This chapter talks about advancements in the field of metallurgy, the skills required in building stupas, temples and the various books written in the past. At the end of the chapter, students will find questions related to these topics. In NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 11 "Buildings, Paintings And Books", we have provided the answers to all the questions. Students must go through these Solution to understand a better way of representing the answer in the exam.
Intext Question, Page - 120
Q. Do you think Kalidas can be described as a lover of nature ?
Answer:
Kalidas was a lover of nature. In Meghdootam he has described the cloud as messanger who carries messages.
Intext Question, Page - 121
Q. There are several versions (many of which are performed) of the Mahabharta and the Ramayana, popular amongst people in different parts of the subcontinent. Find out about a version in your state.
Answer:
Tulsida's Ramayana and Ved Vyas's Mahabharat are popular in my state. They have been translated in hindi language.
Intext Question, Page - 123
Q. The Romans used a system of counting without using zero. Try to find out more about it.
Answer:
The Roman system of counting does not have a zero. The Roman system use the following symbols.
- i - one
- v - five
- x - ten
- L - 50
- C - 100
- D - 500
- M - 1000
Intext Questions, Page - 124
Q. What were manuscripts in early India made out of ? (Hint: See Chapter 1)
Answer:
Manuscripts were usually written of by hand. They were written on palm leaf, or on the specially prepared bark of a tree known as the birch, which grows in the Himalayas.
Q. Imagine you are sitting in a mandapa of a temple. Describe the scene around you.
Answer:
While sitting in a mandapa, I can see devotees, some of them going towards garbhagriha for the darshan of diety. Others are moving around the temple after their prayers. I can also hear the voice of sweet Bhajans that are sung by Kirtan Mandli in the temple campus. The whole atmosphere has became spiritual and energy seems to have an ultimate spiritual experience.
Let's Recall, Page - 124
1. Match the following :
- Stupa - Place where the image of the deity is installed
- Shikhara - Mound
- Mandapa - Circular path around the stupa
- Garbhagriha - Place in temples where people could assemble
- Pradakshina patha - Tower
Answer:
- Stupa - Mound
- Shikhara - Tower
- Mandapa - Place in temples where people could assemble
- Garbhagriha - Place where the image of deity is installed
- Pradakshina Patha - Circular path around the stupa
2. Fill in the blanks :
(a) ________ was a great astronomer.
(b) Stories about gods and goddesses are found in the _________.
(c) ________ is recognised as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana.
(d) ________ and _________ are two Tamil epics.
Answer:
(a) Aryabhata
(b) epics.
(c) Valmiki
(d) Sitappadikar, Manimekalai
Let's Discuss, Page - 125
3. Make a list of the chapters in which you find mention of metal working. What are the metals objects mentioned or shown in those chapters ?
Answer:
The chapters are :
- In the Earliest Cities - Copper was used to make tools and weapons. Gold and silver was used to make ornaments and vessels.
- What Book and Burials Tell us - Iron tools and weapons, ornaments of gold.
- Kingdoms, Kings and Early Republic - Iron ore mines.
- Vital Villages and Thriving Towns - Iron tools.
- Traders, Pilgrims and Kings - Gold was given as gift.
- Buildings, Paintings and Books - Iron pillar, gold jewellery.
4. Read the story on page 122. In what ways is the monkey king similar to or different from the kings you read about in chapters 5 and 10 ?
Answer:
In the story 'The monkey king' when the monkeys found out that the king of Varanasi wanted to kill them, the monkey king worked out a plan to save his followers. He made a bridge across the river and all his followers crossed the bridge and were saved. However the monkey king was exhausted and fell down dying. The monkey king believed that it his responsibility to save his people from the enemies and died in the attempt. He was a peace loving monkey.
The kings in Chapter 5 and 10 :
- Led wars of conquest to extend their empires.
- They had regular armies.
- The rulers protect the people the people from attacks. They built capitals which were fortified i.e., they had huge walls of wood or brick or stone.
5. Find out more and tell a story from one of the epics.
Answer:
The Ramayana contains the story of Hanuman and other monkeys. They promised to help Ram in his search of Sita. Hanuman had special powers which enable him to reach Lanka, inspite of many difficulties. He found the whereabouts of Sita, who was kept in Ashok Vatika by Ravan. He also set Lanka on fire. He also brought Sanjivini herbs to treat Lakshman.
Let's Do, Page - 125
6. List some steps that can be taken to make buildings and monuments accessible to differently abled people.
Answer:
The steps to make buildings and monuments accessible to different disabled people are :
- Construction of a ramp.
- The steps can be renovated, so that people may not fall on the slippery ground
- Railing can be placed on the side walls of the staircase.
- Proper lighting system.
7. Try and list as many uses of paper as you can.
Answer:
Paper can be used in many ways :
- It is used as a writing material, books, newspapers, etc.
- It is used for wrapping goods and small articles.
- It can be used a paking material.
- In case there is an emergency and war-like situation, people are advised to cover the window panes with paper.
- Corrugated sheets made of paper can be made into boxes for carrying goods.
8. If you could visit any one of the places described in this chapter, which would you choose and why ?
Answer:
If I get an opportunity to visit any one of these places, I would plan to go to Mahabalipuram. The main reasons are :
- It is built on the water front, near the Bay of Bengal.
- Both monolithic and structural remples are built in the same complex.
- The beauty of temples cannot be surpassed by others.
- Monolithic temples are skilfully chiseled, hewned and sculptured.
- Most of the temples are intact. They have not been destroyed by vagaries of time.