CBSE Class 12 History Kings Farmers And Towns Early States And Economies Assignment

Key concepts in nutshell 
♦ The Mughala and there empire – The name Mughal derives from Mongol period of Mughal empire 1526 -1707
♦ The production of chronicles
♦ From Turkish to Persian – Mughal court chronicles were written in Persian
♦ The making of manuscripts – all books in mughals were manuscripts i.e. they were handwritten.
♦ The Akbarnama and Badshanama – among the important illustrated mughal official histories the Akbarnama and Badshanama.
♦ A unifying force – sulh-i-kul – Abul Fazl describes the ideal sulh-i-kul (absolute peace)
♦ Capitals and courts - capital city – the heart of mughal empire is capital city. Where the court assemble.
♦ Titles and Gifts – The granting of titles to men of merit was an important aspect of mughal policy.

CASE-BASED MCQs

Read the following excerpt from the Prayaga Prashasti carefully and answer the questions:
This is an excerpt from the Prayaga Prashasti: He was without an antagonist on earth; he, by the overflowing of the multitude of (his) many good qualities adorned by hundreds of good actions, has wiped off the fame of other kings with the soles of (his) feet; (he is) Purusha (the Supreme Being), being the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad (he is) incomprehensible; (he is) one whose tender heart can be captured only by devotion and humility; (he is) possessed of compassion; (he is) the giver of many hundred-thousands of cows; (his) mind has received ceremonial initiation for the uplift of the miserable, the poor, the forlorn and the suffering; (he is) resplendent and embodied kindness to mankind; (he is) equal to (the gods) Kubera (the god of wealth), Varuna (the god of the ocean), Indra (the god of rains) and Yama (the god of death) ... kingship?

Question. This inscription is known as a Prashasti because:
(A) It is composed in praise of its patron.
(B) It is composed by a court poet.
(C) It is treasured as an important account of its patron.
(D) It is composed in Sanskrit.
Answer : A

Question. Assertion (A): He is possessed of compassion. 
Reason (R): He is the giver of many hundredthousand cows; his mind has received ceremonial initiation for the uplift of the miserable, the poor, the forlorn and the suffering...
(A) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is incorrect but R is correct.
(D) R is incorrect but A is correct.
Answer : C

Question. This excerpt mentions (he is) equal to (the Gods)....
This projects what element of Kingship?
(A) Means of claiming high status by identifying with a variety of deities.
(B) Means of claiming themselves god like.
(C) Means of claiming a number of titles.
(D) All of the above.
Answer : A

Question. Consider the following statements:
(a) Histories of rulers have been reconstructed from literature, coins and inscription including Prashastis like the one in the excerpt.
(b) While Historians often attempt to draw factual information from such a composition, those who composed and read them often treasured them as works of poetry rather than as accounts that were literally true. This excerpt is an example of such a case.
Choose the correct option:
(A) Both (a) and (b) are correct.
(B) Only (a) is correct.
(C) Only (b) is correct.
(D) Neither (a) nor (b) are correct.
Answer : D

Very Short Questions

Question. Clarify the word meaning of Kornish?
Answer: Kornish was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the Courtier placed the palm of his right hand against his forehead and bent his head, It suggested that the subject
placed his head the seat of the senses and the mind into the hand of humility; presenting it to the royal assembly.

Question. Name the dynasty which ruled India during 1526 to 1707. Who was the founder of this dynasty?
Answer: Mughal dynasty and founder of this dynasty was Babur.

Question. What is meant by the term Kitabkhana?
Answer: The literal translation of the term Kitabkhana is library. It was a scriptorium that is a place where the emperors collection of manuscripts were kept and manuscripts were
produced.

Question. Manuscripts involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks. Give some such people engaged in the task.
Answer: Manuscripts involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks. Among them were paper marker, calligrapher, gliders, painters, bookbinders.

Question. Baburs memories were return in which language?
Answer: Baburs memories Tuzuk-i-Babari were originally written in Turkish. They were translated in Persian as Babur Nama .

Short Questions

Question. Assess the role played by women of the imperial household in the Mughal Empire.
Answer:The role played by the women of the imperial household in the Mughal Empire
1. In the Mughal household a distinction was maintained between wives who came from royal families (Begams) and other wives(aghas) who were not of noble birth.
2. Apart from wives numerous male and female slaves populated the Mughal household:
The tasks they performed varied from the most mundane to those requiring skill tact and intelligence.
3. After NurJahan Mughal queens and princesses began to control significant financial resources. Shahjahana’s daughter Jahanara and Roshanara enjoyed an annual income
often equal to the high imperial mansabdars. Jahanara in addition received revenues from the port city of Surat, which was a lucrative centre of overseas trade.

Question. Write a short note on Badshah Nama.
Answer: Badshah Nama Chronicle of a king based on the history of Shahjahan’s reign is an important chronicle among official histories. Abdul Hamid Lahori, a pupil of Abul Fazal is known as itsaurthor. It is modelled of 10 lunar years each. Lahori wrote the first and second daftars comprising of first two decades of Shahjahan’s reign (1627- 1647) But due to infirmities of age he was unable to write the 3rd volume.
Volume of the 3rd decade of the emperor’s rule was chronicle by historian waris.
In 1944 the first time painting of Badshah Nama were exhibited in New Delhi, London and Washington.

Long Questions

Question. Discuss the merits and demerits of the Mansabdari Sytem.
Answer:
Merits of the Mansabdari System
1. Control on revolts.
2. Qualification as basis of ranks.
3. Ban on Corruption
4. Forceful army
5. Emotional unity
Demerits of Mansabdari System
1. Misuse of money
2. Disloyalty of the soldiers towards the empire
3. Luxurious life of mansabdars
4. High salary of mansabdars created pressure on govt.
5. Less number of horsemen than the prescribed number affected the effectiveness of military.
6. Lack of direct link between emperor and soldiers.

Source based questions

DARBAR-I-AKBARI

Abul fazl gives a vivid account of Akber’s darbar.
Whever his majesty (Akber) holds court (darbar) a large drum is bitten, the sounds of which accompanied by divine praise. In this manner people of all classes received notice. His majesty’s sons and grand children the grandees of the court, and all other men who have admittance attend to make the kornish and remains standing in their proper place learned men of renowned and skillful machines pay their respect. And the officers of justice present their reports. His majesty with his usual insights gives orders and settlers everything in a satisfactory manner. During the whole time skillful gladiator’s and wrestlers from all countries hold themselves in readiness and singers male and female are in waiting. Claver jugglers and funny tumblers also are annexations to exhibit their dexterity and agility.

Question. Describe the main activities taking place in the court? 
Answer: Main activities taking place in the darbar are :
1. Beating of the drum. To announced holding of dewan-i-am.
2. Divine praise to establish emperor as “insane-i- kamil”
3. The emperor sons, grand children and other grandees take their positions according to status, hierarchy and proximity to the king.
4. All attending court women standing to pay respect and offer salutation to the king.
5. Learned men, mechanics, officers of justice present report to the king for review and update.
6. Gladiators, wrestlers, singers, women in waiting to exhibit their skill and for royal patronage.

Question. What was the significant of the darbar procedures? 
Answer: The dauber procedures reflected the status and power of the emperors.

Question. Define the term “Kornish”. 
Answer: “Kornish” was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the courtier placed the palm of his right hand against his forehead and bent his head.

Question. Explain the term “Jharokha Darshan.” 
Answer:“Jharokha Darshan” showing of the emperor to the public from the palace balcony. It was introduced by Akbar with the objective of broadening the acceptance of the imperial authority.

Question. Evaluate the concerns that shaped Mughal Policies and attitudes towards Regions outside the sub continents?
Answer: The special attention was started on the North West Frontier areas from the period of Akbar. The Political and diplomatic relations between the Mughal Kings and the neighboring countries of Iran and Turan hinged on the control of the frontier defined by the Hindu Kush Mountains that separated Afghanistan from the regions of Iran and Central Asia.
A constant Aim of Mughal Policy was to check/ prevent outside Potential danger by controlling strategic out posts- notably Kabul and Qandhar.
The relationship between the Mughals and ottomans was marked by the concern to ensure free movement for traders and pilgrims in the territories under ottoman control, where the important pilgrim centres of Mecca and Madina were located.
Qandhar was a bone of contention between safavids and the Mughals, the fortress town has initially been in the possession of Humayun reconquered in 1595 by Akbar, in 1622 A Persian army besieged Qandhar. The ill prepared Mughal army was defeated and had to surrender the fortress and the city to the safavids.
The Mughal Emperor usually combined Religion and commerce by exporting valuable merchandise to Aden and Mokha, Both red seaports and distributing the proceeds of the sales in charity to the keepers of shrines and religious men there.
On the basis of above mentioned causes we can say that Mughal emperors were very much vigilant especially to the North West frontier areas. Strong efforts had been made to control these areas upto the period of Sharjahan but later his successors did not pay any attention on such important areas and this resulted invasion of Nadir Shah and Ahmad shah Abdali.

Question. “Sher Shah Suri was the forerunner of Akbar” Prove this Statement by giving reasonable arguments.
Answer: Shershah Suri was the great Emperor of the Medieval Era. His works and successes of Shershah Suri were so great that these became ideal for the forthcoming Rulers.
Shershah was a hard working and disciplined personality. He was in favour of equal law for each and everybody and he considered Judgment as most holy religious work.
Keeping in view, the general welfare of the people and for the effectiveness of empire, he divided his empire into ‘Sarkars’ and the sarkar into ‘Parganas’.
The biggest gift of Sher Shah Suri to Akbar is in the area of land management. He divided the land and the land revenue according to the produce of the land.
Sher Shah Suri got shady trees planted along the road sides for convenience of the general public.
For the encouragement of the traders and convenience of general people.
He introduced Gold, Silver, and copper coins and a certain amount of metal was kept in the coins.
Shershah was the first emperor who adopted religious liberty and equal behavior. He separated politics to the religion.
He recruited a vast central permanent army. HE gave cash payment to the Army, horse branded, getting the description rolls of the soldiers recorded and their recruitment and inspection of the troop from time to time.
He opened hospitals for the poor. He also encouraged the expansion of Education.
He was very much interested in the construction of the buildings. The tomb of Sahsram is an important construction which is a symbol of coordination of Mohamadden and local architectural styles.
By the micro analysis of the above mentioned works/ reforms of the Shershah. It becomes clear that Akbar adopted many works/ reforms of the Shershah as it is or by some modifications. Therefore Shershah can be called as the forerunner of Akbar.

Question. What is Mansabdari system? Evaluate the merits and demerits of this System.
Answer: The word ‘mansab’ is derived from an Arabic word which means ‘Fixing the place’ or rank. The mansabdars were the holders of Ranks in the emperor’s service. Every Commander to Public servant was given a rank of mansab. Each mansabdar was required to maintain a number of soldiers.
All officers holding a mansab of 5000 or less were divided into three classes.
i. If the zat and sawar figures were equal, the officers belonged to the first class.
ii. If the sawar figure was more than half of the zat figure, he belonged to the second class.
iii. If the sawar figure was less than half of the zat figure, he was put in the third class.
The mansabdars were directly recruited, promoted, suspended and dismissed by the emperor. Unlike the Jagirdari system, the mansabdari system was not hereditary. The mansabdars could be transferred by the emperor upon his sweet will. The mansabdari troops were recruited by the mansabdar himself. The king however, laid down general rules for recruitment, maintenance and payment of troops.
The mansabdars were highly paid. Akbar preferred to pay them salaries in cash. After the death of mansabdar his immovable property was taken by the king. Mansabdar had to maintain the record of soldiers and horses so that these may come in the use of the king while required. That is why this system could become the main base of the power of Mughal Empire. Mansabdars also created situations for the development of literature. Folk Art and Paintings were also flourished under the guidance of these mansabdars. There was very much dissimilarity in the salaries and allowances of the army regiments of the mansabdars. The soldiers of mansabdars were not responsible to the centre. Generally such kind of army used to obey the mansabdar not the army commander.
By evaluating above mentioned merits and demerits, it becomes clear that during the powerful kings this system contributed in the expansion and consolidation of the empire but during the weak successors mansabdars started to be out of control to the king and became an important cause in time decline of Mughal Empire.

Key concept in nut shell
Several developments in different parts of the subcontinent (India) the long span of 1500 years following the end of Harappan Civilization:-
- Rigveda was composed along the Indus and its tributaries.
- Agricultural Settlements emerged in several parts of the subcontinent.
- New mode of disposal of the dead like making Megaliths.
- By C 600 BCE growth of new cities and kingdoms.
- 600 BCE major turning point in early Indian history.
- Growth of 16 Mahajanapadas. Many were ruled by kings.
- Some known as ganas or sanghas were oligarchies
- Between the 600 BCE and 400 BCE Magadha became the most powerful Mahajanapada.
- Emergence of Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya (C 321 BCE) founder of the empire extended control upto Afghanistan and Baluchistan.
- His grandson Ashoka, the most famous ruler conquered Kalinga.
- Variety of sources to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan Empire – archaeological finds especially sculpture, Ashoka’s Inscriptions, Literary sources like Indica account of megasthenes, Arthashastra of Kautilya and Buddhist, Jaina and puranic literature.
- Five major political centres – Pataliputra, Taxila, Ujjayani, Tosali and Suvarnagiri to administer the empire.
- Ashoka’s Dhamma to hold his empire together.

New Notions of Kingship
- By C 200 BCE emergence of new chiefdoms and kingdoms in several parts of the subcontinent.
- Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in Tamilakam, known from Sangam text.
- Most of these states including Satavahanas and Shakas had control over long distance trade networks.
- Kushanas (C First century BCE to first century CE) ruled over a vast kingdom extending from central Asia to north West India.
- Their history has been reconstructed from Inscriptions, Coins and sculptures which convey a sense of the notions of kingship.
- History of the Guptas (4th century CE ) has been reconstructed from literatures, coins and inscriptions including Prashastis.
- What did subjects think about their rulers? Historians have tried to know this by examining stories contained in the Jatakas and Panchatantra.
- Strategies for increasing agricultural production – use of plough with iron plough share, introduction of transplantation and use of irrigation through wells, tanks, less commonly canals.
- Land grants to religious institutions or Brahmanas, to extend agriculture to new areas or to win allies by making grants of land.
- Emergence of urban centres such as Pataliputra, Ujjayani, Puhar, Mathura etc.
- In the towns different types of people used to live such as washing folk, weavers, scribes, carpenters, potters, religious teachers, merchants, kings.
- Artisans and traders organized themselves in guild or shrenis.
- Trade both in the subcontinent and with east and north Africa, West Asia, South East Asia , China.
- India used to export spices, fine pearls, ivory, silk cloth, medicinal plants.
- Exchanges were facilitated by the introduction of the coinage. Punch marked coins made of silver and copper were amongst the earliest to be minted and used. The first gold coins were issued in (first century CE) by the Kushanas.
- James Prinsep an officer in the mint of the East India Company was able to decipher Ashokan Brahmi in 1838.
- Limitations of Inscriptional evidence- letters are very faintly engraved, damaged or letter missing, not sure about the exact meaning of the words.

Very Short Questions

Question. What are megaliths? 
Answer: a- Megaliths were elaborate stone structures in central and south India in first millennium BCE.
b- These were kept on the burials. Dead were buried with a wide range of iron tools and weapons.

Question. Why six century BCE often considered as a major turning point in Indian history? 
Answer: a – It is an era associated with early states and cities, growing use of iron, the development of coin.
B - It also witnessed the growth of diverse system of thoughts including Buddhism and Jainism.

Question. Define Dhamma Mahamatta?
Answer: a- Special officers appointed by Ashoka.
b- Appointed to spread the message of Dhamma.

Question. Write any two sources of Mauryan history?
Answer: a- Arthashastra of Kautilya.
b- Ashoka’s inscriptions.

Question. Who were Kushanas?
Answer: a- Kushanas were a clan of nomadic people living in China.
b- Kushanas ruled over a vast kingdom extending from Central Asia to North-West India.
c- First to issue gold coins in India.

Question. In which languages and script, Ashokan script were written?
Answer: a- Language- Prakrit, Aramaic and Greek.
b- Script- Prakrit in Brahmi, Greek , Aramaic and Kharosthi.

Question. Who was a Gahapati?
Answer: 1. Gahapati was the owner, master or head of a household.
2. He was the owner of the resources- land, animals and other things that belonged to the household.

Short Questions

Question. Discuss factors responsible for the rise of Magadha -
Answer: • Powerful rulers- Bimbisara and Ajatasattu
• Availability of iron.
• Fertile soil
• Availability of elephants in forest.
• Strong capital – Rajgir and Pataliputra

Question. Describe five features of Mahajanapadas?
Answer: • Maximum Mahajanapadas ruled by kings but some ruled by Ganas or Sanghas.
• Each had its own capital often fortified.
• Permanent army recruited from the peasantry regular bureaucracies.
• Dharmasutras laid down norms for kings and other people.
• Function of king to collect taxes and tributes from people.

Question. Explain main features of Ashoka’s Dhamma?
Answer: • Respect to elders, love for young and kindness to servants.
• Religious tolerance to other religions.
• Liberal policies towards Brahmanas, Shramanas.
• Appointment of Dhamma mahamattas.

Question. Important changes in agriculture during the period between 600 BCE to 600 CE .
Answer: • For increase of agricultural production use of plough with iron tipped ploughshare.
• Introduction of transplantation of crop (paddy).
• Irrigation by wells, ponds and canals.
• Hoe agriculture in semi-arid parts of Punjab, Rajasthan and hilly tracks in North-Eastern and Central Parts.
• Land lords and heads of village were more powerful and had control over farmers.
• Land grants by kings to extend agriculture to new areas.

Question. How do inscription help in reconstruction of history?
Answer: • Knowledge about the rulers and their achievements.
• Scripts and language of that time.
• Land grant and economic condition.
• Extent of the empire.
• Social and religious condition of kingdom.

Question. Main features of Mauryan administration? 
Answer: • Central administration- King had control over legislative, executive, judiciary, army and finance.
• Provincial administration- The Empire was divided in to many provinces.
• Local Government- There was a committee of 30 members to maintain rules and regulations in Pataliputra.
• King used to run the administration with the help of high officials.
• Five major political centres in the empire
• Law and order system setup.
• Organised army- a committee with six subcommittee for coordinating military activity.
• To spread Dhamma , appointment of Dhamma Mahamattra.
• Officers were oppointed to manage the land revenue, irrigation and roads
• Institution of spies was very strong and working effectively.

Source based questions:-

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
What the king’s officials did?
Here is an excerpt from the account of Megasthenes:
Of the great officers of state, some … superintend the rivers, measure the land, as is done in Egypt, and inspect the sluices by which water is let out from the main canals into their
branches, so that every one may have an equal supply of it. The same persons have charge also of the huntsmen, and are entrusted with the power of rewarding or punishing them according to their deserts. They collect the taxes, and superintend the occupations connected with land; as those of the woodcutters, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, and the miners.

Question. Explain the duties of the officers of state. 
Answer: Some superintended the rivers, measured lands and inspected the sluices by which water was let out from the main canals into their branches, so that everyone would
have an equal supply of it.
2. They had also charge of huntsmen, entrusted with the power of rewarding or
punishing them according to their deserts.
3. They collected the taxes, and superintended the occupations connected with land;
as those of the woodcutters, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, and the miners.

Question. Explain the role of the sub-committees for coordinating military activities. 
Answer: 1. Megasthenes mentioned a the committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity.
2. They looked after navy, transport and provisions, foot soldiers, horses, chariots and elephants.
3. The second committee had to arrange bullock carts to carry equipments procure food for soldiers and fodder for animals and recruit servants and artisans to look after the
soldiers.

Question. What did Ashoka do to hold his empire together? 
Answer: 1. Ashoka tried to hold his empire together by propagating dhamma.
2. Special officers called dhamma mahamattas were appointed to spread the message of dhamma.

Question. Discuss the evidence for craft production in early historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities ?
Answer: Excavation have been conducted at a number of early historic cities. We have got several evidences for craft production in these cities.
i) People make bowls and dishes of every fine type of pottery with a glossy finish. These pottery is know as the northern black Polished ware (NBPW).
ii) The fine earthern pottery was probably used by rich people in towns.
iii) In early cities ornaments, tools, weapons, vessels, figurines, made a wide range of materials such as gold, silver, copper, bronze, irory, glass, shell and terracotta.
Differences :
i) Traces of houses and different structures have also been recovered in early historic cities. However they are unlike the Harappan cities.
ii) The Harappan did not know the used of iron. Therefore we can say they did not make different tools and implements of iron. On the other hand we get sufficient evidences that iron was used by the early historic cities people.

Question. Examine the sources of knowledge with us to know about India of the Maurya Age ?
Answer: 1. Indica of Magasthenese : Indica is an important text by Magasthenese which serve as the source of information about Mauryan India. It depicts the contemporary administration, society, political and economic condition of India in the most significant way.
2. Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Kautilya’s Arthashastra too throws light on the various phases of contemporary India.
3. Vishakh Dutta’s Mudrarakshas : This significant text delineates the destruction of Nanda dynasty at the hands of Chandragupta Mayurya.
4. Jain and Buddha Literature : The literature of both of these religious bears information regarding the contemporary Indian society along with it politics etc.
5. Inscriptions of Asoka. The Inscriptions of Asoka located at several places also throw light on the administration, religion, society, caste system etc. of the Mauryan age.

Question. This is a statement made by one of the best known epigraphists of the twentieth century, D.C. Sircar: There is no aspect of life, culture and activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions. Discuss.
Answer: I. Introduction : Inscriptions are very important as a source of history reconstruction. D.C. Sircar has correctly urged that there is no aspect of life, culture and activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions.
Generally , inscriptions were commissioned by those whose achievements / activities / ideas were recorded in them.
Inscriptions are virtually permanent records. Some inscriptions carry dates. Others are dated on the basis of paleography or styles of writing with a fair amount of precision. For instance the letter was written like this c.250 BCE by C. 500 CE it was written like 500 A.D.