NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 7 The Making of Regional Cultures contains answers to the exercise questions given in the “Our Pasts-II”. All the answers provided here are accurate and simple that will help you understand the concepts easily and continue your studies without a doubt. These solutions will also help you to score higher marks with the help of well-illustrated answers.
Class 7 History The Making of Regional Cultures Questions and Answers
Question 1: Match the following:
| Anantavarman | Kerala |
| Jagannatha | Bengal |
| Mahodayapuram | Orissa |
| Lilatilakam | Kangra |
| Mangalakavya | Puri |
| Miniature | Kerala |
Answer:
| Anantavarman | Orissa |
| Jagannatha | Puri |
| Mahodayapuram | Kerala |
| Lilatilakam | Kerala |
| Mangalakavya | Bengal |
| Miniature | Kangra |
Question 2: What is Manipravalam? Name a book written in that language.
Answer: Manipravalam – literally meaning, “diamonds and corals” refers to the two languages, Sanskrit and the regional language. Lilatilakam is a text in Manipravalam.
Question 3: Who were the major patrons of Kathak?
Answer: The major patrons of Kathak were the Mughal emperors and the Nawabs of Lucknow, especially Wajid Ali Shah.
Question 4: What are the important architectural features of the temples of Bengal?
Answer: The important architectural features of the temples of Bengal were as follows:
- The most crucial architectural features of the temples were the double-roof (dochala) and the four-roof (chauchala).
- Temples were usually built on a square platform with a relatively plain interior.
- Outer walls of many temples were decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles or terracotta tablets.
Question 5: Why did minstrels proclaim the achievements of heroes?
Answer: Minstrels proclaimed the achievements and adventures of heroes in order to preserve their memory and inspire people to follow their suit. Ordinary people were inspired by these stories that featured not only dramatic situations but also idealistic emotions like loyalty, friendship, valour, etc.
Question 6: Why do we know much more about the cultural practices of rulers than about those of ordinary people?
Answer: We know much more about the cultural practices of rulers than about those of ordinary people because the cultural practices of rulers were carefully preserved in palaces for centuries. Ordinary men and women also painted on pots, walls, floors, cloth. But their work of art did not survive for long.
Question 7: Why did conquerors try to control the temple of Jagannatha at Puri?
Answer: Conquers tried to gain control over the Jagannatha temple at Puri because it would make their rule acceptable to the local people since the temple was important as a place of pilgrimage and was a centre of authority in social and political matters.
Question 8: Why were temples built in Bengal?
Answer: Temples were built in Bengal for two purposes – to demonstrate political power and to proclaim the deity. Many of the small brick and terracotta temples in Bengal were built with the help of the social groups of the lower strata like the Kolu (oil pressers) and the Kansari (bell metal workers). As the new economic opportunities enabled by the European trading companies improved the socio-economic standing of families, they announced their status through the construction of temples.
Question 9: Describe the most important features of the culture of your region, focusing on buildings, performing arts and painting.
Answer: I live in Delhi. Right from the beginning, it has been a land of mixed cultures. In the old days, it was invaded by a number of foreign rulers. Some of them stayed here for some time and some settle down permanently. They all affected its culture, language, religion, society, architecture, art and painting. Still, we have buildings and monuments built by Mughal emperors, slave emperors, Rajput rulers and many more. We have temples, mosques and many other such places constructed by different rulers. Differences of cultures can still be seen in the areas of old Delhi and New Delhi.