Places of Eminence Chapter Notes | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

How to Discover Information About the Past

Imagine stepping back in time to learn about what happened before now. This time is known as the past. When we explore history, we delve into events, dates, people, and various other occurrences from the past. History reveals how the world has changed and progressed over time. Have you ever thought about how actions from long ago have influenced our lives today?

• Indian History: Spans thousands of years. Traces of history are all around us - in the grand remains scattered across the land, in beautiful sculptures and art adorning monuments, and in the tales shared by our elders.
• Sources of History: History can be found in a vast array of literature in different languages, as well as in traditional arts like dance and music that originated in the past and continue to captivate us today. The past seems to live alongside our present.
• Recognizing Historical Significance: Historical sites aren't just confined to major cities like Delhi or Agra. Significant places that speak volumes about our heritage exist everywhere. We can learn to identify and value these sites as part of our cultural legacy.
• Understanding the Past: Information about the past can be gathered from various sources. Let's explore how we can do this.

Analyzing Sources

Sources are like clues that help us piece together the past. They come in different forms:

• Written Records: These include books, newspapers, letters, journals, and diaries penned by people in earlier times. Manuscripts and books left behind by our ancestors offer valuable insights into the past.
• Archaeological Discoveries: Material remnants left by people who lived long ago are unearthed by archaeologists. These physical artifacts provide significant clues about ancient civilizations.
• Oral Histories: Stories, poems, songs, and legends passed down verbally from one generation to the next offer unique glimpses into the past. This oral tradition is a rich source of historical information.

Types of Sources

Sources help us learn about the past. There are different types of sources like books, old writings, and things left behind by people long ago.

Literary Sources

• Books and writings from long ago tell us about ancient times.
• The Arthashastra manuscript was found in 1905 at the Oriental Research Institute.
• The Vedas are old religious texts with four main parts: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
• The Arthashastra of Kautilya gives rules for running a government.
• The Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadatta talks about the Nanda and Maurya dynasties.
• Foreign travelers' writings also help us know about the past.

Archaeological Sources

• Things left behind by people in the past help us understand how they lived.
• Monuments like palaces, forts, and temples, along with pottery, inscriptions, and coins, are important.
• Inscriptions are words carved into stones that tell about kings, events, and culture.
• Examples include the Minor Pillar Edict on the Ashoka pillar and the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Monuments

• In ancient times, people built many important structures like temples, forts, palaces, and mosques. 
• These structures are like time machines, helping us understand the beliefs and ideas of the people who created them.
• These are ancient buildings that tell us stories about the past.
• Example: The Delhi Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi

Coins

• A punch-marked coin from the Nanda dynasty.
• Coins were like money used in the past by kings or groups. They were made of different metals like silver, gold, copper, or lead.
• Coins help us learn about the economy of ancient times, figure out when dynasties and kings ruled, and give us hints about the religious and cultural practices of the people who made them.
• Gold coins from the Gupta Empire during Chandragupta II's reign in 400 CE.

Notable Places in Villages and Towns

• Sarita lives in Bandikui town with her family. While watching an old Hindi movie, she was fascinated by a stepwell structure and learned about it from her mother.
• Her grandmother shared the tale of Chand Baori, a significant stepwell in Abhaneri, constructed over 1,000 years ago by King Raja Chanda.
• The stepwell was built in front of the temple dedicated to Goddess Harshat Mata, also constructed by Raja Chandra but later renovated by the Mughals in the 18th century.
• Abhaneri was originally known as Abhanagari, associated with the aura of Goddess Harshat Mata. Legends say the town was linked to Dausa by a tunnel.
• According to a legend, Raja Chandra built the stepwell overnight to relieve his people from a severe water shortage during a drought.
• Sarita's visit to Chand Baori left her awestruck by its grandeur and beauty, being the largest and deepest stepwell in India. 

Chand Baori

• The Chand Baori is a square-shaped building resembling an upside-down pyramid.
• It has 13 levels and 3500 narrow steps arranged in a diamond shape leading to a large water tank at the bottom.
• One side of the baori contains corridors, multi-storeyed pavilions, jharokhas (Rajasthani-style open windows), and niches with carvings of Ganesha and Durga.
• The baori was closed for access in 1955 by the Survey of India, and the complex is surrounded by covered corridors and a boundary wall.
• It is believed that the Chand Baori was built in two phases, first by the Nikhumbha Chahamana or Chauhan rulers and later renovated by the Mughals in the 18th century.
• After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the region came under Maratha control and then became a part of the Jaipur state until 1947.

Harshat Mata Temple

The archaeological remains at the Harshat Mata Temple reveal intriguing insights about its history and evolution.
Let's delve into the key points to understand this site better:

• Broken pieces resembling a disc-shaped crown suggest that the temple originally had a pointed tower (shikhara) with a decorative crown (amlaka) on top, which was later destroyed.
• The current rounded dome atop the temple indicates that repairs were made, likely during the Mughal rule period.
• Various sculptures found around the temple, featuring deities like Ganesha, Shiva, and Durga, indicate its significance as a Hindu worship center.
• The modern appearance of the idol of Harshat Mata hints that the original idol might have been lost and replaced at a later time.
• Near the temple entrance, a statue of a Jain spiritual leader (tirthankara) and Jain artifacts have been discovered, aligning with accounts from Jain texts mentioning the construction of Jain temples in Abhaneri by wealthy merchants.
• Interestingly, there are no inscriptions found relating to the Chand Baori or Harshat Mata temple on-site.
• Historical accounts from Jain texts, medieval Gujarati writings, and Sanskrit texts discussing the temple's carvings provide additional insights into the historical and religious significance of the site.
• James Todd's writings mention Abhaneri's antiquity and stories of rivalry between local rulers, adding colorful anecdotes to the temple's history. 

Madan Mohan Temple

• The Madan Mohan Temple, built in 1694 by King Durjana Singh Dev, is an active temple dedicated to the worship of Radha Krishna. 
• It features a unique Eka Ratna architectural style with intricate carvings and stories depicted on its walls and tiles.
• The temple is a square building with a curved roof and a single tower called a shikhara.
• It is constructed using burnt bricks and sits on a laterite block platform.
• Following an earthquake in 1820, parts of the temple were rebuilt.
• The tiles of the temple portray stories from Krishna's life and the Ramayana.
• Near the entrance, two large pillars depict the battle between Hanuman and Ravana.
• Bishnupur, where the temple is located, is known for its older brick temples built by the Malla kings between the 10th and 17th centuries.
• Most temples in Bishnupur were dedicated to Lord Vishnu, with some early ones honoring Goddess Durga.
• These temples used burnt bricks and terracotta tiles due to the lack of stone in the region.
• The use of terracotta showcases the skill of local builders and artisans, whose descendants still reside in nearby villages.

Sources of History

Oral Sources: Bishnupur

• People in and around Bishnupur have captivating stories to share.
• A popular tale recounts the beginning of the Malla Raj dynasty, involving a prince, his abandoned wife, and a child found in the forest.
• Adi Malla, the unique wrestler boy, grew up to establish the Malla dynasty, ruling the Bankura region for a millennium.
• Local priests narrate the story of Bir Hambir, a Malla king who embraced Vaishnavism, leading to the construction of temples like Madan Mohan and Rasamancha.

Literary Sources

• Literary texts like Bhakti Ratnakar and Prem Vilasa corroborate oral traditions, mentioning Bir Hambir and the spread of Krishna worship in Bishnupur.
• The Bengal District Gazetteer of 1908 explores potential connections between Malla kings and the Mal tribe, while highlighting the architectural beauty of Bishnupur's temples.
• The brick temples of Bishnupur, with their intricate terracotta designs, stand as a testament to the region's heritage, inviting us to appreciate the beauty and history that surrounds us.