Reshaping India’s Political Map
Questions and activities
1. Compare the political strategies of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. What similarities and differences existed between them?
Answer:- Similarities: Both relied on military conquests and expansion to control territories; they used violence in successions and faced resistance from regional kingdoms; both collected taxes like jizya (at times) and used systems like iqta or mansabdari to manage land and army.
Differences: Delhi Sultanate focused more on raids, plunder, and short reigns with instability; Mughals, especially Akbar, used alliances, marriages, and tolerance (sulh-i-kul) for stability; Mughals had a more organized administration with provinces and checks, while Sultanate had frequent violent changes.
2.Why did kingdoms like the Vijayanagara Empire and the Ahom Kingdom manage to resist conquest for a longer time compared to others? What geographical, military, and social factors contributed to their success?
Answer :-
1. Geographical factors:– Vijayanagara had natural defenses like rivers and hills; Ahoms used dense forests, hills, and rivers like Brahmaputra for guerrilla tactics.
2.Military factors:- Vijayanagara had strong armies and alliances; Ahoms had the paik system for quick mobilization and expert warriors in boats and trenches.
3. Social factors:- Vijayanagara had cultural unity and support from Nayakas; Ahoms assimilated local culture, promoted diverse faiths, and had community service systems for loyalty.
3.Imagine you are a scholar in the court of Akbar or Krishnadevaraya. Write a letter to a friend describing the politics, trade, culture, and society you are witnessing
Answer:- Dear Friend,
I am in Akbar’s court, where politics involves alliances with Rajputs and tolerance for all faiths through sulh-i-kul.
Trade is booming with exports of textiles and spices; merchants use hundis for safe transactions.
Culture flourishes with translations of Sanskrit texts like Mahabharata into Persian, and beautiful paintings.
Society is diverse, with Hindus and Muslims in high posts, though peasants pay heavy taxes.
Yours, Scholar
(Or for Krishnadevaraya: Politics is about expanding against Deccan Sultanates; trade includes horses from Portuguese; culture has Telugu poetry and temple grants; society values bravery and arts.)
4.How come Akbar, a ruthless conqueror in his young days, grew tolerant and benevolent after some years? What could have led to such a change?
Answer:-
- In youth, Akbar was brutal, like massacring at Chittor, to expand empire.
- As he grew, exposure to different faiths through dialogues and scholars made him ashamed of forced conversions.
- Political needs for stability led to alliances, abolishing jizya, and promoting sulh-i-kul.
- Personal growth and advice from advisors like Abul Fazl influenced his tolerance.
5. What might have happened if the Vijayanagara Empire had won the Battle of Talikota? Imagine and describe how it could have changed the political and cultural history of south India
Answer:-
- If Vijayanagara won Talikota in 1565, the empire might have lasted longer, preventing destruction of its capital and massacre. South India could have remained a strong Hindu power, resisting Deccan Sultanates and later Mughals more effectively.
- Trade and culture would flourish further, with more temples and literature. Nayakas might stay loyal, leading to unified south against northern invasions, possibly altering colonial history as Portuguese influence grows but under Vijayanagara control.
6.Many values promoted by early Sikhism, including equality, seva, and justice, remain relevant today. Select one of these values and discuss how it remains relevant in contemporary society.
Answer:-
- Choosing equality: Early Sikhism taught no caste or gender discrimination, as in langar where all eat together.
- Today, it’s relevant in fighting social inequalities like casteism in India or racism globally. It promotes inclusive societies, equal opportunities in education/jobs, and supports movements like women’s rights, helping build harmonious communities in diverse modern world.
7.Imagine you are a trader in a port city (Surat, Calicut or Hooghly). Describe the scenes you see as regards goods, people you trade with, movement of ships, etc.
Answer:-
- (Choosing Calicut) As a trader in Calicut, the port bustles with activity at dawn. Ships from Arabia, Portugal, and China dock, unloading spices like pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon-our main exports. I trade with Arab merchants in flowing robes buying cotton textiles and gems, Portuguese in hats selling horses and guns, and local Malabar farmers supplying coconuts.
- Goods pile up: Sacks of rice, silk from China, gold from Africa. Ships move constantly-wooden dhows sail out loaded, European caravels arrive with cannons booming salutes. Crowds of porters, customs officials, and haggling buyers fill the air with shouts in Malayalam, Arabic, and Portuguese. It’s chaotic yet prosperous, with scents of spices and sea breeze.
The Big Questions (Page 21)
1. How did foreign invasions and the rise of new dynasties reshape India’s political boundaries during this period?
Answer:-
- Foreign invasions by Turkic, Afghan, and Mughal forces changed India’s political map.
- The Delhi Sultanate (1206) unified northern India under Turkic-Afghan rule.
- The Vijayanagara Empire (1336) became a major power in southern India.
- The Mughal Empire (1526) replaced the Delhi Sultanate after the First Battle of Panipat.
- Regional kingdoms like the Eastern Gangas, Hoysalas, and Ahoms resisted invasions.
- The Bahmani Sultanate (1347) and Deccan Sultanates emerged, fragmenting central control.
- Political boundaries shifted due to conquests, alliances, and rebellions.
2.How did Indian society respond to invasions? How did India’s economy adapt during times of political instability?
Answer:-
- Indian society resisted invasions through rebellions, like the Musunuri Nayakas and Rajputs.
- Kingdoms like Vijayanagara and Ahom used geography and military tactics to resist.
- Temples and communities rebuilt after destruction, showing resilience.
- The economy adapted with strong agriculture, producing rice, wheat, and cotton.
- Trade networks expanded, with ports like Calicut and Surat exporting goods.
- The hundi system enabled safe financial transactions across regions.
- Despite instability, temples and guilds supported economic activity and infrastructure.
3.What impact did this period have on the lives of the people?
Answer:-
- Common people faced heavy taxes, sometimes up to half their produce.
- Warfare caused displacement and loss of life, especially during invasions.
- Temples were destroyed, affecting religious and cultural life.
- Peasants often became bonded laborers due to economic burdens.
- Art, architecture, and music flourished, especially under Mughal and Vijayanagara rulers.
- Communities of different faiths lived together, showing interdependence.
- Sikhism’s values of equality and justice inspired resistance against persecution.
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