Class 7 History – Chapter 2: New Kings and Kingdoms

Here are Class 7 History Chapter 2: "New Kings and Kingdoms" topic-wise detailed notes with all key points, based on NCERT:

📘 Class 7 History – Chapter 2: New Kings and Kingdoms

✨ 1. The Emergence of New Dynasties

🔹 Key Points:

After the 7th century, many new dynasties emerged in different parts of the subcontinent.
Important dynasties: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, Palas, Cholas, Chahamanas (Chauhans).
These were often subordinates (samantas) under larger kings but later declared independence.
Kings took high-sounding titles like maharajadhiraja (great king of kings).

✨ 2. Administration in the Kingdoms

🔹 Key Points:

Kings shared power with samantas, administrators, villagers, and brahmanas.
Land grants were given to brahmanas and officials (recorded on copper plates).
Local assemblies, especially in South India, had power in governance.
Revenue collected mainly through land taxes.

✨ 3. Warfare for Wealth

🔹 Key Points:

Rulers often fought wars to gain wealth and territory.
Example: Mahmud of Ghazni (Afghanistan) raided India 17 times between 1000–1025 CE, looted temples like Somnath (Gujarat).
He wanted to build a large empire and glorify Islam.
Prashastis (praises) were composed for kings, often exaggerating their achievements.

✨ 4. The Chahamanas (Chauhans)

🔹 Key Points:

They ruled around Delhi and Ajmer.
Fought against Chalukyas and Ghaznavids.
Famous king: Prithviraj Chauhan – defeated Muhammad Ghori once but lost later in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE).

✨ 5. The Cholas – A Powerful Empire in the South

🔹 Key Points:

Founded by Vijayalaya Chola (850 CE), who captured Thanjavur.
Defeated Pallavas and later expanded under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I.
Their empire spread to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

✨ 6. Chola Administration

🔹 Key Points:

Well-organized and efficient administration.
Villages had sabhas (assemblies), especially brahmadeya (Brahmana land).
Sabha decisions were recorded in inscriptions on temple walls and stones.
Taxes were collected from various sources: land, trade, professions.

✨ 7. Chola Art and Architecture

🔹 Key Points:

Cholas built magnificent temples like Brihadeshwara Temple (Thanjavur).
Temples were not only religious centers but also economic and social hubs.
The temples had bronze idols, skilled sculpture, and large courtyards.
Supported by donations from rulers, merchants, and people.

✨ 8. Agriculture and Irrigation

🔹 Key Points:

Agriculture flourished with irrigation systems: tanks, wells, canals.
In delta regions (like Kaveri), canals from rivers were used for irrigation.
Efficient water management led to surplus crops and prosperity.

✨ 9. Role of Temples and Traders

🔹 Key Points:

Temples became economic centers: landowners, employers, and cultural hubs.
Powerful trading communities like Manigramam and Ayyavole exported goods.
Chola naval expeditions helped in trade expansion to Southeast Asia.

📌 Summary:

Theme	Key Facts
New Dynasties	Rashtrakutas, Palas, Cholas, Pratiharas
Mahmud of Ghazni	Raided India for wealth
Chahamanas	Delhi-Ajmer rulers, fought Ghori
Chola Empire	Founded by Vijayalaya; peak under Rajaraja and Rajendra
Administration	Local sabhas, land grants, taxation
Art & Architecture	Temples like Brihadeshwara; bronze sculptures
Agriculture	Efficient irrigation systems
Trade & Temples	Temples as social-economic centers, trading guilds

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