Class 9 SST Part 2 Chapter 3 Solutions – Resistance
Looking for accurate and complete ncert class 9 social science part 2 chapter 3 solutions for the new CBSE curriculum (2026-27)? You are in the right place! In this guide, we provide step-by-step, direct, and easy-to-understand solutions for all exercise questions from Understanding Society: India and Beyond Class 9 SST Part 2 Chapter 3: Resistance and Resilience (1000-1700 CE). These answers are crafted specifically to help students write clean, exam-ready answers in their notebooks without extra confusion or lengthy fluff.
Question 1
Choose the most appropriate answer. Resistance and resilience are closely connected because:
a. Resistance always involves warfare.
b. Resilience enables communities to endure difficulties and sustain resistance.
Correct Option: b. Resilience enables communities to endure difficulties and sustain resistance.
Question 2
Why and how did groups such as the Sikhs, Marathas, and Rajputs assert their political power and identity during periods of changing political authority?
These groups asserted their power due to the centralizing policies, heavy taxation, and religious persecution of the Mughal and Sultanate rulers.
- Rajputs: Fought to protect their territorial sovereignty and cultural identity (e.g., Mewar's resistance under Maharana Pratap).
- Marathas: Under Chhatrapati Shivaji, they fought for Swarajya (self-rule) against the Mughal empire, using guerrilla warfare and a network of forts.
- Sikhs: After the martyrdom of their Gurus, they organized themselves into armed groups (misals) and established the Khalsa to defend their faith and community.
Question 3
Why did some Rajput rulers decide to negotiate alliances with the Mughal power?
Some Rajput rulers (like the Kachhwahas of Amber) decided to negotiate alliances with the Mughals to secure their political power and territorial integrity. They recognized that the Mughal military was superior, and through alliances, they were able to retain their autonomy, serve as high-ranking mansabdars, and contribute to the administration of the empire.
Question 4
Imagine a market in a port town of India such as Surat, Masulipatnam, or Puducherry. You are a foreign trader from Italy or France and want to make a deal of cotton textiles. How would you secure the product in the local market? Whose help would you seek and what kind of challenges would you face in terms of language, quality of product, prices of commodities, etc.?
(This is an imaginative exercise)
- Securing Product: I would approach the local merchant guilds (shrenis) which controlled the production and trade of textiles.
- Seeking Help: I would seek the help of a dubashi (interpreter/translator) and a local broker to negotiate.
- Challenges: Language barriers, verifying the quality of the cloth, negotiating a fair price (avoiding being cheated), and dealing with customs duties.
Question 5
Watch any video at the given link and analyse the various functions of forts and fortresses. How did rulers perceive the importance of forts in terms of strategic concerns?
Forts functioned as military strongholds, administrative centres, and places of refuge. Rulers perceived forts as crucial for strategic control over territory, as they provided a defensive advantage, served as bases for launching attacks (like guerrilla warfare by Marathas), and controlled trade routes.
Question 6
What architectural changes occurred in temple construction during the period under study? How do these changes reflect upon the resilient nature of Indian civilisation?
From the 16th century, temples began to be constructed in less visible locations with entrances that didn't open onto main streets. They often lacked tall shikharas and resembled ordinary houses (haveli temples). This reflects resilience because communities adapted their architecture to avoid the destruction of their sacred sites by invaders while continuing their religious practices.
Question 7
A kingdom has limited military resources but possesses fertile agricultural land, strong local support, and detailed knowledge of its terrain. Explain two ways in which these resources could contribute to the kingdom's resilience when faced with a threat.
1. Economic Resilience: The fertile land produces surplus food, which can sustain the population during a siege. This agricultural surplus can also be traded for weapons or resources.
2. Strategic Resilience: The detailed knowledge of the terrain allows the kingdom to use guerrilla warfare, launch surprise attacks, and use natural barriers for defense. Local support ensures a steady supply of intelligence and resources.
Question 8
Consider the following statement: "A tradition becomes more resilient when people can carry it with them." Do you agree? Explain using examples from the Bhakti tradition.
Yes, I agree. The Bhakti tradition emphasized personal devotion and community singing (sankirtan), which did not require physical temples. Saints like Kabir, Mirabai, and Guru Nanak composed hymns in local languages. This made the tradition portable, allowing devotees to practice their faith anywhere, even when temples were destroyed or restricted.
Question 9
Voices from the Past: Choose any two of the following and write a short first-person account explaining what resilience means from that person's perspective: A Bhakti saint, A Rajput soldier.
(Sample Answer)
A Bhakti Saint: "To me, resilience means keeping the flame of devotion alive in my heart, even when the world outside is in chaos. I do not need a grand temple. My song is my offering, and my unwavering faith is my strength."
A Rajput Soldier: "Resilience is standing firm on the ramparts of my fort, knowing that my family and my people depend on my courage. Even if we are outnumbered, the love for our land keeps us fighting, retreating to the hills only to strike back again."
Question 10
Design a Fort: You are a military architect advising a ruler. Draw a simple, labelled plan of a fort that includes: Residential complex, Defensive walls, Water source, Food storage, Escape route, Watchtower, Administrative area. Now, write a few sentences explaining how your design would help the kingdom withstand a long siege.
(This is a drawing activity). Your fort design should include:
- Location: On a hilltop (for better visibility and defense).
- Defensive Walls: Thick, high walls with bastions.
- Water Source: A well inside the fort.
- Food Storage: Granaries filled with surplus grain.
- Escape Route: A secret tunnel leading out.
- Watchtower: To spot approaching enemies.
- Administrative Area: A central courtyard and quarters for the ruler.
Explanation: The design helps withstand a long siege by ensuring the occupants have access to water, food, and a means of communication (watchtower) while being protected by strong walls. The secret tunnel allows for supplies to be brought in or for an escape plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Based on latest NCERT class 9 book.