Short & Long Questions: The Flowering of Regional Cultures | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What was the court language in north India before the arrival of Turks, Afghans, and Persians?
Ans: Sanskrit.

Q2: Which language replaced Sanskrit as the court language in north India after the arrival of Turks?
Ans: Persian.

Q3: Which movement aided the growth of regional languages during the medieval period?
Ans: The Bhakti movement.

Q4: Name two regional languages that developed during the 8th century CE.
Ans: Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali.

Q5: Who were some of the notable Marathi saint-poets that contributed to the development of the Marathi language?
Ans: Namadeva and Tukaram.

Q6: Which two distinct styles of music evolved in India during this time?
Ans: Hindustani and Carnatic.

Q7: Name one regional school (gharana) within the Hindustani school of music.
Ans: Gwalior.

Q8: What were some of the key literary works composed in Tamil during the medieval period?
Ans: Amoghavarsha's Kavirajamarga, Kamban's Ramavatharam.

Q9: Which form of dance originated in Tamil Nadu and is considered a classical dance form?
Ans: Bharatanatyam.

Q10: Name one of the distinctive features of medieval Bengali architecture.
Ans: Use of burnt bricks and terracotta as building materials.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain how the Bhakti movement contributed to the growth of regional languages during the medieval period.
Ans: The Bhakti movement was a religious movement that emphasized devotion and individual connection with the divine. Bhakti saints preached in local languages to reach out to the masses. This led to the development and growth of regional languages like Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali, as the saints' teachings were accessible to a wider audience.

Q2: Describe the evolution of Manipravalam in Kerala during the medieval period.
Ans: Manipravalam was a language developed in Kerala in the 10th century. Namboodiris, the Brahmins in Kerala, wanted to differentiate it from Tamil and Sanskrit, so they created Manipravalam by using words from both languages. It became the main language for early literary works in Kerala. However, by the 15th century, efforts were made to bring back Malayalam in its original form.

Q3: Explain the significance of miniature paintings during the medieval period in India.
Ans: Miniature paintings were highly detailed artworks produced on paper, cloth, or slabs of ivory. They were a significant art form during the Mughal rule and beyond. Various regional schools like Kangra, Rajasthani, and Deccani merged Mughal characteristics with local traditions. These paintings were known for their vibrant colors and delicate brushwork, and they used natural colors derived from minerals, vegetable dyes, and other sources.

Q4: Describe the distinctive features of medieval Bengali architecture.
Ans: Medieval Bengali architecture was characterized by the use of burnt bricks and terracotta as building materials. The interiors of temples were simple, but the outer walls were adorned with paintings, ornamental tiles, or terracotta tablets. This style can be seen in temples like the Jor Bangla Temple and Rasmancha in Bishnupur, West Bengal.

Q5: Discuss the contributions of the Rajputs to medieval Indian culture.
Ans: The Rajputs were known for their bravery, chivalry, and deep sense of loyalty and independence. They celebrated their heroic deeds through literature written in languages like Braj Bhasha and Awadhi. Works like Chand Bardai's PrithviraJ Raso and Malik Muhammad Jayasi's Padmavat reflected Rajput valor. Their cultural contributions played a significant role in shaping the regional cultures of medieval India.