The Making of Regional Cultures Class 7 Notes: CBSE History Chapter 7

The Making of Regional Cultures

The language an individual speaks may determine their place of origin. We serve to correlate every region with particular kinds of food, clothes, poetry, dance, music, and painting. The culture we perceive today is intermixing local customs with beliefs from other parts of the subcontinent. Some traditions appear specific to some regions, some are similar across regions, and others derive from older systems and new forms.

The Cheras and the Development of Malayalam

• In the ninth century, the Chera kingdom of the ruler Mahodayapuram was founded.

• Example of culture based on language.

• It was established in the southwestern part of the country, which is now known as Kerala.

• Malayalam was likely spoken in this area. So, the Malayalam language and script were introduced in the ruler's inscriptions.

• It is the earliest usage of a regional language in official records in India.

• The Sanskrit epics' stories were borrowed by the temple theatre of Kerala, which depicted the ruler's admiration for the Sanskrit language.

• During the 12th century, the literary works in Malayalam were blooming of whose credit goes to Sanskrit.

• The Lilatilakam, A fourteenth-century text, which discusses punctuation and poetics, was written in Manipravalam – in a real sense, signifies "precious stones and corals."

• Manipravalam refers to two languages Sanskrit and Malayalam.

Rulers and Religious Traditions: The Jagannatha Cult

• Example of culture based on Religion.

• Jagannatha is the name of Vishnu at Puri, Orissa.

• Jagannatha was a local deity who was later identified as Vishnu from making the local wooden image.

• In the twelfth century, Anantavarman, a leader of the Ganga dynasty, chosen to raise a sanctuary for Purushottama Jagannatha at Puri. In 1230, ruler Anangabhima III gave his realm to God and considered himself the "delegate" of God.

• When the Mughals the conquered Orissa Marathas, and the English East India Company, controlled the Temple. Assuming it would give them power over the locals. Thus, emphasizing the political influence of the Temple.

The Rajputs and Traditions of Heroism

• In the nineteenth century, most parts of Rajasthan were called Rajputana by the British.

• It suggests Rajputs majorly occupied it. Some Rajputs live in other parts of India as well. But Rajasthani culture is influenced by Rajputs majorly.

• Prithviraj was one Rajput ruler. Rajput rulers believe in heroism.

• The glory of Rajputs was recorded in poetic poems and songs.

• Specially trained minstrels recited stories about Rajputs. They were meant to inspire their successors.

• Familiar people were also intrigued by these stories as these stories depicted dramatic situations and strong emotions like loyalty, friendship, love, courage, anger, etc.

• Women also played roles in these stories as the stories involved war to win or protect women. Sometimes, women are depicted to follow their husbands' heroic ideals, mostly giving their lives, and Sati was also talked about.

Beyond Regional Frontiers: The Story of Kathak

• The word Kathak comes from Katha, meaning story.

• The Kathaks was initially known as a caste of storytellers in temples of north India. Their storytelling was added with songs and dances.

• During the spread of the bhakti movement, Kathak began evolving into a distinct mode of dance.

• The stories of Radha-Krishna were acted in the name of Rasa Lila.

• The practice of dancing in Mughal courts gave Kathak the particular style that it has today.

• Two traditions or Gharanas of Kathak: one in the courts of Rajasthan and the other in Lucknow.

• Under the protection of Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh kathak grew even more.

• After 1850, Kathak was well established in Rajasthan, Lucknow, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.

• Though the British disfavoured it, courtesans continued to perform and were acknowledged as one of six primaries of "classical" dance forms in India after independence.

Painting for Patrons: The Tradition of Miniatures

• Miniatures are little estimated expressions done in watercolor on fabric or paper. Prior miniatures are on palm leaves or wood. 

• Found in western India, it used to delineate Jaina messages. 

• Skilled painters represented uniquely in compositions, depicting court scenes, scenes of fight or chasing, furthermore, different parts of public activity.

• These painters were brought in by The Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan.

• They were considered gifts.

• Mughal creative preferences changed the local courts of the Deccan and the Rajput courts of Rajasthan.

• Portraits of rulers and court scenes were painted, initially only by Mughals but followed by other rulers.

• The Himalayan foothills, the modern-day state of Himachal Pradesh was also attracted to miniature arts.

• By the late seventeenth century, a style of scaled-down painting called Basohli was shaped. The most conspicuous content to be painted here was Bhanudatta's Rasamanjari.

• Nadir Shah's invasion of Delhi in 1739 resulted in Mughal artists' migration to the hills to escape. Here they found ready buyers, which led to the starting of the Kangra school of painting.

• Later in the eighteenth century, the Kangra artists adopted a new style inspired by the Vaishnavite traditions. Kangra paintings were distinguished by soft colors, including cool blues and greens, and lyrical treatment of themes.

A Closer Look: Bengal

• People residing in Bengal speak Bengali, which is believed to be derived from Sanskrit. But the natives did not speak Sanskrit.

• From the fourth-third century BCE, business ties started to grow between Bengal and Magadha, which may cause the Sanskrit influence.

• During the fourth century, the Gupta rulers set political authority over north Bengal and settled Brahmanas in this area, thus the influence.

• The change in rulers also influenced the local dialect.

• Early Bengali literature was majorly divided into two categories. One was dependent on Sanskrit, and the other was not.

Pirs and Temples

• The Bengalis shifted eastwards in search of fertile land. Their settlement here and the Mughal's conquest influenced the building of Mosques and their influence on the residents.

• Pirs were Community leaders. They also were teachers and adjudicators. Sometimes with supernatural powers to stabilize the settlements.

• Many of the basic block and earthenware sanctuaries in Bengal were worked with the help of a few "low" gatherings of people.

Fish as Food

• Fish became a staple food in coastal regions, where the abundance of water bodies made it easily accessible.

• The availability of fish influenced the development of unique regional cuisines, particularly in areas like Bengal and Kerala.

• In some regions, fish became more than just food; it also held cultural and religious significance.

• Different regions developed their methods of cooking fish, ranging from simple grilling to complex curries and pickles.

• Fishing became an important part of the local economy in these regions, contributing to trade and commerce.

• Brahmanas generally don't consume Non-Vegetarian food. But Bengal Brahmanas consumed fish, as fish was a significant food supply for Bengalis, close to the riverine.

• The dividers of sanctuaries and viharas portray pictures of fish being dressed and taken to the market.

5 Important Topics of Class 7 History Chapter 7 The Making of Regional Cultures

Importance of Class 7 History Chapter 7 The Making of Regional Cultures Notes

• Revision notes help us quickly understand and remember key concepts before exams.

• They save time by focusing on essential information and skipping unnecessary details.

• These notes simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and use.

• They provide practical examples that show how theoretical knowledge is used in real-life situations.

• Revision notes ensure thorough preparation by covering all important topics in a structured manner.

• They increase confidence by clearly understanding what to expect in exams.

• Accessible formats like PDFs allow for easy studying anytime and anywhere.

Tips for Learning the Class 7 History Chapter 7 The Making of Regional Cultures

• Focus on regional languages, art, and architecture developed during this period, as these are central to the chapter.

• Understand how different regions developed their unique identities, focusing on specific examples like Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan.

• Learn about the interaction between different regions and how they influenced each other’s cultures.

• Learn important terms and concepts like 'regionalism,' 'vernacular,' and 'patronage,' and understand their significance in the context of the chapter.

• Relate the concepts to real-life examples or current events to make them easy and more understandable.

Conclusion

The Revision Notes for Class 7 History Chapter 7, "The Making of Regional Cultures," provided by Vedantu, offer a clear and detailed understanding of how distinct regional traditions shaped India's diverse cultural landscape. By focusing on the development of regional languages, art forms, and architecture, these notes help students grasp the importance of regionalism in Indian history. The notes also highlight the role of key movements like Bhakti and Sufi in enriching regional cultures. With these Revision Notes, students can confidently prepare for exams, knowing they have a solid grasp of the chapter's key themes and concepts. Vedantu’s resources make learning easier and more effective, ensuring students are well-prepared for their assessments.

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