Oxford Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 7 Rise Of The Vijayanagar And Bahmani Kingdoms

EXERCISE

1. Vijayanagar was established by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka Rai.
Answer: Harihara and Bukka Rai.
These two brothers founded the empire on the banks of the Tungabhadra River to protect their culture and religion. They successfully united many smaller local powers under one strong leadership.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Hari" and "Bukka" as the legendary superhero team that started this massive empire.
Exam Tip: Always write both names together because they were joint founders of the kingdom.

2. The Vijayanagar kingdom which was ruled by sixteen kings, was very powerful for 230 years and became the centre of Hindu civilization and culture.
Answer: sixteen, 230.
The kingdom lasted for a very long time because its rulers were strong and managed the land very efficiently. It became a safe place for ancient traditions, art, and temple building to grow and thrive.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the number 230 by thinking of it as nearly two and a half centuries of power.
Exam Tip: Be careful with the numbers; "sixteen" is the number of kings, not the number of years.

3. The Raichur Doab became a battleground for the prolonged struggle between the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms.
Answer: Raichur Doab.
The Raichur Doab was a very fertile piece of land located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. Both kingdoms wanted to control it because it was a huge source of farming wealth and taxes.
Teacher's Tip: A "Doab" is just a fancy word for land between two rivers.
Exam Tip: If you mention the names of the two rivers (Krishna and Tungabhadra), you will show the examiner you know your geography.

4. Each province in the Vijayanagar kingdom was placed under a Governor who was responsible for the administration of that province.
Answer: Governor.
The king divided the empire into smaller parts so that they could be looked after more easily. These governors acted like mini-kings in their areas, making sure laws were followed and taxes were collected.
Teacher's Tip: Governors were like the school principals who managed their own "provinces" under the "King" or Superintendent.
Exam Tip: Use the word "administration" to explain what the governor's main job was.

5. The two main sources of revenue for the Vijayanagar kingdom were taxes on land and trade.
Answer: land and trade.
The kingdom became very rich because the soil was good for farming and the ports were busy with foreign merchants. Money from these two things helped the kings build grand temples and maintain huge armies.
Teacher's Tip: Revenue is just a grown-up word for the "pocket money" or income of a government.
Exam Tip: Mentioning both "land" and "trade" is necessary for a complete answer.

6. The Bahmani kingdom was established by Alauddin Hassan. It lasted for about 200 years and was ruled by eighteen kings.
Answer: Alauddin Hassan, 200, eighteen.
Alauddin Hassan Gangu founded this kingdom in the Deccan region after breaking away from the Delhi Sultanate. It was a major rival to Vijayanagar and was known for its distinct Islamic architecture and culture.
Teacher's Tip: Match the "H" in Hassan with the "H" in the first half of the Bahmani history.
Exam Tip: Don't confuse the number of kings in Bahmani (eighteen) with the kings in Vijayanagar (sixteen).

B. Match the following :

A
1. Krishnadeva Raya
2. Vithalaswami temple
3. Domingo Paes
4. Mahmud Gawan
5. Gol Gumbaz
B
(a) Portugal
(b) spartan lifestyle
(c) a brilliant general
(d) Bijapur
(e) Vijayanagar kingdom
Answer:
1. Krishnadeva Raya - (c) a brilliant general
2. Vithalaswami temple - (e) Vijayanagar kingdom
3. Domingo Paes - (a) Portugal
4. Mahmud Gawan - (b) spartan lifestyle
5. Gol Gumbaz - (d) Bijapur
Matching these names helps us connect famous people to their achievements and origins. It shows how the Deccan was a mix of great warriors, travelers, and amazing builders.
Teacher's Tip: Use "P" in Portugal to remember "Paes" was the Portuguese traveler.
Exam Tip: In matching questions, rewriting the correct pairs in a clear list helps the teacher grade your work faster.

C. Choose the correct answer :

Question 1: The greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar kingdom was Harihara/Bukka Raya I/Krishnadeva Raya.
Answer: The greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar kingdom was Krishnadeva Raya.
Krishnadeva Raya was a brilliant military leader who won many battles and expanded the empire's borders. He was also a very kind king who loved art and wrote beautiful poetry.
Teacher's Tip: Think of him as the "All-Rounder" king because he was good at war and art.
Exam Tip: Always write the full name "Krishnadeva Raya" to show proper respect and knowledge.

Question 2: The Vijayanagar kingdom was divided into six/nine/ eight provinces.
Answer: The Vijayanagar kingdom was divided into six provinces.
This organization helped the king manage a very large territory by breaking it into manageable pieces. Each province was important and contributed soldiers and money to the central government.
Teacher's Tip: Just like a pizza cut into 6 slices, the kingdom was cut into 6 provinces.
Exam Tip: If you forget the number, remember it's the same as the number of sides on a standard die.

Question 3: The province/village/district was at the bottom rung of the administrative ladder in the Vijayanagar kingdom.
Answer: The village was at the bottom rung of the administrative ladder in the Vijayanagar kingdom.
The village was the smallest unit of management, but it was the most important for daily life. Local officers handled small disputes and looked after the farming needs of the families living there.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a ladder where the ground (the bottom) is the village where everything starts.
Exam Tip: "Bottom rung" is a metaphor for the smallest or most basic unit of government.

Question 4: The Bahmani kingdom reached the height of its glory under the leadership of Mahmud Gawan/Alauddin Bahman Shah/Adil Shah
Answer: The Bahmani kingdom reached the height of its glory under the leadership of Mahmud Gawan.
Mahmud Gawan was a very wise Prime Minister who made the kingdom very strong through his military and administrative skills. He even built a famous college to show his love for education.
Teacher's Tip: Even though he wasn't the king, he was the "Brain" that made the kingdom famous.
Exam Tip: Focus on the name "Mahmud Gawan" whenever a question asks about Bahmani achievements.

Question 5: The Bahmani rulers patronized Hinduism/Buddhism/ Islam.
Answer: The Bahmani rulers patronized Islam.
The kings built many grand mosques and schools for religious study to promote their faith. They also invited many scholars from other countries to live in their capital cities.
Teacher's Tip: "Patronized" means they supported and paid for things related to that religion.
Exam Tip: While they supported Islam, remember that they also had to work with Hindu subjects in their land.

D. State whether the following are true or false :

Question 1: The founders of the Vijayanagar kingdom brought the whole of South India, from the Tungabhadra to Cape Comorin, under their control.
Answer: True.
This shows how incredibly successful Harihara and Bukka were in uniting the southern part of the country. Their empire protected the entire tip of the Indian peninsula for many years.
Teacher's Tip: Cape Comorin is the very bottom tip of India (modern Kanyakumari).
Exam Tip: If you see the words "Tungabhadra to Cape Comorin," it almost always refers to the full size of Vijayanagar.

Question 2: The Vijayanagar kingdom had established trade relations with the Dutch.
Answer: False.
Correct : The Vijayanagar kingdom had established trade relations with the Portuguese.
The Portuguese were the main European power that traded with Vijayanagar at that time. They sold the kings strong war horses and in return bought spices and fine textiles.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "P" for Portuguese and "P" for the Port cities they used.
Exam Tip: When a statement is False, always write the correct version to get full marks.

Question 3: Vijayanagar was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the Deccan in the 15th and 16th centuries CE.
Answer: True.
Travelers from all over the world visited the city and were shocked by how much gold and jewels everyone had. The bazaars were filled with precious stones that were sold openly like common vegetables.
Teacher's Tip: Wealth doesn't just mean money; it means having a lot of resources like food and trade goods too.
Exam Tip: Linking wealth to the "15th and 16th centuries" helps place the kingdom correctly in history.

Question 4: Mahmud Gawan slept on a mat and ate in earthen vessels.
Answer: True
Despite being the most powerful man in the kingdom, Gawan chose to live a very simple and disciplined life. He preferred to spend the kingdom's money on public welfare rather than on luxury for himself.
Teacher's Tip: This is what "spartan lifestyle" means—living very simply without fancy things.
Exam Tip: This personal detail is often used to show why Mahmud Gawan was respected by the people.

Question 5: The Bahmani rulers used Persian and Arabic as court languages.
Answer: True.
These languages were used for all the official work, laws, and literature created in the palace. It shows the strong cultural connection the Bahmani rulers had with the wider Islamic world.
Teacher's Tip: Court languages are like the "official languages" used in government offices today.
Exam Tip: Mentioning both Persian and Arabic shows you understand the cultural background of the rulers.

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

Question 1: How did the collapse of the Sultanate impact North India?
Answer: North India was rocked by political turmoil and instability.
Without a strong central leader in Delhi, many small kingdoms started fighting each other for power. This chaos made the region weak and open to new invasions from outside.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a classroom where the teacher leaves; it becomes noisy and chaotic (instability).
Exam Tip: Use the words "turmoil" and "instability" to describe a lack of government control.

Question 2: What was Krishnadeva Raya's contribution to literature and art?
Answer: Krishnadeva Raya was a great patron of art and literature, He was himself a Sanskrit scholar and a good Telegu poet. He maintained a magnificent court and encouraged poets and learned men.
He wrote a famous book called "Amuktamalyada" in Telugu, which is still studied today. He also supported the eight great poets in his court, known as the Ashtadiggajas.
Teacher's Tip: He wasn't just a king; he was a "Patron," which means he was the "Sponsor" of artists.
Exam Tip: Mentioning that he was a "scholar" and a "poet" highlights his personal intelligence.

Question 3: What is the significance of the Battle of Talikota?
Answer: In the battle of Talikota the five kingdoms of Bijapur, Ahmadanagar, Berar, Golconda and Bidar formed an alliance against Vijayanagar kingdom and gave it a crushing defeat. Due to this battle the Hindu empire in the South was totally finished.
This battle in 1565 changed the map of South India forever. The grand city of Vijayanagar was destroyed and left in ruins, and the empire never recovered its power.
Teacher's Tip: Think of this battle as the "Closing Scene" for the Vijayanagar Empire.
Exam Tip: List the names of the five sultanates to show you know who formed the alliance.

P.Q. What major change was introduced in the village administration of the Vijayanagar kingdom?
Answer: The village administration was at the bottom of the administrative ladder. The old feudal system was revived and hereditary officers governed the village
This meant that the job of a village leader would stay in the same family, passing from father to son. It gave the village leaders a lot of power because they didn't have to worry about being replaced easily.
Teacher's Tip: "Hereditary" means it's passed down through your "heritage" or family.
Exam Tip: "Feudal system" refers to a social structure where people worked for and protected those above them.

Question 4: What measures did the Vijayanagar rulers take to develop agriculture?
Answer: During the regin of Vijayanagar rulers forests were cleared to bring more land under cultivation. Many canals, irrigation tanks and dams were built to improve and develop agriculture.
By bringing water to dry areas, the kings ensured that farmers could grow food even when it didn't rain. This smart planning made the kingdom very wealthy because they had plenty of food to eat and sell.
Teacher's Tip: More water + More land = More food and money.
Exam Tip: Mention "irrigation tanks" specifically as they were a famous feature of southern farming.

Question 5: Why were there no major social or cultural changes in the Vijayanagar kingdom?
Answer: The Vijayanagar rulers followed ancient Vedic customs : therefore there was no major social or cultural changes during that time. The Society was quite conservative and was governed by religious norms. The caste system was rigid and Brahmanas were considered superior and these religious supremos did not allow to have much social or cultural changes.
Because people followed very old traditions, they didn't feel the need to try new or different ways of living. This kept the society very stable, but it also meant that things stayed the same for hundreds of years.
Teacher's Tip: "Conservative" means wanting to keep things exactly as they have always been.
Exam Tip: Mention the "rigid caste system" as a reason why society didn't change much.

Question 6: Give one example to show that the Vijayanagar kings were tolerant and liberal.
Answer: The Vijayanagar rulers were staunch Hindus but they were tolerant and liberal in their outlook. They employed Muslims in their army and administration. There was no discrimination between Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus.
This shows that the kings cared more about a person's skill and loyalty than their religion. This openness helped them have a very strong and diverse government that worked together.
Teacher's Tip: Being "tolerant" is like being a good classmate who respects everyone's differences.
Exam Tip: Use the example of "Muslims in the army" to prove their liberal outlook.

Question 7: Name any one foreign traveller whose observations are an important literary source of information about the Vijayanagar kingdom.
Answer: Two important sources of information about the Vijayanagar empire had been received from travellers like Domingo Paes from Portugal and Abdur Razzaq from Persia.
These travelers wrote down everything they saw, from the busy markets to the grand festivals in the palace. Their books are like "time machines" that help historians understand what life was like back then.
Teacher's Tip: Travelers are the original "vloggers" who recorded history through their writing.
Exam Tip: Mentioning the home country (Portugal or Persia) makes your answer more complete.

Question 8: What was the extent of the Bahmani kingdom?
Answer: Bahmani kingdom stretched from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal and it also included the whole of northern Deccan with the river Krishna as its southern boundary.
This was a massive territory that went all the way across the middle of India. Controlling both coasts meant they had two different oceans to use for trade with other countries.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine the kingdom as a "belt" going across the waist of India.
Exam Tip: Mention the "river Krishna" as it was the specific border with Vijayanagar.

Question 9: Give one example to show that Mahmud Gawan was a patron of learning.
Answer: Mahmud Gawan was a learned man and a patron of learning. He built a madarasa in the capital city of Bidar and donated his private collection of 3,000 books. He gave scholarships to poor and deserving students.
His madarasa (college) was a beautiful building that attracted students and scholars from all over the world. By sharing his own books, he showed that he believed knowledge was the most valuable treasure a person could have.
Teacher's Tip: A "patron of learning" is like a person who starts a school and fills it with books.
Exam Tip: Mention the specific number "3,000 books" to show the size of his contribution.

F. Answer the following questions briefly :

Question 1: What did Krishnadeva Raya do to make the make the Vijayanagar kingdom powerful and prosperous?
Answer: Krishnadeva Raya took various steps to make the Vijayanagar empire rich and prosperous like:
1. He encouraged foreign trade with the Portuguese.
2. He collected good revenue from them by imposing custom duties and other taxes.
3. He took active steps to promote agriculture.
4. Importance was given for increasing irrigation facilities by building dams and canals.
By focusing on both trade and farming, he made sure the kingdom had money coming in from both outside and inside. His work on dams meant that his people were safe from famine and could always grow food.
Teacher's Tip: Use "Trade and Tanks" to remember his two big money-making ideas.
Exam Tip: Number your points as shown in the answer to make them easy to read.

Question 2: Mention two important features of each of the following in the Vijayanagar kingdom : (a) Central government (b) provincial government.
Answer: (a) Central government :
1. The king was the head of the administration and he was considered an absolute ruler and his will was law.
2. A council of ministers chosen by him assisted him in administering the empire.
(b) Provincial government :
1. The whole empire was divided into six provinces and each province was placed under the charge of a governor.
2. The provinces were further divided into districts and each district consisted of a number of villages.
This structure ensured that power moved from the king all the way down to the local villages. While the king had final power, he had many helpers to make sure the whole empire was well-managed.
Teacher's Tip: Central government is like the "Brain," and the Provincial government is like the "Arms and Legs" of the empire.
Exam Tip: Make sure to clearly separate your answer into parts (a) and (b).

Question 3: Vijayanagar was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the 15th and 16th centuries CE. Explain.
Answer: Vijayanagar was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the 15th and 16th centuries CE. The development of agriculture and the promotion of trade and commerce enriched the treasury. The two main sources of revenue were taxes on land and trade.
The land tax varied from one third to one sixth of the produce, depending on the quality of the land, which was assessed before the tax was levied. Forests were cleared and more land was brought under cultivation. Irrigation tanks, canals and dams were built. Flourishing trade enriched the kingdom. The market overflowed with foreign imports such as Arabian horses, Chinese silks and Sri Lankan elephants. The main items of export were cotton cloth, sandalwood, rice, sugar and spices.
The kingdom was a "trade hub" where goods from all over the world were exchanged for Indian specialties. This massive amount of buying and selling brought in so much tax money that the city became famous for its luxury and riches.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Vijayanagar as the "Mall of the Medieval World" where everything could be bought.
Exam Tip: List at least three items that were imported and three that were exported to get full marks.

Question 4: Describe : (a) The importance of trade in Vijayanagar (b) The position of women in society.
Answer: (a) Krishnadeva Raja encouraged foreign trade with the Portuguese who had established trade centres on the Malabar Coast. He earned a rich revenue by imposing custom duties and other taxes on them. He took active steps to promote agriculture. Irrigation facilities were developed by building dams and canals.
(b) Women in general were respected, but they did not enjoy much freedom. Child marriage and sati were common practices. Some upper-class women, however, occupied high positions in society and participated in social, literary and even political life.
Trade brought in new technology and wealth, while the society followed very traditional rules for how men and women should live. This meant that while some women could be scholars or even fighters, most were expected to stay at home and follow ancient customs.
Teacher's Tip: This is a "Contrast" answer—wealthy trade on one side, and strict social rules on the other.
Exam Tip: Mention "Child marriage and sati" as they were the major social problems of that time.

Question 5: Briefly discuss the conflict between the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms over the Raichur Doab.
Answer: The Raichur Doab was a fertile area, that touched the southern boundary of Bahmani kingdom and northern boundary of Vijayanagar empire. This area become a battleground for both the kingdoms as each one wanted to rule over it because it was a rich source of revenue. It constantly passed on from one hand to another till finally the issue was finished after the defeat of Vijayanagar in the Battle of Talikota.
The fighting over this land was like a never-ending game of "tug-of-war" between the two powerful neighbors. Because the land produced so much food and money, neither side was willing to give it up without a fight.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine two people fighting over a really big, delicious cake; that cake is the Raichur Doab.
Exam Tip: Use the term "battleground" to show that this area saw constant fighting.

Question 6: Give an account of the achievements of Mahmud Gawan.
Answer: As a competent and successful general Mahmud Gawan enlarged the boundaries of the kingdom and recaptured the important port of Goa from the Vijayanagar kingdom. He was also a capable administrator. He promoted and encouraged agriculture a great deal. As a result the kingdom become economically prosperous.
Mahmud Gawan was a learned man and a patron of learning. He built a madarasa in the capital city of Bidar and donated his private collection of 3,000 books. He gave scholarships to poor and deserving students.
Gawan was a "jack-of-all-trades" who was good at fighting, managing the land, and teaching others. His leadership made the Bahmani kingdom the most powerful state in Central India for a long time.
Teacher's Tip: Group his achievements into three categories: Military, Administrative, and Educational.
Exam Tip: Mentioning the "port of Goa" shows how he helped the kingdom reach the sea.

Question 7: What was the actual position of the Bahmani kings in the administrative set-up?
Answer: The Bahmani king in theory were powerful but in practice authority was depended on the strength of his army. Weak Sultans were controlled by the Ulemas and powerful nobles.
This meant that if the king didn't have a strong military to back him up, he would have to do whatever the rich nobles told him to do. The real power often lay with the people who could control the most soldiers.
Teacher's Tip: It's like being the captain of a team; you only lead if the players agree to follow you.
Exam Tip: Mention the "Ulemas" (religious leaders) to show another group that had power over the king.

Question 8: What did the Bahmani rulers do to patronize Islam?
Answer: To patronize Islam the Bahmani rulers built many beautiful mosques in the capital cities of Gulbarga and Bidar. Madarasas and libraries were also set-up to promote Islamic studies and Persian and Arabic were used as court language.
By building these grand structures, the kings made their capitals centers of Islamic culture that rivaled the great cities of the Middle East. They ensured that scholars had everything they needed to study and teach their faith.
Teacher's Tip: Building "Madarasas and libraries" shows they cared about education as much as religion.
Exam Tip: Name the two capital cities, "Gulbarga and Bidar," to add detail to your answer.

Question 9: Why were the sultans of the Deccan easily overpowered by the Mughal emperor of the north?
Answer: The Sultans of the Deccan were in constant war among each other because of their mutual rivalries and due to this they also lost much of their wealth and become prey of the Mughal emperor of the North.
Because they spent all their time and money fighting each other, they didn't have enough left to stop the giant Mughal army when it arrived. Their lack of unity made them a very easy target for the powerful northern invaders.
Teacher's Tip: "United we stand, divided we fall" is the perfect lesson for the Deccan Sultans.
Exam Tip: Use the word "rivalries" to explain why they couldn't work together.

G. Picture study :

This is a picture of the ruins of the capital city of a powerful kingdom in the Deccan which was founded by two brothers.

Question 1: Identify the city and name the kingdom.
Answer: Hampi, Vijaynagar kingdom.
Hampi was a massive city filled with grand temples and palaces that are now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Even in ruins, you can see how incredibly rich and powerful the empire used to be.
Teacher's Tip: Look for the distinctive "chariot" and massive stone pillars to identify Hampi.
Exam Tip: Always provide both the "city" and the "kingdom" as requested in the question.

Question 2: Who was the greatest ruier of this kingdom?
Answer: Krishnadeva Raya.
He is remembered as one of the best kings in all of Indian history because he was wise, brave, and a lover of culture. He turned Hampi into one of the most beautiful and busy cities in the world.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Krishna" like the great God, and "Deva Raya" meaning King of the Gods.
Exam Tip: If you mention he was from the "Tuluva dynasty," it shows you've studied extra hard!

Question 3: Mention any five achievements of this ruier.
Answer:
1. Krishnadeva encouraged foreign trade with the Portuguese who had established trade centres on the Malabar Coast.
2. He earned rich revenue by imposing custom duties and other taxes.
3. He took active steps to promote agriculture. Irrigation facilities were develpoed by building dams and canals
4. Krishnadeva Raya was a great patron of art and literature.
5. He maintainted a magnificent court and encouraged poets and learned men.
His reign was a time of "total growth" where every part of the kingdom—from the soldiers to the poets—became better. His focus on irrigation meant his people never went hungry, which made them very loyal to him.
Teacher's Tip: Use "Trade, Tax, Tanks, Tiles (Art), and Talkers (Poets)" to remember all five.
Exam Tip: List exactly five points to ensure you get the full marks for a "Mention any five" question.

Question 4: Describe briefly the capital city of this kingdom.
Answer: Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagar, was a splendid city. It was surrounded by sevan walls and its total circumference was 96 kilometres (60 miles.) The streets were paved and well laid out. The city was studded with gardens, lakes, mansions and temples. Fresh sweet-scented flowers were sold in abundance. Everyone wore jewellery. Diamonds, rubies, pearls and emeralds were openly sold in crowded bazaars.
The city was designed to be both a fortress and a paradise for its citizens. It was so wealthy that even common people wore gold, and foreign visitors could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the treasure in the markets.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine a city where "jewels were sold like vegetables"—that was Hampi.
Exam Tip: Mention the "seven walls" to show how well the city was protected from enemies.

Question 5: What is the most outstanding feature of the Gol Gumbaz?
Answer: Gol Gumbaz has an enormous whispering dome. In this dome the whisper returns back nine times to the person who carries it out.
This is a marvel of engineering because the sound travels all the way around the giant circular room. It shows how advanced the architects of the Deccan were in understanding how sound and buildings work together.
Teacher's Tip: It's like having a natural "echo chamber" built into a giant stone tomb.
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "whispering dome" as it is the official name for this feature.