Oxford Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 4 The Turkish Invasion And The Establishment Of The Delhi Sultanate

EXERCISE

A. Fill in the blanks :

1. Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India seventeen times in the course of twenty five years.
Answer: seventeen, twenty five.
Mahmud was a determined ruler who led these many expeditions primarily to plunder the vast wealth of Indian temples. These frequent raids weakened the Indian kingdoms and made it easier for later invaders to settle here.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the number 17 as a 'teenager' who traveled for 25 years.
Exam Tip: Always mention both the number of invasions and the duration to provide a complete answer.

2. Mahmud's raids exposed the weakness of the northern states and paved the way for the conquest of India.
Answer: weakness, conquest.
The northern Indian states were constantly fighting each other and lacked a unified defense system. Mahmud's success showed that a well-organized army could easily overcome these divided kingdoms.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine a wall with many cracks; Mahmud's raids showed everyone where those cracks were.
Exam Tip: Use the word "conquest" specifically to describe the long-term result of these raids.

3. Qutbuddin Aibak took control of Muhammad Ghori's Indian possessions and laid the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer: Indian, Delhi Sultanate.
Aibak was originally a slave general who proved his loyalty and skill on the battlefield. After Ghori's death, he became the first Sultan, starting a period of rule that lasted for centuries.
Teacher's Tip: Remember 'Aibak' and 'Architecture'—he started the famous Qutub Minar.
Exam Tip: Make sure to spell "Sultanate" correctly, as it is the core term for this historical period.

4. Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa, and Gwalior and brought the whole of North India upto the river Narmada under his control.
Answer: Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa, Gwalior, Narmada.
Iltutmish was a very capable ruler who expanded the empire significantly by conquering these major Rajput strongholds. By reaching the Narmada river, he established a clear southern boundary for his northern empire.
Teacher's Tip: Use the acronym "U-R-M-G" to remember the four Rajput regions.
Exam Tip: Mentioning the river "Narmada" is crucial to show the geographical extent of his kingdom.

5. The Caliph of Baghdad recognized Iltutmish as the sovereign of India. He was succeeded by his daughter Razia.
Answer: Caliph of Baghdad, daughter Razia.
The recognition from the Caliph gave Iltutmish legal authority and respect among other Muslim rulers. His choice of Razia as a successor was very bold because it was rare for a woman to rule in those days.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Razia as the 'First Queen of Delhi' to remember she was the daughter.
Exam Tip: Mention the Caliph to explain how Iltutmish gained "sovereign" status.

B. Match the following :

A
1. Mahmud of Ghazni
2. First Battle of Tarain
3. Second Battle of Tarain
4. Qutbuddin Aibak
5. Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khalji

B
(a) general of Ghori
(b) Prithviraj was defeated by Muhammad Ghori.
(c) Prithviraj defeated Muhammad Ghori
(d) patron of art and learning
(e) viceroy of Ghori

Answer:
1. Mahmud of Ghazni - (d) patron of art and learning
2. First Battle of Tarain - (c) Prithviraj defeated Muhammad Ghori
3. Second Battle of Tarain - (b) Prithviraj was defeated by Muhammad Ghori
4. Qutbuddin Aibak - (e) viceroy of Ghori
5. Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khalji - (a) general of Ghori
These matches link important rulers and generals to their specific historical achievements or roles. It highlights the difference between the two battles of Tarain, which were turning points in Indian history.
Teacher's Tip: Match "First" with "Prithviraj wins" and "Second" with "Ghori wins."
Exam Tip: In matching questions, write the corresponding letter and the full phrase for maximum clarity.

C. Choose the correct answer :

Question 1: Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful/weak/inefficient ruler.
Answer: Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful ruler.
He was a brilliant military commander who managed to lead his army successfully across huge distances into India. His ability to maintain control over his central Asian empire while raiding India proves his great strength.
Teacher's Tip: Power often comes from persistence, and Mahmud was persistent for 25 years.
Exam Tip: Choose the word that reflects his ability to win many battles.

Question 2: Mahmud of Ghazni was interested in territorial expansion in South Asia/Central Asia/West Asia.
Answer: Mahmud of Ghazni was interested in territorial expansion in Central Asia.
While he looted India (South Asia), he actually wanted to build his permanent empire and expand his borders in the Central Asian region. India was seen more as a source of wealth to fund his wars back home.
Teacher's Tip: Looting is for wealth, but expansion is for your permanent home (Central Asia).
Exam Tip: Don't confuse "raiding for wealth" with "territorial expansion."

Question 3: Firdausi was a great mathematician/historian/poet.
Answer: Firdausi was a great poet.
He was the famous author of the epic 'Shahnama,' which tells the stories of ancient Persian kings. He was one of the many brilliant scholars who lived in the court of Mahmud of Ghazni.
Teacher's Tip: Think of 'Firdausi' and 'Famous Poem' to remember he was a poet.
Exam Tip: Link the name Firdausi directly to his book, the 'Shahnama'.

Question 4: Nasiruddin Mahmud was a weak and inexperienced ruler and the affairs of the state were managed by Balban/Iltutmish/Razia Sultan on his behalf.
Answer: Nasiruddin Mahmud was a weak and inexperienced ruler and the affairs of the state were managed by Balban on his behalf.
Balban was the powerful Prime Minister who held all the real power while the Sultan led a very simple and religious life. This allowed Balban to eventually become the Sultan himself after Nasiruddin's death.
Teacher's Tip: Balban was the "Brain" behind the throne of Nasiruddin.
Exam Tip: Remember that Balban served as a deputy before he became a ruler himself.

Question 5: Iltutmish/Qutbuddin Aibak/Balban never smiled or allowed others to laugh or joke in his court.
Answer: Balban never smiled or allowed others to laugh or joke in his court.
He believed that a ruler should be very serious and distant to keep people in awe and fear of his power. This strict discipline helped him restore order in the Sultanate and control the unruly nobles.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Balban as the 'No-Nonsense' king who kept a straight face.
Exam Tip: This behavior is part of his "Policy of Blood and Iron."

D. State whether the following are true or false :

Question 1: The kingdoms of Ghazni and Ghor were established by the Abbasids.
Answer: False. Correct: The kingdoms of Ghazni and Ghor were established by the Turks.
The Abbasids were an Arab dynasty, but these new kingdoms in Afghanistan were founded by Turkish leaders who had once been soldiers. These Turkish rulers were the ones who ultimately invaded India.
Teacher's Tip: Think "T" for Turks and "T" for the territories of Ghazni and Ghor.
Exam Tip: Always provide the correct statement if the answer is False.

Question 2: During Mahmud's time, North India was divided and there was no unity.
Answer: True.
There were many small Rajput kingdoms that were constantly competing and fighting with one another. Because they did not unite against the common enemy, Mahmud was able to defeat them one by one.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the saying, "United we stand, divided we fall."
Exam Tip: "Lack of unity" is a very common reason for the success of invaders in Indian history.

Question 3: Iltutmish failed to crush the power of the governor of Bengal.
Answer: False. Iltutmish crush the power of the governor of Bengal.
Iltutmish was a very successful general who consolidated his empire by bringing rebellious governors back under control. Defeating the ruler of Bengal was a major step in securing the eastern part of the Delhi Sultanate.
Teacher's Tip: Iltutmish was the 'Iron' ruler who didn't let anyone break away.
Exam Tip: Use words like "crushed" or "suppressed" to describe how he handled rebels.

Question 4: Razia Sultan was brave, intelligent and just.
Answer: False. Correct : Razia Sultan was brave, intelligent and just woman.
The textbook marks this as false to highlight that she was specifically a woman ruler in a male-dominated world. Despite her great qualities, she faced many revolts from the nobles because they didn't want to be ruled by a woman.
Teacher's Tip: Even though she was brave and smart, her gender was the biggest challenge for the nobles.
Exam Tip: Be careful with the phrasing; the "correct" part emphasizes her identity as a woman.

Question 5: Balban made the monarchy weak and dependent on the nobles.
Answer: False. Correct : Balban made the monarchy absolute and all-powerful.
Balban did the exact opposite by introducing strict rules like 'Sijda' and 'Paibos' to make nobles show total respect to the king. He wanted to ensure that the Sultan's word was final and that no noble could challenge him.
Teacher's Tip: Balban made the king a "Big Boss" whom everyone had to obey.
Exam Tip: The word "absolute" means the king has 100% control.

Question 6: Sultan Mahmud annexed Punjab to create a gateway to India for future invasions.
Answer: True.
By controlling Punjab, Mahmud had a secure base within the Indian borders from where his armies could launch attacks further south. This region became the "entry door" for all the Turkish invasions that followed.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Punjab as the 'Front Porch' of the Indian house.
Exam Tip: Annexing Punjab was Mahmud's most strategic long-term move.

Question 7: Mahmud of Ghazni was the founder of the Turkish rule in India.
Answer: False. Correct : Muhammad Ghori was the founder of the Turkish rule in India.
Mahmud only came to loot and take wealth back to Ghazni, while Ghori came to stay and establish a permanent government. It was Ghori's victories that allowed the Delhi Sultanate to actually begin.
Teacher's Tip: Ghori for Government, Ghazni for Gold.
Exam Tip: Distinguish between "invading" (Mahmud) and "founding a rule" (Ghori).

Question 8: Muhammad Ghori was as great a military leader as Mahmud of Ghazni.
Answer: False. Correct : Muhammad Ghori was not as great a military leader as Mahmud of Ghazni.
Ghori was defeated in several battles, including the first battle of Tarain, whereas Mahmud was almost never defeated. However, Ghori was a better politician and empire-builder because he founded a lasting kingdom.
Teacher's Tip: Ghori lost some battles but won the "war" of history by staying.
Exam Tip: Compare their "military success" vs their "political success" to understand this difference.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences :

Question 1: What happened to the Abbasid Caliphate by the 9th century CE?
Answer: By the end of the 9th century CE. The once mighty Abbasid empire disintegrated into a number of independent states ruled by the Turks who had earlier served in the armies of the Caliphs.
The central power of the Arab Caliphs weakened as local governors and military leaders took control of their own regions. These new Turkish leaders were energetic and soon started looking toward India for expansion.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a big chocolate bar breaking into many small pieces.
Exam Tip: Use the term "disintegrated" to describe the breaking up of the empire.

Question 2: Name the author of the great epic Shahnama.
Answer: The Persian poet Firdausi, author of the great epic Shahnama.
The 'Shahnama' is one of the world's longest poems and tells the history and legends of ancient Persia. Firdausi took many years to complete this masterpiece under the patronage of Mahmud.
Teacher's Tip: Firdausi sounds like 'First'—he wrote the first great Persian epic.
Exam Tip: Make sure to mention he was a "Persian poet" for a complete answer.

Question 3: What is the significance of the defeat of Prithviraj in the Second Battle of Tarain?
Answer: The defeat of Prithviraj marked the end of Rajput rule in North India. The kingdom of Delhi passed into the hands of Muhammad Ghori. The throne of Delhi was occupied by Muslim rulers from then till 1858.
This battle was a massive turning point because it stopped the dominance of Hindu Rajput kings in northern India. It opened the doors for the establishment of Islamic rule which lasted for hundreds of years.
Teacher's Tip: The 'Second' battle was the 'Final' answer for the Rajputs.
Exam Tip: Mention the year 1858 to show you know how long this historical shift lasted.

Question 4: Who did Muhammad Ghori appoint as his viceroy?
Answer: Muhammad Ghori appointed Qutbuddin Aibak as his viceroy before returning to Ghor.
Aibak was Ghori's most trusted general and was left in charge to manage the newly conquered Indian lands. He proved to be a great choice as he later became the first independent Sultan of Delhi.
Teacher's Tip: Viceroy is like a "Manager" who works for the Big Boss.
Exam Tip: Spelling "Qutbuddin Aibak" correctly is essential.

Question 5: For how many years did the sultans of Delhi rule the country?
Answer: 300 years.
The Delhi Sultanate began in 1206 and lasted until the arrival of the Mughals in 1526. During these three centuries, five different dynasties ruled over northern and central India.
Teacher's Tip: Think of three centuries—that is a very long time for one capital to be the center.
Exam Tip: Writing "three centuries" or "300 years" are both acceptable.

Question 6: Mention one important reason for the decline of Buddhism in India after the Turkish invasion.
Answer: Buddhist monasteries and libraries were wantonly destroyed by the Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khilji. This invasion dealth a death blow to Buddhism in India.
Because Buddhism was centered around large monasteries like Nalanda, their destruction meant the loss of teachers and sacred texts. Without these centers, the religion struggled to survive in its homeland.
Teacher's Tip: No libraries meant no learning, which led to the end of the religion in that area.
Exam Tip: Name "Nalanda" if you want to give a specific example of a destroyed library.

Question 7: Name the founder of the Turkish kingdom in India.
Answer: Muhammad Ghori was founder of the Turkish kingdom in India.
Ghori was the first to systematically conquer Indian territories and plan for a permanent rule rather than just a raid. His successes paved the way for his general, Aibak, to start the Sultanate.
Teacher's Tip: Ghori 'Found' the path to stay in India.
Exam Tip: Don't confuse him with Mahmud of Ghazni; Ghori is the founder.

Question 8: Why was Qutbuddin known as 'lakhbaksh'?
Answer: Lakhbaksh means 'giver of lakhs'. Qutbuddin Aibak was given this name because of his generosity.
He was famous for giving away large amounts of money and charity to the poor and to scholars. This name shows that he was a kind-hearted ruler who cared for his subjects.
Teacher's Tip: 'Lakh' (100,000) + 'Baksh' (Giver) = Generous ruler.
Exam Tip: Explain the meaning of the word "Lakhbaksh" in your answer.

Question 9: How did Iltutmish save India from the threat of a Mongol invasion?
Answer: Once Mongol chief, Chenghiz Khan reached the borders of India in search of the Shah of Persia who fled towards India to get shelter but Iltutmish politely refused the Mongol chief to provide refuge and in this way he saved the threat of Mongol invasion.
By refusing to help the Persian Shah, Iltutmish gave the Mongols no reason to cross the Indian border. This clever diplomatic move prevented the world's most terrifying army from entering and destroying India.
Teacher's Tip: Sometimes saying "No" is the smartest way to keep peace.
Exam Tip: Mention "Chenghiz Khan" to show you know who the Mongol leader was.

Question 10: Why did Iltutmish nominate his daughter Razia as his successor?
Answer: Iltutmish nominated his daughter Razia as his successor because his sons were inexperienced, weak and worthless ruler and they spent all their time in fun and pleasure loving things whereas Razia was a brave, intelligent and just woman. She possessed all the qualities of a great monarch.
Iltutmish believed that merit was more important than gender and saw that none of his sons were fit to lead. Razia had already shown her skills by helping her father with the administration of the state.
Teacher's Tip: Merits over Boys—that was Iltutmish's rule.
Exam Tip: Use descriptive words like "inexperienced" for the sons and "brave/intelligent" for Razia.

Question 11: Give any one example to show that Mahmud was a patron of learning.
Answer: He was a patron of art and learning and enjoyed the company of learned scholars and poets. The Persian poet Firdausi, author of the great epic Shahnama, and the great Persian historian and mathematician A1 Beruni, were among the eminent scholars patronized by Mahmud.
Mahmud invited the best minds of his time to live in his court and paid them well to write books and conduct research. This turned his capital city, Ghazni, into a famous center for education and science.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Mahmud as a 'Sponsor' for the medieval world's smartest people.
Exam Tip: Name at least one scholar like "Al Beruni" or "Firdausi" to prove your point.

Question 12: Name the famous Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer.
Answer: Prithviraj Chauhan, the Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer.
He was the last great Hindu ruler of northern India before the Turkish conquest. His bravery in the battles against Muhammad Ghori is still celebrated in many Indian legends.
Teacher's Tip: Prithviraj was the king of 'two' big cities—Delhi and Ajmer.
Exam Tip: Make sure to include both city names (Delhi and Ajmer) in your answer.

Question 13: Mention one important reason for the victory of Muhammad Ghori in the Second Battle of Tarain.
Answer: Prithviraj organized a confederacy of Rajput chiefs to meet the challenge. Unfortunately, the most powerful Rajput ruler, Raja Jaichandra of Kanauj, refused to help him.
This internal rivalry meant that the Rajput army was not as strong as it could have been. Ghori took advantage of this lack of unity to defeat the Rajputs and take control of Delhi.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Jealous Jaichandra" to recall why unity was missing.
Exam Tip: Mention the name of "Raja Jaichandra" to show you know the specific reason for the defeat.

F. Answer the following questions briefly :

Question 1: How did Sultan Mahmud transform his capital, Ghazni? How do we know he was a patron of art and learning?
Answer: Sultan Mahmud transform Ghazni into a magnificent capital city. Ghazni was adorned with splendid mosques, libraries and a museum.
His court glittered with sparkling pearls, mbis and diamonds. This shows that he was a patron of art and learning.
Mahmud used the wealth he took from India to build some of the most beautiful buildings of the medieval world. By supporting poets like Firdausi and scientists like Al-Beruni, he made Ghazni a world-class center for scholarship.
Teacher's Tip: Ghazni was like a 'Sparkling Jewel' in the desert thanks to Mahmud's efforts.
Exam Tip: Mention specific buildings like "libraries" and "museums" to show cultural advancement.

Question 2: Discuss the (a) causes and (b) results of the First and Second Battles of Tarain.
Answer: Muhammad Ghori wanted to envieled his kingdom with India's wealth. He decided to conquer India.
(a) First Battles of Tarain : In 1191 CE, Ghori attacked Prithviraj Chauhan, the Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer. Prithviraj inflicted a crushing defeat on Ghori in the First
The First Battle showed that the Rajputs were a strong force, but Ghori did not give up after his defeat. The Second Battle in 1192 CE resulted in Ghori's victory, which officially ended Rajput dominance and started Turkish rule in India.
Teacher's Tip: Battle 1 was a 'warning' for Ghori, but Battle 2 was his 'victory'.
Exam Tip: Always include the years 1191 CE and 1192 CE to distinguish between the two battles.

Question 3: Give any five reasons to prove that Iltutmish was a shrewd, clever and capable ruler.
Answer: 1. The Turkish nobles who had challenged his claim to the throne were suppressed.
2. The revolt of the Khilji governor of Bengal was crushed.
3. The power of his external rivals, the rulers of Ghazni and Multan, was destroyed.
4. A new danger presented itself when the Mongol chief, Chenghiz Khan, reached the borders of India in pursuit of the Shah of Persia (Iran). The Shah had fled towards India in search of Shelter. Iltutmish politely refused to give him refuge and by doing so he saved India from the threat of the Mongol invasion.
5. After having got rid of his enemies, Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa and Gwalior. He brought the whole of North India up to the river Narmada under his control. The Caliph of Baghdad recognized him as the sovereign of India.
Iltutmish was like the "Real Founder" of the Sultanate because he secured the borders and strengthened the government's power. His ability to handle internal rebels and external invaders like the Mongols shows his great political skill.
Teacher's Tip: He was like a 'Shield' protecting the new kingdom from all sides.
Exam Tip: List the reasons clearly with numbers to ensure you get all 5 points marked.

Question 4: Discuss the important developments that took place during the reign of Razia Sultan.
Answer: The provincial governors rose in revolt against her. Razia tried to crush the revolt but was defeated and imprisoned. She won over the leader of the rebels, Altunia, by marrying him. Their attempt to recover the throne of Delhi ended in failure and both were killed in 1240 CE.
Razia's reign was short but very eventful because she refused to be a puppet in the hands of the nobles. Her marriage to Altunia was a smart political move, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save her from the combined power of her enemies.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Razia's story as a 'Brave Fight' against a system that didn't want her.
Exam Tip: Mention the name "Altunia" and the final year "1240 CE" for a complete history.

G. Picture study :

This is the picture of a Turkish invader who was involved in the Battles of Tarain.

Question 1: Identify the person in the picture.
Answer: Muhammad Ghori
He was the ambitious ruler from Afghanistan who led multiple invasions into India. He is remembered for defeating Prithviraj Chauhan and establishing the base for the Delhi Sultanate.
Teacher's Tip: Ghori has a distinctive 'royal' look with his headgear in these textbook illustrations.
Exam Tip: Associate the "Battles of Tarain" immediately with Muhammad Ghori.

Question 2: Why did he invade India?
Answer: At the end of the 12th century CE, a new kingdom based in Ghor arose in north - western Afghanistan (near Ghazni). The founder was Ghiyasuddin Ghori. His famous brother. Muizuddin Muhammad, is commonly referred to as Muhammad Ghori decided to conquer India and enrich his kingdom with India's wealth. He first brought the frontier areas of Multan. Sind and Punjab under his control.
Ghori wanted more than just gold; he wanted a vast empire that stretched into the fertile plains of India. By taking control of the frontier regions first, he built a strong ladder to reach the heart of the country.
Teacher's Tip: He wanted both 'Gold' and 'Ground' (land).
Exam Tip: Mention the regions of Multan, Sind, and Punjab to show his strategy.

Question 3: The Battles of Tarain laid the foundations of Turkish rule in North India. Do you agree? Why?
Answer: Yes. Two years after the Second Battle of Tarain. Muhammad attacked Kanauj and killed Jaichandra. Ghori annexed the Indian territories to his empire and appointed Qutbuddin Aibak as his viceroy before returning to Ghor.
These battles removed the main Rajput obstacles and allowed the Turks to take permanent control of the northern plains. Once the powerful kingdoms of Delhi and Kanauj fell, there was no one left to stop the establishment of the Sultanate.
Teacher's Tip: Battle of Tarain was the 'Key' that opened the 'Door' to India.
Exam Tip: Mention the defeat of Jaichandra of Kanauj as the final step in securing the region.

Question 4: Explain the causes of the success of the Turkish invaders against the Rajputs.
Answer: Prithviraj organized a confederacy of Rajput chiefs to meet the challenge. Unfortunately, the most powerful Rajput ruler, Raja Jaichandra of Kanauj, refused to help him. The two armies clashed in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE. This time, Muhammad Ghori routed the Rajput army.
The Turks had a superior military strategy and used fast horses and archers that were better than the slow Rajput elephants. Additionally, the lack of unity among Rajput kings like Jaichandra and Prithviraj made the Indian defense very weak.
Teacher's Tip: Fast horses and bad friendships (no unity) were the reasons for the Rajput's loss.
Exam Tip: Highlight "Lack of Unity" and "Superior military tactics" as the two main points.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1: What did Mahmud do with the vast treasures he had looted from India?
Answer: Mahmud used the treasures which he drained away from India by transforming Ghazni into a magnificent capital city. Many mosques, libraries and museum were built in Ghazni. The court of Ghazni was decorated with sparkling pearls, rubies and diamonds.
Instead of just keeping the money, Mahmud used it to create a world-renowned center of culture and architecture. This transformed Ghazni from a simple town into one of the most beautiful cities in the world at that time.
Teacher's Tip: Indian gold built the beautiful city of Ghazni.
Exam Tip: List the specific cultural buildings like "libraries" and "museums."

Question 2: What is the significance of Muhammad Ghori's victory' in the Second Battle of Tarain?
Answer: The second battle of Tarain marked the end of the Rajput rule in North India and the kingdom of Delhi passed into the hands of Muhammad Ghori, which remained with the Muslim rulers till 1858. This battle helped Ghori to annex more Northern Indian territories and expand his empire.
This victory was a massive shift because it started a whole new era of history where Delhi became the center of a Muslim empire. It changed the entire political and cultural map of India for the next 600 years.
Teacher's Tip: Think of this battle as the 'Start Button' for the Delhi Sultanate.
Exam Tip: Mention the long-term impact lasting until "1858" to show depth of knowledge.

Question 3: What effect did Muhammad Ghori's invasion of India have on Buddhism in India?
Answer: Due to Muhammad Ghori's invasion of India many Buddhist monasteries and libraries were badly destroyed by the invaders. These invasions gave a death blow to Buddhism in India.
Many monks fled to other countries like Tibet and China because their sacred centers of learning were gone. This led to a permanent decline of the religion in the region where it was born.
Teacher's Tip: Destruction of books and monasteries meant the end of the religion's teachers.
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "death blow" to emphasize how serious the impact was.

Question 4: Why is Muhammad Ghori's conquest of North India considered to be a turning point in Indian History?
Answer: Muhammad Ghori's conquest of North India is considered to be a turning point in Indian History because within ten years of the Second Battle of Tarain, the powerful Rajputs kingdoms collapsed and India came into the hands of those who ruled over it for the next 300 years, that is the Sultans of Delhi.
A "turning point" is an event that changes the direction of history, and Ghori's victory did exactly that by ending ancient rule and starting medieval rule. It brought new administrative systems, art, and language to the country.
Teacher's Tip: A turning point is like a 'U-turn' for a country's history.
Exam Tip: Explain that the "collapse of Rajputs" and "rise of Sultans" happened very quickly.

Question 5: Which was the most ambitious and profitable expedition of Mahmud Ghazni?
Answer: The attack on the Somnath temple in Kathiawar was Mahmud's most ambitious and profitable expedition.
The Somnath temple was incredibly wealthy, and Mahmud was able to take away a massive amount of gold and jewels from there. This raid is the most famous because of the huge amount of treasure he carried back to Ghazni.
Teacher's Tip: Somnath was the 'Jackpot' for Mahmud.
Exam Tip: Name the location "Kathiawar" and the specific temple "Somnath."

Question 6: Throw some light on art and learning during Mahmud Ghazin's period?
Answer: Mahmud Ghazni was a patron of art and learning and enjoyed , the company of learned scholars and poets. The Persian poet Firdausi who wrote 'Shahnama' and the great Persian historian and mathematician A1 Beruni were among the eminent scholars patronized by Mahmud.
Mahmud believed that a great empire should also be a center of great thinking and artistic beauty. He spent his wealth on sponsoring poets and scientists who made discoveries that influenced the whole world.
Teacher's Tip: He was a 'Fan of Fame'—he wanted the best scholars in his court.
Exam Tip: Use the term "patron" to describe a ruler who supports artists and scholars.

Question 7: Describe the First Battle of Tarain?
Answer: The First Battle of Tarain was fought in AD 1191 between Muhammad Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan the Rajput ruler.
In this battle, the Rajput forces were much stronger and more united than the Turkish army. They dealt a heavy blow to Muhammad Ghori and forced him to retreat back to his homeland.
Teacher's Tip: Tarain-1 was a 'Win' for India.
Exam Tip: Be sure to mention the year "AD 1191" clearly.