important terminologies 1. 2. 3. 4
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter -1 What, Where, How and When? Important terminologies
1. History: careful and a systematic study of the past events on the basis of available material remains and records
2. Prehistory: the period of man’s existence for which we have no written record 3. Gatherers : people who gather their food from the surrounding forests, etc. 4. Hunters : people who hunted animals to eat and survive 5. Manuscripts: books that were written a long time ago by hand. They were usually written on
Palm leaf or on the specially prepared bark of a tree known as the birch. 6. Inscriptions: writings on hard surface such as stone or metal 7. Scripts: anything written, that consists of letters or signs 8. Archaeology: the term refers to the study of human past with the help of material remains
such as structures of palaces, temples, forts etc. , sculptural and other artefacts. 9. Archaeologists: people who study the objects that were made and used in the past 10. Excavate: dig under the surface of the earth 11. Historians: scholars who study the past 12. Source: information found from manuscripts, inscriptions and archaeology 13. BC: before Christ 14. AD: Anno Domini, meaning ‘in the year of the Lord’ 15. Decipherment: discovery of the meaning of texts written in ancient languages or scripts
Answer the following questions
1. What do we know about the past through History? Ans: Through History, we know what people ate, the kinds of clothes they wore, the houses in which they lived. Also, we could find out about the lives of hunters, herders, farmers, rulers, merchants, etc.
2. Where did the earliest people live? Ans: People lived along the banks of Narmada for thousands of years.
3. What did the earliest people do? Ans: The earliest people were skilled gatherers, that is people who gathered their food and hunted animals.
4. Where were the first crops grown? Ans: 8000 years ago, at Sulaiman and Kirthar hills, men and women first began to grow crops such as wheat and barley.
5. How do Historians find the past? Ans: Historians gather their information through manuscripts, inscriptions and archaeology.
6. How did India get its name? Ans: The word ‘India’ was derived from the word Indus, called Sindhu in Sanskrit. The Iranians and the Greeks who came through the northwest 2500 years ago and were familiar
with the Indus, called it the Hindos or the Indos, and the land of the east of the river was called India.
7. Who are archaeologist? What do they do? Ans: Archaeologists are persons who study the objects of the past. They study the remains of the buildings made of stone and brick, paintings and sculpture. They also explore and dig the earth in order to find out tools, weapons, pots, pans, ornaments and coins.
8. What are manuscripts? What did they deal with? In what language were they written? Ans: Manuscripts were books that were written a long time ago by hand. They were usually written on Palm leaf or on the specially prepared bark of a tree known as the birch. Manuscripts dealt with all kind of subjects: religious beliefs and practices, the lives of kings, medicine and science. Besides, there were epics, poems, plays. Many of these were written in Sanskrit , some in Prakrit, which was the language spoken by ordinary people and Tamil.
9. What are inscriptions? What information did they impart? Give an example. Ans: Inscriptions are writings on hard surface such as stone or metal. Inscriptions give us the following information:
a) Orders of kings so that people could read and obey. b) Pictures showing kings and queens or common people doing their regular chores. c) Records of victories in battle.
An inscription at Kandahar, which is in present day Afghanistan, has orders inscribed by Ashoka.
10. What do you understand by BC and AD? Ans: BC, stands for `before Christ. All dates before the birth of Christ are counted backwards and usually have the letters BC added on. AD, stands for two Latin words, Anno Domini, meaning ‘in the year of Lord’. For example, 2021 can be written as AD 2021.
11. What are the different ways to find out about the past? Describe briefly. [Imp.] Ans: The different ways to find out about the past are the following: (i) Manuscripts. These were the hand-written matters. They were usually written on palm leaf or the bark of the birch tree. While many of these manuscripts got destroyed, many have survived in temples and monasteries. These books dealt with all kinds of subjects such as religious beliefs and practices, the lives of kings, medicines, and science. These manuscripts also included epics, poems, plays. (ii) Inscriptions are writings on relatively hard surfaces such as stone or metal. Sometimes, kings got their orders inscribed in order to make common people aware of them. Some inscriptions kept records of victories in battle. (iii) Archaeological excavations or evidence. Archaeology means the study of cultures of the past and of periods of history by examining the remains of buildings and objects found in the earth. Archaeologists explore and dig earth to find tools, weapons, pots, pans, ornaments, and coins. These things provide us valuable information about the past.
Fill in the blanks
1. The earliest people collected ………………, ……….. and ……….. for their food. (Roots, fruits and other forest products)
2. Garo hills were situated to the northeast and the ……….. in Central India. (Vindhyas) 3. The name ………. Was used for a group who lived in the northwest, mentioned in Rigveda.
(Bharata) 4. Manuscripts were written about a 1000 years back on ……. ……….. that were cut into pages
and tied together to make books. ( palm leaves) 5. The archaeologists ……………… and ……………. To find tools, weapons, pots, pans, ornaments
and coins. (Explore and excavate) 6. Andaman Islands get their own food by ……….. , ………… and collecting forest produce.
(fishing, hunting) 7. All inscriptions contain both …………. And languages. ( scripts, languages)
Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the correct option to complete the statements given below:
(i) People who gathered their food are called………………. (a) hunters (b) skilled gatherers (c) farmers (d) merchants.
(ii) The places where rice was first grown are located in ……………… (a) north of the Vindhyas (b) Sulaiman hills (c) on the banks of the Ganga (d) the Garo hills.
(iii) …… was not used in the old books. (a) Prakrit (b) Hindi (c) Sanskrit (d) Tamil
iv) The kingdom of Magadha was located …………… (a) on the banks of the Indus (b) in the south of the Vindhyas (c) in the area along Ganga’s tributaries in the south of Ganga. (d) in the Garo hills region.
Answers: (i)—(b), (ii)—(a), (iii)—(b), (iv)—(c).
Ch 2 From Hunting-gathering to growing food.
1.Resources-Resource refers to all the materials available in our environment which help us to satisfy
our needs.
2.Sites-Places where the remains of things such as tools, pots, buildings etc are found.
3.Palaeo- It means 'Old's
4.Domestication-Domestication is the process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use.
5.Pit house-A pit house is a large house in the ground (usually circular) used for shelter.
6.Burial-the action or practice of burying a dead body.
A. Chosse the correct option
1.The meaning of Lithic is
a) Metal
b) Stone
c) Copper
d) Silver
Ans- b) Stone
2.Which was the first animal tamed by early man?
a) Cow
b) Sheep
c) Dog
d) Goat
Ans- c) Dog
3.Which types of houses were made by people in Burzahom?
a) Pucca houses
b) Kucchha houses
c) Banglows
d) Pit houses.
Ans: Pit houses
4.Whuch of these was the earliest village of India?
a) Merhgarh
b) Lahore
c) Sujangarh
d) Sanghol
Ans. Mehrgarh
5.Which of these animals was domesticated by man?
a) Sheep
b) Cattle
c) Goat
d) All of these.
Ans. All of these
B.Fill up
1.The process in which people grow plants and look after animals is called (domestication)
2.One who cultivates a land is known as (farmer)
3.A keeper of animals is known as (herder)
4.Beginning of domestication can be seen around (12,000) years ago.
5.Beginning of settlement at Mehgarh started around (8,000) years ago.
C.State True or False
1.People in Burzahom lived in rectangular houses. False.
2.Chirand is a site in Kashmir. False.
3.Bhimbetka caves and rock shelter is present in Madhya Pradesh. True.
4.The word 'palaeo' means new. False.
5.Microliths were found during the Mesolithic period. True.
D.Tick (✔) the activities that were performed by early humans. Cross out (✖) the ones which were not.
1. Making fire 6. Watching television
2. Hunting animals 7. Making tolls of stone
3. Writing on clay tablets 8. Reading books
4. Chopping meat 9. Skinning animals
5. Surfing the Internet 10. Painting on cave walls
Ans. From the given table, following were the activities that were performed by early humans:
1. Making fire
2. Hunting animals
4. Chopping meat
7. Make tools of stone
9. Skinning animals
10. Painting on cave walls
E. Short answer questions.
1.Why do people who grow crops have to stay in the same place for a long time?
Ans. People who grow crops have to stay in the same place for a long time as they have to take care of
their crops and it takes many months to bear fruits.
2.Which animals were considered relatively gentle?
Ans.Sheep, goat, cattle, and pig were considered relatively gentle.
3.What were pit-houses and where have they been found?
Ans. Pit-houses were built by people by digging into the ground, with steps leading into them. They have
been found in Burzahom.
4.List three ways in which hunter-gatherers used fire?
Ans. The three ways in which hunter-gatherers used fire were:
a)To cook food.
b) To scare away wild animals.
c) To warm themselves up during winters.
5.Mention any two features of Neolithic age.
Ans. a)People stared growing crops like wheat, barley etc and domesticated animals like dog, sheep etc.
b) people stored food in the baskets and pots.
F.Long answer questions
1.Why did the hunter-gatherers travel from place to place?
Hunter-gatherers travelled from place to place due to the following reasons:
a) If they stayed at one place for a long time, they would have eaten up all the plant and animal
resources available at that place.
b) As animals move from place to place in search of food, hunters also moved to chase them for hunting.
c) Plants and trees bear fruit in different seasons. So, when the season changed, food gatherers had to
move to another place to gather different fruits.
d) They also had to travel in search of water as mostly the lakes and rivers were seasonal.
2.Why do archaeologists think that many people who lived in Mehrgarh were hunters to start with and
that herding became more important later?
Ans. Archaeologists found the bones of many wild animals such as deer and pig at the earlier levels. This
was used as evidence that many people who lived in Mehrgarh were hunters to start with. But later on,
herding became important for them as bones of sheep and goats were found at the later levels.
3.List four ways in which the lives of farmers and herders would have been different from that of
hunter-gatherers.
a)Hunter-gatherers a) Farmers-herders
b)Lived nomadic life. b) Lived settled life.
c) Depended on wild animals for meat. c) Depended on domesticated animals for meat.
d)Food supply was not secure. d) Food supply was more secure.
4.Name the periods into which the Stone Age is divided.
Ans.The Stone Age was divided into three periods. The three periods are as follows:
1. Palaeolithic or Old Stone Age: This period lasted from early times till about 10,000 BC.
2. Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age: This period lasted from about 10,000 BC to 8,000 BC.
3. Neolithic or New Stone Age: This period lasted from 8,000 BC to 4,000 BC.
Class 6- History
Ch-3 In The Earliest Cities
A. Important Terminologies
1.Citadel-The western part of the cities was known as “citadel”. This part was smaller but higher.
2.Great Bath- A special tank which is found in Mohenjodaro.
3.Scribes- The people who knew writing and helped prepare the seals and likely wrote on other
materials were known as ‘scribes’.
4.Fire altars- An altar upon which burnt sacrifices were offered.
5.Seals- Seals were used in ancient times for trade. They would be made on ceramics or the clay tags
used to seal the rope around bundles of goods.
6.Raw materials-Raw materials are substances that are either found naturally or produced by farmers or
herders.
7.Plough- A plough was used to dig the earth for turning the soil and planting seeds.
8.Spindle whorls- Spindle whorls were used to spin the thread.
9.Faience- Faience was artificially produced using a gum to shape sand or powdered quartz into glazed
objects usually of blue or sea green colour.
10.Carnelian- Carnelian was a beautiful stone and was used to make beads.
11.Specialist-A person who is trained to do only one work such as cutting stone or polishing beads or
carving seals.
12.Crafts person-Men and women who made all kinds of things-either in their own homes or in special
workshops were the crafts-persons.
13.Lower Town: The eastern part of the cities is referred to as the lower town.
14.Irrigation-The supply of water to land or crops to help in their growth, typically by means of channels.
B.Fill in the blanks:
i. The impression of a seal is known as a (Sealing)
ii. The alloy of tin and copper is called (bronze)
iii. Great Bath has been discovered in (Mohenjodaro)
iv.The fire altars were seen in (Kalibangan) and (Lothal)
v. The huge tank of water located in Lothal was used as (dockyard)
C. Match the following:
i.Copper --------------------------- Gujarat
ii. Gold ------------------------------Afghanistan
iii. Tin ------------------------------- Rajasthan
iv. Precious stones -------------------Karnataka
Answer.
i.Copper --------------------- Rajasthan.
ii. Gold ----------------------Karnataka.
iii.Tin ---------------------- Afghanistan.
iv. Precious stones -------------- Gujarat.
D.Answer the following questions:
1. How do archaeologists know that cloth was used in the Harappan civilization?
Ans:Archaeologists know that cloth was used in the Harappan civilization due to the following reasons:
i. According to archaeologists cotton was probably grown in Mehrgarh about 7,000 years ago.
ii. Actual pieces of cloth were found attached to the lid of a silver vase and some copper objects at
Mohenjodaro.
iii. Archaeologists have also found spindle whorls, made of terracotta and faience. These were used to
spin thread.
2.Why were metals, writing, the wheel and the plough important for the Harappans?
Ans:Metals, writing, the wheel and the plough were important for the Harappans due to the following
reasons:
i.Metals – These were used for making tools, ornaments, vessels and weapons.
ii.Writing – It helped the Harappans to prepare scribes, which in turn helped in maintaining records and
preparing the seals.
iii.Wheel – The Harappans used the wheel in carts. They also used the wheel in spinning. The wheel was
used by potters to make or shape pots and other things.
iv.Plough – It was used to dig the earth for turning the soil and planting seeds.
3.Make a list of all the terracotta toys shown in the lesson. Which do you think children would have
enjoyed playing the most?
Ans:The terracotta toys shown in the lesson are : Animal figures, model cart and plough.I think, children
would have liked playing with the model cart the most. Even today, most of the children enjoy playing
with toy cars which are similar to the model cart.
4.Make a list of what the Harappans ate, and put a tick mark against the things you eat today.
Ans: The people of Harappa ate various kinds of grains like rice, wheat, barley, pulses, mustard, sesame,
linseed etc. They collected fruits like ber, caught fish and hunted wild animals like antelope. We eat
most of these things even at the present times like rice, wheat, pulses, fish, meat and milk. Barley is
used rarely by us.
5.Do you think that the life of farmers and herders who supplied food to the Harappan cities was
different from that of the farmers and herders you read about in chapter 2? Give reasons for your
answer.
Ans:Yes, I think that the life of farmers and herders who supplied food to the Harappan cities was
different from that of the farmers and herders in the previous chapter due to the following reasons:
i.Irrigation – The Harappans irrigated their own fields by introducing various methods of irrigation. On
the other hand, earlier farmers and herders did not have access to irrigation facilities.
ii. Storage – The Harappans stored the grains in well-built granaries, whereas the earlier farmers used
clay pots and baskets for storage purpose.
iii. Tools – The Harappans used tools like plough to dig the earth for turning the soil and to plant the
seeds but the earlier farmers did not have such tools instead they used mortar and pestel for grinding
grain.
iv.The farmers and herders of the Indus Valley had relations with better or more civilized people who
had better houses, roads, drain-system, knowledge of writing, and cities. The farmers and herders of the
stone age did not know the use of metals.
E.Intext questions
Short answer questions
1.What unique objects were found in almost all the cities of Harappa by the archaeologists?
Ans:Archaeologists found unique objects in almost all the cities. They are:
i.Red pottery painted with designs in black colour.
ii. Stone weights.
iii. Seals.
iv. Special beads.
v. Copper tools and long stone blades.
2.Give the name of metals found in the Harappan cities.
Ans:Metals found in the Harappan cities were:
i.Copper
ii. Bronze
iii. Gold
iv.Silver
3.Give one point of difference between Dholavira and other Harappan cities.
Ans: Unlike other Harappan cities which were divided into two parts, Dholavira was divided into three
parts: The citadel, the middle town and the lower town.
4.What was special about the roads in Indus Valley Civilization?
Ans: i. The roads were wide and cut each other at right angles.
ii. Houses were built on both sides of the roads and covered drains ran along the street.
5. What do we understand by seals and sealings?
Seals may have been used to stamp bags or packets containing goods that were sent from one place to
another. After a bag was closed or tied, a layer of wet clay was applied on the knot, and the seal was
pressed on it.
The impression of the seal is known as a sealing. If the sealing was intact, one could be sure that the
goods had arrived safely.
Long answer questions
1.Describe the main features of the Great Bath of Mohenjodaro.
The main features of The Great Bath are:
i.It is a very special tank, which a was built in the citadel area of Mohenjodaro.
ii. This special tank was made of bricks, coated with plaster and made water-tight with a layer of natural
tar.
iii. There were steps leading down to it from two sides, while there were rooms on all sides.
iv. Water was probably brought in from a well, and drained out after use.
v. Perhaps important people took a dip in this tank on special occasions.
2. What were the specific features of Lothal?
Ans:i.The city of Lothal stood beside a tributary of the Sabarmati, in Gujarat, close to the Gulf of
Khambat.
ii. It was situated near areas where raw materials such as semi-precious stones were easily available.
iii. This was an important centre for making objects out of stone, shell and metal.
iv. There was also a store house in the city. Many seals and sealings were found in this storehouse.
v. A building that was found here was probably a workshop for making beads: pieces of stone, half made
beads, tools for bead making, and finished beads.
3.Discuss the main features of town planning of the Harappan people.
Ans:The cities were divided into two parts:The part to the west was smaller but higher known as the
'Citadel' whereas the part to the east was larger but lower and was called the 'Lower town'
ii. Houses were either one or two storeys high, with rooms built around courtyard. Most houses had
separate bathing areas and kitchen. Some even had wells.
iii. The drains in houses were connected to those on the streets. They were covered and inspection holes
were provided at intervals to clean them.
iv. The roads cut each other at right angles.
v. In some cities special buildings such as 'The Great Bath' in Mohenjodaro was constructed.
4.Discuss the mystery of the end of the Harappan civilization.
Ans: The probable causes of downfall of the Harappan Civilisation are:
i.Writing, seals and weights were no longer used.
ii. In Mohenjodaro, we find that garbage piled up on the streets, the drainage system broke down, and
new, less impressive houses were built, even over the streets.
iii. Some scholars suggest that the rivers dried up. Others suggest that there was deforestation.
iv. Besides, grazing by large herds of cattle, sheep and goat may have destroyed the green cover.
v.In some areas there were floods. But none of these reasons can explain the end of all the cities.
Class 6
History Ch -5
Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic.
Important Terminologies
1.Raja: A raja refers to the supreme ruler of a kingdom or an area.
2.Ashvamedha: Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice was a ritual performed for selection of a raja. The horse
performing the ritual was let loose (guarded by king's men) and the decision to allow or stop the horse
decided further course of actions.
3.Varna: The priests divided people in the early society into four groups, called the varnas. According to
them, each varna had different set of functions.
4.Janapada: The word Janapada literally means the land where the ‘jana’ (people) set it's foot and
settled down.
5.Mahajanapada: About 2500 years ago, some janapadas became more important than the others, and
came to be known as mahajanapadas.
6.Fortification: Fortification meant building of huge walls of wood, brick or stone built around the
kingdom or city.
7.Army: An organized fleet or force of people (and sometimes animals included) to defend and fight for
their land and its protection.
8.Tax: Taxes refer to the compulsory contribution of resources by the people to the supremacy or state.
9.Transplantation: Transplantation means that instead of scattering seed on the ground, from which
plants would sprout, saplings are grown and then planted in the fields.
10.Gana or sangha: Sangha means an organisation or association. Gana is used for a group that has
many members.
11.Democracy: A form of government which is chosen by the people to work for their welfare and can
be changed by them.
Exercise questions and answers.
1.State whether true or false:
i.‘Rajas’ who let the ‘ashvamedha’ horse pass through their lands were invited to the sacrifice.True
ii.The charioteer sprinkled sacred water on the king.False
iii.Archaeologists have found palaces in the settlements of the ‘janapadas’.False
iv.Pots to store grain were made out of Painted Grey Ware.True.
v. Many cities in mahajanapadas were fortified. True.
2.Fill in the chart given below with the terms: hunter-gatherers, farmers, traders, craft persons, herders.
i.Farmers-Tax on crops was begun, that was l/6th part of what was produced. This tax was called ‘bhaga’
and was paid by the farmers.
ii.Crafts men-Taxes on craftspersons was in the form of labour. They had to work for a day in every
month for the king.
iii.Herders-Herders also paid taxes in form of animals and animals produces.
iv.Traders-There were also taxes on goods that were bought and sold through trade.
v.Hunters and gatherers-They also had to provide forest produces as tax.
3.Who were the groups who could not participate in the assemblies of the ‘ganas’?
Ans: These groups of people were not allowed to participate in the assemblies of the ‘ganas’ were:
i.Women
ii.Dasas(the slaves)
iii.Kammakaras(the landless labourers)
4.Why did the ‘rajas’ of ‘mahajanapadas’ build forts?
i.The 'rajas' of 'mahajanapadas' built forts to protect their capital city.
ii.Forts were probably built because people were afraid of attacks from other kings and needed
protection.
iii.It is also likely that some rulers wanted to show how rich and powerful they were by building really
large, tall and impressive walls around their cities.
iv.Also in this way, the land and the people living inside the fortified areas could be controlled more
easily by the king.
5.In what ways are present-day elections different from the ways in which rulers were chosen in
janapadas?
i.Present-day elections are conducted based on a democratic system through voting.On the other hand,
in janapadas, there was no such system of voting.
ii.In present scenario, we have election commission conducting the elections, while during janapadas,
kings who performed ashvamedha yagna were choosen to be the rulers.
iii.Now-a-days all the citizens of 18 years and above have the right to vote. In janapadas, only free men
were allowed to vote while, women and slaves were not allowed to vote.
Short Intext questions
1.Name the two powerful rulers of Magadha?
Ans:Bimbisara and Ajatashattu were the two powerful rulers of Magadha.
2.How were cities fortified?
Ans: Cities were fortified by building huge walls of wood, brick or stone around them.
3.Which rulers conquered the last of the ‘ganas’ or ‘sanghas’?
Ans: The Gupta rulers conquered the last of the ‘ganas’ or ‘sanghas’.
4.Name two rivers that flowed through Magadha.
Ans. Ganga and Son were two rivers that flowed through Magadha.
5.Name some places conquered by Alexander.
Ans: Alexander conquered parts of Egypt and West Asia.
Long Intext questions
1.Write a short note on the ‘Ashvamedha’ ritual.
Ans: i.The ‘Ashvamedha’ (horse sacrifice) was a ritual used to recognise men as ‘rajas’.
ii.A horse was left to wander freely.
iii.If it wandered into another kingdom and the king of that kingdom stopped it, they had to fight.
iv.The ‘raja’ who succeeded in the challenge was recognised as stronger.
v.He would then perform the sacrifice, in which other kings would also come.
2.In what ways were the armies of Mahajanpadas different from those described in the Rigveda?
Ans:i.In the Rigveda times there was no regular army.
ii.Most of the man took part in the war, whenever required.
iii.In the later period, the king had vast armies of foot soldiers, chariots and elephants.
3.What was the basis of the Varna system, according to the priests? Why did people oppose the system
of Varnas?
Ans:The priests divided people of the ancient India (of Later Vedic Age) into four groups, called Varnas.
i.The brahmins-The first Varna was that of the brahmin. Brahmins were expected to study and teach the
Vedas, perform sacrifices and receive gifts.
ii.The Kshatriyas-In the second place were the rulers, also known as Kshatriyas. They were expected to
fight battles and protect people.
iii.Vishs or the Vaishyas-They were expected to be farmers, herders and traders.
iv.Shudras-They had to serve the other three groups and could not perform any rituals.
Many people did not accept the system of Varna laid down by the brahminsbrahmins because:
i.Some kings thought they were superior to the priests.
ii.Other people felt that birth could not be a basis for deciding which varna people belonged to.
iii.And some people condemned the practice of untouchability.
4.Describe the unique features of Vajji as a mahajanapada.
Ans:i.Vajji held full and frequent public assemblies.
ii.They met and acted together.
iii.They followed established rules.
iv.They respected, supported and listened to elders.
v.Vajji women were not held by force or captured.
ACTIVITY
On an outline map of India locate the following Janapadas and Mahajanapadas.
1.Magadha 2.Vajji 3.Avanti 4.Gandhara 5.Kosala
Class 6
Civics
Ch 1-Understanding Diversity
Important Terminologies
1. Diversity- Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and
cultural backgrounds.
2.Social inequality-Social inequality is characterized by the existence of unequal opportunities and
rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society.
3. Dzos- A hybrid of a cow and a yak.
4. Pashmina-In Kashmir, pashmima is referred to the raw unspun wool of domesticated goat.
5. Kesar Saga-This is the local version of the Tibetan national epic sung by both Muslims and Buddhists
of Ladakh.
6.Cheena-vala-The fishing nets used in Kerala look exactly like the Chinese fishing net.
7.Cheena- chatti- Utensils used for frying in Kerala.
8.Massacre-An indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of many people.
Fill in the blanks.
i. The popular dress for women in Manipur is Fanek.
ii. Ladakh is a desert in the mountains in the eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir.
iii. The caste system is an example of inequality.
iv. Both Kerala and Ladakh regions were influenced by Chinese and Arab traderstraders
v. Ladakh is also called Little Tibet.
True/False
i. History and geography are often tied in the cultural life of a region. True
ii. In Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Haryana, a British general opened fire on a large group of
u unarmed people. False
iii. The Discovery of India is written by Jawaharlal Nehru. True
iv. Gandhiji coined the phrase, "unity in diversity" to describe the country. False
v. The National Anthem of India was composed by Rabindranath Tagore. True
Choose the correct option
I. Where are the Pushmina shawls woven?
(a) In Kashmir
(b) In Tamil Nadu
(c) In Mumbai
(d) In Haryana
Answer: In Kashmir.
ii. What is dzos?
(a) A type of yak-cow
(b) A type of dog
(c) A type of goat
(d) A type of cat
Answer- A type of yak-cowyak-cow
iii. Who wrote the travelogue in which the writer described the lives of Muslims’?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Lai Bahadur ShastriShastri
(c) Ibn. Battuta
(d) Indira Gandhi
Answer - Ibn. BattutaBattuta
iv. The utensils used for frying cheenavala are called
(a) fry-pan
(b) cheenachatti
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of these
Answer- cheenachatti.
v. Which is the major product grown in Kerala?
(a) Wool
(b) Spices like clove
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Answer - Spices like clove.
Short answer question
1.Write few examples of Diversity in India.
Ans. We speak different languages, have various types of food, celebrate different festivals and
practise different religions.
2. Who discovered the sea route to India?
Ans. The Portuguese discovered the sea route to India from Europe when Vasco da Gama landed with
his ship here.
3. How was the Indian flag used during the freedom struggle?
Ans: During the freedom struggle the Indian flag was used as a symbol of protest against the British by
people everywhere.
4. Who wrote the book “The Discovery of India”?
Ans: “The Discovery of India” was written by our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
5.What do you understand about ‘cheena-vala’?
Ans: The fishing nets used in Kerala look exactly like the Chinese fishing net and are called ‘cheena-vala’.
Long answer questions
1.‘India is a country of many diversities’. Explain giving examples. [V. Imp.]
Ans: One of the special features of India is that it is a country of many diversities. For example.
(a) We speak different languages, such as Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, etc.
(b)We eat different kinds of food, such as chawal, dal, Razma, idli, dosa, Roti, etc.
(c)We celebrate different festivals, such as Holi, Diwali, Id, Guru Parv, Christmas, Baishakhi, etc.
(d)We practise different religions, such as Hinduism, Islam, Shikhism, Christianity,
2. List two ways in which the different geographical location of Kerala and Ladakh
would influence the following:
(a)The food people eat
(b)The clothes they wear
Ans:(a)The food people eat- The peopleople here keep sheep, goats, cows and dzos for their living. They
eat meat and milk products like cheese and butter. Kerala is a coastal region. The fertile land and climate
are suited to growing rice and a majority of people here eat rice, fish and vegetables.
(b) The clothes they wear. Ladakhi people wear woollen clothes including pashmina shawls because it is
very cold there. The people of Kerala wear cotton clothes.
3. Do you think the term 'Unity in Diversity' is appropriate to describe India? Why?
Ans.Yes, the term “unity in diversity” is definitely an appropriate term to describe India
a. India is a land where people from different religions, cultures, creed and castes live together in
complete harmony.
b. They celebrate different festivals together.
c. Men and women belonging from different regions, languages, religions, culture fought together
against the British rule.
4.Why is the sheep rearing special in Ladakh region?:
Ans. Sheep rearing is special in Ladakh region because they produce pashmina wool. This wool is prized
and pashmina shawls cost a lot of money. People also eat meat and use milk of sheep.
Class 6
Civics
Ch 3-What is Government?
Important Terminologies
1.Government-The group of people with the authority to govern a country or state; a particular ministry
in office.
2.Monarchy- Monarchy is a form of government in which the monarch (king or queen) has the power to
make decisions and run the government.
3.Democracy-A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them
directly or indirectly through a system of representation.
4.Women’s Suffrage: A Movement started in the early 20th century vigorously for many years,
demanding equality with men and the right to vote.
5. Universal adult franchise-According to the universal Adult Franchise, all citizens who are 18 years and
above have the right to vote. Everyone irrespective of their caste, religion, colour, educational
background, race and financial conditions are free to vote.
6.Stereotypes-A stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an
expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group.
7.Hunger strike-A hunger strike is a method of non-violent resistance in which participants fast as an act
of political protest.
Diagram of The Levels of the Indian Government
Exercise Question and Answers
1.What do you understand by the word ‘government’? List five ways in which you think the government
effects your daily life.
Ans: By the word, ‘government’ we understand that the organisation which takes decisions and makes
laws for the citizens of a country.
The five ways in which the government affects our daily life are:
i.Supplying water and electricity
ii. Building, maintaining and repairing roads
iii. Providing a good public transport system
iv.Preparation and implementation of several programmes to help the poor.
v.Running of postal and railway services.
2.Why do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?
Ans: The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws because of the following
reasons:
i.The government wants to give advantages to the people of the welfare measures to all without
discrimination.
ii. To provide equality and justice to all.
iii. To maintain peace.
iv. To administer the country efficiently.
3.Name two essential features of a democratic government.
Ans: Two essential features of a democratic government are :
i.It is the government of the people, by the people and for the people, i.e. all adult citizens elect their
representatives, who make and enforce laws on their behalf.
ii.The elected representatives explain their actions and their decisions before the people who have
elected them.
4.What was the suffrage movement? What did it accomplish?
Ans.The word suffrage means the 'right to vote'. The women and the poor people in Europe and USA
had to fight to get the right to vote. The demand for the right to vote got strengthened during the First
World War. During the war many men were away fighting, women were called upon to do work that
was earlier considered men's work. Many women began managing different kinds of work. When people
saw this, it led to the questioning of many unfair stereotypes that had been created about women.
Finally, after much struggle, American women got their right to vote in 1920, while women in the UK
attained it in 1928.
5.Gandhiji strongly believed that every adult in India should be given the right to vote. However, a few
people don’t share his views. They feel that illiterate people, who are mainly poor, should not be given
the right to vote. What do you think? Do you think this would be a form of discrimination? Give five
points to support your view.
Ans:Yes, I think that if the right to vote is denied to illiterate and poor people it would be a form of
discrimination because:
i. These people will not be able to participate in the government and hence feel neglected from the
society.
ii.Illiterate or poor might have a strong character.
iii. Government policies affect all.
iv. Democracy talks of equality and justice for all.
v. People from all class fought for Independence this everyone should be treated equally.
Short Intext Question and Answers:
1.Why do you think it is important for people to abide by the laws of the country?
Ans:It is important for the people to abide by the law to maintain social harmony, political order and
economic prosperity of the country.
2.Do you think it is important for people to be involved in decisions that affect them? Give two reasons
for your answer:
Ans:People should be involved in decision making because of the following reasons:
i. They know about the problems and their effect.
ii.They are in better position to decide how to solve these problems.
3.Which type of government would you prefer to have in the place you live in? Give reasons for your
answer.
Ans:I would prefer to have a democratic form of government. The main reason is that everyone can
participate in the affairs of the government through elections. It gives a sense of justice and equality to
the people.
4.Name some institutions that are part of the government.
Ans: The Supreme Court, the Indian Railways, Bharat Petroleum.
5.What did Gandhiji demand?
Ans: Gandhiji demanded that all adults whether rich or poor, educated or literate have the right to vote.
Long Intext question and answer
1.What are the two types of governments?
Ans:The two types of governments are:
a) Democracy:
i. People choose their government.
ii. They are the ones who take decisions and make laws through their elected representatives.
b) Monarchy:
i.The government run by a king or queen or monarch is monarchy.
ii. The king or queen takes decisions and makes laws.
2.Describe the different levels of government.
Ans:The government works at different levels-
i.National level – Its decision making covers the entire country.
ii. State level – It covers an entire state like Haryana or Assam etc. A state government governs its own
state. It does not interfere with other one.
iii. Local level – At the local level it covers the village, town or locality. It is named as Gram Panchayat or
Municipal council.
3.How does a government function?
Ans: A government function in the following way:
i.The government makes laws.
ii. The citizens of the country have to follow these laws.
iii. It has also the power to make decisions.
iv. It also has the power to enforce these decisions.
v. In case the law is broken the government also has the right to punish.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence.
I. The government works at different levels at the local level, at the level of the state and at the …………
level.(national)
ii. In a………. the government has to explain its actions and defend its decisions
to the people.(democracy)
iii. Women in the UK got the right to vote in the year…………………..(1928)
iv In India, before Independence, only a small minority was allowed to ………………………(vote)
v. …….. are also part of the (courts)
State whether the following statements are true (T)or false (F).
i.Kings and queens get their power from the people they rule.False
ii.There was a time when the government did not allow women and the poor to participate in
elections.True
iii. It was Gandhiji who demanded that all adults have the right to vote.True
iv.Men without property have no right to vote in a country like the USA.False
v. In India, everyone who is eighteen or above eighteen enjoys the right to vote. True
Match the items given in column.
i.Government of people a. Supreme Court
ii.Women's suffrage movement b. Monarchy
iii. Highest court of judgement c. Voting right
iv. Power vested in one man d. Democracy
Ans.(i)—(d), (ii)—(c), (iii)—(a), (iv)—(b)
Class 6
Civics: Ch-4
Key Elements of a Democratic Government
Important Terminologies
1.Zulu-An African language.
2.Apartheid-Apartheid means separation on the basis of race.
3.Democracy-In such a government, people elect their own representatives to run the government.
4.Representatives-A representative is a person who has been chosen to act or make decisions on behalf
of another person or a group of people.
5.Equality-The Indian constitution recognises all persons as equals. This means that every individual in
the country irrespective of his/her caste, religion, educational and economic backgrounds is recognised
as equal.
6.Justice-Justice stands for rule of law, absence of arbitrariness and a system of equal rights, freedom
and opportunities for all in a society.
7.Race-The term race refers to groups of people who have differences and similarities in biological traits
deemed by society to be socially significant, meaning that people treat other people differently because
of them.
8.Conflict-Conflict is defined as a clash between individuals arising out of a difference in thought process,
attitudes, understanding, interests, requirements and even sometimes perceptions.
9.Untouchability-Untouchability is the individual discrimination against certain classes of persons. Dalits
are sometimes called Untouchables. Untouchables are regarded as 'low caste' and have been
marginalized for centuries.
10.Protest-An expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to
something.
Exercise question and answers:
1.How would Maya’s life be different in South Africa today?
Ans:Maya’s life would be different in South Africa today as there is no longer any discrimination in any
sphere of life between whites and Non-whites. All citizens have equal rights.
i. Maya can use roads, buses, and railway trains as others do without any discrimination.
ii. She can visit hotels and restaurants.
iii. She can use hospitals and ambulances as others do.
iv.She can walk in the parks freely.
v. She has no fear of police.
2.What are the various ways in which people participate in the process of Government?
Ans:The various ways in which people participate in the process of Government are:
i.By voting in the elections to choose their representatives.
ii. By taking out at rallies and protests, if they are unhappy with the government or it's policies.
iii.By participating in signature campaigns
iv. By participating in discussions on television and other modes of public platforms.
v. By taking interest in the working of the government.
3.Why do you think we need the Government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?
Ans:We need the Government to find solutions to many disputes or conficts because:
i.Conflicts appear when people of different cultures, religions or regions of economic backgrounds do
not get along with each other or when they are being discriminated against.
ii.Conflicts can often lead to violence and death.
iii. If one group decides that it is all right to use force to prevent the other group from protesting. This
leads to fear and tension among others living in an area.
iv.Since, the government is a constitutional body that maintains law and order. It is responsible for
helping to resolve such conflicts and provide a safe environment to everyone.
4.What actions does the Government take to ensure that all people are treated equally?
Ans:i.The government ensures that the constitutional provisions are implied properly all across the
country.
ii.It makes laws and enforces them to eradicate all sorts of discrimination.
iii.It makes provisions to provide equal facilities to all classes of people.
iv.It provides special provisions to the girls so that they can overcome the injustice that they are
subjected in their families and society.
v.People belonging to the lower castes are provided reservation in the field of education and in
government jobs.
5.Read through the chapter and discuss some of the key ideas of a democratic government. Make a list.
For example, all people are equal.
Ans:Some of the key ideas of a democratic government are:
i.Everyone has the right to vote.
ii. All citizens are equal irrespective of their caste, gender, economic status and religion.
iii. People who have faced discrimination in the past are eligible for Government jobs to uplift their
social status.
iv. Justice and equality are a must for all.
v.The government is responsible for the resolution of conflicts and disputes in society.
Short intext question and answers
1.Name the races that live in South Africa.
Ans:Races that live in South Africa are – Black people of South Africa, White who came from outside and
Indians who came as labourers and traders.
2.What was Hector and his classmates protesting about?
Ans:Hector and his classmates protested for learning the African language in school as they were forced
to learn and write the language spoken by the whites, but they wanted to learn their own language Zulu
because that was their local language.
3.Do you think the police shooting of Hector could have been avoided? How?
Ans:Yes, I think the police shooting of Hector could be avoided by using restraint and by keeping cool on
the protesters.
4.How do you think lowering the school fees would help girls attend school?
Ans:I think that lowering the school fees would help girls to attend school because:
i.This would encourage their parents towards educating their girl child by a very low payment of fees.
ii. They would send them to school and would not assume them as burdens.
5.In Maya’s story did the government support the idea that people are equal?
Ans:In Maya’s story, the government did not support the idea that people are equal.It supported the
idea of discrimination and unjust or unequal situations.
Long intext question and answers
1.List five ways in which non-whites were discriminated against.
Ans:Five ways in which non-whites were discriminated against were:
i.Hospitals and ambulances were separate for whites and non-whites.
ii. There were separate trains and buses.
iii. Bus stops were also different.
iv. No voting right to non-whites.
v. Best lands were reserved for whites while non-whites had ownership of the worst available land.
2.Why do you think elections are required after a fixed period of years in every democracy?
Ans:i.Election is a moment when people can sense their power in a democracy.
ii.Regular elections keep check on the power of the government and leaders.
iii. Elections make leaders and parties responsible to the public for their work and performance.
3.Write a short note on equality and justice.
Ans:i.One of the key ideas of a democratic government is its commitment to equality and justice.
Equality and justice are inseparable.
ii. Dr Ambedkar was of the view that justice can only be achieved when people are treated equally.
iii. The earlier practice of untouchability is now banned by law.
iv.The government also recognizes this and makes special provisions for groups within society that are
unequal
v. Sometimes, the society does not value the girl and boy child equally and this is unjust. The
government has also made special provisions for equality and justice to the girls.
Fill ups:
i. African people were divided into white, (black) , Indian and coloured races.
ii. The (African National Congress) led the struggle against apartheid.
iii. Through (voting) in elections people elect leaders to represent them.
iv. The Kaveri river dispute involves the states of Tamil Nadu and (Karnataka)
v. (Nelson Mandela) fought the apartheid system for many years.
State True or False
i.Religious processions and celebrations can sometimes lead to conflicts. True
ii. In 1984 South Africa became a democratic country. False
iii.Non-whites could vote in South Africa before 1994. False
iv.The key idea of a democratic government is its commitment to equality and justice. True
Std VI
Chapter-5
Panchayati Raj
A. Important Terminologies
1.Gram Sabha-The Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat.
2.Gram Panchayat-The Gram Panchayat is the local elected body of a village. It is responsible for looking
after the local affairs of the village and its social and economic development.
3.Sarpanch-The Gram Sabha meeting often begins and is headed by the Panchayat President who is also
called the Sarpanch.
4.Ward-Every village Panchayat is divided into smaller areas called wards.
5.Panch- Each ward elects a representative who is known as the Ward Member or Panch.
6.Panchayat Samiti-It is the Block level. The Panchayat Samiti has many Gram Panchayats under it.
7.Zila Parishad-Above the Panchayat Samiti is the District Panchayat or the Zila Parishad.
8.Watershed-Conserving water by recharging and refilling.
9.BPL-BPL stands for Below poverty line.
B. Exercise questions and answers:
1.What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?
Ans: The villagers in Hardas village faced the problem of drinking water shortage. They did the following
tasks to solve this problem:
i.They deepened the two hand pumps.
ii.They cleaned one well.
iii.They sought information about the scheme of watershed development from the Block Development
Officer.
2.What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend
Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
Ans:A Gram Sabha is important in the following ways:
i.It plays an important role in the development of the villages under it.
ii.It keeps a check on the activities of gram panchayat.
iii.It makes sure that all the funds are utilised in the right way.
iv.It helps to resolve all the issues and problems in the right manner and at the right time.
Yes, all members should attend the Gram Sabha meetings
i. So that everyone can have participation in the development programmes of the village.
ii. They can discuss the problems faced by their areas and seek proper solutions for them.
3.. What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans:i.Gram Sabha works over several Gram Panchayats.
ii.Gram Panchayats are members of Gram Sabha.
iii.Gram Sabha controls and approves the spending of money received from the government.
iv.The Gram Panchayat is answerable to the members of Gram Sabha.
v. Gram sabha keeps a check on the activities of members of the gram panchayat.
4.. Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/nearby rural area and find out the
following :
a.Why it was taken up?
b.Where the money came from?
c.Whether or not the work has been completed?
Ans:i.Our Panchayat recently undertook the task of building a community hall. It was necessary because
there was no such common place where people could gather at a time. It was difficult to hold a general
meeting, organize a general function, etc.
ii.The money was collected as a contribution from the villagers and some part of it was also diverted
from the Panchayat welfare fund.
iii.Yes, the work has been completed within the projected time and it is now in use.
5.What are the differences between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Ans: The differences between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat are:
6.Nimone is a village on the Chaufula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a
severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs.
Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven
men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured lad to hospital for
treatment. The FIR recorded by the police said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in
the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks. The storage tanks were constructed as part of the
water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat, so that there would be equal distribution of water.
However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was
not meant for the lower castes.
a.Why was Bhagvan beaten?
b. Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?
Ans:There was acute water crisis in Nimone village and the villagers had to depend on tankers for their
needs. So, when the tanker came in the village, Bhagvan insisted that the water in the tanker must be
emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram
Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. But the upper caste men were against this
and therefore they beat Bhagvan to suppress his demand.
Yes, the above is a case of discrimination, because the upper caste men tries to suppress the genuine
demand of the lower castes. They look them down upon and ignore their existence.
7.Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?
Ans:Watershed development refers to the process of creating and implementing plans, programs, and
projects that help in the conservation, recharging and judicious use of the water resources like,
underground water, rivers, etc.
Benefits of watershed development in an area are:
i.It makes the land fertile and supports the growth of plants and trees.
ii.It helps in the preservation of water and its resources.
iii.It helps in checking soil erosion.
iv.It helps in recharging groundwater levels.
C. Fill ups:
i.The secretary of the Gram Panchayat is not an elected person but is appointed by the (Government)
ii.(Sarpanch) is the President of the Gram Panchayat.
iii.The (Panchayat Samiti) has many Gram Panchayats under it.
iv.The Zila Parishad is also called (District Panchayat)
D. State whether 'True' Or 'False'
i.The Panchs and the Gram Panchayat are answerable to the Gram Sabha. True
ii.The members of Gram Sabha must be of 18years or above. True
iii.The people of Hardas Village were facing the problem of electricity. False
iv.Gram Panchayat is elected for 3 years. False
v.The Secretary of the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha is an elected person. False
E. Intext short questions and answers:
1.What is a ward?
Ans:Every village Panchayat is divided into smaller divisions called wards.
2.Who is responsible for calling meeting of the Gram Sabha and keeping the records of the proceedings?
Ans:The Panchayat Secretary is responsible for calling meeting of the Gram Sabha and keeping the
records of the proceedings.
3.What does 'BPL' stand for?
Ans: 'BPL' stands for Below poverty line.
4.What is Watershed development in a village?
Ans:The way of conserving water and refilling it in a village.
F. Intext long questions and answers:
1.Describe the composition of the Gram Panchayat.
Ans:Composition of the Gram Panchayat:
Every village Panchayat is divided into wards, i.e., smaller areas.Each ward elects a representative who is
known as the Ward Member (Panch).
All the members of the Gram Sabha also elect a Sarpanch who is the Panchayat President.
The Gram Panchayat has a Secretary who is also the Secretary of the Gram Sabha.
2.Describe the three levels of Panchayat.
Ans:The three levels of Panchayat are:
3.What are the sources of funds for the Panchayat?
Ans:The sources of funds for the Panchayat are:
i.Collection of taxes on houses, market places etc.
ii.Government schemes, funds received through various departments of the government-through the
Janpad and the Zila Panchayats.
iii.Donations from community works etc.