NCERT Solutions Class 7th History Social Science Chapter – 5 Rulers And Buildings Question & Answer 

Question 1. How is the ‘trabeate’ principle of architecture different from the arcuate?
?‍♂️Answer – Trabeate principle of architecture is different from the arcuate principle in the following way:

1. In the trabeate principle, a horizontal beam is placed across two vertical columns and roofs, doors and windows are made.
2. In the arcuate principle, the bricks are joined in an arch shape on a wooden plank, put on two vertical columns, doors, windows, and roofs, and are made arch-shaped. The weight of the doors and windows is carried by arches. The keystone of the arch transfers the weight on the bases of the arch.

Question 2. What is a shikhara?
?‍♂️Answer – A shikhara is the topmost pointed portion of a temple.

Question 3. What is pietra dura?
?‍♂️Answer – Pietra-dura is the inlays (a series of pictures) that depicted the legendary Greek god Orpheus playing the flute.

Question 4. What are the elements of a Mughal Chahar bagh garden?
?‍♂️Answer – Mughal Chahar bagh consists of four gardens. These gardens are placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels.

Question 5. How did a temple communicate the importance of a king?
?‍♂️Answer – The temples communicated the importance of a king in the following manner –

1. Name of the temples and the king were almost similar
   • Examples – King – Rajarajadeva.
   • Temple – Rajarajeshvara.
   • God – Rajarajeshvaram
2. The main Gods were identical in name with the kings.
3. Lesser deities were gods and goddesses of the allies and subordinates of the ruler.
4. Temple was the miniature model of the world ruled by the king and his allies.

Question 6. An inscription in Shah Johan’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 – Shah Jahan’s diwan-i khas was designed in such a way that it fused together in a grand harmonious synthesis. It was carefully planned. It was placed within a large courtyard. Behind the emperor’s throne there were a series of pietra-dura inlays. It depicted the legendiy god Orpheus playing the lute. The diwan-e khas was aimed to communicate that the king’s justice would treat the high and the low as equals, creating a world where all could live together in harmony. The diwon-i khas reflected the image of a paradise in itself.

Question 7. How did the Mughal court suggest that everyone—the rich and the poor, the powerjul and the weak—received justice equally from the emperor?
?‍♂️Answer – The Diwan-i am of the Mughal court suggested that justice was made for all in an equal way. The construction of Shah Jahan’s audience hall was designed to communicate that the king’s justice was equal for the high and the low. Its aim was to create a world where all could live together in harmony. There was no difference between the rich and poor in the emperor’s court.

Question 8. What role did the Yamuna play in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad?
?‍♂️Answer – The Yamuna played the following role in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad.

1. The palace was commanded by the riverfront.
2. Only the specially favoured nobles like Dara Shukoh were given access to the river.
3. All others had to construct their houses far away from the river Yamuna.

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 – The constructions of kings and their courtiers were different in the past in the following ways:

1. Safety and security was a major consideration.
2. Diwan-i am was constructed for the general public.
3. The constructions were carried out on uplands and surrounded by water bodies.

Question 10. Look at Figure 4. How could that building be constructed faster today?
?‍♂️Answer – Such buildings were usually constructed as a matter of pride in old days. It was very difficult to construct them but they were made possible with the help of skilled masons and labourers. Such buildings took a very long time and a number of labourers to be constructed. But now as technologies have advanced, we have many facilities, equipment, tools which can construct huge buildings very easily and in less time.

Question 11. Find out whether there is a statue of or a memorial to a great person in your village or town. Why was it placed there? What purpose does it serve?
?‍♂️Answer – There is a very busy chowk in my village. We find there a statue of Subhash Chandra Bose and hence this chowk is known as Subhash Chowk. Subhash Chandra Bose was such a great person that he dared to challenge the British empire by forming his own army. He is now no more but his statue is there to inspire us. Its purpose is to encourage the youth to do something different and challenging.

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.

• The central towering dome and the tall gateway known as pishtaqbecame important aspects of Mughal architecture. This tomb architecture was first visible in Humayun’s tomb.
• The tomb was placed in the centre of a huge formal Chahar baghand built in the tradition known as ‘eight paradises’ or hasht bihisht—a central hall surrounded by eight rooms.
• The building was constructed with red sandstone, edge with white marble.

?‍♂️Answer – Shah Jahan’s audience halls were specially constructed to resemble a mosque.
The pedestal on which his throne was placed was frequently described as the qibla, the direction faced by Muslims at prayer, since everybody faced that direction when court was in session. The idea of the king as a representative of God on earth was suggested by these architectural features.

• The construction of Shah Jahan’s audience hall aimed to communicate that the king’s justice would treat the high and the low as equals creating a world where all could live together in harmony.