NCERT Class 11 History Chapter 2 Questions (MCQ, One-Word or Descriptive)
This page provides complete NCERT Class 11 Themes in World History Chapter 2 questions, including MCQs, one-word and descriptive questions. All questions are extracted line-by-line from NCERT for full syllabus coverage and exam preparation.
A distinctive feature was the extensive use of urbanisation to govern – local upper classes collaborated with Rome to administer territories and collect taxes. The chapter discusses the early empire’s stability (Pax Romana), the third-century crisis (25 emperors in 47 years due to invasions by Germanic tribes and the new Sasanian dynasty), and late antiquity under Diocletian and Constantine, who introduced the gold solidus and established Constantinople as a second capital.
Socially, Roman women enjoyed considerable property rights, slavery was widespread but not the dominant labour form, and the economy was sophisticated with water-powered milling, hydraulic mining, and extensive trade networks traced through amphorae analysis. The empire fragmented in the west by the fifth century but remained prosperous in the east until Arab conquests in the seventh century.
The second section turns to the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan (c. 1162-1227) and his successors, who created the largest contiguous land empire in history. The chapter challenges the stereotype of nomads as primitive barbarians, showing how Genghis Khan transformed steppe social organisation by erasing tribal identities and creating a decimal-based military system.
The Mongols innovated in siege warfare, winter campaigns, and established a rapid courier system (yam). After initial destruction, the Pax Mongolia (13th-14th centuries) revived Silk Route trade to its peak. The chapter traces the fragmentation into four ulus (Yuan in China, Il-Khanid in Iran, Golden Horde in Russia, Chaghatai in Central Asia) and the creation of the yasa – a legal code that became an empowering ideology for Mongol identity.
Notably, the Mongols ran a multi-ethnic, multi-religious regime that did not feel threatened by pluralism, providing ideological models for later empires like the Mughals. The chapter concludes by reflecting on Genghis Khan’s contested legacy – as a destroyer to sedentary peoples but as the greatest unifier and national hero to Mongolians today.
🚀 How to use this Study Material:
- Read First: Go through this Chapter in your textbook thoroughly.
- Revise Conceptually: Solve the Descriptive Questions in Section A.
- Fact Check: Use the One-Liners and MCQs in Section B to test your factual memory.
- Refer Back: If you miss a point, check the specific Page Number mentioned with each question.
Topics Covered:
Master NCERT Chapters Faster
Get MCQs, One-Liners, Descriptive and Assertion & Reason based questions and answers mapped to exact page numbers. Designed for effortless memorization for Boards & Civil Services.
Section A: Descriptive Questions
- What were the three main “players” in the political history of the Roman Empire, and how did their interactions shape imperial politics? Page 40-41
- How did the Roman Empire govern its vast territories without a modern bureaucracy? Page 42
- Describe the legal and social position of women in the Roman Empire. Page 44-45
- What evidence do archaeologists use to study Roman economic life, particularly trade in olive oil? Page 46-47
- How did Diocletian and Constantine reorganise the Roman Empire during late antiquity? Page 52
- Why was the Roman monetary system reformed under Constantine, and what was the result? Page 51
- Describe the social hierarchy of the Roman Empire as identified by Tacitus and later changes. Page 50
- What was the “Third-Century Crisis” in the Roman Empire? Page 44
- How did Genghis Khan reorganise the Mongol army and tribal structure after becoming Great Khan? Page 68-69
- What was the yasa, and how did its meaning change over time? Page 73-74
- Explain the significance of the quriltai in Mongol political organisation. Page 69
- What was the Pax Mongolia, and what were its effects on trade and travel? Page 70-71
- How did Ghazan Khan’s speech to Mongol commanders reflect changing attitudes toward sedentary peoples? Page 72
Master NCERT Chapters Faster
Get MCQs, One-Liners, Descriptive and Assertion & Reason based questions and answers mapped to exact page numbers. Designed for effortless memorization for Boards & Civil Services.
Section B1: Objective MCQs
What title did Octavian take after overthrowing the Roman Republic in 27 BCE?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 40
What was the Roman professional army’s minimum service period?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 40
Which Roman emperor is known for his fruitless occupation of territory across the Euphrates (113-117 CE)?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 41
What was the denarius?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 42
Which Germanic tribes are mentioned as moving against the Roman frontiers in the third century?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 44
What was the solidus introduced by Constantine?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 52
Where did Constantine establish a second capital of the Roman Empire?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 52
What does the term “Genghis Khan” mean?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 65
What was the courier system established by the Mongols called?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 70
What tax did Mongol nomads pay for maintenance of the communication system?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 70
Which grandson of Genghis Khan became emperor of China and protected peasants and cities?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 71
What was the pass called that travellers received for safe conduct in the Mongol empire?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 71
What was the capital of Mongke Khan where William of Rubruck met a Parisian goldsmith?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 76
According to Genghis Khan’s speech at Bukhara, why was he sent as punishment?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 61
What happened at Nishapur when a Mongol prince was killed during siege?
View Answer
Reference: NCERT Page 65
Master NCERT Chapters Faster
Get MCQs, One-Liners, Descriptive and Assertion & Reason based questions and answers mapped to exact page numbers. Designed for effortless memorization for Boards & Civil Services.
Section B2: Factual One-Liners
Who was the first Roman emperor? Page 40
Reveal Answer
What was the Roman silver coin called? Page 42
Reveal Answer
Which river formed the boundary between the Roman and Iranian empires? Page 39
Reveal Answer
What was the name of the great Jewish revolt against Roman domination? Page 50
Reveal Answer
What name was given to the lower class in Roman society (lit. “lower”)? Page 50
Reveal Answer
What title did Temujin take at the quriltai of 1206? Page 65
Reveal Answer
What was the largest unit of Mongol soldiers (approximately 10,000) called? Page 69
Reveal Answer
Who was the Venetian traveller who visited the Mongol court? Page 74
Reveal Answer
Which Mongol ruler converted to Islam and warned commanders against pillaging peasantry? Page 72
Reveal Answer
What was the name of the Chinese minister who muted Ogedei’s rapacious instincts in the 1230s? Page 72
Reveal Answer
Which descendant of Genghis Khan founded the Mughal empire in India in 1526? Page 67
Reveal Answer
What animal was central to Mongol pastoralism and provided speed and mobility to the army? Page 62
Reveal Answer
What was the code of law attributed to Genghis Khan called? Page 73
Reveal Answer
Which Roman emperor made Christianity the official religion? Page 51
Reveal Answer
Master NCERT Chapters Faster
Get MCQs, One-Liners, Descriptive and Assertion & Reason based questions and answers mapped to exact page numbers. Designed for effortless memorization for Boards & Civil Services.