Unit Test (Solutions) : The Age of Reorganisation | Social Science Class 7 - New NCERT PDF Download

Attempt all questions. Time: 1 hour, M.M. 30

• Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
• Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
• Question numbers  9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
• Question number 12 to 13 carry 5 marks each

Q.1. The last Maurya emperor was assassinated around ________ BCE. (1 mark)
Ans. The last Maurya emperor was assassinated around 185 BCE.

Q.2. Who founded the Śhunga dynasty? (1 mark)
a) Khāravela
b) Puṣhyamitra
c) Kāṇiṣhka
d) Karikāla 
Ans. b) Puṣhyamitra
Puṣhyamitra Śhunga founded the Śhunga dynasty.

Q.3. The Sātavāhana coins often depicted which of the following?(1 mark)
a) Horses
b) Elephants
c) Ships
d) Chariots 
Ans. c) Ships
Sātavāhana coins often depicted ships, indicating maritime trade.

Q.4. The Hāthigumphā inscription records the achievements of ________. (1 mark)
Ans. The Hāthigumphā inscription records the achievements of Khāravela.

Q.5. The Heliodorus pillar praises which deity as the 'god of gods'? (1 mark)
Ans. The Heliodorus pillar praises Vāsudeva as the 'god of gods'.

Q.6. Why is the post-Maurya period called the Age of Reorganisation? (2 marks)
Ans. After the Maurya Empire’s fall around 185 BCE, new kingdoms like the Śhungas and Sātavāhanas emerged, competing for power. This political restructuring of former tributary regions into independent kingdoms reshaped the subcontinent, earning the period the name Age of Reorganisation.

Q.7. What was the significance of the aśhvamedha yajña in the Śhunga dynasty? (2 marks)
Ans. The aśhvamedha yajña, performed by Puṣhyamitra Śhunga, was a Vedic ritual to assert his supremacy. A horse roamed freely, claiming territories, symbolising the king’s power and reviving Vedic traditions, strengthening his rule over north and central India.

Q.8. How did the Sātavāhanas contribute to trade? (2 marks)
Ans. The Sātavāhanas enhanced trade by exporting spices, textiles, and ivory to the Roman Empire, importing glass. Their ship-depicted coins and tolls from Nāneghāṭ caves boosted economic prosperity, supporting their Deccan kingdom’s growth.

Q.9. What is Sangam literature, and what themes does it cover? (3 marks)
Ans.

• Sangam literature is a collection of Tamil poems from south Indian assemblies during the Sangam Age.
• It covers personal emotions like love and societal values like heroism and generosity.
• It reveals the culture and values of the Chera, Chola, and Pāṇḍya kingdoms.

Q.10. How did the Indo-Greeks blend Indian and Greek cultural elements? (3 marks)
Ans.

• Indo-Greeks depicted Indian deities like Vāsudeva and Lakṣhmī on coins alongside Greek gods.
• The Heliodorus pillar praises Vāsudeva, listing Indian virtues like self-restraint and charity.
• Their art and governance fused Greek and Indian styles, shaping northwest India’s culture.

Q.11. Describe the contributions of the Sātavāhanas to art and architecture. (3 marks)
Ans.

• Carved Kārla caves for Buddhist monks, with grand pillars and a stone stūpa.
• Supported Piṭalkhorā caves, featuring yakṣha sculptures showing skilled craftsmanship.
• Patronised Brāhmī inscriptions in Nāneghāṭ caves, recording royal donations and rituals.

Q.12. Explain how the Cholas established their supremacy and contributed to the welfare of their people. (5 marks)
Ans.

• King Karikāla defeated Cheras and Pāṇḍyas, establishing Chola dominance in south India.
• Built Kallanai, a Kāverī dam, irrigating the delta, known as the “rice bowl.”
• Supported agriculture, ensuring food security and prosperity for millions.
• Patronised Sangam literature, enriching Tamil poetry and cultural heritage.
• Silappadikāram, set in Puhār, reflects their thriving trade and justice.

Q.13. Discuss how the Kuṣhāṇas influenced art, trade, and cultural assimilation during their rule. (5 marks)
Ans.

• They controlled parts of the Silk Route, boosting trade through exports like spices and imports like glass.
  
• Kāṇiṣhka’s Gāndhāra and Mathurā schools blended Greek-Indian styles, crafting Buddha and Śhiva sculptures.
• Coins showed Kāṇiṣhka as “King of Kings” with deities like Buddha and Śhiva.
• Promoted Hindu-Buddhist coexistence, influencing later temple architecture.
• Supported Sanskrit literature like the Mahābhārata, fostering cultural exchange.