Class 7 Social Science Chapter 5 Very Short Answer Questions - The Rise of Empires

Q1: What is an empire?

Ans: An empire is a large area ruled by a powerful emperor who controls many smaller kingdoms.

Q2: What is the Sanskrit term for an emperor?

Ans: In Sanskrit, emperors were called samrat, adhiraja, or rajadhiraja.

Q3: What did tributary kingdoms offer to the emperor?

Ans: Tributary kingdoms gave tribute like gold, grain, or goods as a sign of loyalty.

Q4: What was the role of the capital city in an empire?

Ans: The capital city was the center of administration and economy for the empire.

Q5: Why did emperors build fortified cities?

Ans: Fortified cities protected borders and served as strong defense points.

Fortified Cities

Q6: What kind of armies did emperors use?

Ans: Emperors used trained armies with elephants, horses, and iron weapons.

Q7: How did emperors maintain control over diverse groups?

Ans: Emperors used fair laws and local governance to manage diverse people.

Q8: What is one reason emperors expanded their empires?

Ans: Emperors expanded for power, wealth, fame, and to be remembered by future generations.

Q9: What are guilds also known as?

Ans: Guilds were also known as shrenis.

Q10: Who led the guilds?

Ans: Guilds were led by elected leaders and officers.

Q11: What was the main purpose of trade routes?

Ans: Trade routes helped in movement of  goods and increased taxes for the empire.

Q12: What were two important trade routes in ancient India?

Ans: Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha were major trade routes.Trade Route

Q13: What was the capital of the Magadha kingdom?

Ans: The capital of Magadha was Pataliputra.

Q14: Name the king who founded the Nanda dynasty.

Ans: Mahapadma Nanda founded the Nanda dynasty.

Q15: Who defeated the Nanda Empire?

Ans: Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nanda Empire.

Q16: Who was Alexander the Great?

Ans: Alexander was a Greek king who invaded India in 327–325 BCE.

Q17: Which Indian king did Alexander fight?

Ans: Alexander fought King Porus of the Pauravas in Punjab.

Q18: Who was Kautilya?

Ans: Kautilya was Chandragupta Maurya’s mentor and advisor.

Q19: What is the Arthashastra?

Ans: The Arthashastra is a book by Kauṭilya on governance and economics.

Q20: What does Saptanga mean?

Ans: Saptanga means “seven parts” of a kingdom according to Kauṭilya.

Q21: Who wrote the book Indika about India?

Ans: Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, wrote Indika.

Q22: Which war changed Ashoka’s views on violence?

Ans: The Kalinga War made Aśhoka turn to peace and non-violence.

Q23: What script was used in Ashoka’s edicts?

Ans: Aśhoka’s edicts were written in Brahmi script.

Q24: What is a stupa?

Ans: A stupa is a dome-shaped structure used for worship and housing relics.

Q25: What symbol from Mauryan art became India’s national emblem?

Ans: The Sarnath lion capital with the dharmachakra became India’s national emblem.