Class 7 History Chapter 2 Questions and Answers with Explanations
Vedantu’s NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 2 Social Science, Kings and Kingdoms, according to the latest CBSE Class 7 Social Science syllabus explores a detailed understanding of the various rulers and their kingdoms during mediaeval India. This chapter covers the rise and fall of different dynasties, their administrative systems, and significant achievements. It also highlights the cultural and economic developments during this period.
Table of Content
This Chapter focuses on the key rulers, their policies, and their contributions to Indian history. The Class 7 History NCERT Solutions offers clear, step-by-step explanations for Class 7 History Chapter 2 Questions and Answers PDF to help students master the content.
Q1. Match the Following:
Ans.
Q2. Who Were the Parties Involved in the “Tripartite Struggle”?
Ans. Parties involved in the “tripartite struggle” were-
(i) Gurjara-Pratihara
(ii) Rashtrakuta
(iii) Pala dynasties
Q3. What were the Qualifications Necessary to Become a Member of a
Committee of the Sabha in the Chola Empire?
Ans. In the Chola Empire, these were the requirements for becoming a member of a sabha committee:
a. Members should be landowners who receive revenue from their land.
b. They should have their own places to live.
c. They must be 35 to 70 years old.
d. They should be familiar with the Vedas.
e. They should not have served on any other committee in the previous three years.
f. Anyone who has not submitted his or his relatives' accounts, cannot contest the elections.
Q4. What were the two Major Cities Under the Control of the Chahamanas?
Ans. The two major cities in control of the Chahamanas were Delhi and Ajmer.
Q5. How Did the Rashtrakutas Become Powerful?
Ans. The Rashtrakutas were subordinate to the Chalukyas of Karnataka initially.
Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, vanquished his Chalukya overlord and performed the Hiranya-garbha(literally the golden-womb) in the mid-eighth century. When the ritual was performed with the assistance of Brahmanas, it was thought to result in the sacrifice's rebirth as a Kshatriya, even if he was not born as one. They grew in power after fighting with the Gurjara-Pratihara and Pala dynasties.
Q6. What Did the New Dynasties Do to Gain Acceptance?
Ans. To win approval, the new dynasties adopted new titles and underwent religious rites that elevated them to Kshatriya status. They were regarded as subordinates or Samantas by their superiors, but after gaining power and wealth, they declared themselves to be Maha-Samanthas. Warfare was also used by the new dynasties to assert their power and carve out kingdoms for themselves.
Q7. What Kind of Irrigation Works were Developed in the Tamil Region?
Ans. The areas near the Kaveri river in Tamil Nadu were opened up for large-scale cultivation in the fifth or sixth centuries. The irrigation works developed in the Tamil region resulted in the development of water channels for agriculture, the excavation of wells and tanks for water storage and the construction of embankments to prevent floods.
Q8. What were the Activities Associated with Chola Temples?
Ans. Chola temples commonly served as the hubs of settlements that grew around them. These were centres of craft production also. Chola temples were not only places of worship, but also economic, social, They were also endowed with land by rulers and others, and production from the land was used to support all of the specialists who worked at the temple. and cultural life. Among the temple crafts, the formation of bronze images became the most distinctive, and these bronze images are still regarded as the finest in the world. The majority of these bronze images depicted deities, but some also depicted devotees.
Q9. Look at Map 1 once and find out Whether there are any Kingdoms in the State in which you live.
Ans: To find out if there were any kingdoms in the state where you live during the mediaeval period, follow these steps:
Examine Map 1: Look at the map provided that shows the various kingdoms of mediaeval India.
Identify Your State: Locate the state where you currently live on the map.
Check for Kingdoms: Identify any kingdoms that existed in that region during the mediaeval period. Look for names of dynasties or notable rulers that are marked on the map.
For example, if you live in:
Maharashtra: The Yadava dynasty and the Maratha Empire were prominent in this region.
Tamil Nadu: The Chola and Pandya kingdoms were major powers.
Rajasthan: The Rajput kingdoms, such as those of the Mewar and Marwar, were significant.
Karnataka: The Hoysalas, Chalukyas, and Vijayanagara Empire ruled parts of this state.
Q10. Contrast the “elections” in Uttaramerur with present-day panchayat elections.
Ans:
The elections in Uttaramerur during the Chola period, around the 8th to 9th century CE, were different from today's panchayat elections. Back then, only certain people, usually from specific social classes who met particular criteria, could participate.
The selection process was unique: names were written on palm leaves, placed in a pot, and a child would pick the leaves to decide the elected members. These elections were for village assemblies that managed local administrative and temple affairs, and there were measures to ensure accountability, like keeping records of decisions.
In today's panchayat elections in India are conducted within a democratic framework established by the Indian Constitution. All adult citizens of the village, regardless of caste, gender, or economic status, can vote and stand for elections.
The process is conducted through a secret ballot managed by the State Election Commission, ensuring fairness and transparency.
These elections are for various levels of local governance, handling development activities and local issues.
Modern panchayat elections also include mechanisms like public disclosure of candidates' criminal and financial records, regular audits, and the Right to Information Act, which ensures transparency and accountability.
This makes the modern system more inclusive and structured compared to the historical elections of Uttaramerur.
Q11. Compare the temple shown in this chapter with any present-day temple in your neighbourhood, highlighting any similarities and differences that you notice.
Ans:
Rituals in historical temples were elaborate and often included daily offerings, special ceremonies, and festivals. Priests performed rituals according to strict traditions passed down through generations.
Community involvement remains strong in modern temples, with local people actively participating in temple activities, festivals, and upkeep.
Architectural styles and materials have been updated, with modern temples incorporating contemporary design elements and materials.
Q12. Find out more about taxes that are collected at present. Are these in cash, kind, or labour services?
Ans:
Currently, taxes collected involve cash payments rather than kind or labour services.
These taxes are usually in the form of income tax, sales tax, property tax, and various others imposed by governments at local, state, and national levels.
Cash payments allow for streamlined administration and accountability, ensuring funds are efficiently allocated for public services and infrastructure development.
This modern system with historical practices where taxes were occasionally collected in kind (such as crops or livestock) or through mandatory labour services, which were prevalent in feudal and ancient societies.
Topics Covered In Chapter 2 History Class 7 - Kings and Kingdoms
Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 2 - Kings and Kingdoms
NCERT Solutions can break down complex concepts like the rise of regional powers, feudalism, and administrative structures used by different dynasties.
NCERT Solutions are created by experts following the latest CBSE curriculum guidelines.
This ensures the solutions cover all the important topics in the chapter and provide answers that align with exam formats and expectations.
The solutions typically provide answers to the various exercise questions found at the end of the chapter.
This allows you to practise answering different question formats, such as multiple choice, short answer, and long answer, to improve your exam technique.
By comparing your answers to the solutions, you can identify areas where you might need further clarification or practice. This allows you to focus your studies more effectively.
Important Study Material Links for Class 7 History Chapter 2- Kings and Kingdoms
Conclusion
Class 7th History Chapter 2, Kings and Kingdoms, Explores ancient India and the powerful dynasties like the Cholas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas. We learn how these kings ruled, their responsibilities, and how they built and managed their kingdoms. This chapter is important because it helps us understand the political and cultural developments of that time. From last year’s question papers, about 5 questions were asked from new kings and kingdoms Class 7 Questions and Answers. These questions mainly focused on the different dynasties and their contributions. By studying the NCERT solutions, you will gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of these historical aspects, making it easier to answer exam questions effectively.
NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter-wise Links - Download the FREE PDF
Access chapter-wise NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History with these links and download the FREE PDF. These solutions provide detailed explanations to help students better understand historical events and excel in their exams.
Other Book-wise Links for Class 7 Social Science Solutions
Important Related Links for NCERT Class 7 History
FAQs on NCERT Solution for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 2 New Kings and Kingdoms - 2025-26
1. How do the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 2 explain the rise of the Rashtrakutas to power?
The NCERT solutions explain that the Rashtrakutas were initially subordinates (samantas) to the Chalukyas of Karnataka. The key event in their rise was when a Rashtrakuta chief, Dantidurga, overthrew his Chalukya overlord in the mid-eighth century. He performed a ritual called hiranya-garbha (the golden womb), which symbolically led to his "rebirth" as a Kshatriya, legitimising his rule even though he was not one by birth. This allowed him to establish an independent kingdom.
2. What were the main activities associated with Chola temples, as per the textbook exercises?
According to the NCERT solutions, Chola temples were not just places of worship. They were hubs of economic, social, and cultural life. When answering, you should mention that:
They were often the nuclei of settlements that grew around them.
Temples were endowed with land by rulers and wealthy patrons.
The produce of this land was used to maintain priests, garland makers, cooks, musicians, dancers, and other specialists who worked at the temple.
Temples were also centres of craft production, especially the making of famous Chola bronze images.
3. Who were the 'samantas' and how is their role explained in Chapter 2?
In the context of Class 7 History Chapter 2, samantas were big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions of the subcontinent. Kings acknowledged them as their subordinates. Their expected duties included bringing gifts for their kings, being present at their courts, and providing them with military support. As samantas gained power and wealth, they often declared themselves maha-samanta or maha-mandaleshvara (the great lord of a circle or region) and sometimes asserted their independence from their overlords.
4. How should a student answer a question about the 'tripartite struggle'?
To correctly answer questions about the 'tripartite struggle', you must identify the three parties involved and their objective. The struggle was for control over the prized city of Kanauj in the Ganga valley. The three dynasties involved were the Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, and Pala dynasties. Since three major powers were involved in this long-drawn conflict, historians describe it as the "tripartite struggle".
5. What key details should be included in an answer about Mahmud of Ghazni's invasions?
When answering questions about Mahmud of Ghazni from Chapter 2, focus on these points:
He was a ruler from Ghazni, Afghanistan, who ruled from 997 to 1030.
His primary motive for raiding the Indian subcontinent was to plunder its wealth to create a splendid capital city at Ghazni.
He targeted wealthy temples, including the famous Somnath temple in Gujarat.
He was also interested in knowing more about the people he conquered and entrusted a scholar named Al-Biruni to write an account of the subcontinent, known as the Kitab al-Hind.
6. Why do the NCERT solutions for this chapter highlight the hiranya-garbha ritual? What important concept does it explain?
The hiranya-garbha ritual is highlighted to explain the concept of social mobility and political legitimisation in medieval India. By performing this ritual with the help of Brahmanas, a non-Kshatriya ruler like Dantidurga could symbolically be "reborn" as a Kshatriya. This was a crucial method for new kings to gain acceptance and the right to rule, which was traditionally reserved for the Kshatriya varna. It shows how new dynasties used religious ceremonies to validate their power. For a deeper understanding, you can refer to the Revision Notes for Class 7 History Chapter 2.
7. How does understanding the different types of land mentioned in Chola inscriptions help in solving questions about their administration?
The Chola inscriptions mention various categories of land, which provides direct evidence for solving questions about their administrative and social structure. Knowing these helps to explain how society was organised:
Vellanvagai: Land of non-Brahmana peasant proprietors.
Brahmadeya: Land gifted to Brahmanas, which was often tax-free.
Shalabhoga: Land for the maintenance of a school.
Devadana, tirunamattukkani: Land gifted to temples.
Pallichchhandam: Land donated to Jaina institutions.
8. What information is needed to answer questions about the administration of the Chola empire?
To provide a complete answer on Chola administration, you must describe its key features. The solutions in NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 2 emphasise the following:
Settlements of peasants, known as ur, became prosperous with the spread of irrigation agriculture.
Groups of such villages formed larger units called nadu, which performed administrative functions like dispensing justice and collecting taxes.
Rich peasants of the Vellala caste exercised considerable control over the affairs of the nadu.
The Chola kings gave rich landowners titles like muvendavelan (a peasant serving three kings) and araiyar (chief) as markers of respect.
Assemblies like the sabha (of prominent Brahmana landholders) and associations of traders known as nagarams also performed administrative functions.
9. What was the main source of revenue for the new kingdoms discussed in this chapter?
The main source of revenue for these kingdoms was from the producers—that is, peasants, cattle-keepers, and artisans. The NCERT textbook explains that they were often compelled to surrender part of what they produced. The collected resources were used to finance the king's establishment, build temples and forts, and fight wars. The text mentions that in the Chola dynasty, over 400 different terms for taxes were found, with the most common being vetti (forced labour) and kadamai (land revenue).
