NCERT Class 7 Social Studies Chapter 5 and 6 QA

Chapter 5 – The Rise of Empires

A. 20 Short Question–Answers

1. What is an empire?
   An empire is a large territory consisting of many regions or kingdoms ruled by one supreme ruler.

2. What is a tributary kingdom?
   A tributary kingdom is a kingdom that accepts the authority of an emperor and pays tribute to him.

3. Why did Magadha become powerful?
   Magadha had fertile land, iron ore, forests, elephants and important river routes.

4. Name the important rivers connected with Magadha.
   The Ganga and the Son were important rivers connected with Magadha.

5. Who founded the Nanda dynasty?
   Mahapadma Nanda founded the Nanda dynasty.

6. Who was Dhana Nanda?
   Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty.

7. Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
   Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire.

8. Who was Kautilya?
   Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was an adviser to Chandragupta Maurya.

9. What is the Arthashastra?
   The Arthashastra is a famous work associated with Kautilya that discusses statecraft, administration, economy and warfare.

10. Who was Ashoka?
    Ashoka was a famous Mauryan ruler and the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya.

11. What was the Kalinga War?
    It was a major war fought by Ashoka against Kalinga.

12. How did the Kalinga War affect Ashoka?
    The suffering caused by the war deeply affected Ashoka and encouraged him to follow the path of Dhamma and peace.

13. What was Ashoka's Dhamma?
    Ashoka's Dhamma was a set of moral principles promoting kindness, respect, tolerance and responsible conduct.

14. What were Ashoka's edicts?
    They were inscriptions on rocks and pillars through which Ashoka communicated his ideas and instructions.

15. What was the purpose of Ashoka's Dhamma officers?
    They helped promote Dhamma and public welfare.

16. Why were roads important for the Mauryan Empire?
    Roads helped in administration, communication, trade and movement of armies.

17. How did the Mauryas administer their large empire?
    They used officials, provinces, taxation, roads and a strong army to administer the empire.

18. What is meant by central authority?
    Central authority means power exercised by the main ruler or government over a large territory.

19. Why is Ashoka remembered today?
    He is remembered for his Dhamma, edicts and emphasis on moral conduct and welfare.

20. What is the Lion Capital of Sarnath?
    It is a famous Mauryan sculpture that has been adopted as the State Emblem of India.

B. 10 Fill in the Blanks

1. ________ was the founder of the Mauryan Empire.
   Answer: Chandragupta Maurya

2. Kautilya is also known as ________.
   Answer: Chanakya

3. The famous work associated with Kautilya is the ________.
   Answer: Arthashastra

4. Ashoka fought the famous ________ War.
   Answer: Kalinga

5. Ashoka promoted the principle of ________.
   Answer: Dhamma

6. Ashoka's messages were written on rocks and ________.
   Answer: pillars

7. Magadha was situated in the fertile ________ plains.
   Answer: Ganga

8. The last ruler of the Nanda dynasty was ________.
   Answer: Dhana Nanda

9. The Mauryan capital was ________.
   Answer: Pataliputra

10. The Lion Capital at ________ is India's State Emblem.
    Answer: Sarnath

C. 10 True or False

1. Magadha was one of the powerful mahajanapadas.
   True

2. Chandragupta Maurya founded the Nanda dynasty.
   False

3. Kautilya was associated with Chandragupta Maurya.
   True

4. The Arthashastra deals with ideas of statecraft and administration.
   True

5. Ashoka fought the Kalinga War before becoming ruler.
   False

6. The Kalinga War had a major impact on Ashoka.
   True

7. Ashoka's edicts were written only on wooden boards.
   False

8. Dhamma included respect and tolerance towards others.
   True

9. Rivers helped trade and communication in ancient India.
   True

10. The Lion Capital of Sarnath is India's State Emblem.
    True

D. 10 Medium Question–Answers

1. Why did Magadha emerge as a powerful kingdom?
   Magadha had several natural and economic advantages. Its land was fertile and suitable for agriculture. Iron ore was available nearby, which helped in making tools and weapons. Its forests provided timber and elephants. The Ganga and Son rivers also helped in transport and trade.

2. What factors helped in the transition from kingdoms to empires?
   The growth of agriculture, availability of resources, development of armies and better administration helped powerful kingdoms expand. Trade routes and taxation also provided resources to rulers. Gradually, some kingdoms brought many smaller states under their control and developed into empires.

3. What was the role of Kautilya in the Mauryan Empire?
   Kautilya was an important adviser to Chandragupta Maurya. He is associated with the Arthashastra, which discusses administration, diplomacy, economy, taxation and warfare. His ideas provide important information about ancient Indian statecraft.

4. Why was the Mauryan Empire important?
   The Mauryan Empire brought a very large part of the Indian subcontinent under a central authority. It developed systems of administration, taxation and communication. The inscriptions of Ashoka also provide valuable information about the period.

5. What happened after the Kalinga War?
   The suffering caused by the Kalinga War had a deep impact on Ashoka. He increasingly promoted Dhamma, peaceful conduct, compassion and responsible rule. He communicated these ideas through inscriptions placed across his empire.

6. What were the main ideas of Ashoka's Dhamma?
   Ashoka's Dhamma encouraged kindness, respect for parents and elders, compassion, tolerance and responsible behaviour. It also encouraged respect for different religious traditions and concern for the welfare of people and living beings.

7. Why were Ashoka's edicts important?
   Ashoka's edicts recorded his ideas and instructions on rocks and pillars. They helped communicate his message to people across his empire. Today, they are important historical sources for understanding Ashoka's rule and ideas.

8. How was a large empire administered?
   A large empire required officials, taxation, communication networks and an army. Territories could be divided into administrative units. Roads and rivers helped officials, traders and armies move across the empire.

9. How was an empire different from a kingdom?
   A kingdom was generally ruled by a king over a particular territory and population. An empire was larger and could include several regions and kingdoms under a supreme ruler. Tributary rulers could continue governing their areas while accepting the emperor's authority.

10. Why is Ashoka considered an unusual ruler?
    Ashoka is remembered not only for military expansion but also for the change in his approach after the Kalinga War. He promoted Dhamma, moral conduct, tolerance and welfare and communicated these ideas through inscriptions.

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Chapter 6 – The Age of Reorganisation

Chapter 6 deals with the period after the decline of the Mauryan Empire, when many kingdoms emerged and political powers were reorganised. It includes the Shungas, Satavahanas, Chedis, Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas, along with developments in trade and cultural exchange.

A. 20 Short Question–Answers

1. Why is the period called the Age of Reorganisation?
   Because after the decline of the Mauryan Empire, many new kingdoms emerged and political boundaries were reorganised.

2. When did the Mauryan Empire disintegrate?
   The Mauryan Empire disintegrated around the 2nd century BCE.

3. Who founded the Shunga dynasty?
   Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty.

4. Who was Pushyamitra Shunga?
   He was the commander-in-chief of the last Mauryan ruler and later established the Shunga dynasty.

5. Who were the Satavahanas?
   The Satavahanas were an important dynasty that ruled large parts of the Deccan.

6. Who was Gautamiputra Satakarni?
   He was a prominent Satavahana ruler.

7. Who was Kharavela?
   Kharavela was an important ruler of the Chedi dynasty of Kalinga.

8. Who were the Indo-Greeks?
   They were rulers of Greek origin who established kingdoms in parts of north-western India.

9. Who were the Shakas?
   The Shakas were groups from Central Asia who established kingdoms in parts of India.

10. Who were the Kushanas?
    The Kushanas were a powerful dynasty that ruled parts of northern India and Central Asia.

11. Who was Kanishka?
    Kanishka was a famous Kushana ruler.

12. What was the importance of trade during this period?
    Trade connected different parts of India with one another and with distant regions.

13. What was the Silk Route?
    The Silk Route was a network of trade routes connecting regions of Asia and beyond.

14. What was cultural exchange?
    Cultural exchange means the sharing and mixing of ideas, art, languages, customs and traditions between different peoples.

15. Name three important southern kingdoms of this period.
    The Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.

16. Who was Karikala?
    Karikala was an important Chola ruler.

17. What happened to political power after the Mauryas?
    Many large and small kingdoms emerged and competed with one another.

18. How did foreign groups influence Indian culture?
    They interacted with Indian society and contributed to new forms of art, architecture, coinage and cultural practices.

19. What happened to Sanskrit literature during this period?
    Sanskrit literature flourished during this period.

20. What were the major features of this period?
    Political reorganisation, cultural interaction, development of trade, new artistic styles and the rise of several regional powers were major features.

B. 10 Fill in the Blanks

1. The period after the Mauryan Empire is called the Age of ________.
   Answer: Reorganisation

2. ________ founded the Shunga dynasty.
   Answer: Pushyamitra Shunga

3. The ________ were an important dynasty of the Deccan.
   Answer: Satavahanas

4. ________ was a famous Kushana ruler.
   Answer: Kanishka

5. Kharavela was associated with ________.
   Answer: Kalinga

6. The ________ were rulers of Greek origin in north-western India.
   Answer: Indo-Greeks

7. The ________ were groups from Central Asia who established kingdoms in India.
   Answer: Shakas

8. The ________ was an important network of ancient trade routes.
   Answer: Silk Route

9. The Cholas, Cheras and ________ were important southern kingdoms.
   Answer: Pandyas

10. Trade encouraged cultural ________ between different regions.
    Answer: exchange

C. 10 True or False

1. The Age of Reorganisation followed the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
   True

2. Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty.
   True

3. The Satavahanas ruled mainly in the Deccan region.
   True

4. Kanishka was a Shunga ruler.
   False

5. Kharavela was associated with Kalinga.
   True

6. The Indo-Greeks had no contact with Indian society.
   False

7. The Silk Route helped long-distance trade.
   True

8. The Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas were important southern kingdoms.
   True

9. This period saw no cultural exchange.
   False

10. Trade contributed to the exchange of ideas and goods.
    True

D. 10 Medium Question–Answers

1. Why is this period called the Age of Reorganisation?
   After the Mauryan Empire disintegrated, many large and small kingdoms emerged across the subcontinent. These kingdoms competed for power and territory. Foreign groups also entered and established kingdoms. As political powers and boundaries were repeatedly reshaped, this period is called the Age of Reorganisation.

2. What was the importance of the Shunga dynasty?
   The Shunga dynasty emerged after the Mauryan Empire. Pushyamitra Shunga established the dynasty. The Shungas controlled parts of northern India and were one of the important political powers of the post-Mauryan period.

3. Describe the importance of the Satavahanas.
   The Satavahanas were an important power in the Deccan. They controlled important areas and participated in trade networks. Their period also witnessed cultural and artistic developments.

4. Who were the Indo-Greeks and Shakas?
   The Indo-Greeks were rulers of Greek origin who established kingdoms mainly in north-western India. The Shakas came from Central Asia and also established kingdoms in India. Both groups interacted with Indian society and became part of the changing political and cultural landscape.

5. Why is Kanishka remembered?
   Kanishka was a major Kushana ruler. Under the Kushanas, extensive territories were connected across parts of Central Asia and northern India. His period was also associated with trade and cultural exchange.

6. How did trade develop during this period?
   Trade developed through land and sea routes. India was connected with Central Asia and other distant regions. Merchants exchanged goods, ideas and cultural practices, helping different regions interact with one another.

7. What was the role of the Silk Route?
   The Silk Route connected different regions across Asia. It allowed merchants to transport goods over long distances. It also encouraged the movement of ideas, religions, artistic styles and cultural practices.

8. How did foreign rulers become part of Indian society?
   Foreign groups such as the Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas established kingdoms in parts of India. Over time, they interacted with local communities and adopted or influenced Indian cultural traditions. This interaction created new forms of art, coinage and cultural expression.

9. What were the important southern kingdoms during this period?
   The Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas were important southern kingdoms. They developed their own political systems and participated in trade. Their contacts with other regions contributed to the growth of commerce and culture in southern India.

10. How did this period contribute to Indian culture?
    The period saw interaction between different cultures and communities. These interactions influenced art, architecture, coin-making and literature. Trade routes also helped spread ideas and traditions, while Sanskrit literature continued to flourish.