Chapter 12 - Buildings, Paintings, and Books
Question 1: Read the story on page 130. In what ways in the monkey king similar to or different from the kings you read about in Chapters 6 and 11?Answer: The monkey king in the story on page 130 is similar to the kings mentioned in chapters 6 and 11. The monkey king like the other kings has a huge army. He himself is wise, diplomatic and brave. He has the virtue of taking right moment. When he observes the situation of the attack on his community by the king’s men, he makes a quick plan to save his army. First, he let all of them cross the river. As he is the last, he gets tired and exhausted, he falls down and is dead. In this way, he sacrifices his life for the safety of his kingdom. This is the supreme virtue of a king. So, he is in no way different from the other human kings.
Question 2: Find out more and tell a story from one of the epics.
Answer: In the Mahabharata, there is one such story. The battle was finalized between Kauravas and Pandavas. Both the Kauravas and Pandavas were making efforts’ to win the favour of their relatives and another king. Krishna who was related to both was considered as a superman, possessing the qualities of gods. So Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas approached him. On the same day Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas, also went to Krishna. Duryodhana was a proud fellow. He sat on the head-side of Krishna who was sleeping at that time. Arjuna, a humble fellow, reached thereafter Duryodhana. But he sat at the feet side of Krishna and began pressing his feet. As Krishna opened his eyes, he saw Arjuna. Krishna had already promised them that he would be from the side of the man who would reach him first. As Krishna saw Arjuna first he said that he would be in favour of Arjuna. Duryodhana opposed it because he had reached there first. Krishna said that those who want to get something from anyone then should be humble and courteous. Here, Duryodhana lost Krishna. We learn from this story that we should not show our arrogance to those from whom we ask for something.
Question 3: Match the following:
Question 4: Fill in the blanks:
a) __________________ was a great astronomer.
b) Stories about gods and goddesses are found in the _________________.
c) ____________________ is recognized as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana.
d) ________________ and _______________ are two Tamil epics.
Answer:
a) Aryabhatt was a great astronomer.
b) Stories about gods and goddesses are found in the Puranas.
c) Valmiki is recognized as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana.
d) Silappadikaram and Manimekalai are two Tamil epics.
Question 5: Make a list of the chapters in which you find mention of metalworking. What are the metals objects mentioned or shown in those chapters?
Answer:
a) List of the chapters in which we find mention of metalworking:
• In the earliest cities
• What Books and Burials Tell us
• Kingdoms, Kings, and The Early Republic.
• Vital Villages, Thriving Towns.
• Traders, Kings, and Pilgrims.
• New Empires and Kingdoms.
• Buildings, Paintings and Books.
b) Following metals objects are mentioned or shown in these chapters:
• Tin
• Copper
• Bronze
• Ivory
• Silver
• Gold
• Iron
Question 6: Read the story on page 130 (NCERT book). In what ways is the monkey king similar to or different from the kings you read about in Chapters 6 and 11?
Answer: The Monkey King was a great king, who lived on the banks of the Ganga River in the Himalayas. He had 80,000 followers. They fed on the fruit of a special mango tree, which was very sweet. The kings we have read about in chapters 6 and 11, they used to have permanent armies but some of their soldiers were supplied by Samantas. This army did not eat fruit but used to eat wheat, rice, etc. They occupied the highest position in society. In these chapters, we came to know about bigger states, known as Janapadas and Mahajanpadas. In both types of states, the position of the king was hereditary. But the king had to feel the pulse of the public. He used to work for the welfare of his subjects, otherwise, he could be removed when the situation demanded.
Question 7: Find out more and tell a story from one of the epics.
Answer: The Ramayana is an epic written by Rishi Valmiki. This epic is about Rama, a prince of Kosala, who was sent into exile for fourteen years. His wife Sita was abducted by the King of Lanka, named 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.
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