Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
Sources of Medieval India — Exercise Solutions Guide
Solve every exercise on your own first, then cross-check your answers here. Understanding why an answer is correct matters more than memorising it.
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. ______ are the writings engraved on solid surfaces such as rocks, stones, temple walls and metals.
(a) Travelogues (b) Monuments (c) Manuscripts (d) Inscriptions
Q2. ______ was the land gifted to temples.
(a) Brahmadeya (b) Vellanvagai (c) Shalabhoga (d) Devadana
Q3. ______ period was known as the period of devotional literature.
(a) Chola (b) Pandya (c) Pallava (d) Chera
Q4. ______ provides information about the first Sultan of Delhi.
(a) Tabqat-i-Nasiri (b) Taj-ul-Ma'asir (c) Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi (d) Tuzk-i-Baburi
Q5. ______, an Arab-born Morocco scholar, travelled from Morocco to India.
(a) Al-Beruni (b) Marco Polo (c) Abdur-Razzaq (d) Ibn Battuta
Additional MCQs
Q6. ______ was the land donated to Jaina institutions.
(a) Devadana (b) Brahmadeya (c) Pallichchandam (d) Shalabhoga
Q7. ______ compiled Nalayira Divyaprabhandham.
(a) Nammazhwar (b) Nathamuni (c) Sekkizhar (d) Appar
Q8. ______ was patronised by Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud of the Slave Dynasty.
(a) Al-Beruni (b) Minhaj-us-Siraj (c) Ibn Battuta (d) Zia-ud-din Barani
Q9. An Italian traveller ______ visited the Vijayanagar Empire in 1420.
(a) Marco Polo (b) Nicolo Conti (c) Domingo Paes (d) Abdur-Razzaq
Q10. The word Tuzk means ______
(a) History (b) Autobiography (c) Travelogue (d) Inscription
II. Fill in the Blanks
1. ______ inscriptions provide details about administration in a Brahmadeya village.
The Uttiramerur inscriptions from the Chola period provide detailed information about local self-government in a Brahmadeya village, including election procedures and qualifications for council members.
2. ______ had stamped the figure of Goddess Lakshmi on his gold coins and had his name inscribed on it.
Muhammad Ghori stamped the figure of Goddess Lakshmi on his gold coins with his name inscribed in Arabic, showing his liberal religious outlook and his policy of accommodating local traditions.
3. 3.6 grains of silver amounted to a ______
Jital was a small copper coin used during the Delhi Sultanate period. 48 Jitals equalled 1 Silver Tanka, and the Jital system was introduced to facilitate everyday small transactions.
4. ______ was patronised by Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud of the Slave Dynasty.
Minhaj-us-Siraj was a Persian chronicler who wrote Tabqat-i-Nasiri under the patronage of Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud.
5. An Italian traveller ______ visited Vijayanagar Empire in 1420.
Nicolo Conti visited the Vijayanagar Empire in 1420 CE and recorded observations about its wealth, architecture, and social life.
Additional Fill in the Blanks
6. The Tiruvalangadu copper plates belong to ______
The Tiruvalangadu copper plates are an important inscription that records the achievements of Rajendra Chola I, including his military conquests and the grant of land.
7. ______ was the land for the maintenance of the school.
Shalabhoga was land set aside for the maintenance of educational institutions (schools), ensuring that teachers were supported and education could continue without disruption.
8. ______ compiled Periyapuranam.
Sekkizhar compiled the Periyapuranam, which is the 12th book of the Tirumurai. It narrates the lives of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) and is a major devotional literary work of the Chola period.
9. Muhammad bin Tughluq transferred his capital from Delhi to ______ in the south.
Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shifted the capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) in the south, but the decision caused immense hardship and he later reversed it.
10. ______ was a courtier of Emperor Aurangazeb.
Khafi Khan was a court historian during Aurangzeb's reign. He wrote Muntakhab-ul-Lubab, a history of the Mughal period, providing a detailed account of Aurangzeb's rule.
III. True or False (with Corrections)
Q1. Pallichchandam was the land donated to Jaina institution.
Pallichchandam was land donated specifically to Jain institutions, just as Devadana was land gifted to temples and Brahmadeya was land gifted to Brahmins.
Q2. The composition of metal coins gives us information on the political condition of the empire.
Correction: The composition of metals in coins gives information on the economic condition of the empire, not the political condition. High-quality gold and silver coins indicate prosperity, while debased or copper coins may indicate economic strain.
Q3. The high cost of copper made palm leaf and paper cheaper alternatives for recording royal orders and events in royal courts.
Copper plates were expensive to produce. Palm leaf manuscripts and paper became popular and cheaper alternatives for recording royal orders, court events, and literary works during the medieval period.
Q4. Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveller, visited the Chola Empire in 1522.
Correction: Domingo Paes visited the Vijayanagar Empire in 1522, not the Chola Empire. The Chola Empire had declined long before the 16th century.
Additional True or False
Q5. Inscriptions are secondary sources of history.
Correction: Inscriptions are primary sources because they were created during the period being studied. They are contemporary records engraved on stone, metal, or other durable surfaces.
Q6. Al-Beruni wrote Tahquiq-i-Hind.
Al-Beruni wrote Tahquiq-i-Hind (also called Kitab-ul-Hind), a detailed study of Indian society, religion, philosophy, and sciences based on his observations during his stay in India with Mahmud of Ghazni.
IV. Match the Following
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khajuraho | Madhya Pradesh | Madhya Pradesh |
| 2 | Konark | Odisha | Odisha |
| 3 | Dilwara | Rajasthan | Rajasthan |
| 4 | Virupaksha | Hampi | Hampi |
Additional Match the Following
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brahmadeya | Land gifted to Brahmins | Land gifted to Brahmins |
| 2 | Devadana | Land gifted to temples | Land gifted to temples |
| 3 | Pallichchandam | Land donated to Jain institutions | Land donated to Jain institutions |
| 4 | Shalabhoga | Land for school maintenance | Land for school maintenance |
V. Assertion and Reason
Q1. A: Muhammad Ghori's gold coins carried the figure of Goddess Lakshmi. R: The Turkish invader was liberal in his religious outlook.
Muhammad Ghori stamped Goddess Lakshmi on his gold coins with his name inscribed in Arabic. This shows his liberal religious outlook — he accommodated local Indian traditions to gain acceptance among his Hindu subjects, which directly explains why a Muslim ruler used a Hindu deity on his coins.
Q2. Find out the wrong pair:
1. Al-Beruni — Tahquiq-i-Hind 2. Ibn Battuta — Rihla 3. Minhaj-us-Siraj — Tabqat-i-Nasiri 4. Zia-ud-din Barani — Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi
Q3. Find the odd one out: Inscriptions, Travelogues, Monuments, Coins
VI. Very Short Answers
Q1. Who compiled Nalayira Divyaprabhandham?
Q2. What does the word Tuzk mean?
Q3. Name Jahangir's memoir.
Q4. Name the two different types of sources for the study of history.
Q5. List the important mosques and forts constructed during medieval times.
- Mosques: Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, Moth-ki-Masjid, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri Dargah, Charminar
- Forts: Agra Fort, Chittor Fort, Gwalior Fort, Delhi Red Fort, Forts of Daulatabad, Firozshah Kotla
Q6. Mention the important foreign travellers who visited India during the medieval period.
VII. Short Answers
Q1. Explain the importance of inscriptions as a source of medieval Indian history.
- They record royal orders, land grants, donations, and military victories.
- They provide information about administration, such as the Uttiramerur inscriptions on local self-government.
- Copper plate inscriptions (like the Tiruvalangadu plates) document dynastic achievements.
- They are durable primary sources that cannot be altered, making them highly reliable.
Q2. What information do coins provide about the medieval period?
- The composition of metals (gold, silver, copper) reveals the economic condition of the empire.
- The legends on coins provide the names, titles, and achievements of rulers.
- Coins indicate trade connections and territorial extent.
- Religious symbols on coins (like Goddess Lakshmi on Muhammad Ghori's coins) show the ruler's religious policy.
- Changes in coinage (like Muhammad-bin-Tughluq's token currency) reflect political and economic decisions.
Q3. What were the different types of land classifications during the Chola period?
| Type of Land | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Brahmadeya | Land gifted to Brahmins |
| Devadana | Land gifted to temples |
| Pallichchandam | Land donated to Jain institutions |
| Shalabhoga | Land for maintaining schools |
| Vellanvagai | Land of non-Brahmin landowners (Vellalars) |
Q4. How do monuments help us understand medieval Indian history?
- The architectural styles and techniques of the period (Indo-Saracenic, Dravidian).
- The prosperity and patronage of rulers who commissioned them.
- Religious practices and cultural values.
- Engineering skills and materials used.
- The blending of different cultural influences (e.g., Persian and Indian styles in Delhi Sultanate architecture).
VIII. Detailed Answers
Q1. Describe the different types of coins introduced by the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.
1. Silver Tanka — Introduced by Iltutmish, the Tanka was the standard silver coin weighing approximately 175 grams. It became the basis of the Sultanate's monetary system.
2. Copper Jital — The Jital was a small copper coin used for everyday transactions. 48 Jitals equalled 1 Silver Tanka, and each Jital was equivalent to 3.6 grains of silver.
3. Gold Coins — Ala-ud-din Khalji issued gold coins (Ashrafis). The use of gold coins indicated economic prosperity and the ruler's wealth.
4. Muhammad-bin-Tughluq's Token Currency — Due to a shortage of silver, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq introduced copper token currency with the same value as silver coins. However, this failed because people forged copper coins, leading to state bankruptcy.
5. Muhammad Ghori's Gold Coins — He stamped the figure of Goddess Lakshmi on one side and his name in Arabic on the other, reflecting his liberal religious outlook.
The pictures and legends on coins convey the names of kings, their titles, events, places, dates, dynasties, and logos. The metal composition reveals the economic health of the empire.
Q2. Explain the literary sources of medieval Indian history.
1. Court Chronicles (Tarikh): Persian texts written by court historians. Examples include Tabqat-i-Nasiri by Minhaj-us-Siraj, Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi by Zia-ud-din Barani, and Taj-ul-Ma'asir.
2. Autobiographies (Tuzk): Memoirs written by rulers themselves. Tuzk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) by Babur and Tuzk-i-Jahangiri by Jahangir are notable examples.
3. Travelogues: Accounts by foreign travellers. Al-Beruni's Tahquiq-i-Hind, Ibn Battuta's Rihla, and accounts by Marco Polo, Nicolo Conti, and Domingo Paes provide outsider perspectives on Indian society.
4. Devotional Literature: Tamil works like the Tirumurai (compiled by Nambi Andar Nambi), Periyapuranam by Sekkizhar, and Nalayira Divyaprabhandham by the Azhwars provide insights into religious and social life.
5. Regional Literature: Works in Sanskrit, Tamil, and other regional languages that record local history, culture, and administration.
These literary sources complement archaeological sources like inscriptions, coins, and monuments to reconstruct a complete picture of medieval India.
IX. Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)
Q1. "The composition of metals in coins is indicative of the economic prosperity of the empire" — Substantiate.
- Gold and silver coins indicate prosperity because these precious metals are rare and valuable. An empire minting high-quality gold and silver coins (like Ala-ud-din Khalji) demonstrates strong revenue, trade surplus, and economic stability.
- Debased or copper coins indicate economic strain. When Muhammad-bin-Tughluq introduced copper token currency due to a silver shortage, it led to widespread forgery and economic chaos, showing that the monetary system had collapsed.
- Metal composition analysis reveals whether the empire had access to mines, trade routes, and stable revenue. Rich empires used pure metals; weaker ones mixed base metals.
- Comparison across reigns — Coins from prosperous reigns (like Akbar's) are well-struck with consistent weight and purity, while coins from declining periods show irregularity, debasement, and reduced weight.
Thus, coins are reliable economic barometers of the medieval period.
Q2. Why are inscriptions considered more reliable than literary sources?
1. Contemporaneity — Inscriptions were created during the period being studied, providing direct, unaltered evidence. 2. Durability — Engraved on stone or metal, inscriptions cannot be modified or destroyed easily, unlike manuscripts. 3. No author bias — Literary sources (chronicles, travelogues) may reflect the author's personal bias or patron's preferences. Inscriptions record facts — grants, orders, achievements — without interpretation. 4. Official nature — Inscriptions were commissioned by rulers or officials, carrying authoritative information about administration and governance. 5. Verifiable — Inscriptions can be cross-referenced with other inscriptions or coins, while literary sources may contain exaggerations or errors.
However, inscriptions alone cannot give a complete picture — they must be read alongside literary and archaeological sources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing primary and secondary sources — Inscriptions, coins, and monuments are primary sources (created during the period). Travelogues and later commentaries are secondary sources. Do not mix them up.
2. Saying coins reveal political conditions — The metal composition of coins reveals the economic condition (prosperity or decline), not the political condition. Political information comes from legends and symbols on coins.
3. Confusing Devadana and Pallichchandam — Devadana is land donated to temples, Pallichchandam is land donated to Jain institutions, and Brahmadeya is land gifted to Brahmins. Each type of land grant served a different purpose.
4. Mixing up travellers and their works — Al-Beruni wrote Tahquiq-i-Hind, Ibn Battuta wrote Rihla, and Minhaj-us-Siraj wrote Tabqat-i-Nasiri. Do not attribute the wrong work to the wrong author.
5. Confusing Tuzk with Tarikh — Tuzk means autobiography (e.g., Tuzk-i-Baburi), while Tarikh means history (e.g., Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi). They are different genres.
6. Treating all literary sources as equally reliable — Court chronicles may praise the patron ruler, while travelogues may reflect personal bias. Always evaluate the reliability of each source.
7. Forgetting that Domingo Paes visited Vijayanagar, not the Chola Empire — The Chola Empire had declined by the time Paes visited India in 1522. He visited the Vijayanagar Empire.
Exam Checklist
- [ ] I can classify sources as primary (inscriptions, coins, monuments) and secondary (travelogues, chronicles)
- [ ] I can explain the significance of inscriptions with examples (Uttiramerur, Tiruvalangadu)
- [ ] I can list and describe different types of land grants (Brahmadeya, Devadana, Pallichchandam, Shalabhoga)
- [ ] I know the coin types of the Delhi Sultanate — Tanka, Jital, token currency, and their significance
- [ ] I can match monuments to their locations (Khajuraho, Konark, Dilwara, Virupaksha)
- [ ] I can identify travellers and their works (Al-Beruni, Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, Nicolo Conti, Domingo Paes)
- [ ] I can distinguish between Tuzk (autobiography) and Tarikh (history)
- [ ] I can explain how the metal composition of coins indicates economic prosperity
- [ ] I can list important mosques and forts of the medieval period
- [ ] I can handle assertion-reason and "find the wrong pair" type questions
- [ ] I can explain why inscriptions are more reliable than literary sources
- [ ] I can list the 12 books of the Tirumurai and name the compilers