NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science - The Making of Regional Cultures

Q1. Match the following:

Ans:

 
Q2. What is Manipravalam? Name a book written in that language.
Ans: Manipravalam means “diamonds and corals” referring to the two languages, Sanskrit and the regional language. A book written in Manipravalam is Lilatilakam which deals with grammar and poetics.

Q3. Who were the major patrons of Kathak?
Ans: Major patrons of Kathak were the Mughal emperors and the Nawabs of Lucknow, especially Wajid Ali Shah.

Kathak

Q4. What are the important architectural features of the temples of Bengal?
Ans: Important architectural features of the temples of Bengal are:

• Temples began to copy the double-roofed or four-roofed structure of the thatched huts.
• In the comparatively more complex four-roofed structure, four triangular roofs placed on the four walls move up to converge on a curved line or a point.
• Temples were usually built on a square platform.
• The interior was relatively plain but the outer walls of many temples were decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles or terracotta tablets.
  Simple domestic hut form transformed into temple form

Q5. Why did minstrels proclaim the achievements of heroes?
Ans: From about the eighth century, most of the present-day state of Rajasthan was ruled by various Rajput families. Stories about Rajput heroes were recorded in poems and songs, which were recited by specially trained minstrels. These preserved the memories of heroes and were expected to inspire others to follow their example. Ordinary people were also attracted by these stories which often depicted dramatic situations, and a range of strong emotions loyalty, friendship, love, valour, anger, etc.

Q6. Why do we know much more about the cultural practices of rulers than about those of ordinary people?
Ans: The cultural practices of rulers were carefully preserved in palaces for centuries. Hence we know much more about them. Ordinary men and women also painted on pots, walls, floors, cloth. But they did not survive for long.

Q7. Why did conquerors try to control the temple of Jagannatha at Puri?
Ans: 

Jagannatha Temple

Conquers tried to gain control over the Jagannatha temple at Puri because it would make their rule acceptable to the local people since the temple was important as a place of pilgrimage and was a center of authority in social and political matters.

Q8. Why were temples built in Bengal?
Ans: The coming of the European trading companies created new economic opportunities for Bengal. The social and economic improvement led to the construction of temples. Many of the modest brick and terracotta temples in Bengal were built with the support of several “low” social groups, such as the Kolu (oil pressers) and the Kansari (bell metal workers). When local deities, once worshipped in thatched huts in villages, gained the recognition of the Brahmanas, their images began to be housed in temples.