Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class History Book Solutions Chapter 1 Physical Features of the Punjab and their influence on its History Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
PSEB Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 1 Physical Features of the Punjab and their influence on its History
Long Answer Type Questions:
Question 1.
Describe any five physical features of the Punjab.
Or
Give a brief description of geographical features of Punjab.
Answer:
1. The Himalayas : The Himalayas are situated to the north of the Punjab. ‘Himalaya’ means ‘abode of snow’. Its tops remain covered with snow throughout the year. It stretches from Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west. Its length is 2500 kilometres and the breadth ranges from 240 kilometres to 320 kilometres. The Himalayas have proved to be of great advantage to the Punjab in many ways.
2. Sulaiman Mountain Ranges : The Sulaiman mountain ranges are situated in the north-west of the Punjab. These are the western ranges of the Himalayas. These ranges have manf ‘Passes’ which connect India with other countries of Asia. The Khyber is the most prominent pass. The other known passes are Bolan, Kurram, Tochi and Gomal. The majority of foreign invaders came to the Punjab through these passes. Besides, these passes served as trade routes for India with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
3. Sub-mountainous Region : This region is located between the Shivalik ranges and the plains of the Punjab. It is called Tarai. The height of these mountains ranges between 1000 feet and 3000 feet. This region consists of Hoshiarpur, Kangra, Ambala, northern part of Gurdaspur and some areas of Sialkot. As the region is hilly, its soil is less fertile and means of transport are under-developed. Thus, the population in this region is not dense.
4. The Plains : The Plains constitute the largest and most important region of the Punjab. It is rightly called the real Punjab. This part is located between the rivers of Indus and Jamuna. It is considered one of the best fertile plains of the world. Five great rivers of the Punjab (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum) flow in this very part. The plains of the Punjab can further be sub-divided into the following three parts:
- Five Doabs,
- Malwa and Bangar,
- South-West Deserts.
5. Climate of the Punjab: The climate of the Punjab also shows much variation. It is extremely cold in winter and becomes too hot in summer. December and January are bitterly cold. The hilly areas receive plenty of snowfall. The temperature falls below 0°C on many occasions. The plains experience fog and mist in winter. In the months of summer, especially in May and June, scorching winds blow. The Punjab receives rainfall from July to September. The hilly areas receive more rainfall than the plains. The climate of the Punjab in the months of October, November, February and March is very pleasant.
Question 2.
Why is the Punjab called as the Gateway of India?
Answer:
The Punjab has acted as the gateway of India for centuries due to its geographical location. Towards its north-west are Khyber, Kurram, Tochi and Bolan passes. It was not difficult to cross these passes. Therefore, since the ancient times, the foreign invaders had been crossing these passes to invade India. The Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Kushana, Hunas, Turks, Mughals and Durranis passed through these passes and invaded India. The people of Punjab had to struggle against these invaders first of all. They could advance only after conquering Punjab. So the Punjab is called the gateway of India.
Question 3.
What is the importance of the Punjab in the Indian History?
Answer:
The holy land of the Punjab, the territory of five rivers has, undoubtedly, contributed to a great’extent in diversified fields, not only to India but to the world also. About five thousand years ago, the Indus Valley Civilisation, India’s oldest and marvellous civilisation, was born and flourished on this very land. This civilisation is considered as one of the greatest civilisations of the world. The Aryans compiled their famous religious scripture ‘Rigveda’ on this holy land. The great characters of Ramayana and Mahabharata also belonged to the Punjab. The great Mahabharata war was also fought on this land and Lord Krishna delivered his spiritual message i.e. the Gita here. The world famous Takshshila University and the centre of Gandhara Art were also situated here.
This land has the honour of giving birth to great scholars like Kautilya, Charka and Panini. It was the place where Chandragupta Maurya founded India’s first empire. The most important and decisive wars of Indian history were fought here. This land gave birth to the nine Gurus of the Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent most part of his life in Punjab. The Khalsa was created here. On this land Maharaja Ranjit Singh founded the first Sikh empire whose splendour is still remembered by the people. Finally, the Punjabi patriots made greatest sacrifices to break the chains of slavery of India.
Question 4.
What do you know about Himalayas ? What were its main benefits to Punjab?
Or
What were the main benefits Of the Himalayas to Punjab?
Answer:
The Himalayas are situated to the north of the Punjab. ‘Himalaya’ means ‘abode of snow’. Its tops remain covered with snow throughout the year. It stretches from Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west. Its length is 2500 kilometres and the breadth ranges from 240 kilometres to 320 kilometres. On the basis of its height the Himalayas can be divided into three parts. The first part, the Greater Himalayas, consists of those high peaks whose height is 20,000 ft. or above. Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is 29,028 ft. or 8848 meters high. These peaks remain covered with snow throughout the year. The second part consists of those peaks whose height ranges between 10,000 feet and 20,000 feet. It is called the Middle Himalayas. Shimla, Dalhousie and Kashmir are situated in it. The third part, the Outer Himalayas, consists of hill areas with a height ranging from 3,000 feet to 10,000 feet. This part is known as Shivalik range of mountains.
The Himalayas have proved to be of great advantage to the Punjab in many ways. Firstly, the Himalayas stand like a watchman both for the Punjab and India because it is the highest mountain range in the world and it always remains snow clad. So, no foreign invader dared to cross these mountains. Consequently, the Punjab remained protected from the foreign invasions from the north for a long time. Secondly, the monsoon winds hit the Himalayas and cause adequate rainfall in the Punjab. Thirdly, the great rivers flowing down the Himalayas have made the land of the Punjab very fertile.
Question 5.
What do you mean by Doab? Give a brief description of five Doabs of Punjab.
Or
Explain the five Doabs of Punjab.
Answer:
‘Doab’ is a Persian word meaning ‘two waters’ or ‘land between the two rivers’. The name of each Doab is composed of the first letters of those two rivers between which it is located.
- Bist Jalandhar Doab: The area located between the rivers Sutlej and Beas is called Bist Jalandhar Doab. This is the most famous Doab. Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur are the two biggest cities of this Doab.
- Bari Doab: This Doab is located between the Beas and the Ravi rivers. It is also called Majha. Lahore and Amritsar are two famous cities of this Doab.
- Rachna Doab: The area located between the Ravi and the Chenab rivers is called Rachna Doab. Gujranwala and Sheikhupura are two important cities of this Doab.
- Chaj Doab: The area lying between the Chenab and the Jhelum is known as Chaj Doab. Gujarat and Shahpur are two important cities of this Doab.
- Sindh Sagar Doab: The area lying between the Jhelum and the Sindh rivers is called Sindh Sagar Doab. Rawalpindi is the most famous city of this Doab. All the Doabs except Sindh Sagar Doab are very fertile.
Question 6.
What do you understand by Malwa and Bangar?
Answer:
Besides the five Doabs, the plains of the Punjab also included a vast tract between the Sutlej and Jamuna. This area can be divided into two parts—Malwa and Bangar.
- Malwa: The area lying between the Sutlej and the Ghaggar rivers is called Malwa. Patiala, Ludhiana, Sirhind, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Bathinda, Faridkot and Nabha fall in this area. In this area lived a famous tribe ‘Malavas’ in the ancient times, for which this region got the name Malwa. The inhabitants of this area are called Malwai.
- Bangar: The area which falls between the Ghaggar and the Jamuna rivers is called Bangar. It is also called Haryana. It includes Ambala, Panipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Gurgaon, Jind, and Hissar. Many important and decisive battles of Indian history were fought in this part.
Question 7.
What influence did the physical features of the Punjab have on its political history?
Or
What were the political effects of the geographical features of the Punjab?
Answer:
1. Punjab—Gateway of India : There are a number of passes (Khyber, Kurram, Tochi, Bolan etc.) in the north-west of the* Punjab which were easy to cross. So, the foreign invaders kept on attacking India for centuries passing through these passes. First of all these invadersJiad to fight with-the people of the Punjab. So, the Punjab has been called the gateway of India.
2. Influence of the Rivers of the Punjab : The rivers flowing into this land have also influenced its history. These rivers checked the entry of foreign invaders many times and thus protected the country. When these rivers were in flood, it was almost impossible to cross them. Thus the future of the Punjab depended upon these rivers.
3. Influence of the Forests and Hills of the Punjab : The forests and the hills of the Punjab have influenced the history of Punjab to a great extent. After the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716 A.D., started the persecution of the Sikhs. So they took shelter in these forests and hills. From here, they resisted the enemy and adopted guerilla warfare.
4. Special traits of the Character of Punjabis : The peculiar geographical features of the Punjab were responsible for developing certain special traits of the character of the Punjabis. These special traits provided separate identity to the Punjabis from the rest of the IndiAnswer: They developed traits like bravery, courage, hard work, sympathy, co-operation, social service, tolerance and sacrificing the self for the country.
5. Prosperity of the Punjab : The Punjab has been very much prosperous since the ancient times due to its geographical situation. The plains of the Punjab are so fertile that’ they are described as producing gold. The foreign trade of the Punjab had also been very- flourishing. Consequently, the Punjab is were very rich.
Question 8.
What impact did the physical features of the Punjab have on its economic history?
Or
Name main economic influences on the geography of Punjab.
Answer:
1. Punjab—Gateway of India : There are a number of passes (Khyber, Kurram, Tochi, Bolan etc.) in the north-west of the Punjab which were easy to cross. So, the foreign invaders kept on attacking India for centuries passing through these passes. First of all these invaders had to fight with the people of the Punjab. They could go further only after defeating the Punjab.
2. Punjab—Field of Historic Battles : Punjab has been the battlefield of many important and decisive battles of Indian history because of its geographical location. First of all, the Aryans fought the Dravidians in the ancient times. Then, the battles between Alexander and Porus, and Chandragupta Maurya and the Greeks were also fought on this land.
3. North-West Frontier Problem : The northrwest frontier has always remained a great headache for the rulers of India in general, and for those who ruled the Punjab in particular. It was due to two main reasons. Firstly, all the foreign invaders except the British came to the Punjab from this side. Secondly, the tribesmen living in this area were very wild and uncivilized.
4. Punjabis had to suffer for Centuries: It was also due to the geographical location of the Punjab, that the Punjabis had to suffer hardships and the cruelties of invaders for centuries. Mahmud Ghaznavi, Mohammad Ghori, Timur, Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali were such invaders, who had let loose a reign of terror on the Punjabis.
5. Influence of the Rivers of the Punjab : The rivers flowing into this land have also influenced its history. These rivers checked the entry of foreign invaders many times and thus protected the country. When these rivers were in flood, it was almost impossible to cross them. These rivers also determined the routes of the invaders at many occasions.
Question 9.
Describe the major economic effects of geography of Punjab on the people of Punjab.
Answer:
1. Agriculture : The soil of the plains of the Punjab was very fertile. Moreover, the Punjab received sufficient rainfall and has developed means of irrigation. That was why a majority of the population of the Punjab is engaged in agriculture. Wheat, rice, cottonseed, sugarcane, maize, barley and oil-seeds were main crops of the Punjab. People living in the hilly areas earned their livelihood by rearing sheep and goats, because nothing can grow on it.
2. Foreign Trade : Due to its geographical location the people of the Punjab had the opportunity to develop good foreign trade since ancient times. Being a border province, the Punjab had a flourishing trade with Afghanistan and countries of Central Asia. Much of this trade was carried on through the passes located in the north-west of the Punjab..
3. Prosperity of the Punjab : The Punjab has been very much prosperous since the ancient times due to its geographical situation. The plains of the Punjab are so fertile that they are described as producing gold. The foreign trade of the Punjab had also been very flourishing. Consequently, the Punjabis were very rich.
Question 10.
How did the rivers of the Punjab influence its history.
Answer:
The rivers flowing into this land have also influenced its history. These rivers checked the entry of foreign invaders many times and thus protected the country. When these rivers were in flood, it was almost impossible to cross them. Alexander, the Great, could not cross the Beas. These rivers determined the routes of the invaders at many occasions. They advanced from those sides, where these rivers were shallow and it was easier to cross them. Thus the future of the Punjab depended upon these rivers. These rivers also proved helpful in determining the boundaries of Sarkars and Parganas. These rivers made the plains of the Punjab very fertile, which enhanced its political significance to a great extent.
Question 11.
How did the forests of Punjab affects its history?
Answer:
The forests and the hills of the Punjab have influenced the history of Punjab to a great extent. After the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716 A.D., when Abdus Samad Khan, Zakariya Khan, Yahiya Khan and Mir Mannu started the persecution of the Sikhs. They took shelter in these forests and hills. They adopted guerilla warfare to resist enemy. They used to attack their enemy all of a sudden and took shelter once again in their hideouts in the forests and hills. The Sikhs even looted Nadir Shah in 1739 A.D. through guerilla warfare. They had become a great headache for Ahmad Shah Abdali. He invaded Punjab for not less than eight times to crush the Sikh power, but he failed in his attempts. Finally, the Sikhs succeeded in establishing their independent Misls in many parts of the Punjab.
Question 12.
What effects did the physical features of Punjab have on its socio-cultural history?
Or
Mention the socio-cultural effects of the geographical features of the Punjab.
Answer:
1. Special traits of the Character of Punjabis : The peculiar geographical features of the Punjab were responsible for developing certain special traits of the character of the Punjabis. These special traits provided separate identity to the Punjabis from the rest of the IndiAnswer: After fighting countless wars and facing many difficulties, they developed traits like bravery, courage, hard work, sympathy, co-operation, social service, tolerance and sacrificing the self for the country.
2. Increase in the number of Castes and Sub-castes: The Punjab has been the victim of foreign invasions from the ancient times. The Iranians, Greeks, Hunas, Kushanas, Mongols, Turks, Mughals and Afghans invaded the Punjab and many of them settled here. They married the women folk of this land. Thus, many new castes and sub-castes emerged.
3. Distinct Culture of the Punjab : People belonging to different countries and practising different religions got settled in the Punjab. As a result a new culture evolved as a result of their synthesis. For example, a new language (Urdu) developed.
4. Loss of the Art and Literature: The art and literature of Punjab could not develop because of its geographical location. For cfenturies together the Punjab remained the battlefield of foreign invaders. Lack of peace and constant threat to the lives of the people resulted in the lack of art and literature. If some art and literature were ever produced they were destroyed and burnt by the foreign invaders. Consequently, the art and literature of Punjab received a great jolt.
Question 13.
How did Geography of the Punjab affect its religious life?
Or
“Punjab was a land of religious movements.” Explain the statement.
Answer:
The Punjab is considered the birth place of Hinduism. First of all, the Aryans settled in the Sapt Sindhu. They composed their holy scriptures here. Islam was much propagated in Punjab as compared to other parts of India due to many reasons. Firstly, the Muslims had occupied the Punjab in the very beginning. Secondly, the Punjab remained under the Sultans of Delhi and the Mughals for centuries. Guru Nanak Dev and his eight spiritual successors blessed this sacred land of five rivers by their incarnation. The tenth and the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent the major part of his life in the holy land of Punjab. People of this land were economically rich, so they contributed a lot towards the development of Sikhism.
Essay Type Questions:
different Names of Punjab and its Boundaries:
Question 1.
Describe the geographical features of Punjab.
Or
Examine the physical features of Punjab.
Or
Describe in detail the physical features of Punjab.
Or
How did the geographical features of Punjab affect its history?
Answer:
The word ‘Punjab’ is a combination of two words of Persian language: ‘Punj’ and ‘Aab’ which literally means ‘five’ and ‘water’ respectively. Thus ‘Punjab’ means the territory or land of five rivers. These five rivers are the Sutlej, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum.
Punjab has been known by various names during different periods of history. It was called ‘Sapta Sindhu’ in the Rigvedic period, on the basis of the seven rivers that flowed in this land. They were: Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikni (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), Vipasha (Beas), Sutudri (Sutlej) and Saraswati. The rivers Sindhu and Saraswati were the outer boundaries of Punjab. It is called ‘Panchnada’ in the Epics and the Puranas. ‘Panchnada’ means the land of five rivers. The Greeks named it ‘Pentapotamia’—‘Penta’ means five and ‘Potamia’ means river. So, the Greeks also called it the land of five rivers. The territories of Afghanistan and Baluchistan were annexed to Punjab during the Mauryan period. Thus its northwest boundary stretched up to the Hindukush.
As the Tak’ tribe ruled this vast land for centuries, Punjab was also called ‘Tak Desh. In the medieval period, Punjab was known as Lahore Suba, after the name of its capital (Lahore). Akbar, the great Mughal emperor, divided Punjab into two provinces i.e. Suba of Lahore and Suba of Multan. Punjab was called Lahore Raj during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Under his rule, its boundaries stretched from Ladakh in the north to Shikarpur in the south and from the Sutlej in the east to Peshawar in the west. When the British annexed it to the British empire, it was termed as ‘Punjab Province’. A famous historian S.M. Latif has rightly remarked,
“No country in the East presents the same variety of features as does the land of five rivers.” Punjab can be divided into the following three parts on the basis of its physical or geographical features:
- The Himalayas and the Sulaiman Mountain Ranges.
- Sub-mountainous Region.
- The Plains.
1. The Himalayas and the Sulaiman Mountain Ranges:
1. The Himalayas: The Himalayas are situated to the north of Punjab. ‘Himalaya’ means ‘abode of snow. Its tops remain covered with snow throughout the year. It stretches from Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west. Its length is 2500 kilometres and the breadth ranges from 240 kilometres to 320 kilometres. On the basis of its height, the Himalayas can be divided into three parts: the Greater Himalayas, the Middle Himalayas and the Outer Himalayas also known as the Shivalik mountains.
The Himalayas have proved to be of great advantage to Punjab in many ways. Firstly, the Himalayas stand like a watchman both for the Punjab and India, because it is the highest mountain range in the world and it always remains snow-clad. So, no foreign invader dared to cross these mountains and consequently, Punjab remained protected from the foreign invasions from the north for a long time. Secondly, the monsoon winds hit the Himalayas and cause adequate rainfall in Punjab. Thirdly, the great rivers flowing down the Himalayas have made the land of the Punjab very fertile. Fourthly, the valleys of the Himalayas gave Punjab such famous hill stations like Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Kangra and Dalhousie.
2. Sulaiman Mountain Ranges: The Sulaiman mountain ranges are situated in the northwest of Punjab. These are the western ranges of the Himalayas. These ranges have many ‘Passes’ which connect India with other countries of Asia. The Khyber is the most prominent pass. The other known passes are Bolan, Kurram, Tochi and Gomal. The majority of foreign invaders came to Punjab through these passes. Besides, these passes served as trade routes for India with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
2. Sub-mountainous Region:
This region is located between the Shivalik ranges and the plains of Punjab. It is called Tarai. The height of these mountains ranges between 1000 feet and 3000 feet. This region consists of Hoshiarpur, Kangra, Ambala, the northern part of Gurdaspur and some areas of Sialkot. As the region is hilly, its soil is less fertile and means of transport are under-developed. Thus, the population in this region is not dense.
3. The Plains:
The Plains constitute the largest and most important region of Punjab. It is rightly called the real Punjab. This part is located between the rivers of Indus and Jamuna. It is considered one of the best fertile plains in the world. Its average height from the sea level is less than 1000 feet. Five great rivers of Punjab (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum) flow in this very part. The plains of Punjab can further be sub-divided into the following three parts—(a) Five Doabs, (b) Malwa and Bangar, (c) South-West Deserts.
(a) Five Doabs: A bigger part of the plains is surrounded by the five Doabs. These Doabs were created during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar and can be found in the same way even today. ‘Doab’ is a Persian word meaning ‘two glasses of water or ‘land between the two rivers. These five Doabs are briefly described below:
1. Best Jalandhar Doab: The area located between the rivers Sutlej and Beas is called Best Jalandhar Doab. This is the most famous Doab. Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur are the two biggest cities of this Doab. This Doab is very fertile.
2. Bari Doab: This Doab is located between the rivers Beas and the Ravi. It is located in the middle of Punjab, so it is called Majha and its residents are called Majhail. Lahore and Amritsar are two famous cities of this Doab. It is also very fertile.
3. Rachna Doab: The area located between the rivers Ravi and the Chenab is called Rachna Doab. Gujranwala and Sheikhupura are two important cities of this Doab. This Doab is also very fertile.
4. Chaj Doab: The area lying between the rivers Chenab and the Jhelum is known as Chaj Doab. Gujarat and Shahpur are two important cities of this Doab. It is also very fertile.
5. Sind Sagar Doab: The area lying between the rivers Jhelum and the Sind is called Sind Sagar Doab. Rawalpindi is the most famous city of this Doab. This Doab is less fertile.
(b) Malwa and Bangar: In addition to the areas covered by the Five Doabs, the vast plains located between the rivers Sutlej and the Jamuna also form a part of the plains of Punjab. It is further sub-divided into two parts—Malwa and Bangar.
1. Malwa: The area located between the rivers Sutlej and the Ghaggar is called Malwa which includes Patiala, Ludhiana, Sirhind, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Bhatinda, Faridkot and Nabha. There lived a famous tribe named ‘Malwa’ in the ancient period in this area, so the area came to be called Malwa. Its inhabitants are called ‘Malwai’.
2. Bangar: The area located between the rivers Ghaggar and the Jamuna is known as Bangar. It is known as Haryana as well. Ambala, Panipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Gurugram (Gurgaon), Jind, and Hissar are included in it. Many important and decisive wars of Indian History have been fought in this part of Punjab.
(c) South-West Deserts: Sind, Bahawalpur, and the desert of Multan which are located in the southwest also form part of the plains of Punjab. As this area receives inadequate rainfall, so it is less fertile.
4. Climate of Punjab:
The climate of Punjab also shows much variation. It is extremely cold in winter and becomes too hot in summer. December and January are bitterly cold. The hilly areas receive plenty of snowfall. The temperature falls below 0°C on many occasions. The plains experience fog and mist in winter. In the months of summer, especially in May and June, scorching winds blow. Punjab receives rainfall from July to September. The hilly areas receive more rainfall than the plains. The climate of Punjab in the months of October, November, February, and March is very pleasant.
Influence Of Physical Features On The History Of Punjab:
Question 2.
How have the physical features of the Punjab affected its Political History?
Or
How have the physical features of the Punjab affected its History?
Or
Examine the influence of physical features of the Punjab on the course of its history.
Or
How did the geographical features of the Punjab affect its History?
Or
How did the geographical features of the Punjab influence its political, social, religious and economic history?
Or
Explain the socio-cultural, economic and religious effects of the physical features of the Punjab.
Or
Explain the political effects of the physical features of the Punjab.
Or
Explain the social and economic effects of the physical features of the Punjab.
Or
What were the political, military and social effects of the geographical features of the Punjab?
Answer:
History is always closely related to Geography, because the geographical conditions of a country have a great influence upon the history of that country. The political, social, economic and religious life of the people is greatly influenced and controlled by the geographical factors. Thus, the geographical conditions of the Punjab have greatly influenced the history of this land. These factors have influenced social, political, economic, religious and cultural life of the Punjab in many ways.
1. Political Effects:
1. Punjab—Gateway of India: As a result of its geographical location, the Punjab has been the gateway of India for many centuries. There are a number of passes (Khyber, Kurram, Tochi, Bolan etc.) in the north-west of the Punjab which were easy to cross. So, the foreign invaders kept on attacking India for centuries passing through these passes. The Aryans, Iranians, Greeks, Kushanas, Hunas, Turks, Mughals and Durranis invaded India passing through these passes. First of all these invaders had to fight with the people of the Punjab. They could go further only after defeating the Punjab. So, the Punjab has been called the gateway of India.
2. Punjab—Field pi Historic Battles: Punjab has been the battlefield of many important and decisive battles of Indian history because of its geographical location. First of all, the Aryans fought the Dravidians in the ancient times. Then, the battles between Alexander and Porus, and Chandragupta Maurya and the Greeks were also fought on this land. In the medieval period, two battles were fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Mohammad Ghori at Tarain in 1191 A.D. and 1192 A.D. Mohammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the second battle of Tarain and thus he laid the foundation of the Muslim rule in India. Similarly, the first battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 A.D. between Ibrahim LodKi and Babar, and the second battle of Panipat was fought in 1556 A.D. between Hemu and Akbar, which resulted in establishing the Mughal empire in India. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 A.D. between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali, which marked the end of the Maratha power in the Punjab. Thus, we see that many historic battles of Indian history were fought on this land of five rivers.
3. North-West Frontier Problem: The north-west frontier has always remained a great headache for the rulers of India in general, and for those who ruled the Punjab in particular. It was due to two main reasons. Firstly, all the foreign invaders except the British came to the Punjab from this side. Secondly, the tribesmen living in this area were very wild and uncivilized. Their main profession was to loot and plunder the neighbouring territories. People had to face many hardships due to their cruel activities.
Consequently, every ruler of the Punjab who did not pay heed to the north-west frontier had to lose his kingdom very soon. Thus, the success or failure of any ruler depended upon his north-western frontier policy. It was one of the main causes of the downfall of the great Gupta Empire. So, having understood its significance, Balban, Alauddin Khalji, Akbar, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the British paid special attention towards the solution of this knotty problem. As a result, they succeeded in protecting their empires to a large extent.
4. Punjabis had to suffer for Centuries: It was also due to the geographical location of the Punjab, that the Punjabis had to suffer hardships and the cruelties of invaders for centuries. As the Punjab lay in the way of the foreign invaders coming from north-western side, it had to bear the brunt of their onslaughts. Mahmud Ghaznavi, Mohammad Ghori, Timur, Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali were such invaders, who had let loose a reign of terror on the Punjabis. Wherever, they went they looted all villages and towns and killed many people. They caused dishonour to womenfolk, who were chained and sold in foreign countries as slaves. They forcibly converted the people to Islam.
5. Influence of the Rivers of the Punjab: The rivers flowing into this land have also influenced its history. These rivers checked the entry of foreign invaders many times and thus protected the country. When these rivers were in flood, it was almost impossible to cross them. Alexander, the Great, could not cross the Beas. These rivers determined the routes of the invaders at many occasions. They advanced from those sides, where these rivers were shallow and it was easier to cross them. Thus the future of the Punjab depended upon these rivers. These rivers made the plains of the Punjab very fertile, which enhanced its political significance.
6. Influence of the Forests and Hills of the Punjab: The forests and the hills of the Punjab have influenced the history of Punjab to a great extent. After the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716 A.D., when Abdus Samad Khan, Zakariya Khan, Yahiya Khan and Mir Mannu started the persecution of the Sikhs. They took shelter in these forests and hills. From here, they resisted the enemy and adopted guerilla warfare. They used to attack their enemy all of a sudden and took shelter once again in their hideouts in the forests and hills. The Sikhs even looted Nadir Shah in 1739 A.D. through guerilla warfare. They had become a great headache for Ahmad Shah also. He invaded Punjab for not less than eight times to crush the Sikh power, but he failed in his attempts. Finally, the Sikhs succeeded in establishing their independent Misls in many parts of the Punjab.
2. Social and Cultural Effects:
1. Special traits of the Character of Punjabis: The peculiar geographical features of the Punjab were responsible for developing certain special traits of the character of the Punjabis. These special traits provided separate identity to the Punjabis from the rest of the IndiAnswer: After fighting countless wars and facing many difficulties, they developed traits like bravery, courage, hard work, sympathy, co-operation, social service, tolerance and sacrificing the self for the country. Besides, one more distinct trait developed in the Punjabis. It was—‘eat, drink and be merry’. As the foreign invaders invariably looted the wealth, riches and all other belongings, so the Punjabis preferred to spend all the money rather than saving it. It was a famous saying at the time of Ahmad Shah Abdali:
“Khaada peeta laahe da, Rehnda Ahmad Shahe da.”.
2. Increase in the number of Castes and Sub-castes: The Punjab has been the victim of foreign invasions from the ancient times. The Iranians, Greeks, Hunas, Kushanas, Mongols, Turks, Mughals and Afghans invaded the Punjab and many 5 of them settled here. They married the women folk of this land. Thus, many new S castes and sub-castes emerged. Of such castes and sub-castes, Pathan, Gujjar, Dogra, Baluch, Syal, Jat, Mahajan and Arora were prominent. .
3. Distinct Culture of the Punjab: People belonging to different countries and practising different religions got settled in the Punjab. As a result a new culture evolved as a resul of their synthesis. For example, a new language (Urdu) developed.
4. Loss of the Art and Literature: The art and literature of Punjab could not develop because of its geographical location. For centuries together the Punjab remained the battlefield of foreign invaders. Lack of peace and constant threat to the lives of the people resulted in the lack of art and literature. If some art and literature were ever produced they were destroyed and burnt by the foreign invaders. Consequently, the art and literature of Punjab received a great jolt.
3. Religious Effects:
1. Origin of Hinduism: The Punjab is considered the birthplace of Hinduism. First of all, the Aryans settled in the Sapta Sindhu. They composed their holy scriptures here. These works depict geographical or natural aspects of the Punjab clearly. The rivers, the” forests and the mountains of the Punjab are mentioned in these books more than once.
2. Propagation of Islam: Islam was much propagated in Punjab as compared to other parts of India due to many reasons. Firstly, the Muslims were the first to occupy Punjab. Secondly, the Punjab was located nearer to Afghanistan and Central Asia. All these countries were populated by Muslims. Thirdly, many Muslims got settled in the Punjab. Fourthly, the Punjab remained under the Sultans of Delhi and the Mughals for centuries. All these causes \yere responsible for the spread of Islam in Punjab.
3. Origin and Development of Sikhism: Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his eight spiritual successors blessed this sacred land of five rivers by their incarnation. The development and growth of Sikhism is very closely related to the geographical features of the Punjab. People of this land were economically rich, so they contributed a lot towards the development of Sikhism. They never hesitated in contributing for the Langar, historical buildings and other necessary projects of the Sikh Panth. They always helped the needy and the poor which made many of them become the followers of Sikhism.
4. Economic Effects:
1. Agriculture: The soil of the plains of the Punjab was very fertile. Moreover, the Punjab received sufficient rainfall and has developed means of irrigation. That was why a majority of the population of the Punjab is engaged in agriculture. Wheat, rice, cottonseed, sugarcane, maize, barley and oil-seeds were main crops of the Punjab. People living in the hilly areas earned their livelihood by rearing sheep and goats, because were nothing can grow on it.
2. Foreign Trade: Due to its geographical location the people of the Punjab had the opportunity to develop good foreign trade since ancient times. Being a border province, the Punjab had a flourishing trade with Afghanistan and countries of Central Asia. The Punjab traders exported foodgrains, sugar, cottonseed, woollen, silken and cotton textile, shawls and blankets, etc. to these countries and in return imported horses, dry fruit, daris, carpets, fur and weapons, etc. Much of this trade was carried on through the passes located in the north-west of the Punjab.
3. Prosperity of the Punjab: The Punjab has been very much prosperous since the ancient times due to its geographical situation. The plains of the Punjab are so fertile that they are described as producing gold. The foreign trade of the Punjab had also been very flourishing. Consequently, the Punjabis were very rich. So, we conclude with the befitting remarks by Dr. B.S. Nijjar, “The effects of physical features of the Punjab have exercised a great influence on its history.”
Question 3.
Throw light on the physical features of the Punjab. How did they influence the History of the Punjab?
Or
Explain the geographical features of the Punjab. How did they influence the History of the Punjab?
Note: To answer this question the students are requested to see the answers of question numbers 1 and 2.
Short Answer Type Questions:
Question 1.
Describe any three physical features of the Punjab.
Or
Give a brief description of geographical features of the Punjab.
Answer:
The Himalayas is located to the north-west of the’Punjab. As this mountain is very high, it acts as a watchman for the Punjab and India. The monsoon strikes ‘ against these mountains and brings rain in the Punjab. The sub-mountainous region of the Punjab is situated between the Shivalik hills and the plains. This region is also known as Tarai. The land being rocky is less fertile and means of transportation are also not much developed. The plains of Punjab is counted among the most fertile regions of the world.
Question 2.
Why is the Punjab called as the ‘Gateway of India’?
Answer:
The Punjab has acted as the gateway of India for centuries due to its geographical location. Towards its north-west are located Khyber, Kurram, Tochi and Bolan passes. It was not difficult to cross these passes. Therefore, since the ancient times, the foreign invaders had been crossing these passes to invade India. The people of the Punjab had to fight with these invaders. They could advance only after conquering the Punjab. So, the Punjab is called the gateway of India.
Question 3.
What is the importance of the Punjab in the Indian History?
Answer:
The Punjab has occupied a pivotal position in the history of India due to many reasons. The Aryans compiled their famous religious scripture Ttigveda’ on this holy land. The great Mahabharata war was also fought on this land. Lord Krishna delivered his spiritual message i.e. the Gita here. It was the place where Chandragupta Maurya founded India’s first empire. The most important and decisive wars of Indian history were fought here. This land gave birth to the nine great Gurus of the Sikh religion. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent most part of his life in Punjab.
Question 4.
What were the main benefits of the Himalayas to the Punjab?
Or
Write any three benefits of the Himalayas to the Punjab.
Or
What were the three merits of the Himalayas to the Punjab?
Answer:
- The Himalayas stood like a watchman both for the Punjab and India.
- The sub-mountainous region has given us many beautiful townships and tourist resorts like Kulu, Manali, Dalhousie and Shimla etc.
- It has contributed a lot to the economic prosperity of the state.
Question 5.
What do you mean by Doab? Give a brief description of Doabs of the Punjab.
Or
Explain any three Doabs of the Punjab.
Answer:
‘Doab’ is a Persian word meaning the ‘land between the two rivers’.
- Bist Jalandhar Doab: The area located between the rivers Sutlej and Beas.
- Bari Doab: It is located between the Beas and the Ravi rivers.
- Rachna Doab: The area located between the Ravi and the Chenab rivers.
- Chaj Doab: The area lying between the Chenab and the Jhelum.
- Sind Sagar Doab: The area lying between the Jhelum and the Sind.
Question 6.
Describe briefly about plain areas of Punjab.
Answer:
The plains constitute the largest and most important region of the Punjab. It is rightly called the virtual Punjab. This part is located between the rivers of Indus and Jamuna. It is considered one of the best fertile plains of the World. Its average height from the sea level is less than 1000 feet. Five great rivers of Punjab (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum) flow in this very part. The land of this area is very fertile, it receives ample rainfall and the means of transport are fairly developed. So, the population of this area is very dense. The plains of the Punjab can further be sub-divided into the following three parts:
- Five Doabs,
- Malwa and Bangar and
- South West Deserts.
Question 7.
What do you understand by Malwa and Bangar?
Answer:
- Malwa: The area lying between the Sutlej and the Ghaggar rivers is called Malwa. Patiala, Ludhiana, Sirhind, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Bathinda, Faridkot and Nabha fall in this area. In this area lived a famous tribe ‘Malavas’ in ancient times, for which this region got the name Malwa. The inhabitants of this area are called Malwai.
- Bangar: The area which falls between the Ghaggar and the Jamuna rivers is called Bangar. It is also called Haryana. It includes Ambala, Panipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Gurugram (Gurgaon), Jind and Hisar. Many important and decisive battles of Indian history were fought in this part.
Question 8.
What influence did the physical features of the Punjab have on its political history?
Or
What were the political effects of the geographical features of the Punjab.
Or
Write any three political effects of the geographical features of the Punjab.
Answer:
- The Punjab remained the gateway of India for centuries due to its geographical location.
- Many important and decisive battles of the Indian history were also fought in the Punjab,
- The rivers flowing through the Punjab, its forests and hills have deeply influenced the history of the Punjab,
- The forests and mountains lying in the Punjab have also affected its history.
Question 9.
What impact did the physical features of the Punjab have on its economic history?
Or
Write any three main economic influences on the geography of the Punjab.
Answer:
- As the plains of the Punjab were very fertile, so the main occupation of people here was agriculture,
- People reared sheep and goats in the mountainous regions of the Punjab,
- It being a frontier province, foreign trade was carried on with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries on a large scale,
- The cities like Lahore, Multan, Sirhind, Jalandhar and Amritsar became trade centres.
Question 10.
How did the rivers of the Punjab affect its history?
Or
What were the effects of Punjab rivers on the history of the Punjab?
Answer:
The rivers flowing through the Punjab also greatly influenced its history. These rivers checked the advancement of the foreign invaders many times and defended the country. These rivers, when in spate, were very difficult to cross. These rivers also determined the passage of many invaders. The soil of the Punjab became very fertile due to these rivers and it yielded bumper crops. The economic prosperity of the Punjab was mainly due to these rivers.
Question 11.
The forests and hills of the Punjab have deeply influenced its history. Do you agree with this statement?
Or
How did the forests and hills of the Punjab influence its history?
Or
How did the forests of the Punjab affect its history?
Answer:
The forests and hills of the Punjab have also deeply influenced its history. After the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716 A.D., when Mughals and Afghans vigorously persecuted the Sikhs, they took shelter in these forests and hills. They faced their enemy from here through guerilla warfare. By adopting the guerilla warfare the Sikhs had plundered even the great tyrant Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali.-Ultimately, the Sikhs succeeded in setting up independent Misls in many parts of the Punjab.
Question 12.
What effects did the physical features of the Punjab have on its socio-cultural history?
Or
“Punjab was a land of religious movements.” Explain the statement.
Answer:
The Punjab is considered the birthplace of Hinduism. First of all, the Aryans settled in the Sapta Sindhu. They composed their holy scriptures here. Islam was much propagated in the Punjab as compared to other parts of India due to many reasons. Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his eight spiritual successors blessed this sacred land of five rivers by their incarnation. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent most part of his life in Punjab. Many religions were prevalent in the Punjab. That is why it came to be called, “The land of religious movement.”
Question 14.
Physical features of the Punjab greatly influenced its history. Write briefly three important effects.
Answer:
- The Punjab has acted as the gateway to India for ages, due to its physical features,
- The foreign invaders had been invading India through Khyber, Kurram, Tochi and Bolan passes since ancient times,
- The Sikh religion was bom on the sacred land of the Punjab,
- As the Punjab had remained a battlefield for ages, art and literature could not flourish here,
- Since the ancient times, the Punjab has been an economically prosperous state due to its physical features.
Objective Type Questions:
Question 1.
What is the meaning of the word Punjab?
Answer:
The land of five rivers.
Question 2.
Why did Punjab get its name Punjab?
Answer:
Because of the five rivers flowing here.
Question 3.
Name any one river of Punjab.
Answer:
Sutlej.
Question 4.
By which name was the Punjab known in the Rigvedic period and why?
Or
By which name Punjab was called during Rigvedic period and why?
Answer:
Sapta Sindhu.
Question 5.
What is meant by Sapta Sindhu?
Answer:
The land of seven rivers.
Question 6.
With what name did Greeks call Punjab?
Answer:
Pentapotamia.
Question 7.
What is meant by Pentapotamia?
Answer:
The land of five rivers.
Question 8.
What name was given to Punjab by the Epics and Puranas?
Answer:
Panchnada.
Question 9.
What is meant by Panchnada?
Answer:
The land of five rivers.
Question 10.
Why was Punjab called Tak Desh?
Answer:
Because Tak tribe ruled here for a long time.
Question 11.
By which name was Punjab known in medieval period?
Or
What was Punjab known as in the Medieval Period?
Or
What was the name of the Punjab in the Medieval Period?
Answer:
Lahore Suba (Province).
Question 12.
What was the name given to Punjab during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s times?
Answer:
Lahore Raj.
Question 13.
When was Lahore state annexed to the British empire?
Answer:
March 29, 1849 A.D.
Question 14.
Why was Punjab annexed by the British last of all?
Answer:
Due to the geographical location of Punjab.
Question 15.
Which part of Punjab was given to Pakistan in 1947?
Answer:
Western part.
Question 16.
Write the names of the physical features of the Punjab.
Or
Give the three physical features of the Punjab.
Answer:
Himalayas and Sulaiman Mountain Ranges, Sub-Mountainous Region and the Plains.
Question 17.
Punjab is known as the Sword Arm of whom?
Answer:
India.
Question 18.
Why is Punjab known as ‘Sword Arm of India’?
Answer:
Because people of Punjab played the role of defending India’s security.
Question 19.
Which was called the Gateway of India?
Answer:
Punjab.
Question 20.
Why is the Punjab called the Gateway of India?
Answer:
Because the foreign invaders had to cross Punjab to reach India.
Question 21.
Name the frontier direction through which foreign invaders entered Punjab.
Answer:
North West Frontier.
Question 22.
Name any one pass through which the invaders came to Punjab.
Answer:
Khyber.
Question 23.
Name the ‘pass’ through which maximum foreign invasions took place.
Answer:
Khyber.
Question 24.
Which is the highest peak of the Himalayas?
Answer:
Mount Everest.
Question 25.
Mention any one advantage of Himalayas to Punjab.
Answer:
It saved Punjab from the invaders of the North.
Question 26.
Name the beautiful city in the mountainous regions of the Punjab which is the outcome of Himalayas.
Answer:
Shimla.
Question 27.
Where is Tarai or sub-mountainous region located?
Answer:
Himalayas and the plains of the Punjab.
Question 28.
What do you mean by ‘Doab’?
Answer:
The region between the two rivers.
Question 29.
Into how many Doabs has Punjab been divided?
Answer:
Five Doabs.
Question 30.
Name any one Doab of Punjab.
Answer:
Bist Jalandhar Doab.
Question 31.
In which Doab Jalandhar is situated?
Answer:
Bist Jalandhar Doab.
Question 32.
In which Doab Hoshiarpur is situated?
Answer:
Bist Jalandhar Doab.
Question 33.
Name any one city located in Bari Doab.
Answer:
Lahore.
Question 34.
What is meant by Bari Doab?
Answer:
The area located between the rivers Sutlej and Beas.
Question 35.
Why is Bari Doab called ‘Majha’?
Answer:
Because it is located in the middle of Punjab.
Question 36.
By what other name Bari Doab is known as?
Answer:
Majha.
Question 37.
In which Doab is Amritsar situated?
Answer:
Bari Doab.
Question 38.
With which name are the people of Malwa known?
Answer:
People of Malwa are called Malwai.
Question 39.
Write the names of any two main citiSs of Malwa.
Or
Mention any two cities of Malwa.
Answer:
- Patiala,
- Ludhiana.
Question 40
Where is Malwa situated?
Answer:
Between Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers.
Question 41.
Why is Malwa so called?
Answer:
Because it was inhabited by a brave tribe called Malav.
Question 42.
Write the names of any two main cities of Malwa.
Or
Mention any two cities of Malwa.
Answer:
- Patiala,
- Ludhiana.
Question 43.
What is meant by Rachna Doab?
Answer:
The region located between the Ravi and the Chenab rivers.
Question 44.
Name two famous towns of Rachna Doab.
Answer:
Gujranwala and Sheikhupura.
Question 45.
What is meant by Chaj Doab?
Answer:
The region located between the Chenab and the Jhelum rivers.
Question 46.
Where is Chaj Doab situated?
Answer:
Between the Chenab and the Jhelum rivers.
Question 47.
Where is Sind Sagar Doab situated?
Answer:
Between the Sind and the Jhelum rivers.
Question 48.
Where is Bangar situated?
Answer:
Between Ghaggar and Jamuna rivers.
Question 49.
Name two important agricultural products of the Punjab.
Answer:
Wheat and cotton.
Question 50.
Name the most important town of Sind Sagar Doab.
Answer:
Rawalpindi.
Question 51.
When was the first battle of Tarain fought?
Answer:
1191 A.D.
Question 52.
When was the second battle of Tarain fought?
Answer:
1192 A.D.
Question 53.
When was the first battle of Panipat fought?
Answer:
1526 A.D.
Question 54.
When was the second battle of Panipat fought?
Answer:
1556 A.D.
Question 55.
Name any effect of the Himalayas on the History of Punjab.
Answer:
It increased the economic prosperity of Punjab.
Question 56.
How have the plains of Punjab affected its History?
Answer:
The economic prosperity of Punjab became the main source of attraction of foreign invaders.
Question 57.
Write any’one reason for the economic prosperity of Punjab.
Answer:
Foreign trade.
Question 58.
How is the soil of Punjab?
Answer:
Very fertile.
Question 59.
How have the rivers of Punjab affected its history?
Answer:
These rivers acted as the defense barrier of “the country.
Question 60.
How have the mountains and forests affected the history of Punjab?
Answer:
They gave invaluable contribution to the rise of the power of the Sikhs.
Fill in the blanks:
1. Punjab is combination of two Persian words ……………. and ……………….
Answer:
Punj, Aab
2. Punjab means a land of ……………….. rivers.
Answer:
five
3. Punjab was called the ………….. of India.
Answer:
Gateway
4. The Punjab was called ……………. in Rigveda period.
Answer:
Sapt Sindhu
5. The Greeks have named Punjab …………….
Answer:
Pentapotamia
6. In Puranas Punjab was called …………….
Answer:
Panchnada
7. During medieval times Punjab was called …………..
Answer:
Lahore Suba
8. Punjab was named ……………… at the time of Ranjit Singh.
Answer:
Lahore Raj
9. Himalaya means ……………
Answer:
Abode of snow
10. The highest peak of the Himalayas was …………….
Answer:
Mount Everest
11. The most famous …………….. pass lies in the North-west of Punjab.
Answer:
Khyber
12. There are ………….. Doabs in Punjab.
Answer:
five
13. The word ‘Doab’ means ……………
Answer:
land between the two rivers
14. Bari Doab is also called ……………..
Answer:
Majha
15. The most important city of Rachna Doab is ………………
Answer:
Gujranwala
16. ……………. is most important city of Sind Sagar Doab.
Answer:
Rawalpindi
17. The inhabitants of Malwa are called ………………..
Answer:
Malwai
18. The first battle of Tarain was fought in …………….
Answer:
1191A.D.
19. In …………… second battle of Tarain was fought.
Answer:
1192 A.D.
20. …………….. battle of panipat was fought between Hemu and Akbar in 1556 A.D.
Answer:
Second
21. Third battle of Panipat was fought in …………………
Answer:
1761 A.D.
22. The main occupation of people of Punjab was …………….
Answer:
Agriculture
True/False:
Pick out the True or False statements:
1. The word ‘Punjab’ means a ‘land of five rivers’.
Answer:
True
2. The Punjab was called Sapt Sindhu in the Rigvedic period.
Answer:
True
3. The Punjab was called Tak Desh in the Epics and the Puranas.
Answer:
False
4. The Greeks called Punjab Pentapotamia.
Answer:
True
5. In medieval period, Punjab was known as Lohore Suba.
Answer:
True
6. The word ‘Himalaya’ means ‘abode of snow’.
Answer:
True
7. The Punjab was given name ‘Lahore Raj’ during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Answer:
True
8. The name of the famous pass in the north-west of Punjab is Gomal.
Answer:
False
9. The word ‘Doab’ means ‘land between the two rivers’.
Answer:
True
10. Hoshiarpur is a city of Bari Doab.
Answer:
False
11. Bari Doab is also known as ‘Majha’.
Answer:
True
12. The area located between the rivers Sutlej and Beas is called ‘Bist Jalandhar Doab’.
Answer:
True
13. The area located between the rivers Ravi and Chenab is called ‘Rachna Doab’.
Answer:
True
14. Gujranwala is an important city of Rachna Doab.
Answer:
True
15. The area lying between the rivers Sutlej and Chenab is called Chaj Doab.
Answer:
False
16. Rawalpindi is the most famous city of Sind Sagar Doab.
Answer:
True
17. The Plain located between the Sutlej and the Jamuna river is called Malwa.
Answer:
False
18. The inhabitants of Malwa are called ‘Malwai’.
Answer:
True
19. The area located between the Ghaggar and the Jamuna rivers is known as Bangar.
Answer:
True
20. The second battle of Tarain was fought in 1193 A.D.
Answer:
False
21. The first battle of panipat between 1536 A.D.
Answer:
False
22. In 1556 A.D. the second battle of Panipat was fought between Hemu and Akbar.
Answer:
True
23. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 A.D.
Answer:
True
24. Sikhism was originated in Punjab
Answer:
True
25. The main occupation of the people of Punjab was agriculture.
Answer:
True
26. Punjab has been very much properous since the ancient times due to its geographical situation.
Answer:
True
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the meaning of the the word ‘Punjab’?
(a) Land of two rivers
(b) Land of three rivers
(c) Land of four rivers
(d) Land of five rivers
Answer:
(d) Land of five rivers
2. Punjab is the word of which language?
(a) Persian
(b) Urdu
(c) Hindi
(d) Gurmukhi
Answer:
(a) Persian
3. By which name was Punjab known in the Rigvedic period?
(a) Sapt Sindhu
(b) Pentapotamia
(c) Tak Desh
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Sapt Sindhu
4. Which name was given to Punjab by the Greeks?
(a) Panchnad
(b) Sapta Sindhu
(c) Tak Desh
(d) Pentapotamia
Answer:
(d) Pentapotamia
5. Why was Punjab called Tak Desh in ancient times?
(a) Tak tribe
(b) Tak ruler
(c) Tak coin
(d) Tak mountain.
Answer:
(a) Tak tribe
6. What was the name of capital of Punjab in medieval period?
(a) Multan
(b) Rawalpindi
(c) Kabul
(d) Lahore
Answer:
(d) Lahore
7. Which was the famous pass on the North-West Frontier of the Punjab?
(a) Khyber
(b) Kurram
(c) Tochi
(d) Bolan.
Answer:
(a) Khyber
8. Which is the highest peak of the Himalayas?
(a) Kanchanjanga
(b) Nanda Devi
(c) Mount Everest
(d) K/2
Answer:
(c) Mount Everest
9. What is average length of the Himalayas?
(a) 1200 km
(b) 1800 km
(c) 200 km
(d) 2500 km
Answer:
(d) 2500 km
10. What do you mean by ‘Doab’?
(a) Region between two rivers.
(b) Region between two mountains.
(c) Region between two plains.
(d) None of these.
Answer:
(a) Region between two rivers.
11. How many Doabs are there in Punjab?
(a) Two
(b) Three
(c) Four
(d) Five
Answer:
(d) Five
12. In which Doab Amritsar is situated?
(a) Chaj Doab
(b) Bist-Jalandhar
(c) Rachna Doab
(d) Bari Doab
Answer:
(d) Bari Doab
13. Where is Rachna Doab situated?
(a) Between the Ravi and the Chenab rivers
(b) Between the Chenab and the Jhelum rivers
(c) Between the Ravi and the Sutlej rivers
(d) Between the Sutlej and the Beas rivers?
Answer:
(a) Between the Ravi and the Chenab rivers
14. Which Doab has Gujarat and Shahpur as main cities?
(a) Chaj Doab
(b) Rachna Doab
(c) Bari Doab
(d) Bist-Jalandhar Doab.
Answer:
(a) Chaj Doab
15. Which is the most important town of Sind Sagar region?
(a) Sind
(b) Jalandhar
(c) Ludhiana
(d) Rawalpindi
Answer:
(d) Rawalpindi
16. When was the first battle of Tarain fought?
(a) In 1191 A.D.
(b) In 1192 A.D.
(c) In 1291 A.D.
(d) In 1491 A.D.
Answer:
(a) In 1191 A.D.
17. When was the second battle of Tarain fought?
(a) In 1152 A.D.
(b) In 1192 A.D.
(c) In 1292 A.D.
(d) In 1526 A.D.
Answer:
(b) In 1192 A.D.
18. In which year was the second battle of Panipat fought?
(a) 1526 A.D
(b) 1536 A.D
(c) 1556 A.D
(d) 1656 A.D
Answer:
(c) 1556 A.D
19. In which year was the third battle of Panipat fought?
(a) 1526 A.D
(b) 1561 A.D
(c) 1556 A.D
(d) 1761 A.D
Answer:
(d) 1761 A.D
20. Name the city of Punjab which was considered important from the geographical point of view.
(a) Multan
(b) Lahore
(c) Peshawar
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(d) All of the above
21. Which language was not spoken in Punjab in 16th century?
(a) Urdu
(b) Hindi
(c) Punjabi
(d) Tamil
Answer:
(d) Tamil
22. Which trait is not the outcome of the geographical condition of Punjab?
(a) Bravery
(b) Hard work
(c) Tolerance
(d) Treachery
Answer:
(d) Treachery
23. Which foreign invaders did not come through North-Western Frontier?
(a) Mughals
(b) Hunas
(c) Greeks
(d) British
Answer:
(d) British
24. What led to the spread of Islam in Punjab?
(a) Muslims of Punjab were economically happy.
(b) Muslims had occupied Punjab in the very beginning.
(c) People of Punjab liked this religion.
(d) Muslims had more propaganda centres in Punjab.
Answer:
(b) Muslims had occupied Punjab in the very beginning.
25. Which of these was not exported by Punjab in the sixteenth century?
(a) Horses
(b) Cotton
(c) Sugar
(d) Clothes
Answer:
(a) Horses
26. Which of these was not imported in Punjab in the sixteenth century?
(a) Dry Fruit
(b) Weapons
(c) Horses
(d) Cotton
Answer:
(d) Cotton
27. Which city was not an important trading centre in 16th century?
(a) Amritsar
(b) Lahore
(c) Hisar
(d) Rawalpindi
Answer:
(d) Rawalpindi