Chhattisgarh State Board Class 9 Social Science Chapter 6 The Dawn of Modern Culture in Europe and India Exercise Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, Questions and Answers here.
Chhattisgarh State Class 9 Social Science Chapter 6 The Dawn of Modern Culture in Europe and India Solution
- What kind of goods and ideas do you think were exchanged during the 14th century?
Ans: During this period, trade expanded rapidly between Europe, North Africa and Asia. Commerce expanded within countries as well, with different kinds of goods being traded. The growth of trade also saw the growth of cities in the three continents. New cities were born and older cities expanded. This urbanisation brought with it many changes. A new class of wealthy merchants emerged. People travelled more between cities, leading to an exchange and spread of new ideas, inventions and technologies.
- Many people say that the government today has more power and authority than the centralised kingdom of the Mughals. Do you agree with this viewpoint? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Local kings like zamindars and feudal lords ruled their estates and people before this time. However, the centralised kingdoms reduced or entirely seized their power. Some contend that contemporary governments have even more sway and control than the centralised kingdoms of old.
- What did the church think of the Greek and Latin classics? Why did it think this way?
Ans: The powerful Christian church vigorously opposed the scrutiny of its doctrines throughout the Middle Ages. The church claimed that the ancient Greek and Latin classics, which were written before the time of Christ, were incompatible with the biblical teachings. Its doctrines put a priority on seeking eternal salvation above material wealth in this life. The Greek and Latin classics were thus only read by a small number of people throughout this time. These writings gradually deteriorated and vanished from Western Europe as a result of the church’s influence.
- What were the subjects covered in the ancient Greek classics? Make a list.
Ans: The classics of ancient Greece covered a broad variety of topics, including:
1.) Philosophy2. Mathematical 3. Astronomical 4. Literary 5. Historical 6. Medical 7. Moral 8. Political
9.) Physical sciences
10.) Recitation
- What new professions and work do you think urbanisation and the formation of powerful new monarchies could have created?
Ans: European scholars began taking an interest in studying Latin and Greek texts around 1300 CE. Expanding trade, urbanisation and the rise of powerful monarchies were creating new jobs. They wanted to explore these challenges and take advantage of the new professions and jobs.
- Make a list of the most prominent features of humanism.
Ans: (i) The humanists believed that learning these texts could improve the ability of young people to think, write formally, address the public, argue a case in court, or talk intelligently about trade and politics.
(ii) They began to establish schools to impart classical education.
(iii) They were helped in their task by the invention of the printing press in 1439 by the German artisan Johannes Gutenberg (born 1395, died 1468 CE).
- Who is considered to be the originator of the humanist movement? What was his main concern?
Ans: The Latin scholar Francisco Petrarch (born 1304, died 1374 CE) of Italy is considered to be the person who ushered in the humanist movement. His main concern was the fact that people at that time were not using language properly.
- Did women have a role in humanism?
Ans: In those days, only men received formal education. Women were expected to look after the household. But there were a few women who broke these barriers and studied Greek and Latin, making a name for themselves among the humanist writers. One of them was Cassandra Fedele (born 1465, died 1558 CE). She believed that women, too, should be allowed to learn the classics. In those days, Venice was a republic but women weren’t allowed to participate in public life. Fedele felt this was a barrier that limited freedom and democracy and gave precedence to the needs and wishes of men. She was among the first women to criticise the male centric system, paving the way for later feminist thinking to emerge.
- What was the subject of Machiavelli’s book?
Ans: A famous work named “The Prince” was published in 1513 by the Italian author Niccolo Machiavelli, who had been born in 1469 and expired in 1527 CE. In contrast to hypothetical or ideal situations, this work explored the actual political processes that exist in the real world with a concentration on the study of politics. It lays forth methods for a ruler to acquire autocratic authority by disengaging from moral restraints.
- How did the invention of the printing press help to spread humanism?
Ans: The German craftsman Johannes Gutenberg (1395–1468 CE), who invented the printing press in 1439, was responsible for a great advancement. Numerous books might be easily printed because to this invention. As a consequence, researchers from different places were able to access both new and ancient literature more easily. Discussions and the sharing of ideas among individuals were made easier by this accessibility.
The 1526 picture of Erasmus by the German artist Albrecht Dürer is a well-known example of printed art. Questions are raised concerning how Erasmus is shown in this painting as well as how Dürer and his name are both represented. In the artwork, the numbers “1526” are also shown.
Scholars chose to write in languages they were acquainted with, such as Italian, German, English, Flemish, and French, despite the fact that printing fostered the study of Greek and Latin classics. The aim to successfully interact with the general public motivated this decision.
- Do you think intellectuals should have unlimited freedom to criticise society or should the government set limits to their freedom? Explain with reasons.
Ans: Yes, I think intellectuals should have unlimited freedom to criticise society. Humanist studies strengthened people’s powers of self-expression and critical thinking. It eventually led to opposition of the church. Among the permanent changes it made, the most important were liberal classical education and intellectual freedom.
- Why did European intellectuals study the ancient classics in their search for new ideas?
Ans:European intellectuals studied the ancient classics in their search for new ideas because the study of ancient classics gave rise to humanism
- What impact did the printing of books have on intellectual freedom?
Ans: Printing of books had a great impact on the intellectual freedom of the people because, the books expressed the notion of how political processes actually happen in the real world rather than some imaginary or ideal situation. It described how a king could acquire autocratic power by freeing himself of all moral compunctions.
- Today, a new technique is replacing printing. What is this technique? What impact is it having on intellectual freedom?
Ans: Nowadays, with the rise of internet and new age media, the traditional printing methods are getting replaced and far forgotten. By the use of internet, messages or information could be generated online by using a computer or smartphone and could be disseminated to a large mass audience, without physically delivering the news.
Because it’s so simple to post stuff online, false information and fabricated news have a chance to proliferate quickly and compromise the validity of intellectual content.
- Do you think artists and painters should always paint realistic portraits? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, I think artists and painters should always paint realistic portraits, because it gives each of the portraits a distinct and individual look.
- Have you seen a painting or sculpture done by a famous artist? If yes, then tell the class about it. Was the painter a realistic artist? What impact did the painting leave on you?
Ans: Leonardo da Vinci created the Mona Lisa. Actually, he was an extremely realistic painter renowned for his painstaking attention to detail and lifelike renderings. Da Vinci’s contributions have had a significant influence on contemporary culture.
First off, generations of painters have been impacted by his mastery of techniques like sfumato (subtle mixing of colours and tones). Second, he established a standard for portraiture that is still respected and imitated in modern art. He was able to portray human feeling and expression.
- Why do you think the new and powerful kings and emperors, the pope, wealthy merchants and others preferred and encouraged realistic art?
Ans: Realistic art was preferred and promoted by new and powerful authorities including monarchs, emperors, the pope, rich merchants, and others because it was capable of accurately portraying their power, social status, and achievements. Their majesty and impact were highlighted by realistic creative renderings that faithfully portrayed their physical traits.
- The earth revolves around the sun – what are the problems a layman would face in believing this to be true?
Ans: Many astronomers of the time studied the path and motion of planets in the sky. They faced a problem. They found that the motion of the planets did not tally with a geocentric universe. The most prominent among them was the Polish astronomer Nikolas Copernicus (born 1473, died 1543 CE). He published a book towards the end of his life in which he said that this problem could be resolved if we accepted that it is the sun, not the earth, that is at the centre of the universe and that all the planets, including the earth, revolved around it.
EXERCISES
1.) What were the factors that made the changes in the Middle Ages possible?
Ans: The Middle Ages was the time when Christianity had established itself across Europe. The powerful Christian church did not like its teachings to be questioned. It said the Greek and Latin classics were written before the birth of Christ, so they could not be in harmony with the Christian scriptures. The church preached that people should not pursue worldly wealth and prosperity but should seek salvation in heaven. As a result, few people studied the Greek and Latin classics during the Middle Ages. These texts gradually disappeared from Western Europe because of the church’s opposition.
We saw earlier that in the Middle Ages learning focused on religious themes. No scholar had the courage to write or say anything that went against what the church thought or said.
- ) Why did kings establish autocratic monarchies? What role did the middle class play in their formation?
Ans: During this era, numerous powerful kingdoms emerged. Notable examples included the Vijayanagara Empire and the Mughal dynasty in India, the Safavid Empire in Iran, and the Ottomans in Turkey. France, Spain, England, and smaller realms in Italy also witnessed the establishment of robust kingdoms.
These ambitious rulers exercised firm control over their territories, resulting in the concentration of power, wealth, and authority in their hands. Termed as centralized kingdoms, their dominion revolved around the monarch’s centralized economic and political influence. This marked a departure from the prior rule of zamindars and feudal lords, whose authority was now diminished or usurped.
Trade expansion, urban growth, and authority consolidation under the king led to a significant development – the rise of a new middle class. Comprising merchants, artisans, accountants, clerks, legal practitioners, artists, writers, and more, this class flourished with urbanization. The middle class actively moved across regions in pursuit of better opportunities, fostering a critical outlook. Education was pivotal, encompassing not just literacy but also wide-ranging literary knowledge crucial for various professions. This enhanced their ability to critique religious leaders and rulers, shaping their societal perspective.
3.) How did urbanisation and trade help in the development of the middle class?
Ans: Urbanisation and development also saw new kinds of jobs being created (for example, book-keeping and accountancy, administration, tax collection, judicial and legal work, diplomatic contacts between kingdoms, etc). The people doing these jobs became part of the middle class. This class was always trying to earn more money and hence prepared to go to distant kingdoms in search of good jobs. So there was constant movement of people across a large geographical area.
4.) In what way did trade and war contribute to the exchange of scientific knowledge between countries?
Ans: During 1300 and 1750 CE, trade expanded rapidly between Europe, North Africa and Asia. Commerce expanded within countries as well, with different kinds of goods being traded. The growth of trade also saw the growth of cities in the three continents. New cities were born and older cities expanded. This urbanisation brought with it many changes. A new class of wealthy merchants emerged. People travelled more between cities, leading to an exchange and spread of new ideas, inventions and technologies.
5.) What were the unique features of ancient European classical literature? Why didn’t the study of classics flourish during the Middle Ages?
Ans: Most of the Latin and Greek classics focused on humanity and human life. So the main areas of study and inquiry were politics, ethics, philosophy, law, civility, nature and the physical world, etc. Since this study was focused on human beings, it was known as humanism, or the humanities. It was different from religious thought. It was not based on believing any religious text or religious leader or on making sacrifices in this world for heavenly salvation. It did not talk about penance or suffering. What it emphasised was rational and critical thinking. It encouraged people to think for themselves and not blindly accept what anyone said. So even the teachings of religious leaders were examined rationally and critically. The Middle Ages was the time when Christianity had established itself across Europe. The powerful Christian church did not like its teachings to be questioned. It said the Greek and Latin classics were written before the birth of Christ, so they could not be in harmony with the Christian scriptures. The church preached that people should not pursue worldly wealth and prosperity but should seek salvation in heaven. As a result, few people studied the Greek and Latin classics during the Middle Ages. These texts gradually disappeared from Western Europe because of the church’s opposition.
6.) What impact did the caste system have on the development of intellectual thought in India?
Ans: (i) There were many restrictions in different castes which infringed their education and work-life balance.
(ii) A superiority complex developed which hindered innovative and creative mind set.
(iii) Due to the difference of education priority, knowledge gained was subjective to different castes.
7.) How did the scholars of Islamic countries contribute to the development of science in humanist Europe?
Ans: The Islamic kingdoms of Iran, Iraq etc continued to translate and study the classics. Islamic culture flourished in the 14th century, its influence spreading from India to Spain. During this time, Islamic scholars translated the literary classics of China, India, Iran and Greece into Arabic and Persian. So the entire Islamic region From Asia to Europe was exposed to a mix of Chinese, Central Asian, Indian, Iranian, Iraqi, Egyptian, Greek and other cultures. When interest in the Greek and Latin classics revived in Western Europe in the 14th century, the classical texts preserved in the Arabic translations came in handy. Also, ancient mathematical and astronomical knowledge from India and scientific knowledge from China found their way to European scholars.
8.) What were the similarities and differences between the lieterary studies of Humanists in Europe and the middle class in India?
Ans: Earlier in the Middle Ages learning focused on religious themes. No scholar had the courage to write or say anything that went against what the church thought or said. But humanist study focused on the daily life of people, like the love story of a hero and heroine, the political system, or socio economic issues. The humanists no longer hesitated to air their views about the church and to even criticise it, even if they depended on the church for their living. For example, the Latin scholar Lorenzo Valla studied some important church documents in 1435 and proclaimed they were forgeries. One such document with the seal of a Roman emperor granted temporal power to the Roman Catholic Church.
9.) How did Humanism challenge the authority of the church?
Ans: The Middle Ages was the time when Christianity had established itself across Europe. The powerful Christian church did not like its teachings to be questioned. It said the Greek and Latin classics were written before the birth of Christ, so they could not be in harmony with the Christian scriptures. The church preached that people should not pursue worldly wealth and prosperity but should seek salvation in heaven. As a result, few people studied the Greek and Latin classics during the Middle Ages. These texts gradually disappeared from Western Europe because of the church’s opposition.
The well-known Dutch humanist Erasmus (born 1466, died 1536 CE) studied the writings of earlyGreek Christians as well as the original Greek Bible. He pointed out that the church’s translation of the Bible into Latin had many errors. He also claimed that many of the beliefs of the church verged on superstition. He wrote a satirical book, ‘In Praise of Folly’, in which he took a critical look at many of the church’s views and actions
10.) How were Renaissance paintings and sculpture different from the art of the Middle Ages?
Ans: The Renaissance is most renowned for its magnificent paintings and sculpture. In Europe of the Middle Ages, painting had limited scope – restricted to Biblical figuresbegan changing towards the end of the 13th century, when artists began painting based on their observations of real humans. Religious figures continued to dominate but the elite and rich, successful professionals began to get their portraits painted. Even the religious figures became more life like, depicting different emotions, forms and perspectives.
11.) What is the meaning of realism in art? Which Hindi films do you think are realistic? Explain with reasons.
Ans: With no idealised or exaggerated components, realism in art refers to the goal to depict people, places, or things as they really exist in the world.
With new colours being introduced from India and Iran, artists began experimenting with colour and methods. They also used new oil-based colours. They mixed colours to get innumerable shades. Their paintings also became more realistic as they began depicting perfect replicas of what they saw. This became possible with an understanding of perspective. When we look at a scene, objects that are close look bigger while objects that are faraway look smaller. Objects in the background become smaller in geometric proportion. Calculating this proportion helped artists to separate near and distant objects in their paintings.
One famous example is seen in the painting by the famous artist Raphael (born 1483, died 1520 CE). We can distinguish close from far by seeing small human figures in the distance while the figures in the foreground are bigger. We can see the lines linking the figure in the front and the building in the background converging.This gives an idea of geometric proportion. Another technique emerged from science, which was developing rapidly during this period. The physician Andreas Vesalius dissected human cadavers to study the structure of bones, muscles and other internal organs and published books on his findings. Artists could now study human anatomy to perfect their human figures. Many of them even dissected human bodies to get a better idea of the internal structure. The most famous among them was Leonardo da Vinci.
The 2016 film “Dangal” is based on the journey taken by wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters. The film expertly adopts a realistic style, clearly capturing the difficulties the Phogat family faced, the demanding training schedules, and the very competitive world of wrestling.
12.) Do you think Mughal paintings were realistic art? Give reasons.
Ans: When the Mughal dynasty was established in India, the emperors invited many Iranian artists to the country. Traditional Indian painters who were skilled in using a wide range of bright colours in their paintings worked with these Iranian artists and together they produced a really wonderful new tradition of painting called ‘Mughal Miniature Painting’.Despite the exaggerations and symbols used Mughal paintings, it still depicts human figures realistically, giving each of them a distinct and individual look.
13.) What are the special features of Mughal paintings? Identify them in a painting before answering.
Ans: Bichitra’s painting “Jahangir with Contemporary Kings” depicts a fascinating scenario that took place about 1620, during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. The artwork is symbolic in nature and reflects the emperor’s spiritual leanings. Jahangir is seen in the picture perched on an hourglass throne, signifying the passage of time. He wears a gleaming halo like the sun, and on each side are angels in the manner of Europe. The image depicts Jahangir giving a book to a Sufi mystic. The King of England, the Ottoman Sultan, and Bichitra himself may all be seen standing close together in the artwork. Jahangir wants to show via this composition his understanding of history and his respect for religious leaders above kings. Despite the use of exaggeration and symbolism, Bichitra expertly renders human forms with a genuine touch, giving each one a unique personality.
14.) What is the contribution of Islamic architecture to Renaissance architecture?
Ans: The most visible impact of this new wave of creativity was seen in architecture. When the Turks came to India, they brought with them new building techniques, such as the use of domes and arches. This technique of using domes and arches in buildings was first developed in ancient Greece and Rome.
Domes that look impressive externally were the contribution of Islamic architecture. ‘Dome of the Rock’ built in Jerusalem in 691 CE. We can see how grand the dome looks above an equally impressive base composed of beautifully arranged arches. In India, the use of domes and arches made a very attractive mix with elements of temple architecture in the early modern period.
Thus, the architectural journey of domes and arches began in the ancient Roman Empire. They were almost forgotten by Western Europe of the Middle Ages. They then began to be used extensively in the architecture of Islamic countries and India. In the process, they took on new forms and styles. St Peter’s Cathedral in Rome designed by Michelangelo in 1547, this architectural style in which tall Greek columns, arches and domes are used is called the ‘classical style’. It continues to be used even today. Painting and Sculpture in the Renaissance is most renowned for its magnificent paintings and sculpture. In Europe of the Middle Ages, painting had limited scope – restricted to Biblical figures Things In Europe, interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture was revived in the 14th century, beginning with Italy. Architects began using domes and arches once again. The style they adopted was developed by Islamic architecture. When Michelangelo designed the St Peter’s Cathedral in 1547 CE, he took inspiration from Greek temples and Roman and Islamic domes.
15.) What impression did the new Renaissance architecture seek to make on observers?
Ans: The Renaissance is most renowned for its magnificent paintings and sculpture.By reaffirming humanism, inventiveness, and aesthetic harmony, Renaissance architecture sought to make a distinctive impression on visitors. Renaissance architecture was motivated by the desire to evoke a sense of classical elegance, intellectual refinement, and a connection to the cultural achievements of ancient Greece and Rome.
16.) Scientific investigations were rarely undertaken in Europe and India during the Middle Ages. What could have been the reasons?
Ans: Theism – the belief in god(s) – dominated thinking in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was also the dominant influence in the Islamic countries and India. The theists preached that god is the ultimate truth, the all-powerful who created the universe. Hence, people should forsake the pursuit of comfort and prosperity in this world and seek a place near god in heaven. There was no place for studying thephysical world in such thinking. Such study was even seen as being opposed to religious life. This is why science could not progress in the Middle Ages. But that did not mean there was no science. The Islamic world saw a flowering of science during this period.
17.) What was the contribution of China, India and the Arab countries to the development of science in Europe?
Ans: In the past, we saw the interchange of ideas between Indian mathematicians, Chinese scientists, and Arab thinkers. In addition to adopting key Chinese technologies like gunpowder, block printing, and magnets, Arab intellectuals also embraced Indian mathematics, particularly the decimal number system. Arab thinkers added to the astronomical studies of Chinese and Indian researchers, making estimates on planetary, stellar, and celestial movements. The scientific publications from these areas ultimately reached experts in Europe, aiding in the dissemination of scientific discoveries from China and India.
As the study of Greek and Latin classics gained popularity in Europe, people there also became interested in Greek scientific literature and the achievements of Arab science. The diffusion and fusion of various scientific knowledge across various civilizations was facilitated by this cross-cultural interchange.
18.) How was the importance of experiment, observation and calculation established in science? Can scientific knowledge progress without them?
Ans: During that time, cannons were often used in battle, and skilled artillery operators needed to be aware of the ideal firing angle in order to strike their targets with accuracy. The weight of the ammunition and the size of the cannon’s barrel were only two of the many variables that went into calculating the trajectory of the projectile. This complex job required scientific investigation. As a result, both kings and merchants began to show a strong interest in scientific research and development. European scientists were well-known even in the Middle Ages. In the 13th century, England’s Roger Bacon (born 1220; died 1292 CE) was a pioneer of experiments based on empirical principles. Bacon promoted careful observation and experimentation as the accepted way for drawing findings in scientific study, while the prevalent practise was to make informed guesses or rough approximations for answers.
19.) Why did the European navigators set out on their maritime expeditions? Why was science important for their sea voyages?
Ans: When the study of Greek and Latin classics was revived in Europe, the people there began studying scientific literature from Greece as well as the works of Arab science. It was in those days that the European navigators were looking for a sea route to India and China. They had to cross unfamiliar seas and oceans. Their only method to navigate their way across the ocean was by tracking the position of stars and planets in the sky. They also used magnetic compasses to chart their path. The telescope with glass lens had just been invented so it helped them to look long distances across the sea.