Chapter: 3 Empires and Kingdoms: 6th–10th Centuries

 WORKSHEET

Chapter: Empires and Kingdoms: 6th–10th Centuries

A. Fill in the blanks (1 mark each)

• Harshavardhana belonged to the __________ dynasty.
• The capital of Harsha was later shifted to __________.
• The Tripartite Struggle was fought for control over __________.
• The founder of the Pala dynasty was __________.
• The Rashtrakuta capital was __________.
• The famous Kailasa Temple was built by King __________.
• The Pallava capital was __________.
• The Chola dynasty was re-established by __________.
• The fertile __________ delta helped Chola agriculture prosper.
• Brahmagupta wrote __________.

B. Match the following

Column A                                                 Column B

1. Harshavardhana                                         a. Kanchipuram

2. Pallavas                                                 b. Manyakheta

3. Rashtrakutas                                         c. Kannauj

4. Cholas                                                         d. Tanjavur

5. Gurjara-Pratiharas                                 e. Ujjain

C. True or False 

• Harsha was only a follower of Buddhism. ______
• Xuanzang visited India during Harsha’s reign. ______
• Rashtrakutas defeated the Chalukyas. ______
• Mahabalipuram was an important Pallava port. ______
• The Cholas were famous for their weak navy. ______
• Villages were the smallest administrative units. ______
• The Hunas came from Central Asia. ______
• Bhakti saints used regional languages. ______

D. Very Short Answer Questions 

• Why was Kannauj important?
• Name any two universities supported by the Pala rulers.
• Who was Xuanzang?
• Name two important Bhakti saints.
• Write two contributions of Brahmagupta.

E. Short Answer Questions 

• Write any three features of this period after the Gupta Empire.
• Explain the role of sāmantas.
• Mention three achievements of the Pallavas.
• Why did trade increase during this period?

F. Long Answer Questions

• Explain the Tripartite Struggle.
• Describe the achievements of the Cholas.
• Explain the achievements of Harshavardhana as a ruler and scholar.
• Describe the contributions of the Rashtrakuta dynasty in art and culture.
• Explain the importance of trade and urbanisation during the period of 600–1200 CE.
• Write about the Bhakti Movement and its impact on society.
• Describe the achievements of the Chola dynasty.

G. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Harshavardhana became king in:

a) 550 CE

b) 606 CE

c) 750 CE

d) 850 CE

Which Chinese traveller visited India during Harsha's reign?

a) Fa-Hien

b) Al-Biruni

c) Xuanzang

d) Megasthenes

The Tripartite Struggle was fought over:

a) Delhi

b) Pataliputra

c) Kannauj

d) Madurai

Who founded the Pala dynasty?

a) Dharmapala

b) Gopala

c) Bhoja

d) Krishna I

Which ruler built the Kailasa Temple?

a) Harshavardhana

b) Krishna I

c) Amoghavarsha

d) Pulakeshin II

The capital of the Pallava dynasty was:

a) Kanchipuram

b) Tanjavur

c) Madurai

d) Kannauj

Which Chalukya ruler stopped Harsha's expansion?

a) Pulakeshin II

b) Dantidurga

c) Mihira Bhoja

d) Gopala

Which dynasty was famous for a strong navy?

a) Pala

b) Chola

c) Gurjara-Pratihara

d) Huna

Brahmagupta is known for contributions in:

a) Literature

b) Geography

c) Mathematics

d) Sculpture

The Bhakti movement emphasized:

a) Military strength

b) Personal devotion to God

c) Expansion of empire

d) Trade development

H. Case Study Questions

Case Study – 1

Harshavardhana became king in 606 CE and expanded his empire across northern India. He was not only a powerful ruler but also a poet and dramatist. He welcomed scholars to his court and respected different religions. Xuanzang, the Chinese traveller, visited his kingdom and wrote about it. Harsha also donated much of his wealth at the Prayaga Assembly.

Questions:

• In which year did Harsha become king?
• Name one Chinese traveller who visited his court.
• Mention one quality of Harsha as a ruler.
• What happened at the Prayaga Assembly?

Case Study – 2

The Cholas became powerful under Vijayalaya and Aditya I. Their capital was Tanjavur. They were known for their strong administration and powerful navy. The fertile Kaveri delta supported agriculture and prosperity. The Cholas also built grand temples and promoted art and literature.

Questions:

• What was the capital of the Cholas?
• Which river delta helped Chola agriculture?
• Name one important feature of Chola administration.
• Mention one contribution of the Cholas.

Case Study – 3

The Rashtrakutas rose to power after defeating the Chalukyas. Their capital was Manyakheta. King Krishna I built the famous Kailasa Temple at Ellora. The Rashtrakutas supported Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. They also encouraged literature and education.

Questions:

• What was the capital of the Rashtrakutas?
• Who built the Kailasa Temple?
• Name any two religions supported by the Rashtrakutas.
• Mention one contribution of the Rashtrakutas in culture.

Answer Key 

A. Fill in the blanks

• Pushyabhuti
• Kannauj
• Kannauj
• Gopala
• Manyakheta
• Krishna I
• Kanchipuram
• Vijayalaya
• Kaveri
• Brahmasphutasiddhanta

B. Match

1–c,  2–a, 3–b,  4–d, 5–e

C. True/False

• False
• True
• True
• True
• False
• True
• True
• True

D. Very Short Answer Questions

1. Why was Kannauj important?

Kannauj was important because it was located in the fertile Ganga valley and controlled major trade routes, agriculture, and political power.

2. Name any two universities supported by the Pala rulers.

Vikramashila University

Nalanda University

3. Who was Xuanzang?

Xuanzang was a Chinese traveller and Buddhist scholar who visited India during Harshavardhana’s reign to study Buddhism.

4. Name two important Bhakti saints.

Andal (Alvar saint)

Appar (Nayanar saint)

5. Write two contributions of Brahmagupta.

Introduced rules for zero and negative numbers.

Developed methods for solving mathematical equations.

E. Short Answer Questions

1. Write any three features of this period after the Gupta Empire.

Many regional kingdoms emerged.

No large empire like the Guptas existed.

Growth of art, architecture, trade, and education took place.

2. Explain the role of sāmantas.

Sāmantas were subordinate rulers or feudal lords under powerful kings. Their main roles were:

Collecting taxes

Maintaining law and order

Providing soldiers during wars

Sometimes they became powerful and rebelled against kings.

3. Mention three achievements of the Pallavas.

Built famous rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram.

Encouraged trade and economic growth.

Promoted education, religion, and art.

4. Why did trade increase during this period?

Trade increased because:

Better trade routes developed.

Maritime trade expanded with Southeast Asia and other regions.

Ports and cities grew as centres of commerce.

F. Long Answer Questions

1. Explain the Tripartite Struggle.

The Tripartite Struggle was a three-sided conflict among the Pala dynasty, Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, and Rashtrakuta dynasty. They fought for control of Kannauj because it was located in the fertile Ganga valley and had political and economic importance. The struggle continued for many years and weakened these kingdoms.

2. Describe the achievements of the Cholas.

The Cholas achieved many successes:

Built one of the largest empires in South India.

Developed a powerful navy.

Introduced efficient administration.

Built grand temples and promoted art and literature.

Improved agriculture through irrigation systems in the Kaveri delta.

3. Explain the achievements of Harshavardhana as a ruler and scholar.

Harshavardhana was a successful ruler who expanded his empire across northern India. He maintained peace and promoted learning. As a scholar, he wrote Sanskrit plays and supported scholars like Banabhatta. He respected different religions and encouraged cultural development.

4. Describe the contributions of the Rashtrakuta dynasty in art and culture.

The Rashtrakutas made important contributions:

Built the Kailasa Temple at Ellora.

Supported Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Encouraged literature in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Kannada.

Promoted education and learning.

5. Explain the importance of trade and urbanisation during the period of 600–1200 CE.

Trade and urbanisation played an important role during this period.

Trade increased at local and international levels.

Indian merchants traded with Sri Lanka, China, and Southeast Asia.

Cities developed as trade and religious centres.

Urban growth improved economic activities and prosperity.

6. Write about the Bhakti Movement and its impact on society.

The Bhakti Movement started around the 6th century and emphasized personal devotion to God. Bhakti saints used regional languages and taught equality among people.

Impact on society:

Reduced social barriers

Promoted equality

Influenced literature and culture

Made religion accessible to common people

7. Describe the achievements of the Chola dynasty.

The Chola dynasty achieved success in administration, military power, and culture.

Expanded their empire in South India.

Built a strong navy.

Constructed magnificent temples.

Supported literature and art.

Improved agriculture through irrigation systems.

G. MCQ  

1-b, 2-c, 3-c, 4-b, 5-b, 6-a, 7-a, 8-b, 9-c, 10-b

H. Case Study Questions

Case Study – 1 Answers

1. In which year did Harsha become king?

Harsha became king in 606 CE.

2. Name one Chinese traveller who visited his court.

Xuanzang visited his court.

3. Mention one quality of Harsha as a ruler.

Harsha was a generous and tolerant ruler who respected different religions.

4. What happened at the Prayaga Assembly?

Harsha donated much of his wealth to the people and religious institutions.

Case Study – 2 Answers

1. What was the capital of the Cholas?

The capital of the Cholas was Tanjavur.

2. Which river delta helped Chola agriculture?

The Kaveri River delta helped Chola agriculture.

3. Name one important feature of Chola administration.

The Cholas had an efficient administration system.

4. Mention one contribution of the Cholas.

The Cholas built grand temples and promoted art and literature.

Case Study – 3 Answers

1. What was the capital of the Rashtrakutas?

The capital of the Rashtrakutas was Manyakheta.

2. Who built the Kailasa Temple?

King Krishna I built the Kailasa Temple.

3. Name any two religions supported by the Rashtrakutas.

Hinduism

Buddhism

(Jainism is also correct.)

4. Mention one contribution of the Rashtrakutas in culture.

The Rashtrakutas encouraged literature and education.

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