Ratna Sagar History Solutions Solutions for Class 6 Social science Chapter 1 Studying The Past are provided here with simple step-by-step explanations. These solutions for Studying The Past are extremely popular among class 6 students for Social science Studying The Past Solutions come handy for quickly completing your homework and preparing for exams. All questions and answers from the Ratna Sagar History Solutions Book of class 6 Social science Chapter 1 are provided here for you for free. You will also love the ad-free experience on Meritnation’s Ratna Sagar History Solutions Solutions. All Ratna Sagar History Solutions Solutions for class 6 Social science are prepared by experts and are 100% accurate.
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Question A.1:
History is generally divided into ________________ time periods.
a. two
b. four
c. three
d. five
Answer:
The correct answer is option (c).
Explanation: History is divided into time periods on the basis of certain defining characteristics of each age. The three time periods that history is divided into are as follows:
i) Prehistory
ii) Proto-history
iii) History
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Question A2:
Physical remains like _________________ and jewellery help archaeologists to know about the past.
a. books
b. pots
c. bones
d. Both b and c
Answer:
The correct answer is option (d).
Explanation: Archaeologists dig up remains from the ground. The physical remains consist of pots, coins, jewellery, bones, tools etc. These help the archaeologists to understand and know about the prehistoric times as they enable an understanding of people's lifestyles.
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Question A3:
The Indus Valley Civilization is an example of
a. prehistory
b. proto-history
c. continuous story
d. history
Answer:
The correct answer is option (b).
Explanation: Proto-historic time is for which written records are present but have not been deciphered. Indus Valley Civilisation belongs to the proto-history period as the main source of information are archaeological remains. The sites were first dug up by archaeologists in the 1920s.
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Question A4:
Dates in history are expressed in two terms –
a. BC and AD
b. AD and AC
c. BC and BD
d. DC and AD
Answer:
The correct answer is option (a).
Explanation: The dates before the birth of Jesus Christ are expressed as BC, that is, 'Before Christ. The dates after the birth of Jesus Christ are expressed as AD, that is, 'Anno Domini'. It means 'In the year of our Lord'.
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Question A5:
The ______________ act as a natural barrier between India and Central Asia.
a. Vindhya Range
b. Satpura Range
c. Himalayas
d. Aravalli Range
Answer:
The correct answer is option (c).
Explanation: The Himalayas are a natural barrier between India and Central Asia. They are located to the north of the Indian subcontinent. They protect our country from the dry and cold winds of Central Asia.
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Question A6:
Inscriptions, monuments, artefacts and coins are examples of ________________ sources.
a. archaeological
b. literary
c. oral
d. recent
Answer:
The correct answer is option (a).
Explanation: Historic sources can be divided into archaeological sources and literary sources.
Archaeological sources include artefacts, monuments, coins and inscriptions. Literary sources include written records of the past, also known as manuscripts.
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Question A7:
The objects that humans made in the past–pottery, tools and ornaments are called
a. monuments
b. coins
c. inscriptions
d. artefacts
Answer:
The correct answer is option (d).
Explanation: Artefacts are archaeological sources. The ornaments, tools and pottery that were made in the past are found due to archaeological excavations and help to know about the past.
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Question A8:
Manuscripts were usually written on palm leaves and the barks of ______________ trees.
a. palm
b. birch
c. ashoka
d. deodar
Answer:
The correct answer is option (b).
Explanation: Manuscripts are literary sources that help to know about the past. These were written on palm leaves and bark of birch trees. Although most of these have been destroyed with the passage of time, rare manuscripts that are available help in understanding the past.
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Question B:
1. ____________ is the study of the past.
2. The years after the birth of Jesus Christ are counted _____________
3. ____________ has played an important role in the history of India.
4. ____________ sources are 'direct' evidences.
5. Literary sources are dividend into ______________ and secular sources.
Answer:
1. History is the study of the past.
Explanation: History has another word within it, which is 'story'. History is the story of the past, which tells us about how people lived in the past and about the important events that took place. This also helps to understand the present. This is because history is a continuous study of events. Therefore, the study of the past is necessary to understand the developments that led to present age.
2. The years after the birth of Jesus Christ are counted AD.
Explanation: AD stands for 'Anno Domini', which means 'in the year of the Lord or Christ' in English. AD is counted forward unlike BC that is counted backwards. Hence, 10th century AD comes after 9th century AD.
3. Geography has played an important role in the history of India.
Explanation: India is a geographically diverse country with many rivers, plateaus, hills, deserts and mountains. These landscapes have influenced people to settle down at favourable places such as fertile planes. People coming from far off places had to navigate through the mountains to come to India and with them, they brought their culture and traditions and influenced Indian History.
4. Archaeological sources are 'direct' evidences.
Explanation: Archaeological sources are direct sources as they cannot be changed or altered by humans. There are four types of archaeological sources: inscriptions, monuments, artefacts and coins.
5. Literary sources are dividend into religious and secular sources.
Explanation: Literature and writings that deal with religion or have a religious theme are known as religious sources. Mahabharat, Vedas, Ramayana are all religious writings. Secular sources are non-religious texts concerned with economy, politics, geography and science such as Arthashastra.
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Question C:
| 1. Prehistory | few written records | archaeological sources are one of the many sources |
| 2. Proto-history | plenty of written records | archaeological sources are the only sources |
| 3. History | no written records | archaeological sources are the main source |
Answer:
1. Prehistory - no written records - archaeological sources are the only sources.
Explanation: Writing was not invented in pre-historical age, hence there are no written records of that era. Archaeological sources, such as coins, ornaments, artefacts, etc., are the only available sources of evidence from prehistory.
2. Proto-history - few written records - archaeological sources are the main source.
Explanation: Very few written records are there from this time of history. Historians are still trying to decipher them. Hence, archaeology becomes the main source of evidence for proto-history. Indus Valley civilisation is an example of this period.
3. History - plenty of written records - archaeological sources are one of the many sources.
Explanation: History is the time period after the invention of writing. Hence, there are lots of written records available and archaeological sources are one of the main sources of evidence.
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Question D1:
Why do we need to study the past?
Answer:
We need to study the past because history records the past as chain of events right till the present time. Hence, our present is shaped by events of the past. The past has a lot of effect on how the world around us exists at present. Hence, to understand the present, we must study and understand the past.
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Question D2:
How have the Himalayas helped in shaping the history of India?
Answer:
The Himalayas have helped in shaping the history of India as it forms a natural barrier between India and Central Asia. They have protected India against many invasions. The passes in these mountains have allowed merchants, traders, scholars, soldiers and explorers to come to India. They have contributed to the history of the country. These people brought different ideas, traditions and customs to India and enriched its culture as well as shaped its history. The geographical barrier of Himalayas has also an impact on India's climate and have significantly made an impact on the historical processes here.
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Question D3:
How is the work of an archaeologist and a historian similar to that of a detective?
Answer:
The work of archaeologists and historians are similar to detectives because like detectives, they try to put together archaeological clues and written records to piece together the past. Just like detectives investigate and collect evidence, archaeologists and historians find archaeological clues such as broken pots from earlier time periods, written records and manuscripts to know about the past. They use two types of clues that are the sources of history; archaeological and literary.
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Question D4:
What are monuments? What do they tell us?
Answer:
Buildings that are historically important are known as monuments.
Monuments tell us a lot about the time period in which they were built. The science, culture, religious beliefs and architecture of the people of the time and place in which the monument was built, are exemplified through the monuments.
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Question D5:
What is religious literature? Give two examples.
Answer:
Writings that are based on religion, deal with religion or its ideals are known as religious literature. There are many religious texts in the Indian history, many Upanishads and Vedas, but the two prominent religious texts are Ramayana and Mahabharata.
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Question E1:
Why did people first settle near river valleys?
Answer:
Geography has always been the determining factor of development in a particular place. Favourable environments with plenty of resources are populated. Therefore, river valleys were preferred by people for the following reasons:
i) Sufficient water for all their needs are provided by river water.
ii) Crops could be grown easily as the land near the river was very fertile. This was their source of food, which helped in their survival.
iii) The river served as a means of transport.
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Question E2:
What are inscriptions? How do they help us know about ancient India?
Answer:
The written records on the walls of caves, metal pillars, rocks, stones, copper, stone and clay tablets, walls of temples are known as inscriptions.
The inscriptions on the monuments, metal pillars, rocks, copper and clay tablets have been a source of information about the victories and achievements of the rulers of the ancient empires. The way of life, events and culture of the empires are depicted through inscriptions. They are relevant sources of information about battles and deeds of emperors and their achievements. They also highlight the influence and historical legacy of a king or an emperor. This helps us to know about the past, form an idea and gain knowledge about the history.
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Question E3:
How are coins a valuable source of information about ancient India?
Answer:
Coins are a valuable archaeological source of information. They help in gaining knowledge about ancient India in the following ways:
i) The way of life and the administration of reigning kings of the past are known through coins.
ii) An idea about the economy of the past is gained from them.
iii) The extent of the king's empire is known.
iv) The trade policies and routes are highlighted.
v) Art and religion of the particular period also comes to light.
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Question E4:
Write a short note on secular literature.
Answer:
Literary sources are of two kinds: Religious literature and secular literature. Secular literature are writings that are not religious. These include poems, plays, stories, biographies of kings, accounts of foreign travels and books on science and politics.
Examples of secular literature are Arthashastra by Kautilya, the Indika by Megasthenes, poems and plays by Kalidasa, accounts of Fa Hien and Hieun Tsang and Sangam literature.
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Question E5:
Pottery is one of the most common finds on an excavation site. Why?
Answer:
The beginning of pottery was in the Indus Valley civilisation. It was one of the most found artefacts on the excavation sites. This is because of the following reasons:
1. The crops cultivated by people needed to be kept for later use. Pottery was extensively made to store the grains. The consumption spread over a longer period of time due to pottery.
2. These were made for other applications such as to contain water, oil and fats of animals.
3. Pottery was also used as utensils for cooking and eating.
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Question E6:
Why do you think rulers in ancient times recorded their victories on hard surfaces like rocks and pillars?
Answer:
The rulers in ancient times recorded their victories on hard surfaces like copper and stone plates. This is because of the following reasons:
1. The inscriptions on the stone and copper plates are clear, legible and do not wear away easily.
2. The victories and achievements of the rulers could be read by the people. This would make them aware of the ruler's authority and power.
3. The records last for a longer time and people of the future periods come to know about the history. This makes the rulers and their achievements everlasting and creates a legacy.
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