Empires Introduction (Section B): NBSE Class 11 History notes
Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 11 (Arts) History (Themes in World History) Section B: Empires (Introduction) . However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Summary
The chapter outlines the rise and fall of empires across Mesopotamia and surrounding regions over two millennia, highlighting how these empires were shaped by their desire to control trade and resources. The Iranians took over much of the Assyrian empire by the sixth century BCE, and the growth of trade networks, particularly along the Mediterranean, benefited Greek city-states like Athens and Sparta. Alexander the Great’s conquests in the late fourth century BCE spread Hellenistic culture across his empire, although the empire quickly disintegrated after his death. Despite the political fragmentation, Greek culture remained influential for centuries, but local cultures, such as those in Iran, also played a significant role.
Rome emerged as a dominant power in the second century BCE, taking advantage of the disunity that followed the breakup of Alexander’s empire. The Roman Empire expanded across Europe, North Africa, and the eastern Mediterranean, adopting and spreading Hellenistic culture. Latin became the dominant language in the west, while Greek remained influential in the east. The empire eventually split into eastern and western halves, with the western half collapsing in the fifth century CE due to internal divisions and increasing pressure from hostile tribes like the Goths and Vandals.
Religious movements, particularly Christianity and Islam, played crucial roles in unifying diverse populations within these empires. Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, and the region saw the rise of the Christian Church as a significant political force. Islam emerged in the seventh century, and its followers rapidly expanded their empire, eventually overtaking much of the eastern Roman Empire. The chapter emphasizes that the rise and fall of these empires were driven by the need to control trade routes and resources, and that their legacies influenced the cultural and linguistic landscape of the regions they dominated.
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. When did Iranians take control of large portions of the Assyrian empire?
Answer: By the sixth century BCE.
2. Which regions did Alexander the Great conquer during his military campaigns?
Answer: Alexander the Great conquered parts of North Africa, West Asia, and Iran, reaching up to the Beas.
3. What happened when Alexander’s troops reached the Beas?
Answer: His troops refused to go any further east from there.
4. What was the impact of Alexander’s campaigns on the cultural traditions in the conquered regions?
Answer: Ideals and cultural traditions were shared among the Greeks and the local population throughout Alexander’s domain. The entire region became ‘Hellenised,’ and Greek became a widely spoken language.
5. How long did Hellenistic culture remain influential in the region after Alexander’s death?
Answer: Hellenistic culture remained influential in the region for nearly three centuries after Alexander’s death.
6. Which other culture was as important as Hellenistic culture during this time?
Answer: Iranian culture associated with the old empire of Iran was as important as, if not more important than, Hellenistic notions and ideas during this time period.
7. How did Rome take advantage of the political discord after the disintegration of Alexander’s empire?
Answer: From the second century BCE, small but well-organised military forces of the central Italian city-state of Rome took advantage of the political discord that followed the disintegration of Alexander’s empire to establish control over North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.
8. What was the political system of Rome at the time of its expansion?
Answer: Rome was a republic at the time, with a government based on a complicated election system. However, its political institutions gave birth and wealth some weight, and slavery benefited society.
9. What network did Roman forces establish after expanding their control?
Answer: The Roman forces established a trade network between the states that once belonged to Alexander’s empire.
10. What was the extent of the Roman Empire under Julius Caesar?
Answer: The Roman Empire was extended to present-day Britain and Germany in the middle of the first century BCE under Julius Caesar.
Q. What was the primary language of the Roman Empire?
Answer: The primary language of the Roman Empire was Latin, spoken in Rome, though many in the east continued to speak Greek.
Q. How did the political structure of the Roman Empire change in the late first century BCE?
Answer: From the late first century BCE, the empire’s political structure changed, and it was largely Christianised after Emperor Constantine became a Christian in the fourth century CE.
Q. Why was the Roman Empire divided in the fourth century CE?
Answer: The Roman Empire was divided into eastern and western halves in the fourth century CE to make governance easier.
Q. What led to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the west by the fifth century CE?
Answer: The collapse of the Roman Empire in the west was due to increasing hostility from tribes (such as the Goths, Visigoths, and Vandals) towards the Roman administration, internal divisions within the empire, and the breakdown of arrangements between Rome and the tribes in frontier areas.
Q. What happened in the ninth century CE within the former western Roman Empire?
Answer: In the ninth century CE, the Christian Church prompted the formation of a Holy Roman Empire from some of the kingdoms within the former western Roman Empire.
Q. Who conquered the lands of the eastern Roman Empire?
Answer: Almost all of the lands of the eastern Roman Empire, centred on Constantinople, were conquered by the Arab empire, founded by Muhammad’s followers, between the seventh and fifteenth centuries.
Q. What were the primary motivations behind attempts to build and maintain empires in the region?
Answer: All attempts to build and maintain empires were motivated by a desire to control the resources of the region’s trading networks as a whole, as well as to profit from the region’s connections to other areas such as India and China.
Q. What did empires develop to keep trade stable?
Answer: To keep trade stable, all empires developed administrative systems and various military organisations.
Q. Which languages became dominant in the region over time?
Answer: Persian, Greek, Latin, and Arabic became the dominant languages in the area over time, despite the presence of many other spoken and written languages.
Q. What were some of the reasons for the rise and fall of empires in the region?
Answer: The rise and fall of empires in the region were partly due to resource disputes and conflicts in various regions, as well as a deterioration in relations between empires and pastoral people to the north.
Q. What is an example of a successful empire not centred on cities?
Answer: The Mongol empire of Genghis Khan and his successors is a good example of how pastoral people can successfully maintain an empire for a long time.
Q. How were religions important in the formation of large empires?
Answer: Religions that appealed to people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and spoke a variety of languages were critical in the formation of large empires. This can be seen in Christianity (which began in Palestine in the early first century CE) and Islam (which started in the seventh century CE).
Q. What major event occurred in Africa between 100-50 BCE?
Answer: Bananas were introduced from Southeast Asia to East Africa through sea routes.
Q. Who was Cleopatra, and when did she rule?
Answer: Cleopatra was the queen of Egypt, and she ruled from 51-30 BCE.
Q. What significant revolt took place in Europe in 73 BCE?
Answer: Spartacus led a revolt of about 100,000 slaves.
Q. When was the Colosseum in Rome built?
Answer: The Colosseum in Rome was built between 50-1 BCE.
Q. What did Hero of Alexandria create between 100-150 CE?
Answer: Hero of Alexandria made a machine that runs on steam.
Q. When was the Roman Empire at its peak?
Answer: The Roman Empire was at its peak between 100-150 CE.
Q. What important work did Ptolemy of Alexandria write, and when?
Answer: Ptolemy of Alexandria wrote a work on geography between 150-200 CE.
Q. When was Christianity introduced in Axum?
Answer: Christianity was introduced in Axum in 330 CE.
Q. Which group set up a kingdom in North Africa in 429 CE?
Answer: The Vandals from Europe set up a kingdom in North Africa in 429 CE.
Q. Who became emperor and established the city of Constantinople?
Answer: Constantine became emperor and established the city of Constantinople.
Q. When was the Roman Empire divided into eastern and western halves?
Answer: The Roman Empire was divided into eastern and western halves between 300-350 CE.
Q. What led to the decline of the Roman Empire in the fifth century CE?
Answer: The Roman Empire was invaded by tribes from North and Central Europe.
Q. Who converted to Christianity in Gaul (France) in 496 CE?
Answer: Clovis of Gaul (France) converted to Christianity in 496 CE.
Q. What significant religious institution was established by St Benedict, and when?
Answer: St Benedict established a monastery in Italy in 526 CE.
Q. Who introduced Christianity to England, and when?
Answer: St Augustine introduced Christianity to England in 596 CE.
Q. What foundation did Gregory the Great lay, and when?
Answer: Gregory the Great laid the foundations of the power of the Roman Catholic Church in 590 CE.
Q. What significant event occurred in Abyssinia in 615 CE?
Answer: Some Muslims emigrated (hijra) to Abyssinia in 615 CE.
Q. What treaty did Muslim Arabs sign in 652 CE?
Answer: Muslim Arabs signed a treaty with Nubia, south of Egypt, in 652 CE.
Q. What important historical work did Bede write, and when?
Answer: Bede wrote the “History of the English Church and People.”
Q. When did the rise of the kingdom in Ghana occur?
Answer: The rise of the kingdom in Ghana occurred between 800-850 CE.
Q. What kingdom extended from Ghana to southern Spain between 1056-1147 CE?
Answer: The Almoravid kingdom extended from Ghana to southern Spain between 1056-1147 CE.
Q. What was Zimbabwe known for between 1120-1450 CE?
Answer: Zimbabwe emerged as a centre for the production of gold and copper artefacts and long-distance trade.
Q. Who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE?
Answer: Charlemagne, king of the Franks, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE.
Q. When were the first Russian states founded, and where?
Answer: The first Russian states were founded at Kiev and Novgorod.
Q. What events marked Europe in 1066 and 1095 CE?
Answer: William of Normandy invaded England and became king in 1066; the first crusade was proclaimed in 1095 CE.
Q. What significant construction began in Europe in 1163 CE?
Answer: The construction of the cathedral of Notre Dame began in 1163 CE.
Q. What dynasty was established in 1209 CE, and what was its focus?
Answer: St Francis of Assisi set up a monastic order, emphasising austerity and compassion, in 1209 CE.
Q. What significant event occurred in England in 1215 CE?
Answer: Lords in England rebelled against the king, who signed the Magna Carta, accepting to rule according to law in 1215 CE.
Q. What dynasty began in South Asia during the first century BCE?
Answer: The Bactrian Greeks and Shakas established kingdoms in the north-west, and the Satavahanas rose in the Deccan.
Q. What significant trade development occurred in South Asia during this period?
Answer: Growing trade between South Asia, Southeast and East Asia, and Europe occurred during this period.
Q. What major route was developed during the Han empire in China?
Answer: The Silk Route from Asia to Europe was developed during the Han empire in China.
Q. When was Jesus active in Judaea.
Answer: Jesus Christ was active in Judaea between 1-50 CE.
Q. When did Romans invade Arabia?
Answer: Romans invaded Arabia in 24 CE.
Q. When was the Kushana state established, and where?
Answer: The Kushana state was established between 50-100 CE in the northwest and Central Asia.
Q. What significant inventions and developments occurred in China between 100-150 CE?
Answer: Paper was invented in China in 118 CE, and the first seismograph was developed in 132 CE.
Q. What major events marked the end of the Han empire and the beginning of a new rule in Persia?
Answer: The Han empire ended in 221 CE, and the Sasanid rule in Persia began in 226 CE.
Q. What significant advancements occurred in China between 250-300 CE?
Answer: Tea was served at the royal court in China in 262 CE, and the magnetic compass was used in China in 270 CE.
Q. When did the Chinese start using stirrups while riding horses?
Answer: The Chinese started using stirrups while riding horses between 250-300 CE.
Q. When was Buddhism introduced in Japan?
Answer: Buddhism was introduced in Japan in 594 CE.
Q. What significant infrastructure project was undertaken in China between 584-618 CE?
Answer: The Grand Canal was built in China to transport grain, involving 5,000,000 workers over 34 years, between 584-618 CE.
Q. When did the Tang dynasty begin in China?
Answer: The Tang dynasty was established in China in 618 CE.
Q. What significant dynasty was established in India in 320 CE?
Answer: The Gupta dynasty was established in India in 320 CE.
Q. What significant events marked the beginning of the Hijri era and the fall of the Sasanian empire?
Answer: Prophet Muhammad went to Medina, marking the beginning of the Hijri era in 622 CE, and the Sasanian empire collapsed in 642 CE.
Q. When did the Umayyad caliphate rule, and what was its duration?
Answer: The Umayyad caliphate ruled from 661-750 CE.
Q. Who traveled from China to India in 399 CE, and why is it significant?
Answer: Fa Xian traveled from China to India in 399 CE, and it is significant because it highlights the cultural and intellectual exchanges between the two regions.
Q. What was the first printed book, and when was it created?
Answer: The first printed book was created in China in 868 CE.
Q. When was paper money first used, and in which country?
Answer: Paper money was first used in China.
Q. Who was Ibn Sina, and what was his contribution to medicine?
Answer: Ibn Sina, a Persian doctor, wrote a medical text that was followed for centuries.
Q. What empire was established by Alp Arsalan, and when?
Answer: The Turkish empire was established by Alp Arsalan in 1075 CE.
Q. Who was Aryabhata, and what were his contributions?
Answer: Aryabhata was an astronomer and mathematician.
Q. What notable temples were built in Badami and Aihole, and during which period?
Answer: The Chalukya temples were built in Badami and Aihole.
Q. Who traveled from China to India and contributed to the emergence of Nalanda as an educational centre?
Answer: Xuan Zang traveled from China to India, and Nalanda emerged as an important educational centre.
Q. When did the Arabs conquer Sind?
Answer: The Arabs conquered Sind in 712 CE.
Q. What state was founded in Cambodia in 802 CE?
Answer: The Khmer state was founded in Cambodia in 802 CE.
Q. Which branch of the Umayyads conquered Spain, and when?
Answer: A branch of the Umayyads conquered Spain between 700-750 CE.
Q. What dynasty was established in China during the same period?
Answer: The Tang dynasty was established in China during the same period.
Q. When was the Abbasid caliphate established, and what city became a major cultural and commercial centre?
Answer: The Abbasid caliphate was established, and Baghdad became a major cultural and commercial centre.
81. Who traveled to India during this period, and what significant temple was built?
Answer: Alberuni traveled to India, and the Rajarajesvara temple was built at Thanjavur.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. In which century did Iranians take control of large portions of the Assyrian empire?
A. Eighth century BCE
B. Seventh century BCE
C. Sixth century BCE
D. Fifth century BCE
Answer: C. Sixth century BCE
2. Who was the ruler of the kingdom of Macedon that embarked on military campaigns in the late fourth century BCE?
A. Philip II
B. Alexander
C. Pericles
D. Leonidas
Answer: B. Alexander
3. Which language became widely spoken across Alexander’s domain due to Hellenisation?
A. Latin
B. Persian
C. Greek
D. Arabic
Answer: C. Greek
4. When did the Roman Empire extend to present-day Britain and Germany?
A. Second century BCE
B. First century BCE
C. First century CE
D. Second century CE
Answer: B. First century BCE
5. Which emperor’s conversion to Christianity led to the largely Christianised structure of the Roman Empire?
A. Julius Caesar
B. Augustus
C. Nero
D. Constantine
Answer: D. Constantine
6. In which century was the Roman Empire divided into eastern and western halves?
A. Third century CE
B. Fourth century CE
C. Fifth century CE
D. Sixth century CE
Answer: B. Fourth century CE
7. Which tribes became increasingly hostile to the Roman administration leading to the empire’s collapse in the west?
A. Huns, Franks, Saxons
B. Goths, Visigoths, Vandals
C. Slavs, Avars, Bulgars
D. Lombards, Angles, Jutes
Answer: B. Goths, Visigoths, Vandals
8. The eastern Roman Empire was largely conquered by which empire between the seventh and fifteenth centuries?
A. Byzantine Empire
B. Mongol Empire
C. Persian Empire
D. Arab Empire
Answer: D. Arab Empire
9. What was a common motivation for the various attempts to build and maintain empires in the region?
A. To expand religious influence
B. To control the region’s trading networks
C. To spread Hellenistic culture
D. To establish democratic governance
Answer: B. To control the region’s trading networks
10. Which empire is an example of a successful pastoral empire that was not centred on cities?
A. Persian Empire
B. Greek Empire
C. Roman Empire
D. Mongol Empire
Answer: D. Mongol Empire
Q. Which two religions were critical in the formation of large empires due to their appeal to diverse ethnic backgrounds?
A. Hinduism and Buddhism
B. Judaism and Zoroastrianism
C. Christianity and Islam
D. Confucianism and Daoism
Answer: C. Christianity and Islam
Q. When were bananas introduced from Southeast Asia to East Africa through sea routes?
A. 200-150 BCE
B. 150-100 BCE
C. 100-50 BCE
D. 50-1 BCE
Answer: C. 100-50 BCE
Q. Who was the queen of Egypt from 51 to 30 BCE?
A. Nefertiti
B. Cleopatra
C. Hatshepsut
D. Arsinoe
Answer: B. Cleopatra
Q. What significant event did Spartacus lead in 73 BCE?
A. Building of the Colosseum
B. Revolt of about 100,000 slaves
C. Introduction of Christianity in Axum
D. Establishment of Constantinople
Answer: B. Revolt of about 100,000 slaves
Q. During which period was the Colosseum in Rome built?
A. 100-50 BCE
B. 75-50 BCE
C. 50-1 BCE
D. 1-50 CE
Answer: C. 50-1 BCE
Q. Who made a machine that runs on steam between 100-150 CE?
A. Archimedes
B. Ptolemy
C. Hero of Alexandria
D. Vitruvius
Answer: C. Hero of Alexandria
Q. In which century did Christianity get introduced in Axum?
A. First century CE
B. Second century CE
C. Third century CE
D. Fourth century CE
Answer: D. Fourth century CE
Q. Which European group set up a kingdom in North Africa in 429 CE?
A. Goths
B. Visigoths
C. Vandals
D. Franks
Answer: C. Vandals
Q. Which Roman emperor established the city of Constantinople?
A. Julius Caesar
B. Augustus
C. Constantine
D. Diocletian
Answer: C. Constantine
Q. In which century was the Roman Empire divided into eastern and western halves?
A. Third century CE
B. Fourth century CE
C. Fifth century CE
D. Sixth century CE
Answer: B. Fourth century CE
Q. Who was the ruler of Gaul (France) who converted to Christianity in 496 CE?
A. Charlemagne
B. Clovis
C. Charles Martel
D. Louis IX
Answer: B. Clovis
Q. Who established a monastery in Italy in 526 CE?
A. St Augustine
B. St Benedict
C. Gregory the Great
D. St Francis of Assisi
Answer: B. St Benedict
Q. When did St Augustine introduce Christianity in England?
A. 526 CE
B. 596 CE
C. 615 CE
D. 652 CE
Answer: B. 596 CE
Q. What significant event did Gregory the Great contribute to in 590 CE?
A. Introduction of Christianity in England
B. Laying the foundations of the power of the Roman Catholic Church
C. Establishment of the Holy Roman Empire
D. Construction of the cathedral of Notre Dame
Answer: B. Laying the foundations of the power of the Roman Catholic Church
Q. When did the emigration (hijra) of some Muslims to Abyssinia take place?
A. 526 CE
B. 590 CE
C. 615 CE
D. 652 CE
Answer: C. 615 CE
Q. In which year did Muslim Arabs sign a treaty with Nubia, south of Egypt?
A. 590 CE
B. 615 CE
C. 652 CE
D. 700 CE
Answer: C. 652 CE
Q. Who wrote the ‘History of the English Church and People’?
A. Gregory the Great
B. St Augustine
C. St Benedict
D. Bede
Answer: D. Bede
Q. During which period did the kingdom in Ghana rise?
A. 650-700 CE
B. 700-750 CE
C. 750-800 CE
D. 800-850 CE
Answer: C. 750-800 CE
Q. Which kingdom extended from Ghana to southern Spain between 1056 and 1147 CE?
A. Almoravid kingdom
B. Ghana kingdom
C. Mali kingdom
D. Hapsburg dynasty
Answer: A. Almoravid kingdom
Q. What was Zimbabwe known for between 1120 and 1450 CE?
A. Production of textiles
B. Establishment of medical schools
C. Production of gold and copper artefacts, and long-distance trade
D. Development of religious institutions
Answer: C. Production of gold and copper artefacts, and long-distance trade
Q. Who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE?
A. William of Normandy
B. Charlemagne
C. Gregory the Great
D. Constantine
Answer: B. Charlemagne
Q. When was the first Russian state founded at Kiev and Novgorod?
A. 800-850 CE
B. 850-900 CE
C. 900-950 CE
D. 950-1000 CE
Answer: A. 800-850 CE
Q. What was the significant activity across western Europe during the period 800-850 CE?
A. Establishment of monasteries
B. Viking raids
C. Construction of cathedrals
D. Expansion of the Roman Empire
Answer: B. Viking raids
Q. Where was a medical school set up in 1030 CE?
A. Paris, France
B. Salerno, Italy
C. Constantinople
D. Rome, Italy
Answer: B. Salerno, Italy
Q. Who invaded England and became king in 1066 CE?
A. Charlemagne
B. Gregory the Great
C. William of Normandy
D. Bede
Answer: C. William of Normandy
Q. When was the first crusade proclaimed?
A. 1030 CE
B. 1066 CE
C. 1095 CE
D. 1120 CE
Answer: C. 1095 CE
Q. In which year were Christian churches established in Ethiopia?
A. 1120 CE
B. 1150 CE
C. 1200 CE
D. 1250 CE
Answer: C. 1200 CE
Q. Which African kingdom, with Timbuktu as a centre of learning, rose during the period 1200-1250 CE?
A. Almoravid kingdom
B. Ghana kingdom
C. Zimbabwe kingdom
D. Mali kingdom
Answer: D. Mali kingdom
Q. When did the construction of the cathedral of Notre Dame begin?
A. 1095 CE
B. 1120 CE
C. 1163 CE
D. 1209 CE
Answer: C. 1163 CE
Q. Which dynasty was established during the period 1200-1250 CE that continued to rule Austria until 1918?
A. Almoravid dynasty
B. Hapsburg dynasty
C. Carolingian dynasty
D. Norman dynasty
Answer: B. Hapsburg dynasty
Q. Who set up a monastic order in 1209 CE emphasising austerity and compassion?
A. St Augustine
B. St Francis of Assisi
C. St Benedict
D. Gregory the Great
Answer: B. St Francis of Assisi
Q. What significant document did the lords in England force the king to sign in 1215 CE?
A. The Magna Carta
B. The Bill of Rights
C. The Treaty of Versailles
D. The Domesday Book
Answer: A. The Magna Carta
Q. Which route was developed during the Han empire in China for trade between Asia and Europe?
A. The Spice Route
B. The Silk Route
C. The Amber Road
D. The Incense Route
Answer: B. The Silk Route
Q. In which century was Jesus Christ active in Judaea, a province of the Roman Empire?
A. 1-50 CE
B. 50-100 CE
C. 100-150 CE
D. 150-200 CE
Answer: A. 1-50 CE
Q. What significant state was established in the northwest and Central Asia between 50-100 CE?
A. Sasanid Empire
B. Gupta Dynasty
C. Kushana State
D. Han Empire
Answer: C. Kushana State
Q. What invention was made in China in 118 CE?
A. Seismograph
B. Magnetic compass
C. Stirrups
D. Paper
Answer: D. Paper
Q. When did the Han Empire end?
A. 118 CE
B. 221 CE
C. 270 CE
D. 320 CE
Answer: B. 221 CE
Q. What significant technological advancement did the Chinese start using in 270 CE?
A. Seismograph
B. Magnetic compass
C. Stirrups
D. Paper
Answer: C. Stirrups
Q. When was Buddhism introduced in Japan?
A. 500 CE
B. 594 CE
C. 632 CE
D. 651 CE
Answer: B. 594 CE
Q. Which dynasty was established in China in 618 CE?
A. Han Dynasty
B. Sasanid Dynasty
C. Gupta Dynasty
D. Tang Dynasty
Answer: D. Tang Dynasty
Q. When did Prophet Muhammad’s Hijra to Medina, marking the beginning of the Hijri era, take place?
A. 570 CE
B. 622 CE
C. 632 CE
D. 661 CE
Answer: B. 622 CE
Q. Which caliphate ruled from 661 to 750 CE?
A. Abbasid Caliphate
B. Umayyad Caliphate
C. Rashidun Caliphate
D. Fatimid Caliphate
Answer: B. Umayyad Caliphate
Q. Who traveled from China to India in 399 CE?
A. Xuan Zang
B. Aryabhata
C. Fa Xian
D. Ibn Sina
Answer: C. Fa Xian
Q. What significant technological achievement occurred in China in 868 CE?
A. Use of paper money
B. Invention of the magnetic compass
C. Printing of the first book
D. Building of the Grand Canal
Answer: C. Printing of the first book
Q. Who was the Persian doctor who wrote a medical text followed for centuries?
A. Al-Razi
B. Al-Biruni
C. Ibn Sina
D. Avicenna
Answer: C. Ibn Sina
Q. When was the Turkish Empire established by Alp Arsalan?
A. 850 CE
B. 900 CE
C. 1075 CE
D. 1100 CE
Answer: C. 1075 CE
Q. Which Indian astronomer and mathematician is mentioned in this timeline?
A. Aryabhata
B. Varahamihira
C. Bhaskara I
D. Brahmagupta
Answer: A. Aryabhata
Q. Which temples were built in Badami and Aihole?
A. Rajarajesvara Temple
B. Chalukya Temples
C. Sun Temple
D. Khajuraho Temples
Answer: B. Chalukya Temples
Q. Who traveled from China to India, and during which Nalanda emerged as an important educational centre?
A. Xuan Zang
B. Fa Xian
C. Ibn Battuta
D. Marco Polo
Answer: A. Xuan Zang
Q. When did Arabs conquer Sind?
A. 650 CE
B. 675 CE
C. 700 CE
D. 712 CE
Answer: D. 712 CE
Q. Which state was founded in Cambodia in 802 CE?
A. Khmer State
B. Srivijaya Empire
C. Funan Kingdom
D. Majapahit Empire
Answer: A. Khmer State
Q. Which branch of the Umayyads conquered Spain?
A. Abbasids
B. Almoravids
C. Ayyubids
D. Umayyads
Answer: D. Umayyads
Q. Which caliphate established Baghdad as a major cultural and commercial centre?
A. Rashidun Caliphate
B. Umayyad Caliphate
C. Abbasid Caliphate
D. Fatimid Caliphate
Answer: C. Abbasid Caliphate
Q. Who raided the northwest and had Alberuni travel to India?
A. Genghis Khan
B. Tamerlane
C. Mahmud of Ghazni
D. Babur
Answer: C. Mahmud of Ghazni
Q. Which temple was built at Thanjavur during this timeline?
A. Chalukya Temple
B. Sun Temple
C. Khajuraho Temple
D. Rajarajesvara Temple
Answer: D. Rajarajesvara Temple
Q. Who wrote the ‘Rajatarangini’?
A. Amir Khusrau
B. Kalhana
C. Fa Xian
D. Al-Biruni
Answer: B. Kalhana
Q. Which empire was at its height in Cambodia around 1180 CE?
A. Khmer Empire
B. Gupta Empire
C. Angkor Empire
D. Srivijaya Empire
Answer: C. Angkor Empire
Q. Which famous temple complex is associated with the Angkor Empire in Cambodia?
A. Borobudur
B. Angkor Wat
C. Wat Phra Kaew
D. Prambanan
Answer: B. Angkor Wat
Q. Who consolidated power in 1206 CE and later established a vast empire?
A. Tamerlane
B. Babur
C. Genghis Khan
D. Kublai Khan
Answer: C. Genghis Khan
Q. Who became emperor of China after Genghis Khan?
A. Ogedei Khan
B. Hulagu Khan
C. Batu Khan
D. Qubilai Khan
Answer: D. Qubilai Khan
Q. When was the Delhi Sultanate established?
A. 1100 CE
B. 1150 CE
C. 1206 CE
D. 1250 CE
Answer: C. 1206 CE
Q. Who introduced new forms of poetry and music in the Delhi Sultanate during the period 1253-1325 CE?
A. Kalhana
B. Fa Xian
C. Amir Khusrau
D. Al-Biruni
Answer: C. Amir Khusrau
Q. Which city-state with pyramid temples and Mayan ceremonial centres was established in Mexico?
A. Teotihuacan
B. Tikal
C. Chichen Itza
D. Palenque
Answer: A. Teotihuacan
Q. When was the first city built in North America, around 990 CE?
A. Teotihuacan
B. Cahokia
C. Chaco Canyon
D. Machu Picchu
Answer: B. Cahokia
Q. Who is believed to have ‘discovered’ New Zealand as a navigator from Polynesia?
A. Kamehameha
B. Maui
C. Kupe
D. Tupaia
Answer: C. Kupe
75. Which crop, originally from South America, was grown in the Polynesian islands?
A. Maize
B. Potatoes
C. Sweet potato
D. Cassava
Answer: C. Sweet potato