Class 8 new ncert Chapter 2 SST Solution - Reshaping India's Political Map

Chapter 2: Reshaping India's Political Map

Question 1: What changes took place in India's Political Map during the medieval period (11th to 17th century)?

Answer: During this period, the boundaries of India changed repeatedly due to foreign invasions and the rise of new dynasties. New states like the Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara, and Bahmani emerged, due to which the political map kept taking a new form.

Question 2: How was the Delhi Sultanate established?

Answer: After the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192, the Delhi Sultanate was established. It was ruled by five major Turk-Afghan dynasties (Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi).

Question 3: What were the main features of the Sultanate period?

Answer: Main features of the Sultanate period:

• Political instability
• Frequent wars and expansion
• Struggle for power
• Loot and tax collection
• Importance of Delhi as the capital

Question 4: What were the major achievements of Alauddin Khilji?

Answer: Major achievements of Alauddin Khilji–

• Expansion in North and Central India
• Stopped Mongol invasions
• Sent campaigns to South India
• Strengthened the army

Question 5: Why did the policies of Muhammad bin Tughlaq fail?

Answer: His plans were good, but were not implemented properly, such as:

• Shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad
• Considering copper coins equal to silver coins due to which people faced difficulties and the economy got disturbed.

Question 6: What was ‘Jizya tax’?

Answer: It was a tax collected from non-Muslims, in return they were given protection and exemption from military service.

Question 7: What was the impact of Timur’s invasion?

Answer: As a result of Timur’s invasion –

• Delhi suffered heavy damage
• Large-scale killings and looting
• Chaos spread in society
• The Sultanate became weak

Question 8: Why did the Delhi Sultanate face repeated rebellions?

Answer: Reasons for rebellions in the Delhi Sultanate:

• There were struggles for power among rulers.
• Provincial governors wanted to become independent.
• Heavy taxes were imposed on the people.
• The administration was not fully strong.

Question 9: How was the Vijayanagara Empire established?

Answer: In the 14th century, Harihara and Bukka established the Vijayanagara Empire by revolting against the Delhi Sultanate.

Question 10: How did powerful states like Vijayanagara emerge in South India?

Answer:

• The influence of the Delhi Sultanate was weak in the south
• Local rulers united to form strong states
• There was abundance of trade and resources
• The army was strong

Due to this, states like Vijayanagara became powerful.

Question 11: What was the importance of Krishnadevaraya?

Answer:

• The greatest ruler of Vijayanagara
• Expanded the empire
• Promoted literature and art
• Famous for good governance

Question 12: What was the result of the Battle of Talikota?

Answer: In 1565, the Deccan Sultanates together defeated Vijayanagara. After this:

• The city was destroyed
• The empire weakened and broke apart

Question 13: What was the Bahmani Sultanate?

Answer: It was a powerful sultanate of the Deccan region, which later broke into five smaller states.

Question 14: How did the Mughal Empire begin?

Answer: In 1526, Babur established the Mughal Empire by winning the Battle of Panipat.

Question 15: Why were Akbar’s policies important?

Answer:

• Gave respect to all religions
• Organized the administration
• Maintained good relations with Rajputs
• This made the empire strong and stable.

Question 16: Why were port towns important for trade?

Answer:

• Trade by sea routes was easier
• Foreign traders came here
• Import and export of goods took place
• This increased the state’s revenue.

Question 17: How did the Ahom state remain independent for a long time?

Answer:

• Dense forests and rivers provided security
• Strong and trained army
• Support of local people
• Good strategy of rulers

Question 18: How did the ‘Paik system’ help the Ahoms?

Answer: Every able person had to provide military or labour service, which created a large quick army without maintaining a permanent army. People served in return for land rights, which reduced the burden on the treasury.

Question 19: Why did Alauddin Khilji call himself ‘Second Alexander’?

Answer: He conducted major military campaigns in North and South India, defeated the Mongols, and looted many states. He wanted to become a conqueror like Alexander. Therefore, he called himself the Second Alexander.

Question 20: What was the Hundi system?

Answer: It was a written order through which money could be transferred across regions without carrying coins – a precursor to modern banking.

NCERT Based Questions:

Question 1: Compare the political strategies of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. What were the similarities and differences?

Answer: Similarities:

• Both expanded their empires through wars.
• In both, the king had complete power.
• Both collected taxes and maintained strong armies.

Differences:

• The Delhi Sultanate often faced instability and power struggles, whereas Mughal rule was more stable.
• The Mughals organized administration better (such as Akbar’s policies).
• The Mughals adopted a policy of including people of different religions, whereas sometimes discrimination was seen in the Sultanate.

Question 2: How did states like Vijayanagara and Ahom avoid defeat for a long time?

Answer: Reasons for their success: Geographical reasons:

• Mountains, forests, and rivers helped in defense.
• It was difficult for enemies to reach there.

Military reasons:

• Strong and trained army
• Fighting according to local conditions

Social reasons:

• Support of the people
• Good relationship between rulers and people

Due to these reasons, these states remained independent for a long time.

Question 3: Imagine that you are a scholar in the court of Akbar or Krishnadevaraya.

Answer:
Dear friend,
greetings. I am working here as a scholar in the king’s court. The politics here is very organized and strong. The king is just and listens to everyone.
Trade here is highly developed. Traders come from far and wide and exchange goods.
Culture is also very rich. Music, dance, literature, and art are promoted.
People of different religions and communities live together peacefully. Life here is very prosperous and interesting.
Your friend

Question 4: How did Akbar, who was a cruel conqueror in his youth, later become tolerant and kind?

Answer: In his youth, Akbar fought wars to expand his empire, so he appeared harsh and cruel. But over time, he changed and became a tolerant and kind ruler. The main reasons for this change were— experience in governance, influence of wise advisors, interaction with people of different religions, and the desire to gain the support of the people. Due to these reasons, Akbar adopted a policy of respect and equality for all religions.

Question 5: What would have happened if the Vijayanagara Empire had won the Battle of Talikota?

Answer: If the Vijayanagara Empire had won the Battle of Talikota, its power in South India would have become stronger.

• Politically, stability would have remained and the power of the Deccan Sultanates would have weakened.
• Culturally, art, architecture, temple construction, and traditions would have developed further.

Thus, South India could have become more prosperous and powerful.

Question 6: Values promoted by the early Sikh tradition are still relevant today.

Answer: I choose the value of equality.

• In Sikhism, equality means that all people are equal regardless of caste, religion, gender, or wealth.
• This is still very relevant today because discrimination still exists in many places. The principle of equality teaches people to respect each other and promotes unity in society.
• Thus, the value of equality is very important even today in building a just and peaceful society.

Question 7: Imagine that you are a trader in a port town (Surat, Calicut, or Hooghly).

Answer: I am a trader in a port town. There is always a lot of activity here.

• Large ships keep coming and going from the sea.
• Traders from different countries come here for trade.
• Markets sell spices, clothes, precious stones, and many other goods.
• Workers load and unload goods from ships.
• Different languages and cultures can be seen here.
• This place is an important center of trade and culture.