CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 10: Walls Tell Stories - NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, "Walls Tell Stories," for CBSE Class 5 EVS, delves into the fascinating world of historical architecture, focusing on forts and their defensive structures. The NCERT Solutions guide students through understanding the purpose of various architectural elements like bastions and holes in fort walls. It encourages critical thinking about how these features aided soldiers in defense and attack. The solutions also touch upon the importance of natural light and ventilation in buildings and spark imagination about historical craftsmanship and the challenges of living without modern amenities like electricity. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the historical context and architectural ingenuity, making exam revision more engaging and effective.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 5
Subject	EVS
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 10

Chapter summary

Chapter 10, "Walls Tell Stories," explores the architectural marvels of historical forts. The NCERT Solutions focus on understanding the strategic importance of features like bastions for defense and observation. Students will learn about the functional design of fort walls, the role of openings for soldiers, and the basic principles of air and light in buildings. The chapter also prompts reflection on historical tools and the impact of lacking modern conveniences like electricity, aiding in a holistic understanding of past and present living conditions.

Learning outcomes

Understand the defensive purpose of bastions in fort walls.
Explain the function of holes in bastions for soldiers.
Analyze how architectural design impacts visibility and defense.
Consider the importance of air and light in building construction.
Imagine the challenges of life without electricity.
Appreciate the skill involved in historical stone carving.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Fort Architecture
Bastions (Burj)
Defensive Walls
Fortification Features
Historical Buildings
Air and Light in Buildings
Historical Craftsmanship
Life Without Electricity
Observation and Attack Strategies
Golconda Fort (implied by map reference)

Important topics

Purpose and function of bastions
Strategic advantages of fort walls
Importance of air and light
Historical building techniques
Challenges of life without electricity

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why were bastions made in the fort wall? Why were big holes made in them? What difference would be there if you were to look from a straight flat wall or a bastion at a height? How would the soldiers find peeping from the holes in the bastions useful while attacking?

Solution: Bastions were constructed as part of the fort wall to serve as strong, rounded projections. Their primary purpose was to provide soldiers with a wider field of vision, allowing them to observe enemies approaching from various directions and to launch attacks more effectively. These rounded, elevated structures are often referred to as defensive walls.

Big holes were strategically made in these bastions. These openings acted as lookout points and firing positions, enabling soldiers to watch and shoot at enemies from a distance while maintaining their own safety within the fort.

Looking from a bastion at a height offers a significant advantage over looking from a straight, flat wall. A bastion allows soldiers to see in many different directions simultaneously and to observe much farther distances. In contrast, a flat wall limits the view to a single direction and a shorter range. The holes in the bastions were incredibly useful for soldiers, as they could safely peep out to monitor enemy movements, aim their weapons like guns or cannons, and launch attacks without being easily exposed to enemy fire.

Question 2

How would the fountains have worked?

Solution: The chapter doesn't provide specific details on how the fountains worked, but historically, fountains in forts and palaces often operated using gravity and water pressure systems. Water would be channelled from a source, like a well or a reservoir, often located at a higher elevation. This water would then flow through pipes or channels to reach the fountains, where it would be released to create a decorative display. Sometimes, simple mechanical systems or even wind power might have been used in conjunction with water flow to operate more complex fountain designs.

Question 3

What arrangements would have been made in the building for air and light?

Solution: In historical buildings, especially those designed without electricity, careful arrangements were made to ensure sufficient air and light. This typically included building large windows and doorways to let in natural sunlight and allow fresh air to circulate. Courtyards were often built in the center of buildings, providing light and ventilation to surrounding rooms. High ceilings and strategically placed vents or openings near the roof also helped in the movement of air, keeping the interiors cooler and well-lit.

Question 4

Look carefully at the picture of the beautiful carving on the wall. What kind of tools would have been used for such fine carving?

Solution: The beautiful and fine carving on the walls suggests that skilled artisans used specialized tools for this intricate work. These tools would likely have included various types of chisels, hammers, files, and possibly drills. Chisels of different shapes and sizes would be used to chip away stone and create detailed patterns, while hammers would provide the force. Files would be used for smoothing and refining the surfaces. Such fine carving requires not only the right tools but also immense patience, precision, and artistic talent.

Question 5

We still do not have any electricity at many places in our country. Even at places which do have electricity, imagine what would happen if there was no electricity for one week. What are the things that would be difficult to manage without it?

Solution: Living without electricity for a week, even in places that normally have it, would present numerous difficulties. Basic daily activities would be significantly impacted. For instance, lighting homes after sunset would be impossible without electric lights, relying only on candles or lamps. Refrigeration would stop, making it difficult to store food. Cooking might become challenging if electric appliances are used. Communication devices like phones and internet would likely not charge, hindering contact with others. Water pumps might not work, affecting water supply. Entertainment, like watching TV or using computers, would cease. In essence, many modern conveniences and essential services that we rely on daily would become unavailable, making life considerably more difficult.

Question 6

Look carefully at the map of Golconda. On the map, arrows show all the four directions.

Solution: This question asks students to observe a map of Golconda and identify the directions indicated by arrows. By examining the map, students can understand how directions (North, South, East, West) are represented. The arrows on the map would visually guide them, showing which way each cardinal direction points relative to the fort's layout. This exercise helps in developing map-reading skills and spatial awareness.

Common mistakes

Not fully explaining the dual purpose of bastions (defense and observation).
Underestimating the strategic advantage provided by the height and shape of bastions.
Failing to connect historical building features to basic needs like air and light.
Not considering the practical difficulties of living without electricity.

Revision tips

Focus on the 'why' behind each architectural feature discussed, especially bastions.
Visualize how soldiers would have used the holes in bastions for attack and defense.
Think about how buildings from the past provided natural light and ventilation.
Imagine a day without electricity to better understand its importance.
Discuss the questions with classmates to explore different perspectives.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary purpose of bastions in fort walls?

Q2. Why were big holes made in the bastions?

Q3. Compared to a straight flat wall, what advantage does a bastion offer for observation?

Q4. What essential elements would have been arranged in historical buildings for comfort?

Q5. What kind of skills are implied by the 'beautiful carving on the wall' mentioned in the chapter?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main topic of Chapter 10 for Class 5 EVS?

Chapter 10, 'Walls Tell Stories,' focuses on the architecture of historical forts, explaining the purpose of various defensive structures like bastions and how they were used.

Why were bastions important in old forts?

Bastions were crucial because their unique shape and height allowed soldiers to see and attack enemies from many directions, providing a significant defensive advantage.

What does the chapter suggest about air and light in historical buildings?

The chapter prompts students to think about the arrangements made in historical buildings to ensure adequate air circulation and light, highlighting their importance for inhabitants.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand complex concepts like fort architecture and historical living conditions, aiding in exam preparation.

What kind of thinking does the chapter encourage?

The chapter encourages critical thinking about historical architecture, strategic defense, and the practicalities of life in different eras, including imagining life without modern amenities.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.