Download CBSE MCQs for Class 8 Social Science: Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map
Review structured MCQ sets for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map. Built according to official CBSE guidelines, these downloadable questions support daily revision and core concept reinforcement.
Chapter-wise Objective Questions: Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map
Access the complete set of multiple-choice questions for Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map below. This focused format allows students to isolate specific topics for thorough review and uninterrupted practice alongside official CBSE textbooks.
A. The desire to establish trade monopolies across the Indian Ocean
B. A religious motivation to spread their own versions of their faith by force if necessary
C. The need to escape drought and famine in Central Asia
D. An attempt to reclaim ancestral lands from previous empires
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) A religious motivation to spread their own versions of their faith by force if necessary
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that invaders from Central Asia were drawn to India 'not only for her reputed riches and for territorial ambitions, but also often to spread, by force of violence if necessary, their own versions of their religion.' This religious component was a distinct driving force alongside conquest and plunder.
A. The absence of any written legal codes or edicts
B. The concentration of power in a single sultan with frequent violent succession struggles limiting reign stability
C. A complete dependence on Hindu officials who resisted Islamic governance
D. The inability to collect taxes from agricultural lands
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Answer: (B) The concentration of power in a single sultan with frequent violent succession struggles limiting reign stability
Explanation:
The text notes that 'almost two sultans out of three seized power by eliminating their predecessor, so that a sultan's average reign was hardly more than nine years,' indicating systemic instability. Whereas Mughal emperors averaged 27 years under Akbar through Aurangzeb due to more stable succession practices and administrative reforms.
A. Southern campaigns aimed only at religious conversion while northern ones focused on territorial control
B. Southern campaigns generated plundered wealth specifically to finance the Sultanate's military apparatus, whereas northern campaigns defended against Mongol invasions
C. Southern campaigns deliberately avoided major cities to minimize civilian casualties
D. Southern campaigns were fought primarily by Hindu generals rather than Muslim commanders
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Southern campaigns generated plundered wealth specifically to finance the Sultanate's military apparatus, whereas northern campaigns defended against Mongol invasions
Explanation:
The chapter states that Malik Kafur 'expanded the Sultanate's reach southward, conquering several kingdoms on the way; their plundered wealth helped finance the Sultanate's enormous military apparatus,' whereas Ala-ud-din 'also repelled several invasions by Mongol forces.' The southern expeditions served the specific purpose of generating revenue for military maintenance.
A. It increased trade volume but caused inflation in rural areas
B. • It created confusion in trade networks • People began counterfeiting copper coins • The economy declined as a result
C. It strengthened the currency's value but discouraged merchants from traveling
D. It successfully replaced precious metals and modernized the economy
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) • It created confusion in trade networks • People began counterfeiting copper coins • The economy declined as a result
Explanation:
Although the token currency concept was progressive for its time, the chapter explains that 'this created confusion in the trade and encouraged people to counterfeit copper coins, all of which caused the economy to decline.' The practical implementation failed because the market did not trust the artificial valuation without proper enforcement mechanisms.
A. They wished to recycle materials for economic efficiency and sustainability
B. They sought both plunder and iconoclasm—economic gain combined with religious symbolism through destruction
C. They were honoring earlier architectural traditions by incorporating them into new structures
D. They had insufficient access to raw materials and needed to reuse existing supplies
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) They sought both plunder and iconoclasm—economic gain combined with religious symbolism through destruction
Explanation:
The chapter notes that materials from 27 destroyed Hindu and Jain temples were used in constructing the mosque, and separately explains that destruction was 'motivated not just by plunder but also by iconoclasm.' This dual motivation—extracting wealth while simultaneously desecrating sacred structures—demonstrates the interwoven economic and religious objectives.
A. He submitted peacefully and paid tribute to avoid conflict
B. He defeated the Sultanate's governor and later built the Sūrya temple at Konark to commemorate his victories
C. He relocated his capital eastward to escape Sultanate influence
D. He formed an alliance with the Hoysalas to counter the Sultanate threat
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He defeated the Sultanate's governor and later built the Sūrya temple at Konark to commemorate his victories
Explanation:
The text states that Narasimhadeva 'defeated the Delhi Sultanate's governor of Bengal' and that 'partly to commemorate these victories, he built the famed Sūrya temple at Konark.' His response combined successful military resistance with cultural commemoration through architecture.
A. The Mughal Empire deliberately divided southern kingdoms to prevent unified opposition
B. Former governors and administrators could declare autonomy and establish independent states when central authority weakened
C. Religious schisms made it impossible to maintain unified Muslim kingdoms in southern India
D. The Portuguese conquest from coastal areas forced interior regions to fragment
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Answer: (B) Former governors and administrators could declare autonomy and establish independent states when central authority weakened
Explanation:
The chapter explains that the Bahmani Sultanate 'eventually fragmented into five independent states called the Deccan Sultanates — Bijapur, Golconda, Berar, Ahmednagar, and Bidar — each ruled by former governors or tarafdars who declared autonomy.' This shows that territorial power rested on military authority rather than fixed inheritance or established institutions.
A. He believed military conquest alone was insufficient without cultural and intellectual legitimacy
B. He intended to erase Indian classical traditions by rewriting them in Persian
C. He wanted to isolate Hindu knowledge from Muslim officials in his court
D. He was attempting to create a unified religion combining Islamic and Hindu beliefs
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (A) He believed military conquest alone was insufficient without cultural and intellectual legitimacy
Explanation:
By translating major Sanskrit texts like the Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa, and Bhagavad Gītā into Persian, Akbar demonstrated that maintaining empire required engaging with local intellectual and cultural traditions. This complemented his military conquests and political alliances, showing that legitimacy involved understanding and respecting the knowledge systems of conquered peoples.
A. It used only tribal warriors rather than trained professional soldiers
B. • Every able-bodied man provided service through labour or military duty • Land rights were granted in exchange for this service • This avoided maintaining a permanent centralised army
C. It relied entirely on volunteer soldiers without any state compensation
D. It excluded lower castes from military participation entirely
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) • Every able-bodied man provided service through labour or military duty • Land rights were granted in exchange for this service • This avoided maintaining a permanent centralised army
Explanation:
The chapter contrasts the paik system, which mobilized the population through 'every able-bodied man to provide service to the state through labour or military duty in exchange for land rights,' with the standing armies that required permanent maintenance. The Ahom approach created flexibility and reduced costs while maintaining military capacity—a more economically sustainable model.
A. It allowed him to negotiate a peace treaty with superior terms
B. The terrain and knowledge provided by Bhil allies enabled surprise attacks and ambushes despite numerical disadvantage
C. It forced the Mughals to abandon their use of gunpowder and cannons
D. It eventually led to his military victory and the reconquest of Mewar
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The terrain and knowledge provided by Bhil allies enabled surprise attacks and ambushes despite numerical disadvantage
Explanation:
The chapter explains that 'Maharana Pratap escaped and pursued for years guerrilla warfare against the Mughals from the Aravalli hills' and notes his crucial support from Bhils 'who not only joined his troops as archers but also contributed their knowledge of the terrain.' This local geographic knowledge transformed a military disadvantage into a sustainable resistance strategy.
A. The empire rejected all foreign trade to protect indigenous merchants
B. Portuguese traders received special favour because they supplied horses, and the king prevented them from selling to rival kingdoms
C. European traders were taxed at higher rates than Asian merchants
D. The empire competed militarily with Portugal for control of Indian ports
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Portuguese traders received special favour because they supplied horses, and the king prevented them from selling to rival kingdoms
Explanation:
The chapter states that 'Portuguese travellers, in particular, were very well treated, as they came to sell horses and the king did not want them to go and sell those precious horses to enemy kingdoms!' This reveals shrewd economic and military strategy—maintaining good relations with valuable suppliers while preventing them from strengthening opponents.
A. Aurangzeb was more tolerant and granted temples more protection than Akbar did
B. Akbar converted to Sikhism while Aurangzeb remained a strict Muslim
C. Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of schools and temples of non-Muslims despite acknowledging their productive value to the empire
D. Both rulers pursued identical policies toward religious minorities
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of schools and temples of non-Muslims despite acknowledging their productive value to the empire
Explanation:
The chapter notes that Aurangzeb 'ordered governors of all provinces to demolish schools and temples of the infidels' and destroyed temples at multiple sacred sites, contrasting sharply with Akbar's statement that 'Not being a Muslim myself, it was unmeet to force others to become such.' Aurangzeb's farmans make clear his personal religious motivation superseded pragmatic governance.
A. The transformation of a purely spiritual movement into a martial brotherhood organized for military defence
B. An attempt to convert all Hindus to Sikhism through forced recruitment
C. A rejection of all earlier Sikh teachings and principles
D. An alliance between Sikhs and the Mughal Empire against common enemies
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (A) The transformation of a purely spiritual movement into a martial brotherhood organized for military defence
Explanation:
The chapter traces how Sikhism 'began purely as a spiritual movement' but 'the later Sikh Gurus had to respond to the growing intolerance and persecution under some Mughal rulers.' Guru Gobind Singh's creation of the Khalsa as 'a martial brotherhood committed to justice, equality and defence of the faith' marked the movement's transformation into an organized military force responding to persecution.
A. It required permission from each ruler before conducting trade
B. • Written payment instructions could be carried across borders • Funds could be transferred without physically moving currency • This created parallel systems of credit and trust independent of official structures
C. It converted all currencies to a single standard value recognized everywhere
D. It forced all merchants to register with central government authorities
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) • Written payment instructions could be carried across borders • Funds could be transferred without physically moving currency • This created parallel systems of credit and trust independent of official structures
Explanation:
The chapter explains that the hundi system 'enabled merchants to transfer funds across political boundaries without physically transporting currency, making them less vulnerable to plunder' and that 'Trader communities...became adept at operating across different political regimes, developing parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures.' This financial innovation transcended political fragmentation.
A. The economy collapsed completely due to constant warfare
B. India remained one of the wealthiest regions in the world economically while experiencing frequent shifts in political power and instability
C. Trade networks disappeared as rulers prevented merchant activity
D. Agricultural production ceased entirely in conquered territories
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) India remained one of the wealthiest regions in the world economically while experiencing frequent shifts in political power and instability
Explanation:
The chapter states that 'Despite shifting political powers between the 13th and 17th centuries, India witnessed vibrant economic activity' and 'the Subcontinent remained one of the wealthiest regions in the world' despite being 'economically prosperous on the whole but often politically unstable.' This reveals the decoupling of economic systems from political control.
A. He successfully defeated all Mongol invasions attempting to expand their empire into India
B. He conducted extensive military campaigns across north and central India while simultaneously repelling Mongol invasions and expanding the Sultanate's territory
C. He constructed the Qutub Minar and established Persian as the official court language
D. He unified all the regional sultanates of the Deccan under a single central authority
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He conducted extensive military campaigns across north and central India while simultaneously repelling Mongol invasions and expanding the Sultanate's territory
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that at the turn of the 14th century, Ala-ud-din Khilji 'conducted military campaigns over large areas of north and central India, sacking and plundering many cities; at the same time, he also repelled several invasions by Mongol forces.' This dual achievement of territorial expansion while defending against external threats paralleled Alexander's conquests, making the title contextually meaningful.
A. It marked the final victory of cavalry-based tactics over infantry formations that had dominated earlier periods
B. It demonstrated that control of Delhi's surrounding plains was the ultimate determinant of political power in north India
C. The battle's reliance on gunpowder, field artillery, and matchlock guns—recently introduced to Indian warfare—proved decisive over traditional forces
D. It showed that Turkic commanders possessed superior military training compared to Afghan rulers
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) The battle's reliance on gunpowder, field artillery, and matchlock guns—recently introduced to Indian warfare—proved decisive over traditional forces
Explanation:
The chapter specifically notes the First Battle of Panipat 'relied heavily on gunpowder, field artillery, and matchlock guns, which had recently been introduced in warfare in India.' This technological shift marked a fundamental transformation in how military conflicts were decided, distinguishing Babur's victory from earlier conquest methods.
A. They refused to pay taxes to any ruling authority and established their own kingdoms
B. • They developed parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures • They used the hundi system to transfer funds across political boundaries without carrying currency • These networks allowed them to operate effectively across different competing political regimes
C. They exclusively traded in luxury goods that only the royal courts desired
D. They established fortified trading posts that could defend themselves against both merchants and rulers
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) • They developed parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures • They used the hundi system to transfer funds across political boundaries without carrying currency • These networks allowed them to operate effectively across different competing political regimes
Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes that merchant communities developed 'parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures' and that the hundi system 'enabled merchants to transfer funds across political boundaries without physically transporting currency, making them less vulnerable to plunder.' This demonstrates how economic innovation created autonomy from political instability.
A. It proves that the Delhi Sultanate was purely motivated by religious conversion and had no economic interests
B. It reflects both iconoclasm driven by religious ideology and pragmatic use of available construction materials through conquest
C. It indicates that Hindu and Jain communities willingly contributed their temple materials to demonstrate loyalty
D. It shows that the Sultanate specifically targeted temples for architectural expertise rather than religious reasons
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) It reflects both iconoclasm driven by religious ideology and pragmatic use of available construction materials through conquest
Explanation:
The chapter notes that 'this period also witnessed numerous attacks on sacred or revered images in Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples; such destruction was motivated not just by plunder but also by iconoclasm.' The reuse of temple materials demonstrates how religious motivation (iconoclasm) combined with economic pragmatism (plunder and construction) in shaping the Sultanate's actions.
A. The Vijayanagara Empire launched a direct military conquest that the weakened Hoysalas could not resist
B. The Hoysalas were weakened by repeated attacks from the Delhi Sultanate and internal conflicts, making them vulnerable to absorption by the rising Vijayanagara power in the mid-14th century
C. The Hoysala rulers voluntarily merged with Vijayanagara to strengthen their position against external threats
D. The Hoysala economy collapsed due to loss of trade routes to the Portuguese
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The Hoysalas were weakened by repeated attacks from the Delhi Sultanate and internal conflicts, making them vulnerable to absorption by the rising Vijayanagara power in the mid-14th century
Explanation:
The chapter states that the Hoysalas 'fended off several attacks from the Delhi Sultanate, remaining the only independent kingdom in the south. However, weakened by these attacks and internal conflicts, the Hoysala kingdom declined and, in the mid-14th century, was absorbed into the Vijayanagara Empire further south.' This demonstrates how even successful resistance to one power could create vulnerabilities to others.
A. His orders were purely symbolic gestures meant to appease conservative religious advisors without actual implementation
B. • His personal religious conviction motivated explicit orders for destruction across provinces • The edict demonstrates integration of religious ideology into formal state apparatus • This contrasted sharply with Akbar's approach despite both serving similar political consolidation needs
C. The order was issued reluctantly under pressure from Muslim scholars and had limited regional impact
D. His policies were identical to those of earlier sultans, showing continuity rather than personal conviction
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) • His personal religious conviction motivated explicit orders for destruction across provinces • The edict demonstrates integration of religious ideology into formal state apparatus • This contrasted sharply with Akbar's approach despite both serving similar political consolidation needs
Explanation:
Rather than interpreting Aurangzeb's actions as purely political, the chapter argues that 'Aurangzeb's own farmans make his personal religious motive clear.' The 1669 edict shows concrete directives to destroy temples, not mere rhetoric. His tearful deathbed reflections expressing regret further suggest genuine religious conviction shaped his governance, distinguishing him from pragmatists like Akbar.
A. The Bhils served as mercenaries who could be purchased by any ruler willing to pay higher wages
B. The Bhils functioned primarily as administrators of revenue collection rather than warriors
C. Maharana Pratap received strong support from Bhils who not only served as archers but also contributed essential knowledge of terrain, earning them a respected place in Mewar's military tradition as shown in the Mewar emblem
D. The Bhils were forced conscripts who had no genuine loyalty to Maharana Pratap's cause
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Maharana Pratap received strong support from Bhils who not only served as archers but also contributed essential knowledge of terrain, earning them a respected place in Mewar's military tradition as shown in the Mewar emblem
Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes that 'Maharana Pratap received strong support from the Bhils, who not only joined his troops as archers but also contributed their knowledge of the terrain; their service earned them a respected place in Mewar's military tradition, as the Mewar emblem shows.' This integration of tribal knowledge and warriors into the ruling structure through mutual respect distinguished it from typical hierarchical arrangements.
A. The Ahoms possessed more advanced weaponry than the Mughals, making their victory inevitable
B. The Ahoms used their knowledge of dense forests, hills, and rivers along with guerrilla tactics to repulse a Mughal force of 30,000 with only 10,000 men, despite the Mughals having more soldiers and a larger river boat fleet
C. The Brahmaputra River naturally favored smaller boats, which prevented the Mughals from using their full naval strength
D. The Mughal forces were primarily cavalry-based and could not operate effectively on water
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The Ahoms used their knowledge of dense forests, hills, and rivers along with guerrilla tactics to repulse a Mughal force of 30,000 with only 10,000 men, despite the Mughals having more soldiers and a larger river boat fleet
Explanation:
The chapter states that the Ahoms 'used their knowledge of the terrain—dense forests, hills and rivers—and persistent guerrilla tactics to repulse the attack, although the latter had more men and a larger fleet of river boats. Notably, in the Battle of Saraighat (1671), the Ahom military commander Lachit Borphukan and his 10,000 men defeated a Mughal force of 30,000 soldiers.' Environmental mastery thus became a decisive military advantage.
A. It eliminated the need for local administrators by centralizing all power in the emperor's hands
B. It created specialized departments with clear responsibilities and established checks and balances between officials, allowing for greater control and efficiency while preventing any single minister from accumulating excessive power
C. It gave non-Muslim officials equal authority with Muslim officials in all administrative departments
D. It reduced the number of bureaucrats needed to administer the empire
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) It created specialized departments with clear responsibilities and established checks and balances between officials, allowing for greater control and efficiency while preventing any single minister from accumulating excessive power
Explanation:
The chapter explains that Akbar 'reorganised his administrative machinery' with clear departmental divisions 'with effective checks and balances enforced between the government officials.' This specialization with built-in accountability mechanisms represented a more sophisticated administrative structure than the earlier Sultanate's less differentiated council system, enabling better governance of a vast empire.
A. Elevated forts were built primarily for aesthetic reasons to impress foreign visitors
B. Elevated, fortified locations surrounded by forests and steep slopes provided natural defensive advantages; soldiers could see approaching armies from greater distances and use terrain features to resist larger forces, making them strategically valuable for smaller kingdoms resisting larger empires
C. Mountain forts were less effective than plains forts because they were difficult to supply with food and water
D. The choice of elevated terrain was random and had no relationship to military effectiveness
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Elevated, fortified locations surrounded by forests and steep slopes provided natural defensive advantages; soldiers could see approaching armies from greater distances and use terrain features to resist larger forces, making them strategically valuable for smaller kingdoms resisting larger empires
Explanation:
The chapter notes that Kumbhalgarh Fort 'surrounded by forests and steep slopes' served as 'a stronghold for the rulers of Mewar' and suggests asking students to 'discuss pros and cons' of such locations in terms of 'strategy, security, vulnerability.' The physical defensibility provided by elevation and natural barriers made such forts particularly valuable for kingdoms like Mewar defending against larger imperial forces.
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