🏛️ Buildings, Paintings and Books – Class 6 History Chapter 12 Notes
The final chapter in Class 6 NCERT History – “Buildings, Paintings and Books” – takes us on a journey through the world of ancient Indian art, architecture, literature, and learning. From beautifully carved temples and caves to handwritten manuscripts and legendary epics, this chapter showcases India’s rich cultural heritage that continues to inspire the world today.
🛕 Ancient Buildings and Architecture
India has always been known for its majestic buildings and architectural wonders. In ancient times, kings and rulers built grand temples, stupas, monasteries, and cave shrines. These structures were not only religious centers but also symbols of art and power.
Temples: Temples were built with great skill and precision. They were usually made of stone and had beautifully carved pillars, statues, and doorways. Some famous examples include temples at Mahabalipuram and Aihole.
Stupas: Stupas are dome-shaped structures built to keep relics of Buddha or other important figures. The most famous is the Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh. Stupas were often surrounded by gateways (called toranas) that had intricate carvings showing stories from the life of Buddha.
Cave Monasteries: Buddhist monks lived in cave monasteries called viharas. These were cut into hillsides and mountains and served as both homes and meditation centers. The Ajanta caves in Maharashtra are world-famous for their detailed paintings and carvings.
🖼️ Beautiful Paintings from the Past
Ancient Indian artists also left behind breathtaking paintings. The most famous are the murals of the Ajanta caves. These paintings were made using natural colors and depict scenes from the life of Buddha, as well as stories, animals, and people from ancient India. These works show that artists had a deep understanding of human emotions, storytelling, and beauty.
These paintings help historians understand how people lived, what they wore, their expressions, and what they valued.
📚 Books That Shaped Indian Thought
Many of India’s ancient texts were written in Sanskrit and other regional languages. Some were religious texts, while others taught grammar, medicine, science, mathematics, and more.
Two Famous Sanskrit Epics:
- Ramayana: Written by Valmiki, it tells the story of Prince Rama, his exile, the abduction of Sita, and the battle against Ravana.
- Mahabharata: Written by Vyasa, it tells the story of the Kauravas and Pandavas, and contains the Bhagavad Gita – a sacred conversation between Krishna and Arjuna about duty and life.
These epics were not just stories. They taught values like courage, loyalty, sacrifice, honesty, and justice. Even today, they are read, performed, and respected across India.
📖 Other Works in Sanskrit
Besides the epics, many other books were written:
- Purāṇas: These were collections of old stories about gods, goddesses, kings, and natural events.
- Panini’s Grammar: Panini, a great scholar, created a detailed grammar of Sanskrit using about 3,000 rules!
- Ayurveda: Ancient texts on medicine taught natural remedies, diet, and healing practices. Ayurveda is still followed today.
📘 Books in Other Languages
While Sanskrit was used by priests and scholars, many other books were written in Prakrit and Tamil — languages spoken by common people.
Sangam Literature: In Tamil Nadu, poets wrote beautiful poems about love, war, bravery, and daily life. These poems are known as Sangam literature and are among the oldest writings in Tamil.
🛠️ How These Were Made and Preserved
In ancient times, books were written by hand on materials like palm leaves and birch bark. This was a slow and careful process. The leaves were cut, dried, and then written on using sharp pens and natural ink. Books were tied together with strings and stored in special containers to protect them from insects and damage.
Artisans and scribes played an important role in preserving these works. Without their effort, much of our history and culture would have been lost.
✨ What We Learn from This Chapter
- India has a rich tradition of temple and stupa architecture.
- Ancient paintings, especially at Ajanta, reveal beauty and culture.
- Epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata shaped Indian values.
- Many other books were written on medicine, science, and grammar.
- Literature was created in many languages — Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil.
- Books were hand-written and preserved with great care.
💡 Final Thoughts
The chapter “Buildings, Paintings and Books” reminds us of the wisdom and creativity of ancient Indians. Their buildings still stand tall, their paintings continue to inspire, and their books are studied even today. These contributions form the roots of Indian identity and show that our ancestors valued knowledge, beauty, and culture.
Let us appreciate, protect, and learn from this timeless heritage. History is not just about the past – it is the foundation of our future.
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