Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science State and Society in Medieval India Exercise Solutions | KalviGavani

State and Society in 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. Who founded the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty in Delhi?

(a) Iltutmish (b) Qutb-ud-din Aibak (c) Balban (d) Razia Sultana

Q2. The Khalji Dynasty's most famous ruler was

(a) Alauddin Khalji (b) Jalal-ud-din Khalji (c) Qutb-ud-din Mubarak (d) Nasir-ud-din Khusrau

Q3. Who shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?

(a) Alauddin Khalji (b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq (c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq (d) Iltutmish

Q4. The Vijayanagar Empire was founded by

(a) Harihara and Bukka (b) Krishnadevaraya (c) Devaraya II (d) Achyuta Deva Raya

Q5. The Bhakti saint who preached in Marathi and composed devotional songs was

(a) Kabir (b) Tulsidas (c) Namdev (d) Chaitanya

Q6. The Mansabdari system was introduced by

(a) Babur (b) Humayun (c) Akbar (d) Aurangzeb

Q7. The Din-i-Ilahi was a syncretic religion proposed by

(a) Shah Jahan (b) Aurangzeb (c) Jahangir (d) Akbar

Q8. The Bahmani Sultanate was located in

(a) Bengal (b) The Deccan (c) Gujarat (d) Kashmir

Q9. The Zabt system of revenue collection was associated with

(a) The Delhi Sultanate (b) The Vijayanagar Empire (c) The Mughal Empire (d) The Bahmani Sultanate

Q10. The Sufi saint whose shrine is at Ajmer is

(a) Nizamuddin Auliya (b) Moinuddin Chishti (c) Farid-ud-din Ganj-i-Shakar (d) Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki

Q11. Iqta system during the Delhi Sultanate referred to

(a) A trade guild (b) A revenue assignment system (c) A military rank (d) A religious endowment

Q12. Krishnadevaraya, the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire, belonged to the

(a) Sangama Dynasty (b) Saluva Dynasty (c) Tuluva Dynasty (d) Aravidu Dynasty

II. True or False

1. Razia Sultana was the only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

2. The Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms were allies throughout their history.

3. The Bhakti movement rejected caste distinctions and promoted devotion to a personal god.

4. The Sufi movement emphasised asceticism, love, and devotion to God.

5. Alauddin Khalji introduced price controls in the market.

6. The Mughal Empire was founded by Akbar.

7. The Iqta system was similar to the later Jagir system of the Mughals.

8. Towns and trade declined during the medieval period in India.

9. The Vijayanagar Empire was named after its capital city.

10. Aurangzeb reversed Akbar's policy of religious tolerance.

III. Fill in the Blanks

1. The Delhi Sultanate was founded in ___ CE by Qutb-ud-din Aibak.

2. The first and only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate was ___.

3. Alauddin Khalji's market reforms included strict ___ controls on essential goods.

4. The ___ Empire and the Bahmani Sultanate were rivals in the Deccan.

5. The Bhakti movement stressed personal devotion to God and rejected ___ distinctions.

6. The Sufi saint ___ established the Chishti order in India; his shrine is at Ajmer.

7. Akbar introduced the ___ system to organise the military and nobility.

8. The Mughal land revenue system based on measured land and cash payments was called ___.

9. The Bahmani Sultanate was founded by ___ in 1347.

10. Krishnadevaraya was the greatest ruler of the ___ Dynasty of Vijayanagar.

IV. Match the Following

• 1 → c — Qutb-ud-din Aibak founded the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty, the first ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, in 1206.
• 2 → e — Alauddin Khalji is known for his military campaigns into the Deccan and strict market reforms with price controls.
• 3 → b — Razia Sultana, daughter of Iltutmish, was the only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate (1236-1240).
• 4 → a — Babur founded the Mughal Empire by defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• 5 → d — Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire, presiding over its golden age.
• 6 → f — Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system and the syncretic Din-i-Ilahi, and followed a policy of religious tolerance.
• 7 → g — Moinuddin Chishti was the founder of the Chishti Sufi order in India; his dargah at Ajmer is a major pilgrimage site.

V. Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks)

Q1. Describe the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate.

The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) was ruled by five successive dynasties: (1) Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty (1206-1290) — founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak; notable rulers include Iltutmish and Razia Sultana; (2) Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320) — founded by Jalal-ud-din Khalji; most famous ruler Alauddin Khalji expanded south and reformed markets; (3) Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414) — founded by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq; Muhammad bin Tughlaq was known for ambitious but failed experiments; (4) Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451) — a period of decline with weak rulers; (5) Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526) — the last dynasty, ended when Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur at Panipat.

Q2. What was the Iqta system?

The Iqta system was the revenue administration of the Delhi Sultanate. Under it, the Sultan assigned the revenue from a territory (iqta) to an official (iqtaidar/muqti) in exchange for maintaining a specified number of troops and remitting surplus revenue to the central treasury. The iqtaidar was responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and providing military support when required. Over time, some iqtaidars became semi-independent, weakening central authority.

Q3. Explain the Bhakti movement and its key features.

The Bhakti movement was a devotional revolution that swept across India from the 7th century onwards, peaking between the 14th and 17th centuries. Its key features were: (1) Personal devotion — emphasised direct, emotional connection with God, bypassing priests and elaborate rituals; (2) Rejection of caste — Bhakti saints insisted that devotion, not birth, determined spiritual worth; (3) Vernacular languages — they composed songs and verses in regional languages (Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil) making spirituality accessible; (4) God as accessible — God was seen as loving and approachable, not distant; (5) Social reform — the movement challenged social hierarchies and promoted equality.

Q4. What were the main teachings of the Sufi saints?

Sufi saints taught: (1) Love and devotion — the path to God was through love (ishq), not dry ritual; (2) Asceticism — they practised simple living and meditation, renouncing worldly pleasures; (3) Equality — they welcomed followers regardless of caste or creed; (4) Music and poetry — they used qawwali, ghazals, and storytelling to convey spiritual truths; (5) Service — they served the poor and needy, setting up langars (community kitchens). Major Sufi orders in India included the Chishti, Suhrawardi, Naqshbandi, and Qadiri silsilahs. Their dargahs became centres of syncretic culture.

Q5. Describe the administrative system of the Vijayanagar Empire.

The Vijayanagar Empire had a well-organised administration. The king was the supreme authority, assisted by a council of ministers. The empire was divided into rajyas (provinces), nadus (districts), and sthalas (villages). Provincial governors (nayakas) maintained military contingents and administered their territories. Land revenue was the primary income source, collected through the rayaluvari system (direct collection by state officials). The empire maintained a powerful army and built extensive irrigation works, including tanks and canals, to support agriculture. Trade flourished with foreign merchants, and cities like Hampi were among the wealthiest in the world.

Q6. How did Akbar's religious policy differ from Aurangzeb's?

Akbar followed a policy of sulh-i-kul (universal peace) and religious tolerance. He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims, abolished the pilgrim tax, invited scholars of all faiths to the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) for discussion, and even proposed the syncretic Din-i-Ilahi. His court included Hindu ministers like Todar Mal and Birbal.

Aurangzeb reversed this policy. He reimposed the jizya tax, destroyed Hindu temples, enforced orthodox Islamic law, and alienated Rajput allies and the Deccan kingdoms. His intolerance provoked rebellions (Satnamis, Jats, Marathas, Sikhs) and contributed to the empire's decline after his death.

Q7. What role did trade and towns play in medieval India?

Medieval India had vibrant trade networks. Internally, goods moved through guilds of merchants (banias, sarrafs) and local markets (haats). Externally, India exported cotton textiles, spices, indigo, and handicrafts to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe. Major trading ports included Surat, Calicut, and Masulipatnam. Towns like Delhi, Agra, Lahore, and Hampi were centres of administration, crafts, and commerce. The Sultans and Mughals built roads, sarais (rest houses), and standardised coinage, facilitating trade.

Q8. What was the Mansabdari system?

The Mansabdari system, introduced by Akbar, was a military-civilian grading system. Each officer (mansabdar) held a rank (mansab) expressed as a number (zat) indicating their personal status and the number of cavalrymen (sawar) they were required to maintain. Mansabdars were paid in cash or through revenue assignments (jagirs). The system integrated nobles of diverse origins — Turanis, Iranis, Afghans, and Rajputs — into a single service hierarchy loyal to the emperor. It ensured centralised control over the military and administration.

VI. Detailed Answer Questions (5 marks)

Q1. Give an account of the Delhi Sultanate — its dynasties, administration, and impact.

The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) was established after Muhammad of Ghor's conquests in north India. It was ruled by five dynasties. The Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty (1206-1290), founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, saw the consolidation of Turkish rule and the construction of the Qutb Minar. Iltutmish strengthened the sultanate, and Razia Sultana briefly ruled. The Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320) under Alauddin Khalji expanded southward into the Deccan, implemented market reforms, and built a large standing army. The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414) saw ambitious but controversial experiments by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, including the failed capital shift to Daulatabad and token currency. The Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451) was a period of decline, and the Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526) ended when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat.

Administratively, the Sultanate was centralised under the Sultan, assisted by ministers (wazir, ariz-i-mumalik, diwan-i-risalat). The Iqta system assigned revenue rights to officials for military service. The army was centralised, and a network of spies informed the Sultan. Revenue was collected through land taxes (kharaj), trade taxes, and other levies.

The Sultanate's impact included: (1) the introduction of Persian administrative practices and culture; (2) the growth of Delhi as a major urban centre; (3) the development of Indo-Islamic architecture (Qutb Minar, Alai Darwaza); (4) the spread of Islam and Persian language; (5) increased trade with Central Asia and the Middle East; and (6) resistance and accommodation with local Rajput and other Hindu rulers.

Q2. Discuss the rise and achievements of the Mughal Empire.

The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur after his victory at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) over Ibrahim Lodi. Though Babur's reign was short (1526-1530), he established the dynasty and recorded his life in the memoir Baburnama. Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556) lost the empire to Sher Shah Suri but regained it before dying.

Akbar (1556-1605) truly consolidated the empire. He expanded territory, introduced the Mansabdari system, implemented the Zabt revenue system with Todar Mal, and followed policies of religious tolerance (sulh-i-kul, Din-i-Ilahi, abolition of jizya). His court included the Navaratnas (Nine Gems).

Jahangir (1605-1627) continued Akbar's policies and patronised the arts, especially painting. Shah Jahan (1628-1658) built the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid, but his later years were marred by war of succession. Aurangzeb (1658-1707) expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent but reversed Akbar's tolerance, reimposed jizya, and faced Maratha, Sikh, Jat, and Rajput rebellions that drained the treasury and weakened the empire.

The Mughal legacy includes: a centralised administrative system, Persian cultural influence, magnificent architecture, a flourishing economy, and a rich tradition of painting, literature, and music.

Q3. Compare the Bhakti and Sufi movements. How did they influence medieval Indian society?

The Bhakti and Sufi movements were parallel devotional currents that transformed medieval Indian society.

Bhakti Movement: Originating in South India with the Alvars and Nayanars (7th-9th centuries), it spread north through saints like Ramananda, Kabir, Namdev, Chaitanya, Mirabai, and Tulsidas. Key features: emphasis on personal devotion (bhakti) to a personal God; rejection of caste and Brahmin ritual monopoly; use of vernacular languages; idea that salvation comes through love, not knowledge or ritual.

Sufi Movement: Sufism entered India with the establishment of the Chishti order by Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer (12th century). Other orders included Suhrawardi, Naqshbandi, and Qadiri. Key features: emphasis on love (ishq) and devotion to God; practice of asceticism and meditation; use of music (sama/qawwali) and poetry; service to the poor; acceptance of followers from all castes and creeds.

Similarities: Both rejected outward ritual in favour of inner devotion; both opposed caste hierarchy; both used local languages and music; both emphasised a direct, personal relationship with the divine.

Influence on society: (1) Social reform — both movements challenged caste and promoted equality; (2) Language and literature — they enriched vernacular literatures (Kabir's dohas, Punjabi Sufi poetry, Marathi abhangs); (3) Communal harmony — shared shrines (dargahs, Bhakti temples) became spaces where Hindus and Muslims worshipped together; (4) Music and art — qawwali, kirtan, and bhajan traditions flourished; (5) Political influence — some rulers (Akbar) were influenced by Sufi ideals of tolerance, shaping state policy.

Q4. Describe the Vijayanagar Empire and its contribution to art, architecture, and administration.

The Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646) was founded by Harihara I and Bukka I of the Sangama Dynasty with the guidance of the sage Vidyaranya. It arose as a Hindu bulwark against the Delhi Sultanate's southward expansion. Its greatest ruler was Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) of the Tuluva Dynasty, under whom the empire reached its peak in military power, cultural achievement, and economic prosperity.

Administration: The king was the supreme authority, assisted by a council of ministers. The empire was divided into rajyas (provinces), each governed by a nayaka who maintained military forces and collected revenue. Land revenue was the primary income, assessed through careful measurement. The state maintained irrigation works (tanks, canals, reservoirs) that supported productive agriculture. Foreign travellers like Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz described the empire's efficient administration, bustling markets, and well-maintained infrastructure.

Art and Architecture: Vijayanagar architecture blended Chalukya, Hoysala, and Pandya styles with new innovations. Key features: massive gopurams (towering gateways), intricately carved pillars, large mandapams (halls), and monolithic statues. Examples: the Vittala Temple with its musical pillars, the Virupaksha Temple, the Lotus Mahal, and the stone chariot at Hampi. The empire also patronised painting, music, and dance.

Literature: Krishnadevaraya himself was a scholar who wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu. Sanskrit and Telugu literature flourished under royal patronage. The empire's contributions in architecture, literature, and administration represent a high point of South Indian civilisation.

Q5. Explain the administrative and revenue systems of the Mughal Empire.

The Mughal Empire developed a sophisticated administrative apparatus. At the apex was the emperor, who controlled military, executive, and judicial authority. The central government included key ministers: the Wazir (prime minister), Mir Bakshi (military paymaster), Mir Saman (imperial household), and Sadr-us-Sudur (religious affairs).

Mansabdari System: Akbar's key innovation was the Mansabdari system. Every noble held a mansab (rank) with two numbers: zat (personal rank and salary) and sawar (number of horsemen to maintain). Mansabdars were paid in cash or through jagirs (revenue assignments). They could not hold hereditary rights over their jagirs, ensuring centralised control.

Land Revenue: The most important revenue system was the Zabt system, standardised under Akbar's finance minister Todar Mal. Key features: (1) Land was measured using the zira-i-Ilahi (Akbar's yard); (2) Revenue was calculated as one-third of the average produce, paid in cash; (3) The Dahsala system (1580) fixed a ten-year average of revenue rates; (4) Officials (amils) assessed and collected revenue. Areas not under Zabt were assessed through crop-sharing (ghalla-bakhshi) or other methods.

Provincial Administration: The empire was divided into subas (provinces), each under a subahdar (governor). Subas were further divided into sarkars and parganas. The kotwal maintained law and order in cities. This multi-layered system allowed central oversight while delegating day-to-day governance.

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing the Delhi Sultanate dynasties: Students often mix up the five dynasties (Mamluk, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi). Remember the order: Mamluk (Slave) → Khalji → Tughlaq → Sayyid → Lodi, and associate key rulers with each dynasty.

2. Mixing up Iqta and Jagir systems: The Iqta system (Delhi Sultanate) and the Jagir system (Mughal) are similar in concept — both assigned revenue rights for service — but the Jagir system was more centralised and closely monitored under the Mansabdari framework.

3. Equating the Bhakti and Sufi movements as identical: While they shared common themes (devotion, rejection of caste, use of vernaculars), the Bhakti movement originated in Hindu traditions and the Sufi movement in Islamic mysticism. They influenced each other but were distinct.

4. Thinking Razia Sultana ruled for a long time: She ruled for only about four years (1236-1240) before being deposed by conservative nobles opposed to female rule.

5. Confusing Vijayanagar dynasties: The empire had four dynasties — Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu. Krishnadevaraya was from the Tuluva Dynasty, not the Sangama.

6. Attributing all Mughal achievements to Akbar alone: While Akbar consolidated the empire, Babur founded it, Humayun regained it, Jahangir expanded trade, Shah Jahan built iconic architecture, and even Aurangzeb expanded territory (though his intolerance weakened the empire).

7. Treating medieval Indian society as monolithic: Medieval India was diverse — different regions had distinct political systems, languages, and cultures. The Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagar, and Bahmani kingdoms each had unique features.

Exam Checklist

• [ ] Can you list the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate in order with key rulers?
• [ ] Can you explain the Iqta system and how it differed from the Mughal Jagir system?
• [ ] Can you describe the Mansabdari system (zat, sawar, jagir)?
• [ ] Can you explain the Zabt/Dahsala revenue system under Todar Mal?
• [ ] Can you discuss Akbar's religious policy and contrast it with Aurangzeb's?
• [ ] Can you name the founders and key rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire?
• [ ] Can you describe the Vijayanagar-Bahmani rivalry and its significance?
• [ ] Can you explain the Bhakti movement's key features and name major Bhakti saints?
• [ ] Can you explain the Sufi movement's key features and name major Sufi saints?
• [ ] Can you compare the Bhakti and Sufi movements (similarities and differences)?
• [ ] Can you discuss the role of towns and trade in medieval India?
• [ ] Can you identify key architectural contributions of the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, and Vijayanagar?

Internal Links

• [Class 9 Social Science — State and Society in Medieval India Guide](/school/tamil-nadu-state-board/class/9/social/state-and-society-in-medieval-india)
• [All Class 9 Social Solutions](/school/tamil-nadu-state-board/class/9/social/solutions)
• [Class 9 Social Science Subject Guide](/school/tamil-nadu-state-board/class/9/social)