# Chapter Notes: History and Culture

This document provides a comprehensive analysis of the key concepts, vocabulary, and historical details presented in the chapter "History and Culture," with a focus on ancient Chinese dynasties.

***

## Ways with Words

### A. Vocabulary Definitions

| Word | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Brevity** | Lasting only for a short time. |
| **Conquest** | Victory over a place or people by use of military force. |
| **Resemblance** | The state of being alike; similarity. |
| **Barbarian** | A member of a community or tribe not belonging to a great civilization. |
| **Ally** | A state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose. |
| **Nobility** | The state of being noble in character, quality, or rank. |
| **Ruthlessness** | The quality of having no pity or compassion for others. |
| **Decimation** | The killing or destruction of a large proportion of a group or species. |
| **Harsh** | Unpleasantly rough, cruel, or severe. |
| **Elixir** | A mythical liquid believed to cure all ills and prolong life. |

---

### B. Vocabulary in Context

* **Invasion**: The coastal towns fortified their defenses against the threat of foreign **invasion**.
* **Disregard**: His complete **disregard** for the safety protocols resulted in a serious accident.
* **Paramount**: In any negotiation, clear communication is of **paramount** importance.
* **Populace**: The new law was met with widespread approval from the general **populace**.
* **Revolt**: Unfair taxation and poor living conditions led the peasants to **revolt** against the monarchy.
* **Assassination**: The **assassination** of the archduke triggered a series of events that led to the war.
* **Serfdom**: The edict of 1861 officially abolished **serfdom**, freeing millions of peasants from bondage to the land.

---

### D. Homographs

Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and may have different pronunciations.

| Word | Meaning 1 (Pronunciation) | Meaning 2 (Pronunciation) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Bass** | (bas) A low, deep voice or sound. | (bæs) A type of freshwater fish. |
| **Bat** | A piece of equipment used in sports like baseball. | A nocturnal flying mammal. |
| **Evening** | The period of the day between sunset and bedtime. | The process of making something even or smooth. |
| **Bear** | To endure a difficulty or to carry something. | A large, heavy mammal. |
| **Close** | (klōs) To shut or block an opening. | (klōs) Near in proximity or relationship. |
| **Lead** | (lēd) To be in charge or in the front position. | (led) A heavy, metallic element. |

***

## Comprehension

### B. Answer the Following Questions

**a. Why is the Zhou Age called a feudal age?**
The Zhou Age is considered a feudal age because its political and social structure was based on feudalism. The Zhou kings granted land to loyal nobles and lords in exchange for military service and allegiance. This decentralized system created a hierarchy where local lords held significant power over their territories, similar to the feudal systems of medieval Europe.

**b. What is the location advantage of the Qin?**
The primary location advantage of the Qin state was its territory in the Wei River Valley, which was protected by formidable natural barriers, including the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Huang He (Yellow River) to the north. This defensible geography made it difficult for other states to invade.

**c. What contributed to the success in the warfare as described in the text?**
The Qin's success in warfare was attributed to a combination of factors: its strategic and well-defended location, the large size of its disciplined army, and its expert use of chariots in battle.

**d. Why did the Qin invite the foreign advisor, Shang Yang?**
The Qin rulers invited the foreign advisor Shang Yang because they recognized the need for external expertise in political and administrative reform. They sought his knowledge of Legalism to centralize power, strengthen the state's control, and build a more efficient and powerful government.

**e. What were the key features of the Qin political system?**
The key features of the Qin political system, based on the philosophy of Legalism, were absolute state control and the use of fear as a tool for governance. The system was characterized by strict, detailed laws, harsh punishments for even minor offenses, and a system of collective responsibility where entire communities could be punished for the actions of one individual.

**f. How were the people treated during the Qin Period?**
During the Qin Period, the common people were treated as instruments of the state. They were subjected to forced labor on massive state construction projects, such as the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Personal freedoms were severely restricted, and they were denied access to education to ensure they remained obedient and easy to control.

**g. Why did Shi Huangdi stop educating ordinary people?**
Shi Huangdi, following Legalist principles, stopped educating ordinary people because he believed that an illiterate and uninformed populace was easier to govern and less likely to rebel. He saw education, particularly Confucian teachings that encouraged critical thought, as a direct threat to his absolute authority.

**h. What did the Qin achieve by the legalism in practice?**
Through the practical application of Legalism, the Qin Dynasty achieved a highly superior and disciplined army, an obedient and controlled populace, and the unification of China. This philosophy enabled the state to mobilize vast resources for monumental construction projects like the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

**i. Why did Shi Huangdi never sleep in the same room for two consecutive nights?**
Shi Huangdi lived in constant fear of assassination. To thwart potential assassins, he frequently moved between palaces and never slept in the same room for two consecutive nights, making his location unpredictable.

**j. What are the everlasting marks of the Qin Dynasty?**
The most significant and everlasting marks of the Qin Dynasty include the unification of China, the creation of a single writing system, the construction of the Great Wall, the creation of the Terracotta Army, and the establishment of a centralized bureaucratic system that influenced subsequent Chinese dynasties.

***

## Critical Thinking

### a. "The Great Wall and the Taj Mahal are the creation of the autocratic rulers."

This statement is historically accurate. Both the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal are monumental achievements that were realized through the absolute and often ruthless power of autocratic rulers. While celebrated today as cultural wonders, their construction involved immense human suffering, which was only possible under regimes with total control over their populations.

The Great Wall, consolidated under Qin Shi Huangdi, was built through the conscription of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, criminals, and commoners. The Qin Dynasty's Legalist system enforced a brutal system of forced labor where dissent was punishable by death. The lives of individual workers were deemed inconsequential compared to the strategic goals of the state. The wall, therefore, stands not only as a monument of architectural genius but also as a testament to the immense power an autocratic ruler could wield over his subjects.

Similarly, the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, required the labor of over 20,000 artisans and workers over two decades. While the emperor's romantic motivation is often highlighted, the project was funded by the imperial treasury, which drew its wealth from the taxation of the populace. Historical accounts suggest that resources were diverted and labor was conscripted to complete this grand mausoleum. The legend of Shah Jahan cutting off the hands of the artisans to prevent them from replicating the design, though likely apocryphal, reflects the popular understanding of the absolute and often cruel power held by such rulers.

In both cases, these magnificent structures were born from a political system where the will of a single ruler was paramount, and the human cost of achieving their vision was not a primary concern.

---

### b. The Pros and Cons of Feudalism

Feudalism was a complex socio-political system with distinct advantages and disadvantages that shaped the course of medieval history.

#### **Pros of Feudalism**
* **Protection and Stability**: In the chaotic era following the collapse of the Roman Empire, feudalism provided a system of localized defense. Lords offered protection to their vassals and serfs from outside invaders and rival factions, creating pockets of stability.
* **Social Order**: It established a clear, albeit rigid, social hierarchy. Everyone had a defined role and set of responsibilities, which contributed to social and political order.
* **Code of Chivalry**: The feudal system gave rise to the code of chivalry among the nobility, which promoted virtues such as loyalty, bravery, and honor.

#### **Cons of Feudalism**
* **Social Inequality**: Feudalism created a deeply stratified society with no social mobility. Serfs were born into a life of servitude and were bound to the land, with virtually no rights or opportunities for advancement.
* **Exploitation of Serfs**: The system was built on the exploitation of the peasant class. Serfs were required to turn over a significant portion of their agricultural output to their lord and were subject to his absolute authority.
* **Fragmented Power**: The decentralization of power often led to constant warfare between rival lords. The lack of a strong central government meant that loyalty was localized, hindering the formation of unified nation-states.

***

## Writing

### a. Email to a Friend

**To**: ariana23@gmail.com
**From**: austinadam56@gmail.com
**Subject**: The Unification of Nepal and Prithvi Narayan Shah

Hi Ariana,

Hope you're doing well over there.

Following up on our conversation about Nepali history, I wanted to share some more details about Prithvi Narayan Shah and his incredible role in unifying the country. It's a really fascinating part of our heritage.

Before him, the land we now know as Nepal was divided into dozens of small, competing principalities, like the Malla kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhadgaon) and many others. These states were constantly at odds, which made them vulnerable to foreign influence and invasion.

Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king of the small Gorkha kingdom, launched an ambitious unification campaign. It wasn't just a military conquest; it was a strategic effort to bring these disparate territories together into a single, strong nation. He successfully ended the infighting among the Malla kingdoms and gradually consolidated the territories into what would become modern Nepal. His vision created a unified country strong enough to defend its sovereignty, which was a remarkable achievement at the time.

He's often called the founder of modern Nepal, and when you look at the history, it’s easy to see why. His efforts laid the foundation for the nation we call home today.

Anyway, just thought you'd find that interesting!

Best,
Austin

***

## Grammar (Past Tense)

### B. Complete the Texts

a. The Maya established a very advanced civilisation in the jungles of the Yucatan. However, their culture **disappeared** by the time Europeans first **arrived** in the New World.
b. When I **turned** on the radio yesterday, I **heard** a song that was popular when I **was** at the basic level of my study. It **took** me back to some old memories.
c. I was looking for a job. I **applied** for a job last week. Fortunately, I **got** it and now I am a job holder.

### C. Complete the Sentences

a. Newton **saw** an apple falling from the tree.
b. Ramesh Bikal **wrote** many popular stories.
c. My jacket is expensive. It **cost** me Rs 5000.
d. She **got up** early in the morning yesterday.
e. When I was small, my father **taught** me at home.
f. Why did you **throw** the cap away?

### D. Put the Verb into the Correct Form

a. I went to see the film, but I **did not enjoy** it.
b. I **met** Rojina in town a few days ago.
c. It was very warm, so I **took off** my coat.
d. Though the bed was very comfortable, I **did not sleep** very well.
e. I **started** a new job last week.
f. He **was** too busy in the office yesterday.
g. Nita **invited** her to the party, but she didn’t come.