NCERT Book Solutions Class 7 History Our Pasts – II Chapter 5
If you have ever visited the Taj Mahal, you will know how stunning it is. Also, there are many important national monuments built by ancient time rulers that are actually forts, palaces, and so on. You can take a look at the architecture of some important monuments built by rulers in Chapter 5 of CBSE Class 7 History. NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 5 “Rulers And Buildings” includes the solutions to the exercises given in the book “Our Pasts-II”. NCERT Solutions of the exercises provided at the end of the chapter will be useful for school exams.
1. How is the “trabeate” principle of architecture different from the “arcuate”?
A. The “trabeate” principle of architecture is different from the “arcuate”. In the trabeate principle of architecture, roofs, doors, and windows were made by placing a horizontal beam across two vertical columns. But, in the arcuate principle of architecture, the weight of the superstructure above the doors and windows was carried by arches.
2. What is ashikhara?
A. Ashikharais a tower-like structure on top of a temple.. The Rajarajeshvara temple at Thanjavur had the tallest shikhara among the temples of its time.
3. What is pietra-dura?
A. Pietra-Dura is a technique where coloured, hard stones were placed in depressions carved into marble or sandstone, thereby creating beautiful and ornate patterns.
4. What are the elements of a Mughal Charbagh garden?
A. Charbagh gardens were gardens placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels. These gardens were called ‘Charbagh’ i.e., four gardens because of their symmetrical division into quarters. The Charbagh garden also had a variation that historians describe as the “riverfront garden”. This dwelling was not located in the middle of the Charbagh but at its edge, close to the bank of the river.
5. How did a temple communicate the importance of a king?
A. Temples were constructed as places of worship and are meant to demonstrate the power, wealth, and devotion of the patron.
The construction of a temple emphasized the king’s moral right to rule. Constructing places of worship provided rulers with a chance to proclaim their close relationship with God.
6. An inscription in Shah Jahan’s diwan-I Khas in Delhi stated: “If there is Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” How was this image created?
A. During Shah Jahan’s reign, the different elements of Mughal architecture were fused together in a grand harmonious synthesis. His reign witnessed a huge amount of construction activity, especially in Agra and Delhi.
i) The image of Paradise on Earth was created through the construction of audience halls, which were modeled like a mosque.
ii) The pedestal of Shah Jahan’s throne was frequently described as the Quibla, the direction which Muslims face while praying.
iii) These architectural features communicated a sense of divine justice and the idea that the king was the representative of God on earth.
7. How did the Mughal court suggest that everyone“ the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak “ received justice equally from the emperor?
A. The Mughal court suggests that everyone – the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak – received justice equally from the emperor in the following ways:
i) The construction of the royal court in Red Fort emphasized the connection between the imperial court and royal justice.
ii) Behind the emperor’s throne were a series of inlays that pictured Orpheus playing the
iii) It was believed that Orpheus’ music calmed ferocious beasts and made them coexist in harmony.
iv) All this gave the impression that the king’s justice would treat the high and the low as equals, creating a world in which all could live in harmony.
8. What role did the Yamuna play in the layout of the new Mughal city atShahjahanabad?
A. i) The River Yamuna played a major role in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad. Shah Jahan adapted the river-front garden to the layout of the Taj Mahal, the grandest architectural accomplishment of his reign. Here the white marble mausoleum was placed on a terrace by the edge of the river and the garden was to its south.
ii) Shah Jahan developed this architectural form as a means to control the access that nobles had to the river. Only the exceptionally favored nobles – like his eldest son Dara Shukoh – were given access to the river. All others had to construct their homes in the city away from the River Yamuna.
9. The rich and powerful construct large houses today. In what ways were the constructions of kings and their courtiers different in the past?
A. i) The rich and powerful construct large houses today.
ii) But these houses are not the same as those of the kings and their courtiers in the past.
iii) The houses of the kings and their courtiers were big structures with a big courtyard, thick walls, domed roofs, huge pillars, big gardens, and well-decorated halls.
iv) But today houses have no courtyards nor gardens nor thick walls or domed roofs. In many ways, these are inferior to those of the kings and their courtiers
10. Look at Figure 4. How could that building be constructed faster today?
A. i) Such buildings were usually constructed as a matter of pride in the old days.
ii) It was very difficult to construct them but they were made possible with the help of skilled masons and laborers.
iii) Such buildings took a very long time and a number of laborers to be constructed.
iv) But now as technologies have advanced, we have many facilities, equipment, tools that can construct huge buildings very easily and in less time.
Rulers And Buildings Summary
- The NCERT Class 7 Our Pasts-II Chapter 5 talks about the following topics:
- Temple construction in the early eleventh century
- Importance of temples and mosques
- Construction of gardens, tombs, and forts during the Mughal period
- Development of new regions and empire
Our Pasts-II is an important book for the Class 7 Social Science subject. Apart from this chapter, the full set of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science is given in the linked article.
Frequently Asked Questions on NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 5
- How can students prepare for the annual exam using the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 5?
- What is pietra-dura discussed in NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 5?
- What will students learn in Chapter 5 of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History?
1. How can students prepare for the annual exam using the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 5?
Before the annual exam, students have to learn the chapter thoroughly and revise them regularly to attain a strong grip on the key concepts. It’s recommended that students refer to the solutions while attempting the questions of a new chapter to comprehend the method of answering as per the latest CBSE guidelines. Also, students must read thoroughly the syllabus for the academic year before the exam to understand the marks weightage for the chapter.
2. What is pietra-dura discussed in NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 5?
Pietra dura is the coloured hard stones placed in depressions carved into marble or sandstone, creating beautiful and ornate patterns. Behind Emperor Shah, Jahan’s throne was a series of pietra dura inlays that depicted the legendary Greek god Orpheus playing the lute. It was believed that Orpheus’s music could calm ferocious beasts until they coexisted with humans peacefully.
3. What will students learn in Chapter 5 of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History?
The NCERT Class 7 Our Pasts-II Chapter 5 talks about the following topics:
Temple construction in the early eleventh century
Importance of temples and mosques
Construction of gardens, tombs, and forts during the Mughal period
Development of new regions and empire
