Chapter 15 Solutions — Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries

Questions and Activities

1. 1.
   If you lived in Kannauj during the struggle between the Pālas, the Pratīhāras and the Rāṣhṭrakūṭas, how would it change your daily life and your estimate of the rulers? Write a letter on this to your friend living in Kanchipuram.
2. 2.
   Emperors and kings during this period controlled only core regions and governed other regions through subordinate vassals. What would be the advantages and the challenges of such a system?
3. 3.
   In what ways were the invasions of the Hunas and the Arabs different in their aims, methods, and impact on the Indian subcontinent? Prepare a write-up, discuss and present it in the class.
4. 4.
   Imagine you are a common citizen watching the Prayāga assembly. How would you react to Harṣha giving away most of his wealth?
5. 5.
   Forming groups, let each group choose one Ālvār and one Nāyanār and prepare a biography poster or booklet. Include their life stories and a sample poem or two (in translation).
6. 6.
   You will notice that our maps show only ancient names for the kingdoms' capitals and main cities. Using a pencil, mark the modern names next to their original names. Refer the current map of India and try to locate those cities on it.
7. 7.
   Match the ruler or the dynasty with the city.

   • (a) Rāṣhṭrakūṭas —
   • (i) Kānchī
   • (b) Gurjara-Pratīhāras —
   • (ii) Tanjāvūr
   • (c) Cholas —
   • (iii) Mānyakheṭa
   • (d) Harṣhavardhana —
   • (iv) Ujjayinī
   • (e) Pallavas —
   • (v) Kānyakubja