CBSE Class 7 Social Science Our Past 2 Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years Important Questions Important Questions - Free PDF Download
FAQs on Important Questions for CBSE Class 7 Social Science Our Past 2 Chapter 1 - Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years Important Questions
1. What were the different types of sources historians use to study the period between 700 and 1750 for the CBSE Class 7 syllabus?
For the period between 700 and 1750 CE, as per the CBSE Class 7 curriculum, historians rely on a variety of sources to reconstruct the past. These are often asked as important questions in exams and include:
- Textual Records: These include chronicles, biographies, and teachings of saints written on paper, which became more common during this time.
- Inscriptions: Carvings on hard surfaces like temple walls, stones, and copper plates provide official orders and records of donations.
- Coins: These were issued by different rulers and help us understand the extent of their kingdoms and their economic conditions.
- Architecture: Monuments like forts, tombs, and temples reveal the artistic, cultural, and engineering skills of the period.
2. How did the meaning of the term 'Hindustan' change between the 13th and 16th centuries?
The meaning of the term 'Hindustan' changed significantly over time, a key concept for exams. In the 13th century, the chronicler Minhaj-i-Siraj used it to refer to the areas of Punjab, Haryana, and the lands between the Ganga and Yamuna, which were under the control of the Delhi Sultan. In contrast, by the 16th century, the Mughal emperor Babur used 'Hindustan' to describe the geography, the culture, and the natural vegetation of the entire subcontinent. The term was geographical and cultural, not a political one like the modern nation-state of 'India'.
3. Who was considered a 'foreigner' in the medieval period, and how is it different from today’s meaning?
In the medieval period, a 'foreigner' (or *pardesi*) was any stranger who was not a part of a specific village's society or culture. For example, a city-dweller might be considered a 'foreigner' by a forest-dweller. This is different from the modern meaning, where 'foreigner' refers to someone who is a citizen of another country. In medieval times, two people from the same kingdom but different villages could be foreigners to each other.
4. What were 'jatis', and how were their affairs regulated during this period?
As society grew more complex, people were grouped into 'jatis' or sub-castes based on their occupation and background. A person's jati could influence their social standing. To manage their communities, jatis formed their own rules and regulations. These rules were enforced by an assembly of elders, which was known as the 'jati panchayat'. However, jatis were also required to follow the rules of their villages.
5. What were some of the key technological innovations mentioned in Chapter 1 that were introduced in the subcontinent during the medieval period?
Several important technologies appeared during this era, leading to significant changes in society. For exam purposes, key examples to remember are:
- The Persian wheel, which was used for more efficient irrigation in agriculture.
- The spinning wheel, which improved the process of weaving cloth.
- Firearms in combat, which revolutionised warfare in the subcontinent.
6. Describe the major religious developments that occurred between 700 and 1750 CE.
This period witnessed several major religious shifts, which is an important topic for 5-mark questions. Key developments included:
- In Hinduism, new deities were worshipped, royalty sponsored the construction of grand temples, and the influence of Brahmanas grew. The idea of 'bhakti', a loving, personal devotion to a deity, also became very popular.
- Islam was introduced to the subcontinent by merchants and migrants. Rulers became patrons of Islam, and it was interpreted in various ways by its followers, leading to the development of different traditions like the Shia and Sunni schools.
7. Why do historians face challenges when using manuscripts as sources for the medieval period?
Manuscripts are a valuable source, but they present significant challenges. Since there was no printing press, scribes copied texts by hand. This led to issues such as:
- Unintentional Errors: Scribes could misread words or make small mistakes while copying.
- Accumulated Changes: Over centuries of repeated copying, these small errors would multiply, making later versions very different from the original text.
- No Original Text: The original manuscript written by the author is rarely available today. Historians must compare multiple, different versions to guess what the author originally wrote, which is a complex task.
8. How did the emergence of new social and political groups, like the Rajputs, shape the history of this era?
The emergence of new groups was a defining feature of this period. The Rajputs, a term for a group of warriors claiming Kshatriya status, became very powerful. They were known for their code of chivalry and loyalty. The rise of such groups created new political dynamics and competition. Other groups, including the Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, Ahoms, and Kayasthas (a caste of scribes), also gained political importance by taking advantage of the social and economic opportunities of the era.
9. Why is the thousand-year period between 700 and 1750 CE considered a time of great change and not a static one?
This period is considered highly dynamic because of the wide range and scale of developments. It was not a stagnant era but a time of significant transformation. Key reasons for this include the introduction of new technologies and crops, the large-scale movement of people, the rise and fall of powerful pan-regional empires, the emergence of new social and political groups, and profound changes in religious beliefs and practices like the spread of bhakti and Islam.
10. Explain why historians divide the past into periods. What are the limitations of applying the 'ancient, medieval, and modern' model to Indian history?
Historians divide the past into large segments or periods to make it easier to study the changes over time. They do this based on shared social, economic, or cultural characteristics. However, this model has limitations, especially for Indian history. The term 'medieval' is often contrasted with 'modern,' which is associated with science, reason, and progress. This can incorrectly imply that the medieval period in India was backward or lacked scientific and economic development, which is untrue. Historical changes are also gradual and do not happen overnight, which these rigid time boundaries can sometimes hide.
