Textbook Solutions: Places of Historical Significance: Regional Sites II | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

I. Tick (✓) the correct option.

1.
Ans: (b)

2.
Ans: (a)

3.
Ans: (b)

4.
Ans: (c)

5.
Ans: (c)

II. Two statements are given in the question below as Assertion (A) and Reasoning (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option.

Ans: (a)

III. State whether the following statements are true or false. Rewrite the corrected statements in your notebook.

1.
Ans: True.

2.
Ans: False.
Correction: Sarnath emerged during the second urbanisation in the age of the Buddha and the mahajanapadas.

3.
Ans: True.

4.
Ans: True.

5.
Ans: False.
Correction: The Cholas of the Sangam Age and the Cholas of Thanjavur are different, and there is no clear connection between them.

IV. Answer the following questions in brief.

1.
Ans: Sarnath is located about 10 km northeast of Varanasi, India. It is significant in Buddhist history as the site where the Buddha preached his first sermon, known as the Dharma Chakra Pravartana, and where the Buddhist Sangha or monastic order was established.

2.
Ans: Faxian was one of the oldest Chinese Buddhist monks who visited India in the 4th century CE. His travels are significant because he visited major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India and provided the first eyewitness account of Buddhist practices and pilgrimage sites in Central and South Asia, contributing to the spread of Buddhism in China.

3.
Ans: Vijayalaya Chola was the founder of the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur. He captured the Kaveri delta from the Pallavas in the 9th century CE and established Thanjavur as an important political and religious center by building a temple for Goddess Nishumbhasudini.

4.
Ans: During the Chola period, Thanjavur emerged as a great city with the Brihadisvara Temple dominating its skyline. The Cholas established a powerful monarchy, were great military conquerors, efficient administrators, and patrons of art and learning. The city was governed by a king along with ministers and officials, with local self-government encouraged through assemblies like ur, sabha, and nagaram.

5.
Ans: Thanjavur is historically significant for its association with the Chola dynasty, the construction of the Brihadisvara Temple, its status as a center of Hindu religion, art, and learning, and its contribution to the development of classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam. The Brihadisvara Temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

V. Answer the following questions in detail.

1.
Ans: Sarnath holds great historical significance in Buddhism as the site where the Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, marking the beginning of the Dharma Chakra Pravartana (the turning of the wheel of law). It is also the place where the Buddhist Sangha or monastic order was established with the Buddha's first five disciples. The name Sarnath is derived from the Sanskrit word Saranganath, meaning 'Lord of the Deer,' based on a legend where a Bodhisattva born as a deer offered his life to a king. Sarnath flourished under various dynasties like the Mauryas, Guptas, and Palas, and continued to be an important center of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage until its destruction in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak.

2.
Ans: The legend of the 'Lord of the Deer' is an ancient Buddhist tale in which a Bodhisattva, born as a deer, offered his life to a king who was about to kill it. Moved by the deer's selflessness, the king spared its life and created a deer park at the place where the Buddha later preached his first sermon. This association with the deer led to the naming of the site as Sarnath, derived from Saranganath, meaning 'Lord of the Deer.' The legend underscores the importance of compassion and non-violence in Buddhism, making Sarnath a fitting location for the Buddha's first teachings.

3.
Ans: The archaeological remains and monuments at Sarnath include the Dhamekh Stupa, which marks the spot where the Buddha preached his first sermon. Other significant remains include the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, a vast monastery where the Buddha spent his first rainy season after enlightenment, the Ashokan Pillar with the Lion Capital, and the Chaukhandi Stupa, a lofty structure built to commemorate the Buddha's meeting with his first five disciples. These remains highlight Sarnath's importance as a center of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage.

4.
Ans: The Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur is significant as one of the largest and most important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built by Rajaraja Chola I around 1010 CE, the temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, with its towering vimana, intricate sculptures, and murals. Rajaraja Chola's role in its construction was crucial, as he used war booty and tribute from Sri Lanka to fund the temple, making it a symbol of his devotion and political power. The temple served as a center of religious, cultural, and social life in Thanjavur and continues to be a 'living temple' with ongoing worship and rituals.