Gujarat Board | Class 9Th | English | Model Question Paper & Solution | Chapter – 5 Rani Ki Vaav

Gujarat Board | Class 9Th | English | Model Question Paper & Solution | Chapter – 5 Rani Ki Vaav

PRE-TASK

(A) Look at this picture of the Somnath temple.

Now fill in the blanks using the words given in the brackets and complete the paragraph.

(sea, carved, enchanting, majestic, Somnath, flag, pillars, peak, roof)

This temple of Somnath is a great architectural example of Hindu temples. The peak is called the ‘shikhara’. This roof is also known as the ‘steeple’ or ‘dome’. The temple faces the east and has a big central hall with three entrances. It has richly carved doorways. The endless pillars are called ‘stambhas’. They make it look spectacular. There is a flag on the tallest peak of the temple. We can also see carved domes. The whole structure looks enchanting and majestic. This temple is near the sea.

(B) Look at the picture of Mohabbat Maqbara located in Junagadh and say whether the sentences are True or False.

(1) There are two minarets around the Maqbara.

Ans. False

(2) The domes are full of carvings on them.

Ans. True

(3) The minarets look beautiful because the stairs are spiral.

Ans. True

(4) There is no scope of having a view of Junagadh from the Maqbara.

Ans. False

(5) The Maqbara is a king’s palace.

Ans. False

(6) There are five domes on the main structure.

Ans. True

COMPREHENSION

1. Find out the details about ‘Rani ki Vaav’ from the text and fill in the table.

No.	Detail	Description
1	Built by and during	Queen Udayamati, the widow of King Bhimdev- I between 1022 AD and 1063 AD.
2	Built at	Patan
3	Storeys	Seven
4	Length	64 metres
5	Width	20 metres
6	Depth of the well	27 metres
7	Number of sculptures	400
8	Names of deities in sculptures	Vishnu, Parvati, Varah, Vaman, Narsinha, Ram, Kalki, Mahishasurmardini, Shiva, Lord Buddha, Ganesha, Agni, Vaayu, Surya, Bhairav, Chamunda, Brahma, Indra, Indrani, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahalakshmi, Kuber, Gauri, Uma, Lalita, Shriya, Krushna, Maheshwari, Rambha, Savitri, Trisanda, Total and Tripura.
9	Purpose of building the Vaav	Solving the problem of water scarcity faced by the people of Patan
10	Got recognition by	UNESCO

Write a paragraph using the details and description mentioned in the above table.

The Rani ki Vaav was built by Queen Udayamati, the widow of King Bhimdev – I. After the death of King Bhimdev – I, Udayamati took up the project for solving the problem of water scarcity faced by the people of Patan. She got the Vaav constructed between 1022 and 1063 AD. Rani ki Vaav is a seven-storeyed structure. It is 64 metres long, 20 metres wide and 27 metres deep.

There are nearly 400 big sculptures of different gods and goddesses in the Vaav at present. The Vaav is solely dedicated to Vishnu. After Vishnu, the next important statue is of Parvati. There are all the twelve statues of Gauri namely – Uma, Parvati, Gauri, Lalita, Shriya, Krushna, Maheshwari, Rambha, Savitri, Trisanda, Total and Tripura.

Besides them, there are many statues of Ganesha, Agni, Vaayu, Surya, Bhairav, Chamunda, Brahma, Indra, Indrani, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahalakshmi, Kuber, etc. There are attractive sculptures of Varah, Vaman, Narsinha, Ram, Kalki and Mahishasurmardini.

There is a statue of Lord Buddha and Parshurama also.

In February, 2013, ASI nominated this Vaav for the World Heritage list. It got recognition by the UNESCO.

2. Answer the questions.

(1) Who declared Rani ki Vaav an approved heritage site?

Ans. UNESCO declared Rani ki Vaav as an approved heritage site.

(2) Why was the Vaav built?

Ans. The Vaav was built to solve the problem of water scarcity in Patan.

(3) Which dynasty did King Bhimdev – I belong to?

Ans. King Bhimdev -I belonged to the Solanki dynasty of Anhilwad Patan.

(4) What is carved on the side walls of the Vaav?

Ans. About 800 sculptures are carved on the side walls of the Vaav.

(5) Name the twelve different statues of Gauri in the Vaav.

Ans. There are twelve statues of Gauri namely Uma, Parvati, Gauri, Lalita, Shriya, Krushna, Maheshwari, Rambha, Savitri, Trisanda, Total and Tripura.

(6) Why was the Vaav buried?

Ans. The Vaav was buried under mud due to floods first, and then the vanishing of river Saraswati.

(7) How long was the Vaav hidden?

Ans. The Vaav was hidden for almost seven centuries.

(8) Who takes care of the Vaav nowadays?

Ans. Nowadays, the ASI (Archeological Survey of India) takes care of the Vaav.

(9) Which are the rare sculptures of Gods in the Vaav?

Ans. Some of the rare sculptures are of Lord Buddha with four hands, Lord Rama with a sword and shield, Sun in the form of a tapasvi, Lord Shiva with beads in his hand and Parshurama with soft and gentle expression rather having hard and stern look.

WRITING

1. Work in pairs. Read the following map of Rani ki Vaav and surroundings and fill in the details the following paragraph.

Note: To be done by students.

2. Write a paragraph on your visit of a historical or an archeological place.

Last Sunday, my family and I visited Lothal. It is about 85 km from Ahmadabad. Lothal is the ruins of the first Indian Port (between 2400 – 1800 BC). It belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization. It was discovered in 1954 by ASI (Archeological Survey of India).

Lothal is a unique example of a very high degree of town planning. The town was divided into blocks of 1-2 metre- high (3-6 ft) platforms of sun-dried bricks, each serving 20-30 houses of thick mud and brick walls. The city was divided into a citadel or acropolis and a lower town. The rulers of the town lived in the acropolis, which had paved baths, underground and surface drains (built of kiln-fired bricks) and a potable water well. The lower town was subdivided into two sectors. A north-south arterial street was the main commercial area. It had shops of rich and ordinary merchants and craftsmen. The residential area was located to either side of the market place.

We also visited the museum, where we saw more than 4000-year-old seals of the Indus Valley Civilization. There were terracotta artifacts (pieces), vessels, ancient beads and necklaces made from colourful, semi-precious stones and paintings.

We learnt a lot about the Indus Valley Civilization. It was knowledge with fun.

3. Make a list of ten historical or archeological places of Gujarat. Write two sentences about each of them.

(1) Rani ki Vaav: It is a step-well in Patan. It was built by Queen Udayamati to solve the problem of water scarcity of the people of Patan. It has more than 400 sculptures of gods and goddesses in it. It is a unique example of water management system.

(2) Lothal It is an archeological site discovered by ASI in 1954. It is the ruins of Lothal, which was a port city of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is an excellent example of town planning.

(3) Sun Temple, Modhera: It is a temple dedicated to the Surya – the Sun God. It is 102 km from Ahmadabad. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty. The temple was so designed that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time of equinoxes.

(4) Hriday Kunj: It is the place where Gandhiji lived in the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmadabad. There is a library, a prayer ground and a museum near Hriday Kunj.

(5) Kirti Mandir It is a national monument, as it happens to be the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. This place has some religious importance, as it is also the birthplace of the legendary character Sudama, who was supposed to be Lord Krishna’s best friend.

(6) Vadnagar: Vadnagar is famous for its torans and Hatkeshwar temple. Torans are a pair of 12th century columns supporting an arch, about 40 feet tall, built in red and yellow sandstone, just north of the walled town. The Hatkeshwar temple is a 17th century carved temple at the entrance of the town. The Shiva Linga is said to have self-emerged (swayambhu).

(7) Dholavira: It is located in Kutch, in Gujarat. It was an Indus Valley settlement known for its sophisticated urban planning and architecture. Dating back to 2900 BC, all the buildings are almost exclusively built out of brick. Dholavira has sophisticated water conservation systems, possibly the oldest in the world.

(8) Champaner-Pavagadh : Pavagadh along with Champaner and Machi is a UNESCO world heritage site. This site reflects grand historical confluence, displaying 1,200 years of history and culture. It is believed to bear testimony to the Indian Puranic ages, the Rajput saga, the Maratha rule, the Islamic influences and finally the British occupation within its remains.

(9) Adalaj Vaav: Adalaj is a village 18 kms to the north of Ahmadabad. The Vaav (step-well) at Adalaj derives its name from the lady patron, Ruda, wife of the Vaghela chief, Virsinh, who built it in the 15th or 16th century AD.

(10) Rudra Mahal (Siddhpur): It was built as an honour to Mahadev, by the first Solanki king of Gujarat, Mulraj. Construction of the Rudra Mahal started probably in 983 AD and took 175 years to complete.

DETAILED COMPREHENSION

A. Read the extracts and answer the questions.

(1) Rani ki Vaav (step-well) is an approved site on the world heritage list. It was declared by the UNESCO at the world heritage committee. UNESCO has recognized this masterpiece as an exceptional example of water management system.

1. Who declared Rani ki Vaav approved site? an

Ans. UNESCO declared Rani ki Vaav as an approved site.

2. What is the Vaav an example of?

Ans. The Vaav is an example of water management system.

(2) It is a wonderful sample of technological development for utilizing ground water resources in a single structure. It is also a unique illustration of breaking large spaces into smaller volumes with artistic presentation. Rani ki Vaav has a great appeal to every observer.

1. What is the Vaav a wonderful sample of?

Ans. The Vaav is a wonderful sample of technological development to use ground water resources in a single structure.

2. What is the Vaav an illustration of?

Ans. The Vaav is a unique illustration of breaking large spaces into smaller volumes with artistic presentation.

(3) Queen Udayamati, the widow of King Bhimdev I, constructed this Vaav between 1022 and 1063 AD. Rani ki Vaav has become one of the most popular places to visit in Gujarat. King Bhimdev – I belonged to the Solanki dynasty of Anhilwad Patan. After his death, Udayamati took up the project for solving the problem of water scarcity faced by the people of Patan. Unfortunately, the queen also died before the completion of this structure. In the world of architecture, her beautiful idea has received immense appreciation.

1. To which dynasty did King Bhimdev – I belong?

Ans. King Bhimdev – I belonged to the Solanki dynasty of Anhilwad Patan.

2. Who constructed the Vaav?

Ans. Queen Udayamati, the widow of King Bhimdev I constructed the Vaav.

3. Why did Queen Udayamati build the Vaav?

Ans. Queen Udayamati built the Vaav to solve the problem of water scarcity faced by the people of Patan.

4. When was the Vaav constructed?

Ans. The Vaav was constructed between 1022 and 1063 AD.

(4) Queen’s step-well or Rani ki Vaav is a seven-storeyed structure. This East- facing step-well is 64 metres long, 20 metres wide and 27 metres deep. Each sculpture, passage, pillar and pavilion in this magnificent structure has enchanting carvings. On its side walls there are around 800 sculptures.

1. What is carved on the side walls of the Vaav?

Ans. About 800 sculptures are carved on the side walls of the Vaav.

2. How many storeys does the Vaav have?

Ans. The Vaav has seven storeys.

3. How big is the Vaav?

Ans. The Vaav is 64 metres long, 20 metres wide and 27 metres deep.

4. Which parts of the Vaav have enchanting carvings?

Ans. Each sculpture, passage, pillar and pavilion in the Vaav has enchanting carvings.

(5) There are nearly 400 big sculptures of different gods and goddesses in the Vaav at present. These numbers would have been many more in the past in its original structure. Each storey has a narrow corridor for the visitors to appreciate the beauty of sculptures and carvings engraved on the walls. Even the pillars of the Vaav are not an exception to it. They display splendid artistic marvel on stone.

1. How many sculptures are there in the Vaav at present?

Ans. At present, there are 400 big sculptures of gods and goddesses in the Vaav.

2. Why does each storey have a narrow corridor?

Ans. Each storey has a narrow corridor for the visitors to appreciate the beauty of sculptures and carvings on the walls.

3. What do even the pillars display?

Ans. Even the pillars display splendid artistic marvel on stone.

(6) In fact, the Vaav is solely dedicated to Vishnu. One can find Vishnu in different shapes and postures. Most of them present Vishnu in his ten different avatars. After Vishnu, the next important statue is of Parvati. Nearly 15 galleries have the sculptures of Parvati. 12 statues of goddess Gauri together at the same place are rarely found anywhere. The Sun temple of Modhera has it. This Vaav also has all the twelve statues of Gauri namely Uma, Parvati, Gauri, Lalita, Shriya, Krushna, Maheshwari, Rambha, Savitri, Trisanda, Total and Tripura.

1. Name the twelve different statues of Gauri in the Vaav.

Ans. There are twelve statues of Gauri Parvati, Gauri, – namely Uma, Lalita, Shriya, Krushna, Maheshwari, Rambha, Savitri, Trisanda, Total and Tripura.

2. To which god is the Vaav dedicated?

Ans. The Vaav is dedicated to Vishnu.

3. How do the sculptures present Vishnu?

Ans. The sculptures present Vishnu in his ten different avatars, in different shapes and postures.

4. How many galleries have the sculptures of Parvati? 

Ans. Nearly 15 galleries have the sculptures of Parvati.

5. Besides Rani ki Vaav, where can you see 12 statues of Goddess Gauri?

Ans. Besides Rani ki Vaav, we can see 12 statues of Goddess Gauri in the Sun Temple at Modhera.

(7) There are also some of the rare sculptures of gods. Here one can find the statue of Lord Buddha with four hands, the statue of Rama with a sword and shield, the statue of Sun in form of a tapasvi, the statue of Shiva with beads in his hand, the statue of Parshurama with soft and gentle expression rather than having hard and stern look, etc.

1. Which are the rare sculptures of gods in the Vaav?

Ans. Some of the rare sculptures are of Lord Buddha with four hands, Lord Rama with a sword and shield, Sun in the form of a tapasvi and Lord Shiva with beads in his hand.

2. How does the sculpture present Parshurama?

Ans. The sculpture presents Parshurama with a soft and gentle expression instead of a hard and stern look.

3. Why is the statue of Rama rare ?

Ans. The statue of Rama is rare because it has a sword and a shield in its hand.

(8) Some of the sculpture display folk tales, contemporary lifestyle, animal and human instinct, etc. They reveal the artistic vision and unique of imagination the sculptors. The most attractive sculptures are those of Varah, Vaman, Narsinha, Ram, Kalki and Mahishasurmardini.

1. What do some of the sculptures display?

Ans. Some of the sculpture display contemporary lifestyle, folk tales, animal and human instinct, etc.

2. What do the sculptures reveal?

Ans. The sculptures reveal artistic vision and unique imagination of the sculptors.

3. Which are the most attractive sculptures?

Ans. The most attractive sculptures are those of Varah, Vaman, Narsinha, Ram, Kalki and Mahishasurmardini.

(9) There are nearly 300 statues of apsaras. The sculptors have presented a vast range of emotions and feelings on the faces of the apsaras. They display a variety of different moods and situations. The apsaras with 16 different makeup styles add to the grace of this unmatched structure.

1. What have the sculptors presented on the faces of the apsaras?

Ans. The sculptors have presented a vast range of emotions and feelings on the faces of the apsaras.

2. What do the statues of the apsaras display?

Ans. The statues of the apsaras display variety of moods and situations.

3. What adds to the grace of the structure?

Ans. The apsaras with 16 different makeup styles add to the grace of the structure.

(10) The step-well also focuses on the holiness of water and its great significance in Indian culture.

The Vaav is the most developed, elaborate and ornamented example of submerged architecture. It sings the glory of the development of step-wells in India. This Vaav is a large and complex type of step-well. It has ornamented panels of sculptures.

1. On what does the Vaav focus?

Ans. The Vaav focuses on the holiness of water and its great significance to Indian culture.

2. What is the Vaav the most elaborate example of ?

Ans. The Vaav is the most elaborate example of submerged architecture.

3. What type of a step-well is the Vaav?

Ans. This Vaav is a large and complex type of step-well.

(11) It lay buried under the mud due to floods first, and then the vanishing of the river Saraswati. It was hidden under the layers of silt for almost seven centuries. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) took a great care to preserve this structure.

In February 2013, ASI nominated this Vaav for the World Heritage site. With an excellent teamwork by the ASI and the State Government of Gujarat, it got recognition by the UNESCO. ?

1. Why was the Vaav buried?

Ans. The Vaav was buried under mud due to floods and then the vanishing of the river Saraswati.

2. For how long was the Vaav hidden?

Ans. The Vaav was hidden for almost seven centuries.

3. Who takes care of the Vaav?

Ans. The ASI (Archeological Survey of India) takes care of the Vaav.

B. Use the set of words in your own sentences.

(1) approved – construct 

Ans. The Panchayat has approved the plan to construct a school in the village.

(2) declare – attractive

Ans. The management has declared attractive schemes for all the employees.

(3) heritage – preserve

Ans. We must preserve our historical and cultural heritage.

(4) excellent – nominate

Ans. The teachers have nominated Shreya for the award because of her excellent performance during the year,

(5) reveal – buried

Ans. The miser did not want to reveal the money that he had buried under the free,

(6) dedicate – magnificent

Ans. The magnificent temple at Somnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

(7) presentation – vision

Ans. Nitin made a very good presentation, which clearly showed his vision for the company.

(8) appreciation – unique

Ans. The artist got a lot of appreciation for his unique style of painting.

(9) display-sculpture

Ans. Soham will display his sculpture at a national exhibition.

(10) to face – scarcity

Ans. People in villages always face a scarcity of water during the summer.

(11) to focus – expression

Ans. If you want to learn Bharatnatyam, you must focus on your expressions.

(12) significance – project

Ans. The irrigation project has a lot of significance because it affects all the farmers of the village.

(13) masterpiece – example

Ans. This painting is a masterpiece and an example of unique creativity.

(14) utilize – at present

Ans. At present, only 60% of the funds have been utilized for education.

(15) unfortunately – submerged

Ans. Unfortunately, the ancient temple was submerged in flood waters.

(16) exceptional – carving

Ans. The carvings in the Ajanta and Ellora caves are exceptional.

(17) rarely-wonderful

Ans. You rarely get to see the wonderful sight of a peacock dancing in the rain.

(18) vanish-statue

Ans. A very expensive statue suddenly vanished from the museum.

(19) imagination – to present

Ans. The director has used his imagination well to present the play, which is based on a murder mystery.

(20) development – resource

Ans. All the resources will be used for the development of the village.

(21) stern – gentle

Ans. Though his face has a stern look, he is a kind and gentle man.

(22) enchanting – architecture

Ans. The architecture of the Sun Temple is so enchanting that it attracts thousands of visitors every year.

(23) illustration – complex

Ans. The teacher gave a very good illustration to explain a complex problem to the students.

(24) glory – unmatched

Ans. The fame and glory of the sports persons coming from small villages is unmatched.

(25) culture – appeal

Ans. The Indian culture appeals a lot to the western countries.

(26) structure – original

Ans. After the earthquake, the ancient temple was restored in such a way that the new structure looked like the original one.

(27) popular – exception 

Ans. Usually, political leaders are not very popular but Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an exception.

(28) completion – beauty

Ans. You can see the real beauty of this sculpture after its completion.

(29) mood – situation 

Ans. Hemant was not in a good mood because he was in a bad situation.

(30) style – variety

Ans. You can wear a saree in a variety of styles.

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