CLASS VII NOTES SOCIAL SCIENCE

 Class 7 History, Geography, and Civics, as per the 2024 syllabus.

#Class 7 - Subject-wise Notes and NCERT Solutions (2024)

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History: Our Pasts - II

Chapter 1: Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Short Notes:

 This chapter introduces the vast period of a thousand years (roughly 700 CE to 1750 CE) that historians call the "medieval" period in India.

 It highlights how historical sources, terminologies, and the socio-political landscape changed significantly over this millennium.

New and Old Terminologies: The meanings of words change over time. For example, the term "Hindustan" had different geographical and political connotations in the 13th century (Minhaj-i-Siraj), 14th century (Amir Khusrau), and 16th century (Babur) compared to its modern understanding as India. Similarly, "foreigner" in the past meant someone who was not part of a particular society or culture (pardesi, ajnabi), not necessarily from another country.

Historians and their Sources:Historians use various sources like inscriptions, coins, architecture, and textual records (manuscripts). The availability and variety of textual records increased dramatically during this period. Copying manuscripts by hand led to variations and changes over time, which historians need to analyze carefully.

New Social and Political Groups:This era saw the emergence of new groups and social changes:

    Rajputs: Became prominent as a warrior class.

    * Other groups like Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, Ahoms, and Kayasthas also gained importance.

    * Expansion of agriculture led to the clearing of forests, forcing forest-dwellers to migrate or become peasants.

    * Society became more differentiated with the emergence of *jatis* (sub-castes) based on occupation and background. Jatis framed their own rules managed by an assembly of elders (*jati panchayat*).

Region and Empire:Large states like those of the Cholas, Tughluqs, or Mughals encompassed many regions. When these empires declined, regional states re-emerged.

Old and New Religions:

    * Major developments in Hinduism included the worship of new deities, construction of temples by royalty, and the growing importance of Brahmanas.

    * The idea of *bhakti* (loving, personal devotion to a deity) gained popularity.

    * Merchants and migrants brought the teachings of the Holy Quran, and Islam became a prominent religion. Many rulers were patrons of Islam and the *ulama* (learned theologians and jurists).

Thinking about Time and Historical Periods: British historians in the 19th century divided Indian history into 'Hindu', 'Muslim', and 'British' periods. This division was based on the religion of rulers and ignored the rich diversity and significant developments in other spheres of life. Historians today look at economic and social factors to characterize major elements of different moments of the past.

NCERT Solutions (Key Questions):

1. Who was considered a “foreigner” in the past?

    * Answer: In the medieval period, a “foreigner” was any stranger who appeared in a given village, someone who was not a part of that society or culture. For example, a city-dweller might have regarded a forest-dweller as a foreigner, but two peasants living in the same village were not foreigners to each other, even if they had different religious or caste backgrounds.

2. State whether true or false:

    * (a) We do not find inscriptions for the period after 700.

        * False

    * (b) The Marathas asserted their political importance during this period.

        * True

    * (c) Forest-dwellers were sometimes pushed out of their lands with the spread of agricultural settlements.

        * True

    * (d) Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban controlled Assam, Manipur and Kashmir.

        * False

3. Fill in the blanks:

    * (a) Archives are places where \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ are kept.

        * manuscripts / documents / records

    * (b) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ was a fourteenth-century chronicler.

        * Ziyauddin Barani (or other relevant chroniclers like Shams-i-Siraj Afif)

    * (c) \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_ were some of the new crops introduced into the subcontinent during this period.

        * Potatoes, corn, chillies, tea, coffee

4. List some of the technological changes associated with this period.

    * The Persian wheel for irrigation.

    * The spinning wheel in weaving.

    * Firearms in combat.

5. What were some of the major religious developments during this period?

    * Inclusion of new deities in Hinduism.

    * Construction of temples by royalty.

    * Growing importance of Brahmanas and priests.

    * Emergence of the idea of *bhakti*.

    * Arrival of Islam with merchants and migrants, and the patronage of Islam and the *ulama* by rulers.

6. In what ways has the meaning of the term “Hindustan” changed over the centuries?

    * 13th Century (Minhaj-i-Siraj):Used "Hindustan" to mean the areas of Punjab, Haryana, and the lands between the Ganga and Yamuna. It was used in a political sense for lands that were a part of the dominions of the Delhi Sultan.

    * 14th Century (Amir Khusrau):Used the word "Hind" with a cultural and geographical connotation, referring to the culture and people of the Indus river.

    * 16th Century (Babur): Used "Hindustan" to describe the geography, fauna, and culture of the inhabitants of the subcontinent.

    * Today, "Hindustan" is often used as a synonym for India, the modern nation-state, which has different political and national meanings than in the past.

7. How were the affairs of *jatis* regulated?

    * Jatis framed their own rules and regulations to manage the conduct of their members.

    * These regulations were enforced by an assembly of elders, known in some areas as the *jati panchayat*.

    Jatis were also required to follow the rules of their villages, which were governed by a chieftain.

8. What does the term pan-regional empire mean?

    * A pan-regional empire refers to an empire that stretches over diverse regions, often encompassing a vast territory with different cultures, languages, and local traditions under a single overarching political authority. Examples include the empires of the Cholas, Khaljis, Tughluqs, and Mughals.

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Geography: Our Environment

Chapter 1: Environment

Short Notes:

* Environment: Everything that surrounds any living organism is called the environment. It includes people, places, things, and nature.

*Components of Environment

    *Natural Environment: Consists of land (lithosphere), water (hydrosphere), air (atmosphere), and living things (biosphere).

        * Lithosphere:The solid crust or the hard top layer of the earth, made up of rocks and minerals and covered by a thin layer of soil. It provides us with landforms like mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, etc.

        * Hydrosphere:The domain of water, comprising various sources like rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, etc. Essential for all living organisms.

        * Atmosphere: The thin layer of air that surrounds the earth. The gravitational force of the earth holds it. It protects us from harmful sun rays and consists of gases, dust, and water vapour.

        * Biosphere:The narrow zone of the Earth where land, water, and air interact with each other to support life. Plant and animal kingdoms together make the biosphere.

    * Human-Made Environment: Includes creations by human beings like buildings, parks, bridges, roads, industries, monuments, etc.

    * Human Environment: Refers to humans themselves – individuals, family, community, religion, education, economic and political situations.

* Ecosystem: A system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by the transfer of energy and material. An ecosystem can be as large as a rainforest or as small as a pond.

* Human-Environment Interaction: Human beings interact with the environment and modify it according to their needs.

    * Early humans adapted themselves to their natural surroundings.

    * With time, needs grew, and humans learned new ways to use and change the environment (e.g., growing crops, domesticating animals, inventing the wheel, trade, industrial revolution).

    * A perfect balance is necessary between the natural and human environment for a harmonious life.

NCERT Solutions (Key Questions):

1. Answer the following questions:

    * (i) What is an ecosystem?

        * Answer: An ecosystem is a system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other, and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by transfers of energy and material.

    * (ii) What do you mean by natural environment?

        * Answer: The natural environment comprises land, water, air, plants, and animals. It includes both biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living elements like land, water, air) conditions existing on earth.

    * (iii) Which are the major components of the environment?

        * Answer: The major components of the environment are:

            * Natural components (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)

            * Human-made components (buildings, parks, bridges, roads, etc.)

            * Human components (individuals, family, community, religion, etc.)

    * (iv) Give four examples of human-made environment.

        * Answer: Buildings, parks, bridges, roads.

    * (v) What is lithosphere?

        * Answer: The lithosphere is the solid crust or the hard top layer of the earth. It is made up of rocks and minerals and covered by a thin layer of soil. It is an irregular surface with various landforms such as mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, etc.

    * (vi) Which are the two major components of biotic environment?

        * Answer: Plants and animals are the two major components of the biotic environment.

    * (vii) What is biosphere?

        * Answer: Biosphere is a narrow zone of the earth where land, water, and air interact with each other to support life. Plant and animal kingdoms together make up the biosphere.

2. Tick the correct answer:

    * (i) Which is not a natural ecosystem?

        * (a) Desert (b) Aquarium (c) Forest

        * Answer: (b) Aquarium

    * (ii) Which is not a component of human environment?

        * (a) Land (b) Religion (c) Community

        * Answer: (a) Land (Land is a component of the natural environment)

    * (iii) Which is a human-made environment?

        * (a) Mountain (b) Sea (c) Road

        * Answer: (c) Road

    * (iv) Which is a threat to environment?

        * (a) Growing plant (b) Growing population (c) Growing crops

        * Answer: (b) Growing population (due to increased resource consumption and waste generation)

3. Match the following:

    * (i) Biosphere -------- (e) Narrow zone where land, water and air interact

    * (ii) Atmosphere ----- (a) Blanket of air which surrounds the earth

    * (iii) Hydrosphere ---- (b) Domain of water

    * (iv) Environment ---- (d) Our surroundings

4. Give reasons:

    * (i) Man modifies his environment.

        * Answer: Man modifies his environment to fulfill his needs, which grow and vary with time. He builds houses, roads, industries, and cultivates land for agriculture, leading to changes in the natural environment to make life more comfortable and to support economic activities.

    * (ii) Plants and animals depend on each other.

        * Answer: Plants and animals are interdependent. Plants produce food and release oxygen, which animals (including humans) need to survive. Animals, through respiration, release carbon dioxide, which plants use for photosynthesis. Animal waste and decomposition contribute nutrients to the soil, helping plants grow. Many animals also help in pollination and seed dispersal for plants.

Civics: Social and Political Life - II

Chapter 1: On Equality

Short Notes:

* Essence of Democracy:Equality is a key feature of democracy. In a democratic country like India, all adults (Universal Adult Franchise) have the right to vote irrespective of their religion, caste, education level, or wealth.

* Universal Adult Franchise:This principle is based on the idea of equality, as it grants every adult citizen one vote, recognizing each person as equal in the political sphere.

* Other Kinds of Equality: While political equality (right to vote) exists, social and economic equality may not always be prevalent. People face inequalities based on caste, religion, gender, and economic status.

* Dignity: Treating someone unequally can violate their dignity. The chapter uses stories (like Omprakash Valmiki's experience with discrimination in school due to his caste, and the Ansaris' difficulty in finding an apartment due to their religion) to illustrate how inequality affects dignity.

* Equality in Indian Democracy:

    * The Indian Constitution recognizes every person as equal.

    *Article 15 of the Constitution-prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.

    * It ensures that every person has access to all public places like shops, restaurants, hotels, playgrounds, wells, roads, and bathing ghats.

    * The Constitution also states that all persons are equal before the law – meaning everyone, from the President to a domestic worker, has to obey the same laws.

* Government Initiatives to Promote Equality: The government implements laws and schemes to promote equality.

    * Laws: To protect people from discrimination and ensure fair treatment.

    * Programmes: Schemes like the Midday Meal Scheme in government schools aim to promote equality by ensuring all children get cooked food, reducing caste prejudice, and improving enrollment and attendance.

* Issues of Equality in Other Democracies: Inequality is a global issue and exists in other democratic countries as well, for example, the Civil Rights Movement in the USA fought against racial discrimination.

* Struggle for Equality: Achieving equality is an ongoing struggle. Individuals and communities continuously strive for greater recognition of equality on existing and new issues.

NCERT Solutions (Key Questions):

1. In a democracy why is universal adult franchise important?

    * Answer: Universal adult franchise is important in a democracy because:

        * It is based on the principle of equality, as it gives every adult citizen the right to vote, irrespective of their social or economic background.

        * It allows people to participate in choosing their representatives and thus in the governance of the country.

        * It makes the government accountable to the people.

2. Re-read the box on Article 15 and state two ways in which this Article addresses inequality.

    * Answer: Article 15 addresses inequality in the following ways:

        * It prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them.

        * It ensures that no citizen shall be subjected to any disability, liability, restriction, or condition with regard to access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, and places of public entertainment; or the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads, and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.

3. In what ways was Omprakash Valmiki’s experience similar to that of the Ansaris?

    * Answer: Both Omprakash Valmiki and the Ansaris faced discrimination that violated their dignity.

        * Omprakash Valmiki was discriminated against because of his caste (Dalit). He was made to sweep the school and was not allowed to sit with other students.

        * The Ansaris were discriminated against because of their religion. They were denied apartments for rent when their religion was revealed.

        * In both cases, the discrimination was based on an accident of birth (caste or religion), and it led to them being treated as less worthy than others.

4. What do you understand by the term “all persons are equal before the law”? Why do you think it is important in a democracy?

    * Answer: "All persons are equal before the law" means that every citizen, from the highest office (like the President) to an ordinary citizen, is subject to the same laws. No person is above the law, and the law applies equally to everyone, irrespective of their status, wealth, religion, caste, or gender.

    * This is important in a democracy because:

        * It upholds the principle of equality, which is a cornerstone of democracy.

        * It ensures that there is no arbitrary use of power.

        * It provides justice to all citizens without discrimination.

5. The Government of India passed the Disabilities Act in 1995. This law states that persons with disabilities have equal rights, and that the government should make possible their full participation in society. [...] Look at the photograph (in the textbook, showing a boy being carried down stairs) and think about the boy who is being carried down the stair. Do you think the above law is being implemented in his case? What needs to be done to make the building more accessible?

    * Answer (based on typical textbook interpretation): The photograph likely shows that the law is not being fully implemented in his case. Carrying the boy suggests a lack of accessible infrastructure like ramps or elevators.

    * To make the building more accessible, the following needs to be done:

        * Construction of ramps alongside or instead of stairs.

        * Installation of elevators if it's a multi-storey building.

        * Ensuring doorways are wide enough for wheelchairs.

        * Providing accessible restrooms.

        * This ensures that persons with disabilities can move around independently and with dignity, enabling their full participation.