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Tamil Nadu Board 11th Standard History Unit 8: Book Back Answers and Solutions

This post covers the book back answers and solutions for Unit 8 – History from the Tamil Nadu State Board 11th Standard textbook. These detailed answers have been carefully prepared by our expert teachers at KalviTips.com.

We have explained each answer in a simple, easy-to-understand format, highlighting important points step by step under the relevant subtopics. Students are advised to read and memorize these subtopics thoroughly. Once you understand the main concepts, you’ll be able to connect other related points with real-life examples and confidently present them in your tests and exams.

By going through this material, you’ll gain a strong understanding of History Unit 8 along with the corresponding book back questions and answers (PDF format).

Question Types Covered:

1 Mark Questions: Choose the correct answer, Fill in the blanks, Identify the correct statement, Match the following
2 Mark Questions: Answer briefly
3, 4, and 5 Mark Questions: Answer in detail

All answers are presented in a clear and student-friendly manner, focusing on key points to help you score full marks.

All the best, Class 11th students! Prepare well and aim for top scores. Thank you!

Unit 8 - Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms

I. Choose the Correct Answer

Question 1.

Prabakaravardhana gave his daughter Rajyasri in marriage to____________.
(a) Grahavarman

(b) Deva Gupta
(c) Sasanka

(d) Pushyaputi

Answer Key:

(a) Grahavarman

Question 2.

Harsha accepted the throne of Kanauj on the advice of______________.
(a) Grahavarman
(b) Avalokitesvara Bodisatva
(c) Prabakaravardhana
(d) Poni

Answer Key:

(d) Poni

Question 3.

_______was the minister for Foreign Relations and War.
(a) Kuntala

(b) Banu
(c) Avanti

(d) Sarvagata

Answer Key:

Question 4.

Which of the following was written by Harsha?
(a) Harsha Charitha

(b) Priyadharsika
(c) Arthasastra

(d) Vikramorvasiyam

Answer Key:

(b) Priyadharsika

Question 5.

Which one of the following statements is wrong?
(a) Dharmapala established Somapura Mahavihara.
(b) Ramapala wrote Ramacharitam.
(c) Mahipala Songs are still popular in rural parts of Bengal.
(d) Agama Shastra was written by Gaudapada.

Answer Key:

(b) Ramapala wrote Ramacharitam

II. Write Brief Answers

1. What are the epigraphical sources for the study of Harsha's Empire?

Madhuban copper plate inscription.
Sonpat inscription on copper seal.
Banskhera copper plate inscription.
Nalanda inscription on clay Seals.

2. How did Harsha become the king of Kanauj?

The magnates of Kanauj invited Harsha to ascend the throne.
Harsha accepted the throne on the advice of Avalokitesvara Bodhisatva.
Thus the two kingdoms of Thaneswar and Kanauj became united under Harsha’s rule.

3. Discuss the greatness of Mahipala I.

He was son of vikramapala II.
Pala dynasty were revived by Mahipala I.
The advance of the Cholas beyond the Ganges was checked by Mahipala I.

4. Point out the significance of the battle of Takkolam.

This war was held between Rashtrakuta and the Cholas.
Krishna III defeated the Chola army in the battle of Takkolam.
He marched upto Rameshvaram and built a pillar of victory.

5. Highlight the significance of Nalanda University during the Pala dynasty.

Deva Pala granted five villages to maintain a monastery at Nalanda.
Nalanda continued to flourish as the chief seat of Buddhist learning.
Nalanda university played a major roll on the progress of Buddhist, Jain and Sanskrit literature.

III. Write Short Answers

1. Harsha’s relationship with the Chinese.

Harsha had cordial relations with China.
The contemporary T’ang emperor, Tai Tsung.
Tai Tsung sent an embassy to Harsha court in 643 and 647 CE.
On the second occasion, the Chinese ambassador found that Harsha had recently died.

2. Importance of Harsha’s criminal justice system.

Criminal law was more severe than that of the Gupta age.
Mimamsakas were appointed to dispense justice.
Corporal punishment for serious offences was in practise.
The death penalty was usually avoided.

3. Shrines at Elephanta and at Ellora.

The Ellora cave complex contains the features of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments and art work.
The most striking structure at Ellora is the Kailasanath Temple.
Elephanta is artistically superior to the shrines at Ellora.
The sculptures such as Nataraja and Sadashiva excel even that of the Ellora sculptures in beauty and craftsmanship.

4. Contribution of Rashtrakutas to Kannada literature.

Kannada literature made great progress during their reign.
Amoghavarsha I, was the author of Kavirajamarga, a Kannada work.
Rashtrakutas patronised Kannada scholars.
The three gems of ancient Kannada literature –Ponna, Panpa and Ranna – were patronised by Rashtrkuta king Krishna III.

5. Patronage of Rashtrakutas to Jains.

Jainism was patronised by later rulers such as Amoghavarsha I, Indra IV, Krishna II and Indra III.
Jinasena wrote the Adipurana.
Gunabhadra, wrote the Mahapurana.
Amoghavarsha I gave five Jain cave temples at Ellora.

IV. Answer the following in detail

1. Explain the religious policy of Harsha.

Harsha was a worshipper of Siva at least up to 631 CE.
But he embraced Buddhism under the influence of his sister Rajyasri.
He subscribed to the Mahayana school of thought.
Harsha summoned two Buddhist assemblies, one at Kanauj and another at Prayag.
A large number of Buddhist, Jain and Vedic scholars and 20 kings were attended the Kanauj assembly.
Harsha convened quin quennial assemblies known as Maha moksha Parishad at Prayag.
Hieun Tsang observed that the principles of Buddhism had deeply permeated the Hindu society.
According to him, people were given complete freedom of worship.

2. Highlight the condition of North India as described by Hieun Tsang.

Hieun Tsang describes the structure, aesthetics and safety measures of the cities, towns and villages of India.
He pointed out that Pataliputra lost its prominence and its place was taken by Kanauj.
People lived a simple life. They dressed in colourful cotton and silk clothes.
Hieun Tsang observed that the principles of Buddhism had deeply permeated the Hindu society.
According to him, people were given complete freedom of worship.
According to Hieun Tsang, the occupations of the four divisions ofsociety continued to be in practice as in the previous times.
Hieun Tsang also noted that Indians were mostly vegetarians.

3. What were the contributions of Palas to Buddhism?

The Palas were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism.
The Buddhist philosopher Haribhadra was the spiritual preceptor of Dharmapala.
Dharmapala founded the Vikaramasila monastery in Bhagalpur district in Bihar.
Dharmapala built a grand vihara at Somapura.
He also built a monastery at Odantapuri in Bihar.
Devapala was also a great patron of Buddhism, He granted five villages to maintain a monastery of Nalanda.
Nalanda continued to flourish as the chief seat of Buddhist learning even during the Pala reign.
The patronage of Palas to Vikramashila and Nalanda universities paved the way for the progress of Buddhist, Jain and Sanskrit literature.

4. Account for the greatness of Rashtrakutas.

The Rashtrakutas made splendid contributions to Indian art.
The art found at Ellora and Elephanta are their contributions.
The famous rock-cut Shiva temple at Ellora was built by Krishna I.
The Rashtrakuta rulers were great patrons of learning.
Kannada and Sanskrit literature made great progress during their reign.
Amoghavarsha I was the author of Prasnottara malika, a Sanskrit work, and Kavirajamarga, a Kannada work.
The worship of Shiva and Vishnu was popular during the Rashtrakuta reign.
Harmony existed amongst various religious sects existing under Rashtrakuta dominions.