Grade:6

History and Civics

Ch:9 The Gupta Empire

• Short Question Answers

1) What is the meaning of Lexicography?

Ans The process of compiling dictionaries.

2) Who repulsed the Hun invasion?

AnsSkandagupta.

3) Who wrote the Allahabad Pillar Inscription?

AnsHarisen, the court poet of Samudragupta.

4) Give any one example of Metallurgical skill achieved during the Gupta Age.
Ans Iron Pillar at Mehrauli.

Long Question Answers

1) Briefly describe the conquests of Samudragupta.

AnsSamudragupta, son of Chandragupta I, was the greatest ruler of the dynasty.
• His conquests are mentioned in Allahabad Pillar Inscrition composed by Harisena,
the court poet.
• In the north, he defeated four powerful kings and numerous smaller kings.
• He defeated 12 rulers of the Deccan and far south. Samundragupta did not annexed
this kingdoms because he felt that it would be difficult to control them from north.
• He defeated many kingdoms of the east such as Nepal, Assam and Bengal. The
rulers had to accept his suzerainty and pay him a tribute.
• He also defeated the tribal republics in Punjab and Rajasthan.

2) Who was FaHien? Why is his visit important to us?

AnsFaHien was a chinese pilgrim. He came to India to study the Buddhist scriptures. His vist
is important to us as he wrote a detailed account of his stay in India and also about the
different aspects of life under the Guptas. His account is a valuable source of information
about the Gupta Dynasty.

3) Give a brief account of administration under the Guptas.

Ans The king was the head of administration. All Gupta kings took grand titles to assert their
supremacy. A council of ministers assisted the king in administrative matters. The empire
divided into provinces each headed by a prince. Princes assisted by Kumaramatayas.
Provinces divided into districts or vishayas. Smallest administrative unit was village. Gupta
administration was fully decentralized.

4) Discuss the achievement of the Guptas in the field of art and architecture.
Ans Gupta kings built many temples. Temples were simple structures, often consisting of
just one room and image of deity. Famous temple like Dasavatara Temple (Deogarh) near
Jhansi, at Bhittargaon Temple are beautiful. Various monasteries were built like in Ajanta,
covered with paintings, depicting events from life of Buddha. The art of sculpture scaled new
heights. Statue of the Seated Buddha from Sarnath is one of the finest example.
 5) Shortnote on Literature and Science during Gupta period.
AnsLiterature
Gupta kings are patrons of Sanskrit literature. Greatest poet of the period was
Kalidas(meghaduta, Ritusamhara). Other famous writer are Sudraka(Mrichchhakatika),
Vishakhadutta(mudrarakshasa), Vishnu Sharma(Panchatantra). Many dictionaries were
translated into different languages and compiled.
Science
The study of all branches of science particularly astronomy, mathematics, metallurgy and
medicine flourished under the Guptas.

6) Samudragupta did not annex the kingdoms of the Deccan and the far south.
Give Reason.
AnsBecause these kingdoms were not annexed by Samudragupta as he felt that it would be
difficult to control them from north. The rulers were asked to pay an annual tribute and
accept Samudragupta as their overload.

7) Some historians refer to the Gupta period as the ‘Golden Age of Indian history.’
Explain.
AnsThe Gupta age was a very important period in the history. It was characterized by peace,
prosperity, a spirit of religious tolerance and was marked by tremendous progress in different
filed. Hence Gupta period is known as the Golden Age of Indian history.

CH: 10 India After the Guptas

Short Question Answer

1) Harsha belongs to which dynasty?

AnsPushyabhutis of Thaneswar.

2) Who was the first Chola ruler?

AnsRajaraja I.

3) How many assemblies were there in Chola village?

Ans Two: ur and Sabha.

4) When did Hiuen Tsang come to India?

AnsIn AD 630.

Long Question Answer

1) What do you know an out Harsha’s administration?

Ans The king was the head of the administration. He was assisted by many ministers. The
empire divided into provinces districts and villages. Administration was fully decentralized.
Local officials took deceisions independently. The law and order situation deteriorated. The
threat of severe punishments failed to bring down the crime rate.

2) Discuss Harsha’s contribution to the promotion of education.

AnsHarsha encouraged learning. He donated the revenue of 100 villages as financial
support to the Nalanda University. Due to Harsha’s patronage, Nalanda prospered and
became a popular centre of lerning. He himself was a scholar and wrote three plays in
Sanskrit that are Ratnavalli, Priyadarshia and Nagananda. His court had scholars such as
Banabhatta and Subandhu.
 3) Discuss developments in architecture and paintings during the Chalukya
period.
AnsArchitecture
The chalukyas built beautiful stone temples and cave shines dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva
at Vatapi, Aihole and Pattadakal. They also built a large number of Buddhist monasteries.
Painting
The art of painting on cave walls perfected under the chalukyas. A majority of the cave
paintings at Ajanta were done during this period. One of these painting shows Pulakeshin II
welcoming the ambassador of Persia to his court.

4) ‘The Pallava rulers were patrons of learning.’ Explain.

AnsThePallava rulers were patrons of learning. They encouraged Sanskrit language anf
literature. Mahendravarman I was a good writer himself. King Simhavishnu invited the great
Sanskrit poet Bharavi, to his court. Dandin, the author of Kavyadarsha lived during the reign
of Narasimhavarman.

5) Write a short note on architecture and sculpture under the Chola Dynasty.
AnsArchitecture
Great temple builder.
Donation money used for construction and maintenance of temples.
Brihadesvara Temple is the finest example of Chola architecture dedicated to lord Shiva and
built by RajarajaChola in 11th century AD. It is also known as Rajarajeshvara Temple (now
World Heritage Site).
Sculpture
The Chola excelled at making of images of gods and goddess. These images were either of
stone or bronze, the latter being more popular. Bronze image of Lord Shiva as Nataraja-
Lord of Dance.

6) Harsha made Kanauj his capital. Give Reason.

Ans Because Kanauj being centrally located, helped Harsha to administer his empire better.
Moreover, Harsha wanted to keep the power-Centre of the empire away from the north-
western borders, where the Huns were a constant threat.

7) RajarajaChola built a strong navy. Give Reason.

AnsBecause he realized that the vital roel is played by strong navy in strengthening
Chola power. He also felt that control over the sea would help Chola to gain monopoly
overtrade.

CH: 3 The Indus Valley Civilization

Short Question answers

1) Name one Indus site in Gujarat.

AnsLothal, Rangpur, Rojdi, Dholavira.

2) What were the main cops cultivated by the Indus people?

Ans Wheat and Barley.

3) From where the Indus people obtained copper and tin?

Ans Mesopotamia.

4) What is the meaning of motif?

Ans A design or pattern used as a decoration.
Long Question Answers

1) What are the sources that tell us about Indus Valley Civilization?
Ans It is based on archaeological sources such as the granaries at Harappa, the Great Bath
at Mohenjo-Daro and artifacts such as ornaments, pots, statues seals and so on. Its scripts
has not yet deciphered and thus knowledge still lies hidden.

2) Describe the drainage system of the Indus cities.

Ans An excellent and a well-planned drainage system characterized this civilization. The
bathrooms had sloping floors and had drains which were connected to the Street drains. The
kitchens also had drains connected to the main street drains. The main drains ran along the
sides of the street. They were covered with bricks that they could be cleaned regularly. The
great attention to hygiene and sanitation was looked after at that time.

3) What do you know about the religion of the Indus people?

Ans No temples have been found in any of the Indus cities. The Great Bath may have boon
a religious structure used for ritual bathing. Excavated articles suggest that people
worshipped images. Clay figures of a female deity have been found at many places. This
was probably the Mother Goddess.

4) What led to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?

Ans Following factors led to the decline of Indus Valley Civilization:
• Natural Disaster such as earthquakes, floods and diseases.
• Change in the course of River Indus.
• Invasion by the Aryans or some other tribes.

5) Write a short note on Indus seals.

Ans 2000 seals and more excavated. They are flat, square or rectangular in shape, made of
clay, stone and copper and have human and animals figures. Probably used by merchants
to stamp their goods. Seals inform us about the artistic skills, trade, contacts, dress,
ornaments, religious beliefs and the script of the Indus people.

Ch:14 Local Self-Government in Urban Areas.

Short Question Answer

1) Who is the Chief Executive officer of Municipal Corporatiom?

AnsMahapaur or Mayor.

2) Who appoints the Municipal Commissioner?

AnsThe State Government.

3) How many total seats are reserved for women in Municipal Corporation.
Ans One-third of the total seats are reserved for women.

4) For how many years is the Municipality elected?

And For the term of Five years.

Long Question Answers

1) What is a transitional area?

Ans A Nagar Panchayat is set up for an area that is changing from rural to an urban type.
This is called a transitional area.
 2) Describe composition of a Municipality.
And Composition
Seats are reserved for members belonging to SC, STs. One third of the total no. of seats is
reserved for women. Members of state legislature forms a part of Municipal Council.
Experienced person also form a part of council. Elected for term of five year. The people 21
and above can contest election and people above 18 can vote for their representative.

3) What are the function of a Municipality and Municipal Corporation?

Ans Both have similar functions:
Compulsory functions are:
• To arrange for the collection and disposal of garbage.
• Drainage system properly maintained.
• Establish hospitals and dispensaries etc.
Optional Functions
• To provide and maintain fire engines, museums, public parks and public toilets.
• To build night shelters, old age homes.
• To organize cultural events.

4) List any five sources of income of the Municipal bodies.

AnsFolowingare the Sources of Income:
• Taxes on goods.
• Taxes on Land, Property.
• Vehicle tax.
• Education and entertainment tex.
• Annual Grants.
• Tax onprofessions.

5) Sometimes urban self-governing bodies are dissolved before their term is

over. Give Reason.
AnsBecause it may not be functioning effectively. In such a case, new member have to be
elected within 6 month. So that term is completed.

6) Each form of local government in an urban area is separate and independent.

Explain.
Ans Towns and cities are large in size and a very large number of people live in them. The
task of providing civic amenities is also complicated. Therefore, urban local governments are
formed according to the size of a town or city.

CH: 15 Protecting Public Property

Short Question Answer

1) Which Act protect the monuments of India?

Ans Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958.

2) What do you mean by public money?

Ans Money that is paid by the people to the government in the form of various kinds of taxes.

3) What does the Archaeological Survey of India maintains?

Ans Our Historical Monuments.

Long Question Answer

 1) What is Private property? Give two example.
Ans Objects that we own and use in our daily lives are known as Personal property. And
also called as Private property. Examples: Clothes, house, pen, pencil etc.

2) What is Public property? What is it also referred as?

Ans Some things are owned collectively by the people of a country. For eg.:- roads, railways,
bridges etc. these are all built with public money, that is the taxes we pay and is also used to
maintain them. They are therefore called as Public property. As this property belongs to the
whole nation it is also referred to as National property.

3) Why is it important to protect our school property?

Ans It is important to protect our school property Because:
• It is meant for use by all students.
• Fees paid by students and grants received from government are used to maintain
school p[property.
• Students scribble their names on desks and tear pages from library books in this way
they are harming or destroying their own properties which belongs to them.
• Hence it is our duty to protect our school property.

4) Why is it important for us to protect our ancient monuments?

Or
5) Historical monuments are important to us. Give Reason
Ans It is important to protect our ancient monuments because:
• These are part of our rich heritage.
• They remind us of our glorious past and make us proud to be Indians.
• These increase our world heritage site and increases tourism in country.

6) It is important for all of us to protect public property. Give reason.

AnsBecause they are built with public money that is from the tax we pay. If we destroy or
damage the property we have to suffer its inconveniences.