NCERT 7th Class (CBSE) Social Science: The Medieval World

Question: Write a short note on the term “Sapta Sindhu”.

Answer: During Vedic age, India was called “Sapta Sindhu” or the “Land of seven rivers”. These rivers were the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and the mythical Saraswati. Sindhu was the Sanskrit name for the Indus. The earliest reference to this name is in the Zend Avesta, the holy book of the Ancient Persians.

Question: What are Prashastis? Why are they not always authentic?

Answer: Long poems in praise of kings are called prashasti. Since prashastis were normally written by court peots appointed by the kings, they may not always be factually accurate.

Question: What kinds of information can be drawn from paintings?

Answers: Paintings are an important source of information, especially for the medieval period of Indian history:

1. They illustrate the artistic progress of the time, as rulers of kingdoms and other important people often had their portraits done.
2. The paintings serve as a record of the lines of descent of kings and nobles.
3. They also tell us about the nature of society-the way of dressing, the customs followed, important events, the life of the common people, along with other features of that period.

Question: Name Indian literary sources of the medieval history?

Answer: Indian literary sources of medieval history are:

1. Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan – by Colonel Todd
2. Rajatarangini – by Kalhana
3. Vikramankadeva Charita – Vidyapati Bilhana
4. Prithviraj Raso – Chand Bardai

Question: Mention three foreign travellers to India in the medieval age and the places they came from.

Answer: Three foreign travellers to India are:

1. Marcopolo – Italy
2. Ibn Batuta – Morocco
3. Alberuni – Persia.