8-L2-Reshaping India's Political Map
Questions and activities
1. Compare the political strategies of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. What similarities and differences existed between them?
2. Why did kingdoms like the Vijayanagara Empire and the Ahom Kingdom manage to resist conquest for a longer time compared to others? What geographical, military, and social factors contributed to their success?
3. Imagine you are a scholar in the court of Akbar or Krishnadevaraya. Write a letter to a friend describing the politics, trade, culture, and society you are witnessing.
4. How come Akbar, a ruthless conqueror in his young days, grew tolerant and benevolent after some years? What could have led to such a change?
5. What might have happened if the Vijayanagara Empire had won the Battle of Talikota? Imagine and describe how it could have changed the political and cultural history of south India.
6. Many values promoted by early Sikhism, including equality, seva, and justice, remain relevant today. Select one of these values and discuss how it remains relevant in contemporary society.
7. Imagine you are a trader in a port city (Surat, Calicut or Hooghly). Describe the scenes you see as regards goods, people you trade with, movement of ships, etc.
Ans1. Delhi Sultanate vs Mughals – Political Strategies*
*Similarity*: Both used military conquest + appointed nobles/governors for administration
*Administration*: Sultanate used Iqta system; Mughals used Mansabdari + Jagir system
*Policy*: Sultanate was less tolerant religiously; Mughals followed sulh-e-kul + Rajput alliances
*Stability*: Mughals had stronger centralization; Sultanate faced frequent revolts
Ans 2. Vijayanagara & Ahom – Reasons for Resistance*
*Geography*: Deccan plateau + rocky hills for Vijayanagara; Brahmaputra valley + dense forests for Ahoms
*Military*: Strong local armies, fortifications, naval power for Ahoms
*Social*: Strong regional identity, efficient administration, public support
Ans 3. Court of Akbar/Krishnadevaraya – Observations*
*Politics*: Centralized monarchy with council of ministers. Akbar had Mansabdars; Krishnadevaraya had Nayaka system
*Trade*: Busy markets with spices, textiles, horses, pearls. Port trade with Arabs/Portuguese
*Culture*: Art + architecture at peak. Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri; Krishnadevaraya patronized Telugu literature
*Society*: Diverse population of Hindus, Muslims, traders, artisans living together
Ans 4. Akbar’s Change – Ruthless to Tolerant*
*Rajput Policy*: Marriages + alliances with Rajputs for empire stability
*Religious Interaction*: Discussions with Sufis, Jains, Jesuits at Ibadat Khana
*Policy Shift*: Introduced sulh-e-kul + Din-i-Ilahi for religious harmony
*Practical Need*: Tolerance helped unify diverse empire
Ans 5. If Vijayanagara Won Battle of Talikota*
*Political*: Empire would stay powerful in South India; Deccan Sultanates weakened
*Cultural*: Hampi temples + Telugu/Kannada literature would not be destroyed
*Trade*: South Indian ports would stay under Indian control longer
*History*: South India may not face 2 centuries of Sultanate dominance
Ans 6. Early Sikhism – Value of Equality*
*Teaching*: Guru Nanak rejected caste, gender, religious discrimination
*Practice*: Langar serves free food to all, sitting in pangat without hierarchy
*Relevance Today*: Inspires fight against casteism + gender inequality
*Impact*: Promotes community service + social unity in modern society
Ans7. Trader in Surat/Calicut/Hooghly – Scenes*
*Goods*: Spices, cotton cloth, indigo, silk, horses being traded
*People*: Indian merchants, Arab traders, Portuguese/Dutch/English sailors, dock workers
*Ships*: Crowded docks with dhows, carracks, barges loading/unloading at high tide
*Activity*: Weighing goods, bargaining, tax collection by officials, busy warehouses
