CBSE Class 6 Social Science Advanced What, Where, How and When Long Answer Questions Set 01

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Briefly mention the geographical features of India.
Answer:
The physical (geographical) divisions of India are six: the Great Himalayas, the Great Northern Plains, the Deccan Plateau, the Eastern and Western Coastal Regions, the Deserts and the Islands.
1. Himalayas: a barrier against invaders from the north, so few invasions came this way.
2. Northern Plains: vast and fertile, and the base of large empires such as the Mauryas, Guptas and Mughals. Bihar, rich in iron ore, helped the Mauryas and Guptas make weapons, and both had Pataliputra as their capital.
3. Deccan Plateau: a good military base, so northern empires could not easily hold it. The Marathas used this to challenge the Mughals.
4. Coastal regions: the long coastline helped Indians, especially southern powers, to trade with South-East Asia, Africa and Europe.
5. Deserts and 6. Islands are the other two divisions listed in the chapter.
In the north-west, low passes like the Khyber and the Bolan allowed invaders to enter India again and again.
In simple words: India has six divisions, and each shaped history in its own way.

Teacher's Note:
1. Name all six first and then explain each in one line.
2. The north-west passes explain why invasions came from that side.

Question 2. Write a short note on Inscriptions ?
Answer:
Inscriptions are writings engraved on hard surfaces such as stone and copper plates.
They tell us about important events of ancient rulers, their administration, personal qualities, dates, art and the relations among kings.
Examples: the rock edicts of Ashoka, the Sanchi inscriptions, the Allahabad Pillar Inscription and the Iron Pillar Inscription at Mehrauli in Delhi.
In simple words: Inscriptions are carved records that give reliable facts about rulers.

Teacher's Note:
1. Always give at least two named examples.
2. They count as archaeological sources.

Question 3. Why did the people travel from one part of the subcontinent to another?
Answer:
People travelled for many reasons:
1. in search of livelihood and better job opportunities;
2. to escape natural calamities such as earthquakes and floods;
3. merchants went with caravans to sell valuable goods at high prices;
4. religious teachers travelled to spread their faith;
5. conquerors marched to other lands to win victories;
6. some travelled for the thrill of adventure.
In simple words: People moved for work, safety, trade, religion, conquest or adventure.

Teacher's Note:
1. The chapter gives these reasons for travel to distant lands.
2. Learn them as: work, disaster, trade, religion, conquest, adventure.

Question 4. Briefly explain the Secular or Historical literature ?
Answer:
Secular literature deals with worldly matters, not religion. Important works are:
1. Arthashastra by Kautilya: Mauryan administration and society.
2. Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadatta: the Nandas and the Mauryas, and how the Mauryas overthrew the Nandas.
3. Harshacharita by Bana: Harsha, his conquests and administration.
4. Rajatarangini by Kalhana: the history of Kashmir till the 12th century AD.
5. Plays of Kalidasa (Shakuntala, Meghaduta, Malvikagnimitra): social life of his time and the early Sungas.
Panini's Ashtadhyayi and Patanjali's Mahabhashya also give useful information.
In simple words: Secular literature means non-religious writings that give historical facts.

Teacher's Note:
1. Pair each book with its author and its topic.
2. In the book, Meghaduta is listed with the dramas of Kalidasa.

Question 5. How is the history of the past relevant to an understanding of the present ?
Answer:
We are what the past has made us. To understand anything we must know its roots, so to know India today we must study its past.
Many of our beliefs and traditions are deeply rooted in history, and we have inherited many good things.
Many groups such as the pre-Aryans, Indo-Aryans, Greeks, Scythians, Hunas and Turks mixed together and shaped the Indian people.
Ancient history teaches religious tolerance, because Hindus, Buddhists and Jains lived in harmony.
The ancient people gave one name, Bharata, to the whole land from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, which teaches unity.
The caste system broke social unity again and again, so history warns us to be careful about it.
In simple words: The past explains our traditions and teaches tolerance and unity.

Teacher's Note:
1. Use the points: roots, mixing of peoples, tolerance, unity, caste warning.
2. Write one sentence for each point.