Class 7

Chapter-13 DELHI SULTANATE

D. Answer the following questions in brief:

Q.1 Name two literacy gems of Qutubuddin Aibak’s court.

Ans. The two literacy gems of Qutubuddin Aibak’s court were:-

Hasan Azmi and Mubarak Shah

Q.2 When and between whom was the first battle of Panipat fought?

Ans. Babur invades India and met Ibrahim Lodi, in the battle of Panipat in 1526. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi who was killed in this battle.

Q.3 Mention four social evils prevalent in the Hindu society during the Sultanate period?

Ans. The Hindu society suffers from evils like sati system, child marriage, ban on widow remarriage, caste system and female education.

Q.4 Mention four items which are exported from India and imported to India.

Ans. India exported rice, spices, indigo, tea tiles, silk and sandalwood and imported horses, wine, high grade textiles, glassware, raw silk etc...

Q.5 Name two Sultans who kept the Ulemas away from the administration.

Ans. The two Sultans who kept the Ulemas away from the administration were:-

    1.     Ala-ud-din-Khalji

    2.    Muhammad Tughlag

E: Answer the following questions:-

Q.1 Describe the administrative reforms made by Iltutmish to strengthen his hold on Delhi Sultanate.

Ans. Iltutmish made many administrative reforms to strengthen his hold on Delhi sultanate. He organized a group of 40 Turkish nobles known as Chaliha. He divided his empire into many Iqtas for administrative efficiency. He introduced silver coins Tanka and copper coin, Jital.

Q.2 ‘Balban was a strong and capable ruler.’ Support the statement by giving suitable arguments.

Ans. Balban was a strong and capable ruler as:-

•       He supported all opposition and created an atmosphere of obedience and patriotism towards the sultanate.
• .       Balban ended the power of the group of 40 Turkish nobles to consolidate his position.
•        He was a sultan who believed in complete justice. He did not spare any wrong doer whether a common man or a noble.
•        His darbar was very disciplined.
•      He safeguarded his frontiers by constructing many forts and posting his best guards there.

Q.3 Explain briefly the economic reforms of Ala-ud-din Khalji.

Ans. Ala-ud-din is famous for his economic reforms:-

       

        1.   He fixed the maximum retail price of the goods of daily use.

        2.    He also introduced grain storage and rationing system.

                    3.  There were different market places for different commodities.

                    4.  Severe punishment was given to those who weighed less or cheated the         buyers in any way.

              5.   Market controllers were appointed for strict supervision over the traders.

               6.  He also reformed the revenue system. Land revenue was fixed according      to the size of land holding.

Q.4 State the reforms made by Feroz Tughlaq to redress the grievances of the people.

Ans. Feroz Tughlaq made many reforms to redress the grievances that people had against Muhammad Tughlaq.

    

       1. He constructed many canals and Tanks. The old tanks were repaired.

       2.    Land revenue was reduced and markets were opened to sell the surplus          produce.

       3.   New coins of smaller denominations were also introduced.

        4. He opened schools and gave grants to the scholars to promote literacy         activities.

        5.  He helped the poor Muslims.

Q.5 Describe Muhammad Tughals projects which failed.

Ans.

Project-1

He transferred his capital from Delhi to Devgiri, to avoid the fury of attacks of Mangols and to exercise between control on the Deccan. Many people died on the way to Devgiri, which was 950 km away. On the other hand, his absence from the north encouraged frequent attacks from Mangols. After five years, he ordered a retreat and Delhi once again became the capital of the Sultanate.

 Project-2

He imposed land tax in the Deals area at 50 per cent of the produce. The peasants, who had recently suffered due to a wide famine, were stumped by the order. Many farmers gave up cultivation and there land lay barren. This project also ended in an utter failure.

Project-3

The failure of his projects emptied his treasury. He then thought of issuing token currency of copper instead of silver. But due to increased circulation of counterfeit coins, he had to withdraw hi orders and asked the people to exchange their coins with silver coins. This caused heavy loss to the royal treasury.

CHAPTER-20 (MEDIA- THE MAINSTAY OF DEMOCRACY)

Question/Answers

D: Answer the following questions in brief.

Q.1 Define Media.

Ans. Media refers to various means of communication that help in communicating to a large number of people at the same time. Radio, Television, cinema, newspapers, magazines and internet are all means of communication.

Q.2 Why is media called a watchdog of democracy?

1.     Media is like a watchdog in a democracy that keeps the government active and the public involved.

2.     Media also bring out the defects in the governance and administration.

3.     They remind the politicians about their unfulfilled promises and their responsibilities towards their constituency and the nation.

Q.3 In what ways does the cinema affect our views?

1.     Indian has also played an important role in creating awareness about social evils, political malpractices, economic exploitation and the fast changing Indian society and its value system.

2.     Some films impart important messages and have great impact on us.

3.     For example, the film Lage Raho Munna Bhai was exempted from entertainment tax by the government as it taught the lesson of non- violent protest, even though in a ‘filmi’ style.

Q.4 What are the different means of print and electronic media?

Ans. A) The different means of print and electronic media are:-

1.     Newspapers

2.     Magazines

3.     Periodicals

B) The different means of electronic media are:-

1.     Television

2.     Radio

3.     Internet etc.

Q.5 What other basic rights are linked with the Right to Information.

Ans. Right to Information is closely linked with our basic rights, such as Freedom of Speech and Expression and Right to Education.

E: Answer the following questions.

Q.1 How are media and technology dependent on each other.

1.     On one hand, technology has improved the efficiency of media and, on the other, media updates on the advances and technology, weather it is a new form of internet connection or diet pills.

2.     Media uses digital technology to provide improved quality of sound and picture as well as influences our thinking.

3.     The latest technologies help media to reach out to the masses. The impact of technologies can be seen on the bill boards, newspapers, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, television programmes, films, etc.

Q.2 How does media influence our daily life?

1.     In present times, media is the prime source for the public to know about the current affairs, sports and games, progress of wars, political situation in a country, etc. Thus, it has a great impact on the public perception and opinion.

2.     The viewer is exposed to a number of advertisements each highlighting the wonders of its product which helps them to make a wise choice.

3.     Interviews, speeches and panel discussions make viewers aware of the opinions of different political parties, eminent personalities from various fields.

Q.3 Describe the role of media in democracy.

1.     In a democratic country like India, media plays an important role in creating aware and enlightened citizens.

2.     Indian media has been successful in creating public opinion about the bride burning issues, exposing scandals and building the confidence of the people.

3.     It also ensures that the political power, other parties and powerful group do not step beyond their limits.

4.     The information from media helps the citizens to form opinions, learn about the working plans and programmes that the government is undertaking, their successful implementation or failure.

5.     During the elections, they help the people, especially the illiterates, in electing the right persons to power.

Q.4 In what ways does the media bring the problems of the common man to the forefront?

1.     It draws the attention of the public and the government towards issues like scarcity of clean drinking water, lack of health facilities crime and violence illiteracy, female infanticide, etc.

2.     Stories and discussions about the wrong practices of village heads and money lenders have attracted the attention of the government as well as the public. 

Q.5 Do you think Indian media is free? Justify your answer.

Ans. Indian media is free. But sometimes, the government can ban the media from broadcasting and publishing certain items to protect the interest of our country or some religions /cultural group. This is known as censorship.