The Age of Reorganisation Class 7 Question Answer SST Chapter 6

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Class 7 SST Chapter 6 The Age of Reorganisation Question Answer

Class 7 Social Science Chapter 6 The Age of Reorganisation Question Answer

The Age of Reorganisation Class 7 Questions and Answers

The Big Questions (Page No. 117)

Question 1.
Why is the period that followed the Maurya empire sometimes called the ‘Age of Reorganization’?
Answer:
The post-Maurvan period is known as ‘age of reorganization’, as the territories of the preceding era were restructured, leading to the formation of new states that constantly competed with each other for power. During this era, the map of India and the lives of its people underwent significant changes.

Question 2.
What were the values or principles that guided emperors of that period?
Answer:
The guiding values and principles of the emperors of this period were: protecting the empire from external invasions, promoting development in the fields of art, crafts, and literature, and fostering cultural exchange.

During this time, there was a revival of Vedic rituals and practices, alongside the patronage of other faiths and philosophies. Sanskrit emerged as one of the preferred languages. Thus. Indian cultural values and principles served as the fundamental guiding principles for the emperors of this era.

Question 3.
How did foreign invaders assimilate into Indian society and contribute to cultural confluence?
Answer:
After the Mauryan dynasty, when foreign invaders arrived in the northwestern region as conquerors, they were greatly influenced by the rich Indian culture. This cultural exchange shaped the cultural landscape through a blend of Greek and Indian elements in governance, language, and daily life.

The Kushanas, continuing the tradition established by the Indo-Greeks, are renowned for the fusion of Gandhara and Mathura art styles. During this period, while various styles influenced each other, Indian themes, particularly Hindu and Buddhist traditions, remained predominant.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 118)

Question 1.
Create a timeline on a sheet of paper, marking the period from the first year of the 2nd century BCE and ending in the last year of the 3rd century CE. How many years does this period cover? As we progress through the chapter, mark the key individuals, kingdoms, and events on the timeline.
Answer:
The period from the first year of the 2nd century BCE to the last year of the 3rd century CE covers a total 500 years-

Think About It (Page No. 126)

Question 1.
What, according to you, could the tradition of using the mother’s name at the beginning of a king’s name signify?
Answer:
The Satavahana princes followed the tradition of using the mother’s name at the beginning of their name. It reflects the influence of the maternal lineage. This matrilineal tendency granted mothers a high status in society. This practice shows the respect and importance upon mothers within the royal family.

Think About It (Page No. 126)

Question.
In the above series of numerals, which ones look somewhat like our modern numerals? Which ones don’t?
Answer:
In the above series of numerals, 6 and 7 look like our modem numerals. 9 is somewhat similar to modem numeral 9, whereas 1, 2, 4, and 10 don’t look like our modem numerals.

Think About It (Page No. 127)

Question.
This sculpture of a yaksha from Pitalkhora carries an inscription on its hand, kanhadSsena hiramakarena kata, meaning ‘made by Kanahadasa, a goldsmith’. Is it not interesting to see that a goldsmith could also craft a sculpture made of stone? What do you think this tells us about people’s professions at the time?
Answer:
This sculpture of a yaksha from Pitalkhora highlights that goldsmiths of the time were not limited to metal work but also skilled in stone sculpture. The fact that a goldsmith could also create a stone sculpture indicates a fluidity in craftsmanship and a broader range of expertise among artisans during that period.

Think About It (Page No. 129)

Question.
Notice the regularity of the rock-cut chambers sculpted nearly two millennia ago. How did artisans achieve such precision with just a chisel and a hammer? Picture yourself as a sculptor in that era, shaping stone into art with your own hands. What tools would you use?
Answer:
As a craft dating back two millennia, we will use only chisels, hammers, flint, and other such tools to transform stone into art.

Think About It (Page No. 129)

Question.
In the map given on next page, you may notice different symbols alongside the names of the kingdoms. What do these symbols represent? Think about how they highlight the unique identities of the kingdoms.
Answer:
The distinctive symbols associated with the ancient dynasties of South India, such as the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas, were their royal emblems, which represented their lineage and identity. The Cheras’ emblem was a bow, the Cholas’ a tiger, and the Pandyas’ a fish. These royal emblems were used to identify their rule and territory, much like national flags and symbols are used today.

The Cheras’ bow symbolized their warrior nature and military prowess, while the Cholas’ tiger emblem represented their power, courage, and imperial expansion. The Pandyas’ fish emblem symbolized their maritime trade and control over water resources, as they lived near the sea.

Think About It (Page No. 133)

Question.
Have you ever wondered how historians uncover the trade relations between two distant kingdoms many centuries ago? Let’s take a moment to brainstorm and discuss how this information comes to light.
Answer:
Historians analyze archaeological evidence, such as pottery, foreign artifacts, and coins, to trace trade relations between two distant kingdoms that existed many centuries ago. They also gather information from travelers’ accounts, ancient literature, travelogues, and artifacts related to trade.

Think About It (Page No. 134)

Question.
The Pandyas were known for their pearls. Why do you think pearls were an important article of trade during these times?
Answer:
The Pandya kingdom was primarily known for its rivers, and especially for the pearls obtained from the Gulf of Mannar. This kingdom achieved great prosperity through its efficient trade in pearls and other marine products, which were very important to its economy.

Think About It (Page No. 135)

Question.
What do you think might have been the meaning of having deities like Vasudeva- Krishna or Lakshmi on some Indo-Greek coins?
Answer:
The depiction of Indian deities on Indo- Greek coins likely meant that the Indo-Greek rulers attempted to establish their power in the region and influence the local population by incorporating Indian religious beliefs. This also reflects the changing religious and cultural policies of these rulers.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 135)

Question.
Carefully observe this massive statue (1.85 m high) shown in Figure 6.22 of the textbook and notice the clothing, weapon, and footwear. What does it tell us about this figure?
Answer:
This statue depicts Kanishka wearing a long coat, heavy boots, and holding a sword
in his left hand. The statue is approximately 1.85 meters tall. It is a famous example of the Mathura school of Kushan art, showcasing its distinctive style and the artistic advancements of the Kushan period.

Due to its inscription and unique features, this artwork remains a significant artifact for understanding Emperor Kanishka’s reign and personality.

Think About It (Page No. 137)

Question.
Do you know where Gandhara is? Does it remind you of a character from the epic Mahabharata?
Answer:
Gandhara was a region located in northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, with its capital in the area around Peshawar. It was considered to extend across the Peshawar and Swat valleys, and the Kabul and Begram river valleys. Today, a part of this region is located in the city of Kandahar in present-day Afghanistan, which bears the same name as ancient Gandhara. This reminds us of the characters Gandhari and Shakuni from the epic Mahabharata.

Class 7 The Age of Reorganisation Question Answer

Question 1.
Why was the post-Maurya era also known as the era of reorganisation?
Answer:
The post-Maurya era also known as the era of reorganisation because after the decline of the Mauryan Empire, several smaller regional kingdoms emerged in India, leading to a reorganisation of power with various independent entities replacing the centralised empire. This period witnessed the rise of new dynasties, such as the Shungas and Satavahanas, cultural blending, and significant changes in the economic and administrative spheres, which reshaped the Indian subcontinent.

Question 2.
Write a note on the Sangam literature in 150 words.
Answer:
Sangam literature is the oldest known literature of South India, composed between the 3rd century BCE and 3rd century CE in the Tamil language. Its name is derived from the assemblies of Tamil poets.

The main characteristics of this literature are as follows-

1. Sangam literature is a collective work of many poets of Tamil region.
2. Sangam literature was composed during assemblies of poets, and it has mention of the three major dynasties-The Cheras. Cholas and Pandyas, who ruled during the period.
3. The Sangam literature is the oldest in South India, consists of several collections of poems.
4. It is consulted by historians who investigate the society and culture of the times.
5. Sangam poetry expresses personal emotions, such as love, generosity, etc., with great skill and delicacy.
6. These works are vital sources for understanding South Indian history, culture, and language.

Question 3.
Which rulers mentioned in this chapter included their mother’s name in their title, and why did they do so?
Answer:
The Satavahana rulers mentioned in this chapter included their mother’s name in their titles.
1. Reasons for including the mother’s name-Matrilineal tendencies combined with a patriarchal society – These rulers mentioned their mothers’ names because of the influence of the matrilineal system, where the kings’ names were based on their mothers’ clans, such as Gautamiputra Satakami. Although it was a patriarchal society where succession passed from father to son, this matrilineal tendency granted mothers a high status in society.

2. Social status-The practice of mentioning mothers’ names gave respect and importance women in the royal family.

Question 4.
Write a note of 250 words about one kingdom from this chapter that you find interesting. Explain why you chose it. After presenting your note in class, find out what kingdoms have been the most selected by your classmates.
Answer:
Satavahana Empire-
The Satavahana Empire is discussed under the following points-
1. A Powerful Dynasty of the Deccan-
The Satavahana Empire was an ancient Indian dynasty that ruled the central Deccan region, which included parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. This powerful dynasty, located south of the Shunga Empire, is sometimes referred to as the Andhra dynasty.

2. Main rulers-Shatkami I, Gautamiputra Satakami, etc., were the main rulers of the Satavahana dynasty.

3. Capital-Its capital was located in various places at different times, among which the most famous were Amravati and Pratishthana (Paithan).

4. Flourished in trade and commerce- Trade and commerce flourished in the Satavahana kingdom.

This is confirmed by the following statements-

• Agriculture flourished in the Krishna- Godavari river system, which provided economic stability to the kingdom.
• The Satavahanas had active trade networks that reached as far as the Roman Empire. This trading activity involved the trade of spices, textiles, sandalwood, and luxury items, among other things.
• Tolls and taxes on trade added revenue to the kingdom.
• Maritime trade was an important part of economic life.
• In the Satavahana kingdom, shipbuilding and navigation techniques were highly advanced.

5. Social structure-A matriarchal system was prevalent in Satavahana society. Mother’s name was added to the king’s name, such as Gautamiputra Satakami.

6. Art and architecture-Economic prosperity and a relatively peaceful political period facilitated the development of literature, art, and culture.

7. Religious Tolerance-Although the Satavahanas were Brahmins, they showed tolerance towards other religions, donated to Buddhist monks, and promoted Buddhism.

8. Period of the Empire-This empire ruled from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE.
In the 3rd century CE, the empire fragmented into smaller kingdoms.

Question 5.
Imagine you have the chance to create your own kingdom. What royal emblem would you choose, and why? What title would you take as the ruler? Write a note about your kingdom, including its values, rules and regulations, and some unique features.
Answer:
If we get the opportunity to establish an independent state, we would like to create a democratic state where individuals have complete freedom to express their opinions and live their lives while their right to property is protected. In the governance of such a state, the power of the state will be limited, and individual freedom and autonomy will be given the highest priority.

As our national emblem, we will choose Gandhiji’s three monkeys and adopt the title of ‘Servant of the State’.
1. State values and principles-The role of the government in this state will be extremely limited, only protecting the rights of individuals and keeping intervention to a minimum. Secondly, in this state, the law will be applied fairly and equally to all, and its purpose will be to protect citizens from oppression.

2. Key Features-This state will have the following main characteristics :
People will be free to choose their economic activities and compete in a free market. Along with individual freedom, individuals will be held accountable for their actions. All citizens will have equal rights and opportunities.

Question 6.
You have read about the architectural developments of the post-Maurya era. Take an outline of the Indian subcontinent and mark the approximate locations of some of the ancient structures mentioned in this chapter.
Answer:
Some of the major sites of architectural art from the post-Mauryan period are as follows-

1. the stupa at Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh),
2. The Naneghat Caves near Pune,
3. The Karla caves near Lonavala in Maharashtra,
4. The Pitalkhora caves in Maharashtra,
5. The Udayagiri caves near Bhubaneswar,
6. Gandhara-style architecture in Punjab, and
7. The architecture that developed in the Mathura region reflecting the Mathura school of art.