SOCIAL STUDIES

Class-6th

Term-2

Ch-11

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
GUPTA EMPIRE
Q1. Who was the founder of the Gupta Empire? When and how did he found this empire?

Ans. The origin of the Gupta is shrouded in mystery and nothing definite can be said on this point. After
the fall of the Kushan empire, towards the middle of the third century A.D India was divided into a large
number of small principalities. This position of utter confusion continued for many years. Sri Gupta
brought Magadha under his control. He was the founder of the imperial Guptas in India. According to
the Chinese pilgrim Itsing nothing more is known about Sri Gupta. He was followed by his son
Ghatotakacha in about 300 A.D and after him, he was succeeded by his own son Chandragupta 1. He
was the first important ruler of Gupta dynasty.

Q2. Give an account of Gupta administration and society as described by Fa Hien.

Ans. Fa Hien has highly praised the gupta administration as its functioned under gupta 2.

Administration:

The gupta administration was very mild and liberal in its nature. It seldom interfered in the day-
to-day life of the people.
The criminal law was very mild. Ordinarily fine was regarded as a sufficient punishment.
Roads were quiet safe and both the travelers and the merchants moved freely.
The taxes were light and the people could easily afford them to pay.
Land revenue formed the main source of the govt. income, which was usually one fourth of the
total produce.
The govt. servants were paid their salaries in cash.

Society:
 He writes that’s the climate was mild and free from frost and snow and that the people were
rich and prosperous and the vied one another in giving donations.
They had established various rest houses and hospitals which afforded all sorts of facilities both
to the travelers and the poor.
They were very honest and trustworthy.
The bulk of the people were vegetarian and followed the principle of Ahimsa.
One class of people i.e the Chandalas comprising butchers, the hunters and the fishermen who
indulged in hunting and taking meat.
The gold coins like those of Suvarnas and Dinaras were actually current during Chandragupta
Vikramaditya’s reign.

Q3. Why is the Gupta age called the Golden age of the ancient history of India?

Ans: The Gupta period is regarded as the Golden Period in the history of Ancient India. During this
period India has made such a great progress in all most all aspects of Human Life – weather social,
political, religious, economic or cultural – as was never made in India before. there was complete peace
and prosperity in the country. science, religion, art, literature and all the other finer aspects of
civilization made a great progress during this period. such an age when India made a rapid progress in all
directions, certainly deserves to be called “The Golden Age of Hinduism,” or “The Most Glorious Epoch
in the History of Ancient India.” some of the chief achievements of the Gupta Period are the following:

Unity and Nationalism

Enlightened character of the Government
Peace and Prosperity
An Ideal type of Life
Religious Toleration
Advancements in the Field of Literature, Sciences, Fine Arts & Education
Growth of Trade & Commerce

Q4. Discuss the progress made in the field of science, technology, art and architecture during the Gupta
Period?

Ans: The Sciences of medicine, mathematics and astronomy were studied with great interest.
Vridhavagra Bhatta and Brahmagupta were Physicians of repute. In Astronomy, Aryabhatta and
Varahamihira were famous. While Aryabhatta wrote “Suryasidhanta”, the most interesting work of
Varahamihira is “Panchasidhantika”. Aryabhatta, however, was the first Astronomer to discover that the
Earth rotates round the sun. it was in this age that the Indians invented “Zero” and “Decimal Notation”
in Arithmetics. They were later on learnt by the people of the western countries.

Short Type Question.

Q1.What do you know about Chandragupta 1?

Ans. Chandragupta I ruled from 320-335 A.D. He was the first important ruler of the Gupta dynasty. He
was the son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Sri Gupta. He raised Maghada to the power and prestige by
his matrimonial alliances and conquests. He greatly extended the boundaries of his kingdom and
adopted the title of “Maharaja-Adhiraja” or “King of kings”. He entered into matrimonial alliance with
the famous Lichchhavi tribe amd married Kumar Devi.

Q2. Write a brief note on Samudragupta.

Ans. Samudragupta ascended the throne after the death of his father Chandragupta I in about 335 A.D.
He was one of the most powerful and ablest kings of ancient India. He was a great conqueror who had
fought many successful battles during the reign of his father. He gave peace and unity to the country
and established a mighty empire. It is because of his great military achievements that he is known as
the” Indian Napoleon”.

Q3. Who assumed the title of Vikramaditya?

Ans.Chandragupta II assumed the title of Vikramaditya.

Q4. What was the aim of Fa Hien’s visit to India?

Ans. Fa Hien, a Chinese Buddhist traveler visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. His main aim
`was to study the Buddhist scriptures and visit the holy places connected with Buddhism.

Q5. Why is the third century A.D. called the Dark Age of ancient Indian history?

Ans. The Kushana empire declined in the third century A.D. and with its fall there was a great disorder in
the country. As a result, many independent states sprang up in India. Our knowledge about these states
is very little. That is why, the third century A.D. is called the Dark Age of ancient Indian history.

Q6. Who was Kumara Devi?

Ans. Kumara Devi was the wife of Chandragupta I.

Q7. Which inscription throws light on Samudragupta’s conquests and personal qualities?

Ans. The Allahbad inscription (prayag prashasti) composed by the court poet Harisena throws light on
his conquests and personal qualities.

Q8. Why is Samudragupta called the “India Napoleon”?

Ans. It was because of his great military achievements in Northern and Southern India that he is called
the “Indian Napoleon”.

Q9. Who was Fa-Hien?

Ans. Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgrim India during the reign of Chandragupta II. He has given us an
interesting account of the conditions in India in those days.
Ch-12

Political Developments – Harshavardhana

Short type questions.

Q1. Who was Hieun Tsang?

Ans. Hieun Tsang was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Harsha.

Q2. Who was Rajyashri?

Ans. Rajyashri was the daughter of Prabhakar Vadhana and sister of Harsha.

Q3. Who was Grahavarman?

Ans. Grahavarman was the Maukhari ruler of Kanauj.

Long type questions

Q1.Why did Harshavardhana shift his capital?

Ans. Harshavardhana’s first act, after her accession was to search his sister Rajyashri and to save her life
at the time when she was going to burn herself as a Sati. Then he united the two kingdoms of Thanesvar
and Kanauj and transferred his capital from Thanesvar to Kanauj.

Q2. Why did Harsha not extend his empire to the Deccan?

Ans. Having consolidated his power in Northern India Harsha invaded Deccan in about 620 A.D.

But Deccan at that time was ruler by a powerful ruler Pulakesim II of Chalukya dynasty. In the battle that
was fought on the banks of Narmada, Harsha was repulsed and defeated with heavy losses. This was the
single defeat that Harsha suffered in his long carrier of conquest. As a result of his defeat Harsha could
not extend his empire beyond the Narmada.

Q3. What were the conquests of Harsha?

Ans. After strengthening his position Harsha thought of conquering his neighboring lands. He marched
against Shashanka, but could not crush him. However, in the first six years of his reign Harsh occupied
Easter Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal and Odisha. He maintained friendly relations with therulers
of Assam and Gujarat. His empire extended from the Brahmaputra in the East to the Eastern Punjab in
the West and the Himalayas in the North to the Narmada in the South.
Q4. Harsha was a great scholar. Explain.

Ans. Harsha was a great patron of art and literature. He built monasteries, stupas and viharas etc. The
art of painting and calligraphy flourished. Harsha himself was a scholar and dramatist and wrote three
dramas in Sanskrit “The Ratnavali”, “The Priyadarshika” and “The Nagananda”. He gathered round
himself some of the finest intellectuals and holiest sages. Nalanada University, the great seat of learning,
made a great progress under the liberal patronage of Harsha.

Q5. What did Hiuen Tsang write about Harsha’s society?

Ans. Harsha always swathe welfare of his people. The people were not heavily taxed. They were honest
truthful, religious and hospitable. Their food and dress was simple. The cast system was rigid. The
customs of child marriage and Sati were prevalent at that time. The people followed the occupations of
agriculture, trade and industry. The country had a brisk trade with China and Persia. There was plenty of
gold and silver in the country. Thus the people were mostly rich and prosperous.

Q6. What were the military campaign of Harsha?

Ans. Harsha’s military carrier was as:

1. War against Sasank of Bengal.

2. Conquest of five Indies (i.e Eastern Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

3. Conquest of Gujarat (or Valabhi).

4. War against Pulkeshin II.

5. Conquest of Ganjan.

Answer the following in 30 to 40 words.

Q1. How did Harshavardhana become the ruler of Kanauj?

Ans. Harshavardhana’s first act, after her accession was to search his sister Rajyashri and to save her life
at the time when she was going to burn herself as a Sati. Then he united the two kingdoms of Thanesvar
and Kanauj and transferred his capital from Thanesvar to Kanauj.

Q2. With which countries did Harsha have diplomatic relations?

Ans. China, Persia and other neighboring countries.

Q3. How did we know that Harsha was a great patron of learning?

Ans. Harsha was not only a great scholar and an author of some great works himself but he was also a
great patron of learning. Many great scholars like Bana, Matanga, Divakara, Jayasena adorned his court.
Nalanda University, the great seat of learning, made a great progress under the liberal patronage of
Harsha.

Q4.Why is Harshavardhana called the “Indian Hatim”?

Ans. In 1643 A.D Hiuen Tsang saw the two great assemblies, one at Kanauj and one at Prayag. Harsha
called the Kanauj assembly to honor the Chinese pilgrim, and to preach the Mahayana from Buddhism.
Besides, he held an assembly at Prayag. In it he worshipped the images of Buddha, Surya and Shiva. At
the end, he distributed all his wealth among the Brahmans, The Buddhists, the poor and the needy.
Harsha is therefore, rightly called the “Indian Hatim” because of his generosity.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SECTION-1)

THE PANCHAYATI RAJ
(THREE TIER SYSTEM)
Subject: Civics

Class-6th

Term-2

Ch-26

Answer the following questions.

Q1. Describe the structure of the Panchayati Raj system.

Ans. The Panchayati Raj is a three tier system. It works at three levels-

* The Grampanchayat at the village level

*The Block Samiti at the block level

*Zila Parishad at the district level

A few Panchayats are combined to form a Block Samiti. A Vlock Samiti is an organization formed to take
care of the needs of the whole block.

Q2. How is a Block Samiti formed?

Ans. All the Pradhans or Sarpanchs of the Gram Panchayats are the members are the members of the
Panchyat Samitis (Block Samiti). All members of the Lok sabha, the Rajyasabha, the state legislative
assembly and the state legislative council elected from the blocks concerned, are also its members.
Every block Samiti must have some representatives from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and
Backward Classes and women. The members are generally elected for five years.

They elect a Block Samiti Chairman (Block Pramukh) and a Vice Chairman (Up-Pramukh). The Chairman
looks after the day-to-day work of the Panchayat Samiti. The Block Development Officer (B.D.O) is the
administrative head of the Block Samiti.

Q3. How is the Zila Parishad formed?

Ans. The Zila Parisha is formed of the following members:

1. All the chairmen of the Block samitis are in the Zila Parishad

2. All members of the Lok Sabha and the Raj Sabha representing the district

3. All MLAs and MLCs from the district

4. Representatives of the SC and ST

5. Representatives of women

6. The Deputy Commissioner of the district is the chairman of the Zila Parishad . A Vice President is also
elected. If they do not function satisfactorily, both can be removed by a no-confidence motion. A
majority vote is required to take such a decision.

Q4. What are the functions of the Zila Parishad?

Ans. The Zila Parishad is expected to give help and support to Gram Panchayats and Block Samitis. It
informs the State Govt. relating to the work being done by the Gram Panchayats and Block Samitis. It
also gives advice to these two bodies. The Zila Parishad also supervises the implementation of the
projects under the Five-Years Plans. It monitors the agricultural production and various developmental
plans take up under the Community Development Programme of the district. On the basis of plans
prepared by the Block Samitis, the Zila Parishad makes a plan for the whole district. It also advices the
state govt. on all matters relating to developmental activities in the district.
Q5. Mention the significance of Panchayati Raj.

Ans. The significance of the Panchayati Raj is as follows:-

It has brought about general and political awareness in the rural masses.
It has helped to establish democracy at the grass roots level.
It has brought the people and the govt. closed to each other.
People have become partners in decision making at the local level.
It has helped in improving the general condition of the people through welfare activities.
It has spread literacy and education in rural areas.
Reservations of one third seats for women is a progressive step.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SECTION-1)

Subject-Civics

Class-6th

Term-2

Ch-27

Answer the following questions:

Q1. What is a ‘Nagar Panchayat’? Describe its functions.

Ans. A Nagar Panchayat is a set up for an area that is changing from a rural to an urban type. This is
called a transitional area. Such an area does not qualify for the setting up of a municipality but is
considered important enough to have a local self governing body.

Main Functions:

It keeps records of births and deaths.

It provides civic amenities, such as safe drinking water, electricity, etc.
It constructs roads and maintains them.
It also opens parks, primary schools and dispensaries.

Q2. How is Municipality formed?

Ans. About 15 to 60 members of a municipal committee are generally directly elected by registered
voters. The city is divided into wards for the purpose of election. A voter must be a citizen of India, at
least 18 years of age and a resident in the city, while a candidate must also have these qualifications,
plus his or her age should be 21 years. These elected members may elect a President (Chairman) and the
Vice-President (Vice-Chairman). The President presides over the functions with the help of the Executive
Officer and other officers, like the Secretary, the Health Officer and the Municipal Engineer, etc.

Q3. Mention the functions of a Municipality and a Municipal Corporation.

Ans. The functions of the urban local self govt. can be divided into two classes:

Essential or Compulsory functions

Optional or Voluntary functions

Essential or Compulsory function:

These are as follows:

Public health: The first main function is to establish hospitals and dispensaries, to arrange
vaccinations to protect people against diseases and adulteration of food stuff.
Public works and services: The local self govt. provides good roads and maintains them in good
condition. Road side urinals and latrines, water and electricity supply etc. are also made
available. They also maintain the records of births and deaths.
Public education: The local bodies establish and manage primary schools and are obliged to see
that all children within the age group of 6 to 14 years go to school. They also open libraries,
museums, zoological parks etc.
Public safety: Another important function is to provide public safety against fire and dilapidated
buildings. For this it maintain fire engines and a trained staff to save life and property of the
people.

Optional and Voluntary functions:

The following are the optional functions of the local self govt, which should be performed, if funds

permit:

Maintain rest houses, night shelters, children’s homes, orphanages, senior citizens homes,
homes for destitute women etc
To run educational institutions like schools, colleges, polytechnics etc
To provide cheap and efficient bus service or means of transport

Q4. What are the sources of income of a local self-government?

Ans. The local self-government needs funds for carrying out their duties. Some of the sources of their
fund are given below:

Octroi duty on goods brought into the city

Taxes on houses and land called property tax
Income from water supply
Taxes on business and professions
Toll tax for use of roads and bridges
Grants from the state government
Education tax for education activities

Q5. Describe the relationship of local body and state government.

Ans. The local bodies work under the overall control of the state government. There is a minister for
Local Self-Govt. in most of the states. In fact, the local body, a corporation or a municipality are created
by a law of the state govt. The state govt. keeps a check on its finances and gets their accounts audited
regularly. The permission of the state govt. is necessary to levy a new tax or to raise a loan. If the work
of a municipality or a corporation is found unsatisfactory, the state govt. can dissolve it. Actually, local
self govt. is a State Subject under the constitutions of India.

MAPS-OUR BEST GUIDES

Subject-Geography

Class-6th

Ch-18

Answer the following questions in short:

Q1: What is meant by scale?

Ans: Scale is the ratio between the actual distance on the ground and its corresponding distance on the
map.

Q2. Why are symbols used in maps?

Ans: It is not possible to show the actual shapes and sizes of different features like a road, bridge,
school, market etc. Certain signs are used to show these features known as conventional symbols.
Symbols make the maps easy to interpret and also give a lot of information in a limited space.

Q3. Where do we find maximum distortion on the maps?

Ans: The maximum distortion on the maps happens to be around the poles.

Q4. What does R.F stand for?

Ans: R.F stands for ‘Representative Fraction’. It denotes the ratio between the map distance and the
actual ground distance.

R.F= Map distance/ Actual ground distance

Q5: What is the chief feature of a globe?

Ans: A globe is the true representation of our Earth. It gives us the exact idea about the location of
different continents and oceans over the Earth’s surface. It is drawn on a small scale.

Q6: Name the four principal directions.

Ans: The four principal directions are East, West, North and South.

Q7: Define a map?

Ans: A map is the representation of the Earth’s surface as a whole or a part of it on a plane surface
drawn to some specific scale.

Answer the following in detail:

Q1: Differentiate between a plan and a sketch.

Ans:

Plan Sketch
It is a drawing which shows the layout of It is a rough drawing of any area based on
a building. memory.
It is drawn to a scale with all necessary It is drawn without a scale .
minute details.
E.g : It is used by architects who design E.g.:They are drawn on wedding cards for
houses. the guests to easily reach the venue.
Q2: What are the different types of maps?

Ans: Various types of maps are useful for various purposes. They may be classified either on the basis of
scale or functions.

According to scale maps are of 2 types:

Small Scale maps

Large Scale maps
Small Scale Maps: When large areas like continents of countries with less detail are to be shown on
paper, then it is known as small scale map. E.g : Atlas and Wall maps

Large Scale Maps: When a small area like a village or town is to be shown in detail on paper, then we use
a large scale map. E.g: The layout maps of villages and the guide maps of cities.

According to function, maps are of the following types:

Physical Maps: Maps showing natural features of the Earth like mountains, plateaus, plains,
river, oceans etc are called Physical or Relief Maps.
Political Maps: These maps show the boundaries of countries and of the states within the
countries. They also show the location of cities and towns.
Thematic Maps: These are used to show some specific information. E.g: road maps, rainfall
maps, maps showing distribution of forests, industries, mines etc.

Q3. What are the advantages of using symbols on maps?

Ans: Maps are used to show a variety of information, such as population, physical feature, natural
vegetation, roads, buildings, resources, human settlement etc. It is very difficult to show all such things
on a map due to less space available. To overcome this problem, we use different signs and symbols to
make a map more informative. These signs and symbols keep the map clean and thus make it easy to
read. Maps have a universal language that can be understood by all. E.g, generally blue is used to show
water bodies, brown for mountains, yellow for plateau and green for plains.

Q4. Give a brief description of the components of a map.

Ans: The various components of a map are:

Scale
Cardinal Points of Direction
Symbols

Scale: Scale is the ratio between the actual distance on the ground and its corresponding distance on the
map.

Cardinal Points of Direction: The four major directions are East, West, North and South. These are
known as the Cardinal Points. We can locate any place more accurately with the help of these directions.

Symbols: It is not possible to show the actual shapes and sizes of different features like a road, bridge,
school, market etc. Certain signs are used to show these features known as conventional symbols.
Symbols make the maps easy to interpret and also give a lot of information in a limited space.

Q5: Differentiate between Large scale maps and small scale maps.
 Large scale map Small scale map

It is used to show a small area in detail. It is used to show large areas with less
detail.
Size: 5cm on the map shows 500m on the Size: 5cm on a map shows 500km on
ground. ground.
E.g: The layout maps of villages and the E.g: Atlas and wall maps
guide maps of cities.

Q6. Define a globe. Also discuss its limitations.

Ans: A globe is the true representation of our Earth. It gives us the exact idea about the location of
different continents and oceans over the Earth’s surface. It is drawn on a small scale.

But there are some limitations in using globes, such as:

It is difficult to carry a globe everywhere.

Due to limited space, it is difficult give many details over a globe.
We cannot show part of the Earth on a globe
Details of geographic features like mountains, plains, rivers etc cannot be shown properly.
It is very difficult to handle a big sized globe.

Q7: Suggest any two methods of finding directions.

Ans: We can find out directions by facing the rising sun, with the help of a pole star or with the help of a
compass. ( Do Any Two)

The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. If we stand facing the sun in the morning, it
means we are facing towards the East and the West is towards out back. The left hand points
towards the North and the right hand points towards the South.
On a cloudless night, the pole star can show us the North direction and then the other directions
can be found out.
A magnetic compass is an instrument usually used to find out the direction. Its magnetic needle
always points towards the North-South direction. It is also known as the mariners compass
because it is used by mariners or seamen to find a direction while sailing.
Chapter 21

OUR COUNTRY: INDIA

Answer the following in short:

Q1. What is the Ten Degree Channel?

Ans: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are separated by a wide channel called Ten Degree Channel.

Q2. Give the location of the Malwa Plateau.

Ans: The Northern part of the Peninsular plateau bounded by the Aravali Range in the West and the
Vindhya and Satpura Ranges in the South, is called the Malwa plateau.

Q3. Name the neighbouring countries of India.

Ans. There are 7 countries that shared land boundaries with India, namely, China Nepal, Bhutan,
Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Q4. Why is a large concentration of population found in the Northern Plains?

Ans. The Northern Plains are very fertile lands. These plains have been formed by the Alluvial deposits of
the Indus, the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Northern Plains are among the largest
plains in the world and are also called the Indo-Gangetic Plain. These plains provide fertile land for
cultivation. Due to this, a large concentration of population found in the Northern Plains.

Q5. Name the major physical divisions of India.

Ans. India is divided into six physical divisions.

1. The Northern Mountains

2. The Northern Plains

3. The Peninsular Plateau

4. The Great Indian Basin

5. The Costal Plains

6. The Islands

Q6. Name the major rivers fall into the Arabian Sea.

Ans. Narmada and Tapi.

Q7. Name the states having a common capital. Also name the capital.
Ans. Punjab and Chandigarh share the same capital Haryana.

Andra Pradesh and Telangana share the same capital Hydrabad.

Q8. How many states and union territories are there in India?

Ans. There are 29 states and 7 union territories in India.

Answer the following in detail.

Q1. Give any three features of northern plains.

Ans. The northern plains compromise three distinct parts. They are as follows:

a. The Punjab Haryana Plain: in India, the plain of Punjab and Haryana is drained mainly by the
Satluj, the Ravi and the Beas (Vyas) which are the tributaries of the river Indus. This plain is the
part of the Indus Basin and the major of the plain lies in Pakistan.

b. The Ganga Plain: the most extensive part of the Northern plains is formed by the Ganga and its
tributaries. The important tributaries of the Ganga include the Yamuna, the Ghagara, the
Gandak, the Kosi and the Son.

c. The Brahmaputra Plain: They has been formed by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The
distributaries deposit the alluvium brought down by the rivers, creating a triangular area of land
called a delta.

Q2. Give a description of the political and administrative divisions of India.

Ans. India is a vast country. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 29 states and 7
union territories. Delhi is the National Capital, Rajasthan is the largest state and Goa is the smallest in
terms of area. Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are the newly formed states of India. Uttar
Pradesh is the most populous state. The states have been divided into districts.

Q3. Give a description about the Malwa Plateau and the Deccan Plateau.

Ans. The peninsular plateau has two distinct parts:

1. The Mlawa Plateau: the northern part of the Peninsular plateau, bounded by the Aravali Range
in the West and the Vindhya and Satpura Ranges in the South, is called the Malwa plateau.

2. The Deccan Plateau: it lies to the south of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. The Deccan plateau
is bounded by hills on the west and east. The western hills are collectively called the Western
Ghats or the Sahyadris. The eastern hills lying along the eastern coastal plains from north to
south are collectively called the Eastern Ghats. The longest east flowing river Godavari is known
 as the Ganga od the South or Dakshin Ganga. The other major rivers include the Mahanadi, the
Krishna and the Kaveri.

Q4. Differentiate between the Western Coastal Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain.

Ans.

the Western Coastal Plain the Western Coastal Plain

Is a thin coastal plain that lies between the This Plain lies between the Eastern Ghats and
Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. the Bay of Bengal.
Narmada and Tapi flow through it. The Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and
the Kaveri, etc flow through it.
It make estuaries. it make deltas
The northern part is known as the Konkan Coast. The northern part is known as the Northern
Circars.
The southern part is known as the Malabar The southern part is known as the Coromandel
Coast. Coast.