Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 11 History Important Questions Chapter 16 Swarajya to Empire (Maratha Period) Important Questions and Answers.
Maharashtra State Board 11th History Important Questions Chapter 16 Swarajya to Empire (Maratha Period)
1A. Choose the correct alternative and complete sentences.
Question 1.
___________ defeated the Yadavas of Devgiri.
(a) Alauddin Khalji
(b) Muhmmad Tughluq
(c) Hasan Gangu Bahamani
(d) Qutubuddin Aibak
Answer:
(a) Alauddin Khalji
Question 2.
After the end of Nizamshahi rule, Shahaji Raje accepted the rank of a Mansabdar in the ___________ court.
(a) Qutubshahi
(b) Imadshahi
(c) Baridshahi
(d) Adilshahi
Answer:
(d) Adilshahi
Question 3.
___________ is regarded as the visionary of Swarajya.
(a) Veermata Jeejabai
(b) Shahaji Raje
(c) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
(d) Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
Answer:
(b) Shahaji Raje
Question 4.
He took over the fort of ___________ and laid the foundation of Swarajya.
(a) Raigad
(b) Pratapgad
(c) Torana
(d) Sinhgad
Answer:
(c) Torana
Question 5.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established the first capital of Swaraiva at the fort of ___________
(a) Rajgad
(b) Pratapgad
(c) Raj gad
(d) Vishalgad
Answer:
(a) Rajgad
1B. Find the incorrect pair from set B and write the correct ones.
Question 1.
| Set ‘A’ | Set ‘B’ |
| (a) ‘Yatharthdeepika’ | Vaman Pandit |
| (b) ‘Naladamayanti Swayamvara’ | Raghunath Pandit |
| (c) Pandavapratapa | Shridhar Pandit |
| (d) Translation of Mahabharata | Mahipati |
Answer:
(d) Translation of Mahabharata – Moropant
Question 2.
| Set ‘A’ | Set ‘B’ |
| (a) ‘Gulshane-i-Ibrahimi’ | History of India |
| (b) ‘Rajyavyavaharakosha’ | A text on Maratha polity |
| (c) ‘Budhabhushan’ | Overview of ancient texts on polity |
| (d) ‘Nayikabhed | Text in Brij literature |
Answer:
(b) ‘Rajyavyavaharakosha’ – A compilation of Sanskrit lexicon for Persian terms
Question 3.
| Set ‘A’ | Set ‘B’ |
| (a) Diwan | Military Chief |
| (b) Majumdar | Auditor and Accountant |
| (c) Phadnis | Deputy Auditor |
| (d) Sabnis | Office in-charge |
Answer:
(a) Diwan – Secretary
Question 4.
| Set ‘A’ | Set ‘B’ |
| (a) Karkhanis | Commissary |
| (b) Chitnis | Religious Officer |
| (c) Jamdar | Treasurer |
| (d) Potdar | Assay Master |
Answer:
(b) Chitnis – Correspondence Clerk
1C. Find the odd one out.
Question 1.
Temples of Nashik:
(a) Mahadev
(b) Kalaram
(c) Goraram
(d) Sundarnarayan
Answer:
(a) Mahadev
Question 2.
Shahirs is known for beautiful composition:
(a) Anantafandi
(b) Prabhakar
(c) Ramjoshi
(d) Tulsidas
Answer:
(d) Tulsidas
Question 3.
Persons included in special posts of Ashtapradhans:
(a) Dhanaji
(b) Peshwa
(c) Mantri
(d) Senapati
Answer:
(a) Dhanaji
2A. Write the names of historical places, persons, and events.
Question 1.
Powerful General sent by the court of Bijapur against Chh. Shivaji Maharaj
Answer:
Afzal Khan
Question 2.
Portuguese Shipbuilders
Answer:
Rui Leitao Viegas and his son Fernao Viegas
Question 3.
Disguised himself as Chh. Shivaji Maharaj
Answer:
Shiva Kashid
Question 4.
Text ‘Nayikabhed’was written in this language
Answer:
Brij
Question 5.
Afghani Pathans are known as
Answer:
Rohillas
2B. Choose the correct reason and complete the sentence.
Question 1.
___________ was the leader of the Rohillas.
(a) Najib Khan
(b) Nizamshah
(c) Adilshah
(d) None of them
Answer:
(a) Najib Khan
Question 2.
After Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, ___________ took over the reins at Raigad.
(a) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
(b) Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj
(c) Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj
(d) Shiva Maharaj
Answer:
(a) Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj
Question 3.
___________ defeated the Yadavas of Devgiri and the rule of Delhi Sultans began in south India.
(a) Akbar
(b) Babur
(c) Humayun
(d) Alauddin Khalji
Answer:
(d) Alauddin Khalji
3. Observe the map on page 123 of your textbook and answer the following questions based on it.
Question 1.
Write the names of Seats of Maratha power.
Answer:
Gaikwads of Vadodara, Shindes of Gwalior, Bhosales of Tanjavar, Bhosales of Nagpur, Pawars of Dhar, Holkars of Indore.
Question 2.
Write the extent of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya.
Answer:
The regions in Maharashtra including Nashik, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri, Raigad; Belgaum, Karwar, Dharwad in Karnataka; some regions of Andhra, Jinji, and Vellore in Tamil Nadu comprised Swarajya.
Question 3.
Name the places in Maratha Empire that are in today’s Pakistan.
Answer:
Attock, Peshawar, Multan, Lahore.
4. Complete the concept maps.
Question 1.
Answer:
Question 2.
Answer:
Question 3.
Answer:
Question 4.
Answer:
5. Write short notes.
Question 1.
Maratha-Adilshahi Relations
Answer:
- The inception of Swarajya- After joining the Adilshahi court, Shahaji Maharaj entrusted the administration of his Jahagirs at Pune, Shirwal, and Supe region (pargana) to Chh. Shivaji Maharaj.
- Yet the forts located in those Jahagirs and nearby areas were in the custody of Adilshahi court. The one ‘who owns the forts owns the land’ was the ruling of the day.
- Hence, Chh. Shivaji Maharaj began with capturing the forts in the vicinity of his Jahagirs.
- He took over the fort of Torana and laid the foundation of Swarajya.
- Chh. Shivaji Maharaj established the first capital of Swarajya at the fort of Rajgad.
Javali episode – Chandrarao More proved to be a hindrance in Chh. Shivaji Maharaj’s efforts to create Swarajya. Chh. Shivaji Maharaj successfully took over Javali. After this victory the activities of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj in Konkan was escalated.
Afzal Khan – Realising the danger of the increasing activities of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj, the Bijapur court sent their powerful General Afzal Khan to curb the increasing power of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. Chh. Shivaji Maharaj had anticipated the intentions of Afzal Khan who had taken up the challenge of killing Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. He met Afzal Khan at Pratapgad. As expected, Afzal khan attempted treachery but Chh. Shivaji Maharaj was well prepared and killed Afzal khan in self-defense. Afzal Khan’s huge army was set on the run and huge booty and weapons were collected left behind by them. This made Swarajya’s treasury richer.
Siddi Jauhar – After Afzal Khan’s defeat, the Bijapur court sent Siddi Jauhar to attack Swarajya. He seized the fort of Panhala and closed all possibilities of escape for Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. In this difficult situation Shiva Kashid, a loyal servant of Swarajya, disguised himself as Chh. Shivaji Maharaj and made it easy for Chh. Shivaji Maharaj to escape.
When Siddi came to know the truth, he killed Shiva Kashid. Thus, Shiva Kashid sacrificed his life for the cause of Swarajya. Baji Prabhu took up the task of blocking Siddhi Masud’s path in Ghodkhind and stop him in his chase of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. Baji Prabhu was successful in doing this. He fell dead only after receiving the news of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj reaching Vishalgad safely.
Question 2.
Maratha – Mughal Relations
Answer:
- At the time of ascending the throne, Aurangzeb was aware of the ambitious plans of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj.
- He sent his maternal uncle Shaistakhan on an expedition against Chh. Shivaji Maharaj.
- Shaistakhan camped in Lai Mahal in Pune. Chh. Shivaji Maharaj who knew Shaistakhan’s intentions manages to enter the Lai Mahal and cut off Shaistakhan’s fingers.
- Shaistakhan had no alternative but to hastily leave Lai Mahal. Chh. Shivaji Maharaj gained more confidence and he attacked Surat, the prosperous economic capital of Aurangzeb, and collected a large booty.
- Enraged by this, Aurangzeb sent his powerful sardars Mirza Raje Jaising and Diler Khan to attack Swarajya. They captured many forts in the Swarajya.
- Chh. Shivaji Maharaj had the wisdom to comprehend the situation and decided to retreat tactically by signing the ‘Treaty of Purandar’.
- According to the treaty, Chh. Shivaji Maharaj had to present himself before Aurangzeb at Agra, along with his son Sambhaji Maharaj.
- Aurangzeb acted treacherously and put Chh. Shivaji Maharaj is under house arrest.
- Chh. Shivaji Maharaj very cleverly misled the guards and escaped from Agra.
- Soon after returning to Swarajya Chh. Shivaji Maharaj conquered the forts which were held by Aurangzeb.
Question 3.
Maharani Tarabai
Answer:
- After the death of Rajaram Maharaj (March 1700 C.E.), his wife Maharani Tarabai continued to fight against Aurangzeb.
- Maharani Tarabai led the Swarajya movement under extremely unfavourable conditions.
- She single-handedly took charge of the administration and fought for Swarajya for twenty-five years with the help of her sardars.
- At times, the Marathas had to fight the Mughals on lands beyond the boundaries of Swarajya, but she did not stop them.
- This was an indication that the scenario of the war was changing. The Maratha War of Independence was a tussle between the Mughal ambition of expanding their Empire and the desire for independence cherished by the Marathas.
- Finally, the death of Aurangzeb put an end to this fighting. In the beginning, the Mughal rulers adopted an aggressive policy while the Maratha policy remained that of defense.
- But by the second half of the 18th century, this condition changed. With the weakening of Mughal power, the Marathas could extend their rule almost all over India.
6. Explain the following statement with reasons.
Question 1.
Chh. Shivaji Maharaj signed the Treaty of Purandar
Answer:
- Aurangzeb sent his powerful sardars Mirza Raje Jaising and Diler Khan to attack Swarajya.
- They captured many forts in the Swarajya. Mirza Raje Jaising was a powerful and competent military commander.
- He blocked Chh. Shivaji Maharaj from all sides. Lives of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj’s men were endangered.
- Chh. Shivaji Maharaj had the wisdom to comprehend the situation and decided to retreat tactically by signing the ‘Treaty of Purandar’.
- According to the treaty, Chh. Shivaji Maharaj had to present himself before Aurangzeb at Agra, along with his son Sambhaji Maharaj.
Question 2.
Shivaji Maharaj coronated himself.
Answer:
- Chh. Shivaji Maharaj decides to give legitimacy to his earned kingdom.
- To announce the sovereign and independent status of Swarajya it was necessary to make it official.
- Realizing this Chh, Shivaji Maharaj decided to get himself coronated.
- With his coronation as a sovereign king, the provinces under his rule assumed the status of an independent kingdom.
- He minted new coins after the coronation. He started ‘Rajyabhishek Shaka’ i.e., a new era after the coronation.
7. State your opinion.
Question 1.
The work of Sants created a sense of self-esteem among the people of Maharashtra.
Answer:
- The saints created a sense of belonging among people toward their native region, language, literature, and culture.
- They gave a message of equality to people. Their teachings were based on the principles of humanity.
- They preached harmonious community life, unity, and love. Their efforts created social awakening.
- Their teaching helped people to survive situations like foreign invasions, draughts, or other natural calamities.
- Their devotional songs became a source of great moral support for people.
- Their work created a sense of self-esteem among the people of Maharashtra.
Question 2.
Veermata Jeejabai’s role was important in the creation of Swarajya.
Answer:
- Shahaji Raje sent his son Shivajiraje and his wife, Veermata Jijabai from Bengaluru to Pune along with his loyal and capable associates.
- Veermata Jijabai encouraged Chh. ShivajiMaharajto fulfills the dream of Shahajiraje of establishing Swarajya.
- She was a visionary and an efficient administrator.
- She constantly guided her son in the mission of establishing Swarajya and provided him with the excellent education necessary for the king of Swarajya.
8. Answer the following questions in detail.
Question 1.
Write in detail about Peshwa Period
Answer:
- After Balaji Vishwanath, his son, Bajirao I was appointed as the Peshwa. He expanded the Maratha empire up to Malwa, Rajasthan, and Bundelkhand. He defeated the Nizam.
- After Bajirao I, Balaji Bajirao alias Nanasaheb was appointed as the Peshwa. Madhavrao Peshwa tried to re-establish the Maratha power.
- The defeat in Panipat was not just a political defeat but also lowered the morale of the Marathas greatly.
- Madhavrao Peshwa tried to elevate the spirits of Marathas as well as re-establish the Maratha power in the north.
- The Marathas were successful in overcoming the great defeat at Panipat and create a politically strong position for themselves in the politics of the north.
- Malharrao was the founder of the Holkar State at Indore. He served the Maratha power for a long time.
Question 2.
Write about Maratha’s War of Independence.
Answer:
- After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was coronated as the King of Swarajya.
- During his reign, a constant conflict continued with the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb’s rebellious son, Akbar had established friendly relations with Sambhaji Maharaj.
- Enraged by this Aurangzeb came down to Deccan along with a huge army and able sardars, who were veterans of warfare.
- For the next 25 years, he camped in Maharashtra and fought against the Marathas.
- After Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj took over the reins at Raigad.
- Aurangzeb sent Zulfikar Khan to seize the fort of Raigad.
- Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, Maharani Tarabai, Maharani Yesubai (Queen of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj), and her son Prince Shahu were staying on Raj gad.
- After the death of Rajaram Maharaj (March 1700 C.E.), his wife Maharani Tarabai continued to fight against Aurangzeb.
- Maharani Tarabai led the Swarajya movement under extremely unfavourable conditions.
- She single-handedly took charge of the administration and fought for Swarajya for twenty-five years with the help of her sardars.
9. Answer the following questions with the help of given points.
Question 1.
Write in detail about Maratha’s administration under Chh. Shivaji Maharaj.
(a) Central administration
(b) Provincial administration
(c) Village administration
Answer:
(a) Central administration:
- Chh. Shivaji Maharaj set up an ideal administrative system for the smooth running of Swarajya’s affairs.
- The formation of the Ashtapradhan Mandal (council of eight ministers) and its growth took place along with the expansion of the kingdom.
- After the coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj created special posts of Ashtapradhans. It included ‘Peshwa’, ‘Amatya’, ‘Sachiv’, ‘Mantri’, ‘Senapati, ‘Sumant’, ‘Nyayadhish’ and ‘Panditrao’.
- Chh. Shivaji Maharaj had a strong intelligence network of his own. Bahirji Naik was the Chief of this network. Before starting on any expedition, Chh. Shivaji Maharaj obtained detailed information from his spies and then planned his expedition.
(b) Provincial administration:
- The Kingdom was divided into two parts for the sake of administration. One of them was the province that was geographically bound together and the other comprised scattered regions in the south.
- Sarsubhedars taking care of provincial administration were known as ‘Deshadhikari’.
- Sarsubhas in the Swarajya was meant to be the zonal division for the overall administration, while under Islamic rulers a division merely served the purpose of revenue collection.
(c) Village administration:
- The Subhedars were assisted by ‘Deshmukhs’ and ‘Deshpandes’.
- The main task of a Deshmukh was to collect the land revenue, develop wasteland into cultivable land and settle new villages.
- All government officials received salaries in the form of cash instead of a land grant (watan).
- ‘Village’ was the basic unit of the administrative system. New villages were settled.
- The people were provided with cattle, seed money, money for daily utilities.
- The farmer was given a period of two years, to repay the advance after a good harvest. This system was known as the ‘Batai system’.
Question 2.
Write in detail about the social conditions during the Maratha period.
(a) Art
(b) Architecture
(c) Literature
Answer:
(a) Art:
- The development of Maratha miniature paintings is seen through illustrations on the manuscripts such as pothis, pattachitra, and patrikas. The same style is maintained in the glass paintings as well.
- Illustrated manuscripts of Sanskrit texts such as ‘Bhagvat Gita’, ‘Devi Saptashati’, ‘Bhagvat Purana’ as well as Marathi texts such as ‘Dnyaneshwari’ (Bhavarthadipika), ‘Shivaleelamrut’, ‘Pandavapratap’ etc. are available.
- The paintings of Dashavatara are included in them. The wooden stands of the pothis have paintings of various deities in dark red, green, and yellow colours.
- The miniature paintings, include human portraits and themes like ragamalas, talamala, processions, etc.
- Remarkable portraits of Bajirao I, Nanasaheb Peshwa, Pilaji Jadhavrao are available. Murals are found on the facade of the wadas as well as on the walls of reception areas (Diwankhana) and bedrooms.
- In the temples, the mandapa wall, owri (varanda), shikhara, gabhara (sanctum sanctorum), and chat (ceiling) were also decorated with paintings. Mythological stories form the main theme of these murals.
- They include scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata and Puranas. The paintings of Dashavatara and Krishnaleela are found almost everywhere.
- The subjects of contemporary social life were also popular in the paintings. The royal court, royal meetings, processions were also included in them.
- Keertan, Bhajana, Powadas (Ballads), Lavani were popular folk songs in Maharashtra.
(b) Architecture:
- Forts – Chh. Shivaji Maharaj gave priority to building forts. The tradition of building forts was prevalent in the Deccan in the last three centuries. This tradition proved to be of advantage to Chh. Shivaji Maharaj..
- Temples – The Kasaba temple in Pune and Vitthal temple in Vitthalwadi were reconstructed by Veermata Jijabai. The construction of temples began on a large scale during the later Peshwa period. These temples were of three types. Examples, of the temple architecture of this period, are found at Saswad (‘Vateshwar’ ‘Sangameshwar’), Mahuli (‘Vishweshwar’).
- Town Planning – Pune, Satara, and Nashik developed into big cities. These cities had well-paved roads, wadas on both sides of the road, and arched gates at intervals.
(c) Literature:
- Marathi literature developed greatly during this period. Sant Tukaram of this period was a poet of the Warkari sect.
- Samarth Ramdas wrote ‘Dasbodh’ and ‘Manache Shlok’ in Marathi. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj got the ‘Rajyavyavaharakosha’ prepared which was a compilation of Sanskrit lexicon for Persian terms.
- Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a great writer and Sanskrit scholar. The Sanskrit text ‘Budhabhushan’ was written by him.
- This text is an overview of ancient texts on the polity. Apart from Sanskrit, he also knew many other languages.
- He wrote texts in Brij language namely ‘Nayikabhed’, ‘Nakhshikh’ and ‘Satasattak’. Muhammad Qasim Ferishta wrote the history of India in 12 volumes named ‘Gulshane-i-Ibrahimi’.
- In the 18th century, well-known literary works were composed such as ‘Yatharthdeepika’ by Vaman Pandit, ‘Naladamayanti Swayamvara’ by Raghunath Pandit, Pandavapratapa, Harivijay, Ramavijay by Shridhar Pandit, and the translation of Mahabharata by Moropant. Bakhar literature is important among the historical literature in Marathi.
- It contains eulogies of the heroes and stories of historic events, battles, lives of great men. Sabhasad Bakhar, Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, Panipatchi Bakhar are some of its examples.
- Krushna Dayarnav and Shridhar were the main poets during the Peshwa period. Poet Mahipati composed ‘Bhaktivijay’ in this period.