Q. The ‘First Battle of Panipat’, was fought between ?
Ans – Babur, a Turkic Mongol ruler and Ibrahim Lodi (Delhi Sultanate) in 1526.
Q. Babur, ruled which area before coming to India?
Ans – Samarkand (modern-day Uzbekistan)
Q. How did Babur Defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526?
Ans – He used gunpowder, field artillery, and matchlock guns, which had recently been introduced in warfare in India.
Q. Who laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire?
Ans – Babur
Q. Who erected ‘towers of skulls’ while defeating the Delhi Sultanate?
Ans – Babur
Q. What strikes you in Babur’s impressions of India?
Ans – Babur was nostalgic about Central Asia and found India to be a ‘country of few charms’; at the same time, he acknowledged, “Hindustan is a large country and has masses of gold and silver.
Q. After Babur’s death in 1530, who sat on the throne of Delhi?
Ans – Babur’s son Humayun.
Q. After Babur’s death in 1530, his son Humayun struggled to hold the empire together. Explain?
Ans – Taking advantage of this, Sher Shah Suri, a powerful Afghan leader, established the Sur Empire over large parts of north India and introduced many lasting reforms; the empire was short-lived, however, as Humayun soon reconquered the lost ground.
Q. Who was Himu (or Hemu)?
Ans – Himu (or Hemu), was a skilled military commander and chief minister (‘wazir’) under one of the last Suri rulers, captured Delhi and ruled it briefly under the royal name of Hemchandra Vikramaditya.
Q. The Second Battle of Panipat was fought between which ruler in 1556?
Ans – The Second Battle of Panipat was fought between Hemchandra Vikramaditya and Akbar.
Q. Where is the fort Chittor (or Chittorgarh) located?
Ans – It is located in Rajasthan.
Q. What is jauhar?
Ans – Rajput women jumping into mass fires to avoid being captured and enslaved; this jauhar was considered a heroic act of final resistance and a means of preserving one’s honour.
Q. How did Akbar stabilise his reign?
Ans – He increasingly used political strategies to stabilise it-
a) He entered into marriage alliances with princesses of neighbouring kingdoms,
b)Welcomed Rajput and regional leaders into his court,
c) Abolished the jizya, and promoted the doctrine of sulh-ikul — literally, ‘peace with all’ or tolerance of all faiths.
d) Akbar expanded and stabilised his empire, even gaining the support of many Rajput rulers.
Q. Who was Akbar’s court historian and biographer?
Ans – Abul Fazl
Q. Define the word proselytes.
Ans – Converting people to other Religion on compulsion.
Q. When did Akbar Die?
Ans – His reign lasted almost 50 years (1556 to his death in 1605).
Q. Why do you think Akbar employed different strategies to expand his empire, while the earlier rulers of Delhi relied mostly on military might?
Ans – While earlier Delhi rulers relied heavily on military power to control territory, Akbar understood that lasting empire-building required diplomacy, integration, and good governance. His blend of military strength, political marriages, religious tolerance, and administrative reforms allowed him to expand and consolidate a vast and diverse empire more effectively than his predecessors.
Q. Who built the five-storied ‘Panch Mahal’ at Fatehpur Sikri, a city in present-day Agra?
Ans – Akbar
Q. Who built the five-storied ‘Panch Mahal’ at Fatehpur Sikri, a city in present-day Agra?
Ans – Akbar built to pay tribute to the Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisthi.
Q. The Mahābhārata was translated by Akbar in Persian known as ?
Ans – Razmnama, or the ‘Book of War’.
Q. Which of the Text was translated by Akbar at ‘house of translation’ at Fatehpur Sikri?
Ans – The Sanskrit Text translated by Akbar are as follows-
a) The Mahābhārata (Razmnama in Persian, or the ‘Book of War’),
b) The Rāmāyaṇa (with 176 beautiful miniature paintings),
c) The Bhagavad Gītā,
d)The Pañchatantra.
Q. Who built the Taj Mahal at Agra?
Ans – Jahangir son Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal at Agra.
Q. Whom did Aurangzeb defeat and killed to annex the throne?
Ans – Aurangzeb defeated and killed his Elder brother Dara Shikoh to annex the throne.
Q. Where did Aurangzeb imprisoned his father Shah Jahan?
Ans – Aurangzeb imprisoned his father Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort.
Q. When was Aurangzeb crowned? What did he named himself? He ruled for how many years?
Ans – Aurangzeb crowned himself emperor in 1658 and named himself ‘Alamgir’ or ‘conqueror of the world’; he ruled for almost 49 years.
Q. When did Aurangzeb die?
Ans – He died in 1707.
Q. What were the things imposed by Aurangzeb to the infidels?
Ans – The things imposed by Aurangzeb-
a) banned practices music and dance in his court,
b) Reimposed the jizya tax on non-Muslims as well as a pilgrimage tax on Hindus travelling to their sacred places.
c) In 1669, he ordered governors of all provinces “to demolish schools and temples of the infidels and put down
their teachings and religious practices.”
d) Temples at Banaras, Mathura, Somnath, were destroyed, as well as Jain temples and Sikh gurudwaras.
Q. Why did many Peasant and Tribal communities rebelled against the mughals?
Ans – They rebelled against the mughals due to the following reasons –
a) Jat peasantry 17th century (in present-day western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and eastern Rajasthan).
b) Many tribal groups — the Bhils, the Gonds, the Santhals, the Kochs.
They fought back against attempts to annex their territory or impose taxes on them.
Q. Write a note on Rani Durgavati.
Ans – Rani Durgavati is remembered as a valiant queen of the Garha kingdom (one of the Gond kingdoms in central India). She kept an army of 20,000 soldiers and 1,000 elephants, with which she repelled several attempted invasions. When a general sent by Akbar attacked her kingdom in 1564, despite being outnumbered and outmatched in weaponry, she led her troops and fought bravely. Wounded, she took her own life on the battlefield to avoid capture. She was only 40. Her sacrifice became a symbol of regional pride and resistance, and she is still revered as a heroic figure in Indian history.
Q. Who defeated Rana Sanga and in which battle?
Ans – Babur at the Battle of Khanwa.
Q. Maharana Pratap ruled which Region?
Ans – He ruled Mewar and refused to accept Mughal suzerainty and became the face of Rajput resistance.
Q. Define Guerrilla warfare.
Ans – A style of fighting where small groups with knowledge of the terrain carry out surprise attacks and ambushes to defeat bigger armies.
Q. Maharana Pratap received strong support from which tribal Groups against the Mughals?
Ans – The Bhils, who not only joined his troops as archers but also contributed their knowledge of the terrain; their service (on other occasions too) earned them a respected place in Mewar’s military tradition.
Q. Who was Durga Das?
Ans – Durga Das Rathore was a Rajput ruler of Marwar, who fought to protect the independence of Jodhpur from Mughals.
Q. What is Paik system and where was it followed?
Ans – Every able-bodied man to provide service to the state through labour or military duty in exchange for land rights. It was followed the Ahom kingdom.
Q. What was the benefit of the Paik system in the Ahom kingdom?Ans – This system allowed the rulers to create public infrastructure and maintain a large standing force without a permanent army.
Q. How the paik system affected the daily lives of the people in the Ahom kingdom, both in terms of challenges and benefits, and helped the king manage both the army and the economy?
Ans – The paik system was both a social and administrative backbone of the Ahom kingdom.
a) Helped balance economic productivity with military readiness.
b) Enabled the king to govern a vast and diverse territory with minimal cost.
Over time, as the kingdom expanded and social dynamics changed, the paik system began to decline—but for centuries, it was a remarkably effective system of grassroots governance.
Q. What was the capital of Ahom?
Ans – The capital of Ahom was Garhgaon, present day Sivasagar, Assam.
Q. The Battle of Saraighat (1671) was fought between which rulers?
Ans – The Battle of Saraighat (1671), fought on the Brahmaputra River near present-day Guwahati, the Ahom military commander Lachit Borphukan and his 10,000 men defeated a Mughal force of 30,000 soldiers.
Q. How did the Ahoms use the rivers, hills and forests of Assam to their advantage?
Ans – The Ahoms skillfully used the rivers, hills, and forests of Assam to their advantage in several strategic, economic, and cultural ways.
Rivers – The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries served as natural defensive barriers against invaders.
Hills – The hills around the Brahmaputra Valley acted as natural fortresses.
Forests – The dense forests provided cover for ambushes and guerrilla tactics, which the Ahoms used effectively in battles like the Battle of Saraighat (1671).
Q. Which Mughal Emperor tortured and executed Guru Arjan?
Ans – Emperor Jahangir
Q. Which Sikh Guru introduce martial training and form a Sikh army, against the Mughal forces?
Ans – Guru Hargobind
Q. What is the Sikhs sacred text?
Ans – Guru Granth Sahib
Q. Who first compiled the Guru Granth Sahib?
Ans – Guru Arjan
Q. Which Mughal Emperor killed Guru Tegh Bahadur in Chandni Chowk, Delhi?
Ans – Aurangzeb
Q. Who established the Khalsa?
Ans – The 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa.
Q. Define Khalsa.
Ans – It was a martial brotherhood committed to justice, equality and defence of the faith, which frequently clashed with the Mughal forces, at great cost of life.
Q. Where is the “Gurudwara Sis Gunj Sahib” located?
Ans – It is located in Chandni Chowk Delhi, it marks the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was beheaded by Aurangzeb in 1675.
Q. Why do you think Guru Tegh Bahadur endured torture rather than convert? Why did he think his sacrifice would make a difference?
Ans – Guru Tegh Bahadur endured torture because he believed:
a) Truth is greater than fear.
b) Freedom of belief is a universal right.
c) One person’s sacrifice can protect the dignity of many.
And he was right—his martyrdom is remembered not just by Sikhs, but by all who value religious liberty and moral courage.
Q. What values did the Sikh Gurus and the Khalsa embody?
Ans – The Sikh Gurus and the Khalsa embodied faith, equality, service, justice, and courage, forming a spiritual and moral framework that continues to inspire millions.
Q. How are they relevant in today’s world?
Ans – The teachings and legacy of the Sikh Gurus and the Khalsa are deeply relevant in today’s world, offering guidance and inspiration in a time marked by inequality, conflict, and moral uncertainty.
Q. What qualities of Ranjit Singh allowed him to establish a strong centralised Sikh Empire?
Ans – He established a strong centralised Sikh Empire due to the following reasons-
a) Ranjit Singh’s military acumen
b) Diplomatic skill and religious tolerance
Q. What were the Mughal administrative framework? Discuss.
Ans – The officers appointed during the Mughal administrative framework are as follows-
a)Diwan = finances,
b)Mir Bakhshi = military matters
c)Khan-i-Saman = public works, trade, industry and agriculture.
d)Sadr = justice, religious and educational matters.
e)Nobles (iqtadars) – to collect taxes which, minus expenses, were supposed to go to the Sultan’s treasury
Q. Write note on mansabdari system.
Ans – Akbar’s administration, mansabdars (officers) according to their mansab (rank) were expected to maintain a precise number of elephants, horses, camels as well as troops for the state. This made it possible to assemble an army at a short notice without having to maintain a permanent centralised army. Mansabdars were generally paid by being assigned land (jagirs) and were therefore also known as jagirdars.
Q. Ain-i-Akbari was written by whom?
Ans – Abul Fazl
Q. Who was the finance minister of Akbar?
Ans – Todar Mal
Q. Despite shifting political powers between the 13th and 17th
centuries, India witnessed vibrant economic activity. Explain the statement.
Ans – The things helped India are as follows:-
a) its agrarian foundations,
b) thriving artisanal industries,
c) community-based and temple-based economies, and
d) extensive trade networks.
Q. What were some of the progress in infrastructural works during the Sultanate period ?
Ans – The Sultanate period saw some progress in infrastructural works, such as
a) Especially roads in north India, bridges, a few canals and other
b) Irrigation works, apart from the creation of new cities,
c) Coins in several metals were introduced as currency.
Ncert Solution Reshaping India’s Political Map
Q. Compare the political strategies of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. What similarities and differences existed between them?
Ans – The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) and the Mughal Empire (1526–1857) were two major Islamic dynasties that ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent.
Similarities Between them are as follows:-
a) Centralized Authority
b) Use of Persian as Administrative Language
c) Military Expansion and Control
d) Provincial Administration
Differences Between them are as follows:-
| The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) | The Mughal Empire (1526–1857) |
| Founded by military slaves and Turkish-Afghan elites; often lacked dynastic continuity. | Founded by Babur, with a strong Timurid-Mongol lineage and dynastic stability |
| Less organized, relied heavily on personal loyalty and military grants (iqta). | Created a highly bureaucratic system with mansabdari system (ranking system for civil and military officers). |
| imposed jizya | Akbar abolished jizya, |
| Multiple short-lived dynasties (e.g., Mamluks, Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, Lodis); frequent palace coups. | Long-lasting, relatively stable dynasty (1526–1707 main period); succession wars but less systemic collapse. |
Both dynasties impacted Indian politics profoundly, but the Mughals’ political strategy was more adaptive and institutionally robust, allowing them to maintain a far more enduring and stable empire.
Q. Why did kingdoms like the Vijayanagara Empire and the Ahom Kingdom manage to resist conquest for a longer time compared to others? What geographical, military, and social factors contributed to their success?
Ans – The Vijayanagara Empire and the Ahom Kingdom resisted conquest longer than many other Indian kingdoms due to a combination of geographical, military, and social factors that provided them with resilience against invasions.
Vijayanagara Empire
a) Situated in the Deccan Plateau, the empire was surrounded by rugged terrain, hills, and rivers (like the Tungabhadra).
b) Maintained a large and well-equipped standing army, including cavalry, infantry, elephants, and later firearms.
c) Alliances – Used strategic alliances and intelligence networks to stay ahead of enemy moves.
Ahom Kingdom
a) The flood-prone due to Brahmaputra and marshy land created natural obstacles for invaders.
b) Guerilla Warfare: They utilized the terrain to ambush and harass invaders.
c) Paik System: A unique military-labor system where every male was a potential soldier.
While eventually both did fall—Vijayanagara in the 16th century after the Battle of Talikota, and the Ahoms in the 19th century to the British—their longevity is a testament to their strategic strengths.
Q. Imagine you are a scholar in the court of Akbar or Krishnadevaraya. Write a letter to a friend describing the politics, trade, culture, and society you are witnessing.
Ans – Do it Yourself.
Q. How come Akbar, a ruthless conqueror in his young days, grew tolerant and benevolent after some years? What could have led to such a change?
Ans – Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is known for undergoing a profound transformation from a youthful conqueror into a more tolerant and enlightened ruler.
Several key factors likely contributed to this change:
a) Akbar had a deep interest in different faiths and philosophies. This led him to establish the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship).
b) Tolerance became a political strategy. By integrating Hindu Rajputs into his court and military, he built loyalty among former rivals and ensured internal peace.
c) As he grew older, Akbar likely matured emotionally and intellectually.
This transformation not only stabilized his empire but also left a lasting legacy of pluralism in Indian history.
Q. What might have happened if the Vijayanagara Empire had won the Battle of Talikota? Imagine and describe how it could have changed the political and cultural history of south India.
Ans – In 1565, the Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, and Bidar) united and defeated the Vijayanagara Empire, leading to the sacking of its capital, Hampi. This battle marked the beginning of the empire’s rapid decline.
Had Vijayanagara triumphed at Talikota, South India might have remained politically unified, culturally dominant, and economically independent for much longer.
The fall of Vijayanagara created a power vacuum that European colonial powers later exploited. Its survival might have slowed or altered colonization, reshaped India’s modern linguistic and cultural boundaries, and fostered a distinct southern narrative in Indian history.
Q. Many values promoted by early Sikhism, including equality, seva, and justice, remain relevant today. Select one of these values and discuss how it remains relevant in contemporary society.
Ans – Value: Equality
Equality, a core value promoted by early Sikhism, remains deeply relevant in contemporary society. In a world still grappling with issues like racism, gender discrimination, economic disparity, and caste-based injustices, the Sikh principle of sarbat da bhala (the well-being of all) encourages us to view and treat all people as inherently equal, regardless of their background, status, or beliefs.
The early Sikh practice of langar (community kitchen), where people of all backgrounds sit together and share a meal, is a powerful symbol of inclusivity and equality that still exists in gurdwaras around the world today.
By upholding equality, we can build a more just, compassionate, and united society— one where diversity is celebrated and everyone has the chance to thrive.
Q. Imagine you are a trader in a port city (Surat, Calicut or Hooghly). Describe the scenes you see as regards goods, people you trade with, movement of ships, etc.
Ans – Do it Yourself.