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.
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.
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.
What title did Octavian take after overthrowing the Roman Republic in 27 BCE?
What was the Roman professional army’s minimum service period?
Which Roman emperor is known for his fruitless occupation of territory across the Euphrates (113-117 CE)?
What was the denarius?
Which Germanic tribes are mentioned as moving against the Roman frontiers in the third century?
What was the solidus introduced by Constantine?
Where did Constantine establish a second capital of the Roman Empire?
What does the term “Genghis Khan” mean?
What was the courier system established by the Mongols called?
What tax did Mongol nomads pay for maintenance of the communication system?
Which grandson of Genghis Khan became emperor of China and protected peasants and cities?
What was the pass called that travellers received for safe conduct in the Mongol empire?
What was the capital of Mongke Khan where William of Rubruck met a Parisian goldsmith?
According to Genghis Khan’s speech at Bukhara, why was he sent as punishment?
What happened at Nishapur when a Mongol prince was killed during siege?
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.
Who was the first Roman emperor? Page 40
What was the Roman silver coin called? Page 42
Which river formed the boundary between the Roman and Iranian empires? Page 39
What was the name of the great Jewish revolt against Roman domination? Page 50
What name was given to the lower class in Roman society (lit. “lower”)? Page 50
What title did Temujin take at the quriltai of 1206? Page 65
What was the largest unit of Mongol soldiers (approximately 10,000) called? Page 69
Who was the Venetian traveller who visited the Mongol court? Page 74
Which Mongol ruler converted to Islam and warned commanders against pillaging peasantry? Page 72
What was the name of the Chinese minister who muted Ogedei’s rapacious instincts in the 1230s? Page 72
Which descendant of Genghis Khan founded the Mughal empire in India in 1526? Page 67
What animal was central to Mongol pastoralism and provided speed and mobility to the army? Page 62
What was the code of law attributed to Genghis Khan called? Page 73
Which Roman emperor made Christianity the official religion? Page 51
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.