NCERT Solutions For Class 6 History Social Science Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings and Books

NCERT Solutions For Class 6 History Social Science Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books

NCERT Question And Answers

Question 1. Show the stages in the building of a stupa or a temple.

Answer:

The stages in the building of a stupa or a temple were

The place was carefully chosen for the new temple or stupa.
Good quality stone had to be found, quarried, and transported to the chosen place.
Rough blocks of stone were shaped and carved into pillars, and panels for walls, floors, and ceilings.
Carved stones were placed precisely in the right position.
Temples were decorated with the contributions of kings, merchants, and devotees.

Question 2. Do you think that Kalidasa can be described as a lover of nature?

Answer:

Yes, Kalidasa can be described as a lover of nature because, in his famous poem the Meghaduta, he is described as a cloud messenger who carries messages. He used aspects of nature in his work.

Question 3. There are several versions of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, popular amongst people in different parts of the sub-continent. Find out about a version in your state.

Answer:

In my state, Tulsidasa’s Ramayana and Ved Vyasa’s Mahabharata are’ popular. The version is in Hindi language.

Question 4. The Romans used a system of counting without using zero. Try and find out more about it.

Answer:

Yes, the Romans did not use zero for counting. For example, some of the symbols are-i for one, ii for two, iii for three, v for Five, vii for seven, etc.

Question 5. You are sitting in a mandapa of a temple. Describe the scene around you.

Answer:

While sitting in a mandapa, I can see and feel that the environment is spiritual and everybody looks busy. I can see devotees going to have a look at the deity and others roaming around the temple. I can also hear the sound of bhajans and yagyas being performed by priests.

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Exercise

Question 1. Match the following.

Codes

A B C D E

2 5 4 1 3
4 1 3 2 5
3 5 4 1 2
1 4 3 2 5

Answer:

Question 2. Fill in the blanks.

(1) ……. was a great astronomer.

Answer: Aryabhata

(2) Stories about Gods and Goddesses are found in the ……

Answer: epics

(3) ………. is recognized as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana.

Answer: Valmiki

(4) ………. and are two Tamil epics.

Answer: Silappadikaram, Manimekalai

Question 3. Make a list of the chapters in which you find mention of metal working. What are the metal objects mentioned or shown in those chapters?

Answer:

Following is the list of chapters in which mention of metal work was there and the metal objects were mentioned

In the Earliest Cities (Chapter : 3) Copper was used to make tools and weapons while gold and silver were used to make ornaments.
What Books and Burials Tell Us (Chapter: 4) Iron tools and weapons
Kingdoms, Kings, and an Early Republic (Chapter: 5) Iron ore mines
Villages, Towns and Trade (Chapter: 8) Iron tools
Buildings, Paintings and Books (Chapter: 10) Iron pillar, gold jewelry

Question 6. List some steps that can be taken to make buildings and monuments accessible to differently-abled people.

Answer:

The steps that are to be taken to make buildings and monuments accessible to differently-abled people are

Construction of a ramp.
Railing can be placed on the side walls of the staircase.
The steps can be renovated so that people may not fall on the slippery ground.
Slope-way should be made for the use of wheelchairs.
Separate entry with sufficient light should be made for them.

Question 7. Try and list as many uses of paper as you can.

Answer:

Paper can be used for the following

Making notebooks on which we write
Making books
Making newspapers
Packing materials
Making postcards, envelopes, postal stamps, revenue stamps
Making artificial flowers for decorative purposes
Making games items like kite

Question 8. If you could visit any one of the places described in this chapter, which would you choose and why?

Answer:

If I could get an opportunity to visit any one of these places, I would plan to go to Mahabalipuram.

The main reasons are

Each of the monolithic temples was carved out of huge, single stone and skilfully sculpted.
Both monolithic and structural temples are built in the same complex.
Most of the temples are intact. They have not been destroyed by the passing of the years.

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Multiple Choice Question And Answers (MCQs)

Question 1. Where was the image of the chief deity placed?

Bhitargaon
Garbhagriha
Shikhara
None of these

Answer: 2. Garbhagriha

Question 2. Choose the correct statement about Monolithic temples.

It was found at Bhitargaon, Uttar Pradesh.
They were carved from joining many small pieces of rocks.
Brick structures are built up by adding layers of bricks.
None of the above

Answer: 3. Brick structures are built up by adding layers of bricks.

Question 3. Who among the following persons composed Silappadikaram?

Banbhatta
Kalidasa
Ilango
None of the above

Answer: 3. Ilango

Question 4. The Tamil epic, the Manimekalal was composed by

Surdasa
Kalidasa
Madhavi
Sattanar

Answer: 4. Sattanar

Question 5. Which of the following is incorrect about the earlier books?

Epics are grand, long compositions about heroic men and women.
Silappadikaram was written by a Pandya Icing named llango.
Manimckalai was composed by Sattanar around 1400 years ago.
Kalidasa wrote in Sanskrit.

Answer: 2. Silappadikaram was written by a Pandya Icing named Llango.

Question 6. Which of the following is true about paintings?

Ajanta caves had the evidence of paintings.
In these cases, nobody lived.
The caves were lighted from the Sun’s rays.
No colors were used to paint in these caves.

Answer: 1. Ajanta caves had the evidence of paintings.

Question 7. What is the literal meaning of the word ‘Purana’?

Very old
Book
Path
Time

Answer: 1. Very old

Question 8. Name the famous Sanskrit epic.

lingo
Ramayana
Silappadikaram
Manimckalai

Answer: 2. Ramayana

Question 9. Which among the following was the capital of Kosala?

Ayodliya
Kashi
Hastinapur
Magadha

Answer: 1. Ayodliya

Question 10. Zero is a special symbol which was invented by

India
Arabs
Japan
Europe

Answer: 1. India

Question 11. In which state of India is the Sanchi Stupa located?

Bihar
Arunachal Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh

Answer: 4. Madhya Pradesh

Question 12. Which of the following is incorrect about the Sanchi Stupa?

The Great Stupa at Sanchi is in Madhya Pradesh.
The brick mound probably dates to the Ashoka period.
The railings and gateways were added during the time of later rulers.
None of the. above

Answer: 4. None of the. above

Question 13. Iron Pillar is located in which of the following cities?

New Delhi
Sarnath
Ajmer
Bulandshahar

Answer: 1. New Delhi

Question 14. What is the height of the iron pillar located in Delhi?

8.2 m
9.2 m
7.2 m
12 m

Answer: 3. 7.2 m

Question 15. Read the following statements and select the correct option.

The Harappans belonged to the Bronze Age, but their successors belonged to the Iron Age.
The iron pillar at Delhi is made around 3000 years ago.
The word ‘Stupas’ means a mound.

Codes

Only 1
Both 1 and 2
Both 1 and 3
1, 2 and 3

Answer: 3. Both 1 and 3

Question 16. Read the following statements and select the correct option.

The brick mound of Sanchi stupa dates to the time of Chandragupta Maurya.
The most important part of the temple was called garbhagriha.
Shikharas was the hall where people could assemble.

Codes

Only 1
Both 1 and 2
Both 1 and 3
1, 2 and 3

Answer: 2. Both 1 and 2

Question 17. Arrange the following in chronological order and choose the correct codes given below.

Farming at Mehrgarh
Rule of Ashoka
Composition of Rigveda
Chandragupta became the king.

Codes

2, 4, 1, 3
4, 2, 3, 2
2, 3, 4, 2
2, 4, 3, 1

Answer: 1. 2, 4, 1, 3

Question 18. Arrange the following in chronological order and choose the correct codes given below.

Rule of Harshavardhana
Composition of Jaina texts
Composition of Sangam texts
The rule of Pulakeshin II

Codes

3, 2, 1, 4
4, 2, 1, 3
3, 4, 1, 2
2, 4, 1, 3

Answer: 3. 3, 4, 1, 2

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Match the Following

Question:

Codes

A B C D

3 2 1 4
4 1 3 2
4 2 1 3
1 2 3 4

Answer: 1. 3 2 1 4

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Assertion Reason Question And Answers

Question 1. Assertion (A) Temples found at Mahabalipuram are known as Monolithic temples.

Reason (R) The temples were carved out of huge, single pieces of stone.

Codes

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
A is true, but R is false
A is false, but R is true

Answer: 1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Question 2. Assertion (A) The Puranas were written in simple Prakrit.

Reason (R) It was meant to be heard by everybody, including the women and shudras.

Codes

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
A is true, but R is false
A is false, but R is true

Answer: 4. A is false, but R is true

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Fill in the Blanks

Question 1. The king of the ……… worked out a plan to save his followers.

Answer: monkeys

Question 2. ……… describes the story of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi.

Answer: Manimekalai

Question 3. Stories from the ……… were often shown on the railings of stupas and in paintings at Ajanta.

Answer: Jatakas

Question 4. ……… were written in simple Sanskrit verse, and were meant to be heard by everybody.

Answer: The Puranas

Question 5. Harappans had knowledge of ……… metallurgy.

Answer: Copper

Question 6. The Tamil epic ………. was composed by Sattanar.

Answer: Manimekalai

Question 7. Aryabhata wrote a book in Sanskrit known as The…….

Answer: Aryabhatiyam

True/ False

Question 1. The Mahabharata is included in the Bhagavad Gita.

Answer: False

Question 2. Aryabhata found a way of calculating the circumference of a circle.

Answer: True

Question 3. Two famous practitioners of Ayurveda were Charaka and Sushruta.

Answer: True

Question 4. Silappadikaram is the story of Chandra, the Gupta king.

Answer: False

Question 5. The Mahabharata war was to gain control over Hastinapur.

Answer: True

Question 6. Varahamihira, Brahmagupta, and Bhaskaracharya were kings who built many temples.

Answer: False

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Picture Based Question And Answers

Question 1. Look at this picture and choose the incorrect statement from the options given.

This iron pillar is at Mehrauli, Delhi.
It is 7.2 m high and weighs over 3 tonnes.
It was made about 1500 years ago.
The inscription on the pillar mentioned Ashoka.

Answer: 4. The inscription on the pillar mentioned Ashoka,

Question 2. The sculpture you see in the image was found at which place?

Amaravati
Delhi
Madhya Pradesh
Aihole

Answer: 1. Amaravati

Question 3. Answer the questions based on the picture given below

(1) Which structure is shown in the image?
Answer:

The great Stupa of Sanchi is shown in the image.

(2) Where is the structure shown in the picture located?
Answer:

The structure is located at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh.

(3) When was the brick mound of this structure probably built?
Answer:

The brick mound was probably built at the time of Ashoka.

(4) Which parts of the statue were added during the time of later rulers?
Answer:

The railings and gateways were added during the time of later rulers.

Question 4. Answer the questions based on the picture given below

(1) When was the early temple shown in the picture built?
Answer:

The temple shown in the picture was built about 1500 years ago.

(2) Where is it located?
Answer:

It is located at Bhitargaon, Uttar Pradesh.

(3) What was it made of?
Answer:

It was made of brick and stone.

Question 5. Answer the questions based on the picture given below

1. Where are the monolithic temples shown in the picture located?

Answer: The monolithic temples shown in the picture are located in Mahabalipuram.

2. Why are they called monoliths?

Answer: They are called monoliths because each of these was carved out of a huge single piece of stone.

3. What was the difference in the work of stone cutters?

Answer: The stone cutters had to work from top to bottom.

Question 6. Answer the questions based on the picture given below

(1) Where is the Jaina monastery shown in the picture situated?
Answer:

The Jaina monastery in the picture is situated in Odisha.

(2) What were the rooms of the building used for?
Answer:

Jaina monks lived and meditated in these rooms.

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Case Based Question

1. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

“The Mahabharata is about a war fought between the Kauravas and Pandavas, who were cousins. This was a war to gain control of the throne of the ‘ Kurus, and their capital, Hastinapur.
The story itself was an old one but was written down in the form in which we know it today, about 1500 years ago. Both the Puranas and the Mahabharata are supposed to have been compiled by Vyasa.
The Bhagavad Gita, about which you learned in Chapter 8, was also included in the Mahabharata. The Ramayana is about Rama, a prince of Kosala, who was sent into exile. His wife Sita was abducted by the king of Lanka, Ravana, and Rama had to fight a battle to get her back.
He won and returned to Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala, after his victory. Like the Mahabharata, this was an old story that was now written down. Valmiki is recognized as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana.”

Question 1. Who were the mam pames described in the Mahabharata?

Kauravas and Pandavas
Ramayana and Mahabharata
Rama and Ravana
Vyasa and Valmiki

Answer: 1. Kauravas and Pandavas

Question 2. Who compiled both the Puranas and the Mahabharata?

Rama
Vyasa
Valmiki
Ravana

Answer: 2. Vyasa

Question 3. Which epic includes the story of Rama and his battle to rescue Sita?

Ramayana
Bhagavad Gita
Mahabharata
Puranas

Answer: 1. Mahabharata

Question 4. Who is recognized as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana?

Vyasa
Ravana
Valmiki
Kauravas

Answer: 3. Valmiki

2. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

A verse from the Meghaduta
Here is a verse from Kalidasa’s best-known poem, the Meghaduta, in which a monsoon cloud is imagined to be a messenger between lovers who are separated from one another. See how the poet describes the breeze that will carry the cloud Northwards.
“A cool breeze, delightful as it is touched With the fragrance of the Earth Swollen by your showers,
Inhaled deeply by elephants, and causing the wild figs to ripen, Will blow gently as you go.”

Question 1. Do you think Kalidasa can be described as a lover of nature?
Answer:

Yes, I think Kalidasa can be described as a lover of nature as he described a situation of separation of two lovers very beautifully through an imagination of monsoon clouds, Earth, showers, etc.

Question 2. How does Kalidasa describe the breeze in the Meghaduta that will carry the monsoon cloud Northwards?
Answer:

Kalidasa describes the breeze in the Meghaduta as a cool breeze. It feels delightful when it is touched. It has the fragrance of the Earth when inhaled deeply.

It causes the wild figs to ripen, and blow gently.

3. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

The story of the monkey king
Once upon a time, there was a great monkey king, who lived on the banks of the Ganga in the Himalayas, with 80,000 followers. They fed on the fruit of a special mango tree, which was very sweet. Such exquisite mangoes did not grow on the plains.
One day, a ripe mango fell into the river and floated all the way to Varanasi. There the king of the city who was bathing in the river found it and was amazed when he tasted it.

Question 1. Can you identify which part of the story is shown in the sculpture?
Answer:

In the sculpture, it was shown that the monkeys were feasting on mangoes.

Question 2. Why do you think these were chosen?
Answer:

This story was chosen because it teaches the lesson of generosity. It shows how Monkeyking’s selfless act to save his followers led the human king to realize the value of life.

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Very Short Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. Write the architectural feature of the iron pillar. Diksha
Answer:

The architectural features of the iron pillar include that it is 17.2 high and weighs over 3 tonnes.

Question 2. What do you mean by the word stupa?
Answer:

The word stupa means a mound. It is a Buddhist religious building.

Question 3. When was the Manimekalai composed?
Answer:

The Manimekalai was composed by Sattanar around 1400 years ago.

Question 4. Which deities were mentioned in the stories of Puranas?
Answer:

Deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga were mentioned in the stories of Puranas.

Question 5. Stories of ordinary people are preserved in which collection?
Answer:

The stories of ordinary people are preserved in the Jatakas and the Panchatantra.

Question 6. What is the theory of the Aryabhata?
Answer:

Aryabhata gave the theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun. parties involved in the war

Question 7. What is the garbhagriha?
Answer:

Garbhagriha was the special place or room where the deities were placed.

Question 8. What was the shikhara?
Answer:

Shikhara was a tower built on the top of the garbhagriha to mark it as a sacred place.

Question 9. What was mandapa?
Answer:

Mandapa was a hall where people could assemble. It was built in most of the temples.

Question 10. How do Ajanta paintings survive?
Answer:

The Ajanta paintings survived because the colors used in them Ajanta paintings were made of plants and minerals, which is why they are vivid even after 1500 years.

Question 11. What do you mean by epics?
Answer:

Epics are grand, long compositions, about heroic men and women, and also include stories about Gods.

Question 12. When was the iron pillar made?
Answer:

Iron pillar was made about 1500 years ago.

Question 13. The iron pillar at Mehrauli belonged to which dynasty?
Answer:

The iron pillar at Mehrauli, Delhi belonged to the Gupta dynasty.

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Short Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. Discuss the small box placed at the center of the stupa.

Answer:

The small box placed at the center of the stupa contained bodily remains such as teeth, bones, or ashes of the Buddha or his followers, or things they used, as well as precious stones and coins.
This box is known as a relic casket. It was covered with soil. Later, a layer of mud brick was added on the top and then, the dome-like structure was sometimes covered with carved stone slabs.

Question 2. What do you understand by the ‘pradakshina patha’? Discuss its features.
Answer:

The pradakshina path is a path that was laid around the stupa. It was surrounded by railings and there was the entrance to the path through gateways.
The devotees walked around the stupa in a clockwise direction, as a mark of devotion. Both railings and gateways were decorated with sculptures.

Question 3.‘A number of Hindu religious stories that were in circulation earlier were written down around the same time including Puranas’. What do you mean by Puranas? Explain

Answer:

The Puranas literally means old. The Puranas contain earlier Hindu religious stories about Gods and Goddesses, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, or Parvati. Besides, there are accounts about the creation of the world and about kings.
The Puranas were written in simple Sanskrit verses and were meant to be heard by everyone, including women and Shudras, who were not allowed to study the Vedas. The Puranas were recited in temples by priests and people came to listen to them.

Question 4. Discuss the two Sanskrit epics of India.

Answer:

The two Sanskrit epics of India are the

Mahabharata and the Ramayana. They are discussed below

The Mahabharata is about the war fought between the Kauravas and Pandavas, who were cousins. This war was all about gaining control over Hastinapur. The Mahabharata has been compiled by Vyasa. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata.
The Ramayana is about Rama who had to fight with King Ravana of Lanka to get her wife Sita back from him.
He won and returned to Ayodhya, the capital city of Kosala, after his victory. Valmiki is recognized as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana.

Question 5. What constituted the facts of science brought by Aryabhata?

Answer:

Aryabhata described the facts of science in his book ‘Aryabhatiyam’ which include

He claimed that day and night were caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis, even though it seems as if the Sun is rising and setting every day.
He developed a scientific explanation for eclipses as well.
He also found a way of calculating the circumference of a circle, which is nearly as accurate as the formula used today.

Question 6. What is the historical significance of Ajanta caves? Explain.

Answer:

The historical significance of the Ajanta caves lies in the remarkable artwork found within the caves. These caves ‘ carved into hills served as centers for meditation, study, and religious practice.
Some caves were decorated with beautiful paintings made from plants and minerals that still look bright even after 1500 years.
They were hidden for a very long time but were found again about a hundred years ago. These paintings tell us about ancient times, how people lived, and what they believed in.

Question 7. What methods were used to create paintings at Ajanta?

Answer:

The following methods were used to create paintings of Ajanta

The caves were dark inside, so the paintings were done in the light of torches.
The colors were made of plants and minerals, which are bright even after 1500 years,
The artists who created works of art remain unknown.

Question 8. Discuss the story of the Tamil epic, the Silappadikaram.

Answer:

The famous Tamil epic, the Silappadikaram was composed by Ilango around 1800 years ago. It is the story of a merchant named Kovalan, who lived in Puhar and fell in love with a courtesan named Madhavi, neglecting his wife Kannagi.
Later, Kovalan and Kannagi left Puhar and went to Madurai, where he was wrongly accused of theft by the court jeweler of the Pandya king. The king sentenced Kovalan to death. Kannagi was full of grief and anger at this injustice and destroyed the entire city of Madurai.

Question 9. Explain about the metallurgy used since ancient times.

Answer:

Metallurgy means the scientific study of metals and their uses. Ancient Indian metallurgists made major contributions to the metallurgical history of the world.
According to archaeological excavations, the Harappans were great craftsmen and had knowledge of copper metallurgy. They also manufactured bronze by mixing copper and tin. The Harappans belonged to the Bronze Age, while their successors belonged to the Iron Age.

History Chapter 10 Buildings, Paintings, and Books Long Answer Type Question And Answers

Question 1. Discuss the common features a stupa has.

Answer:

The common features a stupa has are

Relic Casket It is a small box generally placed at the center of the stupa. This may contain bodily remains (such as teeth, bone, or ashes) of the Buddha or his followers, or things they used, as well as precious stones and coins. This box was covered with soil. Later, a layer of mud brick or baked brick was added to the top. The dome-like structure was then covered sometimes with carved stone slabs.
Pradakshina Patlia It is a path that was laid around the stupa. It was surrounded by railings and there was the entrance to the path through gateways. The devotees walked around the stupa in a clockwise direction, as a mark of devotion. The stupa’s railings and gateways were decorated mostly with sculpture.

Question 2. Discuss the salient features of the earliest Hindu temples.

Answer:

The earliest Hindu temples were built 2000-1500 years ago. Deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga were worshipped in these temples.

The salient features of the earliest Hindu temples are as follows

Garbhagriha It was the room where the image of the main deity was placed. The priests performed the religious rituals at the garbhagriha, and devotees offered worship to the deity.
Shikhara It was a tower, mostly built on top of the garbhagriha to mark it as a sacred place. Building shikhara required careful planning. For example, shikhara on the temples at Bhitargaon.
Mandapa It was a hall where people could assemble.

Question 3.‘There were several stages in building a stupa or a temple. Usually, kings or queens decided to build these as it was an expensive affair. Explain how were stupas and temples built.

Answer:

The stupas and temples were built through the following stages

Good quality stone was to be found, quarried, and transported to the place that was carefully chosen for the new buildings,
The rough blocks of stones were shaped and carved into pillars, and panels for walls, floors, and ceilings.
They were often placed exactly in the right position.
Kings and queens probably spent money from their wealth to pay the craftspersons, who worked to build the structures.
Merchants, farmers, garland makers, perfumers, smiths, and many men and women also paid for decorations and their names were recognized on pillars, railings, and walls.

Question 4. What role do paintings and books play in traditional architecture and cultural expression?

Answer:

Paintings and books play significant roles in traditional Indian architecture and cultural expression. In Indian architecture, complex and beautiful paintings often decorate the interior and exterior of temples, places, and forests.
These paintings depict religious narratives, and mythological stories and add a spiritual dimension to the structures.
Books, particularly manuscripts, have been very important in preserving India’s rich literacy and cultural heritage. Manuscripts like Ramayana and Mahabharata contained detailed artwork, offering insights into ancient art and storytelling.