Walls Tell Stories Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 10

"Walls Tell Stories" is a fascinating journey into the past, exploring the ancient forts of India like Golconda. These forts were more than just buildings; they were like big towns where people lived and worked long ago. 

Reached Golconda

• The Golconda fort is huge, has a huge gate, and is built at a very high location.
• Bastions or burj are round sections of the wall that comes out from the wall in some places.
• The thick walls, a huge gate, and many bastions were made as a means of security in the fort.

What did we find inside the fort?

• The Qutubshahi Sultans ruled there from 1518 to 1687.
• Much before that, in 1200, the fort was made of mud and several different rulers lived there.
• There is a map of the fort which shows many gardens, fields, factories, and many palaces inside the fort.
• This shows that not only Sultans but many other people like farmers and workers must also have been living there.
• The fort was almost like a complete town.

The Sultan’s Palace

• In that time as well, the buildings used to have two floors.
• There are many beautiful carvings on the wall.
• There was also something like a fountain and big tanks which were filled with water on the roof of the palace.

Why these attacks?

• Aurangzeb tried to attack the fort and camped outside for 8 months, but could not even enter the fort.
• A canon that was used by Aurangzeb was placed on display in the fort. 
• In those days kings and emperors used to come from very far to capture the smaller kingdoms and make them their own.
• This was done sometimes by flattery, friendship, or even by marriage between families. And when nothing else worked, they also attacked them.
• Aurangzeb’s army was unable to get through the big thick walls, also a long deep pitch kept them from entering the fort.
• If the army tried to enter from the other side, the soldier in the bastions could have spotted them.
• Wars and fights have been happening in the days of the past. Earlier they used horses, guns, and cannons, in today’s world they use nuclear weapons for mass destruction.

Arrangements for Water

• For collecting water, they built a mechanical setup of wheels that collected the water in pots from the river and fill a tank.
• This was done by using bullocks to push and rotate the wheels, as it was very heavy.

What a sad sight!

• The mehrab was hollow and had an echoing effect.
• The soldiers used to stay in the mehrab.
• It has seen kings and queens, horses and elephants, war and peace but people spoilt it by writing on the walls in just a few years.

Going to the Museum

• There were a lot of things kept in the museum that were found around Golconda like pots, jewellery, swords, etc.
• There were small pieces of bronze that were kept in the almirah.
• There was a blue piece that seemed to be made of ceramic or clay.
• We can learn a lot about the people of those times by looking at those things. We can know how they lived, what they used, and what things were made of at that time.

Summary of Walls Tell Stories

• In earlier times, forts were as big as towns.
• To save the kingdom, a lot of security measures were taken by the king.
• The Golconda fort is one of the huge and nice forts in India.
• To reach the water from all the places, many clay pipes were laid throughout the fort.
• We come to know about the people of those times like how they lived, what they used and what things they made, etc. through a museum.
• The Agra Fort is also one of the huge and beautiful forts in India.

Theme

The theme of "Walls Tell Stories" revolves around the historical significance and architectural marvel of forts, particularly Golconda Fort in India. It highlights the multifaceted aspects of life within the fort, from security measures to daily activities, offering insights into the past.

Keywords 

• Forts were like big towns: Long ago, forts were not just places for fighting. They were like whole towns where people lived and worked.
• Big walls and strong gates: To keep enemies out, forts had really thick walls, big gates, and tall towers.
• Golconda Fort was super special: Just like Agra Fort, Golconda Fort in India was very famous. It was amazing in how it was built and all the history it had.
• Inside the fort: Not only kings lived there, but also farmers, workers, and artists. It was like a small town inside.
• Enemies tried to take over: Sometimes bad guys tried to capture forts, like Aurangzeb did. But the forts were built so well, with strong walls and smart plans, they couldn’t be easily taken.
• Water was important: They had clever ways to collect and save water inside the forts. That was really important for survival.
• Taking care of the fort: Some parts of the forts got damaged by people, so it’s important to look after them. Inside the fort, there's a museum with old things that tell us about life back then.

Conclusion

"Walls Tell Stories" illustrates the rich history and cultural significance embedded within the walls of ancient forts like Golconda. Through its portrayal of security measures, architectural features, and historical events such as sieges, the narrative sheds light on the lives of past inhabitants. 

Furthermore, the exploration of water arrangements and artifacts in the museum provides a deeper understanding of daily life and material culture during those times. Overall, the narrative underscores the importance of forts as repositories of history and showcases the enduring legacy of past civilizations.