Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 13 India Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia Solutions

Choose the Correct Alternative to Write the Complete Sentences

Question 1. Buddhaghosh was an Indian _____________ in Sri Lanka.
(a) Thinker
(b) King
(c) Soldier
(d) Trader
Answer: (a) Thinker
In simple words: Buddhaghosh was a great Indian Buddhist scholar and philosopher who went to Sri Lanka to translate and write commentaries on Buddhist teachings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate Buddhaghosh with Buddhist philosophy and literature to easily remember him as an influential thinker of ancient times.

Question 2. The founder of Pagan empire was _____________
(a) Kyanzittha
(b) Anwrahta
(c) Ayuttha
(d) Jayavarman
Answer: (b) Anwrahta
In simple words: King Anawrahta founded the Pagan Empire in Myanmar, uniting the region under one rule.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that Anawrahta (or Anwrahta) is celebrated as the father of the Burmese nation for founding the Pagan Empire.

Question 3. The ancient name of Cambodia was _____________
(a) Kambuja Desh
(b) Laos
(c) Angkorwat
(d) Sumatra
Answer: (a) Kambuja Desh
In simple words: In ancient times, Cambodia was known as Kambuja Desh, which reflects its historical connection with Indian culture.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connecting ancient names with modern countries is a common exam topic; memorize Kambuja for Cambodia.

1B. Find the Incorrect Pair From Set B and Write the Correct Ones.

Question 1.

🎯 Exam Tip: Double-check each pair individually against your textbook facts to easily identify the incorrect one in match-the-following questions.

Question (4) The Centre of Angkor Thom
Answer: The centre of Angkorthom – Bayon Temple. This temple is famous for its massive stone faces carved into the towers.
In simple words: The Bayon Temple is located right at the center of the ancient city of Angkor Thom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that Bayon Temple is the central temple of Angkor Thom, known for its smiling stone faces.

1C. Write the Names

Question 1. Son of Emperor Ashoka –
Answer: Thera Mahinda. He played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
In simple words: Thera Mahinda was the son of Emperor Ashoka who went to Sri Lanka to teach Buddhism.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly associate Thera Mahinda with Emperor Ashoka and the spread of Buddhism to score full marks.

Question 2. Ancient kingdom in Laos –
Answer: Lao Sang. This historical kingdom laid the foundation for modern-day Laos.
In simple words: Lao Sang was an old kingdom located in the region of Laos.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the names of ancient Southeast Asian kingdoms and their modern locations for quick recall.

Question 3. Kingdom of ‘Cham’ people –
Answer: Champa. The Champa kingdom was highly influenced by Indian culture and art.
In simple words: Champa was the kingdom where the Cham people lived.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember "Cham" connects directly to "Champa" to easily write the correct name in exams.

Question 4. Last king of Malayu –
Answer: Eskandar Shah. He later founded the Malacca Sultanate after leaving Malayu.
In simple words: Eskandar Shah was the final ruler of the Malayu kingdom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Spelling historical names correctly like 'Eskandar Shah' is key to securing full marks.

2. Write Short Notes

Question 1. Chenla Kingdom
Answer: The first kingdom, established in Cambodia was known by the name of ‘Chenla’. The people who established Chenla were known as ‘Khmer’. This kingdom played a vital role in shaping the early history and culture of the region.
In simple words: Chenla was the very first kingdom in Cambodia, and it was built by the Khmer people.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a short note, always include key details like the location (Cambodia) and the people (Khmer) associated with the kingdom.

Question 1. Chenla Kingdom
Answer: The influence of Indian culture in Cambodia dates back to the Chenla period. The kingdom of Chenla was established by Jayavarman II. His capital’s name was ‘Hariharalaya’. The kings of Chenla expanded their empire from Vietnam to Myanmar and to China in the north. This empire played a crucial role in spreading Hindu and Buddhist traditions across Southeast Asia. After King ‘Jayavarman VII’ the Khmer empire began to decline.
In simple words: The Chenla Kingdom was an ancient empire in Cambodia started by Jayavarman II. It grew very large and helped spread Indian culture before it eventually declined.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the name of the founder, Jayavarman II, and his capital, Hariharalaya, as these are frequently asked in fill-in-the-blanks.

Question 2. Vishnu temple at Angkorwat
Answer:
(i) The world-famous temple of ‘Angkorwat’ was built in Yashodharpura, the capital city built by Suryavarman II. This magnificent structure stands as a testament to the brilliant architectural skills of the Khmer empire.
(ii) The temple area is about 500 acres, which is about 2 sq. km.
(iii) The main entrance is at the west and the temple is surrounded by a moat, which is 200 meters in depth.
(iv) Among the sculptural panels on the southeast walls of the temple the panel of ‘Samudramanthan’ is notable. Later, it was turned into a Buddhist temple.
In simple words: Angkorwat is a massive, famous temple built by King Suryavarman II. It is surrounded by a deep moat and features beautiful stone carvings, including the story of Samudramanthan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention the key measurements like 500 acres and the 200-meter-deep moat to show a precise understanding of the temple's scale.

Question 3. Majapahit Kingdom
Answer: In the 13th century C.E., in Eastern Java arose a kingdom known as ‘Majapahita’. The name of the founder King of Majapahita was, Vijaya’. He established his supremacy in some of the islands like Java, Bali and also some other islands and extended the kingdom of Java into an empire. This empire became one of the most powerful and influential empires in the history of Southeast Asia.
In simple words: The Majapahit Kingdom was started in Eastern Java by King Vijaya in the 13th century. He expanded his rule over many islands, turning it into a major empire.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the century (13th century C.E.) and the founder's name (Vijaya) to secure full marks.

Question 4. Champa Kingdom
Answer: ‘Champa’ was an ancient kingdom in the coastal region of Vietnam. It was well-known for its vibrant maritime trade and deep cultural links with India.
In simple words: Champa was an old kingdom located along the coast of Vietnam. It had strong trade and cultural connections with India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight its geographical location along the coast of Vietnam as it is the defining feature of this kingdom.

Answer the Following Questions in Detail

Question 1. Explain the spread of Indian culture in Thailand.
Answer:
• Thailand was referred to as ‘Mueng Thai’ by the ancient people. However, it was known as ‘Siam’ in the world. In the 20th century, its name was changed to ‘Thailand’.
• Thailand was ruled from the 6th century to the 11th century by the ‘Mon’ people. Indian culture was spread at this time.
• The Indian traditions of sculpture, literature, ethics, judicial science, etc. had a great role in shaping up the Mon culture.
• Dvaravati although smaller and weaker contributed greatly to the development of writing, arts, administration, religion, science, etc. in others kingdoms.
• The remains of sculptures and architecture of the period have been found in Lop Buri (Lao Puri) and Ayuttha (Ayodhya).
• The sculptures include Buddha images a few Shivalingas and images of Vishnu.
• In the 14th century C.E, a new kingdom of Ayuttha was established in Thailand and the kings of Ayuttha bore names with the prefix ‘Ram’.
• Thai Ramayana developed into an independent tradition. It is known as ‘Ramakien’ (Ram Akhyana). This deep cultural exchange laid the foundation for long-lasting spiritual and artistic connections between the two regions.
• The stories of ‘Ramakien’ have been preserved in all Thai art traditions including sculpture, folk music, dance, and theatre.
In simple words: Indian culture spread to Thailand long ago through trade and religion, influencing their art, language, and stories. Even the famous Thai epic 'Ramakien' is based on the Indian Ramayana.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention key terms like 'Mon' people, 'Ramakien', and 'Ayuttha' to show a precise understanding of historical influences.

Question 2. Write about the cultural interrelationship between India and Myanmar.
Answer:
• Buddhism played a major role in connecting both nations. Emperor Ashoka sent Buddhist monks, Sona and Uttara, to Myanmar to spread the teachings of Buddha.
• Indian art and architecture significantly influenced Myanmar's temple designs. The famous Ananda Temple in Bagan is a prime example, reflecting Indian architectural styles.
• The scripts of Myanmar, such as the Mon and Burmese scripts, have their origins in ancient Indian scripts like Brahmi and Pallava.
• Myanmar's literature and performing arts also adopted themes from Indian epics, particularly the Ramayana, known locally as 'Yama Zatdaw'. These shared traditions continue to foster a sense of mutual respect and cultural affinity between the two neighboring countries.
In simple words: India and Myanmar share deep historical ties mainly through Buddhism, which was brought there by Indian monks. Their art, temple designs, and even their traditional scripts are heavily inspired by Indian culture.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the role of Buddhism and Emperor Ashoka's missionaries (Sona and Uttara) as they are crucial historical facts for this answer.

Myanmar and Its Heritage

• ‘Myanmar’ is a neighbouring country of India. It was earlier known as ‘Brahmdesh’. In the 2nd century B.C.E. there were city-states known as ‘Pyu’ in the north and central regions of Myanmar.
• Among the new ‘Pyu’ cities that came into existence at a later period were the cities of ‘Halin’ and ‘Shrikshetra’ were important.
• Shrikshetra was the largest among the ‘Pyu’ cities. The founders of Shrikshetra belonged to the Shakya clan of Gautam Buddha.
• The three Pyu cities of Halin, Beikthano, and Shrikshetra where archaeological excavations were conducted have brought into light many remains of buildings like stupas, cemeteries, and structures built for water management. The three sites have been declared as World Cultural Heritage sites.
• The ‘Shwedagon’ pagoda built between the 6th-10th century C.E. at Yongan (Rangoon) is one of the finest examples of stupa architecture in Myanmar.
• The ‘Shwedagon’ pagoda contains the hair of Gautama Buddha. This pagoda is covered with sheets of gold.
• The ‘Anand Temple’ is another important monument built during the reign of Kyanzittha, the emperor of Pagan in the 11th century C.E. It is the finest example of the combined architectural style of India and Pagan.

Activity

Question. Find out the names of World Cultural Heritage in this lesson. Prepare a chart by using the following points: Name of the heritage, place, and country.
Answer: These sites represent the rich historical and architectural connections between India and Southeast Asia.

🎯 Exam Tip: When preparing charts of heritage sites, make sure to double-check the spelling of the places and countries to avoid losing marks.

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