RBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 5 Solutions in English — The Rise of Empires

The Rise of Empires Class 7 Question Answer SST Chapter 5

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Class 7 SST Chapter 5 The Rise of Empires Question Answer

Class 7 Social Science Chapter 5 The Rise of Empires Question Answer

The Rise of Empires Class 7 Questions and Answers

The Big Questions (Page No.83)

Question 1.
What is an empire?
Answer:
An empire is a union composed of many smaller states or territories. Often, these smaller states were conquered and then ruled by a powerful ruler or ruling group. The smaller territories still had their own rulers, but they were all tributaries to the emperor. Emperor ruled the whole territory from his capital city.

Question 2.
How did empires rise and shape Indian civilisation?
Answer:
The rise of empires took place due to several reasons. The development of agriculture led to surplus production, which helped rulers collect taxes and maintain large army. The use of iron tools and weapons increased military strength. Efficient administration, permanent army, and a strong system of government enabled rulers of conquer smaller states and build large empires. Empires like Maurya and Gupta emerged through this process.

These empires played a major role in shaping Indian civilisation. They developed well- organised systems of law and administration, expanded roads and trade routes, and promoted internal as well as foreign trade. Significant progress was made in art, architecture, literature, and science. The empires strengthened cultural unity and gave Indian civilisation a more organized and unified form.

Question 3.
What factors facilitated the transition from kingdoms to empires?
Answer:
The transition from kingdoms to empires was facilitated by the following factors-

• The ruler’s desire to gain fame.
• Acquiring power and bringing a vast territory under their control. Increasing and controlling military power.
• Controlling resources and economic life.
• The desire to acquire great wealth for themselves and their empire.

Question 4.
What was life like from the 6th to the 2nd century BCE?
Answer:
Life from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century BCE was as follows-

• A large portion of the population was engaged in agriculture. Farmers and those involved in agricultural work lived in villages.
• Blacksmiths, potters, carpenters, jewellers, and other artisans lived in towns. The towns were well-planned, and the streets had signposts.
• Communication took place through messengers who carried messages from one place to another.
• Houses were made of wood and could be up to two stories high.
• People wore cotton clothes that reached from below the knees to the ankles.
• People wore leather shoes.
• The city markets were bustling and were major centres of commercial activity.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 89)

Question 1.
Empires extended over vast areas and had diverse people with differing languages, customs and cultures. How do you think the emperors made sure that they lived in harmony?
Answer:
(i) Firstly, the emperors would have ensured harmonious coexistence among all people by allowing local kings or chiefs to administer their territories in exchange for loyalty and tribute.

(ii) To facilitate economic activity, they would have established and controlled trade routes throughout the empire and beyond.

(iii) Farmers, merchants, pastoralists, moneylenders, and artisans of all categories were granted the freedom to create their own internal rules, and the king would not interfere. In this way, the emperors ensured harmony among all people by allowing local institutions to function autonomously and refraining from unnecessary intervention.

Question 2.
Looking at the many challenges involved in managing an empire, why should a king be so keen to expand his kingdom into an empire and become an emperor? Here are a few possible answers; see if you can think of a few more
An ambition to ‘rule the entire world’, a metaphor for controlling large territories and ensuring that they would be remembered for posterity.

A wish to bring large areas under control and gain access to their resources to build economic and military strength;
A desire for great wealth for himself and for the empire.
Answer:
A king might want to expand his kingdom and become an emperor for the following reasons-

• Some rulers wanted to spread their culture, ideology across larger areas.
• Some rulers may have believed that it is their moral, religious duty to rule over large areas to spread their religion.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 93)

Question 1.
Observe the map of the trade routes. Identify geographical features that helped the traders travel across the Subcontinent.
Answer:
Students should do this themselves.

Question 2.
What modes of transport on those roads do you think were available at the time?
Answer:
At that time, the means of transport available on the roads were probably ships, elephants, camels, bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages, mules, and horses.

Think About It (Page No. 103)

Question 1.
Why do you think it was important to take special care of the countryside?
Answer:
In our opinion, it was essential to take special care of the countryside because they were primarily inhabited by farmers and livestock breeders whose main occupation was agriculture and animal husbandry. These areas were a significant source of revenue for the empire.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 103)

Question 1.
Organise a group discussion in your class and compare the features of Kautilya’s idea of an empire with a modern nation.
Answer:
According to Kautilya, the state is composed of seven elements:

1. the king (swami),
2. councillors, ministers and other high officials (amdtya),
3. the fortified towns and cities (durga),
4. the forces of defence and law and order (Danda),
5. the territory of the state along with the population inhabiting it (Janapada),
6. the treasury or the wealth of the kingdom (Kosha), and
7. allies (Mitra).

According to Kautilya, the seven elements of the state must work together to establish a well-ordered, secure, and prosperous kingdom that can be maintained under all circumstances. He emphasized the importance of law and order, which requires a strong administration. He detailed numerous laws to fight corruption and specified punishments for any actions detrimental to the welfare of the people. The king should always prioritize the interests of his subjects.

If we compare the characteristics of Kautilya’s ideas with those of the modem state, we find that most modem states are democratic nation-states. Therefore, the citizens residing in the state are its ultimate owners. Secondly, modem states have a constitution according to which the ruler is elected by the people, typically comprising the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

The concept of modem states is also that of a welfare state, which aligns perfectly with Kautilya’s ideas. The legislature is responsible for making laws, while the executive handles administrative and defense functions.
Students should organize a group discussion to compare the characteristics of both.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 109)

Question 1.
Wear the hat of a historian. Look carefully at the artefacts presented on the spread on the next page. What conclusions can you draw about people and life during the Mauryan era?
Answer:
Students should draw their own conclusions with the guidance of their teacher. (Hint – Generally, in the Mauryan era, the surplus food production from the fertile plains of the Ganges allowed the people to focus on arts and crafts. Various artifacts point to their prosperous life. The Mauryan period was marked by excellence in terracotta art, dance, religious life, and architecture.)

Class 7 The Rise of Empires Question Answer

Question 1.
What are the features of an empire, and how is it different from a kingdom? Explain.
Answer:
Features of an empire-Emperor exerts central authority over the empire’s tributary territories and kings.

Its major features are-

• Maintains an army to keep the tributary states under control, expand the empire or protect it from outside aggression.
• Designs and maintains an administration, with officials to manage the territories, collect taxes, maintain law and order, etc.
• Makes laws, issues currencies, weights and measures, regulates trade.
• Controls and regulates access to resources (mines, forest and, agricultural produce, manpower).
• Encourages art, literature, religions, schools of thought, centres of learning.
• Maintains communication networks (roads, river and sea navigation) and other infrastructure for administration, trade and people’s welfare.

While an empire needs to maintain an army to control its subordinate states and rulers and to defend against external attacks, a state only needs an army for defense against external aggression. A state does not have other states under its control. Other characteristics are similar between a state and an empire.

Question 2.
What are some important factors for the transition from kingdoms to empires?
Answer:
Important factors for the transition from kingdoms to empires are as follows-

• The emperor’s ambition-Emperors expanded their kingdoms mostly to gain fame, amass power, including military power, and control resources and economic life.
• Trained army-The state’s trained armies were the second important factor for the transition from kingdoms to empires. Trained armies were sent to conquer neighboring states, establish control over them, and defend the empire’s borders.
• Establishing fortified cities at strategically important locations—Fortified cities were built on the borders of city-states.
• Conquering border regions-To expand their empire, a state would first attempt to attack and conquer its border regions.
• Control over trade routes-Rulers endeavoured to control rivers and trade networks as that would give them control over precious resources, apart from tax revenue from the trade.
• Strong military force and surplus resources-When many small states struggled for dominance, the king with access to stronger military power and surplus resources would eventually become the overlord.

Question 3.
Alexander is considered an important king in the history of the world. Why do you think that is so?
Answer:
Alexander is considered an important king in the history of the world, because-
(i) Alexander, a young and powerful Greek ruler of Macedonia, launched a campaign against the Persian Empire to avenge the previous Persian invasions of Greece. He conquered the Persian Empire, resulting in the widespread influence of Greek culture.

After conquering the Persian Empire, his empire stretched across three continents, becoming one of the largest empires in world history. For this reason, Alexander is considered a great ruler in world history.

(ii) His policies deepened cultural ties between the East and the West.
(iii) He was also renowned for his military prowess, courage, and philosophical outlook.

His philosophical perspective can be seen in the intellectual dialogue between Greek and Indian philosophy, such as his questioning of the Gymnosophists.

Question 4.
In early Indian history, the Mauryas are considered important. State your reasons.
Answer:
In early Indian history, the Mauryas are considered important because The Mauryas created a vast empire with a legacy that lasted centuries.

(a) Their legacy includes :

• strengthening trade routes and economic systems,
• extensive use of coins for trade, well-designed urban settlements, and
• an elaborate system of administration.

(b) They also promoted art and architecture,
(c) The empire’s capital, Pataliputra, became a major city and trading centre,
(d) Ashoka made this empire unique through his policies of dhamma, peace, and welfare.

Question 5.
What were some of Kautilya’s key ideas? Which ones of these can you observe even today in the world around us?
Answer:
Some of Kautilya’s key ideas-In his famous work ‘Arthashastra’, Kautilya expressed his views on several subjects such as defense, economics, administration, justice, urban planning, agricultural systems, and public welfare.
For example-
(i) The Saptanga Theory-One of his major political concepts is the Saptanga theory, according to which a state is composed of seven elements. These seven elements (Saptanga) should work together to establish an organized, well-protected, and prosperous state, so that it can be maintained through alliances in both war and peace.

These are the seven elements of the state as described by Kautilya-

• the king,
• Amatya,
• Durga,
• danda,
• janapada,
• Kosha, and
• Mitra.

(ii) Law and Order-Kautilya emphasised the importance of law and order in society and stressed the need for a strong administration to maintain it. He detailed numerous anti-corruption laws and specified punishments for any actions detrimental to the welfare of the people.

(iii) Public Welfare-Kautilya believed that a king should increase his power by promoting the welfare of his subjects. He was of the opinion that no matter how powerful a king might be, he should always prioritise the interests of his people.

We can still see the following ideas of Kautilya reflected in our surroundings today-
1. In present-day democratic nation-states, the system of seven organs of the state has been replaced by a system of three organs.

These organs are :

• the legislature,
• the executive, and
• the judiciary.

Kautilya’s seven organs are encompassed within these three.

2. Even today, emphasis is placed on law and order and a strong administrative system.
3. Many anti-corruption laws exist even in modem times.
4. The foundation of democratic states is the welfare of the people. Today, emphasis is placed on the concept of welfare states.
5. Economic policies, the tax system, the budget, trade, and market regulation are modem forms of economic thinking.

Question 6.
What were the unusual things about Ashoka and his empire? What of that has continued to influence India and why? Write your opinion in about 250 words.
Answer:
The unusual things about Ashoka were-

• Ashoka as a Great Communicator- Ashoka had issued in many parts of his empire edicts engraved on rocks or pillars. These inscriptions contained messages for the general public to follow the principles of Dharma.
• Benevolent and compassionate ruler- In his edicts, Ashoka called himself ‘Devanampiya Pivadasi’ or ‘one who regards others with kindness’.
• Public welfare-Ashoka constantly strived for the welfare of his people and to communicate his ideas to them. In his inscriptions, he mentions the construction of rest houses at regular intervals along the main roads of his empire, the digging of wells, and the planting of fruit-bearing and shade-giving trees. Some southern kingdoms were not part of the Mauryan kingdom, but Ashoka supported their overall well-being.
• Nature and Wildlife Conservation Efforts-Ashoka prohibited hunting and cruelty to animals, and ordered medical treatment for them when necessary.
• Emphasis on fairness in administration- Emperor Ashoka made arrangements to ensure that officials practised fairness.

He would send a high-ranking official every five years to see if the administrative officers were following his orders.
Today’s impact-Ashoka’s legacy leaves a profound mark on present-day India. Secularism, tolerance towards all religions, environmental protection, sensitivity towards wildlife, and social welfare schemes all reflect the influence of his policies.

Question 7.
Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, the king Piyadasi: My officers of Dhamma are busy in many matters of public benefit; they are busy among members of all sects, both ascetics and householders. I have appointed some to concern themselves with the Buddhist Order, with brahmans and Ajivika…, with the Jains…, and with various sects.

There are many categories of officers with a variety of duties, but my officers of Dhamma are busy with the affairs of these and other sects. After reading the above edict of Ashoka, do you think he was tolerant towards other religious beliefs and schools of thought? Share your opinion in the classroom.
Answer:
Yes, after reading the inscription mentioned above, we believe that he were tolerant of other religious beliefs and ideologies. He specifically mentioned the Buddhist Sangha, Brahmins, Ajivikas, and Jains (ascetics and householders) in this inscription. He also referred to other sects. He continuously strived for the welfare of all their subjects and emphasized that all communities should accept the valuable teachings of one another.

Question 8.
The Brahmi script was a writing system that was widely used in ancient India. Try to learn more about this script, taking help from your teacher wherever required. Create a small project and include what you have learnt about Brahmi.
Answer:
A script is the system in which we write a language. Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were written in the Prakrit language using the Brahmi script. The Brahmi script is considered the mother of all regional scripts of India. It is one of the oldest scripts of India.

This script is a consonant-vowel script, where consonants have an inherent vowel, and special diacritical marks are used to add other vowels. It is written from left to right. This script was used to write languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Pali.

Small work project – Brahmi script
1. What is Brahmi script?
Brahmi script is one of the oldest and most important writing systems of ancient India. It was widely used during the Mauryan period. This script was primarily used to write the Prakrit language. Scholars consider it the mother of almost all modern Indian scripts.

2. Main features-

• This script was written from left to right.
• It had separate symbols for vowels and consonants.
• It was a simple and systematic script.

3. Use-

• Ashoka’s edicts and pillar inscriptions were written in this script.
• It was also used for writing commercial documents, administrative orders and religious texts.

4. Modern influence-

• This script later gave rise to the Devanagari, Bengali, Gujarati. Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Odia, and other Indian scripts.
• It is one of the greatest legacies of Indian culture, history and writing tradition.

Question 9.
Suppose you had to travel from Kaushambi to Kaveripattanam in the 3rd century BCE. How would you undertake this journey, and how long would you expect it to take, with reasonable halts on the way?
Answer:
We will begin this journey through Dakshinapatha, first travelling from Kaushambi to Vidisha, then from Vidisha to Ujjayini, where we will stay for some time. From Ujjayini, we will travel to Pratishthana and stay there for some time. From Pratishthana, we will take a different route to Swamagiri and stay there as well. From Swamagiri, we will travel along the Kaveri River to Kaveripattanam.

The following modes of transport will be used during this journey-

• Bullock cart-This was the primary mode of transport for long distances and carrying goods.
• Horses or on foot-For shorter routes and difficult terrain, travel was done on horseback or on foot.
• River routes-This journey involved using boats on rivers such as the Narmada and Godavari.

Main stopping places-

1. Vidisha
2. Ujjayini
3. Pratishthana
4. Swamagiri
5. Kaveripattanam (final destination)

Duration of the journey: The total distance of this journey was approximately 1500-2000 km. Travelling by bullock cart, it was possible to cover 20-25 km per day. Including rest stops and delays due to weather, this journey could take approximately 3 months.