Skip to content

Resistance 1000-1700 CE Class 9: Mewar, Ahoms, Marathas

questionbuddy.in/cbse/class-9/social-science/resistance-and-resilience/resistance-by-kingdoms-and-communities-1000-1700-ce

Social ScienceCBSE Class 9 · Resistance and Resilience (1000–1700 CE)

Resistance 1000-1700 CE Class 9: Rajputs, Ahoms, Vijayanagara, Marathas and Sikhs

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Between 1000 and 1700 CE many kingdoms and communities resisted expanding powers through war, alliances, diplomacy and terrain: Nāikī Devī at Kasahrada (1178), Mewar against the Mughals (Haldighati 1576, Dewair 1582), the Ahoms (1228-1826; Saraighat 1671), Vijayanagara (1336), the Marathas (swarājya, 1674), the Sikhs (Khalsa 1699) and the Jats. The chapter calls resilience, the capacity to endure and preserve traditions, the backbone of resistance.

Notice that resistance runs across 700 years in many regions, and resilience is the thread that kept each community going.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE

Key ideas. *Resistance* means actively opposing a force or authority to protect political power, territory or identity through warfare, alliances, diplomacy or negotiation. *Resilience* is the capacity to survive and adapt in hard times while preserving inherited traditions. The chapter calls resilience the backbone of resistance, and describes the period as one of both conflict and cooperation. Invasions were driven by territorial expansion and religious motives, and the surplus produce of fertile river plains was also an attraction.

Early resistance and the Sultanate. From the mid-7th century, Arab forces were repulsed by rulers in the Deccan, Malwa, Kashmir and Rajasthan. Mahmūd of Ghaznī first invaded in 1001, against Jayapāla of the Hindu Shāhis. In 1178 Queen Nāikī Devī of the Chaulukyas defeated Muhammad Ghūrī at Kasahrada; in 1192 Ghūrī defeated Prithvīrāj Chauhān at the Second Battle of Tarain. The Delhi Sultanate was set up in 1206, with the *iqta* system of assigning territories to commanders in place of salaries, which increased the burden on peasants. The Yādavas, Kākatīyas (Queen Rūdramā Devī), Hoysālas and several Rajput dynasties resisted.

Mewar and the Mughals. After Bābur won at Panipat (1526), Rāṇā Sāngā led a Rajput confederacy at Khanua (1527), but Bābur won. Relations varied: the Kachhwāhas of Amber cooperated and joined the Mughal mansabdari system, while Mewar resisted. Chittor (1567-68): Akbar besieged it; Rāṇā Udai Singh retreated to the Aravallis. Haldighati (1576): Mahārāṇā Pratāp fought the Mughals, then used guerrilla warfare in the Aravalli terrain; at Dewair (1582) key Mughal outposts collapsed and Pratāp regained control of Mewar. Later a treaty exempted Mewar's ruler from personal attendance at the Mughal court, recognising its autonomy. The Bhils gave tactical and logistical support.

Ahoms (Assam, 1228-1826). Almost six centuries of independence, using local terrain, the Paik system, light bāchārī boats and alliances. In 1662 Mīr Jumlā captured Garhgaon; at Saraighat (1671), Lachit Borphukan defeated a Mughal river fleet and the Brahmaputra became the effective frontier.

Vijayanagara (1336). Founded by Harihara and Bukkā near Hampi to check Sultanate expansion; Kumāra Kampana ended the Madurai Sultanate and reinstated images at Kanchipuram and Srirangam. It peaked under Kṛiṣhṇadevarāya (died 1529) and was defeated at Talikota (1565) by the Deccan sultanates, after which Nāyaka kingdoms emerged.

Marathas. An independent state was established in 1674 with Chhatrapati Śhivājī's coronation, based on the idea of swarājya. Hill forts like Raigad and Sinhagad served as centres for guerrilla warfare, administration and long sieges. Aurangzeb spent over two decades in the Deccan. Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025.

Sikhs. Founded by Guru Nānak on the ideas of one God and social equality. The chapter describes the execution of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahādur (1675) and the detention of Guru Hargobind in Gwalior Fort. Guru Hargobind set up the Akāl Takht and the mīrī-pīrī concept (worldly and spiritual authority). In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa.

Jats. Farmers of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, resentful of heavy taxes, revolted under Gokul Jat (1669) and again in 1686; resistance continued after 1691.

Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE: key facts

Definitions
  • Resistance: active opposition by war, alliances, diplomacy
  • Resilience: enduring and adapting while preserving traditions
  • Resilience is the backbone of resistance
Chapter's central idea.
Key early dates
1001Ghazni vs Jayapala
1178Kasahrada, Naiki Devi
1192Tarain II
1206Delhi Sultanate
1336Vijayanagara
Chronological.
Mewar dates
1527Khanua
1567-68Chittor
1576Haldighati
1582Dewair
Treaty exempting the ruler from attending court
Rana Sanga, Udai Singh, Pratap.
Other dates
  • Ahoms 1228-1826, Saraighat 1671
  • Talikota 1565
  • Marathas 1674
  • Guru Tegh Bahadur 1675
  • Khalsa 1699
  • Jats 1669 and 1686
Match leader and event.
Tools of resistance
  • Terrain
  • Guerrilla warfare
  • Forts
  • Alliances
  • Diplomacy
  • Navy (Ahom bacharis)
Examples from the chapter.

How to answer Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE questions

Questions ask you to define resistance and resilience, match leaders with battles and years, explain strategies used by each power, and evaluate conflict and cooperation.

  1. 1Define the two key terms and state how resilience supports resistance.
  2. 2For a battle, give the year, the leaders on both sides, the place and the result.
  3. 3For strategy, name the geographical advantage (Aravallis, Brahmaputra, hill forts) and the method.
  4. 4For comparison, use rows: region, leader, key event, strategy.
  5. 5Use neutral wording and attribute claims to "the chapter" or the source.

Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A school team facing a bigger team

Suppose a small school team plays a bigger team on a field it knows well. It avoids open play, uses the narrow corners of its home ground and builds alliances with the local fans.

Which historical strategies does this resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Using familiar terrain: the Ahoms and Mewar did so.
  2. Avoiding open battle: guerrilla tactics.
  3. Local support: the Bhils with Mewar.

Answer: It resembles Ahom and Mewar strategies: use of familiar terrain, avoidance of open battle and the support of local communities.

Memory hook: Know your ground.

A town that kept its customs

Suppose a town loses its main meeting hall but residents keep their festivals alive by meeting in homes and singing together.

Which idea from the chapter does this illustrate?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Surviving and adapting in hard times is resilience.
  2. Preserving customs while adapting shows resilience.
  3. It supports later resistance by keeping the community together.

Answer: It illustrates resilience: the capacity to survive and adapt while preserving traditions, which the chapter calls the backbone of resistance.

Memory hook: Keep the community, keep the cause.

Tricks to remember Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • Mewar: K-C-H-D

    Khanua 1527, Chittor 1567, Haldighati 1576, Dewair 1582.

    Use it when: Dates in order.

  • Six regions: R-A-V-M-S-J

    Rajputs, Ahoms, Vijayanagara, Marathas, Sikhs, Jats.

    Use it when: List of powers.

  • Mir-Pir

    Miri = worldly; Piri = spiritual.

    Use it when: Akal Takht concept.

Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Which battle? · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

At which battle did Lachit Borphukan defeat the Mughal fleet in 1671?
(a) Haldighati
(b) Talikota
(c) Saraighat
(d) Khanua

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Lachit Borphukan won at Saraighat in 1671 (1 mark).

Answer: (c) Saraighat

Example 2: Resilience (2 marks) · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

Define resilience and state how it relates to resistance. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Capacity to survive and adapt while preserving inherited traditions (1 mark).
  2. It is the backbone of resistance (1 mark).

Answer: Resilience is the capacity to survive and adapt in hard times while preserving inherited socio-cultural and spiritual traditions. The chapter calls it the backbone of resistance, because the ability to endure sustains active opposition.

Example 3: Years between events (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Find the number of years between (i) Kasahrada (1178) and the Second Battle of Tarain (1192), (ii) the founding of Vijayanagara (1336) and Talikota (1565), and (iii) Haldighati (1576) and Dewair (1582). (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 1192 - 1178 = 14 years (1 mark).
  2. 1565 - 1336 = 229 years (1 mark).
  3. 1582 - 1576 = 6 years (1 mark).

Answer: (i) 1192 - 1178 = 14 years. (ii) 1565 - 1336 = 229 years. (iii) 1582 - 1576 = 6 years.

Example 4: Assertion-reason: Mewar · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): Mahārāṇā Pratāp shifted to guerrilla warfare after Haldighati.
Reason (R): The Aravalli terrain suited raids and ambushes.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Both statements follow the chapter; R explains the choice (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Example 5: Ahom strategy (5 marks) · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Explain how the Ahom kingdom preserved its independence for almost six centuries. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Period 1228-1826 (1 mark).
  2. Used local terrain: forests, rivers, monsoon rather than open battle (1 mark).
  3. Guerrilla tactics, alliances and the Paik system (1 mark).
  4. Navy of light bāchārī boats; Saraighat 1671 under Lachit Borphukan (1 mark).
  5. Mīr Jumlā captured Garhgaon in 1662 but the treaty was soon renounced; the Brahmaputra became the frontier (1 mark).

Answer: The Ahoms ruled Assam from 1228 to 1826. They used local terrain such as forests, rivers and the monsoon rather than open battle, along with guerrilla tactics, alliances and the Paik system. A navy of light bāchārī boats helped them, and at Saraighat in 1671 Lachit Borphukan defeated a Mughal river fleet. Although Mīr Jumlā captured Garhgaon in 1662 and imposed a treaty, the Ahom king renounced it within a year, and the Brahmaputra became the effective frontier.

Example 6: Case: terms of the treaty · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Read the case and answer the questions.

After long conflict, a settlement was reached between the Mughals and Mewar. Mewar's ruler was exempted from personal attendance at the Mughal court, and the Mughals valued Mewar's position on trade routes to Surat.

(i) What did the exemption show about Mewar's status? (1)
(ii) Why might the Mughals have agreed? (1)
(iii) What does this show about conflict and cooperation in the period? (2)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) Recognition of Mewar's autonomy (1 mark).
  2. (ii) The value of Mewar's position on trade routes to Surat, and years of resistance (1 mark).
  3. (iii) Relations combined conflict and cooperation; negotiated settlements followed resistance (2 marks).

Answer: (i) It recognised Mewar's autonomy. (ii) Mewar's position on trade routes to Surat was valuable and its resistance had been long. (iii) The period involved both conflict and cooperation: resistance was followed by negotiated settlements, as the chapter shows.

Where students lose marks in Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Mixing battle years

    Dates blurred.

    Wrong working

    Haldighati was in 1582.

    Right working

    Haldighati 1576; Dewair 1582.

    Do this: Use the K-C-H-D line.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Assigning leaders wrongly

    Similar names.

    Wrong working

    Lachit Borphukan fought at Haldighati.

    Right working

    Lachit fought at Saraighat; Pratap at Haldighati.

    Do this: Pair leader and place.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: One-sided narratives

    Only conflict.

    Wrong working

    All relations were hostile.

    Right working

    The chapter stresses both conflict and cooperation.

    Do this: Mention both.

    Usually costs: 1-2 marks.

  • Mistake: Missing the idea of resilience

    Only wars described.

    Wrong working

    Resistance was only by battles.

    Right working

    It also involved diplomacy, alliances and preserving traditions.

    Do this: Link to resilience.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Learn a short timeline with 12 dates; most 1-mark questions come from it.
  • Always write "according to the chapter" for sensitive episodes and use neutral verbs (opposed, negotiated, defeated).
  • For strategy answers, name the terrain and the method.
  • In comparison questions, include one cooperative example to show balance.

Practice questions on Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The Khalsa was established in:
    (a) 1675
    (b) 1699
    (c) 1674
    (d) 1576

    Hint

    Guru Gobind Singh.

    Answer

    (b) 1699

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    What was the iqta system? (2 marks)

    Hint

    Territories instead of salaries.

    Answer

    It was a system in which territories were assigned to commanders in place of salaries; they collected land revenue from them, which increased the burden on peasants.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain the role of forts in the Maratha resistance. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Guerrilla, administration, sieges.

    Answer

    Hill forts such as Raigad and Sinhagad were centres of guerrilla warfare and safe retreats. They also served as fallback capitals and administrative and judicial centres, and with water sources and armouries they could withstand long sieges.

  4. Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): Vijayanagara arose to check Sultanate expansion.
    Reason (R): Raids on Warangal, Belur and Madurai and the rise of the Madurai Sultanate threatened the south.
    (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true, but R is false.
    (d) A is false, but R is true.

    Hint

    Harihara and Bukka.

    Answer

    (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

  5. Q5 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Describe the resistance of Mewar to the Mughals from 1567 to 1582 and its outcome. (5 marks)

    Hint

    Chittor, Haldighati, Dewair, treaty.

    Answer

    In 1567-68 Akbar besieged Chittor; Rāṇā Udai Singh resisted and then retreated to the Aravallis. At Haldighati in 1576 Mahārāṇā Pratāp fought the Mughals and then shifted to guerrilla warfare in the Aravalli terrain, with support from the Bhils. At Dewair in 1582 key Mughal outposts collapsed and Pratāp regained control of Mewar. Later, Amar Singh also resisted Jahāngīr, and a treaty exempted Mewar's ruler from personal attendance at the Mughal court, recognising its autonomy.

  6. Q6 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    Suppose a classmate says, "Every Rajput house resisted the Mughals in the same way." Use the chapter to test this claim. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Mewar versus Amber.

    Answer

    The claim is not supported. Mewar resisted for decades, while the Kachhwāhas of Amber negotiated cooperation and joined the Mughal mansab system. The Mughals needed Rajput military strength and administrative skill, so relations varied from conflict to cooperation across houses and times.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Who defeated Muhammad Ghūrī at Kasahrada in 1178?Show answer

    Queen Naiki Devi of the Chaulukyas.

  2. 2.Where did Lachit Borphukan win in 1671?Show answer

    The Battle of Saraighat.

  3. 3.Who founded Vijayanagara?Show answer

    Harihara and Bukka, in 1336.

  4. 4.What does swarājya mean?Show answer

    Self-rule.

  5. 5.What is mīrī-pīrī?Show answer

    Worldly (miri) and spiritual (piri) authority in Sikh tradition.

Resistance by Kingdoms and Communities, 1000 to 1700 CE: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between resistance and resilience?

Resistance is active opposition to a threat; resilience is the capacity to endure and adapt while preserving traditions.

What happened at Haldighati?

In 1576 Mahārāṇā Pratāp fought the Mughals and then shifted to guerrilla warfare.

How long did the Ahom kingdom last?

Almost six centuries, from 1228 to 1826.

Who founded the Khalsa?

Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699.