SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS 7

Chapter Contents Summary

This chapter explores how regional cultures (language, food, clothing, poetry, dance, music, and painting) are formed through the intermixing of local traditions with ideas from other parts of the subcontinent. Key topics include:

 * The Cheras and Malayalam: The development of Malayalam as a regional language in Kerala.

 * Rulers and Religious Traditions: The Jagannatha cult in Odisha and the importance of the Jagannatha temple at Puri.

 * The Rajput Tradition of Heroism: How the ideals of bravery and sacrifice shaped the culture of Rajasthan.

 * Beyond Regional Frontiers (Kathak): The evolution of Kathak from storytellers in temples to a major classical dance form.

 * Painting for Patrons: The development of Miniature paintings under the Mughals and later in regional courts like Kangra.

 * The Growth of Bengali: How Bengali evolved from Sanskrit and was influenced by tribal and European languages.

 * Pirs and Temples: The role of spiritual leaders (Pirs) and the unique architecture of Bengal temples.

NCERT Solutions: Question & Answers

1. Match the following:

 * Anantavarman – Orissa

 * Jagannatha – Puri

 * Mahodayapuram – Kerala

 * Lilatilakam – Kerala

 * Mangalakavya – Bengal

 * Miniature – Kangra

2. What is Manipravalam? Name a book written in that language.

Answer: Manipravalam is a language style whose name literally means "diamonds and corals," referring to the combination of two languages: Sanskrit and the regional language (Malayalam). The book Lilatilakam, which deals with grammar and poetics, was written in Manipravalam.

3. Who were the major patrons of Kathak?

Answer: The Mughal emperors (especially Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan) and the Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, were the major patrons of Kathak. It also found patronage in the courts of Rajasthan (Jaipur).

4. What are the important architectural features of the temples of Bengal?

Answer: * Double-roofed (dochala) or four-roofed (chauchala) structures.

 * In the four-roofed structure, four triangular roofs move up to converge on a curved line or a point.

 * Temples were usually built on a square platform.

 * While the interior was plain, the outer walls were often decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles, or terracotta tablets.

5. Why did minstrels proclaim the achievements of heroes?

Answer: Minstrels recited poems and songs to preserve the memories of heroes (specifically Rajput heroes) and to inspire others to follow their examples of bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice.

6. Why do we know much more about the cultural practices of rulers than about those of ordinary people?

Answer: Rulers had the resources to build monuments, commission paintings, and maintain written records or chronicles. Ordinary people did not have the means or the education to record their daily lives or cultural practices in a permanent form.

7. Why did conquerors try to control the temple of Jagannatha at Puri?

Answer: The temple was a major center of pilgrimage and held great social and political authority. Conquerors (like the Mughals, Marathas, and the English East India Company) felt that by controlling the temple, they could make their rule acceptable to the local people.

8. Why were temples built in Bengal?

Answer: * To demonstrate power and proclaim piety by individuals or groups becoming powerful.

 * To house deities that were previously worshipped in thatched huts by "low" social groups.

 * To provide work for local artisans as the economy improved

*Short Answer Type Questions*

*1. What are miniatures?*

Miniatures are small-sized paintings, generally done in watercolor on cloth or paper.

*2. Who were the Pirs?*

Pirs were spiritual leaders who possessed supernatural powers. They functioned as teachers and adjudicators and were highly respected in Bengal.

*3. What is the significance of fish in Bengal?*

Fish is a staple food in Bengal, a riverine plain with abundant fish. According to the Brihaddharma Purana, a 13th-century Sanskrit text, fish was even permitted for Brahmanas in the region.

Long question answers 

*1. Discuss the factors that led to the emergence of regional cultures in India.*

The emergence of regional cultures in India can be attributed to several factors. One of the primary factors was the geographical diversity of the country, which led to the development of distinct cultural practices and traditions in different regions. The movement of people, goods, and ideas across the country also contributed to the exchange and development of cultural practices. Additionally, the influence of local rulers and kingdoms, as well as the impact of Islam and other external cultures, also shaped the regional cultures of India.

*2. Describe the role of the Bhakti and Sufi movements in shaping regional cultures.*

The Bhakti and Sufi movements played a significant role in shaping regional cultures in India. The Bhakti movement, which emerged in the 6th century CE, emphasized the importance of devotion and personal experience in achieving spiritual enlightenment. This movement helped to bridge the gap between the elite and the masses, and its emphasis on vernacular languages and local traditions contributed to the development of regional cultures. The Sufi movement, which emerged in the 12th century CE, emphasized the importance of love, tolerance, and spiritual practices. Sufi saints and poets helped to spread Islam and promote cultural exchange between different regions, contributing to the development of regional cultures.

*3. What were the major features of the Vijayanagara kingdom's cultural achievements?*

The Vijayanagara kingdom, which flourished in the 14th to 16th centuries CE, was a major cultural center in southern India. Some of the major features of its cultural achievements include the development of a distinct style of architecture, which blended Hindu and Islamic influences. The kingdom was also known for its vibrant art and literature, including the works of poets like Purandara Dasa and Kanakadasa. The Vijayanagara kingdom also promoted the development of music and dance, and its capital city, Hampi, was a major center of cultural activity.

*4. Discuss the cultural achievements of the Mughal Empire.*

The Mughal Empire, which flourished in the 16th to 19th centuries CE, was a major cultural center in India. Some of the major cultural achievements of the Mughal Empire include the development of a distinct style of architecture, which blended Persian, Islamic, and Indian influences. The Mughals were also known for their vibrant art, including miniature paintings and illuminated manuscripts. The empire was also a major center of literary activity, with poets like Amir Khusrau and Abdul Fazal making significant contributions to Urdu and Persian literature. The Mughal Empire also promoted the development of music and dance, with the royal court attracting musicians and dancers from across the country.

*5. How did regional cultures in India develop distinct characteristics?*

Regional cultures in India developed distinct characteristics due to a combination of geographical, historical, and cultural factors. The geographical diversity of the country, including the presence of mountains, rivers, and coastlines, influenced the development of distinct cultural practices and traditions. The movement of people, goods, and ideas across the country also contributed to the exchange and development of cultural practices. Additionally, the influence of local rulers and kingdoms, as well as the impact of external cultures, also shaped the regional cultures of India. Over time, these factors contributed to the development of distinct characteristics in different regions, including language, art, literature, music, and dance.

*6. What role did the printing press play in the development of regional languages and cultures?*

The printing press played a significant role in the development of regional languages and cultures in India. With the advent of the printing press, books and other written materials could be mass-produced, making literature and knowledge more accessible to a wider audience. This led to the development of regional languages and cultures, as writers and poets were able to publish their works in their native languages.

*7. Discuss the significance of the Bhakti saints in the development of regional cultures.*

The Bhakti saints played a significant role in the development of regional cultures in India. These saints, who belonged to different regions and languages, emphasized the importance of devotion and personal experience in achieving spiritual enlightenment. They composed devotional songs and poems in their native languages, which helped to promote regional cultures and languages. The Bhakti saints also challenged the traditional caste system and social norms, promoting a more inclusive and egalitarian society.

*8. What were the major features of the cultural developments in the Vijayanagara kingdom?*

The Vijayanagara kingdom, which flourished in the 14th to 16th centuries CE, was a major cultural center in southern India. Some of the major features of its cultural developments include the development of a distinct style of architecture, which blended Hindu and Islamic influences. The kingdom was also known for its vibrant art and literature, including the works of poets like Purandara Dasa and Kanakadasa. The Vijayanagara kingdom also promoted the development of music and dance, and its capital city, Hampi, was a major center of cultural activity.

*9. Discuss the impact of Islamic culture on Indian society.*

Islamic culture had a significant impact on Indian society, particularly in the fields of art, architecture, literature, and music. The Islamic influence can be seen in the development of Indo-Islamic architecture, which blended Persian and Indian styles. Islamic literature and poetry also had a significant impact on Indian literature, with many Indian poets writing in Persian and Urdu. The Sufi saints and their mystical poetry also played a significant role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding between different communities.

*10. How did the regional cultures of India develop a distinct identity?*

The regional cultures of India developed a distinct identity due to a combination of geographical, historical, and cultural factors. The geographical diversity of the country, including the presence of mountains, rivers, and coastlines, influenced the development of distinct cultural practices and traditions. The movement of people, goods, and ideas across the country also contributed to the exchange and development of cultural practices. Additionally, the influence of local rulers and kingdoms, as well as the impact of external cultures, also shaped the regional cultures of India. Over time, these factors contributed to the development of distinct characteristics in different regions, including language, art, literature, music, and dance.

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