Oxford Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 6 Life Under The Delhi Sultanate

EXERCISE

A. Fill in the blanks :

Question 1: The rule of the Delhi Sultans lasted for over three centuries.
Answer: three.
The Sultanate period began in 1206 and ended in 1526, covering a span of about 320 years. During this time, five different dynasties ruled over northern and parts of southern India.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that 3 centuries equals about 300 years of Delhi rule.
Exam Tip: Mention the dates 1206 to 1526 to show extra knowledge in your answer.

Question 2: Society during the Sultanate period was divided into four major groups.
Answer: four.
These groups included the aristocracy, the priests, the town dwellers, and the peasants. This division determined the social status and lifestyle of every person in the kingdom.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a pyramid with four layers to remember the social structure.
Exam Tip: Always name the four groups if a follow-up question is asked about society.

Question 3: The Turks introduced Arabic and Persian architectural styles.
Answer: Arabic and Persian.
The invaders brought new techniques like arches and domes that were not common in India before. These styles eventually blended with Indian traditions to create a unique look for monuments.
Teacher's Tip: 'A' and 'P' - Arabic and Persian - are the alphabets of new architecture.
Exam Tip: Use the word "Indo-Islamic" to describe the mix of these styles.

Question 4: New musical instruments such as the tabla, sitar and sarangi were developed during the Sultanate period.
Answer: tabla, sitar and sarangi.
These instruments were the result of combining Persian musical ideas with ancient Indian strings and drums. Many of these, like the sitar, are still the most popular instruments in Indian classical music today.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the instrument names as the "T-S-S" trio of music.
Exam Tip: If asked about an inventor, remember that Amir Khusrau is often linked to the sitar.

Question 5: The establishment of the Turkish rule in India led to the replacement of Sanskrit by Persian as the official language in many regions.
Answer: Sanskrit by Persian.
Persian became the language of the court, law, and government records under the Sultans. This change influenced local languages and led to the birth of new languages like Urdu.
Teacher's Tip: Persian was the "English" of that time - used for all government work.
Exam Tip: Remember that while Persian was for the court, local people still spoke their regional languages.

B. Match the following :
A
1. Ulema
2. Alai Darwaza
3. Qawwali
4. Kathak
5. Yunani
B
(a) Qutb Minar
(b) chorus singing
(c) combines Hindu themes with Persian costumes
(d) a system of medicine which was a legacy of Turkish rule
(e) Muslim religious leaders
Answer:
1. Ulema - (e) Muslim religious leaders
2. Alai Darwaza - (a) Qutb Minar
3. Qawwali - (b) chorus singing
4. Kathak - (c) combines Hindu themes with Persian costumes
5. Yunani - (d) a system of medicine which was a legacy of Turkish rule
These matches show how culture and religion influenced daily life and arts. Each item represents a fusion of traditions that created the medieval Indian identity.
Teacher's Tip: Match "Qawwali" with "Chorus" to remember it's a group singing style.
Exam Tip: In matching questions, rewrite the pairs clearly to avoid confusion for the teacher.

C. Choose the correct answer :

Question 1: Under the Delhi Sultanate, the aristocrats/the priests/ the peasants were the most powerful class in society.
Answer: Under the Delhi Sultanate, the aristocrats were the most powerful class in society.
This group included the Sultan, his nobles, and high-ranking military officers who held land and wealth. They lived in grand palaces and were the primary decision-makers for the empire.
Teacher's Tip: 'A' for Aristocrats stands for 'Authority'.
Exam Tip: Use the term "nobles" as a synonym for aristocrats in your descriptive answers.

Question 2: The brahmanas/the ulema/the merchants were the chief advisors to the sultans.
Answer: The ulema were the chief advisors to the sultans.
The Ulema were learned religious scholars who gave advice on Islamic laws and government policies. Their influence was very high, although some strong Sultans sometimes ignored their advice to maintain total power.
Teacher's Tip: Ulema were the 'brainy' religious guides for the rulers.
Exam Tip: If asked about their role, mention they were experts in Islamic law (Sharia).

Question 3: The life of the peasants/the nobles/the priests was one of drudgery and poverty.
Answer: The life of the peasants was one of drudgery and poverty.
Peasants were the farmers who worked very hard but had to pay high taxes to the government. They often lived in small huts and struggled to make ends meet while the upper classes lived in luxury.
Teacher's Tip: Peasants were the hardworking backbone of the economy but got the least reward.
Exam Tip: Contrast the life of aristocrats with peasants to show the social gap in your answers.

Question 4: The caste system was followed strictly/sometimes followed/ignored by Hindus.
Answer: The caste system was followed strictly by Hindus.
Even under Muslim rule, the traditional Hindu social structure based on birth remained very firm. People lived according to their caste rules regarding marriage, dining, and occupation.
Teacher's Tip: The word "strictly" means that the rules were never broken easily.
Exam Tip: Mention that the caste system stayed strong despite the introduction of a new religion in India.

Question 5: Amir Khusrau is believed to have invented the harmonium/sitar/veena.
Answer: Amir Khusrau is believed to have invented the sitar.
He is said to have combined the Indian Veena with a Persian instrument to create this beautiful stringed instrument. Amir Khusrau was a famous poet and musician who served many Sultans of Delhi.
Teacher's Tip: Amir Khusrau and Sitar both start with an 'S' sound in the middle.
Exam Tip: Remember Amir Khusrau as the "Parrot of India" (Tut-i-Hind) for your general knowledge.

D. State whether the following are true or false :

Question 1: The ruling class in the Delhi Sultanate enjoyed a lavish lifestyle.
Answer: True.
The Sultans and nobles lived in grand houses and spent a lot of money on expensive clothes, jewels, and entertainment. Their courts were centers of great pomp and show designed to impress the public.
Teacher's Tip: "Lavish" means very rich and fancy, like a royal party.
Exam Tip: Always provide an example like "grand feasts" or "expensive clothing" if asked to explain why this is true.

Question 2: The Delhi sultans always allowed the ulema to influence their policies.
Answer: False.
Correct : The Delhi sultans sometime does not allow the ulema to influence their policies.
Strong rulers like Alauddin Khilji and Muhammad bin Tughlaq often made decisions based on politics rather than religion. They believed the Sultan's word should be final without interference from religious leaders.
Teacher's Tip: Rulers wanted to be the "Big Boss" and didn't like others telling them what to do.
Exam Tip: For "False" statements, you must write the "Correct" statement to get full marks.

Question 3: The purdah system was strictly observed by- Muslim women.
Answer: True.
The purdah system involved keeping women behind curtains or using veils when they went out in public. It was a custom brought by the Turks that eventually influenced some parts of Hindu society as well.
Teacher's Tip: Purdah literally means "curtain" in Persian.
Exam Tip: Mention that this system limited the social interaction of women during this period.

Question 4: The Rajput style of miniature painting continued in the Sultanate period.
Answer: True.
While the Sultans focused on architecture, local Indian artists kept the traditional painting styles alive in regional kingdoms. These styles eventually mixed with Persian art to create something new during the Mughal era.
Teacher's Tip: Art never stops; it just changes slowly over time.
Exam Tip: Rajput painting is known for its small, detailed "miniature" size.

Question 5: New types of food, such as bread and wine, became a part of Indian cuisine during the Sultanate period.
Answer: True.
The Turks brought new recipes and ingredients from Central Asia and Persia. This period saw the introduction of many non-vegetarian dishes and bakery items that are still part of our diet.
Teacher's Tip: Think of biryani and kebabs as the "new foods" from this time.
Exam Tip: If asked for a specific cuisine, use the term "Mughlai" or "Indo-Persian" cuisine.

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

Question 1: Why was the aristocracy the most powerful social group during the Sultanate period?
Answer: Aristocracy was the most powerful social group because they had wealth and power.
They were given large pieces of land called 'Iqtas' in return for their military service to the Sultan. This land allowed them to collect taxes and maintain their own small armies, making them very influential.
Teacher's Tip: Money + Soldiers = Power.
Exam Tip: Use the word "Iqtadars" to refer to the land-holding aristocrats for a better score.

Question 2: During whose reign did the life and conditions of the peasants improve?
Answer: During Firoze Shah's reign peasants condition improved and they enjoyed many benefits.
He built canals for irrigation and reduced some harsh taxes to help the farming community. These reforms allowed farmers to produce more crops and live a slightly better life.
Teacher's Tip: Firoze Shah was the "Farmer's Friend" among the Sultans.
Exam Tip: Mention "building of canals" as a specific reform of Firoze Shah Tughlaq.

Question 3: What was the chief source of revenue for the government?
Answer: The tax paid by the peasants was the chief source of revenue for the government.
Most of the money used to run the empire and fight wars came from the land tax, often called 'Kharaj'. Farmers usually had to give between one-third to half of their produce to the state.
Teacher's Tip: The 'Revenue' is the salary of the kingdom, paid by the farmers.
Exam Tip: Use the Persian term "Kharaj" to refer to the land tax in your answers.

Question 4: Why did some Hindus convert to Islam?
Answer: -Many Hindus, especially those belonging to the lower classes, were attracted to the Islamic principles of equality and converted to Islam. Some did the same to escape the jaziya tax, which was imposed only on non-Muslims.
Islam taught that all believers were equal, which appealed to people who were treated poorly under the caste system. Additionally, converting helped some people avoid paying the extra religious tax required of non-Muslims.
Teacher's Tip: People converted for both spiritual (equality) and financial (taxes) reasons.
Exam Tip: Mention the 'Jaziya tax' as a key economic factor for conversion.

Question 5: How do we know that women during the Sultanate period were oppressed?
Answer: Sati, child marriage and the purdah system became widely prevalent. The purdah system was strictly observed by Muslim women.
These customs restricted women's freedom and prevented them from participating in public life or getting an education. The society was male-dominated, and women were largely confined to their homes.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the three 'S's: Sati, Small-age marriage, and Shyness/System (Purdah).
Exam Tip: List all three social practices (Sati, child marriage, Purdah) to get full credit.

Question 6: What is the characteristic feature of Sultanate architecture?
Answer: The characteristic feature of Sultanate architecture is the extensive use of bricks, arches, domes, beams and balconies.
Before the Turks, Indian buildings used flat roofs and pillars, so the rounded domes were a major new change. Builders also used red sandstone and lime mortar to make these structures strong and tall.
Teacher's Tip: Arches and Domes are the "Signature" of Sultanate buildings.
Exam Tip: Mention the "Qutb Minar" as the most famous example of this architecture.

Question 7: Which two styles of music influenced the development of Hindustani music?
Answer: Hindustani music was the outcome of the fusion of the Perso- Arabic and Indian classical music styles.
The interaction between Persian melodies and ancient Indian ragas created a rich and new musical tradition. This fusion gave birth to new vocal styles and instruments that we still enjoy today.
Teacher's Tip: Think of music as a "recipe" that mixed Persian spices with Indian grains.
Exam Tip: Use the word "fusion" to describe how the two music styles joined together.

Question 8: By whom were qawwalis popularized?
Answer: Qawwali is the Persian style of chorus singing which was popularized by Sufi saints.
Sufi saints used music and singing to express their love for God and to reach out to common people. Qawwalis were performed at religious gatherings and helped in spreading the message of love and peace.
Teacher's Tip: Sufis + Singing = Qawwali.
Exam Tip: Mention that qawwali is a "devotional" form of music used by mystics.

Question 9: Which style of painting was patronized by the Lodi sultans?
Answer: Persian style of miniature paintings was patronized by the later Lodi sultans and used to illustrate books.
These paintings were very small and detailed, often used to decorate the pages of manuscripts and history books. This started a tradition of royal book painting that became even more famous under the Mughals.
Teacher's Tip: Miniature means "mini" or "very small" art.
Exam Tip: Note that Lodi sultans preferred using paintings to "illustrate" or explain their books.

Question 10: How did the Turkish rulers gradually become Indianized?
Answer: When Turkish rulers married Indian Muslims, they assimilated many of their local cultural traits and gradually became Indianized.
Over time, the invaders adopted Indian customs, languages, and food habits because they lived here for generations. They stopped seeing themselves as foreigners and became part of the Indian social fabric.
Teacher's Tip: After living here for 300 years, the "Turks" just became "Indians".
Exam Tip: Use the word "assimilation" to describe how they absorbed Indian culture.

F. Answer the following questions briefly :

Question 1: What effect did several centuries of interaction between traditional Indian culture and Islamic culture have on the Indian society?
Answer: The interaction between traditional Indian culture and Islamic culture had a deep impact on Indian society. This fusion resulted in a new pattern called Indo-Islamic culture.
This new culture was visible in everything from the food we eat to the clothes we wear and the buildings we see. It promoted a sense of shared heritage and influenced the language, music, and art of medieval India.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Indo-Islamic" as the "Brand Name" of Indian culture from that time.
Exam Tip: Mention the impact on "food, dress, and language" to make your answer complete.

Question 2: Describe the main features of society during the Sultanate period with reference to (a) the aristocracy and (b) the peasants.
Answer: (a) Aristocracy : This was the ruling class. It consisted of the Sultan, the nobles, the Hindu rajas and princes and landlords. This was the most powerful social group because they had wealth and power.
(b) Peasants : The peasants during that time were very poor and they had to lead a very hard life. They had to do all kind of small jobs and had to pay heavy taxes to government.
The society was like a triangle with a very rich few at the top and millions of poor farmers at the bottom. While the aristocracy enjoyed poets and music in palaces, the peasants spent their entire lives working in fields to pay for those luxuries.
Teacher's Tip: Rich top (Aristocracy) and poor bottom (Peasants) - that's the social map.
Exam Tip: Use the word "subsistence" to describe how peasants only grew enough to survive.

Question 3: Discuss the distinctive features of Sultanate architecture.
Answer: The characteristic feature of Sultanate architecture is the extensive use of bricks, arches, domes, beams and balconies. The Turkish monuments were plain. There was liberal use of floral and geometric designs. The use of red sandstone added colour to their buildings.
Verses from the Koran were engraved on the walls of some buildings. Some of the important monuments of the Sultanate period are the Qutb Minar complex, the Alai Darwaza, the tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, Firoz Shah Kotla, the Tughlaqabad for and the tombs of the Lodi kings.
Architecture during this time was a mix of strength and beauty, using massive stone walls decorated with delicate carved designs. The introduction of lime mortar allowed builders to create much taller and more spacious rooms than before.
Teacher's Tip: Floral designs and Quran verses were the "wallpapers" of Sultanate buildings.
Exam Tip: List at least three monuments like Qutb Minar or Alai Darwaza to get full marks.

Question 4: Music and dance during the Sultanate period was the outcome of the fusion of Indo-Islamic culture. Explain.
Answer: Indian or Hindustani music was the outcome of the fusion of the Perso-Arabic and Indian classical music styles. New musical instruments such as the tabla, sitar and sarangi were developed during this time.
The famous Persian poet, Amir Khusrau, is believed to have inveted the sitar by combining the South Indian veena with the Persian tanpura. The South Indian drum was probably altered to create the table.
The Persian style of chorus singing, known as qawwali, was popularized by the Sufi saints, a group of Muslim mystics, who became popular during this period. They sang devotional songs at their religious meetings.
Kathak, a new dance form that also developed during this time, combines Hindu themes with Persian customes.
This period was a "Golden Age" for performing arts because it brought together two very different worlds of sound and movement. The result was Hindustani music and Kathak dance, both of which are still the pride of Indian culture today.
Teacher's Tip: Music is the universal language that joined the Turks and Indians first.
Exam Tip: Mention "Amir Khusrau" as a key figure who helped in this musical fusion.

Question 5: Explain how new customs and practices changed the traditional lifestyle of the Indians.
Answer: New customs and practices changed the traditional lifestyle of the Indians. Hindus and Muslims wore pyjama-kurtas, kaftans and salwar-kameez and continue doing so to this day. New types of foods such as biryani, bread and wine became a part of Indian cuisine.
The arrival of the Turks changed what Indians wore every day and what they ate at their dinner tables. Many of these "new" customs became so popular that we don't even realize they were originally foreign imports.
Teacher's Tip: Look at your own clothes (kurta-pyjama) - that's Sultanate history!
Exam Tip: Give "Biryani" and "Salwar-Kameez" as specific examples of lifestyle changes.

G. Picture study :

This is a picture of a musical instrument used in Hindustani classical music. The name is derived from the Persian words - 'sell' (meaning 'three') and 'tar' (meaning 'strings').

Question 1: Identify the muscial instrument.
Answer: Sitar.
The sitar is a long-necked string instrument with a rounded body made from a dried gourd. It is known for its beautiful, twanging sound that can play very fast and complex melodies.
Teacher's Tip: 'Tar' means string; think of 'Sitar' and 'Guitar' as string cousins.
Exam Tip: Mention that the name comes from "Seh-tar" (three strings).

Question 2: During which period in medieval Indian history' was this instrument invented?
Answer: During Delhi Sultanate.
It was during this time that Persian and Indian cultures were meeting for the first time. This environment of mixing ideas led to many artistic inventions, including the sitar.
Teacher's Tip: Invention happened when the New (Turks) met the Old (Indians).
Exam Tip: Identify the Sultanate period as the 13th to 16th centuries for more detail.

Question 3: By whom and how was it invented?
Answer: Amir Khusrau.
He is said to have taken the ancient Indian Veena and simplified it by adding Persian elements like the Tanpura. His goal was to create an instrument that could play both Indian and Persian musical styles easily.
Teacher's Tip: Amir Khusrau was the "Master Inventor" of music.
Exam Tip: State that it was a combination of Indian and Persian instruments.

Question 4: Name two other musical instruments that were developed during this period.
Answer: Tabla, Sarangi.
The tabla is a pair of hand drums, and the sarangi is a bowed string instrument that sounds like the human voice. Both are essential parts of traditional Indian music today.
Teacher's Tip: Drums (Tabla) and Bows (Sarangi) joined the Strings (Sitar).
Exam Tip: Always list both instruments to get full marks for a "Name two" question.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1: Into how many groups was society divided during the Sultanate period? Discuss the functions of each group.
Answer: The society during the Sultanate was divided into four groups, namely
(a) Aristocracy
(b) Priests
(c) Town Dwellers
(d) Peasants
Functions of each group are :
(a) Aristocracy : This was the ruling class. It consisted of the Sultan, the nobles, the Hindu rajas and princes and landlords. This was the most powerful social group because they had wealth and power.
(b) Priests : This group included the ulemas, maulvis, qazis and brahmanas. The Ulemas were the chief advisors of the Sultans. The brahmanas were generally honoured in the Hindu society. They both played an active role in the administration.
(c) Town Dwellers : It consists of officials, artisans, craftsmen, merchants, slaves and domestic servants. Among these the merchants were quite prosperous.
(d) Peasants : The peasants during that time were very poor and they had to lead a very hard life. They had to do all kind of small jobs and had to pay heavy taxes to government
This four-tier system organized the entire population based on their jobs and importance to the state. While the top two groups managed the law and religion, the bottom two groups did all the work to produce goods and food.
Teacher's Tip: Think of it as: 1. Rules, 2. Prays, 3. Makes/Sells, 4. Farms.
Exam Tip: Clearly label each of the four groups (a, b, c, d) in your answer.

Question 2: The Persian and Arabic styles blended harmoniously with the classical Hindu style to make a distinctive Indo-Islamic style. Discuss.
Answer: The turks brought with them Arabic and Persian architectural styles. They liked the classical style of Hindu architecture also, when these two styles were blended by them, a distinctive Indo-Islamic style came out.
The Turkish monuments were plain whereas Hindu styles include use of floral and geometric designs. When both were combined, it gave a unique touch. Some of the important monuments of that time are Qutb Minar, Alai Darwaza, Firoz Shah Kotla etc.
This "blending" meant that buildings looked strong like Turkish forts but were decorated with beautiful Indian flowers and carvings. It was a perfect marriage of the "Plain" West and the "Fancy" East.
Teacher's Tip: Indo-Islamic = Muslim Arches + Hindu Flowers.
Exam Tip: Mention the "use of floral and geometric designs" as a key decorative feature.

Question 3: Discuss the development during the Sultanate period in the following fields : (a) Music (b) Dance (c) Painting (d) Medicine (e) Dress
Answer: (a) Music : During this time fusion of Perso-Arabic and Indian classical music styles were done and outcome of it was Hindustani Music. New musical instruments like the tabla, sitar and sarangi were also developed during this time. The Persian style of chorus qawwali was also popularized during this time.
(b) Dance : Kathak a dance form, originated during the Delhi Sultanate period. It combines Hindu themes with Persian costumes.
(c) Painting : The Turkish rulers were not much interested in Painting but the Rajput style of miniature painting continued in the Sultanate period.
(d) Medicine : A Turkish style of medicine known as Yunani became famous during that time.
(e) Dress : Due to new customs and practices the traditional life style of the Indians changed. Hindu and Muslims started wearing pajama-kurtas. kaftans and Salwar-kameez.
Medieval India was like a laboratory where new things were being tried out in every part of life. These changes were so successful that we still see them in our classical dances, our hospitals, and even our daily clothes.
Teacher's Tip: Everything changed - from what we sang to what we wore!
Exam Tip: For music, specifically mention "Hindustani Music" as the outcome of the fusion.