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NCERT Solutions

Class 7

Social Science Our Past 2

Chapter 8 Complete Resource For Eighteenth Century Political Formation

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 Eighteenth Century Political Formations - 2025-26

Q: 5. How did the Marathas build a successful empire, and what was the main limitation of their expansion, according to the NCERT textbook?

The Marathas, under the leadership of Shivaji, carved out a stable kingdom by challenging Mughal authority. Their success was built on a foundation of powerful warrior families (deshmukhs) and a highly mobile peasant-pastoralist army. They gradually expanded their influence by raiding Mughal territories and levying two significant taxes:Chauth: A tax of 25% on the land revenue paid by lands protected from Maratha raids.Sardeshmukhi: An additional 9-10% levy on land revenue, acknowledging the Maratha king as the chief headman.However, the NCERT solutions point out that their campaigns made other rulers hostile. They were not seen as building an inclusive empire, which is why they did not get support from other powers during the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.

18th Century Political Formations Class 7 Questions and Answers with Free PDF

Download the NCERT Solution for Class 7 History Chapter 8 from the official website of Vedantu to urge the expert solution to make your study more accessible. The NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 8 is out on the official website of Vedantu in PDF format. Teachers have simply explained the questions so that scholars can understand them easily.

Visit the main website to clear all of your doubts just if you're having any questions. Additionally, obtain the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science History Chapter 8 and reach out to our experts as per requirement.

Access NCERT Solutions for Social Science - Our Pasts-2 Chapter 7 – Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

1. Match the following.

subadar	a revenue farmer
faujdar	a high noble
ijaradar	provincial governor
misl	Maratha peasant warriors
chauth	a Mughal military commander
kunbis	a band of Sikh warriors
umara	tax levied by the Marathas

Ans: (i)-(c); (ii)-(e); (iii)-(a); (iv)-(f); (v)-(g); (vi)-(d); (vii)-(b)

2. Fill in the blanks.

(a) Aurangzeb fought a protracted war in the___________.

(b) Umara and Jagirdars constituted powerful sections of the Mughal ___________ .

(d) The founder of the Awadh state was ___________.

Ans:

Aurangzeb fought a protracted war in the Deccan.
Umara and Jagirdars constituted powerful sections of the Mughal administration.
Asaf Jah founded the Hyderabad state in 1724.
The founder of the Awadh state was Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan.

3. State whether true or false.

(a) Nadir Shah invaded Bengal.

(b) Sawai Raja Jai Singh was the ruler of Indore.

(d) Poona became the capital of the Marathas in the eighteenth century.

Ans:

(a) False

(b) False

(d) True

4. What were the offices held by Sa’adat Khan?

Ans: Sa'adat Khan held the positions of subadari, diwani, and faujdari.

5. Why did the Nawabs of Awadh and Bengal try to do away with the Jagirdari system?

Ans: The Nawabs of Awadh and Bengal attempted to abolish the Jagirdari system in order to reduce cheating and Mughal influence in their own kingdoms. The Nawabs lowered the extent of Jagirs and recruited loyal subordinates to execute the tasks because the Mughal Jagirdars were corrupt. They audited the Jagirdar's books, and officials designated by the Nawab's court appraised the districts' revenues.

6. How were the Sikhs organized in the eighteenth century?

Ans: The Sikhs formed themselves into a variety of bands called jathas, and later misls, in the eighteenth century. The vast army was the name given to their combined forces (dal khalsa). During Baisakhi and Diwali, the entire body would gather in Amritsar to make collective decisions known as "resolutions of the Guru (gurmatas)." Rakhi, a system that provides protection to growers in exchange for a 20% tax on their produce, was created. Guru Gobind Singh invented the khalsa, which assisted Sikhs in defeating Mughal rulers and then Ahmad Shah Abdali, who had captured the Mughals' opulent Punjab province and the Sarkar of Sirhind.

7. Why did the Marathas want to expand beyond the Deccan?

Ans: The Marathas desired to extend beyond the Deccan in order to gain control over trade and agriculture. They had developed a sophisticated and efficient administrative system, allowing them to consider pushing beyond the Deccan in search of greater power and resources.

8. What were the policies adopted by Asaf Jah to strengthen his position?

Ans: Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah, the founder of the kingdom of Hyderabad, was a strong member of the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar court. Asaf Jah strengthened his position by:

Bringing talented warriors and officials from northern India, who were excited about the new chances in the south.
Appointing mansabdars and granting Jagirs.
Without seeking instructions from Delhi or encountering any interference, he ruled in his own right. The Mughal emperor merely supported the Nizam's judgments.
He consolidated power by taking advantage of the Deccan's turmoil and competition among the court nobility.

Chapter 8 – Eighteen Century Political Formations

In CH 8 History Class 7, it states that The Mughal Empire had to face a spread of crises towards the closing years of the 17th century. Some things led to the decline of the Mughal Empire. Emperor Aurangzeb fought an extended war within the Deccan. As an aftereffect, the military and financial resources of his empire got depleted. Learn more about how The Mughal Empire had to face a spread of crises from the NCERT Solutions for Class 7th History Chapter 8 given by the experts.

Hyderabad

The solutions provide a detailed and simplified account of Hyderabad's history, covering its significance as the capital of Telangana, an Indian state.
Hyderabad is renowned for its historical monuments, temples, mosques, and bustling bazaars, all of which are explored in the solutions.
The chapter delves into the period when the first Nizam of Hyderabad emerged victorious over the town in 1724, following a brief Mughal rule.
The Nizams later entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British, resulting in the formation of Hyderabad State, which held the status of being the crucial princely state in British India, with Hyderabad as its capital.
The solutions shed light on the advancements that took place in Hyderabad during this era, including the development of industries, railways, modern education, and airways.
The chapter also covers the events after India gained independence in 1947, when the Nizam hesitated to accede his state to the newly formed nation, leading to the annexation of Hyderabad by the Indian Army in 1948.
All these historical aspects and events are comprehensively explained in the CBSE Class 7 History Chapter 8 solutions, providing a deeper understanding of Hyderabad's history and its significance.

Bengal

Learn about the History of Bengal from the NCERT Solution for Class 7th History Chapter 8. In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Isa Khan, a Muslim Rajput chief, dominated the Bengal delta. Murshid Quli Khan was appointed as the Diwan of Bengal by Aurangzeb. He tried to avoid wasting lots and lots of his province's interest by preventing the gathering of revenues by the English Malay Archipelago Company.

The Marathas

The existence of the empire was from 1674 with the enthronement of Shivaji because of the Chhatrapati. It led to 1818 with the defeat of Peshwa Bajirao II at the British Malay Archipelago Company's hands. The Marathas are credited to an outsized extent for ending Mughal rule over most of the Indian subcontinent. Get conversant in Marathas's History with the assistance of the NCERT Solutions for Class 7th Social Science History Chapter 8.

The Jats

The Jats came to prominence within the seventeenth century, once they rebelled against the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb's atrocities. In 1661, the Jats of Bharatpur were sharpened when a Muslim officer demolished a temple to exchange it with a mosque. He also apparently harassed the populace daily.

The Sikhs

The NCERT Solution Class 7th History Chapter 8 provides a straightforward description of the history of Sikhs.
Sikhism was initiated by Baba Nanak, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji organized the religious practices and established the Khalsa on April 13, 1699.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptized five individuals from different parts of India and diverse social backgrounds to form the Khalsa, known as the "Pure Ones."
The history of Sikhism is closely intertwined with the socio-political situation in the northwest region of the Indian subcontinent, particularly Punjab, during the 16th century.
Sikhism faced severe oppression under the Mughal rulers, leading to the torture and execution of prominent Sikh figures who resisted their orders.
Out of the ten Sikh gurus, two gurus were themselves tortured and executed, while many others, along with revered Sikh figures, were brutally killed for opposing the persecution of Sikhs.
The NCERT Solution of History Class 7 Chapter 8 covers the entire concept, providing a comprehensive understanding of the history of Sikhs and the Kingdom of the Khalsa.

Key Features of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 8

Vedantu's NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 8 offer comprehensive guidance for students.
The solutions simplify the questions and answers from the NCERT books, making the study material more accessible.
The language used in the solutions is easy to understand, ensuring clarity of fundamental concepts.
The solutions are prepared by experienced experts in the field, providing reliable and accurate information.
The NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 8 delve deep into the insights and nuances of eighteenth-century political formations.
Students can benefit from going through these solutions to enhance their understanding and preparation for exams.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions Class 7 Social Science History

S. No	NCERT Solutions History Class 7 Chapter-wise Links
1.	Chapter 1 - Introduction: Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years Solutions
2.	Chapter 2 - Kings and Kingdoms Solutions
3.	Chapter 3 - Delhi 12th To 15th Century Solutions
4.	Chapter 4 - The Mughals Solutions
5.	Chapter 5 - Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities Solutions
6.	Chapter 6 - Devotional Paths To The Divine Solutions
7.	Chapter 7 - The Making Of Regional Cultures Solutions

Important Study Material Links for Chapter 8: Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

S. No	Important Study Material Links for Chapter 8 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations
1.	Class 7 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations Important Questions
2.	Class 7 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations Revision Notes

Important Related Links for NCERT Class 7 History

S. No	Other CBSE Study Materials for Class 7 History
1	CBSE Class 7 History Revision Notes
2	CBSE Class 7 History Important Questions
3	NCERT Books for Class 7 History
4	CBSE Class 7 Social Science Sample Papers
5	CBSE Class 7 Social Science Solutions
6	CBSE Class 7 Social Science Syllabus

Conclusion

Vedantu’s NCERT solutions for the Eighteenth-century Political are invaluable resources for understanding the political landscape of that era. These solutions provide comprehensive explanations and insights into the significant events, ideas, and ideologies that shaped the political developments during the eighteenth century. By studying these solutions, students can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced, the emergence of new political ideas, and the impact of historical events on the political systems of the time. The NCERT solutions serve as a valuable tool for enhancing knowledge and critical thinking in the study of eighteenth-century political history.

FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 Eighteenth Century Political Formations - 2025-26

1. According to the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 8, what were the primary factors that led to the decline of the Mughal Empire?

The NCERT solutions for Chapter 8 explain that the decline of the Mughal Empire was caused by a combination of factors that weakened it from within and exposed it to external threats. The key reasons highlighted are:

Aurangzeb's Deccan Wars: Emperor Aurangzeb's prolonged military campaigns in the Deccan drained the empire's financial and military resources.
Weak Successors: The later Mughal emperors were inefficient and could not command the vast empire, leading to a loss of central authority.
Rise of Nobles: Powerful nobles (governors and mansabdars) consolidated their own authority in the provinces, reducing the flow of revenue to the capital, Delhi.
Foreign Invasions: The invasions by Nadir Shah (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali exposed the empire's military weakness and led to immense plunder.
Emergence of New States: Governors of large provinces and powerful zamindars began to assert their independence, creating new regional kingdoms.

2. How do the NCERT Solutions explain the common features shared by the states of Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad?

As per the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus, the NCERT solutions for this chapter identify three main commonalities among these 'successor states':

Mughal Origins: Though functionally independent, their founders (Burhan-ul-Mulk in Awadh, Murshid Quli Khan in Bengal, and Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah in Hyderabad) were all high-ranking Mughal nobles who held positions like subadar.
Administrative Distrust: They were suspicious of the existing jagirdari system and preferred to reduce the number of jagirdars and appoint their own loyal servants.
Revenue and Banking Systems: They changed their tax collection methods, often relying on revenue-farmers (ijaradars) and developed strong relationships with local bankers and merchants who provided credit and financial support to the state.

3. What is the correct step-by-step process to understand the rise of the Sikhs as a political power using the NCERT solutions?

The NCERT solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 outline the rise of the Sikhs through a clear sequence of events. The correct method to understand this is:

Start with the organisation of the Sikhs into a community under Guru Gobind Singh and the creation of the Khalsa in 1699.
Study the period of revolt against the Mughals under the leadership of Banda Bahadur after Guru Gobind Singh's death.
Understand the formation of bands called jathas and later misls, whose combined forces were known as the grand army (dal khalsa).
Analyse how they established their own administration by introducing the rakhi system, offering protection to cultivators upon payment of a tax.
Conclude with the unification of these misls under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who established a powerful Sikh kingdom with its capital at Lahore.

4. Why was Nadir Shah's invasion of 1739 a turning point for the Mughal Empire, as explained in the chapter?

Nadir Shah's invasion was a catastrophic event that did more than just defeat the Mughal army. It was a turning point because it exposed the complete hollowness of the later Mughal Empire. The invasion led to the sack of Delhi, where an immense amount of wealth, including the famous Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond, was plundered. This event destroyed the prestige of the Mughal emperor, drained the treasury, and revealed to everyone—including regional powers and European traders—that the central authority in Delhi was powerless to defend itself, thereby accelerating its disintegration.

5. How did the Marathas build a successful empire, and what was the main limitation of their expansion, according to the NCERT textbook?

The Marathas, under the leadership of Shivaji, carved out a stable kingdom by challenging Mughal authority. Their success was built on a foundation of powerful warrior families (deshmukhs) and a highly mobile peasant-pastoralist army. They gradually expanded their influence by raiding Mughal territories and levying two significant taxes:

Chauth: A tax of 25% on the land revenue paid by lands protected from Maratha raids.
Sardeshmukhi: An additional 9-10% levy on land revenue, acknowledging the Maratha king as the chief headman.

However, the NCERT solutions point out that their campaigns made other rulers hostile. They were not seen as building an inclusive empire, which is why they did not get support from other powers during the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.

6. What was the fundamental difference in the basis of power for 'successor states' like Awadh versus 'rebel states' like the Marathas?

The fundamental difference lay in their origins and relationship with the Mughal Empire. 'Successor states' like Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad were provinces of the Mughal Empire, founded by Mughal nobles who had been governors. They broke away but retained many Mughal administrative structures. In contrast, 'rebel states' like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats rose in direct opposition to Mughal rule. Their power was not derived from a Mughal appointment but from armed struggle and the consolidation of local warrior and peasant groups against central authority.

7. How did the administrative and revenue systems of the Jats under Suraj Mal reflect their agricultural background?

The NCERT solutions explain that the Jats were prosperous agriculturists who consolidated power around Delhi, Mathura, and Agra. Under their leader Suraj Mal, the kingdom of Bharatpur emerged as a strong state. Their administration reflected their roots in a few key ways:

Territorial Control: They dominated the rich agricultural lands between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, ensuring a strong revenue base.
Fort Building: They built several forts, most famously at Bharatpur, which was constructed in a traditional style. This served as a administrative centre and a defensive stronghold.
Adoption of Styles: While their power was self-made, they adopted some symbols of royalty from the Mughals, as seen in the garden palace at Dig, which combined Mughal and traditional styles.

8. Where can I find accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 for the CBSE session 2025-26?

For the 2025-26 academic session, reliable and comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8, 'Eighteenth-Century Political Formations,' can be found on reputable educational platforms like Vedantu. These solutions are prepared by subject matter experts and provide step-by-step answers to all the questions in the NCERT textbook, aligning perfectly with the latest CBSE guidelines.

S. No	NCERT Class 7 Social Science Book-wise Links
1	Class 7 Geography - Our Environment
2	Class 7 Civics - Social and Political Life-II