Day: August 26, 2017

Show that the administrative system in India reached a very high level during the Chola period. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: During the Chola period, a strong and well organized administrative system evolved. Central Government The emperor was at the top of the administration. The extent and resources of the Chola Empire increased the power and prestige of […]

How far can the village assemblies or communities under the Cholas be really called democratic? ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The system of village autonomy with assemblies (Sabhas and Urs) and their committees (Variyams) developed through the ages and reached its culmination during the Chola rule. Two inscriptions belonging to the period of Parantaka I found at Uttaramerur […]

Assess the contribution of the Cholas in the expansion of Indian culture outside India. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The Chola Kingdom of South was powerful, had a strong navy and was active in maritime trade and conquest. Navy and maritime trade helped in the expansion of Indian Culture outside India, mostly in the South-East Asian Countries. Contacts […]

Write a short essay on: “Applicability of the term ‘Indian Feudalism’ to early Medieval Society.”  OR What kind of changes were visualized by historians on Indian feudalism? Examine critically. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The early medieval period shows transition, changes, and developments taking place in society, economy, polity, and agriculture. The most significant change that can only […]

To what extent ‘monetary anaemia’ afflicted the erstwhile commercial economy during the early medieval period? ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Monetary anaemia refers to paucity of coins and coins of poor quality with less purchasing power. During A.D. 750 to 1000, India was ruled by powerful dynasties like Gurjara Pratiharas in Western India, the Palas in Eastern India […]

Give an account of the society in Northern and Central India since the death of Harsha to the Muslim conquest of North India. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: An account of the society in Northern and Central India in the early medieval period Division of the Society into Caste System Since ancient times the Indian society was divided […]

Write a short essay on: “Social structure of the Rajputs.” ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Origin of the Rajputs The historians hold different views regarding the origin of the Rajputs; one thing is however certain, that they were of mixed origin. The Rajput clans usually claimed their descent from the Kshatriyas; in some cases, their claim was valid; […]

Write a short essay on: “The Vedanta of Sankaracharya” ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The Upanishads form the last part- anta- of the Vedas. They, and the philosophies based on them, are therefore called Vedanta. One of the most influential thinkers of the early medieval was Shankara, who lived in late 8th and early 9th centuries. Shankara was […]

Write a short essay on: “Origin of the Bhakti Movement” ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Though the bhakti movement became the dominant feature of Hinduism in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, its origin can be traced to ancient Indian religious traditions. We find mention of bhakti in the Vedas, Upanishads, the epics and the Puranas. The Vedanta philosophy […]

Discuss the salient features of Indian society on the eve of the campaigns of Mahmud of Ghazni, with particular reference to the observations made by Al-Biruni. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The salient features of Indian society as mentioned by Alberuni in Kitab al-Hind: Alberuni’s observation of Indian society can be seen as follows: Caste-ridden Society: The complete […]