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IMAGINE
I You are an artisan standing on a tiny wooden platform held together by bamboo j and rope fifty metres above the ground. You have to place an inscription under the first balcony of the Qutb Minar. How would you do this?
Answer.
LET’S RECALL
Question 1.
How is the ‘trabeate’ principle of architecture different from the ‘arcuate’!
Answer.
In the trabeate principle of architecture roofs, doors and windows were made by placing a horizontal beam across two vertical columns. In the arcuate principle of architecture, the weight of the superstructure above the doors and windows was carried by arches.
Question 2.
What is a Shikhara?
Answer.
Shikhara is a superstructure above the main shrine (garbhagriha) in which the main deity is placed in the temples. The construction of shikhara was the most tedious and long-lasting task in the temple construction.
Question 3.
What is pietra-dura?
Answer.
Pietra dura refers to the coloured, hard stones placed in depressions carved into marble or sandstone which create beautiful ornate patterns.
Question 4.
What are the elements of a Mughal Chahar bagh garden?
Answer.
The elements of a Mughal Chahar bagh garden are as under :
LET’S UNDERSTAND
Question 5.
How did a temple communicate the importance of a king?
Answer.
Kings usually constructed temples to demonstrate their devotion to God and their power and wealth. Here we can mention the Rajarajeshvara temple which was built by King Rajarajadeva for the worship of his god, Rajarajeshvaram. It is noticeable that the names of the ruler and the god are very similar. The king took the god’s name because it was auspicious and he wanted to appear like a god. Through the rituals of worship in the temples one god le. Rajarajadeva honoured another le., Rajarajeshvaram.
Kings usually constructed the largest temples. The other, lesser deities in the temple were gods and goddesses of the allies and subordinates of the ruler. The temple was a miniature model of the world ruled by the king and his allies. As they worshipped their deities together in the royal temples, it seemed as if they brought the just rule of the gods on earth.
Question 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?
Answer.
The architectural design of Shah Jahan’s diwan-i Khas (audience hall) in Delhi’s Red fort, created the image of Paradise on Earth. Some of the main features are as under:
Question 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?
Answer.
The Mughal court suggested that everyone—the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak received justice equally from the emperor as the Diwan-i am was for all. All could collect there and put their grievances before the emperor without any bias or discrimination. The Pietra Dura work behind the throne suggests the same.
Question 8.
What role did the Yamuna play in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad?
Answer.
The river Yamuna had a very significant role in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad. Shah Jahan preferred the river-front garden in the layout of the Taj Mahal. He developed the same architectural form as a means to control the access that the nobles had to the river. In the new city of Shahjahanabad, the imperial palace also commanded the river-front. Only the most favoured nobles were given access to the river. Other than those had to construct their homes in the city away from the river Yamuna. It expanded the layout of the city.
LET’S DISCUSS
Question 9.
The rich and powerful construct large houses today. In what ways were the constructions of kings and their courtiers different in the past?
Answer.
Question 10.
Look at the Figure below. How could that building be constructed faster today?
Answer.
Such buildings can be constructed faster today with the help of cranes and other modern machines.
LET’S DO
Question 11.
Find out whether there is a statue or a memorial to a great person in your village or town. Why was it placed there? What purpose does it serve?
Answer.
Question 12.
Visit and describe any park or garden in your neighbourhood. In what ways is it similar to or different from the gardens of the Mughals?
Answer.
The gardens of Mughals gardens were spread over a very large area. There was a large variety of flowers. They were well-decorated and protected. But the garden in my neighbourhood is not so large. Everyone has easy access to this garden. So the flowers are not safe. Thus, we don’t find any similarities.
Question 1.
What differences do you notice between the Shikharas of the two temples? Can you make out that the Shikhara of the Rajarajeshvara temple is twice as high as that of the Kandariya Mahadeva? (NCERT Textbook Page 62)
Answer.
Question 2.
Compare Fig. 2(a) and 2(6) with Fig. 5(a) and 5(b). (NCERT Page 63)
Answer.
Question 3.
Describe what the laborers are doing, the tools shown, and the means of carrying stones. (NCERT Page 63)
Answer.
Labourers are involved in the construction of a huge gate. They are using old tools like hammers, and techniques for breaking the stone. Stones are carried manually.
Question 4.
Why were temples destroyed? (NCERT Page 65)
Answer.
Question 5.
In what ways do you think the policies of Rajendra I and Mahmud of Ghazni were a product of their times? How were the actions of the two rulers different? (NCERT Page 66)
Answer.