NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science History Chapter 5

Two technological and stylistic developments are noticeable from the twelfth century.
(1) The weight of the superstructure above the doors and windows was sometimes carried by arches. This architectural form was called “arcuate”.
(2) Limestone cement was increasingly used in construction. This was very high-quality cement, which, when mixed with stone chips hardened into concrete. This made construction of large structures easier and faster.

Temples and mosques were beautifully constructed because they were places of worship. They were also meant to demonstrate the power, wealth and devotion of the patron. For example the Rajarajeshvara temple. An inscription mentions that it was built by King Rajarajadeva for the worship of his god, Rajarajeshvaram. The largest temples were all constructed by kings. 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.
It was widely believed that the rule of a just king would be an age of plenty when the heavens would not withhold rain. At the same time, making precious water available by constructing tanks and reservoirs was highly praised.

Because kings built temples to demonstrate their devotion to God and their power and wealth. In the early ninth century when the Pandyan king Shrimara Shrivallabha invaded Sri Lanka and defeated the king, Sena I (831-851), the Buddhist monk and chronicler Dhammakitti noted: “he removed all the valuables … The statue of the Buddha made entirely of gold in the Jewel Palace … and the golden images in the various monasteries – all these he seized.”

Under the Mughals, architecture became more complex. Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, and especially Shah Jahan were personally interested in literature, art and architecture. In his autobiography, Babur described his interest in planning and laying out formal gardens, placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels.

Shikhara is a superstructure above the main shrine (garbhagriha) in which main deity is placed in the temples. The construction of shikhara was the most tedious and long lasting task in the temple construction.

Pietra-dura was an architectural technique mostly used in the buildings of Shah Jahan. In this technique coloured hard stones were placed in depressions carved into marbles or sandstones creating beautiful ornate patterns.

The elements of a Mughal chahar bagh garden as under: The garden was placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial The four divisions were symmetrical.

Temples were constructed to demonstrate the power, wealth and devotion of the parton king. Often the names of king and the man deity were similar. For example, Rajarajeshvara temple built by king Rajarajadeva. For the worship of his god, Rajarageshvaram. The other subordinate deities in a temple symbolised the actual subordinates of a king. 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.

Emperor’s throne was placed in west direction. In Islam it is the direction towards Mecca from India. Therefore, emperor was equated with the place of God in Islam Everyone who attend the court faced west, a direction faced by Muslim while praying The depiction of legendary Greek God Orpheus behind the king’s throne the message that the king’s justice would treat the high and low as equals, creating a world where all could live together in harmony. These features gave the image of Paradise on Earth.

These steps were: Behind emperor’s throne were a series of peitra dura inlays that depicted the legendary Greek God orpheus playing lute. It was believed that Orpheus music could calm ferocious beasts until they coexisted together peaceably. This is communicated that the king’s justice would treat high and the low as equal which create a world where all could live together in harmony.

The Yamuna played a significant role in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad. The imperial place commanded the river-front in the new city from Shahjahanabad in Delhi. Only specially favoured nobles, such as Dara Shukoh (son of Shah Jahan), were given access to the river. All had to construct their homes in the city away from the river Yamuna. The city of Shahjahanabad was established on the one side of river Yamuna whereas in Agra, The constructions were done on both sides of the river Yamuna.

The constructions of kings were done over a large area with especial raw materials such as red stone, marble, diamonds, etc. On the other hand, buildings had plan for water system, tanks and gardens. The directions were of special considerations. For example, placing of throne in diwan-i khas in the west direction. The new innovations were always welcomed in the constructions by kings. For example pietra-dura Buildings made by kings often had fusion of regional architecture such as Gujrati, Rajasthani and Bangla domes. It can be assumed the building of nobles must not have had such features.

This had the following two most important reasons: By the use of cranes and heavy duty machines, the building can be constructed faster, today.