Case Study Questions Class 7 History Chapter 7 The Making of Regional Cultures
CBSE Class 7 Case Study Questions History The Making of Regional Cultures. Important Case Study Questions for Class 7 Board Exam Students. Here we have arranged some Important Case Base Questions for students who are searching for Paragraph Based Questions The Making of Regional Cultures.
Case Study 1
The Chera kingdom of (1) was established in the ninth century in the south-western part of the peninsula, part of the present-day Kerala. It is likely that (2) was spoken in this area. The rulers introduced the Malayalam language and script in their inscriptions. In fact, this is one of the earliest examples of the use of a regional language in official records in the subcontinent.At the same time, the Cheras also drew upon Sanskritic traditions. The temple theatre of Kerala, which is traced to this period, borrowed stories from the Sanskrit epics. The first literary works in Malayalam, dated to about the twelfth century, are directly indebted to Sanskrit. Interestingly enough, a fourteenth-century text, the Lilatilakam, dealing with grammar and poetics, was composed in Manipravalam – literally, “diamonds and corals” referring to the two languages, Sanskrit and the regional language.
1.) Name the kingdom mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. The chera kingdome of Mahodayapuram
2.) Name the language mentioned as (2) in the para above.
Ans. Malayalam
3.) How do we know that Malayalam was used in official records in the subcontinent?
Ans. The rulers introduced the Malayalam language and script in their inscriptions. this is one of the earliest examples of the use of a regional language in official records in the subcontinent.
4.) How do we know that Malayalam was closely connected to Sanskrit?
Ans. The Cheras also drew upon Sanskritic traditions. The temple theatre of Kerala, which is traced to this period, borrowed stories from the Sanskrit epics. The first literary works in Malayalam, dated to about the twelfth century, are directly indebted to Sanskrit.
5.) What is the Lilatilakam?
Ans. Lilatilakam is a fourteenth century text, dealing with grammar and poetics and was composed in Manipravalam. It literally translates to, “diamonds and corals” referring to the two languages, Sanskrit and the regional language.
Case Study 2
In the twelfth century, one of the most important rulers of the Ganga dynasty, (1), decided to erect a temple for (2) at Puri. Subsequently, in 1230, king (3) dedicated his kingdom to the deity and proclaimed himself as the “deputy” of the god.As the temple gained in importance as a centre of pilgrimage, its authority in social and political matters also increased. All those who conquered Orissa, such as the Mughals, the Marathas and the English East India Company, attempted to gain control over the temple. They felt that this would make their rule acceptable to the local people.
1.) Name the ruler mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. Anantavarman
2.) For whom did Anantavarman erect the temple at Suri?
Ans. Purushottama Jagannatha
3.) Name the ruler mentioned as (3) above.
Ans. Anangabhima III
4.) Name the people who tried to conquer Orissa.
Ans. The Mughals, the marathas and the East India Company
5.) Why did everyone who conquered Orissa try to gain control over the temple at Puri?
Ans. All those who conquered Orissa, such as the Mughals, the Marathas and the English East India Company, attempted to gain control over the temple. They felt that this would make their rule acceptable to the local people.
Case Study 3
From about the eighth century, most of the present-day state of Rajasthan was ruled by various Rajput families. (1) was one such ruler. These rulers cherished the ideal of the hero who fought valiantly, often choosing death on the battlefield rather than face defeat. Stories about Rajput heroes were recorded in poems and songs, which were recited by specially trained minstrels. These preserved the memories of heroes and were expected to inspire others to follow their example. Ordinary people were also attracted by these stories – which often depicted dramatic situations, and a range of strong emotions – loyalty, friendship, love, valour, anger, etc. Sometimes women are depicted as following their heroic husbands in both life and death – there are stories about the practice of sati or the immolation of widows on the funeral pyre of their husbands. So those who followed the heroic ideal often had to pay for it with their lives.
1.) Name the ruler mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. Prithviraj
- What was a distinctive feature about the Rajput rulers?
Ans. The Rajput rulers cherished the ideal of the hero who fought valiantly, often choosing death on the battlefield rather than face defeat.
3.) How were the memories of the heroes preserved? Why?
Ans. Stories about Rajput heroes were recorded in poems and songs, which were recited by specially trained minstrels.These preserved the memories of heroes and were expected to inspire others to follow their example.
4.) What did the stories about the Rajput heroes depict?
Ans. The stories about the Rajput heroes often depicted dramatic situations, and a range of strong emotions – loyalty, friendship, love, valour, anger, etc.
5.) What contributions were made by the women to the heroic stories of Rajput rulers?
Ans. Sometimes women are depicted as following their heroic husbands in both life and death – there are stories about the practice of sati or the immolation of widows on the funeral pyre of their husbands.
Case Study 4
The term kathak is derived from katha, a word used in Sanskrit and other languages for story. The kathaks were originally a caste of story-tellers in temples of north India, who embellished their performances with gestures and songs. The legends of Radha-Krishna were enacted in folk plays called rasa lila, which combined folk dance with the basic gestures of the kathak story-tellers. Under the Mughal emperors and their nobles, Kathak was performed in the court, where it acquired its present features and developed into a form of dance with a distinctive style. Subsequently, it developed in two traditions or gharanas: one in the courts of Rajasthan (Jaipur) and the other in Lucknow. Under the patronage of Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, it grew into a major art form. By the third quarter of the nineteenth century, it was firmly entrenched as a dance form not only in these two regions, but in the adjoining areas of present-day Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir,Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
1.) Where did the dance form kathak emerge from?
Ans. The term kathak is derived from katha, a word used in Sanskrit and other languages for story. The kathaks were originally a caste of story-tellers in temples of north India, who embellished their performances with gestures and songs
2.) What do you understand by the word “rasa lila”?
Ans. Rasa lila was a folk play that enacted the legends of Radha Krishna. This combined folk dance with the basic gestures of the kathak story-tellers.
3). When did Kathak become a distinctive dance style?
Ans. . Under the Mughal emperors and their nobles, Kathak was performed in the court, where it acquired its present features and developed into a form of dance with a distinctive style
4.) What were the two traditions or gharanas of kathak?
Ans. They were- one in the courts of Rajasthan (Jaipur) and the other in Lucknow
5.) Who was the3 last Nawab of Awadh?
Ans. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah
6.) Name the states were kathak grew as a dance form.
Ans. Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
Case Study 5
Miniatures are small-sized paintings, generally done in water colour on cloth or paper. The earliest miniatures were on palm leaves or wood. The Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan patronised highly skilled painters who primarily illustrated manuscripts containing historical accounts and poetry. These were generally painted in brilliant colours and portrayed court scenes, scenes of battle or hunting, and other aspects of social life..With the decline of the Mughal Empire, many painters moved out to the courts of the emerging regional states. As a result Mughal artistic tastes influenced the regional courts of the Deccan and the Rajput courts of Rajasthan. At the same time, they retained and developed their distinctive characteristics. Portraits of rulers and court scenes came to be painted, following the Mughal example. Besides, themes from mythology and poetry were depicted at centres such as Mewar, Jodhpur, Bundi, Kota and Kishangarh.
1.) What are Miniature paintings?
Ans. Miniatures are small-sized paintings, generally done in water colour on cloth or paper.
2.) On what material were the earliest miniature paintings made?
Ans. Palm leaves or woods
3.) Name the Mughal emperors who patronized skilled painters.
Ans. The Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan patronised highly skilled painters who primarily illustrated manuscripts containing historical accounts and poetry.
4.) What did the miniature paintings mainly depict?
Ans. The paintings were generally painted in brilliant colours and portrayed court scenes, scenes of battle or hunting, and other aspects of social life.
5.) What was the consequence of the fall of the Mughal Empire on the painting culture of the time?
Ans. With the decline of the Mughal Empire, many painters moved out to the courts of the emerging regional states. As a result Mughal artistic tastes influenced the regional courts of the Deccan and the Rajput courts of Rajasthan.
6.) Name some cities were paintings depicted themes from mythology and poetry.
Ans. Mewar, Jodhpur, Bundi, Kota and Kishangarh.
Case Study 6
Another region that attracted miniature paintings was the Himalayan foothills around the modern-day state of (1). By the late seventeenthcentury, this region had developed a bold and intense style of miniature painting called Basohli. The most popular text to be painted here (2). Nadir Shah’s invasion and the conquest of Delhi in 1739 resulted in the migration of Mughal artists to the hills to escape the uncertainties of the plains. Here they found ready patrons which led to the founding of the Kangra school of painting. By the mid-eighteenth century the Kangra artists developed a style which breathed a new spirit into miniature painting. The source of inspiration was the Vaishnavite traditions. Soft colours including cool blues and greens, and a lyrical treatment of themes distinguished Kangra painting.
1.) Name the state mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. Himachal Pradesh
2.) What is meant by Basohli?
Ans. Basohli was a type of a bold and intense style of miniature painting that developed during the late 17th century in Himachal Pradesh.
3.) Name the text mentioned as (2) above.
Ans. Bhanudatta’s Rasamanjari
4). What was the impact of Nadir shah’s invasion of Delhi on the artists of the times?
Ans. Nadir Shah’s invasion and the conquest of Delhi in 1739 resulted in the migration of Mughal artists to the hills to escape the uncertainties of the plains. Here they found ready patrons which led to the founding of the Kangra school of painting
5.) What were the distinctive features of the Kangra paintings?
Ans. By the mid-eighteenth century the Kangra artists developed a style which breathed a new spirit into miniature painting. The source of inspiration was the Vaishnavite traditions. Soft colours including cool blues and greens, and a lyrical treatment of themes distinguished Kangra painting.
Case study 7
From the fourth-third centuries, commercial ties began to develop between (1) and (2), which may have led to the growing influence of Sanskrit. During the fourth century, the Gupta rulers established political control over north Bengal and began to settle Brahmanas in this area. Thus, the linguistic and cultural influence from the mid-Ganga valley became stronger. In the seventh century, the Chinese traveller (3) observed that languages related to Sanskrit were in use all over Bengal. From the eighth century, Bengal became the centre of a regional kingdom under the (4). Between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, Bengal was ruled by Sultans who were independent of the rulers in Delhi. In 1586, when Akbarconquered Bengal, it formed the nucleus of the Bengal suba. While Persian was the language of administration, Bengali developed as a regional language.
1.) Name the two states mentioned as (1) and (2) that led to the growing influence of Sanskrit.
Ans. Bengal and Magadha
2.) How did the linguistic and cultural influence from the mid-Ganga valley become strong?
Ans. During the fourth century, the Gupta rulers established political control over north Bengal and began to settle Brahmanas in this area. Thus, the linguistic and cultural influence from the mid-Ganga valley became stronger
3.) Name the Chinese traveller mentioned as (3) above.
Ans. Xuan Zang
4.) Bengal became the centre of which kingdom also mentioned as (4) above.
Ans. From the eighth century, Bengal became the centre of a regional kingdom under the palas.
5.) What was the consequence of Akbar’s conquest of Bengal on languages of the region?
Ans. In 1586, when Akbar conquered Bengal, it formed the nucleus of the Bengal suba. While Persian was the language of administration, Bengali developed as a regional language.
Case study 8
By the fifteenth century the Bengali group of dialects came to be united by a common literary language based on the spoken language of the western part of the region, now known as West Bengal. Thus, although Bengali is derived from Sanskrit, it passed through several stages of evolution. Also, a wide range of non-Sanskrit words, derived from a variety of sources including tribal languages, Persian, and European languages, have become a part of modern Bengali. Early Bengali literature may be divided into two categories – one indebted to Sanskrit and the other independent of it. The first includes translations of the Sanskrit epics, the Mangalakavyas (literally auspicious poems, dealing with local deities) and bhakti literature, such as the biographies of Chaitanyadeva, the leader of the Vaishnava bhakti movement. The second includes Nath literature, such as the songs of Maynamati and Gopichandra, stories concerning the worship of Dharma Thakur, and fairy tales, folk tales and ballads.
1.) What other languages was Bengali derived from apart from Sanskrit?
Ans. a wide range of non-Sanskrit words, derived from a variety of sources including tribal languages, Persian, and European languages, have become a part of modern Bengali.
2.) Name the two categories of early Bengali Literature.
Ans. Early Bengali literature may be divided into two categories – one indebted to Sanskrit and the other independent of it.
3.) What Sanskrit epics and bhakti literature were translated to form the early Bengali literature?
Ans. the Sanskrit epics, the Mangalakavyas (literally auspicious poems, dealing with local deities) and bhakti literature, such as the biographies of Chaitanyadeva, the leader of the Vaishnava bhakti movement.
4.) What other literature was translated to form the early Bengali literature apart from Sanskrit texts?
Ans. Nath literature, such as the songs of Maynamati and Gopichandra, stories concerning the worship of Dharma Thakur, and fairy tales, folk tales and ballads.
Case Study 8
From the sixteenth century, people began to migrate in large numbers from the less fertile western Bengal to the forested and marshy areas of south-eastern Bengal. Gradually, local communities of fisherfolk and shifting cultivators, often tribals, merged with the new communities of peasants. This coincided with the establishment of Mughal control over Bengal with their capital in the heart of the eastern delta at Dhaka. Officials and functionaries received land and often set up mosques that served as centres for religious transformation in these areas. The early settlers sought some order and assurance in the unstable conditions of the new settlements. These were provided by community leaders, who also functioned as teachers and adjudicators and were sometimes ascribed with supernatural powers. People referred to them with affection and respect as pirs.This term included saints or Sufis and other religious personalities, daring colonisers and deified soldiers, various Hindu and Buddhist deities and even animistic spirits. The cult of pirs became very popular and their shrines can be found everywhere in Bengal.
1.) Where did the people of Bengal migrate to?
Ans. From the sixteenth century, people began to migrate in large numbers from the less fertile western Bengal to the forested and marshy areas of south-eastern Bengal.
2.) What were the reasons of the establishment of the Mughal control over Bengal?
Ans. Gradually, local communities of fisherfolk and shifting cultivators, often tribals, merged with the new communities of peasants. This coincided with the establishment of Mughal control over Bengal.
3.) Where was the Mughal capital situated in Bengal?
Ans. They had their capital in the heart of the eastern delta at dhaka.
4.) What was the job of the community leaders?
Ans. The early settlers sought some order and assurance in the unstable conditions of the new settlements. These were provided by community leaders, who also functioned as teachers and adjudicators and were sometimes ascribed with supernatural powers
5.) Who were the pirs?
Ans. This term included saints or Sufis and other religious personalities, daring colonisers and deified soldiers, various Hindu and Buddhist deities and even animistic spirits. The cult of pirs became very popular and their shrines can be found everywhere in Bengal.
Case Study 9
Many of the modest brickand terracotta temples in Bengal were built with the support of several “low” social groups, such as the Kolu (oil pressers) and the Kansari (bell metal workers). The coming of the European trading companies created new economic opportunities; many families belonging to these social groups availed of these. As their social and economic position improved, they proclaimed their status through the construction of temples. When local deities, once worshipped in thatched huts in villages, gained the recognition of the Brahmanas, their images began to be housed in temples. The temples began to copy the double-roofed (dochala) or four-roofed (chauchala) structure of the thatched huts. This led to the evolution of the typical Bengali style in temple architecture.Temples were usually built on a square platform. The interior was relatively plain, but the outer walls of many temples were decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles or terracotta tablets. In some temples, particularly in Vishnupur in the Bankura district of West Bengal, such decorations reached a high degree of excellence.
1.) Which class of people were mainly involved in the construction of temples?
Ans. Many of the modest brick and terracotta temples in Bengal were built with the support of several “low” social groups, such as the Kolu (oil pressers) and the Kansari (bell metal workers).
2.) How did the coming of the European trading companies change the changed the disposition of the low class?
Ans. The coming of the European trading companies created new economic opportunities; many families belonging to these social groups availed of these. As their social and economic position improved, they proclaimed their status through the construction of temples.
3.) What distinctive feature did the temples copy from that of the thatched huts?
Ans. The temples began to copy the double-roofed (dochala) or four-roofed (chauchala) structure of the thatched huts. This led to the evolution of the typical Bengali style in temple architecture.
4.) Describe the temples that were constructed during the times in the state of Bengal.
Ans. Temples were usually built on a square platform. The interior was relatively plain, but the outer walls of many temples were decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles or terracotta tablets.
Case Study 10
Traditional food habits are generally based on locally available items of food. Bengal is a riverine plain which produces plenty of rice and fish. Understandably, these two items figure prominently in the menu of even poor Bengalis. Fishing has always been an important occupation and Bengali literature contains several references to fish. What is more, terracotta plaques on the walls of temples and viharas (Buddhist monasteries) depict scenes of fish being dressed and taken to the market in baskets. Brahmanas were not allowed to eat nonvegetarian food, but the popularity of fish in the local diet made the Brahmanical authorities relax this prohibition for the Bengal Brahmanas. The (1) Purana, a thirteenth-century Sanskrit text from Bengal, permitted the local Brahmanas to eat certain varieties of fish.
1.) Name two staple food items consumed by the people in the state of Bengal.
Ans. Rice and Fish
2.) How do we know that fish was very important to the people in Bengal?
Ans. Fishing has always been an important occupation and Bengali literature contains several references to fish. What is more, terracotta plaques on the walls of temples and viharas (Buddhist monasteries) depict scenes of fish being dressed and taken to the market in baskets.
3.) Did the brahmans in Bengal consume Non-vegetarian food? Why?
Ans. Yes the brahmans consumed non-veg food items in Bengal. This is because the popularity of fish in the local diet made the Brahmanical authorities relax this prohibition for the Bengal Brahmanas.
4.) Name the Purana mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. Brihaddharma Purana,
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