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Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries – Class 7 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 7 Social Science, chapter 15. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Between the 6th and 10th centuries, many powerful kingdoms ruled different parts of India. Harshavardhana ruled from Kannauj in the north; the Chalukyas and Pallavas competed in the south; and the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas fought over Kannauj. These kingdoms built great temples and centres of learning.

The north

Harshavardhana (ruled 606–647 CE) had his capital at Kannauj; his court poet Banabhatta wrote the Harshacharita, and the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang visited his court and studied at Nalanda.
Harsha's attempt to expand south was stopped by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.

The Deccan and the south

The Chalukyas of Badami (Vatapi) and the Pallavas of Kanchipuram fought for control of the south.
The Pallavas built the rock-cut monuments and the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram).
The Rashtrakutas built the magnificent Kailasa temple at Ellora, carved out of a single rock.
In the 9th century, the Cholas began to rise again under Vijayalaya.

The struggle for Kannauj

The Palas of Bengal, the Gurjara-Pratiharas of western India and the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan fought a long 'tripartite struggle' for Kannauj.
The Pala king Dharmapala founded the Vikramashila university; the Palas supported Buddhism and Nalanda.

Key terms

Tripartite struggle: the long contest among the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas for control of Kannauj
Harshacharita: Banabhatta's biography of Harshavardhana
Rock-cut temple: a temple carved out of natural rock
Samanta: a subordinate ruler or chief who owed loyalty to a king

Important questions with answers

Who was Harshavardhana?2 marks

Harshavardhana was a powerful ruler who reigned from 606 to 647 CE with his capital at Kannauj. His court poet Banabhatta wrote his biography, the Harshacharita, and the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang described his rule. His advance into the Deccan was stopped by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.

What was the tripartite struggle?3 marks

The tripartite struggle was a long contest among three dynasties—the Palas of Bengal, the Gurjara-Pratiharas of western India and the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan—for control of Kannauj in the Ganga valley, which was a rich and prestigious city.

Describe the major kingdoms of India between the 6th and 10th centuries and their contributions.5 marks

In the north, Harshavardhana ruled from Kannauj between 606 and 647 CE; Banabhatta's Harshacharita and the account of Xuanzang describe his rule, and he supported Nalanda. In the Deccan, the Chalukyas of Badami became powerful; Pulakeshin II stopped Harsha's southward advance. In the far south, the Pallavas of Kanchipuram built rock-cut temples and the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram and competed with the Chalukyas. Later, the Rashtrakutas rose in the Deccan and built the Kailasa temple at Ellora, carved from a single rock. In the east, the Palas of Bengal supported Buddhism, Nalanda and the Vikramashila university founded by Dharmapala. The Palas, Gurjara-Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas fought the tripartite struggle for Kannauj. In the 9th century the Cholas rose again under Vijayalaya. These kingdoms encouraged temple building, art, literature and learning, and many local chiefs called samantas served under them.

Quick revision

Harsha at Kannauj; Banabhatta and Xuanzang.
Chalukyas (Badami) vs Pallavas (Kanchipuram).
Kailasa temple, Ellora: Rashtrakutas.
Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas: struggle for Kannauj.

Exam tips

Draw a simple chart: dynasty, region, famous ruler, famous monument.
Remember: Harsha was stopped by Pulakeshin II on the Narmada.

Practice MCQs

Harshavardhana's capital was
1. Kannauj
2. Pataliputra
3. Ujjain
4. Kanchipuram
Show answer
Answer: (a) Kannauj. He ruled from 606 to 647 CE.
The Harshacharita was written by
1. Kalidasa
2. Harishena
3. Xuanzang
4. Banabhatta
Show answer
Answer: (d) Banabhatta. He was Harsha's court poet.
The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was built by the
1. Cholas
2. Palas
3. Pallavas
4. Rashtrakutas
Show answer
Answer: (c) Pallavas. The Pallavas ruled from Kanchipuram.
Who stopped Harsha's advance into the Deccan
1. Narasimhavarman
2. Krishna I
3. Dharmapala
4. Pulakeshin II
Show answer
Answer: (d) Pulakeshin II. The Chalukya king defeated him.
The Kailasa temple at Ellora was built by the
1. Pallavas
2. Guptas
3. Rashtrakutas
4. Cholas
Show answer
Answer: (c) Rashtrakutas. It is carved from a single rock.
The Chinese pilgrim who visited Harsha's court was
1. Xuanzang
2. Faxian
3. Megasthenes
4. Al-Biruni
Show answer
Answer: (a) Xuanzang. He also studied at Nalanda.
The tripartite struggle was fought for control of
1. Delhi
2. Kannauj
3. Pataliputra
4. Madurai
Show answer
Answer: (b) Kannauj. Kannauj was a symbol of power in the north.
The Vikramashila university was founded by
1. Harsha
2. Pulakeshin II
3. Dharmapala
4. Vijayalaya
Show answer
Answer: (c) Dharmapala. The Pala ruler supported Buddhist learning.

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Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.