CHAPTER 3: RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE (1000–1700 CE)
50 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
1. What does resilience mean in the context of history?
(A) The ability to conquer every neighbouring kingdom
(B) The ability to survive, adapt and preserve traditions during difficulties
(C) The complete avoidance of cultural change
(D) The expansion of territory through warfare alone
Answer: (B) The ability to survive, adapt and preserve traditions during difficulties
2. What is resistance?
(A) Accepting every decision made by an outside authority
(B) Avoiding all forms of political activity
(C) Actively opposing a force or threat to protect one’s interests or identity
(D) Abandoning traditional beliefs and practices
Answer: (C) Actively opposing a force or threat to protect one’s interests or identity
3. How are resistance and resilience connected?
(A) Resilience helps communities endure difficulties and sustain resistance
(B) Resistance always prevents cultural continuity
(C) Resilience is possible only during peacetime
(D) Resistance can occur only through direct warfare
Answer: (A) Resilience helps communities endure difficulties and sustain resistance
4. Which of the following was a major reason for invasions of the Indian subcontinent during this period?
(A) The absence of agricultural production
(B) The lack of river systems
(C) The complete disappearance of trade
(D) Territorial expansion and the attraction of surplus agricultural produce
Answer: (D) Territorial expansion and the attraction of surplus agricultural produce
5. Who was defeated by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1001 CE?
(A) Prithviraj Chauhan
(B) Jayapala
(C) Rana Sanga
(D) Lachit Borphukan
Answer: (B) Jayapala
6. Which ruler defeated Muhammad Ghuri at the Battle of Kasahrada in 1178 CE?
(A) Rani Naiki Devi
(B) Rani Rudrama Devi
(C) Rani Abbakka Chowta
(D) Rani Durgavati
Answer: (A) Rani Naiki Devi
7. In which year was the Delhi Sultanate established?
(A) 1178 CE
(B) 1192 CE
(C) 1206 CE
(D) 1336 CE
Answer: (C) 1206 CE
8. What was the iqta system under the Delhi Sultanate?
(A) A system of devotional singing
(B) A method of constructing irrigation canals
(C) A system of maritime trade
(D) A system assigning territories to military commanders in lieu of salaries
Answer: (D) A system assigning territories to military commanders in lieu of salaries
9. Which of the following kingdoms repeatedly resisted the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate in the Deccan and southern India?
(A) The Ahom kingdom alone
(B) The Yadava, Kakatiya and Hoysala kingdoms
(C) The Mughal Empire
(D) The British East India Company
Answer: (B) The Yadava, Kakatiya and Hoysala kingdoms
10. Who led the Rajput confederacy against Babur at the Battle of Khanua in 1527 CE?
(A) Rana Udai Singh
(B) Maharana Pratap
(C) Rana Sangram Singh I, popularly known as Rana Sanga
(D) Rana Hammir
Answer: (C) Rana Sangram Singh I, popularly known as Rana Sanga
11. Why did the Mughals seek cooperation with Rajput rulers?
(A) They needed Rajput military strength, loyalty and administrative capabilities
(B) They wanted to eliminate all forms of administration
(C) They intended to abandon territorial expansion
(D) They wanted to stop all trade routes
Answer: (A) They needed Rajput military strength, loyalty and administrative capabilities
12. Which Mughal emperor attacked Mewar and laid siege to Chittor in 1567–1568 CE?
(A) Jahangir
(B) Aurangzeb
(C) Babur
(D) Akbar
Answer: (D) Akbar
13. Which battle was fought between Maharana Pratap and Mughal forces in 1576 CE?
(A) Battle of Khanua
(B) Battle of Haldighati
(C) Battle of Saraighat
(D) Battle of Talikota
Answer: (B) Battle of Haldighati
14. Which military strategy did Maharana Pratap adopt to continue resistance against the Mughals?
(A) Naval blockade
(B) Trench warfare alone
(C) Guerrilla warfare using the rugged Aravalli terrain
(D) Abandoning all military activity
Answer: (C) Guerrilla warfare using the rugged Aravalli terrain
15. Why was the Battle of Dewair in 1582 CE significant?
(A) It helped Maharana Pratap reclaim control over Mewar
(B) It established the Delhi Sultanate
(C) It marked the foundation of the Vijayanagara Empire
(D) It ended the Ahom kingdom
Answer: (A) It helped Maharana Pratap reclaim control over Mewar
16. Which community provided important tactical and logistical support to Maharana Pratap?
(A) Vellalars
(B) Jats
(C) Kachhwaha Rajputs
(D) Bhils
Answer: (D) Bhils
17. Which kingdom maintained its political independence for almost six centuries, from 1228 to 1826 CE?
(A) Mewar
(B) Ahom kingdom
(C) Vijayanagara Empire
(D) Delhi Sultanate
Answer: (B) Ahom kingdom
18. Who defeated the Mughal fleet at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 CE?
(A) Maharana Pratap
(B) Chhatrapati Shivaji
(C) Lachit Borphukan
(D) Rana Sanga
Answer: (C) Lachit Borphukan
19. Which military-administrative system contributed to the resilience of the Ahom kingdom?
(A) The Paik system
(B) The Mansabdari system
(C) The Iqta system
(D) The Zamindari system alone
Answer: (A) The Paik system
20. What were bāchārī boats used by the Ahom navy?
(A) Large ocean-going merchant ships
(B) Boats used exclusively for fishing
(C) Ships designed for transporting horses across deserts
(D) Light, fast boats designed for river warfare
Answer: (D) Light, fast boats designed for river warfare
21. When was the Vijayanagara Empire established?
(A) 1206 CE
(B) 1336 CE
(C) 1526 CE
(D) 1674 CE
Answer: (B) 1336 CE
22. Who established the Vijayanagara Empire?
(A) Harihara and Bukka
(B) Babur and Humayun
(C) Akbar and Jahangir
(D) Rana Sanga and Rana Udai Singh
Answer: (A) Harihara and Bukka
23. Why was the location of Vijayanagara near present-day Hampi strategically important?
(A) It was surrounded entirely by deserts
(B) It had no natural barriers
(C) Its river and rugged, rocky terrain provided natural defence
(D) It was located far from every trade route
Answer: (C) Its river and rugged, rocky terrain provided natural defence
24. Who led the campaign that brought the Madurai Sultanate to an end?
(A) Lachit Borphukan
(B) Rana Sanga
(C) Guru Hargobind
(D) Kumara Kampana
Answer: (D) Kumara Kampana
25. What happened to the Vijayanagara Empire after the Battle of Talikota in 1565 CE?
(A) It immediately conquered the entire Indian subcontinent
(B) Its capital was sacked, and the empire gradually fragmented
(C) It became the capital of the Delhi Sultanate
(D) It established the Ahom kingdom
Answer: (B) Its capital was sacked, and the empire gradually fragmented
26. What does Swarajya mean in the context of Maratha history?
(A) An independent, self-governing territory free from external control
(B) Rule by foreign military commanders
(C) A system of collecting customs duties
(D) A religious festival organised by the state
Answer: (A) An independent, self-governing territory free from external control
27. In which year was Chhatrapati Shivaji coronated as the sovereign Maratha ruler?
(A) 1526 CE
(B) 1565 CE
(C) 1674 CE
(D) 1707 CE
Answer: (C) 1674 CE
28. How did Maratha forts such as Raigad and Sinhagad support resistance?
(A) They were used only for religious ceremonies
(B) They prevented all agricultural activities
(C) They served only as trading marketplaces
(D) They supported defence, guerrilla warfare, safe retreats and administration
Answer: (D) They supported defence, guerrilla warfare, safe retreats and administration
29. What was one advantage of the Marathas’ knowledge of hills and deep valleys?
(A) It helped them avoid all contact with local communities
(B) It supported swift attacks and guerrilla warfare
(C) It made fort construction unnecessary
(D) It prevented the use of strategic alliances
Answer: (B) It supported swift attacks and guerrilla warfare
30. Which fort, located in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025, according to the chapter?
(A) Gingee Fort
(B) Red Fort
(C) Chittor Fort
(D) Raigad Fort
Answer: (A) Gingee Fort
31. Who founded the spiritual movement that later became known as Sikhism?
(A) Guru Arjan Dev
(B) Guru Gobind Singh
(C) Guru Nanak
(D) Guru Tegh Bahadur
Answer: (C) Guru Nanak
32. Which principles were emphasised by Guru Nanak?
(A) Hereditary privilege and social inequality
(B) Devotion to one God, social equality and rejection of rituals
(C) Territorial expansion through conquest alone
(D) The elimination of community participation
Answer: (B) Devotion to one God, social equality and rejection of rituals
33. Which Mughal emperor ordered the execution of Guru Arjan Dev?
(A) Akbar
(B) Babur
(C) Aurangzeb
(D) Jahangir
Answer: (D) Jahangir
34. What was the purpose of establishing the Akal Takht?
(A) To serve as a centre of temporal authority, justice and governance
(B) To function as a Mughal military outpost
(C) To collect maritime customs duties
(D) To organise agricultural irrigation
Answer: (A) To serve as a centre of temporal authority, justice and governance
35. What does the concept of miri-piri represent?
(A) The separation of agriculture and trade
(B) The division of territories among merchants
(C) The combination of spiritual and worldly authority
(D) The replacement of local languages by Persian
Answer: (C) The combination of spiritual and worldly authority
36. What was the Khalsa?
(A) A system of land revenue collection
(B) A Sikh order established and developed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699
(C) A type of Maratha fort
(D) A merchant organisation in Bengal
Answer: (B) A Sikh order established and developed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699
37. What were the misals in Sikh history?
(A) Agricultural tools used in Punjab
(B) Mughal revenue offices
(C) Religious texts composed by Guru Nanak
(D) Armed groups that developed into confederacies among the Sikhs
Answer: (D) Armed groups that developed into confederacies among the Sikhs
38. Who led the Jat rebellion against the Mughal Empire in 1669 CE?
(A) Gokul Jat
(B) Lachit Borphukan
(C) Kumara Kampana
(D) Rana Sanga
Answer: (A) Gokul Jat
39. Which factors contributed to the Jat resistance during the 17th century?
(A) The absence of agriculture in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab
(B) The complete disappearance of trade
(C) Heavy taxes, exploitation and resentment over religious policies
(D) The establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire
Answer: (C) Heavy taxes, exploitation and resentment over religious policies
40. What is Bhakti?
(A) A system of military administration
(B) A tradition of personal devotion to the divine
(C) A method of collecting land revenue
(D) A form of maritime navigation
Answer: (B) A tradition of personal devotion to the divine
41. How did the Bhakti tradition help foster social solidarity?
(A) By restricting devotional practices to royal courts
(B) By discouraging community participation
(C) By eliminating regional languages
(D) By using local languages, devotional songs and community participation
Answer: (D) By using local languages, devotional songs and community participation
42. Which work was composed by Sankardev and remains important in Vaishnava traditions?
(A) Kirtana Ghosha
(B) Ramcharitmanas
(C) Arthashastra
(D) Akbarnama
Answer: (A) Kirtana Ghosha
43. In which language did Tulsidas compose the Ramcharitmanas?
(A) Persian
(B) Sanskrit only
(C) Awadhi
(D) Portuguese
Answer: (C) Awadhi
44. What was one important effect of the Bhakti tradition’s emphasis on equality and inclusion?
(A) It prevented women from participating in spiritual life
(B) It encouraged greater participation of women and people from diverse backgrounds
(C) It restricted devotional hymns to the royal family
(D) It ended the use of local languages
Answer: (B) It encouraged greater participation of women and people from diverse backgrounds
45. What is sankirtan?
(A) A system of land taxation
(B) A military formation used by the Ahoms
(C) A financial instrument used by merchants
(D) Community devotional singing that brings people together
Answer: (D) Community devotional singing that brings people together
46. What was a major source of state income during this period?
(A) Land revenue
(B) Income tax on modern industries
(C) Petroleum exports alone
(D) Railway fares
Answer: (A) Land revenue
47. Which irrigation technology was used to improve agricultural production during this period?
(A) Steam-powered turbines only
(B) Modern electric pumps exclusively
(C) The Persian wheel
(D) Refrigeration systems
Answer: (C) The Persian wheel
48. What was a hundi?
(A) A type of defensive fortification
(B) A financial instrument used for bills of exchange and long-distance remittances
(C) A form of devotional singing
(D) A military rank in the Mughal army
Answer: (B) A financial instrument used for bills of exchange and long-distance remittances
49. Which regions had important merchant groups and commercial networks during this period?
(A) Only the Himalayan mountain peaks
(B) Only the Thar Desert
(C) Only the inland areas of Rajasthan
(D) Malabar, Coromandel and Bengal
Answer: (D) Malabar, Coromandel and Bengal
50. Which combination of factors helped sustain the Indian economy and strengthen resilience between 1000 and 1700 CE?
(A) Agricultural innovation, irrigation, markets, merchant networks, financial instruments and trade
(B) The complete abandonment of agriculture and commerce
(C) The closure of all markets and ports
(D) Dependence on warfare as the only economic activity
Answer: (A) Agricultural innovation, irrigation, markets, merchant networks, financial instruments and trade
CLASS 9 SOCIAL SCIENCE
CHAPTER 3: RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE (1000–1700 CE)
20 ASSERTION–REASON QUESTIONS
Choose the correct option for each question.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
1. Assertion (A): Resistance and resilience are closely connected.
Reason (R): Resilience helps communities endure difficulties and sustain resistance.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Assertion (A): Resistance always involves direct military warfare.
Reason (R): Resistance can also take the form of alliances, diplomacy, negotiation and other political actions.
Answer: (D) Assertion A is false, but Reason R is true.
3. Assertion (A): The Ahom kingdom maintained its independence for a long period.
Reason (R): The Ahoms used military organisation, knowledge of local terrain and effective river warfare to defend their kingdom.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
4. Assertion (A): The Battle of Saraighat was an important event in Ahom resistance.
Reason (R): Lachit Borphukan led the Ahom forces against the Mughal fleet in 1671 CE.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
5. Assertion (A): The Paik system contributed to the strength of the Ahom kingdom.
Reason (R): It was a system through which people rendered service to the state.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
6. Assertion (A): Maharana Pratap continued resisting Mughal authority after the Battle of Haldighati.
Reason (R): He used guerrilla warfare and the rugged terrain of the Aravalli hills to his advantage.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
7. Assertion (A): The Battle of Dewair in 1582 CE was significant for Maharana Pratap.
Reason (R): The battle helped him reclaim control over parts of Mewar.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
8. Assertion (A): The Vijayanagara Empire was established in 1336 CE.
Reason (R): Harihara and Bukka were associated with the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
9. Assertion (A): The Battle of Talikota in 1565 CE weakened the Vijayanagara Empire.
Reason (R): Following the battle, the capital was sacked and the empire gradually fragmented.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
10. Assertion (A): Maratha forts played an important role in resisting Mughal expansion.
Reason (R): Forts such as Raigad and Sinhagad provided defensive positions, safe retreats and support for guerrilla warfare.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
11. Assertion (A): Swarajya was an important idea in Maratha history.
Reason (R): Swarajya referred to an independent, self-governing territory free from external control.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
12. Assertion (A): Guru Nanak emphasised devotion to one God and social equality.
Reason (R): Sikh teachings rejected the importance of social equality and encouraged rigid social divisions.
Answer: (C) Assertion A is true, but Reason R is false.
13. Assertion (A): The Khalsa strengthened the connection between Sikh spiritual identity and political identity.
Reason (R): The Khalsa adopted a distinct martial code in response to the changing socio-political environment.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
14. Assertion (A): The Sikh misals played a role in organising resistance against the Mughals.
Reason (R): The misals developed into a network of confederacies that united Sikhs in defending their territories.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
15. Assertion (A): The Jat rebellion of 1669 CE was led by Gokul Jat.
Reason (R): Heavy taxation, exploitation and resentment over Mughal religious policies contributed to Jat resistance.
Answer: (B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
16. Assertion (A): The Bhakti tradition helped strengthen social solidarity.
Reason (R): Devotional songs, local languages and community participation made spiritual teachings accessible to wider sections of society.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
17. Assertion (A): Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi.
Reason (R): Using a widely spoken regional language helped make the story and teachings of Rama accessible to more people.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
18. Assertion (A): Agriculture and irrigation contributed to economic resilience between 1000 and 1700 CE.
Reason (R): Agricultural production and irrigation systems helped sustain livelihoods and generate economic resources.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
19. Assertion (A): A hundi was a financial instrument used in commercial transactions.
Reason (R): It facilitated bills of exchange and long-distance remittances without requiring people to carry large amounts of currency.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
20. Assertion (A): The Indian economy between 1000 and 1700 CE depended entirely on warfare.
Reason (R): Agriculture, irrigation, markets, merchant networks, financial practices and trade contributed to economic strength.
Answer: (D) Assertion A is false, but Reason R is true.
