Social Science Objective Questions and Answers: Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map
Explore reliable objective questions for Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map tailored for Class 8 learners. Utilizing these Social Science multiple-choice formats ensures thorough preparation and strengthens problem-solving speed for upcoming school assessments.
Download Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map MCQs with Answers
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. Its location in Kalinga gave it control of maritime trade routes and naval superiority over sultanate forces
B. Its remote position in eastern regions and rugged terrain made sustained military campaigns logistically difficult for northern armies
C. Its alliance with the Vijayanagara Empire in the south provided military support against sultanate invasions
D. Its rulers' adoption of Persian administrative practices made them diplomatically acceptable to the sultanate
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Its remote position in eastern regions and rugged terrain made sustained military campaigns logistically difficult for northern armies
Explanation:
The chapter identifies the Eastern Ganga kingdom as successfully resisting the Delhi Sultanate's advances, noting that Narasimhadeva I repelled multiple inroads and that the kingdom's geographical location in the east allowed it to maintain independence while neighbouring kingdoms fell under sultanate control. Regional position and terrain were key defensive factors during this period.
A. He claimed direct lineage rights to all territories previously conquered by Timur in Central Asia and India
B. He modelled his campaigns on Timur's earlier invasion, using similar tactics of psychological intimidation and rapid cavalry movements
C. He sought to establish legitimacy through ancestral connection while pursuing his own imperial ambitions independently
D. He believed himself bound by Timur's example to conduct punitive raids focused solely on plunder rather than territorial control
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) He sought to establish legitimacy through ancestral connection while pursuing his own imperial ambitions independently
Explanation:
While Babur was indeed a descendant of Timur, the chapter presents him as an ambitious ruler in his own right who turned to India after being displaced from Samarkand. His identity as Timur's descendant provided prestige and historical precedent, but his actual conquest strategy and establishment of the Mughal Empire represented his own ambitious vision, not merely a repetition of his ancestor's methods.
A. Akbar's tolerance was purely rhetorical and designed to mask his underlying religious intolerance throughout his reign
B. His ideological commitment to religious tolerance existed alongside practical political decisions that maintained Muslim dominance in state structures
C. Non-Muslim officials were deliberately excluded because Akbar feared they would exploit their positions to undermine Muslim authority
D. Akbar only began his policies of tolerance after removing all non-Muslim officials from positions of influence
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) His ideological commitment to religious tolerance existed alongside practical political decisions that maintained Muslim dominance in state structures
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly notes that despite Akbar's growing tolerance for different faiths and his doctrine of sulh-i-kul, 'non-Muslims were kept in a minority in the higher echelons of the administration,' with their representation rarely exceeding one-third. This reveals the tension between his philosophical ideals and pragmatic governance structures that preserved Muslim-dominated authority despite his broader religious tolerance.
A. It eliminated the need for peasants to provide labour services by replacing them with salaried military officers
B. It enabled rapid army assembly without maintaining a permanent centralised force, solving the cost and coordination challenges of constant military readiness
C. It introduced a merit-based system of promotion that prevented nobles from abusing their authority over troops
D. It transferred all military responsibilities to the Mir Bakhshi, removing the sultan's direct control over the army
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) It enabled rapid army assembly without maintaining a permanent centralised force, solving the cost and coordination challenges of constant military readiness
Explanation:
The chapter states that mansabdars were assigned troops and land (jagirs) according to their rank, and 'This made it possible to assemble an army at a short notice without having to maintain a permanent centralised army.' This addressed a critical administrative and financial challenge by distributing military obligations across the empire rather than centralising all forces, allowing efficiency without the constant expense of a permanent standing army.
A. The Vijayanagara sought to balance internal military forces by importing Portuguese soldiers as mercenaries to counter Mughal expansion
B. They recognized that controlling access to Portuguese horses—weapons of strategic importance—provided leverage against neighbouring sultanates and prevented their enemies from acquiring those resources
C. The Portuguese were allowed to establish independent colonies within Vijayanagara territory in exchange for naval protection against Arab traders
D. They used Portuguese merchants as spies to gather intelligence about Mughal military movements in northern India
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) They recognized that controlling access to Portuguese horses—weapons of strategic importance—provided leverage against neighbouring sultanates and prevented their enemies from acquiring those resources
Explanation:
The chapter notes that Portuguese travellers 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 a sophisticated strategy of monopolizing access to militarily valuable resources—horses were essential for mounted warfare—rather than allowing enemies to acquire them, representing economic leverage through trade control.
A. It demonstrates that the sultans were primarily interested in recycling materials for economic efficiency rather than making religious statements
B. It reflects a deliberate strategy of visibly incorporating conquered religious structures into Islamic monuments to assert religious and political dominance
C. It indicates that the sultans were attempting to preserve Hindu and Jain architectural traditions by incorporating them into new structures
D. It suggests that temple materials were more readily available in Delhi than other building materials, making them the practical choice
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) It reflects a deliberate strategy of visibly incorporating conquered religious structures into Islamic monuments to assert religious and political dominance
Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes that the inscription explicitly states materials from 27 destroyed temples were used in construction, and connects this to both plunder and 'iconoclasm.' This visible incorporation of destroyed religious sites' materials into new monuments served to display conquering power and religious assertion—the vanquished structures literally became subordinated within structures of Islamic authority. This was not incidental but demonstrative of dominance.
A. Maharana Pratap achieved total victory by using superior cavalry numbers to overwhelm the Mughal forces in the narrow mountain pass
B. Despite facing a larger Mughal army with greater numerical strength, Pratap escaped through the terrain and subsequently used his knowledge of the Aravalli hills to conduct sustained resistance
C. The battle proved that mounted cavalry was ineffective in mountainous regions, leading to the abandonment of horse warfare in the south
D. Maharana Pratap defeated the Mughals decisively and forced them to abandon all further campaigns in Rajasthan
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Despite facing a larger Mughal army with greater numerical strength, Pratap escaped through the terrain and subsequently used his knowledge of the Aravalli hills to conduct sustained resistance
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states 'although the Mughal army had the upper hand, Maharana Pratap escaped and pursued for years guerrilla warfare against the Mughals from the Aravalli hills, living in harsh conditions but firm on his independence.' This illustrates how tactical knowledge of terrain and commitment to resistance could sustain a campaign despite initial military disadvantage, turning geographical features into strategic assets.
A. The iqta system made positions hereditary to encourage loyalty, while Akbar's jagirdars received only temporary assignments to prevent dynastic accumulation of power
B. Both systems were identical in structure; the different terminology reflects only linguistic changes in Persian administrative vocabulary
C. Akbar introduced performance reviews and regular inspections to ensure mansabdars actually maintained the required military forces, adding accountability mechanisms absent in the iqta system
D. The iqta system required nobles to provide fixed revenue amounts, while jagirdars could increase taxes at will, giving them greater economic independence
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Akbar introduced performance reviews and regular inspections to ensure mansabdars actually maintained the required military forces, adding accountability mechanisms absent in the iqta system
Explanation:
The chapter notes that under the iqta system, posts 'were not hereditary' and created a network of local administrators, but under Akbar's mansabdari system, 'Regular inspections were carried out to ensure compliance.' This represents an evolution—Akbar maintained non-hereditary positions but added systematic oversight mechanisms to verify that mansabdars were actually fulfilling their military obligations, creating greater control through inspection rather than relying solely on position incentives.
A. The paik system eliminated the need for military forces entirely by using diplomatic negotiations to prevent invasions
B. Every able-bodied man provided service through labour or military duty in exchange for land rights, distributing military obligations across society rather than maintaining a separate professional army class
C. The paik system created an elite warrior class that was permanently segregated from civilian society and given exclusive control of weapons
D. It required peasants to serve in the military year-round without compensation, making it more economically efficient than other systems
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Every able-bodied man provided service through labour or military duty in exchange for land rights, distributing military obligations across society rather than maintaining a separate professional army class
Explanation:
The chapter explains that the Ahom paik system 'called on every able-bodied man to provide service to the state through labour or military duty in exchange for land rights. This allowed the rulers to create public infrastructure and maintain a large standing force without a permanent army.' This distributed military obligation throughout society rather than maintaining a separate standing military force, combining economic productivity with military capacity in a fundamentally different model.
A. Guru Tegh Bahadur sought martyrdom to create sympathy for Sikhs among other religious communities and undermine Aurangzeb's authority
B. His execution on Aurangzeb's orders directly prompted his son Guru Gobind Singh to transform Sikhism from a spiritual movement into a martial brotherhood actively defending against persecution
C. The martyrdom proved that religious tolerance was impossible in Mughal India and led all communities to abandon cooperation
D. Guru Tegh Bahadur's death actually had minimal impact on Sikhism, which continued developing as it had before without significant change
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) His execution on Aurangzeb's orders directly prompted his son Guru Gobind Singh to transform Sikhism from a spiritual movement into a martial brotherhood actively defending against persecution
Explanation:
The chapter states that 'In response, his son Guru Gobind Singh—the 10th and last Guru—established the Khalsa—a martial brotherhood committed to justice, equality and defence of the faith, which frequently clashed with the Mughal forces, at great cost of life.' The martyrdom became a catalyst for transforming Sikh identity from purely spiritual to militantly defensive, institutionalizing resistance through the Khalsa structure.
A. Economic cooperation was impossible; all communities remained completely segregated in separate economic spheres with no interaction
B. Despite ruler-sanctioned destruction of sacred sites, common people remained 'economically dependent on each other' and 'lived peacefully side by side,' maintaining cooperative relations despite elite-level religious conflict
C. Religious cooperation was universal and complete, making any conflict at the elite level merely performative and without real consequences
D. Communities actively collaborated to resist rulers' attempts to create religious division between them
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Despite ruler-sanctioned destruction of sacred sites, common people remained 'economically dependent on each other' and 'lived peacefully side by side,' maintaining cooperative relations despite elite-level religious conflict
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly notes: 'At the level of the common people, there were instances of clashes, especially over sacred sites that had been desecrated or destroyed under the rulers' sanction. But by and large, people of different faiths and communities lived peacefully side by side, economically dependent on each other.' This reveals a crucial distinction between elite-level religious policy and common-level economic cooperation and coexistence.
A. Merchants created the hundi system specifically to comply with government tax collection requirements during periods of instability
B. The system enabled merchants like the Marwaris to transfer funds across political boundaries without physical currency, operating 'parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures' even as political regimes changed
C. Hundis were primarily used for luxury goods transactions and were irrelevant to ordinary trade between merchants and peasants
D. The hundi system was a government-mandated system of currency that replaced traditional currency during times of political crisis
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The system enabled merchants like the Marwaris to transfer funds across political boundaries without physical currency, operating 'parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures' even as political regimes changed
Explanation:
The chapter states that the hundi system 'enabled merchants to transfer funds across political boundaries without physically transporting currency' and that 'Trader communities, such as the Marwaris, became adept at operating across different political regimes, developing parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures.' This reveals how economic actors created sophisticated mechanisms of trust and credit that transcended political boundaries and state control.
A. The destruction was less severe than earlier defeats because the Deccan Sultanates chose to spare the city's temples and administrative buildings
B. The city's destruction over several months and massacre of the civilian population led to the empire's fragmentation into smaller Nayaka-ruled regions rather than consolidation under a surviving dynasty
C. Vijayanagara was immediately rebuilt and returned to prominence within a few years, emerging even stronger than before the battle
D. The defeat had minimal impact, and Vijayanagara continued functioning as a unified empire until the British conquest in the 19th century
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The city's destruction over several months and massacre of the civilian population led to the empire's fragmentation into smaller Nayaka-ruled regions rather than consolidation under a surviving dynasty
Explanation:
The chapter states: 'The city was sacked over several months; houses, shops, buildings, palaces and most of its temples were destroyed, and much of its civilian population massacred; it was left in ruins. After this, the empire got fragmented into smaller regions ruled by Nayakas, who were former military governors; the empire came to an end in the mid-17th century.' The destruction was not merely military defeat but resulted in structural dissolution of centralized authority.
A. Both rulers were equally capable, but Akbar had better luck with his policies due to fortune rather than superior planning
B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq's failures—such as the capital relocation causing massive loss of life and token currency disrupting trade—contrasted with Akbar's systematic reorganization using inspection mechanisms and decentralized authority to maintain control without constant military expenditure
C. Akbar actually borrowed directly from Muhammad bin Tughlaq's failed policies and implemented them more successfully in different regions
D. Administrative development showed no progress across the medieval period; both rulers faced identical challenges with identical success rates
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq's failures—such as the capital relocation causing massive loss of life and token currency disrupting trade—contrasted with Akbar's systematic reorganization using inspection mechanisms and decentralized authority to maintain control without constant military expenditure
Explanation:
The chapter presents Muhammad bin Tughlaq as ambitious but strategically flawed—his schemes like forcing 1,000 km relocations and introducing token currency created 'confusion in the trade' and economic decline. Akbar, conversely, built systematic mechanisms: delegating specific administrative roles (Diwan, Mir Bakhshi, Khan-i-Saman), conducting regular inspections of mansabdars, and maintaining checks and balances. This represents evolution from ambitious but destructive schemes to strategic systematization.
A. He eliminated taxation entirely, allowing peasants to keep all their produce and weakening the sultanate's financial base
B. He introduced detailed surveys of crop yields and prices, determining crop prices systematically based on actual data rather than arbitrary assessments, and initiated comprehensive land surveys that improved revenue collection efficiency and state organization
C. He implemented a flat tax rate across all regions regardless of productivity, making tax assessment simpler but less effective
D. His surveys focused exclusively on luxury goods taxation and ignored agricultural revenue, limiting their impact on overall state finances
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He introduced detailed surveys of crop yields and prices, determining crop prices systematically based on actual data rather than arbitrary assessments, and initiated comprehensive land surveys that improved revenue collection efficiency and state organization
Explanation:
The chapter states: 'Todar Mal, Akbar's finance minister, introduced an efficient revenue system. He made detailed surveys for crop yields and prices, and determined prices for each crop on the basis of that information. He also initiated a systematic survey of the land in the entire empire which boosted revenue collection and strengthened the state apparatus.' This represents systematic data-gathering replacing arbitrary assessment—a methodological advance that improved both fairness and efficiency.
A. Economic gain through trade monopolies
B. Religious conversion efforts, often by force of violence
C. Establishment of cultural exchange centers
D. Agricultural expansion into fertile plains
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Religious conversion efforts, often by force of violence
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that many of these invaders '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.'
A. Foreign merchants refused to accept copper coins in trade
B. The common people could not distinguish genuine from counterfeit coins
C. It encouraged counterfeiting and confusion in trade, undermining the economy
D. Nobles hoarded silver and gold coins instead of copper tokens
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) It encouraged counterfeiting and confusion in trade, undermining the economy
Explanation:
The chapter notes that this 'progressive idea' created 'confusion in the trade and encouraged people to counterfeit copper coins, all of which caused the economy to decline.' The uncontrolled counterfeiting destroyed trust in the currency system.
A. It formed military alliances with the Bahmani Sultanate against Delhi
B. It repelled multiple inroads of the Sultanate and defeated Delhi's governor of Bengal
C. It agreed to pay tribute but maintained internal autonomy
D. It relocated its capital to a fortified island to avoid conquest
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) It repelled multiple inroads of the Sultanate and defeated Delhi's governor of Bengal
Explanation:
The chapter states that Narasimhadeva I was 'noted for the military strength and cultural brilliance he brought to the kingdom. Apart from repelling multiple inroads of the Sultanate, he defeated the Delhi Sultanate's governor of Bengal.'
A. Practical reuse of available building materials and demonstration of religious authority through destruction
B. Economic efficiency and prevention of temple reconstruction by rivals
C. Preservation of architectural styles and honoring of previous builders
D. Tribute to conquered peoples and incorporation of their cultural traditions
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (A) Practical reuse of available building materials and demonstration of religious authority through destruction
Explanation:
The chapter indicates that temple destruction was 'motivated not just by plunder but also by iconoclasm'—the rejection of religious images deemed idolatrous. The deliberate use of temple materials thus served both practical and symbolic purposes of asserting religious dominance.
A. The Ahoms used superior artillery technology captured from earlier Mughal campaigns
B. They leveraged terrain knowledge and persistent guerrilla tactics despite facing greater numbers and a larger river fleet
C. The Mughal commander Ram Singh surrendered without a full battle engagement
D. The battle occurred during a period of Mughal civil war, weakening the opposing army
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) They leveraged terrain knowledge and persistent guerrilla tactics despite facing greater numbers and a larger river fleet
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly 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.' This demonstrates how environmental advantage could overcome numerical superiority.
A. He sought to eliminate Sanskrit scholarship by converting all texts to Persian
B. He believed controlling intellectual and cultural knowledge was as important to empire-building as military strength
C. He intended to distribute these translations to common people to promote literacy
D. He was primarily interested in religious conversion through translated sacred texts
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He believed controlling intellectual and cultural knowledge was as important to empire-building as military strength
Explanation:
By translating major works including the Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa, and Bhagavad Gītā into Persian, Akbar demonstrated that cultural integration and intellectual patronage were strategic tools. This approach complemented his military expansion and helped legitimize his rule among diverse subjects.
A. Hundis could only be used between merchants of the same religious faith
B. They eliminated the need for currency entirely by establishing barter systems
C. Merchants could transfer funds without physically transporting money, reducing vulnerability to plunder by rulers or bandits
D. Hundis were issued by the Mughal state and therefore honored everywhere in the empire
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Merchants could transfer funds without physically transporting money, reducing vulnerability to plunder by rulers or bandits
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.' This innovation allowed trader communities like the Marwaris to 'develop parallel systems of credit and trust that functioned independently of official structures.'
A. He believed religious minorities should have economic equality but not political power
B. His tolerance was primarily strategic rather than based on genuine ideological conviction
C. Non-Muslim officials were considered temporary appointees until qualified Muslim alternatives emerged
D. The chapter provides insufficient information to determine his actual motivations
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (A) He believed religious minorities should have economic equality but not political power
Explanation:
While Akbar abolished the discriminatory jizya tax and promoted sulh-i-kul ('peace with all'), the chapter notes that 'non-Muslims were kept in a minority in the higher echelons of the administration; for instance, the total percentage of non-Muslim officials in his administration rarely exceeded one-third.' This shows tolerance had practical boundaries in actual governance.
A. He conquered territories stretching from the Hindu Kush to the southern Deccan
B. He conducted vast military campaigns while simultaneously repelling Mongol invasions attempting to expand their empire into India
C. He established the first naval empire comparable to Alexander's Mediterranean dominion
D. He unified all of India's regional kingdoms under a single centralized administration
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He conducted vast military campaigns while simultaneously repelling Mongol invasions attempting to expand their empire into India
Explanation:
The chapter states that '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, who were trying to add India to the vast Mongol Empire.' This two-front success against external threat and internal consolidation paralleled Alexander's achievements.
A. Its geographic isolation in the Deccan regions far removed from Delhi's military reach
B. Its location in Kalinga, including present-day Odisha and parts of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, which provided both geographical distance and defensible terrain
C. Its alliance with the Bahmani Sultanate, which created a counterbalance to northern military pressure
D. Its adoption of the same administrative system as the Delhi Sultanate, making conquest economically inefficient
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Its location in Kalinga, including present-day Odisha and parts of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, which provided both geographical distance and defensible terrain
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly identifies the Eastern Ganga kingdom of Kalinga (present-day Odisha and parts of Bengal and Andhra Pradesh) as successfully resisting the Delhi Sultanate's advance throughout its rule. The geographical factors—distance from Delhi's center and the terrain characteristics of the eastern coastal and hill regions—enabled rulers like Narasimhadeva I to repel multiple sultanate military campaigns. Unlike other southern kingdoms that eventually fell or were absorbed, the Eastern Gangas maintained independence by leveraging these geographical advantages combined with military strength.
Free study material for Social Science
Download Chapter MCQs: Class 8 Social Science Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map
Download Multiple Choice Questions: Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map (Class 8 Social Science)
Test your conceptual understanding of Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map with these targeted multiple-choice questions. Designed in alignment with the latest CBSE curriculum for Class 8 Social Science, these problem sets build accuracy and prepare students for objective exams.
Concept Clarification for Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map
Each question includes structured solution keys mapped directly to standard CBSE textbooks, helping students evaluate their reasoning and correct mistakes early in their revision.
Additional Study Resources for Class 8 Social Science
Explore our broader library of printable assignments, chapter notes, and mock tests designed to support continuous revision and secure higher marks in CBSE assessments.
FAQs
You can get most exhaustive CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map MCQs Set 03 for free on StudiesToday.com. These MCQs for Class 8 Social Science are updated for the 2026-27 academic session as per CBSE examination standards.
Yes, our CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map MCQs Set 03 include the latest type of questions, such as Assertion-Reasoning and Case-based MCQs. 50% of the CBSE paper is now competency-based.
By solving our CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map MCQs Set 03, Class 8 students can improve their accuracy and speed which is important as objective questions provide a chance to secure 100% marks in the Social Science.
Yes, Social Science MCQs for Class 8 have answer key and brief explanations to help students understand logic behind the correct option as its important for 2026 competency-focused CBSE exams.
Yes, you can also access online interactive tests for CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 02 Reshaping Indias Political Map MCQs Set 03 on StudiesToday.com as they provide instant answers and score to help you track your progress in Social Science.