Bentley Ch. 15 Test India And The Indian Ocean Basin
Multiple choice test based on Bentley Traditions and Encounters fifth edition
- 1.
Harsha dominated northern India in the 16th century as a conqueror and later an administrator. To what extent did Harsha centralize northern India?
- A.
He founded a small kingdom that occupied northwest India
- B.
He was successful in unification of the norther third and administered it with help from local rulers
- C.
He was unsuccessful at administering his empire beyond central India
- D.
He unified southern India under one government
Correct Answer
B. He was successful in unification of the norther third and administered it with help from local rulersExplanation
Harsha was successful in centralizing northern India to some extent by unifying the northern third of the region and administering it with the assistance of local rulers. This suggests that while he was able to establish control over a significant portion of northern India, he relied on the support and cooperation of local rulers to effectively govern the territory. However, it is important to note that Harsha was not able to extend his administration beyond central India, indicating some limitations to his centralization efforts.Rate this question:
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- 2.
While later Islamic conversions occurred regularly in northern India, Islam was not successfully introduced by Mahmud of Ghazni and his forces because
- A.
The invaders were not very devout followers of their faith
- B.
The invaders were not interested in proselytizing
- C.
The inhabitants were willing to be martyrs to the faith
- D.
The harshness of the invasions deterred people from following the religion of the invaders
Correct Answer
D. The harshness of the invasions deterred people from following the religion of the invadersExplanation
The correct answer is that the harshness of the invasions deterred people from following the religion of the invaders. This suggests that the violent and oppressive nature of Mahmud of Ghazni's invasions created a negative perception of Islam among the local population. The harshness of the invasions may have included forced conversions, destruction of temples, and widespread violence, which would have made the local inhabitants reluctant to embrace the religion of their oppressors.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Historians generally treat southern India separately from northern India. At this time, southern India differed from northern India primarily in their
- A.
Steady adherence to Hinduism
- B.
Acceptance of one strictly centralized government
- C.
Lack of good trade routes
- D.
Mass conversions to Islam
Correct Answer
A. Steady adherence to HinduismExplanation
During this time period, southern India and northern India were distinct in terms of their religious practices. While northern India experienced various religious shifts, southern India remained predominantly Hindu. This steady adherence to Hinduism set the two regions apart and influenced their cultural, social, and political dynamics.Rate this question:
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- 4.
India and the Indian Ocean trade routes were dependent upon the climatic variations of the monsoon seasons. What areas did the monsoon system affect the most?
- A.
Governance and social caste
- B.
Trade and agriculture
- C.
Manufacturing and agriculture
- D.
Trade and governance
Correct Answer
B. Trade and agricultureExplanation
The monsoon system in India and the Indian Ocean trade routes greatly influenced trade and agriculture. The monsoon seasons brought heavy rainfall, which was crucial for agricultural activities, as it provided the necessary water for crops to grow. This rainfall also facilitated trade by ensuring the availability of agricultural products for export. Additionally, the monsoon winds were used by traders to navigate their ships, making the trade routes more accessible and efficient. Therefore, the monsoon system had a significant impact on both trade and agriculture in the region.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Since the Indian Ocean trade was generally divided into two separate spheres, what was the primary ethnic identity of the sailors in the western half of the ocean?
- A.
Chinese and Malay
- B.
Austronesian
- C.
Persian and Arab
- D.
African
Correct Answer
C. Persian and ArabExplanation
The primary ethnic identity of the sailors in the western half of the Indian Ocean trade was Persian and Arab. This is because during the medieval period, Persian and Arab traders dominated the trade routes in this region. They established extensive networks and had a significant influence on the economic and cultural exchange in the area. Their expertise in navigation and trade contributed to the growth and development of the Indian Ocean trade.Rate this question:
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- 6.
As HIndus of northern India converted to Islam, how did the caste system adapt to the arrival of Muslim merchants?
- A.
The merchants remained outside the caste system
- B.
They became a distinct caste within the system
- C.
The Indian merchants absorbed them into their own caste
- D.
They never stayed long enough to be part of the caste system
Correct Answer
B. They became a distinct caste within the systemExplanation
As Hindus of northern India converted to Islam, the caste system adapted by incorporating the Muslim merchants as a distinct caste within the system. This means that the merchants who converted to Islam were not considered part of their original caste anymore, but instead formed a separate caste within the existing caste system. This allowed for the integration of the Muslim merchants into the social structure while still maintaining the hierarchical nature of the caste system.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Through India's early history, Hinduism evolved constantly with challenges from other religions and changes in politics. At this time, Hinduism in southern India evolved out of a worship of all the gods into
- A.
Devotional cults to specific gods
- B.
The worship of two gods exclusively
- C.
A near acceptance of monotheism
- D.
A syncretism of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam
Correct Answer
A. Devotional cults to specific godsExplanation
During India's early history, Hinduism underwent various changes and adaptations in response to challenges from other religions and political developments. In southern India, Hinduism evolved from a practice of worshiping all the gods to the emergence of devotional cults dedicated to specific deities. This shift involved a more focused and personalized form of worship, where individuals would choose a particular god to devote themselves to. This development allowed for a deeper connection and devotion to the chosen deity, leading to the growth of devotional cults in southern India.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Eventually, many Hindus in northern India coverted to Islam. To what extent did they follow Islam?
- A.
They were devout Muslims and followed all Five Pillars
- B.
They only worshipped when their rulers decreed it
- C.
There was a suppression of the caste system
- D.
While they followed Islam, their secular lives exhibited little change
Correct Answer
D. While they followed Islam, their secular lives exhibited little changeExplanation
The answer suggests that although many Hindus in northern India converted to Islam, their daily lives and practices remained largely unchanged. This implies that they may have adopted Islam as their religious belief, but did not fully integrate its teachings and practices into their secular lives.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Indian religions traveled to southeast Asia via merchants and missionaries. Why did southeast Asian monarchs convert readily to Hinduism and Buddhism?
- A.
The lower classes had already done so and the kings were just following their lead
- B.
The religions reinforced the idea of kingship
- C.
The Muslim merchants had influence in ruling circles
- D.
The monarchs were open to all avenues of salvation
Correct Answer
B. The religions reinforced the idea of kingshipExplanation
The religions of Hinduism and Buddhism reinforced the idea of kingship in Southeast Asia. These religions provided a strong framework for the concept of divine kingship, where the monarch was seen as a representative of the gods and had a sacred duty to rule justly and protect their subjects. By converting to these religions, the monarchs were able to legitimize their rule and enhance their authority. Additionally, adopting these religions allowed the monarchs to align themselves with the powerful and wealthy merchant class, who were already followers of Hinduism and Buddhism. This further solidified their position and influence within the ruling circles.Rate this question:
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- 10.
As in most other places, Islam's conversion rate in southeast Asia was enhanced by the work of
- A.
Devout Muslim ministers
- B.
Rulers' adoption of it
- C.
The arrival of sufi missionaries
- D.
The conquest of islands by Arab sailors
Correct Answer
C. The arrival of sufi missionariesExplanation
The correct answer is the arrival of sufi missionaries. Sufi missionaries played a crucial role in the spread of Islam in southeast Asia. Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam, emphasized personal experience and direct connection with God, which resonated with the local population. These missionaries traveled to southeast Asia, establishing Sufi orders and spreading their teachings. They were able to connect with the local culture and traditions, making Islam more accessible and appealing to the people. Their efforts led to a significant increase in the conversion rate to Islam in the region.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Why was the establishment of Buddhism in China markedly different than its establishment in southeast Asia?
- A.
Buddhism monks went to China but only Buddhism merchants went to southeast Asia
- B.
While rulers in southeast Asia encouraged the adoption of Buddhism, the Chinese emperors rejected it
- C.
Buddhists in China were the only foreign religion while in southeast Asia there was Hinduism as well
- D.
Chinese Buddhism incorporated Daoist ideas while southeast Asian Buddhists built on a base of Hinduism
Correct Answer
D. Chinese Buddhism incorporated Daoist ideas while southeast Asian Buddhists built on a base of HinduismExplanation
The establishment of Buddhism in China was markedly different than its establishment in southeast Asia because Chinese Buddhism incorporated Daoist ideas, while southeast Asian Buddhists built on a base of Hinduism. This means that in China, Buddhism was influenced by the existing Daoist beliefs and practices, resulting in a unique blend of the two religions. In southeast Asia, on the other hand, Buddhism coexisted with Hinduism, and the practices and beliefs of both religions influenced each other. This led to a different development and interpretation of Buddhism in each region.Rate this question:
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- 12.
To meet the challenges of new ideas and foreign influences, religious and social institutions of India remained essentially the same but grew increasingly complex. Which of the following are examples of this trend?
- A.
Harsha's promotion of Hinduism and the increase in castes after the invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni
- B.
Buddhists accepting nuns as well as monks while finding a place in the caste system
- C.
The addition of subcastes from an increase in commerce and the appearance of devotional cults
- D.
The synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism with the incorporation of Muslim castes
Correct Answer
C. The addition of subcastes from an increase in commerce and the appearance of devotional cultsExplanation
The addition of subcastes from an increase in commerce and the appearance of devotional cults is an example of how religious and social institutions in India remained essentially the same but grew increasingly complex. As commerce expanded, new occupational groups emerged, leading to the creation of subcastes within the existing caste system. Additionally, the rise of devotional cults, such as Bhakti movements, introduced new forms of religious expression and practices, further contributing to the complexity of religious and social institutions in India.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The political pattern of northern China is somewhat different from that of southern India. Both devolved into small competetive Hindu kingdoms but two southern kingdoms of this period endured longer than Harsha's empire. Which of the following differences could possibly explain why the southern kingdoms had more stability?
- A.
Southern India did not have the same constant threat of invasion to fracture its defenses
- B.
Due to better workmanship, south India's crafts were more in demand in the world market
- C.
The monsoons and easy access to world markets helped produce more prosperity
- D.
The Chola and Vijayanagar kingdoms had tightly administered centralized governments
Correct Answer
A. Southern India did not have the same constant threat of invasion to fracture its defensesExplanation
The correct answer suggests that the stability of the southern kingdoms in India can be attributed to the absence of constant invasion threats, which allowed them to maintain their defenses intact. This implies that the northern regions of China faced a higher frequency of invasions, leading to the fragmentation of their kingdoms and a lack of stability.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Nov 02, 2012Quiz Created by
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