Short & Long Questions: Places of Historical Significance: Regional Sites I | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is a site of historical significance?
Ans: A site of historical significance is a place where important pieces of political, military, religious, cultural, or social history are preserved. It could be a building, landscape, structure/monument, or any site recognized for its historic value and protected by law.

Q2: Why is Varanasi considered one of the oldest 'living' cities in the world?
Ans: Varanasi is considered one of the oldest 'living' cities because it has a long history that dates back centuries. The English author Mark Twain described it as older than history, tradition, and legend combined, showcasing a unique coexistence of the past and present.

Q3: What are pre-modern cities in India?
Ans: Pre-modern cities in India were urban centers that existed before modern times. They served various purposes like political, military, administrative, craft production, trade, religious activities, and education, playing a crucial role in shaping ancient Indian society.

Q4: What are sources of history and how do they help us understand the past?
Ans: Sources of history include archaeological sources (tools, weapons, pottery), inscriptions, edicts, coins, oral sources (oral histories, myths), literary sources (manuscripts, accounts of travelers), and monuments. These sources provide clues about the past and help historians reconstruct historical events and understand ancient civilizations.

Q5: Describe the significance of Kalibangan as a historical site.
Ans: Kalibangan, located in northern Rajasthan, is a site of immense historical importance dating back to the Harappan period. It offers insights into how the Harappans lived, their urban planning, religious practices, and societal structures, contributing to our understanding of early civilizations in South Asia.

Q6: What were some features of Kalibangan during the Harappan period?
Ans: Kalibangan during the Harappan period had agricultural fields, fortifications, mud-brick houses, a citadel, a lower town, a cemetery, and various artifacts like pottery, beads, copper objects, and seals. These features reflect the city's layout, daily life, and cultural practices during that time.

Q7: How did urbanization in pre-modern cities differ from modern urbanization?
Ans: Urbanization in pre-modern cities involved people living closely together, with fields for crops near the city, fortifications for protection, elites residing in the city center, and a mix of residential, administrative, and craft areas. Unlike modern urbanization driven by industrialization, pre-modern cities had a different social and economic structure.

Q8: What are some examples of pre-modern cities in India and their characteristics?
Ans: Pre-modern cities in India include Pataliputra, Uraiyur, Mathura, Kaveripattinam, Sarnath, Kapilavastu, and Chidambaram. These cities served as political, religious, trade, and cultural centers, featuring distinctive characteristics like urban planning, craft production, and educational activities.

Q9: How did the Archaeological Survey of India contribute to the preservation of historic heritage sites?
Ans: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) played a vital role in identifying, protecting, and preserving historic heritage sites in India. They erected informational boards at these sites, detailing their history and ensuring their conservation, thus safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Q10: What role do fire altars, pits, and artifacts play in understanding the religious and ritualistic practices of ancient civilizations?
Ans: Fire altars, pits with animal remains, and various artifacts like seals and terracotta objects found at sites like Kalibangan provide insights into ancient religious and ritualistic practices. These objects suggest offerings, sacrificial rituals, and symbolic representations that shed light on the spiritual beliefs and customs of early societies.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Describe the significance of historical sites in India.
Ans: In India, historical sites hold immense importance as they are remnants of our rich cultural heritage and past civilizations. These sites serve as tangible evidence of our ancestors' existence and their contributions to our culture and identity.

• Historical sites encompass various elements like past dwellings, cities, monuments, and habitation sites.
• These sites are not just relics of the past but also official locations where pieces of political, military, religious, cultural, or social history are preserved.
• They are recognized for their historic value and are often protected by law to ensure their preservation.
• One such example is Varanasi, which stands as one of the oldest living cities globally, showcasing the coexistence of the past and present.
• The Indian Government, through institutions like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), works to identify and safeguard these sites for posterity.

Q2: Explain the characteristics of pre-modern cities in India.
Ans: Pre-modern cities in India were diverse and served various functions that contributed to the socio-cultural and economic landscape of the region.

• These cities emerged as political, military, administrative, or trade centers, with examples like Pataliputra and Mathura in the north and Thanjavur and Madurai in the south.
• They were hubs of craft production, trade, religious activities, education, and cultural exchanges.
• Urbanization during this period was characterized by close-knit communities with fields for crops located near the city.
• City boundaries were often fortified to protect against external threats, and elites typically resided in the city center.
• These cities were significant sources of historical information, as evidenced by archaeological findings and literary accounts.

Q3: Discuss the types of historical sources used to reconstruct the past.
Ans: Historians rely on various sources to piece together the past, each offering unique insights into different aspects of history.

• Archaeological sources, such as tools, weapons, pottery, coins, and artifacts, provide tangible evidence of past civilizations.
• Literary sources like manuscripts, inscriptions, and court chronicles offer written records of historical events and societal structures.
• Oral sources, including myths, oral histories, and accounts passed down through generations, offer perspectives on events of historical significance.
• Monuments and religious writings like the Vedas and Puranas also play a crucial role in understanding past cultures and belief systems.
• By analyzing these diverse sources, historians can construct a more comprehensive narrative of our collective history.

Q4: Analyze the historical significance of the site of Kalibangan in India.
Ans: Kalibangan, situated in northern Rajasthan, holds immense historical significance as a window into the ancient Harappan civilization and its way of life.

• The city evolved from a small settlement to a major Harappan urban center, showcasing advancements in city planning and social organization.
• Excavations revealed features like agricultural fields, fortifications, mud-brick houses, and a distinct citadel and lower town layout.
• Artifacts unearthed at Kalibangan, including pottery, beads, tools, and seals, provide insights into Harappan trade, craftsmanship, and daily life.
• The city's layout, with specific areas for ritualistic functions and residential purposes, offers a glimpse into ancient urban planning techniques.
• Overall, Kalibangan's excavation sheds light on how the Harappans lived, interacted with their environment, and established early urban settlements in South Asia.

Q5: Compare the urbanization in pre-modern cities with modern-day urban centers.
Ans: Urbanization in pre-modern cities differed in many aspects from modern urban centers, reflecting the evolving nature of human settlements over time.

• Pre-modern cities were closely connected to agricultural lands, with crops grown near city boundaries, unlike modern cities that often separate urban and rural areas.
• Residents in pre-modern cities lived in close proximity, facilitating easy movement within the city, contrasting with modern cities where transportation networks are more complex.
• Fortifications were common in pre-modern cities to protect against external threats, a feature less prominent in modern urban planning.
• Social hierarchies were reflected in the city layout, with elites residing in the city center, while modern cities exhibit a more dispersed pattern of residence based on various factors.
• Understanding the differences between pre-modern and modern urbanization helps trace the evolution of human settlements and societal structures over time.