NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 10 New empires and kingdoms

Page No: 120

Let’s Recall

1. State whether true or false:

(a) Harishena composed a prashasti in praise of Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni.

► False

(b) The rulers of Aryavarta brought tribute for Samudragupta.

► False

(c) There were twelve rulers in Dakshinapatha.

► True

(d) Taxila and Madurai were important centres under the control of the Gupta rulers.

► False

(e) Aihole was the capital of the Pallavas.

► False

(f) Local assemblies functioned for several centuries in south India.

► True

Page No: 121

2. Mention three authors who wrote about Harshavardhana.

Answer

Three authors who wrote about Harshavardhanan were Banabhatta, Xuan Zang and Ravikirti.

3. What changes do you find in the army at this time?

Answer

The changes which we find in the army at this time are the introduction of military leaders called samantas who provided the king with troops whenever he needed them. They were not paid
regular salaries. Instead, some of them received grants of land. They collected revenue from the land and used this to maintain soldiers and horses, and provide equipment for warfare.

4. What were the new administrative arrangements during this period?

Answer

The new administrative arrangements during this period were:
• Some important administrative posts were now hereditary means that sons succeeded fathers

to these posts.

• Sometimes, one person held many offices. For instance, besides being a maha-danda-nayaka, Harishena was a kumar-amatya, meaning an important minister, and a sandhi-vigrahika, meaning a minister of war and peace.

• Important men had a say in the local administration. These included the nagara-shreshthi or chief banker/merchant of the city, the sarthavaha or leader of the merchant caravans, the parathama-kulika or the chief craftsman and the head of the Kayasthas or scribes.

6. Do you think ordinary people would have read and understood the prashastis? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer

No. The ordinary people would not have understood the Prashastis because these were written in Sanskrit language, the language of the learned.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 9 Traders, kings and pilgrims 

Page No: 109

Let’s Recall

1. Match the following:

Muvendar	Mahayana Buddhism
Lords of the dakshinapatha	Buddhacharita
Ashvaghosha	Satavahana rulers
Bodhisattvas	Chinese pilgrim
Chinese pilgrim	Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas

Answer

Muvendar	Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas
Lords of the dakshinapatha	Satavahana rulers
Ashvaghosha	Buddhacharita
Bodhisattvas	Mahayana Buddhism
Chinese pilgrim	Chinese pilgrim

Page No: 110

2. Why did kings want to control the Silk Route?

Answer

The kings wanted to control the silk route because they believed that they would benefit from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by the traders travelling along the route.

3. What kinds of evidence do historians use to find out about trade and trade routes?

Answer

To find about trade and trade routes, historians use evidence present in the literature of the period like sangam poems and Sangam literature. Also, historians use objects like pottery, bowls and plates, found from several archaeological sites as evidence. South India was famous for gold, spices,

especially pepper, and precious stones which were carried by ships, across the sea, and by land in caravans to Rome. Many Roman gold coins have been found in south India which proved the trade relations between ancient India and Rome.

4. What were the main features of Bhakti?

Answer

The main features of Bhakti were:

• It emphasised devotion and individual worship of a god or goddess, rather than the performance of

elaborate sacrifices.

• According to system of belief, if a devotee worships the chosen deity with a pure heart, the deity will appear in the form in which he or she may desire.

• The deities were special, these images of the deity were often placed within special homes, places that we describe as temples.

Let’s Discuss

5. Discuss the reasons why the Chinese pilgrims came to India.

Answer

The Chinese pilgrims such as Fa Xian, Xuan Zang, I-Qing came to India to visit places associated with the life and teachings of the Buddha as well as famous monasteries.

Some like Xuan Zang spent time studying in Nalanda the most famous Buddhist monastery of the period.

6. Why do you think ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti?

Answer

Ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti because anybody, whether rich or poor, belonging to the so-called ‘high’ or ‘low’ castes, man or woman, could follow the path of Bhakti.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 8 Vital villages, thriving towns 

Page No: 97

Let’s Recall

1. Fill in the blanks:

(a) ___________ was a word used for large landowners in Tamil.

► Vellalar

(b) The gramabhojaka often got his land cultivated by the _____________

► slaves and hired workers

(c) Ploughmen were known as  ____________ in Tamil.

► uzhavar

(d) Most grihapatis were _______________ landowners

► smaller

2. Describe the functions of the gramabhojaka. Why do you think he was powerful?

Answer

The functions of gramabhojaka are collection of taxes, functioned as a judge, and sometimes as a policeman.
He was largest landowner also he had slaves and hired workers to cultivate the land therefore, he was powerful.

3. List the crafts persons who would have been present in both villages and cities.

Answer

The crafts persons who would be present in both villages and cities were goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, basket makers, garland makers, perfumers.

4. Choose the correct answer:

(a) Ring wells were used for:

1. bathing

2. washing clothes

3. irrigation

4. drainage

► 4. drainage

(b) Punch marked coins were made of:

1. silver

2. gold

3. tin

4. ivory

► 1. silver

(c) Mathura was an important:

1. village

2. port

3. religious centre

4. forested area

► 3. religious centre

(d) Shrenis were associations of:

1. rulers

2. crafts persons

3. farmers

4. herders

► 2. crafts persons

Page no:98

Let’s Discuss

1. Which of the iron tools shown on page 87 would have been important for agriculture? What would the other tools have been used for?

Answer

The sickle would have been important for agriculture. The axe would have been used to chop wood and clear forests. The tongs would have been used to hold objects by the ironsmiths.

2. Compare the drainage system in your locality with that of the cities mentioned in the lesson. What similarities and differences do you notice?

Answer

Today’s drainage system is underground with covered drains. The kitchen, bathrooms and toilets are connected with main drain present outside through the help of pipelines. In ancient cities, they had ring well system. The rows of pots, or ceramic rings arranged one on top of the other which had been used as toilets in some cases, and as drains and garbage dumps.

Similarities:
• Drainage system were and are found in individual houses.

• Drainage system is tube-like structure.

Differences:

• Use of rings and pots.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 7 Ashoka, the emperor who gave up the war History

Page No: 82

Let’s Recall

1. Make a list of the occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan empire.

Answer

List of the occupations of the people who lived within the Mauryan empire:
• Farming
• Herding
• Handicrafts
• Trading
• Hunting-gathering

2. Complete the following sentences:

(a) Officials collected _____________ from the area under the direct control of the ruler.
► tax

(b) Royal princes often went to the provinces as ________
► governors

(c) The Mauryan rulers tried to control ____________ and ____________ which were important for transport.
► roads and rivers

(d) People in forested regions provided the Mauryan officials with __________
► elephant, timbers, honey and wax.

Page No: 83

3. State whether true or false:

(a) Ujjain was the gateway to the north-west.
► False

(c) Chandragupta’s ideas were written down in the Arthashastra.
► False

(d) Kalinga was the ancient name of Bengal.
► False

(e) Most Ashokan inscriptions are in the Brahmi script.
► True

Let’s Discuss

4. What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma?

Answer

The problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma were:
• Religious conflict
• Animal sacrifice
• Ill-treatment of slaves and servants
• Quarrels in families and amongst neighbours.

5. What were the means adopted by Ashoka to spread the message of dhamma?

Answer

The means that Ashoka adopted to spread the message of dhamma were:
• He appointed officials, known as the dhamma mahamatta who went from place to place teaching people about dhamma.
• He got his messages inscribed on rocks and pillars, instructing his officials to read his message to those who could not read it themselves.
• He also  sent messengers to spread ideas about dhamma to other lands, such as Syria, Egypt, Greece and Sri Lanka.

6. Why do you think slaves and servants were ill-treated? Do you think the orders of the emperor would have improved their condition? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer

The slaves and servants were mostly prisoners of wars that is why they were ill-treated. Yes, I think the order of emperor would have improved their condition as he was the head of the state. He can issue law of punishment regarding this.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 6 New Questions and Ideas Our Pasts 1

Page No: 73

Let’s Recall

1. Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.

Answer

 Buddha tried to spread his message to the people by teaching in the ordinary language, Prakrit so that everybody could understand it.  He travelled on foot, going from one place to another, teaching people. Also, he encouraged people to think for themselves rather than to simply accept what he said.

2. Write whether true or false:

(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices.

► False

(b) Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time.

► True

(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives.

► False

(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

► True

(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman and brahman were ultimately one.
► True

Page No: 74

3. What were the questions that Upanishadic thinkers wanted to answer?

Answer

The questions that Upanishadic thinkers wanted answers to were about life after death, reasons for sacrifices. Many of these thinkers felt that there was something permanent in the universe that would last even after death.

4. What were the main teachings of the Mahavira?

Answer

The main teachings of the Mahavira were:

• Men and women who wished to know the truth must leave their homes.

• They must follow very strictly the rules of ahimsa, which means not hurting or killing living beings.
• They had to lead simple lives, beg for food, be absolutely honest and had to observe celibacy.

Let’s Discuss

5. Why do you think Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of the Buddha?

Answer

Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of the Buddha because she was going on a school trip to Varanasi. Sarnath near Varanasi is closely connected to the life of Buddha as Buddha taught the people for the first time in Sarnath. wanted her to know the story of Buddha the founder of Buddhism and the greatest teacher of ancient times.

6. Do you think it would have been easy for slaves to join the sangha? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer

It would not have been easy for slaves to join the sangha because they needed their master’s permission to do so. Also, the masters’ wouldn’t have given them the permission easily.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 5 Kingdoms, Kings and an early republic Pasts 2

Page No: 63

Let’s Recall

1. State whether true or false:

(a) Rajas who let the ashvamedha horse pass through their lands were invited to the sacrifice.

► True

(b) The charioteer sprinkled sacred water on the king.

► False

(c) Archaeologists have found palaces in the settlements of the janapadas.

► False

(d) Pots to store grain were made out of Painted Grey Ware.

► False

(e) Many cities in mahajanapadas were fortified.

► True

Page No: 64

2. Fill in the chart given below with the terms: hunter-gatherers, farmers, traders, crafts persons, herders.

Answer

3. Who were the groups who could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas?

Answer

Women, dasas, kammakaras are the groups who could not participate in the assemblies of the ganas.

Let’s Discuss

4. Why did the rajas of mahajanapadas build forts?

Answer

The rajas of mahajanpadas built forts to protect their people from outside attack, to show their power. Also, the land and the people living inside the fortified area could be controlled more easily by the rajas.

5. In what ways are present-day elections different from the ways in which rulers were chosen in janapadas?

Answer

In present day, leaders are chosen through vote given by the citizen of a country while in janpadas, the rulers had to perform sacrifices such as ashvamedha or horse sacrifice to became raja.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 4 What books and burials tells us History Our Pasts 2

Page No: 52

Let’s Recall

1. Match the columns

Sukta	Stone boulder
Chariots	Sacrifice
Yajna	Well said
Dasa	Used in Battles
Megalith	Slave

Answer

Sukta	Well said
Chariots	Used in Battles
Yajna	Sacrifice
Dasa	Slave
Megalith	Stone boulder

2. Complete the sentences:

(a) Slaves were used for  ————————
► do whatever work their masters wanted.

(b) Megaliths are found in  ————————
► the Deccan, south India, in the north-east and Kashmir.

(c) Stone circles or boulders on the surface were used to  ————————

► indicate that there were burial beneath.

(d) Port-holes were used for  ————————
► entering the burial places.

(e) People at Inamgaon ate  ————————
► barley , wheat , peas , pulses , rice , millets , fruits and seasames also animal flesh and fruits.

Let’s Discuss

3. In what ways are the books we read today different from the Rigveda?

Answer

The books we read today different from the Rigveda because the books we use are printed while Rigveda was recited and heard rather than read. The Rigveda is in old or Vedic Sanskrit.

4. What kind of evidence from burials do archaeologists use to find out whether there were social differences amongst those who were buried?

Answer

In Brahmagiri, archeologists found a skeleton buried with 33 gold beads, 2 stone beads, 4 copper bangles, and one conch shell while other skeletons have only a few pots. This help archealogists to find social differences amongst those who were buried.

5. In what ways do you think that the life of a raja was different from that of a dasa or dasi?

Answer

The life of raja was different from that of a dasa or dasi in following manner:
• Raja was a powerful leader who used to rule while Dasa or dasi are captured slaves who used to serve their masters.
• Raja can perform sacrifices while dasa or dasis could not.
• Raja was a free man while dasa or dasis have to do what their masters said.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6th: Ch 2 From gathering to growing food History Our Pasts 2

Page No: 31

Let’s Recall

1. Why do people who grow crops have to stay in the same place for a long time?

Answer

People who grow crops have to stay in the same place for a long time because they had to look after the crops. The plants had to be watered and had to be protected from birds and animals so that they could grow and the seeds would ripen.

2. Look at the table on page 25. If Neinuo wanted to eat rice, which are the places she should have visited?

Answer

If Neinuo wanted to eat rice, she should have visited Koldihwa and Mahagara (both are in present-day Uttar Pradesh).

3. Why do archaeologists think that many people who lived in Mehrgarh were hunters to start with and that herding became more important later?

Answer

Archaeologists think that many people who lived in Mehrgarh were hunters to start with and that herding became more important later because at earlier levels of the excavation site bones of wild
animals such as the deer and pig were found but at later levels more bones of sheep, goat and cattle bones are most common.

4. State whether true or false:

(a) Millets have been found at Hallur.
► True

(b) People in Burzahom lived in rectangular houses.
► False

(c) Chirand is a site in Kashmir.
► False

(d) Jadeite, found in Daojali Hading, may have been brought from China.
► True

Let’s Discuss

5. List three ways in which the lives of farmers and herders would have been different from that of hunter-gatherers.

Answer

Three ways in which the lives of farmers and herders would have been different from hunt-gatherers are:
• Hunt-gatherers keep moving from place to place in search of food while farmers and herders grow their food from their living place.
• Hunt-gatherers did not build any permanent houses mostly they live in caves while farmers and herders build huts and houses.
• Hunt-gatherers had no role in protecting animals and plants while famers and herders protect animals and plants.

6. Make a list of all the animals mentioned in the table (page 25). For each one, describe what they may have been used for.

Answer

Animal	Use
Sheep	Meat and Wool
Goat	Milk and meat
Cattle	Milk and its products
Dog	Look after fields
Buffalo	Milk
Ox	Ploughing the fields and pulling carts
Pig	Meat

Let’s Do

7. List the cereals that you eat.

Answer

Wheat, Rice, maize, barley, bajra etc.

8. Do you grow the cereals you have listed in answer no. 7? If yes, draw a chart to show the stages in growing them. If not, draw a chart to show how these cereals reach you from the farmers who grow them.

Answer

No, I don’t grow these cereals.
The cereals reach from the farmers through following process.
Farmers → Middle man → Wholesaler → Retailer → We (buyer)