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Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries – Class 7 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 7 Social Science, chapter 16. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

The 11th and 12th centuries brought major changes. The Chola empire reached its height in the south and expanded overseas. In the north-west, raids by Mahmud of Ghazni and later the conquests of Muhammad Ghori changed the political map, leading to the Delhi Sultanate. In Odisha, the Eastern Gangas built the Jagannath temple at Puri.

The Cholas

Rajaraja I built the Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur (completed around 1010 CE).
His son Rajendra I led an expedition to the Ganga valley, founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and sent a naval expedition to South-East Asia.
Chola villages had assemblies (sabhas) that managed local affairs; the Cholas were famous for bronze sculptures such as Nataraja.

Raids and conquests from the north-west

Mahmud of Ghazni raided India many times between about 1000 and 1027 CE and plundered temples, including Somnath in 1025.
Muhammad Ghori fought Prithviraj Chauhan at Tarain: he lost in 1191 but won in 1192.
After Ghori's death, his general Qutbuddin Aibak founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.

Other kingdoms

The Eastern Ganga ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga began the Jagannath temple at Puri in the 12th century.
Rajput kingdoms, the Chalukyas of Gujarat and others continued to rule many regions.

Key terms

Sultanate: a kingdom ruled by a sultan
Raid: a sudden attack to seize wealth, not to rule permanently
Sabha: a village assembly in the Chola kingdom
Bronze casting: making metal statues by pouring melted bronze into moulds

Important questions with answers

What was the importance of the Battles of Tarain?2 marks

In the First Battle of Tarain (1191), Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori. In the Second Battle of Tarain (1192), Ghori defeated Prithviraj. This victory opened north India to Ghori's rule and led to the founding of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.

Describe the achievements of Rajaraja I and Rajendra I.3 marks

Rajaraja I expanded the Chola empire and built the grand Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur, completed around 1010 CE. His son Rajendra I led an army to the Ganga valley, built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and sent a powerful navy to South-East Asia, making the Cholas a major maritime power.

'The 11th and 12th centuries were a period of turning tides in India.' Explain.5 marks

In the south, the Chola empire reached its peak: Rajaraja I built the Brihadeeswara temple, and Rajendra I campaigned to the Ganga, built Gangaikonda Cholapuram and sent naval expeditions to South-East Asia; Chola villages ran their affairs through sabhas, and Chola bronzes became famous. In the north-west, Mahmud of Ghazni raided India many times between about 1000 and 1027, plundering wealthy temples such as Somnath in 1025, but he did not set up lasting rule. Later, Muhammad Ghori aimed at conquest: he lost to Prithviraj Chauhan at Tarain in 1191 but won in 1192, and after his death his general Qutbuddin Aibak founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206. Meanwhile, regional kingdoms flourished, such as the Eastern Gangas of Odisha, whose ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga began the Jagannath temple at Puri. Thus power shifted in the north while the south and east saw cultural achievements, changing the course of Indian history.

Quick revision

Rajaraja I: Brihadeeswara; Rajendra I: navy and Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Mahmud of Ghazni: raids, Somnath 1025.
Tarain 1191 and 1192; Delhi Sultanate 1206.
Jagannath temple at Puri by the Eastern Gangas.

Exam tips

Remember the dates: 1010 (Brihadeeswara), 1025 (Somnath raid), 1191 and 1192 (Tarain), 1206 (Delhi Sultanate).
Distinguish raids (Mahmud, for plunder) from conquest (Ghori, to rule).

Practice MCQs

The Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur was built by
1. Rajendra I
2. Rajaraja I
3. Vijayalaya
4. Prithviraj
Show answer
Answer: (b) Rajaraja I. It was completed around 1010 CE.
The Delhi Sultanate was founded in
1. 1192
2. 1206
3. 1290
4. 1526
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1206. Qutbuddin Aibak founded it.
The Jagannath temple at Puri was begun by the
1. Cholas
2. Rashtrakutas
3. Pallavas
4. Eastern Gangas
Show answer
Answer: (d) Eastern Gangas. Anantavarman Chodaganga began it.
Mahmud of Ghazni raided the Somnath temple in
1. 1001
2. 1025
3. 1191
4. 1206
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1025. He raided India many times.
Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori in the
1. Battle of Plassey
2. Second Battle of Tarain (1192)
3. Battle of Panipat
4. First Battle of Tarain (1191)
Show answer
Answer: (d) First Battle of Tarain (1191). Ghori won the next year.
Which Chola king sent a naval expedition to South-East Asia
1. Rajaraja I
2. Karikala
3. Vijayalaya
4. Rajendra I
Show answer
Answer: (d) Rajendra I. He also built Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
How were Mahmud of Ghazni's campaigns different from Muhammad Ghori's
1. Mahmud aimed to rule India permanently
2. both founded the Delhi Sultanate
3. Mahmud raided mainly for wealth, while Ghori aimed to conquer and rule
4. neither entered India
Show answer
Answer: (c) Mahmud raided mainly for wealth, while Ghori aimed to conquer and rule. Ghori's conquest led to lasting rule.
Chola village assemblies were called
1. samantas
2. iqtas
3. sabhas
4. ganas
Show answer
Answer: (c) sabhas. They managed local affairs.

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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.