# Walls Tell Stories

## Overview

In this chapter, students explore the magnificent Golconda Fort through the experiences of a group of children guided by Didi. They learn about ancient engineering, architecture, water systems, security mechanisms, and life in the past. The chapter encourages observation, critical thinking, and imaginative reflection on the lives of people in historic times.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Exploring Golconda Fort
- The children are amazed by the size, height, and structure of the fort.
- They observe large gates, sharp iron spikes, and thick walls designed for protection.
- **Bastions (Burj)**: Rounded structures higher than the walls, useful for spotting enemies and attacking from a height.

### 2. Life Inside the Fort
- Originally built of mud in 1200 AD, Golconda was later ruled by the Qutub Shahi Sultans (1518–1687).
- The fort included palaces, gardens, fields, factories, and tanks, suggesting it was a self-contained town.
- The Sultan didn’t live alone; farmers, workers, and other people resided there too.

### 3. Architecture and Engineering
- Buildings had multiple floors, large halls, water tanks, and fountains on the terrace.
- Fine carvings on walls reflect skilled craftsmanship.
- Without electricity, they still managed ventilation, lighting, and water supply through intelligent design.
- Fountains and water systems were operated using pulleys, wheels, clay pipes, and animal-driven devices.

### 4. Defense and Warfare
- The fort was designed to withstand attacks, with strong gates, thick walls, and deep trenches.
- Aurangzeb’s army camped for eight months outside the fort but failed to conquer it.
- Soldiers in bastions could see enemies approaching from far.

### 5. Weapons and Cannons
- A large cannon made of bronze is on display.
- Didi explains the use of guns, cannons, and how wars were fought.
- Discussion extends to modern weapons like nuclear bombs and their consequences.

### 6. Acoustic Engineering
- Voices spoken at one point (Fateh Darwaza) could be heard at another (King’s Palace) due to special design—early form of sound transmission.

### 7. Water Management
- A unique system of pulleys, bullocks, and rotating wheels with pots was used to lift water from wells.
- Clay pipes carried water to different places in the fort.
- The engineering behind it showed deep understanding of physics and mechanics even centuries ago.

### 8. Tunnels and Living Quarters
- Soldiers lived in tunnels under the fort; cool and well-ventilated.
- Walls witnessed centuries of history—wars, peace, and everyday life.

### 9. Visit to the Museum
- Children visit a museum and see old pots, weapons, jewellery, and tools.
- They learn how these artifacts help us understand the lifestyle, culture, and skills of people from the past.

### 10. Creating Your Own Museum
- Children are encouraged to collect and exhibit old items from their homes, similar to a real museum.
- They reflect on the importance of preserving history through objects.

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## New Terms and Definitions

| Term | Simple Definition |
|--------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bastion | A part of a fort wall that sticks out, used to watch and defend |
| Cannon | A large gun used in olden times for war |
| Fort | A strong building used for defense |
| Fountains | Structures that spray water, often used for decoration |
| Pulley | A simple machine with wheels used to lift heavy objects |
| Bronze | A metal made by mixing copper and tin |
| Trenches | Deep ditches around the fort used for protection |
| Mehrab | A curved arch-like structure, often found in buildings |
| Echo | The repeating of sound when it bounces off a surface |
| Museum | A place where old and valuable things are kept for people to see and learn |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)
1. **What is a bastion used for?**
→ To watch for enemies and protect the fort.

2. **What was the Golconda Fort originally made of?**
→ It was made of mud in the beginning.

3. **How was water carried to the top of buildings in Golconda?**
→ Using pulleys, wheels, bullocks, and clay pipes.

### Medium (2)
4. **Why couldn't Aurangzeb enter the Golconda Fort?**
→ Because of thick walls, bastions, and deep trenches protecting it.

5. **How do museums help us learn about the past?**
→ Museums preserve old items that tell us how people lived long ago.

### Difficult (3)
6. **Describe how sound could travel from Fateh Darwaza to the king’s palace.**
→ The architecture allowed sound to bounce and travel clearly across distance, like an echo system.

7. **What features made Golconda a self-sufficient town?**
→ It had palaces, gardens, factories, water tanks, and residential areas inside the fort.

8. **What kind of tools might have been used for fine wall carvings in the fort?**
→ Tools like chisels and hammers, used with great skill by artisans.

### Very Difficult (2)
9. **Explain how water was lifted without electricity using engineering of that time.**
→ Bullocks turned a horizontal rod connected to wheels and pots; these lifted water to storage tanks using a continuous rotation system.

10. **Imagine you lived in Golconda 500 years ago. What would your daily life look like?**
→ Life included fetching water, working in fields or factories, enjoying music and festivals, and being protected by the fort's strong defenses.

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