Textbook Solutions: Architecture as Power-Forts and Sacred Places | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

A. Choose the correct answer.

1.
Ans: (d)
The tower built directly over a temple's garbhagriha shikhara

2.
Ans: (b)
In a temple, the path surrounding the central deity along which devotees walk to pay homage is called the pradakshina

3.
Ans: (a)
The Shiva temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, near Thanjavur, is an example of this style of temple architecture Dravida

4.
Ans: (d)
Nishat Bagh in Srinagar was built by Jahangir

5.
Ans: (a)
The alcove at the back of the prayer hall that indicates the direction of prayer is called the Mihrab

B. Fill in the blanks

1.
Ans: The Indo-Islamic style of architecture developed with the coming of the Turks, Afghans and Mughals to India during the medieval age.

2.
Ans: The garbhagriha is the inner shrine in a temple where the main idol is placed.

3.
Ans: The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in the Qutb Complex was one of the first mosques to be built in India.

4.  
Ans: Akbar built the city of Fatehpur Sikri.

5.
Ans: Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Red Fort in Delhi.

6.
Ans: In the Red Fort, the Diwan-i-Aam was the hall of public audience where the emperor met the state guests.

C. Answer in one or two sentences.

1.
Ans: The three styles of temple architecture that developed during the medieval period in India are the Nagara style, the Dravidian style, and the Vesara style.

2.
Ans: Gopurams are the monumental tower gateways found in the Dravidian architecture of South India.

3.
Ans: The main structures of the Qutb Complex include the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, the Qutb Minar, and the Iron Pillar.

4.
Ans: A cenotaph is a monument built in honour of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere.

5.
Ans: A chahar bagh is a garden divided into square compartments (usually four in number) by water channels. Examples include Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh in Srinagar, the gardens at the Red Fort, Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal.

6.
Ans: Pietra dura is a decorative art that involves inlaying semi-precious stones into a solid stone base in intricate designs. This work can be found in the Taj Mahal.

7.
Ans: (a) Two notable structures built during the medieval period in Bengal are Adina Masjid in Pandua and the Dakhil Darwaza in Gaur. b) In the Deccan, Mahmud Gawan's madrassa and the Jami Masjid in Bidar, Gol Gumbuz in Bijapur, the Golconda Fort and Charminar in Hyderabad were built during the medieval period.

D. Answer in a paragraph.

1.
Ans: Rulers have historically used architecture as symbols of power. By constructing massive and majestic structures like palaces, temples, forts, mosques, and tombs, they showcase their wealth, power, and prowess. These structures, designed to be enduring and memorable, ensure that their names remain etched in history. Further, by building structures of public utility such as parks, tanks, and rest houses, rulers aimed to win the loyalty and support of their subjects, strengthening their rule. Invading armies often targeted these symbols of power, replacing them with their own as a sign of victory and a means of establishing their rule.

2.
Ans: The Nagara style of temple architecture, prominent in North India, is characterized by the main shrine called the Garbhagriha, where the deity is installed. This is often accompanied by an assembly hall or Mandapa. The temples typically have a tall, curvilinear tower over the shrine, called the Shikhara, the top of which is called the Amalaka. The entrance is usually adorned with a porch or Ardh-Mandapa. The whole temple is often raised on a platform called the Jagati. Temples in this style are also marked by a Pitha (base platform), upon which the temple is built, and a Kalasha (finial) at the top, symbolizing the apex of the temple.

3.
Ans: The Nagara and Dravida styles of architecture have distinct differences. Nagara style, found in North India, is characterized by a beehive-shaped tower (Shikhara) made up of layer upon layer of architectural elements. Dravida style, common in South India, features pyramid-shaped towers (Vimanas) that are usually covered with intricate carvings and sculptures. While Nagara temples are erected on a platform and do not usually have boundary walls or gateways, Dravida temples are enclosed within compound walls and have towering gateways called Gopurams.

4.
Ans: Islamic architecture is characterized by the use of arches, domes, and minarets. Calligraphy, geometric and floral designs, and pietra dura (inlay work) are used for decoration. Red sandstone and marble are commonly used in construction. The true arch and dome were significant introductions by the Delhi Sultans. Mosques, tombs, and ornamental gardens like the chahar bagh are typical structures in this style.

5.
Ans: Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar, is a marvel of Mughal architecture. The city, built entirely of red sandstone, is home to a series of royal palaces, harems, courts, a mosque, and private quarters. The architecture is an eclectic blend of Islamic and Hindu styles, reflecting the syncretic culture of Akbar's court. The fusion of Islamic and Hindu symbols in its architecture symbolizes Akbar's policy of religious tolerance and his efforts to blend the diverse religious communities of his empire into a unified whole.