Day: August 26, 2017

Write a short essay on: “The Bahmani kingdom”   Ans: The founder of the Bahmani kingdom was Alauddin Bahman Shah also known as Hasan Gangu in 1347. Its capital was Gulbarga. There were a total of fourteen Sultans ruling over this kingdom. Among them, Alauddin Bahman Shah, Muhammad Shah I and Firoz Shah were important. Ahmad […]

Assess the Lekhapaddhati as an important source for evaluating the society and economy of the thirteenth century CE with special reference to Gujarat. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: A text that gives direct, useful historical information is the anonymous Lekhapaddhati, a work in Sanskrit and Prakrit composed in Gujarat in about the 13th century. It contains models of […]

Discuss the state of society and economy of the Bahmani kingdom as gleaned from historical sources. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The accounts of contemporary Muslim writers do not give any information about the economic conditions or trade and commerce. It is mentioned in the observations made by the Russian traveler Nikitin who visited the Bahmani kingdom from […]

Discuss the social dynamics in the Vijayanagara Empire. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: The social life under the Vijayanagar Empire was well developed. Foreign travelers like Nuniz, Paes, Nicolo Conti and Barbosa left vivid accounts on the splendour of buildings and luxurious social life in the city of Vijayanagar. Royal Court: The king and his courtiers led an […]

On the basis of contemporary sources evaluate the system of agriculture and irrigation of the Vijayanagar kingdom. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: All the kings of the Vijayanagar exerted great importance on developing agriculture and irrigation facilities. However, the efforts of Krishna Deva Raya in this regard were cut above the rest and he received wholesome praise from […]

To what extent is ‘Segmentary State’ model relevant for defining the Vijayanagar State? Critically examine. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: What is Segmentary State? The concept of ‘Segmentary State’ model was first developed by an anthropologist Aidan W. Southall to describe the political organization of certain section of African society. ‘Segmentary State’ is a form of political structure […]

Mention the salient features of the polity of Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya. ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Central Administration The king was at the apex of the entire system. His authority was unlimited; he looked after civil administration, directed the military affairs of the kingdom and acted as the final court of justice. Krishnadevaraya talks about the prevailing […]

Comment on the Turko-Mongol theory of sovereignty. To what extent was it adopted by Babur and Humayun? ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Turko-Mongol theory of sovereignty Turko-Mongol theory of sovereignty was based on divine theory of sovereignty with absolute power to the leader, strength and prestige of the Crown, and absence of religious and sectarian bigotry. Turks and […]

How was cartaz system used by the Portuguese to maintain their control over the oceanic trade?  Ans: Portuguese had tried to monopolise the oceanic trade in India which was contrary to the tradition of ocean trade in Asian waters. They declared trade in spices, drugs, dyes, arms & ammunition and war horses as royal monopoly […]

Write a short essay on: “Sher Shah combined in himself qualities of lion and fox.” ©selfstudyhistory.com Ans: Sher Shah had quality of ‘planning like a fox’ and ‘attacking like a lion’. Sher Shah with qualities of fox Many of Sher Shah’s military campaigns exhibit his tricks and tactics which reflects his political shrewdness. The following […]