CLASS 7

HISTORY

CH - 5. RULERS AND THEIR BUILDINGS

EXERCISE...

{A}. Choose the correct answer and fill in

the blanks.

(1) Calligraphy is an important element of

the decorative art in the buildings of the
Mughal Empire.

(2). Jahangir was the great petrol of the art

of laying out Gardens.

(3). Shah Jahan replaced the Red Stone by

Marble in architecture.

(4). The Humayun's tomb was

commissioned by Hamida Banu Begum.

(5).The first mosque constructed in Delhi

was called Jama Masjid

{B}. Match the columns.

(1). Akbar - b. Fatehpur Sikri

(2). Humayun - c. Humayun's Tomb
(3) Shahjahan - d. Taj Mahal
(4). Jahangir - a. Shalimar Bagh

{C}. State whether true or false. If false,

correct the statement.

(1).The Turkish rulers introduced the arch

and the dome in India.
Ans - true

(2). Gypsum was used for places that

needed to be secured against the leakage
of water, such as roofs, Indigo-vats, canals,
drains etc.
Ans - true.

(3). Shah Jahan built the Red Fort.

Ans - true.

(4). Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar.

Ans - true.

(5). There is no pietra dura inlay work in the

Taj Mahal.
Ans - false : the decorative features of the
Taj Mahal consist of calligraphy and inlay
work in the exterior and pietra dura in the
interior.
{D}. Fill in the blanks.

(1). Akbar built a new capital at Sikri.

(2). The Lal Qila was built by Shah Jahan.

(3). The arch and the dome were

introduced during the sultanate period.

(4). The material commonly used for

plastering building was gypsum.

(5). Buland Darwaza was built by Akbar to

commemorate his conquest of Gujarat.

{E}. Answer the following questions in

10-20 words.

(1).What is pietra dura? Name one

monument in which it has been used.
Ans - pietra dura is a new style of
decoration in which semi- precious stones
such as lapis lazuli, Onyx, Jasper, Topaz
and carnelian were embedded in the
marble.
Pietra dura was used in the Taj
Mahal. The decorative features of the
building consist of calligraphy and inlay
work in the exterior and pitradura in the
interior.

(2). Write two distinguishing features of

Mughal architecture.
Ans - Under the Mughals, a distinct style of
architecture developed which was marked
by the uses of red sandstone and marble
and double domed structure.

(3).Name three buildings constructed

during the reign of Akbar.
Ans - Agra Fort, Delhi Gate and jahangiri
Mahal.

(4).Name the two Gardens that Jahangir

was famous for building.
Ans - Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh at
Kashmir stand as testimony to Jahangir's
passion for gardens.

(5).The Taj Mahal was constructed out of

which material?
Ans - the Taj Mahal was constructed out of
marble.

{F}. Answer the following questions in

50-70 words.

(1).In the period between AD 700 and AD

1750, two kinds of buildings were built by
the rulers:

1) Private: The first kind included forts,

palaces and tombs. They were symbolic
representations of the wealth of the rulers.
2) Public: The second kind
included buildings like temples, mosques
and tanks meant for the people.

(2).Why was the building of temples and

mosques an important task for all the
medieval rulers?
Ans - Building temples and mosques where
the believers could gather for prayer was
an important task for the medieval rulers. It
gave the rulers an opportunity to display
their wealth, power and devotion to God
and proclaim their close relationship to
God.

(3).List two differences in the decorative

styles as noticed during the Sultanate and
the Mughal period.
Ans - Two differences in the decorative
styles of the Sultanate period and the
Mughal period are as follows:

1) The Sultanate period introduced arches

and domes. They were used only till the
end of this period.
2) Calligraphy, arabesque and geometry
were used for hiding rather
than revealing the structure in the case of
the structures of the Sultanate period.
The Mughal period, on the other hand,
fused the local architectural style and the
Persian architectural style and calligraphy
became more refined.

(4). Mention some of the styles of Mughal

architecture.
Ans - during the period of Humayun,
Persian culture was seen in the designing
and execution of his tomb.
During the reign of Akbar Indo Islamic
architecture was there. Jahangir used
pietra dura (the new style of decoration).

{G}. Answer the following questions in

80-100 words.

(1).'Akbar's period was a period rich in

architecture.' do you agree? Justify your
statement.
Ans - Akbar's period was indeed rich in
architecture. It represents the fusion of
Indo-Islamic architectural techniques. He
used indigenous techniques and
techniques from other countries. His
building projects can be divided into two
phases:

1) First Phase: Many forts and palaces in

Agra, Allahabad and Lahore were created.
Agra Fort was supposed to be a fortress-
palace and many monuments were built
inside in various regional styles including
Bengali and Gujarati styles. The same is
visible in other palaces and fortresses in
Lahore and Allahabad.

2) Second Phase: It revolved around the

creation of his new capital at Fatehpur
Sikri. A ceremonial capital was created as
Sikri (near Agra), which was later named
Fatehpur Sikri. All the buildings were made
of red sandstone. The place had several
beautiful monuments like Buland Darwaza,
Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace and Salim
Chisti's tomb.

(2).Write a paragraph on architecture under

Shahjahan. How did it differ from the
architecture used in the monuments made
during Akbar's reign?
Ans - Shah Jahan was a great builder. He is
known for his extensive architectural
works. He used marble as the main
material in the construction of almost all of
his buildings. Some of his famous
architectural works are as follows:

1) Lal Qila: Located in Delhi, it follows the

course of old Yamuna. It is flanked by Delhi
and Lahore gateways. There are several
notable buildings inside like Diwan-i-Am,
Diwan-i-Khas and Rang Mahal. All these
buildings have floral work on them.

2) Moti Masjid: Located inside Agra Fort, it

is made of white marble, which is adorned
with black calligraphy. It has an open
arcaded prayer hall.

3) Jama Masjid: Located in Delhi, it is the

largest building in India of its kind. It is
made of red sandstone, with white marble
decoration. Built on a high platform, it is
surrounded by arcades.

4) Taj Mahal: It is one of the most grand

and well-known works of Shah Jahan. It is
a huge rectangular complex with a grand
entrance. The main building stands on a
high platform. The decorative features
include calligraphy and pietra dura. It has
beautiful gardens in the front.
Akbar used mainly red sandstone as
the building material but Shahjahan used
marble as a main building material.

HOMEWORK / ASSINGMENT...
TRY TO SOLVE QS NO. {H}. Think and
answer. IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE.