Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings Solutions
Question - 1 : - How is the ‘trabeate’ principle of architecture different from the ‘arcuate’!
Answer - 1 : -
In the trabeate principle of architecture roofs, doors and windows were made by placing a horizontal beam across two vertical columns. In the arcuate principle of architecture, the weight of the superstructure above the doors and windows was carried by arches.
Question - 2 : - What is a Shikharal
Answer - 2 : -
The topmost pointed portion of a temple is called a Shikhara.
Question - 3 : - What is pietra-dura?
Answer - 3 : -
Pietra dura refers to the coloured, hard stones placed in depressions carved into marble or sandstone which create beautiful ornate patterns.
Question - 4 : - What are the elements of a Mughal Chahar bagh garden?
Answer - 4 : -
The elements of a Mughal Chahar bagh (garden) are mentioned below:
- Placed within rectangular walled enclosures.
- Divided into four quarters (portions) by artificial channels.
- Symmetry in the four divisions.
Question - 5 : - How did a temple communicate the importance of a king?
Answer - 5 : -
Kings usually constructed temples to demonstrate their devotion to God and their power and wealth. Here we can mention the Rajarajeshvara temple which was built by King Rajarajadeva for the worship of his god, Rajarajeshvaram. It is noticeable that the names of the ruler and the god are very similar. The king took the god’s name because it was auspicious and he wanted to appear like a god. Through the rituals of worship in the temples one god le. Rajarajadeva honoured another le., Rajarajeshvaram.
Kings usually constructed the largest temples. The other, lesser deities in the temple were gods and goddesses of the allies and subordinates of the ruler. The temple was a miniature model of the world ruled by the king and his allies. As they worshipped their deities together in the royal temples, it seemed as if they brought the just rule of the gods on earth.
Question - 6 : - An inscription in Shah Jahan’s diwan-i khas in Delhi stated: “If there is Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” How was this image created?
Answer - 6 : -
Shah Jahan’s diwan-i khas was designed in such a way that it fused together in a grand harmonious synthesis. It was carefully planned. It was placed within a large courtyard. Behind the emperor’s throne there were a series of pietra-dura inlays. It depicted the legendiy god Orpheus playing the lute. The diwan-e khas was aimed to communicate that the king’s justice would treat the high and the low as equals, creating a world where all could live together in harmony. The diwon-i khas reflected the image of a paradise in itself.
Question - 7 : - How did the Mughal court suggest that everyone—the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak—received justice equally from the emperor?
Answer - 7 : -
The Mughal court suggested that everyone—the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak received justice equally from the emperor as the Diwan-i am was for all. All could collect there and put their grievances before the emperor without any bias or discrimination. The Pietra Dura work behind the throne suggests the same.
Question - 8 : - What role did the Yamuna play in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad?
Answer - 8 : -
The river Yamuna had a very significant role in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad. Shah Jahan preferred the river-front garden in the layout of the Taj Mahal. He developed the same architectural form as a means to control the access that the nobles had to the river. In the new city of Shahjahanabad, the imperial palace also commanded the river-front. Only the most favoured nobles were given access to the river. Other than those had to construct their homes in the city away from the river Yamuna. It expanded the layout of the city.
Question - 9 : - The rich and powerful construct large houses today. In what ways were the constructions of kings and their courtiers different in the past?
Answer - 9 : -
The rich and powerful construct large houses today. But these houses are not the same as those of the kings and their courtiers in the past. The houses of the kings and their courtiers were big structures with big courtyard, thick walls, domed-roofs, huge pillars, big gardens and well-decorated halls. But today houses have no courtyards gardens nor thick walls nor domed-roofs. In many ways, these are inferior to those of the kings and their courtier’s houses.
Question - 10 : - Visit and describe any park or garden in your neighbourhood. In what ways is it similar to or different from the gardens of the Mughals?
Answer - 10 : -
The gardens of Mughals gardens were spread over a very large area. There was a large variety of flowers. They were well-decorated and protected. But the garden in my neighbourhood is not so large. Everyone has easy access to this garden. So the flowers are not safe. Thus, we don’t find any similarities.