Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.
Bernier’s assessment about Indian rural society was not correct. It was far away from the truth, but it is not acceptable. There are some truth in his description which are evident from the following facts.
(i)According to his account, mughal empire was the owner of the land and distributed among its nobles. It had a disastrous impact on the society.
(ii)According to him the system of crown of ownership of land was good. It was because, the land holders could not pass on their land to their children. They did not make any long term investment on the land.
(iii)As there was no private property in land, there was not any improvement in the landlord class.
This system ruin agriculture and led to opinion of peasants. Bernier’s view regarding Indian society had the following features:
(i)The rich people Were in minority.
(ii)It had the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich, no middle class existed there.
(iii)All the cities and towns were reined and had contaminated air.
Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
How were the lives of forest dwellers transformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.
On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.
What were the distinctive features of the Mughal nobility? How was their relationship with the emperor shaped?
Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
On an outline map of the world, mark the areas which had economic links with the Mughal Empire, and trace out possible routes of communication.
Analyse, with illustrations, why bhakti and sufi thinkers adopted a variety of languages in which to express their opinions.
On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
To what extent do you think the visual material presented in this chapter corresponds with Abu’l Fazl’s description of the taswir (Source 1)?
Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
Discuss the ways in which the Alvars, Nayanars and Virashaivas expressed critiques of the caste system.
What are the architectural traditions that inspired the architects of Vijayanagara? How did they transform these traditions?
What were the concerns that shaped Mughal policies and attitudes towards regions outside the subcontinent?
Fig. 7.33 is an illustration of another pillar from the Virupaksha temple. Do you notice any floral motifs? What are the animals shown? Why do you think they are depicted? Describe the human figures shown.
What do you think were the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the city?
Discuss, with examples, the distinctive features of Mughal chronicles.