Social Science 7

In-Text Questions and Activities Page 1 (The Big Questions)1. Why is the period that followed the Maurya empire sometimes called the ‘Age of Reorganisation’? Ans: This period is called the ‘Age of Reorganisation’ because after the large Maurya empire broke up, the existing regions were reorganised into many new, smaller kingdoms. These new kingdoms were … Read more

Hampi Bazaar & Old-Market Questions (page 250) Q 1. Can you imagine what this bazaar must have looked like during its peak?A. It would be loud and colourful: long stone streets packed with stalls, heaps of rice, bright silks, shining jewels, parrots in cages, cows and horses tied outside, and buyers speaking many languages. Q … Read more

LET’S EXPLORE – Farmer’s Barter Story (p 231) Q 1. How would you exchange one ox for many small things? What difficulties might you face?A. Must hunt for someone who needs an ox. Ox is too big to swap for shoes or medicine – not divisible. May need many swaps (ox → wheat → shoes, … Read more

Page 210 – LET’S REMEMBER Recall that in Grade 6, we saw the meaning of the word ‘constitution’. In small groups of three, list all the questions that come to your mind about a country’s constitution. Sample answers (any similar questions are fine): Who writes the constitution? Why do we need it? What rights does … Read more

Page 186 – LET’S EXPLORE Q. The government also has many other roles. Try to list them.Answer. Building roads, bridges and railways Running post-offices and banks Protecting forests, wildlife and rivers Making sure food in markets is safe Helping people in floods, droughts or earthquakes Giving pensions to old people and scholarships to children Page … Read more

1. What is ‘sacredness’?Sacredness means seeing something as very holy and worthy of deep respect. It can be a place, a journey, an object, or even the land itself that feels linked to God or to high spiritual feelings. 2. How does the land become sacred?When people believe that rivers, mountains, forests, or the very … Read more

Q 1. Who were the Guptas? Why is the Gupta period sometimes called the ‘classical age’ in Indian history?A. The Guptas were a family of kings who first ruled parts of today’s Uttar Pradesh and, by the 4ᵗʰ century CE, controlled much of North India from their capital Pāṭaliputra. Because art, science, literature, and trade … Read more

Q 1. Why is the period that followed the Maurya Empire sometimes called the “Age of Reorganisation”?A. After Emperor Aśhoka, the huge Maurya Empire broke into many smaller kingdoms. Old regions were split, joined or moved, and new rulers worked hard to arrange safe borders, fresh trade routes and new capitals. All these changes were … Read more

Q 1. What is an empire?A. An empire is a very large land made of many smaller kingdoms. One powerful ruler, called an emperor, controls all of them from one capital city. Q 2. How did empires rise and shape Indian civilisation?A. Strong kings joined nearby kingdoms through war, smart plans, and good trade. When … Read more

1. What is meant by ‘Second Urbanisation of India’?The “Second Urbanisation” is the time, after about 1000 BCE, when many new towns grew in the Ganga plains and nearby areas. These towns had busy markets, new crafts, coins and strong rulers, so life became urban again after the old Harappan cities had disappeared. 2. Why … Read more