9. Cultural Heritage of Ancient India
Complete solutions to the Exercise. Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six History and Civics.
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About the chapter
This chapter describes the rich cultural heritage of ancient India. It covers literature, drama, music, dance, art, architecture, science and education. It also explains how many traditions came together in Maharashtra.
Key points
- Patanjali wrote the Mahabhashya and Bharat Muni wrote the Natyashastra.
- Vishnu Sharma wrote the Panchatantra.
- Takshashila, Nalanda and Vikramshila were famous ancient universities.
- Sushruta is called the Father of Surgery.
- The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli has not rusted for about 1600 years.
- Paithan was a major centre of learning in Maharashtra in the Satavahan period.
Words to remember
- Heritage – what we receive from our ancestors
- Chaityagriha – a hall for prayer and religious discourse
- Vihara – the living quarters of monks
- Metallurgy – the science of working with metals
- Katalshilpe – ancient rock carvings of the Konkan
Exercise
(1) Patanjali authored a text on grammar Mahabhashya.
(2) Bharat Muni authored the text known as Natyashastra.
(1) What is the name of the story book written by Vishnu Sharma?
The story book written by Vishnu Sharma is the Panchatantra.
(2) What are the stories based on the life of Gautama Buddha called?
The stories based on the life of Gautama Buddha are called the Jataka Tales.
(3) Write the name of the book written by poet Kalhana that records the history of Kashmir.
Kalhana wrote the Rajatarangini.
(4) What was the major education centre in Maharashtra during the Satavahana period?
Paithan was the major education centre in Maharashtra during the Satavahana period.
| Group ‘A’ | Group ‘B’ |
|---|---|
| 1. Sharangadeva | b) Sangitaratnakara |
| 2. Bhasa | d) Svapnavasavadatta |
| 3. Kalidasa | a) Shakuntala |
| 4. Vishakhadatta | c) Mudrarakshasa |
| Ancient University | Current Location |
|---|---|
| Takshashila | Near Rawalpindi, in modern Pakistan |
| Nalanda | Nalanda district, Bihar |
| Vikramshila | Near Bhagalpur, Bihar |
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(1) Nalanda University
Nalanda was a famous university of ancient India. It was set up in the fifth century CE in the Gupta period. It is in present-day Bihar. Buddhist philosophy, the Vedas, mathematics, astronomy, literature and music were taught here. It had hostels for over 10,000 students and a rich library. Admission was through a difficult entrance test. The Chinese monk Yuan Chwang studied here. UNESCO has declared its site a World Heritage Site.
(2) Sushruta Samhita
The Sushruta Samhita was written by the great physician Sushruta. It deals with diagnosis, treatment, surgery and hygiene. It describes many surgical operations and instruments. It explains abdominal surgery, nose repair (rhinoplasty) and skin grafting. It lists 1,120 diseases with their symptoms. So Sushruta is called the Father of Surgery. His method of skin grafting is still called the ‘Indian Flap’.
(1) Write the names of the states where India’s seven classical dance traditions are seen.
- Kathak — Uttar Pradesh
- Kathakali — Kerala
- Bharatanatyam — Tamil Nadu
- Manipuri — Manipur
- Odissi — Odisha
- Kuchipudi — Andhra Pradesh
- Mohiniattam — Kerala
(2) Write information about the Iron Pillar located at Mehrauli in Delhi.
- The Iron Pillar stands at Mehrauli in Delhi.
- It was made in the rule of the Gupta king Chandragupta-II.
- It is about 1600 years old, yet it has not rusted.
- It proves that ancient India was advanced in metallurgy.
(1) Observe the image of Emperor Ashoka’s Stupa at Sanchi and write a description of it.
- The Stupa at Sanchi was built in the rule of Emperor Ashoka.
- It is a large dome-shaped structure on a round base.
- Later, four grand gateways called Toranas were built around it, one in each direction.
- The Toranas have carvings of lions, elephants and events from the life of Gautama Buddha.
- The carving is realistic and very detailed.
(2) Write brief information regarding the cultural integration in Maharashtra.
- Dynasties like the Satavahanas and Vakatakas ruled Maharashtra.
- The long coastline helped trade and cultural exchange. Trade with Rome grew in the Satavahan period.
- The caves of Ajanta, Ellora and Kanheri show Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art side by side.
- Paithan, Ajanta, Ellora and Kanheri were centres of education.
- The Katalshilpe (rock carvings) of Ratnagiri and Rajapur are part of our heritage.
Thus, many traditions came together and formed the culture of Maharashtra.
Similarities
- Both aim to give knowledge of many subjects.
- Both teach good conduct, values and discipline.
- Both have residential places of learning: the Gurukul then, hostels now.
- Both have higher centres of learning: Nalanda and Takshashila then, universities now.
- Both use entrance examinations for higher institutions.
Differences
- Then, students lived in the Guru’s Ashram. Now, students live at home and go to school.
- Then, teaching was mostly oral. Now, we use books, computers and the internet.
- Then, the Vedas, Ayurveda and astronomy were the main subjects. Now, modern science, technology and languages are added.
- Then, education reached only a few. Now, it is the right of every child.
- Then, there were no marks or degrees. Now, progress is measured by examinations.
- Vertical 1 — An ancient epic: MAHABHARATA
- Vertical 2 — An ancient university: VIKRAMSHILA
- Horizontal 3 — An ancient university: TAKSHASHILA
TAKSHASHILA starts from the ‘T’ of MAHABHARATA. It meets VIKRAMSHILA at the letter ‘L’.
The Activities — meeting an Ayurvedic doctor, finding pictures of Katalshilpe (rock carvings), and enacting a Panchatantra or Jataka story — are to be done with your teacher’s guidance.