Kings and Kingdoms Class 7 Notes: CBSE History Chapter 2

The Emergence of New Dynasties

• In the seventh century, there were large landowners or warrior leaders in different regions of the sub-continent. The kings at the time often recognized them as their subordinates or samantas.

• An example is the Rashtrakutas in the Deccan. Initially, these were subordinated to the Karnataka Chalukyas. In the middle of the eighth century, Dantidurga, a leader of Rashtrakuta, overthrew his overlord of Chalukya and performed a ritual known as hiranya-garbha (literally, the golden belly). When this ritual was performed with the help of Brahmanas, it was thought to lead to the “rebirth” of the sacrificer as a Kshatriya, even if he was not one by birth.

• In other cases, enterprising family members used their military skills to create kingdoms. For example, the Kadamba Mayurasharman and the Gurjara Pratihara Harichandra were Brahmana who deserted their traditional professions and took up arms successfully.

Administration in the Kingdoms

• Many of these new kings have adopted resounding titles like maharaja-adhiraja (big king, lord of kings), Tribhuvana-chakravartin (lord of the three worlds), and so on.

• In each of these states, resources were obtained from producers, that is, farmers, herders, and craftsmen who were often persuaded or forced to give up some of their production.

• Sometimes these have been claimed as "rent" because of a lord who claimed he owned the land. Revenues also came from merchants. 

• These resources were used to finance the king's settlement, and for the construction of temples and forts. They were also used to fight wars, which were in turn expected to lead to the acquisition of wealth in the form of plunder, and access to land as well as trade routes.

• Officials in charge of collecting income were generally recruited from influential families, and positions were often hereditary. That was true for the military, too. In many cases, the king's relatives performed these functions.

Prashastis and Land Grants

• Prashastis contain particulars which may not be literally true. But they tell us how the leaders wanted to present themselves as courageous victorious warriors, for instance. These were composed by scholarly Brahmanas, who sometimes assisted in the administration.

• A long Sanskrit poem with the story of the kings that ruled Kashmir. It was created by a writer named Kalhana. He used various sources, including inscriptions, documents, eyewitnesses, and previous stories, to write his story.

Warfare for Wealth

One of the most prominent of these leaders is Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, Afghanistan. He ruled from 997 to 1030 and expanded control over parts of Central Asia, Iran, and the northwest part of the sub-continent. He attacked the subcontinent almost annually; his targets were wealthy temples, including Somnath in Gujarat. A large part of the wealth taken by Mahmud served to create a magnificent capital in Ghazni.

Sultan Mahmud was also interested in learning more about the people he conquered and had a scholar named Al-Biruni to write a review of the subcontinent. This Arab work, known under the name of Kitab ul-Hind, remains an important source for historians. He consulted Sanskrit scholars in preparing this narration.

The most famous sovereign of Chahamana was Prithviraj III (1168-1192), who defeated an Afghan sovereign named Sultan Muhammad Ghori in 1191 but lost him the following year, in 1192.

A Closer Look: The Cholas

From Uraiyur to Thanjavur 

• A minor family known mainly under the name of Muttaraiyar was in power in the Kaveri Delta. They served under the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. Vijayalaya, who belonged to the old family mainly of the Uraiyur Cholas, captured the Mutharaiyar delta in the middle of the ninth century. Here, he constructed the city of Thanjavur and a temple for the goddess Nishumbhasudini.

• The successors of Vijayalaya conquered the neighbouring regions and the kingdom grew in size and strength. The territories of Pandyan and Pallava to the south and north were integrated into this realm.

• Rajaraja I, believed to be Chola's most powerful leader, became king in 985 and extended control over most of these areas. The administration of the empire was also reorganised. Rajaraja’s son Rajendra I continued his policies and even raided the Ganga valley, Sri Lanka, and countries of Southeast Asia, developing a navy for these expeditions.

Splendid Temples and Bronze Sculpture 

• The great temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram, constructed by Rajaraja and Rajendra, are architectural and sculpture wonders.

• Chola temples have often become the cores of establishments that have developed around them. These were centres of craft production. The temples were also provided with land by the leaders as well as by others.

• The temples were not merely places of worship; they were also the centre of economic, social, and cultural life.

• The bronze images of Chola are regarded as among the most beautiful in the world. While most of the pictures were gods, sometimes pictures were made of devotees as well.

Agriculture and Irrigation

• Many of the accomplishments of the Cholas have been enabled by new developments in agriculture.

• The Kaveri River branched out into several small channels and drained into the Bay of Bengal. These canals often overflow, laying fertile soils on their shores. The water in the canals also provides the moisture needed for agriculture, including rice production.

• Although agriculture developed earlier in other parts of Tamil Nadu, it was only in the fifth or sixth century that the area was opened up to large-scale cultivation. Forests needed to be deforested in some areas; lands needed to be cleared in other areas.

• Various methods were used for irrigation purposes. There are some areas where wells have been drilled. In other areas, enormous reservoirs were built to collect rainwater.

The Administration of the Empire

• Peasant settlements, known as ur, flourished with the expansion of irrigation agriculture. Groups of these villages formed larger units referred to as Nadu. The Village Council and Nadu have performed several administrative functions, including delivering justice and collecting taxes.

• The wealthy peasants of the Vellala caste exercised considerable control over the affairs of Nadu under the direction of the central government of Chola.

• The Chola kings granted some wealthy landowners titles such as muvendavelan (a velan or peasant serving three kings), araiyar (chief), etc. as markers of respect, and gave them significant government offices at the centre.

• Each brahmadeya was cared for by a gathering or sabha of prominent Brahmana landowners. These assemblies functioned extremely effectively. Their decisions were documented in detail in inscriptions, frequently on the stone walls of temples.

• The inscriptions from the Uttaramerur in the Chingleput district, Tamil Nadu, provide details on how the sabha was organised. The sabha had separate committees concerned with irrigation work, gardens, temples, etc.

• Names of those eligible to be members of these committees were written on small tickets of palm leaf; these tickets were put into an earthenware pot, from which a young boy was asked to take out the tickets, one by one for each committee.

5 Important Topics of Class 7 History Chapter 2 Kings and Kingdoms

Importance of Class 7 History Ch 2 Notes

• Revision notes help us quickly understand and remember key concepts before exams.

• They save time by focusing on essential information and skipping unnecessary details.

• These notes simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and use.

• They provide practical examples that show how theoretical knowledge is used in real-life situations.

• Revision notes ensure thorough preparation by covering all important topics in a structured manner.

• They increase confidence by clearly understanding what to expect in exams.

• Accessible formats like PDFs allow for easy studying anytime and anywhere.

Tips for Learning the Class 7 History Chapter 2 Notes on Kings and Kingdoms

• Focus on important terms like dynasties, prashastis, and land grants to better understand the chapter.

• Understand the timeline of major events and rulers to grasp the sequence of historical developments.

• Compare the historical administration and governance with present-day systems to see how history influences today’s world.

• Relate the concepts to real-life examples or current events to make them easy and more understandable.

Conclusion

Vedantu’s revision notes for Class 7 History Chapter 2 Notes on Kings and Kingdoms provide a clear understanding of the key concepts related to the rise of different kingdoms in ancient India. These notes cover important topics such as the formation of dynasties, the roles of kings, and the administration of their kingdoms. They simplify the complex ideas and make it easier for students to grasp the historical developments during this period. By using these notes, students can prepare effectively for exams and gain a deeper appreciation of India's rich history.

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