The Age of Reorganisation – MCQs with Answers and Explanations

CBSE Class 7 Social Science - Chapter 5: The Age of Reorganisation - 30 MCQs

Instructions

Attempt the MCQs. Click Show Answer & Explanation to reveal the correct option and a short concept-clearing explanation.

Basics & Overview

Questions on the period, key terms and general features.

1. What does the term "Age of Reorganisation" refer to?

A period of centralised imperial rule across India
A period when regional kingdoms emerged after the decline of earlier empires
The age of modern nation-states
A period with no trade

Correct: B. It describes when centralised authority weakened and smaller regional powers (e.g., Shungas, Satavahanas) emerged, reshaping political maps.

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of regional kingdoms in this period?

Localized administration and reliance on local elites
Strong central bureaucracy identical to earlier pan‑Indian empires
Dependence on trade and land revenue
Use of forts and regional capitals

Correct: B. Regional kingdoms had less centralized, more locally adapted administrative systems, not the massive bureaucracy of earlier empires.

3. Which source is most useful for dating rulers in this period?

Coins and inscriptions
Modern novels
Folk songs only
Astrology charts

Correct: A. Coins and inscriptions provide names, titles and dates, making them primary sources for historical chronology.

4. What role did local village assemblies often play?

Managed irrigation and local disputes
Ruled entire empires alone
Banned all trade
Built only palaces

Correct: A. Village assemblies managed water, land rights and local disputes, forming the basis of local governance.

5. Why were forts important for regional rulers?

They provided defence and administrative centres
They were only used for festivals
They stopped agriculture completely
They were only decorative

Correct: A. Forts protected territories, stored supplies and acted as administrative hubs for rulers.

6. What mainly provided revenue for these kingdoms?

Land tax, market dues and tolls on trade
Only donations from modern tourists
Income from filmmaking
Space mining revenue

Correct: A. Agriculture (land tax), market fees and trade tolls were primary state revenue sources in the period.

Shungas, Satavahanas & Chedis

Questions focus on the main regional dynasties.

7. Who founded the Shunga dynasty?

Chandragupta Maurya
Pushyamitra Shunga
Ashoka
Megasthenes

Correct: B. Pushyamitra Shunga established the Shunga dynasty after the decline of Mauryan control in parts of the Gangetic region.

8. Where did the Satavahanas primarily rule?

Northern plains only
Deccan region
Far east islands
Arctic region

Correct: B. The Satavahanas were dominant in the Deccan, linking northern and southern trade networks.

9. The Chedis are best described as:

Regional rulers in central India
Greek philosophers
Chinese merchants
Modern political parties

Correct: A. The Chedis were a regional clan who exercised power in parts of central India during this period.

10. Satavahanas supported which religions commonly?

Only Christianity
Buddhism and Brahmanical traditions
Only modern secularism
None at all

Correct: B. Satavahanas showed religious pluralism by patronising both Buddhism and Brahmanical institutions.

11. Which economic activity helped Satavahanas gain wealth?

Control of Deccan trade routes and ports
Only ice-cream exports
Space tourism
None of the above

Correct: A. Control of trade routes and coastal ports provided customs revenue and trade advantages to Satavahana rulers.

12. How did regional rulers like the Chedis maintain authority?

By appointing local governors and working with elites
By refusing to collect taxes
By abolishing markets altogether
By living in isolation

Correct: A. They used a mix of appointed officials and cooperation with local elites to collect revenue and maintain order.

Trade & Routes

Questions on trade, ports and market towns.

13. What is a caravanserai?

An ancient temple
An inn or halting place for traders and their animals
A type of coin
A mountain peak

Correct: B. Caravanserais provided shelter, storage and security for merchants along overland routes.

14. Which region is most famous for maritime trade in this chapter?

South India (Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas)
The Arctic
Inner deserts only
None of the above

Correct: A. South Indian kingdoms had strong maritime links with Southeast Asia and beyond, driving trade and cultural exchange.

15. Why did rulers protect trade routes?

To ensure revenue from merchants and safety of travellers
To stop trade entirely
To make routes unusable
To isolate kingdoms

Correct: A. Security on routes reduced losses and maintained taxable commerce, strengthening state finances.

16. Market towns often developed near:

Trade junctions, rivers and roads
Only uninhabited forests
Deserts with no people
Ice fields

Correct: A. Market towns grew where transport and trade intersected—rivers, roads and coastal ports encouraged commerce.

17. Which of these goods was commonly exported from South India?

Spices and textiles
Polar bears
Coal only
Modern electronics

Correct: A. Spices, textiles and pearls were major exports from South India to Southeast Asia and beyond.

18. How did ports contribute to cultural exchange?

By bringing foreign merchants, ideas and religions to coastal regions
By preventing any contact
By closing trade randomly
By isolating local people forever

Correct: A. Ports were entry points for new beliefs, artistic styles and technologies as merchants and travelers interacted with locals.

Indo-Greeks & the Kushanas

Questions on foreign contacts, art and political consequences.

19. When did Alexander the Great reach northwest India?

Late 4th century BCE
5th century CE
1st century CE
10th century BCE

Correct: A. Alexander’s campaigns reached northwest India around 327–326 BCE, opening new contacts between Greece and South Asia.

20. Gandhara art is known for:

Greco‑Indian style blending Hellenistic realism with Buddhist themes
Only abstract patterns with no human figures
Modern European Baroque style
Prehistoric cave paintings only

Correct: A. Gandhara art shows Greek-influenced naturalism combined with Buddhist iconography — a product of cultural exchange.

21. The Kushanas originated from which region?

Central Asia
Australia
South America
Greenland

Correct: A. The Kushanas came from Central Asian stock and established power in northwest India and Central Asia.

22. How did Kushana rule help the spread of Buddhism?

Through royal patronage and protection of monks and monasteries
By outlawing all religious activity
By refusing to build any roads
By banning trade

Correct: A. Kushana rulers patronized Buddhist institutions and maintained routes that allowed missionaries and texts to travel to Central and East Asia.

23. Numismatic evidence helps historians by showing:

Rulers’ names, titles, iconography and circulation patterns
Only modern advertisements
Recipes for food
Dream interpretations

Correct: A. Coins record important political and economic information such as ruler portraits and trade reach, aiding historical reconstruction.

24. Which of the following is a cultural outcome of Greco‑Indian contact?

New sculptural styles (realism) and bilingual inscriptions on coins
Complete cultural isolation
Loss of all local crafts
Sudden industrialization

Correct: A. Hellenistic techniques influenced sculpture and coin design, producing hybrid cultural forms in northwest India.

South India — Cholas, Cheras & Pandyas

Questions on southern kingdoms, ports and cultural life.

25. Which South Indian dynasty is especially known for maritime trade and temple culture?

Cholas
Romans
Vikings
Aztecs

Correct: A. The Cholas were renowned for naval power, trade with Southeast Asia and temple-building that shaped social life.

26. What product were the Pandyas famous for trading?

Pearls and textiles
Salt only
Coal exclusively
Steel swords only

Correct: A. The Pandyas were famous for pearl fisheries and textile trade, which connected them to foreign markets.

27. How did village assemblies in the south affect administration?

They managed local resources and resolved disputes alongside the king
They replaced the king entirely
They isolated villages from trade
They banned craft production

Correct: A. Village assemblies handled irrigation, land rights and local disputes, providing stability and cooperation with royal authority.

28. Which statement about South India’s external links is true?

South India had trade and cultural links with Southeast Asia
South India remained completely isolated
South India sent no goods abroad
South India only traded within its villages

Correct: A. South Indian kingdoms maintained active maritime trade with Southeast Asia, exchanging goods and culture.

29. Temples in South India often acted as:

Economic, cultural and religious centres
Only empty buildings with no role
Factories for modern cars
Places to store snow

Correct: A. Temples managed land, supported artisans, hosted festivals and acted as hubs of learning and economy.

30. Why are South Indian maritime links important historically?

They spread Indian culture abroad and increased wealth through trade
They caused total isolation
They prevented any contact
They destroyed all local industries

Correct: A. Maritime contacts expanded trade, diplomatic ties and cultural exchange, leaving long-term impacts on regional history.

The Age of Reorganisation – MCQs with Answers and Explanations

Social Science — Chapter 5: The Age of Reorganisation

Instructions

Basics & Overview

Shungas, Satavahanas & Chedis

Trade & Routes

Indo-Greeks & the Kushanas

South India — Cholas, Cheras & Pandyas

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