NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 6 The Age of Reorganisation

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Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 6 Question Answer

Answer:
The period after the Maurya Empire is called the ‘Age of Reorganisation’ because the big empire split into smaller kingdoms. These kingdoms often fought for power and new rulers, including some from outside India, mixed their cultures with Indian traditions. This led to changes in politics, art and society.

Answer:
The emperors valued “religious tolerance”, “fairness” and “welfare for their people”. They supported all faiths (like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism), built temples and caves and helped scholars. Many kings, like Khāravela and the Sātavāhanas, also took pride in protecting their subjects and promoting art, trade and justice.

Answer:
Foreign invaders like Indo-Greeks, Śhakas and Kuṣhāṇas adopted local customs and religions while introducing their own elements. They issued coins featuring Indian deities, built monuments honoring Indian gods and created unique art styles that blended their traditions with Indian aesthetics, especially visible in the Gāndhāra and Mathurā schools of art.

Answer:
The Era of Reorganization
After Ashoka’s death around 185 BCE, the powerful Maurya Empire broke apart. This period is called the “Age of Reorganization” because many regions formed new competing kingdoms across India. The political map changed significantly as former tributary kingdoms became independent powers.
Despite political conflicts, this era saw remarkable cultural development. Art, architecture and literature flourished with new styles. The Bharhut Stupa showcases beautiful Buddhist carvings from the Shunga period. Sanskrit emerged as a preferred language for literature and philosophy.
Foreign invaders like Indo-Greeks and Kushanas brought new influences but also embraced Indian culture, creating unique fusion styles like the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art. Trade expanded both within India and with distant regions like Rome, further enriching cultural exchange.

Answer:
Sangam literature emerged during the period between the 2nd or 3rd century BCE and the 3rd century CE in South India. The word “sangam” comes from Sanskrit “sangha”, meaning “association” or “coming together”, referring to assemblies of poets.
This literature developed during the rule of three powerful southern kingdoms: the Cheras, Cholas and Pāṇḍyas. These kingdoms often competed with each other but also contributed to the region’s cultural growth and trade prosperity.
The relative political stability and economic prosperity of these kingdoms created conditions where arts and literature could flourish. Sangam literature consists of several collections of poems and is the oldest literature from South India.
Historians value these works because they provide insights into the society and culture of that time. Sangam poetry skillfully expresses personal emotions like love and societal values like heroism and generosity. These works defined the entire era, which came to be known as the “Sangam Age”.

Answer:
Rulers Who Used Their Mother’s Names
In the Sātavāhana dynasty, princes were often named after their mothers. The most famous example was Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi, whose name included his mother Gautamī Balaśhrī’s name. The word “putra” means “son”, so his name literally meant “son of Gautamī”.
This tradition was significant because it showed the importance and respect given to women, particularly mothers, in the Sātavāhana society. Gautamī Balaśhrī herself was a powerful queen who donated land to Buddhist monks and had an important inscription carved in Nāśhik, demonstrating her influence in the kingdom.
A coin of Sātakarṇi even bears the inscription “King Lord Sātakarṇi, son of Gautamī”, highlighting how important this connection was to their royal identity and possibly indicating that maternal lineage was valued in their culture.

Answer:
My Chosen Kingdom: The Satavahanas
Out of all the kingdoms we studied in this chapter, I found the Satavahanas the most interesting and I have chosen to write about them.
The Satavahanas ruled large parts of the Deccan, including present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra, starting from the 2nd century BCE. What fascinates me most about them is how advanced and connected their kingdom was. Their coins often showed ships with two masts, which tells us they had strong shipbuilding skills and were active in maritime trade. Their trade network reached all the way to the Roman Empire, exchanging goods like spices, textiles, sandalwood, pearls and ivory. I find it amazing that a kingdom so long ago was already trading internationally by sea.
Another reason I chose the Satavahanas is because of their unique tradition of naming princes after their mothers, like Gautamiputra Satakarni, named after his mother, Gautami Balashri. This shows that royal women had real influence and importance in their society, which is quite unusual and modern-sounding for such an ancient period.
I also liked learning about the Naneghat caves near Pune, where a Satavahana queen performed the ashvamedha yajna and made generous donations of land, cows and silver coins. The caves at Karla and Pitalkhora, carved beautifully out of rock for Buddhist monks, show how skilled their artisans were.
Overall, the Satavahanas’ mix of trade, religious tolerance, strong queens and beautiful rock-cut art makes them the most interesting kingdom to me from this chapter.

Answer:
My Kingdom: The Land of Harmony
Royal Emblem: A banyan tree with roots shaped like hands holding a lotus and a sword. The tree shows strength and unity, the lotus stands for peace and the sword for protection.
Title: Rajadhiraja Samrat Vikramaditya (“Great King of Kings, Sun of Power”) – to show strength and fairness.
Values & Rules:

• Religious Tolerance: Like Khāravela and the Sātavāhanas, all faiths are respected.
• Justice: Inspired by Silappadikāram, rulers must be fair to everyone.
• Trade & Art: Like the Cheras and Kushāṇas, we’ll support traders and artists.

Unique Features:

• Free schools near temples, caves, and libraries (like the Naneghat Caves).
• A grand water system like the Cholas’ Kallanai to help farmers.

To build a kingdom where everyone feels safe, valued and inspired – just like the great empires of the past.

Answer:

Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 6 Very Short Answer Type Questions.

1. Who assassinated the last Maurya emperor, and around which year?
See AnswerPushyamitra Shunga, the commander-in-chief, assassinated the last Maurya emperor around 185 BCE.

2. Name the dynasty founded by Pushyamitra Shunga.
See AnswerPushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty, which ruled over parts of north and central India.

3. What Vedic ritual did Pushyamitra Shunga perform to establish his power?
See AnswerHe performed the ashvamedha yajna, a Vedic ritual, to establish himself as a powerful ruler.

4. Who compiled the Yoga Sutras during the Shunga period?
See AnswerPatanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras during the Shunga period.

5. Name the famous stupa to which the Shungas added carved railings.
See AnswerThe Shungas added beautifully carved railings and reliefs to the Bharhut Stupa in Madhya Pradesh.

6. Which region did the Satavahanas primarily rule over?
See AnswerThe Satavahanas primarily ruled over the Deccan, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

7. Name the two famous capital cities of the Satavahanas.
See AnswerThe two famous Satavahana capitals were Amravati and Pratishthana (Paithan).

8. Which ruler of the Chedi dynasty was known as “bhikshu-raja”?
See AnswerKing Kharavela of the Chedi dynasty was sometimes called “bhikshu-raja,” meaning monk-king.

9. Name the three “crowned kings” mentioned in Sangam literature.
See AnswerThe three “crowned kings” mentioned are the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.

10. What is the meaning of the word ‘sangam’?
See AnswerThe word ‘sangam’ comes from Sanskrit ‘sangha’, meaning “association” or “coming together”.

11. Name the epic that tells the story of Kannagi.
See AnswerThe epic Silappadikaram, or “The Tale of the Anklet”, tells the story of Kannagi.

12. Which king built the Kallanai or Grand Anicut?
See AnswerThe Chola king Karikala built the Kallanai or Grand Anicut for irrigation purposes.

13. Who were the ‘Indo-Greeks’, and how did they emerge?
See AnswerIndo-Greeks were descendants of Alexander’s satraps who established independent domains in northwest India.

14. What is the Heliodorus pillar associated with and where is it located?
See AnswerThe Heliodorus pillar, near Vidisha, is named after an Indo-Greek ambassador who praised Vasudeva.

15. Name the two major schools of art from the Kushana period.
See AnswerThe two major schools of art are the Gandhara school and the Mathura school.

Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 6 Short Answer Type Questions.

1. Why is the period after the Maurya Empire called the ‘Age of Reorganisation’?
See AnswerThis period is called the ‘Age of Reorganisation’ because existing regions were being reorganised into new kingdoms that constantly competed to become powerful. The map of India changed significantly and many earlier tributary kingdoms became independent, reshaping political power across the subcontinent.

2. What methods did the ‘new’ kingdoms use to gain control over territories?
See AnswerThe new kingdoms used both peaceful methods like matrimonial alliances between neighbouring kingdoms and the use of force through warfare to gain control. There was constant competition for border areas, as controlling them was important to keep a kingdom safe from attacks.

3. Describe the significance of the Bharhut Stupa in the Shunga period.
See AnswerThe Bharhut Stupa, probably built during Ashoka’s time, had beautifully carved railings and reliefs added by the Shungas depicting stories from the Buddha’s life. These carvings are considered some of the earliest examples of Buddhist art in India.

4. What evidence suggests that the Satavahanas had strong maritime trade links?
See AnswerSatavahana coins found from Gujarat to Andhra Pradesh often depicted ships with two masts, suggesting advanced shipbuilding and navigation technology. Their trade networks reached as far as the Roman Empire, exchanging spices, textiles, sandalwood and luxury items.

5. What do the Naneghat cave inscriptions tell us about the Satavahana queen?
See AnswerThe Naneghat inscriptions describe a Satavahana widow queen who performed several Vedic rituals, including the ashvamedha yajna and mention Vedic gods like Indra, Chandra and Surya. They also record her generous donations of land, cattle and silver coins to priests and scholars.

6. Describe the importance of the Hathigumpha inscription and King Kharavela.
See AnswerThe Hathigumpha inscription, written in Brahmi script, records King Kharavela’s military victories and welfare works year by year. It highlights his creation of a “council of ascetics and sages” and his respect for all schools of thought, reflecting the Indian ethos of religious tolerance.

7. What role did matrimonial alliances play in the politics of this period?
See AnswerMatrimonial alliances were a peaceful method used by kingdoms to build relationships with neighbouring powers, often through a king offering his daughter in marriage to a neighbouring royal family. This helped cement political alliances and reduce the need for constant warfare between competing kingdoms.

8. Describe the key features of Sangam literature and its historical importance.
See AnswerSangam literature refers to poetry composed by an assembly of poets during the Sangam Age in south India. It is the oldest literature of the region, consisting of anthologies expressing personal emotions like love and societal values like heroism and remains a key historical source for understanding society and culture of the time.

9. How did the Indo-Greeks blend with local Indian culture after their conquest?
See AnswerAlthough the Indo-Greeks arrived as conquerors, they were deeply influenced by rich local Indian culture. This led to a blend of Greek and Indian elements in governance, art and daily life, as seen in the Heliodorus pillar and coins depicting Indian deities like Vasudeva-Krishna and Lakshmi.

10. What was the significance of the Kushana Empire’s control over the Silk Route?
See AnswerThe Kushanas controlled significant sections of the Silk Route, which connected China with the Mediterranean world through Central Asia. This control helped trade grow substantially, connecting India with other parts of Asia and the West and boosting cultural and economic exchange.

Class 7 Social Science Part 1 Chapter 6 Long Answer Type Questions.

1. Explain how the disintegration of the Maurya Empire led to the emergence of new kingdoms, and describe the main methods these kingdoms used to establish and expand their power.
See AnswerThe Maurya Empire disintegrated around 185 BCE when the last Maurya emperor was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, barely half a century after Ashoka’s reign. This breakup led to the emergence of many new kingdoms across the subcontinent, often earlier tributary kingdoms that had been under Mauryan overlordship. The northwest region became particularly weak, exposing it to invasions from outside the subcontinent by groups like the Indo-Greeks. These new kingdoms competed constantly for territorial control, using both peaceful methods, such as matrimonial alliances between neighbouring royal families to cement political relationships and the use of force through warfare, especially to gain control over border regions that were important for safety from attacks. This constant competition and restructuring is why the period is called the ‘Age of Reorganisation’ – while political events unfolded, there was also a simultaneous burst in the development of art, architecture, literature and cultural exchanges across the subcontinent.

2. Describe the rise and contributions of the Satavahana dynasty, including their trade networks, art and the role of royal women, with suitable examples from the chapter.
See AnswerThe Satavahanas, sometimes called ‘Andhras’, ruled large parts of the Deccan – present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra – from the 2nd century BCE onward, with capitals at Amravati and Pratishthana. Their economy flourished through agriculture in the Krishna-Godavari river system and extensive trade networks reaching as far as the Roman Empire, exchanging goods like spices, textiles, sandalwood and luxury items such as gold-plated pearls and ivory. Coins depicting seafaring ships with two masts suggest advanced shipbuilding and maritime trade skills. Royal women held notable influence in Satavahana society – princes were named after their mothers, as seen with Gautamiputra Satakarni, named after Queen Gautami Balashri, who donated land to Buddhist monks and had inscriptions carved in her honour. The Naneghat inscriptions also describe a Satavahana widow queen performing Vedic rituals and making generous donations. Economic prosperity and relative peace allowed art and architecture to flourish, evident in structures like the Karla and Pitalkhora caves, carved for Buddhist monks with remarkable precision.

3. Discuss the three prominent south Indian kingdoms of the Sangam Age — the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas – and explain their contributions to trade, literature and public welfare.
See AnswerThe Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas, referred to in Sangam literature as the three “crowned kings,” ruled prominent kingdoms in south India between roughly the 2nd-3rd century BCE and the 3rd century CE. The Cholas, ruling from capitals like Uraiyur, are known for King Karikala, who defeated a combined force of the Cheras and Pandyas and built the Kallanai or Grand Anicut, a water diversion system that transformed the Kaveri delta into the “rice bowl of the South” and is still in use today. The Cheras, also called Keralaputra, ruled western Tamil Nadu and Kerala from their capital Vanji and were known for extensive trade connections with the Roman Empire and West Asia, exporting spices, timber, ivory and pearls. The Pandyas, ruling from Madurai, were mentioned by Megasthenes as a prosperous kingdom with strong administration and were an important naval power. All three kingdoms patronised Sangam poets, whose works form the oldest body of literature in south India and later inspired epics like Silappadikaram, which centres on themes of justice and dharma.

4. Trace the arrival and impact of foreign invaders such as the Indo-Greeks, Shakas, and Kushanas on Indian history, culture, and art during the Age of Reorganisation.
See AnswerAfter Alexander’s brief campaign in the Indus plains, the satraps he left behind gradually established independent domains known as the Indo-Greeks, who took control of the weakened northwestern regions after the Mauryan decline. Although they arrived as conquerors, they were deeply influenced by local Indian culture, blending Greek and Indian elements in governance, art and daily life, as seen in the Heliodorus pillar near Vidisha and coins depicting Indian deities like Vasudeva-Krishna. The Indo-Greeks were succeeded by the Shakas (Indo-Scythians), who ruled from the late 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE and developed the Shaka Samvat calendar, later adopted as India’s National Calendar in 1957. Following the Shakas, the Kushanas, originally from Central Asia, entered India around the 2nd century CE and under rulers like Kanishka, controlled significant portions of the Silk Route, boosting trade with Asia and the West. Their rule fostered extensive cultural intermixing, exemplified by the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art, which blended Greek and Indian artistic styles and laid the groundwork for later Indian temple architecture.

5. Explain how art and architecture flourished during this period despite political conflicts, with reference to the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art and other examples from the chapter.
See AnswerDespite the constant political conflicts and power struggles of the Age of Reorganisation, this period witnessed remarkable growth in art, architecture and cultural exchange. The Shungas patronised literature and architecture, adding beautifully carved railings depicting the Buddha’s life to the Bharhut Stupa, among the earliest examples of Buddhist art. In Kalinga, the Chedi ruler Kharavela supported the creation of the Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves, notable examples of rock-cut architecture featuring intricate panels carved for Jain monks. Following the arrival of foreign rulers, the Gandhara school of art emerged in the northwest, blending Greco-Roman elements with Indian features using grey-black schist stone to create detailed Buddha images, while the distinctly Indian Mathura school, using red sandstone, depicted deities like Kubera, Lakshmi and Shiva with fuller, smoothly modelled figures. This cultural interaction shows a dominance of Indian themes, especially Hindu and Buddhist ones, even as foreign styles were absorbed. The period also saw Sanskrit literature flourish, including the compilation of major texts like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, reflecting how art and culture continued to thrive as a dynamic, evolving ‘tapestry’ despite ongoing political change.