Chapter  1 Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years

1. Consider the statements below.

1.A “foreigner” in the mediaeval period was someone

who was not a member of that community or culture.

2.During the Middle Ages, two peasants who came from

different religion or caste backgrounds were considered

“foreigners” to each other.

Select the correct response.

2. Consider the statements below.

1.Papers were easily accessible at the middle of the thirteenth century.

2.Babur used the term Hindustan to describe the subcontinent’s landscape,

fauna, and culture in the early sixteenth century.

3.The word “Hind” was introduced by the fourteenth-century poet Amir Khusrau.

Select the correct response.

3. Consider the statements below.

1. A prashasti in Sanskrit glorifying Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban.
2. Ghiyasuddin Balban ruled all of southern India (Dravida).

Select the incorrect response.

4. Consider the statements below.

1.Assam, Manipur, and Kashmir were all under

the jurisdiction of Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban.

2.British historians classified India’s history into

three periods in the mid-nineteenth century: “Hindu,” “Muslim,” and “British.”

Select the correct response.

5. Consider the statements below.

1.Ziyauddin Barani was a chronicler from the fourteenth century.

2.During this time, new crops were introduced to the

subcontinent, including coffee (between 700 and 1750).

Select the correct response.

6. Take a look at the following statements about key religious

changes during this time (between 700 and 1750).

1.Priests became one of society’s most powerful organisations.

2.The concept of bhakti evolved, allowing followers to approach

their particular deity without the assistance of priests.

3.People began to worship new gods and goddesses.

Select the correct response.

7. Take a look at the following statements about the

meaning of the term “Hindustan.”

1.It is now known as “India,” a modern nation-state.

2.Minhaj-i-Siraj used the term in a political sense to

refer to regions that were part of the Delhi Sultan’s dominions.

3.Amir Khusrau, a poet from the fourteenth century, used the term “Hind.”

4.In the early sixteenth century, Babur adopted the term Hindustan to

describe the subcontinent’s environment, wildlife, and culture.

Select the correct response.

8. Take a look at the following statements about the

affairs of jatis governed during this time (between 700 and 1750).

1.An assembly of elders was in charge of the affairs of the jatis.

2.The jatis had to abide by the rules of their communities,

which were ruled by a chieftain.

Select the incorrect response.

9. Consider the following definitions of the word “pan-regional empire.”

1.Periodically, dynasties such as the Cholas, Khaljis, Tughluqs,

and Mughals were able to establish a pan-regional empire.

2.A pan-regional empire is a term used to describe an empire

acquired by Babur in the early sixteenth century.

Select the correct response.

10. Consider the statements below:

1.The term Hindustan was initially employed by

Minhaj-i-Siraj to refer to the areas of undivided India.

2.In mediaeval times, the term “foreigner” was used

to describe any stranger who arrived in the village.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?

11. Consider the following statement :

1. The ‘Nastalik script’ was written from left to right.
2. Reading the Nastalik script was difficult for Persian and Arabic speakers.
3. ‘Rahat’ was employed for irrigation during the Middle Ages.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are true?