The Central Islamic Lands - Solutions

 CBSE Class 11 History

NCERT Solutions
Chapter-4
The Central Islamic Lands

NCERT Textbook Questions Solved

I. Answer in Brief

Q1. What were the features of the lives of the Bedouins in the early seventh century?

Ans. The Bedouins were Arab tribes. The main features of their lives are as follows:

  1. They led a nomadic life.
  2. Date-palm and camel milk were their main diet.
  3. Their social organisation was based on independent tribes.
  4. They indulged in looting, plundering and internal quarrels.
  5. They were camel pastoralists and moved with their animals from oases to oases.

Q2. What is meant by the term ‘Abbasid revolution’?

Ans. The term ‘Abbasid revolution’  refferred to the Dawa Movement. This movement was initiated by Abu Muslim from Khurasan against the Umayyad dynasty. The Abbasid revolution put an end to the Umayyad dynasty, which ruled from 661 to 750. With the fall of Umayyad dynasty in 750, the Abbasid came to power and ruled till 1258.

Q3. Give examples of the cosmopolitan character of the states set up by Arabs, Iranians and Turks.

Ans. Examples of the cosmopolitan character of the states set up by Arabs, Iranians and Turks:

  1. The vast Arab empire was inhabited by the people of multi cultural identities, i.e. the Muslims, the Christians and the Jews.
  2. In Turkish empire, the Egyptian, Iranian, Syrian and Sudanian culture developed simultaneously.
  3. The Iranian empire witnessed for the development of Muslim and Asian culture.

Q4. What were the effects of the Crusades on Europe and Asia?

Ans. Effects of the Crusades on Europe and Asia:

  • The Crusades resulted in the fall of the authority of feudal lords in Europe and an increased power of the monarch.
  • The Muslim writers named their invasion as Frankish invasion who quicky established their influences over these regions.
  • These Crusades also resulted into increase in the knowledge of the Europeans.  
  • There was great influence of the Italian mercantile communities in trade between the East and the West.
  • These also led to change in the method of warfare. For defence purpose, new forts were constructed.

II. Answer in a Short Essay

Q5. How were Islamic architectural forms different from those of the Roman Empire?

Ans. Roman Empire Architecture: The Roman emperors were great builders.Solidity and magnificence of conception are two important features of thier architecture e.g-city of Roman.

It introduced two architectural features—the arch and cupolas or domes. There were multistoreyed buildings with one raw arches standing over the another. Round arches were used in city gates, bridges, buildings and monuments of victory. The spread of Christianity gave a new impetus to the building of the Roman empire. St Sophia in Constantinople and buildings in Jerusalem stand witness to the Roman architectural skill.

Islamic Architecture Forms: Islamic architectural form represents the great architectural symbol of Islamic world. The Islamic art right from Spain to Central Asia represents some basic architectural features such as horse shoe arches, bubois, domes, minarets, columns and open courtyard. The Islamic architectural pattern of building built around the central courtyard was not only the key features of the mosques but also of sarai (built for carazans) and palaces. Calligraphy and geometric designs were also used to decorate architecture and manuscripts.

Q6. Describe a journey from Samarqand to Damascus, referring to the cities on the route.
Ans. Activity based Question. Students are advised to do it with the help of their teachers.
Hint: While travelling from Samarqand to Damascus, a traveller would have to pass through many states. Some of these states are Transoxina, Khurasan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.