Pragati Vidya Peeth
Class 7
Chapter - 10
Rise of Autonomous States
Define:
1.Khalsa - Gobind Singh established the Khalsa ,or the brotherhood of the Sikhs.The Khalsa gives
the community a deep sense of unity.
2.Ashtapradhan: A council of state ministers are known as Ashtapradhan.
3.Chauth: The Chauth amounted to one-fourth of the standard revenue assessment of the place.
4.Sardeshmukhi:The Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10 percent demanded from areas
outside the kingdom.
Q.1 Answer the following questions in 10-20 words:
1.What do you understand by the jagirdari crisis?
Ans1.During Aurangzeb's rule, the jagirdari system had started crumbling. There was a crisis of jagir
land as there was little land compared to the number of mansabdars who were to be allotted jagirs.
As a result the jagirdars began to extract more revenue from the peasantry.
2.Why were Jats employed as mercenary soldiers by Hindu and Muslim Kings?
Ans: Jats were employed as mercenary soldiers by the Hindu and Muslim Kings because they were
very strong , secretive by nature skilful shooters.
3.Define Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
Ans: 1.Chauth -The Chauth amounted to one-fourth of the standard revenue assessment of the
place.
2.Sardeshmukhi -The Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10 percent demanded from areas
outside the kingdom.
4.What were the reforms introduced by the Nizam of Hyderabad?
Ans - The reforms initiated by the Nizam included the establishment of peace and security by
suppressing all disaffected nobles and putting down theft and robbery efforts to stop the
plundering raids of the Marathas and revival of agriculture and industry by giving incentives to
farmers and craftsmen.
Q.2 Answer the following questions in 50-70 words:
1.How did the formation of Khalsa help in the growth of Sikhs as a major regional power?
Ans-The Sikhs were persecuted viciously by the Mughal government . In response, Guru Gobind
Singh ,the tenth and the last Sikh Guru transformed the Sikhs into a warrior community. Gobind
Singh established the Khalsa, or the brotherhood of the Sikhs. The Khalsa gives the community a
deep sense of unity founded on symbolic acts. After his death in 1708,the Khalsa Rose in revolt
against Mughal authority under Banda Bahadur's leadership.
2.Write a short note on the Jats.
Ans- Jat rebellion started under Gokula in 1669 and ended with the formation of Bharatpur Under
Surajmal. The ambition of some of the Jay zamindar’s of the Agra region to establish an
independent principality brought them into conflict with the Mughal government, the rajputs and
the Afghans. Under Churaman they acquired control over territories situated towards the West of
Delhi. The Jat kingdom attained it’s zenith under Surajmal the adopted son and successor of Badan
Singh.
3.Nadir Shah invaded India several times. What was the extent of wealth plundered by him?
Ans-Nadir Shah the ruler of Iran, plundered the city of Delhi in 1739,and carried away with him
Immense wealth including the Kohinoor diamond and the jewel studded Peacock Throne of
Shahjahan.
Q.3 Answer the following questions in 80-100 words:
1.Explain briefly the Maratha administration.
Ans-The Marathas, like the Sikhs and the Jats in the north emerged in the Deccan as an important
force under Shivaji in the mid-seventeenth century. Shivaji freed the peasants from exploitation by
jagirdars and zamindar’s and established direct contact with them. The Maratha polity was
essentially a centralized autocratic monarchy.The assessment of revenue was made after a careful
survey. The other sources of income were the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. These taxes were levied
as a kind of protection money against Shivaji's forces plundering or raiding their territory.
2.What are the common features of the three regional states of Bengal, Awadh and Hyderabad?
Ans-Bengal , Awadh and Hyderabad all three were major source of revenues and gave most of the
contribution to revenue. A part from that all these three provinces were independent and powerful
but maintained their diplomatic relationship with the Mughal emperor.
Exercises:
A. Choose the correct answer and fill in the blanks:
1. The Jat kingdom attained it’s zenith under______.
(a) Badan Singh (b) Todar Mal (c) Surajmal (d) RanaPratap
2.______were defeated in the Third Battle of Panipat.
(a) Marathas (b)Mughals (c)British army (d) Rulers of Bengal
3.______ the ruler of Iran, plundered the city of Delhi in 1739 and carried away with him immense
wealth.
(a) MurshidQuli Khan (b) NadirShah (c)Ahmad Shah (d)Shah Alam 2
4.It was ______who transformed the Sikhs into a warrior community.
(a) Ranjit Singh (b) Banda Bahadur (c)Guru Gobind Singh (d)Churaman
5.The state of Hyderabad was founded by______.
(a) Shuja-ud-Daulla (b)Nizam-MulkAsafJah (c)Saadat Khan (d)Aurangzeb
B. Fill in the blanks:
1.After Shivaji's death, the effective control of the Maratha kingdom fell into the hands of the
Peshwas.
2 . The Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10percent demanded from areas outside the
Maratha Kingdom.
3.Mazumdar looked into the income and expenditure of the Maratha state.
4.Jat kingdom reached it’s zenith under Surajmal in 1669.
5.Regional power arose in Hyderabad under AsafJah after the decline of the Mughal power.
C.State whether true or false. If false, correct the statement :
1.Nadir Shah invaded India five times between 1748 and 1761. (False)
C.S.- Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India five times between 1748 and 1761.
2.The Jat kingdom attained it’s zenith under Surajmal. (True)
3.Shivaji emphasised on agricultural improvement this benefitting all peasants. (True)
4.The Marathas seized Malwa and Gujarat from the Mughals. (False)
C.S.- The Mughals seized Malwa and Gujarat from the Marathas.
5.Murshid Quli Khan transferred the capital of Awadh from Dhaka to Murshidabad. (True)
