BHIC 132
HISTORY OF INDIA FROM C. 300 C.E. TO 1206
IGNOU BHIC 132 Solved Free Assignment
BHIC 132 Solved Free Assignment July 2024 & January 2025
Assignment – I
Q 1) Analyse the various sects and religions under pauranik Hindu religion.
Ans. Pauranik Hinduism refers to the form of Hindu religion that developed and evolved after the Vedic period, mainly during the period when the Puranas were written.
This stage saw the rise of many sects and religious paths, all under the umbrella of Hinduism but with their unique focus and practices.
One of the major features of Pauranik Hinduism was the emergence of Bhakti, or devotion, as a central way to connect with God. People began to worship deities with love and faith, rather than only through rituals or sacrifices.
The three main sects that took shape under Pauranik Hinduism were Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism. Each of these focused on a specific deity as the Supreme Being and had its own beliefs, stories, and practices.
Vaishnavism worships Vishnu as the Supreme God. He is seen as the protector of the universe and the one who appears on Earth in different forms, or avatars, to save the world from evil. The two most loved avatars of Vishnu are Rama and Krishna.
Followers of Vaishnavism believe in surrendering to God with love and devotion. Texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Bhagavata Purana are very important to them. Temples dedicated to Vishnu, Rama, and Krishna can be found all over India.
Shaivism is the sect that sees Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shiva is both the destroyer and the creator, and he is worshipped in many forms — such as the peaceful yogi, the cosmic dancer (Nataraja), or the linga, a symbolic form.
Shaivites often live simple lives, practice meditation, and focus on inner peace. They believe that Shiva can free them from the cycle of birth and death. Sacred texts for Shaivism include the Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, and various Agamas.
Shaktism centres around the worship of Shakti, the divine mother or feminine energy. Shakti is worshipped in many forms like Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. This sect sees the goddess as the ultimate power behind everything in the universe.
Shaktas believe that the goddess is both caring and fierce, depending on how she is worshipped. Festivals like Navaratri and temples like Kamakhya and Kalighat show the deep roots of goddess worship in Indian culture.
Along with these main sects, other religious movements developed as well, such as Smartism, which aims to combine all forms of worship. Followers of Smartism, like Adi Shankaracharya, teach that all deities are different forms of the same truth, called Brahman.
Smartism encourages balanced worship of five deities — Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, Ganesha, and Surya — seeing all of them as equal paths to the same divine source. It focuses on knowledge (jnana) and self-realisation.
There were also smaller sects like Ganapatya, which worshipped Ganesha as the supreme god, and Saura, which focused on Surya, the Sun God. Though not as widely followed today, these sects had their importance in earlier times.
The growth of temples played a key role in the rise of Pauranik Hinduism. Temples became centres not only of worship but also of education, art, and community life. People came to listen to religious stories, sing devotional songs, and celebrate festivals.
The role of the Puranas was very important. These texts helped explain religion to ordinary people through stories, moral teachings, and examples from the lives of gods and saints. Puranas like the Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, and Devi Bhagavata helped spread religious knowledge.
This period also saw the use of local languages instead of only Sanskrit. This allowed people from all walks of life to participate in religious discussions and practices. Saints like Tulsidas, Meera Bai, Tukaram, and Basava helped spread Bhakti in local languages.
The idea of pilgrimage also became important. Places like Varanasi, Rameswaram, Mathura, and Puri became sacred sites that people wanted to visit in their lifetime to gain spiritual blessings and peace.
Different sects also created their own unique forms of worship, such as temple rituals, music, dance, and festivals. All of these helped people express their love for God and become spiritually connected.
Despite having many sects, Pauranik Hinduism allowed for a great deal of unity in diversity. People could choose which deity to worship, how to worship, and which path to follow — devotion, knowledge, or action.
The rise of Pauranik sects made Hinduism more accessible to the masses. It moved away from the earlier focus on sacrifices and rituals, and toward a more emotional, personal connection with the divine.
Q 2) What do you understand by social transformation? Evaluate various social group and the interactions between them in the new social structure.
Ans. Social transformation means big and lasting changes in how people live, behave, think, and interact with each other. It affects social values, norms, customs, and even institutions over time.
These changes can happen due to reasons like education, economy, politics, technology, or even social movements. Transformation affects individuals, families, and larger groups in society.
In traditional Indian society, people were mostly divided based on caste, religion, region, and occupation. These identities shaped how people interacted and where they stood in the social structure.
Caste was the most powerful group identity. It decided a person’s status, job, and even whom they could marry. Upper castes had more power, while lower castes were often oppressed.
Over time, the caste system started to weaken due to education, laws, and urbanisation. People from different castes began to live, work, and study together, leading to more interaction.
With time, religious groups also began to interact more with each other. Earlier, they were mostly separated, but modern life brought them closer in markets, schools, and workplaces.
However, sometimes religion also became a source of conflict. Religious tensions and riots showed that while society was changing, old beliefs and prejudices still remained.
Tribes were another important group. They were once isolated, living in forests and hills, with their own customs and rules. But development projects, migration, and state policies brought them into the larger society.
This led to both positive and negative effects for tribal groups. Some got better education and jobs, but many lost their land and culture in the process.
The growth of the working class was a major part of social transformation. Industrialisation created new kinds of jobs and new classes of people, like factory workers and clerks.
These workers came from different castes, religions, and regions. They had to live and work together, which led to shared struggles and more unity among different social groups.
The middle class also grew due to jobs in education, government, and private companies. They became a strong voice in social and political matters, demanding change and fairness.
Women’s groups began to rise with the support of education and reform movements. They started to question old practices like dowry, child marriage, and lack of freedom.
The women’s movement helped to bring laws and awareness about gender equality. Women began to enter schools, offices, politics, and public life in greater numbers.
Youth also became an important group in the changing society. With more education and access to media, they started to form their own opinions and challenged older ideas.
Students protested for rights, education reforms, and even against injustice. They played a big part in pushing society toward equality, democracy, and development.
Social transformation also led to more people migrating from villages to cities. This created new relationships among people from different cultures, languages, and regions.
Urban areas became places where social barriers like caste and religion were easier to cross. People focused more on skills and jobs than on birth-based identity.
Technology played a big role in bringing different groups together. Social media, mobile phones, and the internet gave people platforms to share ideas and speak out.
At the same time, some groups used technology to spread hate and division. So, social transformation brought both unity and new kinds of conflict.
Government policies like reservations, land reforms, and welfare schemes tried to support weaker groups and reduce inequality. These also changed power relations in society.
Yet, some dominant groups resisted these changes and created tension. Sometimes, upper castes opposed reservations, or urban people looked down on migrants or the poor.
The legal system and constitution supported equality, but real change needed time. Laws alone could not remove deeply rooted discrimination and social habits.
Inter-caste and inter-religious marriages became more common, though they were still rare in many areas. These marriages showed how young people were trying to break old barriers.
Social transformation also affected family structures. Joint families became smaller nuclear families. Women and men both started sharing responsibilities.
Education helped to reduce the power of superstitions and old customs. People began to think logically and accept new ideas like equality, freedom, and human rights.
Social movements like Dalit movements, farmer protests, and civil rights campaigns helped people from different groups come together to demand justice and change.
The media and cinema also shaped how people saw different social groups. They showed stories of unity, but sometimes also reinforced stereotypes.
In the end, social transformation is a mix of progress and challenges. It brings people closer, but also creates new issues that need understanding and solutions.
To keep transforming in a good way, society needs education, awareness, equal opportunities, and respect for all. Only then can different social groups truly live together in harmony.
The journey of social transformation is ongoing. Every generation adds something new to it, making the social structure more just and inclusive over time.
Assignment – II
Q 3) Discuss the muslim invasions and their resistance in early medieval India.
Ans. The early medieval period in India, roughly from the 8th to the 13th century, saw several Muslim invasions from regions like Central Asia and Afghanistan. These invasions brought new military powers and cultural influences to the Indian subcontinent.
The first recorded Muslim invasion was led by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 CE. He conquered Sindh and parts of Punjab, marking the beginning of Muslim political presence in India.
His invasion faced some resistance from local rulers, especially the Brahman and Buddhist communities. But the lack of unity among Indian kings made it easier for him to gain control.
After Muhammad bin Qasim, there was a long gap before the next major wave of invasions. The next important figure was Mahmud of Ghazni, who invaded India 17 times between 1000 and 1027 CE.
Mahmud attacked wealthy temples like Somnath in Gujarat. His aim was more economic than political—he looted gold and wealth to strengthen his empire in Ghazni.
Indian kings like the Pratiharas and the rulers of Punjab tried to resist Mahmud’s attacks, but they were often divided and unable to present a united front.
The next significant invader was Muhammad Ghori. He invaded India in the late 12th century and played a big role in laying the foundation for Muslim rule in North India.
Muhammad Ghori faced resistance from Prithviraj Chauhan, the king of Delhi and Ajmer. In the First Battle of Tarain (1191), Prithviraj defeated Ghori.
However, in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192), Ghori came back with a stronger army and defeated Prithviraj. This marked a turning point in Indian history.
After this victory, Ghori left his general Qutb-ud-din Aibak in charge, who later established the Delhi Sultanate. This was the beginning of stable Muslim rule in India.
Many Rajput kingdoms resisted these invasions bravely. But their internal rivalries and lack of political unity weakened their ability to defend India effectively.
The resistance from kings like Raja Bhoja, the Chalukyas, and the Tomars is still remembered for their courage. But they lacked coordination and modern warfare tactics.
The Indian armies were mostly made of elephants and foot soldiers, while the invaders used cavalry and swift attacks. This gave the invaders an advantage.
Despite these defeats, Indian culture, religion, and traditions continued to thrive. Many local rulers held on to their regions and traditions even under Muslim rulers.
Q 4) Analyse the economy of the Gupta period.
Ans. The Gupta period, which lasted from the 4th to the 6th century CE, is often called the “Golden Age” of India. This time saw major progress in many areas, including the economy.
Agriculture was the main base of the economy. Most people lived in villages and worked on farms, growing crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, and cotton.
The government gave land grants to Brahmins, temples, and officials, which increased agricultural production and helped religious and cultural growth.
Irrigation improved during the Gupta period. People built canals, tanks, and wells to water their fields, which helped increase food supply and supported a growing population.
Trade, both local and long-distance, was very active in this time. Goods were traded within India and also to places like China, Southeast Asia, and the Roman Empire.
Important trade items included spices, silk, pearls, ivory, metal goods, and cotton cloth. These goods brought wealth and fame to the Gupta Empire.
Sea trade was carried out through ports like Tamralipti, Bharuch, and Sopara. These ports helped connect India to foreign countries and made trade smooth.
Roads and highways also improved under Gupta rulers. These roads made transport and communication easier, which helped business and travel.
The use of coins was common during the Gupta period. The rulers issued gold, silver, and copper coins, which showed their wealth and the strength of the economy.
Gold coins, especially the ones with images of kings doing various activities, were a sign of the empire’s economic power and artistic skills.
The Gupta Empire also had strong guilds. Guilds were groups of traders or craftsmen who worked together to manage their work and protect their interests.
These guilds made rules, set prices, and also acted like banks, giving loans and collecting deposits. They played a big role in shaping the business world.
Craft production was another important part of the economy. Craftsmen made items like pottery, jewellery, cloth, and metal tools, which were sold in both local and foreign markets.
Urban centres grew during this period. Cities like Pataliputra, Ujjain, and Mathura became important centres of trade, learning, and governance.
Taxes were collected in the form of goods and services. Farmers, traders, and artisans paid taxes, which supported the administration and army.
The Gupta rulers maintained law and order, which helped businesses grow. Peace and stability allowed farmers and traders to work without fear.
Q 5) Review the contribution of pallavan in the field of literature and architecture.
Ans. The Pallavas ruled parts of South India between the 4th and 9th centuries CE. They are well remembered for their valuable contributions to literature and architecture.
One of their greatest achievements was the development of Dravidian temple architecture. The Pallavas laid the foundation for South Indian temple design.
Under Mahendravarman I, rock-cut temples began to appear. These temples were carved out of hills and rocks, showing great skill and imagination.
He built the rock-cut temples at places like Mamandur and Mandagapattu. These were among the earliest examples of South Indian cave temples.
Later, Narasimhavarman I, also known as Mamalla, continued this tradition. He was responsible for the famous monuments at Mahabalipuram.
The shore temple at Mahabalipuram is one of the finest examples of Pallava architecture. It stands near the sea and shows a mix of rock-cut and structural style.
The Pancha Rathas, or five chariots, are another example. Each ratha is carved from a single rock and dedicated to a character from the Mahabharata.
These temples showed progress in sculpture, layout, and temple planning. They inspired many later dynasties like the Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers.
In literature, the Pallavas supported both Sanskrit and Tamil. Mahendravarman I himself wrote a famous Sanskrit drama called Mattavilasa Prahasana.
This play is a humorous take on the religious life of the time. It shows his creativity and interest in culture beyond politics.
Tamil literature also flourished during Pallava rule. Poets and scholars were encouraged and temples became centres of learning and writing.
The Pallavas also played a key role in spreading Indian culture abroad. Through trade and cultural exchange, they helped carry Indian art and architecture to Southeast Asia.
Inscriptions from this period are found in both Sanskrit and Tamil. These inscriptions provide valuable historical information and reflect the literary style of the time.
Many Pallava kings were scholars themselves. They supported education and learning by building temples, schools, and libraries.
The Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram, built by Rajasimha, is another beautiful example of Pallava architecture. It shows both artistic detail and religious devotion.
This temple is known for its detailed carvings and fine layout. It inspired many later temples across South India.
Overall, the Pallavas laid a strong base for both South Indian temple art and classical literature. Their style left a long-lasting impact.
Assignment – III
Q 6) The Chalukyan polity.
Ans. The Chalukyas ruled parts of South and Central India between the 6th and 12th centuries. Their rule was marked by political stability and efficient administration. The early Chalukyas, especially Pulakeshin II, had a strong kingdom based in Badami, Karnataka.
They followed a hereditary monarchy, where power passed from father to son. The king was the supreme authority but was supported by ministers and local administrators. Provinces were called mandalas and governed by royal family members or trusted officers.
Village assemblies played an important role in governance. They managed taxes, irrigation, and local disputes. The Chalukyas also maintained diplomatic relations and often fought wars with their rivals like the Pallavas.
They had a strong army with infantry, cavalry, and war elephants. Forts were built for defense. Their efficient rule helped develop trade, art, and architecture. Temples like Aihole and Pattadakal reflect their power and devotion.
Q 7) Bhakti movenment in South India.
Ans. The Bhakti movement in South India began between the 7th and 9th centuries. It was led by the Nayanars (Shiva devotees) and Alvars (Vishnu devotees). They spread the message of love, devotion, and equality through songs and poems.
The movement rejected caste divisions and rituals. It focused on personal devotion to God. Saints like Appar, Sambandar, and Andal expressed their faith in local languages like Tamil.
The Bhakti saints came from all castes and genders. They travelled from village to village singing devotional hymns. Their poetry touched the hearts of ordinary people.
Temples became centers of devotion, music, and social gatherings. The movement helped Tamil literature grow and brought spiritual awakening.
Q 8) Political and military system of the Rajputs.
Ans. The Rajputs ruled parts of North and Central India from the 7th to the 12th century. They believed in honor, bravery, and loyalty. The king was at the top, assisted by nobles and feudal lords.
The Rajput military was known for its valor. They had cavalry, infantry, and elephants. Battles were often fought with swords and bows. Forts like Chittorgarh show their defense skills.
Rajputs followed a feudal system. Local chiefs ruled small regions and gave military support to the king. This system helped in times of war but created internal rivalry.
Women also played roles during wars. The Rajput polity was shaped by courage and a deep sense of pride.
Q 9) Property Rights of Women.
Ans. In early Indian society, women had limited rights over property. During the Vedic period, they had some say, especially in owning jewelry or personal belongings.
In later times, especially during the Dharmashastra period, women’s property rights declined. Daughters often didn’t inherit ancestral land unless there were no sons.
Widows could use their husband’s property, but they couldn’t sell or transfer it. This right was called stridhan, which included gifts received during marriage.
In some regions, especially among royal or wealthy families, women enjoyed better rights. Over time, reform movements helped improve women’s access to property and inheritance.
Q 10) Growth of language.
Ans. India has always been rich in languages. During ancient and medieval times, Sanskrit was the main language of scholars and religious texts. But over time, regional languages began to grow.
In South India, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada developed strong literary traditions. In North India, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and later Hindi evolved from Sanskrit roots.
Bhakti saints and poets used local languages to reach common people. Their poems and songs in languages like Marathi, Bengali, and Punjabi made deep cultural impact.
The growth of language helped preserve history, culture, and traditions. It also gave people a voice and identity through their own tongue.