Quick Revision Notes & Formula Sheet

Class: 7th
Subject: Social Science (History)
Chapter: Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years (हजार वर्षों के दौरान हुए बदलावों की पड़ताल)

### 1. Introduction & Historical Context

• Time Period: This chapter covers roughly the period from 700 CE to 1750 CE (roughly the 8th to the 18th century).
• Major Theme: Continuous changes in cartography, terminology, social structures, and political groups over a thousand years.

### 2. Key Terms & Cartography (मानचित्रकला)

• Cartographer (मानचित्रकार): A person who makes maps.
• Al-Idrisi (1154 CE): An Arab cartographer who made a map of the Indian subcontinent where South India was where we expect North India to be, and Sri Lanka was an island at the top.
• French Cartographer (1720s): Made a map nearly 600 years after Al-Idrisi, which was much more familiar to modern standards (coastal areas were detailed).
• Historical Archive Change: Languages and meanings of words change over time.
  • Example: Hindustan
    • 13th Century (Minhaj-i-Siraj): Meant lands of Punjab, Haryana, and the lands between the Ganga and Yamuna (under the Delhi Sultanate).
    • 16th Century (Babur): Used to describe the geography, fauna, and culture of the inhabitants of the subcontinent.
    • Modern Era: Nation-state of India.
  • Example: Foreigner (विदेशी):
    • In medieval times, a foreigner (ajnabi / pardesi) was someone who was not a part of a certain village or society—someone who wasn't a "village-dweller". Two Indians from different villages were foreigners to each other, but a peasant and a forest dweller living in the same village were not.

### 3. New Social and Political Groups (नए सामाजिक और राजनीतिक समूह)

• Technological Changes (700–1750 CE):
  • Persian wheel in irrigation.
  • Spinning wheel in weaving.
  • Firearms in combat.
• New Foods & Beverages: Potatoes, corn, chillies, tea, and coffee arrived in the subcontinent during this period.
• Rajputs (राजपूत): A group of warriors associated with 'Rajputana' (sons of a ruler). The term was applied generally to rulers, chieftains, soldiers, and commanders claiming Kshatraya status.
• Jatis (जातियाँ): Sub-castes based on occupations and backgrounds.
  • Jati Panchayats: Assembly of elders that enforced rules and regulations for the jatis.

### 4. Regions and Empires (क्षेत्र और साम्राज्य)

• Cholas, Khaljis, Tughluqs, and Mughals built vast pan-regional empires (spanning diverse regions).
• Prashastis: Inscriptions in praise of rulers (e.g., eulogies praising Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban).
• Language Regions: By 700, distinct geographical regions with their own languages and distinct religious traditions had become apparent (e.g., Awadh, Bengal, Gujarat).

### 5. Old and New Religions (पुराने और नए धर्म)

• Major Developments:
  • Worship of new deities.
  • Construction of temples by royalty.
  • Growing importance of Brahmanas (priests) as dominant groups.
• Bhakti Movement: The idea of a loving personal deity without the aid of priests or elaborate rituals emerged during this period.
• Islam: Merchants and migrants brought the teachings of the Holy Quran to India in the 7th century.
  • Muslims are divided into:
    1. Shia Muslims: Believed that the Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali, was the legitimate leader of the Muslim community.
    2. Sunni Muslims: Accepted the authority of the early leaders (Caliphs) of the community and the successors of the Prophet.

### 6. Thinking About Time and Historical Periods (इतिहास के काल-विभाजन)

• Historians do not see time as just a clock or calendar. Time reflects changes in social and economic organization, in the persistence and transformation of ideas and beliefs.
• British Periodization (Mid-19th Century):
  • Divided Indian history into three periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British.
  • Basis of division: Religion of the rulers of the time, ignoring the rich diversity of the subcontinent.