Class 7 History Notes - Emerging Regional Cultures

Introduction

In medieval India, various aspects of culture thrived, contributing to the rich tapestry of Indian history. In this chapter, we will explore the development of languages, music, dance, and painting during this period.

Development of Languages

Languages of the Court

1. Sanskrit

• Kalhana's Rajatarangini: This was the first royal chronicle in Sanskrit, written in the 12th century, focusing on the kings of Kashmir.
• Dharmshastras: Many Hindu law and custom digests were written in Sanskrit.
• Jayadev's Gita Govinda: A masterpiece in Sanskrit describing the relationship between Lord Krishna and Radha.

2. Arabic and Persian

• Arabic was primarily used by the Delhi Sultanate rulers and Islamic scholars.
• Persian became the language of the Islamic courts and upper classes, introduced by the Turks. Classical Sanskrit works were translated into Persian.

3. Hindi

• Hindi developed from the 7th to 10th centuries. Poets praised Rajput kings in a Rajasthani version of Hindi.
• Other forms of Hindi like Braj Bhasha, Khari Boli, Bhojpuri, and Awadhi began to be used in literary compositions and devotional songs of Bhakti saints.

4. Urdu

• Urdu evolved in army camps, blending Persian and regional languages, becoming a language understood by all.

5. Regional Languages

• Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada were prominent regional languages with unique cultural influences.
• Each region had its own rich literary and linguistic traditions.

Many Musical Modes - Indian Music and Regional Developments:

1. Evolution of Music

• Medieval India saw the fusion of Indian, Central Asian, and Iranian musical traditions, influencing both North Indian Hindustani music and South Indian Carnatic music.

2. New Musical Elements

• New musical instruments like the rabab and sarangi were introduced.
• The Bhakti and Sufi traditions led to the growth of devotional music, including kirtans, bhajans, and qawwali (a form of devotional singing).

3. Key Figures

• Amir Khusrau enriched classical Indian music and created the ghazal.
• Tansen, at Akbar's court, is a renowned Hindustani classical musician.
• Raja Man Singh promoted the Dhrupad style.
• Aurangzeb was an accomplished veena player.

Dance

1. Classical Dance Forms

• Different regions in India became associated with particular classical dance forms.
• Examples include Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North India), Kathakali (Kerala), Mohiniattam (Kerala), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur), and Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh).

2. Origin and Themes

• These dance forms were rooted in Hindu mythology and legends.
• They served as a medium for emotional expression, storytelling, and drama.

Painting

Mughal School of Painting

• The Mughal style of painting was a synthesis of Indian, Central Asian, and Persian traditions.
• Common themes included hunting scenes, royal court, and religious scenes.
• Miniature painting was introduced.

Regional Schools of Painting

• Regional schools, influenced by Mughal art, developed in Deccan, the Himalayan foothills, and Rajputana.
• These schools retained their distinct forms of painting with unique themes and color palettes.

Case Study: Bengal

• Bengal was a center of art and culture.
• The Bengali language evolved, influenced by Sanskrit and various linguistic sources.
• Prominent literature and music traditions, including Baul singing and kirtans, emerged in Bengal.

Conclusion

Medieval India witnessed the flourishing of diverse regional cultures, languages, music, dance, and painting, which continue to enrich the cultural heritage of India.