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The Age of Reorganisation – Class 7 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 7 Social Science, chapter 6. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

After the decline of the Mauryan Empire around 185 BCE, many new kingdoms arose. The Shungas ruled in the north, the Satavahanas in the Deccan, Kharavela in Kalinga, and rulers from Central Asia such as the Kushanas in the north-west. In the far south, the Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms flourished. Trade, art and religion grew in this period.

New kingdoms in the north and Deccan

Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty after the last Mauryan ruler.
The Satavahanas ruled the Deccan; Gautamiputra Satakarni was a famous ruler.
Kharavela of Kalinga (1st century BCE) recorded his achievements in the Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar.

Rulers from Central Asia

Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas ruled parts of the north-west and north; the Kushana king Kanishka supported Buddhism.
Two great schools of sculpture developed: Gandhara (with Greek influence) and Mathura.

The south and trade

The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas ruled in the far south; Tamil Sangam literature describes their society.
Indian ports traded with the Roman Empire in spices, textiles and gems; Roman coins have been found in south India, for example at Arikamedu.

Key terms

Dynasty: a series of rulers from the same family
Hathigumpha inscription: Kharavela's inscription at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar describing his reign
Sangam literature: early Tamil poems that describe life in the ancient south
Gandhara art: a style of sculpture in the north-west that combined Indian and Greek features

Important questions with answers

Who was Kharavela?2 marks

Kharavela was a powerful ruler of Kalinga (present-day Odisha) in the 1st century BCE. His achievements, such as military campaigns, public works and support for Jainism, are recorded in the Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar.

What do we learn about the far south from Sangam literature?3 marks

Sangam literature is a collection of early Tamil poems. It describes the Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms, their kings, wars and generosity, the lives of farmers, fishers, herders and traders, and busy ports where trade with distant lands took place.

Describe the main kingdoms that emerged after the Mauryas and the developments of this period.5 marks

After the Mauryan Empire declined around 185 BCE, power was divided among many rulers. In the north, Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty. In the Deccan the Satavahanas ruled, with Gautamiputra Satakarni as a famous king, and they encouraged trade. In Kalinga, Kharavela became powerful and recorded his reign in the Hathigumpha inscription near Bhubaneswar. In the north-west and north, rulers from Central Asia, such as the Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas, set up kingdoms; the Kushana king Kanishka supported Buddhism, and the Gandhara and Mathura schools of sculpture flourished. In the far south, the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas ruled, as described in Sangam literature. Sea trade with the Roman Empire in spices, textiles and gems brought prosperity, as Roman coins found at Arikamedu show. It was a period of political change, new art and expanding trade.

Quick revision

Mauryas declined around 185 BCE.
Satavahanas in the Deccan; Kushanas under Kanishka.
Kharavela: Hathigumpha inscription, Udayagiri.
Trade with Rome; Sangam literature in the south.

Exam tips

Make a map-based list: Shungas (north), Satavahanas (Deccan), Kharavela (Kalinga), Kushanas (north-west), Cheras–Cholas–Pandyas (south).
Remember Odisha's link: Kharavela and the Hathigumpha inscription.

Practice MCQs

The Hathigumpha inscription belongs to
1. Ashoka
2. Samudragupta
3. Kanishka
4. Kharavela
Show answer
Answer: (d) Kharavela. It is at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar.
The Satavahanas ruled mainly in the
1. north-west
2. far north
3. Deccan
4. Bengal
Show answer
Answer: (c) Deccan. Gautamiputra Satakarni was a famous Satavahana ruler.
The three kingdoms of the far south were the
1. Shungas, Kanvas, Mauryas
2. Kushanas, Shakas, Greeks
3. Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas
4. Palas, Senas, Gangas
Show answer
Answer: (c) Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas. Sangam poems describe them.
The Kushana king who supported Buddhism was
1. Ashoka
2. Harsha
3. Kharavela
4. Kanishka
Show answer
Answer: (d) Kanishka. He ruled from the north-west.
The Shunga dynasty was founded by
1. Pushyamitra Shunga
2. Chandragupta Maurya
3. Kharavela
4. Simuka
Show answer
Answer: (a) Pushyamitra Shunga. He came after the last Mauryan ruler.
Gandhara sculpture shows the influence of
1. Chinese art
2. Roman roads
3. Egyptian art
4. Greek art
Show answer
Answer: (d) Greek art. It combined Indian and Greek features.
Roman coins found at Arikamedu show that
1. Rome ruled south India
2. south India traded with the Roman Empire
3. India used only Roman money
4. Arikamedu was in Rome
Show answer
Answer: (b) south India traded with the Roman Empire. They are evidence of sea trade.
Which statement about this period is correct
1. there was only one empire in India
2. many regional kingdoms rose and trade and art flourished
3. trade stopped completely
4. all rulers were from Central Asia
Show answer
Answer: (b) many regional kingdoms rose and trade and art flourished. It was an age of reorganisation.

All chapters of Class 7 Social Science

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.