New kings and kingdoms - Class 7 Social Science - Chapter 2 - Notes, NCERT Solutions & Extra Questions
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Notes - New kings and kingdoms | Class 7 Social Science Success | Social Science
New Kings and Kingdoms Class 7 Notes: Comprehensive Guide for Students
The Early Medieval Period in India saw the rise of numerous kingdoms. This era, spanning the 8th to the 12th centuries, witnessed the emergence of various powerful dynasties both in the north and the south of India.
Emergence of New Dynasties
By the 7th century, several big landlords or warrior chiefs, known as Samantas, rose to prominence in different regions of the subcontinent. These Samantas were expected to bring gifts for kings, attend court, and provide military support. Over time, many Samantas amassed enough power and wealth to dethrone existing kings and establish their own dynasties. A notable example is Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, who overthrew his Chalukya overlord and established the Rashtrakuta dynasty in the mid-eighth century. He performed a ritual called hiranya-garbha to be 'reborn' as a Kshatriya.
Major Kingdoms and Dynasties
The Palas
The Pala dynasty ruled Bengal and Bihar from the eighth to the twelfth century. Gopala, the founder, was succeeded by Dharmapala, who expanded and strengthened the kingdom. The Palas were involved in a tripartite struggle with the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas for control of Kannauj and were followers of Buddhism, supporting the Buddhist universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila. The Khalji invasions eventually led to the decline of the Pala dynasty in the early 12th century.
The Gurjara Pratiharas
The Gurjara Pratiharas ruled areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan, with their most powerful ruler being King Bhoja, who conquered Kannauj and made it his capital. The dynasty’s prestige was noted by foreign travellers like Al Masudi. However, in 1018 CE, Mahmud Ghazni defeated the Pratihara ruler, leading to the dynasty’s decline.
The Rajputs
The Rajputs were known for their loyalty, honesty, and bravery. They were descendants of central Asian tribes that settled in India or were of local Kshatriya descent. Prominent Rajput clans included the Tomars, Chauhans, Solankis, Paramaras, and Chandelas. The Tomars built Delhi, later annexed by the Chauhans. Prithviraj Chauhan, a powerful Chauhan ruler, is remembered for his battles against Muhammad Ghori.
The Rashtrakutas
The Rashtrakuta dynasty was notable for its conquests and contributions to art and architecture, including the Kailash Temple at Ellora and the rock-cut Elephanta caves. They were involved in conflicts with the Pratiharas and Palas in the north and with the Pallavas, Pandyas, and Cholas in the south.
Foreign Invasions
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni ruled between 998 and 1030 CE, aiming to make Ghazni a powerful kingdom. He conducted seventeen invasions of India from 1000 to 1025 CE, targeting places like Punjab, Peshawar, Multan, Mathura, Kannauj, Thaneswar, and Somnath to plunder wealth, significantly impacting these regions.
Southern Kingdoms
Yadavas of Devagiri
Founded by Bhilama in the twelfth century, the Yadavas ruled the region between the Narmada and Godavari rivers. Known for their flourishing trade, their kingdom was rich and prosperous until they were defeated and annexed by Alauddin Khalji in the 14th century.
Chalukyas of Kalyani
Also known as the later Chalukyas, they were famous for their temple constructions at Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal. Notable kings like Vikramanka contributed significantly to their architectural legacy.
Kakatiyas of Warangal
Ruling between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Kakatiyas were followers of Shiva and patrons of Sanskrit and Telugu. They were eventually conquered by the Delhi Sultanate in the early 14th century.
Hoysalas of Duarasamudra
Ruling over modern Karnataka, the Hoysalas’ most powerful king was Vishnuvardhan. However, their kingdom was annexed by the Delhi Sultanate in the fourteenth century.
The Pallavas
The Pallavas were patrons of art and architecture, with notable rulers such as Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I. Their capital was Kanchipuram, with outstanding examples of Pallava architecture including the Ratha Temple at Mahabalipuram and the Kailasanath Temple at Kanchi.
The Pandyas
Located around Madurai, which was an important centre of learning, the Pandya kingdom declined in the fourteenth century.
The Cholas
Founding and Expansion
The Chola dynasty’s founder, Vijayalaya, established its capital at Tanjore. Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola were pivotal in reviving the Chola empire, making it one of the greatest powers in South India. Rajaraja expanded the empire by defeating the Cheras and Pandyas, while Rajendra Chola extended the empire to Southeast Asia, enriching the kingdom through resumed trade.
Administration
The Chola empire was efficiently administered, with the territory divided into mandalams (provinces), valanadus, and villages. Each village had assemblies known as the 'ur' or 'sabha' which played key roles in local governance.
Cultural and Architectural Achievements
The Cholas built many temples, with the Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple being architectural marvels. Temples were not just places of worship but centres of economic, social, and cultural activity.
Agrarian Expansion in the Tamil Region
Agriculture flourished in the Tamil region thanks to extensive irrigation and temple-led cultivation of barren lands. The Cholas conducted land surveys to optimise revenue collection, playing a crucial role in agrarian expansion.
Administration in the Kingdoms
Kings often took titles like Maharajadhiraja (King of Kings) and Tribhuvana Chakravartin (Lord of the Three Worlds). Despite their power, they shared governance with Samantas. Revenues collected from peasants, cattle keepers, and artisans financed armies and temple constructions, with influential families overseeing revenue collection.
Prashastis and Land Grants
Prashastis, written in Sanskrit, detailed the exploits of rulers. Composed by learned Brahmanas, these records often led to land grants as rewards, documented on copper plates. One famous Prashasti, detailing the deeds of Nagabhata, a Pratihara king, was found in Gwalior.
Important Inscriptions
Uttaramerur Inscription
The Uttaramerur inscription of the Cholas laid down specific rules for membership in the Sabha (an assembly). It specified eligibility criteria, including land ownership, age, Vedic knowledge, and administrative expertise. This ensured transparent and fair governance.
graph TD;
A[Uttaramerur Inscription Rules] --> B{Criteria};
B --> C[Land Ownership];
B --> D[Age: 35-70 years];
B --> E[Vedic Knowledge];
B --> F[Administrative Experience];
A --> G{Exclusions};
G --> H[Past 3-year Membership in Committees];
G --> I[Pending Account Submissions];
This rich history of new kingdoms and dynasties showcases India's dynamic and complex medieval period, highlighting significant contributions to culture, architecture, and administration.
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Back Questions - New kings and kingdoms | Social Science Success | Social Science | Class 7
Which one of the following titles was not assumed by the Samantas?
(a) MahaSansanta
(b) Maha-Mandaleslowar
(c) Hiranya-garbha
(d) None of these
The title "Hiranya-garbha" was not assumed by the Samantas. Therefore, the correct answer is:
(c) Hiranya-garbha
The Rastrorakuta dynasty was founded by
(a) Majursharman
(b) Harichandra
(c) Dantidurga
(d) Vifayalaya
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Sign up nowWhat was "hiranya-garbha?
(a) A feudal lord
(b) A ritual
(c) A tax
(d) Hunting deer
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Sign up nowWhich of the following was not a ruling clan of Rajputs in the Early Medieval Period?
(a) Tomars
(b) Chautharss
(c) Chandelas
(d) Cholas
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Sign up nowMain aim of the invasions of Mahamud of Ghazni was
(a) to establish an empire in India
(b) to plunder wealth
(c) to see indian temples
(d) all of these
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Sign up nowWhat was the other mame of the great lond of a 'circle' or region?
(a) Samantas
(b) Subordinates
(c) Maha-manadaleshwar
(d) King
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Sign up nowWhat is vet?
(a) Rent
(b) Tax
(c) Revenue
(d) None of these
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Sign up nowPrashastis tell us rulers warted to depict themselves as
(a) Leader
(b) Valiart victorious warriors
(c) Actriever
(d) All of these
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Sign up nowWho was the founder of the Chola dymasty?
(a) Vifayalya
(b) Rajendra I
(c) Rajendra II
(d) Rajaraja
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Sign up nowThe famous temple built by the Rajaraja- at Thamjavur was
(a) Kailastonath temple
(b) Brithadestwara temple
(c) Kanctripuram temple
(d) Rajarajestiwara temple
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Sign up nowPuthwiraj Chautuan died in
(a) AD 1192
(b) AD 1175
(c) AD 1186
(d) AD 1194
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Sign up nowGangalkondacholapuram was the new capital of which of the following?
(a) Rajaraja-1
(b) Rashtrakutas
(c) Chalukyas
(d) Rajendra Chola
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Sign up nowMatch the following
1. Devadana | (a) Land gifted to Brahmins |
2. Dantidurga | (b) Land gifted to temples |
3. Pailichhandam | (c) Rashtrakuta |
4. Shalabhoga | (d) Land donated to Jain institutions |
5. Brahmadeya | (e) Land for maintaining a school |
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Sign up nowFill in the blanks with the words given below
Brahmanas---Mathura---Kirtivarman---Nataraja---Lingayata
1. The most powerful king of the Chandela dynasty was ............................
2. Mahmud of Ghazni raided ............................ and Kannaul in 1018.
3. The bronze image of ............................ portrays the divine dancer, Shiva.
4. The ............................ were given rent free lands.
5. Basava founded the ............................ sect.
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Sign up nowName the various categories of land mentioned by Chola inscriptions.
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Sign up nowWho could become a member of the Sabha?
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Sign up nowWhat were vetti and 'kadamal'?
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Sign up nowBriefly describe the achievements of Rajaraja I.
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Sign up nowHow were the members of various committees of the sabha elected?
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Sign up nowDifferentiate among sabha, ur and nagaram.
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Sign up nowDescribe the administration of the Cholas.
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Sign up nowWhat role was played by temples in the life of the people?
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Sign up nowWhy were the battles of Tarain fought? What was the final outcome of the second battle?
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Sign up nowIn the questions given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
1. Assertion (A): The Brahamanas were gifted rent free lands.
Reason (R): These lands were known as Brahamadeya.
2. Assertion (A): Mahmud Chazni was a very ambitious ruler.
Reason (R): He wanted to make Chazni a very powerful empire.
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Sign up nowThis is part of the Tamil section of a land grant given by the Cholas :
We have demarcated the boundaries of the land by making earthen embankments as well as by planting thorny bushes. This is what the land contains: fruit-bearing trees, water, land, gardens and orchards, trees, wells, open spaces, pasture-land, a village, anthills, platforms, canals, ditches, rivers, silt-laden, tanks, granaries, fish ponds, beehives, and deep lakes.
He who receives the land can collect taxes from it. He can collect the taxes imposed by judicial officers as fines, the tax on betel-leaves, that on woven cloth, as well as on vehicles. He can bulld large rooms, with upper stories made of baked bricks, he can get large and small wells dug, he can plant trees and thorny bushes, if necessary, he can get canals constructed for irrigation. He should ensure that water is not wasted, and that embankments are bullt.
1. Name the typical features of land.
2. What are the various types of taxes mentioned?
3. Name the sources of Irrigation given in the inscription.
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