Maharashtra Board Class 6 Science Chapter 1 The Indian Subcontinent and History Solutions

The Indian Subcontinent and History Question Answer Class 6 History Chapter 1 Maharashtra Board

Std 6 History Chapter 1 Question Answer The Indian Subcontinent and History Maharashtra Board

Class 6 History Chapter 1 The Indian Subcontinent and History Question Answer Maharashtra Board

The Indian Subcontinent and History Class 6 Questions And Answers

1. Answer the following in one sentence:

 

Question 1. What is history?
Answer: History is a coherent account of the significant past events in the progress of human culture.
In simple words: History is the organized story of important events from the past, showing how human society and culture have developed over time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on keywords like "coherent account," "significant past events," and "progress of human culture" to accurately define history for full marks.

 

Question 2. Where do human settlements flourish?
Answer: Human settlements have flourished wherever the means of living are plentiful.
In simple words: People tend to build homes and communities in places where it's easy to find food, water, and other resources needed to survive and thrive.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that abundant resources are the primary factor attracting human settlements. This question tests basic geographical influence on human life.

 

Question 3. What do the people in the hilly region j depend on for their food?
Answer: In the hilly regions people depend more on hunting and gathering for their food.
In simple words: Due to challenging terrain in hilly areas, people often rely on hunting animals and collecting wild plants for their sustenance rather than farming.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the contrast between hilly regions and plains in terms of food sources. Hunting and gathering are key terms for hilly areas.

 

Question 4. Which was the earliest civilization in India?
Answer: The Harappan civilization was the earliest civilization in India.
In simple words: The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, is considered the first major urban culture in ancient India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately identifying the Harappan civilization as the earliest is crucial. It's a foundational fact in Indian history.

2. Answer the following questions in short:

 

Question 1. What does human life depend on?
Answer: Human life in any region depends to a large extent on its geographical characteristics, diet, clothing, housing and occupation.
In simple words: How people live is largely shaped by the natural environment around them, affecting what they eat, wear, where they live, and what jobs they do.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the key factors: geographical characteristics, diet, clothing, housing, and occupation. Showing the interconnectedness is important.

 

Question 2. What features of our surroundings form the means of our livelihood?
Answer: The climate, rainfall, agricultural produce, flora and fauna of the region where we live form the source or means of our livelihood.
In simple words: Our survival and how we earn a living are directly influenced by local weather, water supply, what crops grow, and the types of plants and animals found in our area.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on environmental elements like climate, rainfall, and natural resources (flora, fauna, agricultural produce) as they directly determine livelihood.

 

Question 3. Which region is known as the Indian subcontinent?
Answer: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India together form the region known as south Asia. Considering the expanse and significance of India in this region, it is also known as the Indian subcontinent.
In simple words: The Indian subcontinent refers to the large geographical region of South Asia, including India and several neighboring countries, often recognized for India's dominant size and influence within it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Name the countries included and emphasize India's significance in defining the region as the "Indian subcontinent."

3. Give reasons:

 

Question 1. There is a close relation between history and geography.
Answer:

• Time, place, society and individuals are four major pillars without which history cannot be written.
• Of these four components 'place' is related to geography or geographical conditions.
• This makes history and geography inseperable i.e. very closely related.

In simple words: History needs a "place" to happen, and that place is defined by geography. Therefore, understanding the land and its features is essential to understanding the past events and how societies developed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the four pillars of history and explain how 'place' (geography) is an integral and inseparable part, thus linking the two subjects.

 

Question 2. People are forced to leave their settlements.
Answer:

• Sometimes reasons like degradation of the environment, drought, invasion, etc. leads to scarcity of means.
• Therefore, people are forced to leave their settlements in their fight for survival.

In simple words: People are forced to move when their environment becomes harsh due to things like lack of water, natural disasters, or conflicts, making it difficult to find enough resources to live.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide specific examples of adverse conditions (environmental degradation, drought, invasion) that lead to resource scarcity and force migration for survival.

 

4. Explain the difference in the human life in the hilly regions and that on the plains.
Answer:

Human life in the Hilly region	Human life in the Plains
(1) Human life was very strenuous	(1) Life was more comfortable.
(2) Land was not fertile. therefore no So agriculture was wcarried on.	(2) Land was very Fertile So agriculture was carried on.
(3) Grains and vegetables Grains and are scarce.	(3) Grains and vegetables are found in plenty
(4) They depend on hunting and gathering for their food.	(4) They do not depend on hunting and gathering for their food.

In simple words: Life in hilly regions is tough due to infertile land, leading to scarcity of food and reliance on hunting, whereas life on the plains is easier with fertile land, abundant crops, and less dependence on wild food sources.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use clear contrasting points for each aspect (strenuous vs. comfortable, fertile land vs. not fertile, scarce food vs. plenty food, hunting/gathering vs. agriculture).

5. Observe the physical map of India and answer the questions based on it:

 

Question 1. Which mountain ranges lie in the north of India?
Answer: The Hindukush and the Himalayan mountain ranges.
In simple words: The Hindukush and Himalaya mountains form the major mountain ranges in the northern part of India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately name both the Hindukush and Himalayan ranges as the dominant mountain systems in India's north.

 

Question 2. Which are the routes to India from the north-east?
Answer: The route to India from the north east is by sea.
In simple words: Due to dense forests and mountains, the primary access route to India from its northeast side is via sea.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize the geographical barriers in the north-east, which historically made sea routes the more viable option for access.

 

Question 3. Where do the Ganga and Brahmaputra meet?
Answer: The Ganga and Brahmaputra meet in Bangladesh.
In simple words: The two mighty rivers, Ganga and Brahmaputra, converge in the country of Bangladesh before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the exact country where these two major rivers merge is a key geographical fact.

 

Question 4. Name the islands to the east of the Indian peninsula.
Answer: The Andaman and Nicobar islands are the Indian islands to the east of the Indian peninsula.
In simple words: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal, are the island territories situated east of mainland India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Correctly identify the Andaman and Nicobar islands and their location relative to the Indian peninsula (east, in the Bay of Bengal).

 

Question 5. In which part of India do we see the Thar Desert?
Answer: We see the Thar Desert in the north western part of India.
In simple words: The vast Thar Desert is found in the northwestern region of India, primarily covering the state of Rajasthan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Locate the Thar Desert accurately as being in the north-western part of India, which is an important geographical landmark.

Activity:

• Obtain information about the lakes or reservoirs in your locality.
• Show the following on a world map :
  1. The Himalaya Mountain
  2. The Silk Road
  3. Arabia

Class 6 History Chapter 1 The Indian Subcontinent and History Additional Important Questions and Answers

Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option:

 

Question 1. ______ is a coherent account of the significant past events in the progress of human culture.
(a) History
(b) Geography
(c) Civics
Answer: (a) History
In simple words: History is the study and record of past events, showing how human societies and cultures have developed.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question tests the fundamental definition of history. Choose the option that best describes a structured record of past human progress.

 

Question 2. Not much fertile land is available in the ______ region.
(a) plains
(b) hilly
(c) plateau
Answer: (b) hilly
In simple words: Hilly regions generally have less fertile land compared to plains, making large-scale agriculture challenging.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that steep slopes and rocky terrain in hilly regions often result in less fertile soil, impacting agricultural productivity.

 

Question 3. Grains and vegetables are ______ in the hilly areas.
(a) scarce
(b) plenty
(c) moderate
Answer: (a) scarce
In simple words: Due to limited fertile land and harsh conditions, grains and vegetables are hard to find or grow in hilly regions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the lack of fertile land in hilly areas directly to the scarcity of agricultural produce like grains and vegetables.

 

Question 4. In the ______ regions, people depend more on hunting and gathering for their food.
(a) plateau
(b) plains
(c) hilly
Answer: (c) hilly
In simple words: People living in hilly regions often rely on hunting animals and gathering wild plants for food because farming is difficult there.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question links the geographical feature (hilly regions) to the primary method of food acquisition (hunting and gathering).

 

Question 5. Human settlements have flourished wherever the means of living are _______.
(a) scarce
(b) plentiful
(c) moderate
Answer: (b) plentiful
In simple words: Human communities thrive in areas where resources like food, water, and shelter are easily and abundantly available.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall that human populations naturally gravitate towards areas rich in resources, leading to flourishing settlements.

 

Question 6. _______ lies to the north of India.
(a) Andaman
(b) Western Ghats
(c) Himalayas
Answer: (c) Himalayas
In simple words: The Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range, forms a natural barrier to the north of India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Correctly identify the Himalayas as the prominent geographical feature defining India's northern border.

 

Question 7. _______ lies to the east of India.
(a) Bay of Bengal
(b) Eastern ghats
(c) Lakshadweep
Answer: (a) Bay of Bengal
In simple words: The Bay of Bengal is a large body of water situated to the eastern side of the Indian subcontinent.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the major water bodies surrounding India: Bay of Bengal to the east, Arabian Sea to the west, and Indian Ocean to the south.

 

Question 8. ______ lies to west of India.
(a) Himalayas
(b) Arabian sea
(c) Brahmaputra
Answer: (b) Arabian sea
In simple words: The Arabian Sea is a part of the Indian Ocean located to the west of the Indian peninsula.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between the Arabian Sea (west) and the Bay of Bengal (east) as major bodies of water flanking India.

 

Question 9. _______ lies to the south of India.
(a) Indian Ocean
(b) Arabian Sea
(c) Pacific Ocean
Answer: (a) Indian Ocean
In simple words: The vast Indian Ocean stretches out to the southern side of the Indian subcontinent.

🎯 Exam Tip: The Indian Ocean is the large body of water that forms the southern boundary of India.

 

Question 10. The Hindukush and Himalayan ranges have created an impenetrable wall on the nothern side of the ______ subcontinent.
(a) Indian
(b) Foreign
(c) Asian
Answer: (a) Indian
In simple words: The formidable Hindukush and Himalayan mountains act as a natural, hard-to-pass barrier on the northern border of the Indian subcontinent.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question emphasizes the protective role of these mountain ranges for the Indian subcontinent, making it geographically distinct.

 

Question 11. There is a land route through the Khyber and Bolan passes in the ______ mountains.
(a) Himalayan
(b) Satpuda
(c) Hindukush
Answer: (c) Hindukush
In simple words: The famous Khyber and Bolan Passes, historically important trade and invasion routes, are located within the Hindukush mountain range.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate the Khyber and Bolan passes specifically with the Hindukush mountains, as they are significant historical entry points.

 

Question 12. The ______ desert spreads across Rajasthan, Haryana and some parts of Gujarat.
(a) Bhor
(b) Thar
(c) Arabian
Answer: (b) Thar
In simple words: The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, covers large areas of Rajasthan, Haryana, and parts of Gujarat.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the Thar Desert as the major desert in India, spanning these specific northern and western states.

 

Question 13. The ______ river that originates in Himachal Pradesh reaches the Thar desert.
(a) Ganga
(b) Sindhu
(c) Ghaggar
Answer: (c) Ghaggar
In simple words: The Ghaggar river starts in Himachal Pradesh and historically flowed into or near the Thar Desert region.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the Ghaggar river's origin in Himachal Pradesh and its connection to the Thar desert, particularly its historical significance.

 

Question 14. A region that is bound by sea on three sides is called a _______.
(a) peninsula
(b) plateau
(c) island
Answer: (a) peninsula
In simple words: A landmass surrounded by water on three sides but connected to the mainland on one side is known as a peninsula.

🎯 Exam Tip: This is a definition-based question. Understand the geographical term "peninsula" and its characteristics.

 

Question 15. A major part of the Indian peninsula is occupied by the ______ plateau.
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Bengal
(c) Deccan
Answer: (c) Deccan
In simple words: The Deccan Plateau covers a significant portion of the Indian peninsula, forming its central and southern landscape.

🎯 Exam Tip: The Deccan Plateau is a defining geographical feature of peninsular India. Ensure you recall its name.

 

Question 16. The mountain ranges of the Vindhya and Satpuda are located to the ______ of the Deccan Plateau.
(a) east
(b) north
(c) west
Answer: (b) north
In simple words: The Vindhya and Satpuda mountain ranges act as the northern boundary for the Deccan Plateau.

🎯 Exam Tip: Correctly position the Vindhya and Satpuda ranges as being to the north of the Deccan Plateau, separating it from the North Indian plains.

 

Question 17. Deccan plateau was a part of the ______ empire, the largest in ancient India.
(a) Maurya
(b) Gupta
(c) Chola
Answer: (a) Maurya
In simple words: The Maurya Empire, the biggest ancient Indian empire, included the Deccan Plateau within its vast territory.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall that the Maurya Empire was one of the largest ancient Indian empires, and the Deccan region was part of its expanse.

 

Question 18. Lakshadweep is a group of Indian islands in the ______ Sea.
(a) Red
(b) Dead
(c) Arabian
Answer: (c) Arabian
In simple words: Lakshadweep, a union territory of India, is an archipelago located in the Arabian Sea.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that Lakshadweep is situated in the Arabian Sea, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal.

 

Question 19. The Harappan civilization had spread mainly in the ______ part of the Indian subcontinent.
(a) southeastern
(b) northwestern
(c) southwestern
Answer: (b) northwestern
In simple words: The Harappan civilization primarily developed and spread across the northwestern areas of the Indian subcontinent, including modern-day Pakistan and parts of India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Correctly locate the Harappan civilization's major spread in the northwestern part of the subcontinent, along the Indus River and its tributaries.

Match the following:

 

Question 1.

Column (A)	Column (B)
(1) Himalayas	(a) South
(2) Indian Ocean	(b) East
(3) Arabian Sea	(c) North
(4) Bay of Bengal	(d) West

Answer:
1-c
2-a
3-d
4-b
In simple words: This match identifies the geographical directions of key features relative to India: Himalayas to the North, Indian Ocean to the South, Arabian Sea to the West, and Bay of Bengal to the East.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the cardinal directions for major geographical landmarks and water bodies surrounding India for quick and accurate matching.

 

Question 2.

Column (A)	Column (B)
(1) China	(a) Deccan plateau
(2) Vindhya range	(b) Not a part of Indian subcontinent
(3) Bangladesh	(c) In Bay of Bengal
(4) Andaman and Nicobar islands	(d) In the Hindukush mountains
(5) Khyber and Bolan passes	(e) Part of Indian subcontinent

Answer:
1-b
2-a
3-e
4-c
5-d
In simple words: This match connects various geographical entities to their correct descriptions: China is outside the subcontinent, Vindhya range is part of the Deccan, Bangladesh is in the subcontinent, Andaman & Nicobar are in the Bay of Bengal, and Khyber & Bolan passes are in the Hindukush mountains.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the specific geographical locations and classifications (e.g., part of subcontinent, in specific water body/mountain range) to correctly match the pairs.

Answer the following in one sentence:

 

Question 1. Give the four major pillars without which history could not have been written.
Answer: Time, place, society and individuals are the four major pillars of history, without which history could not have been written.
In simple words: History relies on knowing when (time), where (place), who (individuals), and how groups of people (society) were involved to tell a complete story.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you remember all four components: time, place, society, and individuals, as they are fundamental to historical study.

 

Question 2. What has created an impenetrable wall on j the northern side of the Indian subcontinent? j
Answer: Two mountain ranges, the Hindukush and Himalayan ranges have created an impenetrable wall on the northern side of the Indian subcontinent.
In simple words: The formidable Hindukush and Himalayan mountain ranges form a natural, almost impassable barrier along the northern edge of the Indian subcontinent.

🎯 Exam Tip: Correctly identify both the Hindukush and Himalayan ranges as the natural barriers that protect the Indian subcontinent from the north.

 

Question 3. Which passes form a route in the Hindukush mountains?
Answer: The Khyber and the Bolan passes form a land route in the Hindukush mountains.
In simple words: The Khyber Pass and the Bolan Pass are the key routes through the Hindukush mountains, historically used for travel and trade.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specifically name the Khyber and Bolan passes; these are well-known historical pathways through the Hindukush range.

 

Question 4. What is known as 'Hakra' in Pakistan?
Answer: The Ghaggar river that originates in Himachal Pradesh reaches the Thar desert. It is known as 'Hakra' in Pakistan.
In simple words: The Ghaggar river, originating in Himachal Pradesh, is called 'Hakra' in Pakistan as it flows towards the Thar Desert.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the Ghaggar river to its name 'Hakra' specifically when it flows through Pakistan, and mention its origin and destination.

 

Question 5. Which plateau occupies a major part of the Indian peninsula?
Answer: The Deccan plateau occupies a major part of the Indian peninsula.
In simple words: The Deccan Plateau is the dominant landform covering much of the southern part of India.

🎯 Exam Tip: The Deccan Plateau is a central geographical feature of peninsular India; ensure its name is recalled correctly.

 

Question 6. Which mountain range is to the north of the Deccan plateau?
Answer: The Vindhya and Satpuda mountain ranges are located to the north of the Deccan plateau.
In simple words: The Vindhya and Satpuda mountain ranges lie directly north of the Deccan Plateau, serving as its geographical boundary.

🎯 Exam Tip: Name both the Vindhya and Satpuda ranges to fully answer the question about the northern boundary of the Deccan Plateau.

 

Question 7. Name the Indian islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Answer: Andaman and Nicobar are the Indian islands in the Bay of Bengal.
In simple words: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the main group of Indian islands located in the Bay of Bengal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between the islands in the Bay of Bengal (Andaman and Nicobar) and those in the Arabian Sea (Lakshadweep).

 

Question 8. Which manuscript mentions the Indian islands?
Answer: The manuscript 'Periplus of the Erythrean Sea' or 'Handbook of the Red Sea' by an unknown Greek sailor, makes a mention of Indian islands.
In simple words: The ancient Greek text called 'Periplus of the Erythrean Sea' describes trade routes and ports, including mentions of islands around India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the specific name 'Periplus of the Erythrean Sea' and its author (unknown Greek sailor) as the source mentioning Indian islands.

 

Question 9. Which two ancient cities are in today's Pakistan?
Answer: The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are in today's Pakistan.
In simple words: The historically significant cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, major centers of the Indus Valley Civilization, are now located within modern-day Pakistan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Correctly identify Harappa and Mohenjo-daro as the two prominent ancient cities of the Indus Valley Civilization located in present-day Pakistan.

Answer the following questions in short:

 

Question 1. State the extent of our country, India.
Answer: Our country India, extends far and wide:

• To its north lies the Himalayas.
• To the east, the Bay of Bengal.
• To the west, the Arabian Sea.
• And to the south, the Indian ocean.
• Except for the islands of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep, the rest of the country is contiguous.

In simple words: India is bordered by the Himalayas in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Indian Ocean in the south; most of its landmass is connected, except for its island territories.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the geographical features and water bodies bordering India in each cardinal direction, and note the contiguous nature of its mainland.

 

Question 2. Describe the trade route from China to Arabia.
Answer:

• There is a land route through the Khyber and Bolan passes in the Hindukush mountains.
• This land route was connected to an ancient trade route.
• The trade route from China in the east passed through central Asia and reached Arabia in the west.

In simple words: An ancient land trade route, utilizing the Khyber and Bolan passes in the Hindukush mountains, connected China in the east, passed through Central Asia, and extended all the way to Arabia in the west.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention the specific passes (Khyber and Bolan) and trace the route's path from China, through Central Asia, to Arabia, emphasizing it as an ancient land route.

Give reasons:

 

Question 1. The trade route from west to east was also called the silk route.
Answer:

• Silk was the main commodity exported to the western countries using this trade route.
• Therefore this trade route from west to east was called the 'silk route' or 'silk road'.

In simple words: This ancient trade route was named the Silk Route because silk, originating from China, was the most significant and valuable item traded along it to Western regions.

🎯 Exam Tip: The key reason is the primary commodity traded: silk. Ensure this is explicitly stated when explaining the name "Silk Route."

6th Std History Questions And Answers:

• The Indian Subcontinent and History Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• Sources of History Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• The Harappan Civilization Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• The Vedic Civilization Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• Religious Trends in Ancient India Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• Janapadas and Mahajanapadas Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• India during the Maurya Period Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• States after the Maurya Empire Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• Ancient Kingdoms of the South Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• Ancient India: Cultural Class 6 History Questions And Answers
• Ancient India and the World Class 6 History Questions And Answers

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