Short Questions
1. Why are the 11th and 12th centuries called a transitional period?
Answer: They are called transitional because foreign invasions began and new political powers emerged in India.
2. Who was Mahmūd of Ghazni?
Answer: Mahmūd of Ghazni was a Turkic ruler who conducted 17 raids into India.
3. Which temple did Mahmūd destroy in Gujarat?
Answer: He destroyed the famous Somnath temple in Gujarat.
4. Who was al-Bīrūnī?
Answer: Al-Bīrūnī was a Persian scholar who wrote about Indian religion, science and culture.
5. Name a famous book written by Bhāskarāchārya.
Answer: Līlāvatī is a famous mathematical book written by Bhāskarāchārya.
6. Who defeated Muhammad Ghūrī in the First Battle of Tarain?
Answer: Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghūrī in 1191.
7. What was the capital of the Kākatīyas?
Answer: Orugallu (Warangal) was the capital of the Kākatīyas.
8. Which Chola ruler built the Bṛihadīśhvara temple?
Answer: Rājarāja Chola I built the Bṛihadīśhvara temple at Thanjavur.
9. Who founded the Lingāyat movement?
Answer: Basaveśhvara founded the Lingāyat movement in Karnataka.
10. Which university was destroyed by Bakhtiyār Khiljī?
Answer: Nalanda University was destroyed by Bakhtiyār Khiljī.
Long Questions
1. Describe the main features of Mahmūd of Ghazni’s invasions in India.
Answer: Mahmūd of Ghazni conducted 17 campaigns in India mainly for plunder and religious motives. He destroyed temples such as Somnath and looted immense wealth. His invasions caused destruction but he did not establish permanent rule beyond Punjab.
2. Explain the achievements of the Chola rulers in administration and architecture.
Answer: The Cholas developed strong local administration and promoted irrigation through tanks and canals. They built magnificent temples like the Bṛihadīśhvara temple at Thanjavur. They also encouraged trade with Southeast Asia and China.
3. Write about the contributions of Bhāskarāchārya to mathematics and astronomy.
Answer: Bhāskarāchārya was a great mathematician and astronomer of the 12th century. His famous works include Līlāvatī and Siddhāntaśhiromaṇi. His books explained mathematical concepts with examples and influenced later scholars.
4. Discuss the impact of Bakhtiyār Khiljī’s invasion on Buddhist centres of learning.
Answer: Bakhtiyār Khiljī destroyed famous universities like Nalanda and Vikramashila in Bihar. Many monks were killed and libraries were burnt. This led to the decline of Buddhism in India.
5. Explain the social and religious reforms introduced by Basaveśhvara.
Answer: Basaveśhvara rejected caste distinctions and promoted equality among men and women. He encouraged personal devotion and simple living. Through his vachanas and anubhava maṇḍapa, he spread social and spiritual reform.
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