Important Questions for CBSE Class 6 Social Science Our Past Chapter 4 - What Books And Burials Tell Us

Very Short Answer Questions: 1 Mark

1. Fill in the blanks: 

i. _____ is one the largest Chalcolithic settlements in India. 

Ans: Inamgaon. Inamgaon is an archaeological site and post-Harappan farming community in Maharashtra, western India.

ii. _____ talks about Sanskrit hymns. 

Ans: Rig Veda. The Rigveda, which contains roughly 1,000 hymns, is the earliest collection of Vedic literature, or Samhita.

iii. ____ is the oldest veda. 

Ans: Rig Veda. The Rigveda is the oldest Vedic Sanskrit text that has been discovered. One of the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language can be found in its early strata.

iv. _____ has the information about Aryans. 

Ans: Rig Veda. Despite the fact that the Rig Veda was primarily a religious devotional work, it includes a wealth of information on early Aryan lifestyles.

2. State true and false. 

i. Vaishyas community was the most common community. 

Ans: True. Agriculture, livestock care, trade, and other economic endeavours are the primary occupations of Vaishyas.

ii. Brahmans were designated to look after every religious matter. 

Ans: True. In Hindu society, the Brahmins wielded the most influence; they were priests who served as the society's spiritual and intellectual leaders.

iii. Mahanadi and Yamuna were being worshipped as a goddess. 

Ans: False.  Beas and Satluj were worshipped.

iv. In Bihar Manuscript of Rig Veda was found.

Ans: True. The Veda is divided into 10 Mandalas, each of which performs a certain function. The primary goal is to compose songs in honour of Hindu gods.

3. Match the following

Ans: 

1. Used in battles - Chariot, an ancient open-top, two- or four-wheeled vehicle that may have been used in royal funeral rites before being used in warfare, racing, and hunting.

2. Slave - The 'Rajas' were the community's kings, while the 'dasas' / 'dasis' were at the bottom of society. Slaves known as 'dasas' or 'dasis' were employed as slaves.

3. Sacrifice - A sacrifice or sacrificial rite is referred to as a yajna. It comes from the root yaj, meaning "to give," "to serve," "to honor," "to honor," or "to present an offering to the gods."

4. Well said - The Sukta is a hymn made up of a series of Riks. Rik denotes a praise-filled incantation, whereas Veda denotes knowledge.

5. Stone boulder - A megalith is a massive prehistoric stone that has been used alone or in combination with other stones to build a construction or monument.
   
   

4. Choose the correct option 

i. Slaves were used for work. They were bound to obey their master. 

Ans: True. Slaves were assigned to whatever tasks their lords desired.

ii. Megalith are found in Kashmir. 

Ans: True. Megaliths can be found in the Deccan region of south India, as well as the North East and Kashmir.

iii. Port holes were used for doors. 

Ans: False. Other members of the same family were buried in the same area through port-holes.

iv. People in Inamgaon were eating sugarcane.

Ans: False. Wheat, barley, rice, pulses, millets, peas, and sesame, as well as animal flesh and fruits, were consumed in Inamgaon.

5 Define the Following 

i. Slaves 

Ans: Women and men who have been taken prisoner during a war

ii. Yajna

Ans: Brahmans execute a ritual to appease the Gods and Goddesses.

Short Answer Questions  2 Marks

6. Give a short detailing about Rishis.

Ans: The devotees who worshipped God were known as Rishis.

7. What kind of drink was Soma?

Ans:  Soma was a drink made from a specific sort of plant for special occasions.

8. What was the language of Austro-Asiatic family?

Ans: The Austro-Asiatic language family includes the languages spoken in Jharkhand and central India.

9. How can we know more about Megalithic people?

Ans: We can learn more about megalithic people by studying the artefacts found in graves.

10. What are the four Vedas?

Ans: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda

Short Answer Question 3 Marks

11. Explain something about Gods and Goddesses

Ans: Early Aryans used to worship different kinds of forces such as sun, earth, wind, fire and so on. These natural forces became their Gods and Goddesses. Later, these gods were given a human form. Linga or Shiva was the most powerful deity and a symbol of strength.

12. How were the megaliths of a particular family recognised?

Ans: People used to bury megaliths once they passed away. They also used to place a stone boulder on the burial site as a signpost to identify their relative's grave. The burials used to happen at various periods.

13. What was the importance of Cow in the life of Aryans?

Ans: The lives of the Aryans were extremely well-organized. Their settlements and towns were meticulously planned. Previously, they lived in huts.

Fences surrounded the huts. These fences protected them and their homes from wild creatures. The majority of the residents owned a cow. For a variety of reasons, the cow was a highly important animal to them. The cows provided numerous benefits to the Aryans.

14. What was the culture of the Megaliths?

Ans: Megaliths used to bury their ancestors once they passed away. They used to place a massive block of stone on the site. This stone had their name inscribed on it, which made it easier for them to find their burial. Large pieces of iron and weapons were found in these tombs.

15. Who were Dasas?

Ans: Dasas were those who refused to participate in sacrifices and Yajnas. They spoke a language that was distinct from that of the Aryans. They were seen as adversaries by the Aryans. They thought Dasas was beneath them. Aryans were unable to comprehend Dasa's language.

Long Answer Questions 5 Marks

16. What was special about burial spots?

Ans: There were sometimes many megaliths excavated from a burial site. These indicated that members of the same family may have been interred together. It's possible that this occurred at two different times. In the graves, there were portholes. These portholes aided their family members in burying their loved ones. They used to place a massive block of stone on the site. This stone had their name inscribed on it, which made it easier for them to find their burial. Large pieces of iron and weapons were found in these tombs.

17. What were some major differences in the status of the people who were buried?

Ans: There were more artefacts buried in certain tombs than in others. The number of objects ranged from two to a large number. A large quantity of precious goods, as well as animals, were buried alongside the bodies of some people. In some tombs, there were gold and copper artefacts. This explains why some people had a more opulent lifestyle than others. People were rich and separated into classes in the past, just as they are today. A skeleton was discovered in Brahmagiri with 33 gold beads, 4 copper bangles, 2 stone beads, and one conch shell buried with it. These findings demonstrate that the lives of those who were buried were extremely different.

18. Write about the wars fought in the Rigveda period.

Ans: Wars were waged for water, land, cattle, and people during the time of the Rigveda. The priests, monarchs, and people were given the loot and gained items from the fight. The leaders kept the important objects, the priests received the castles, and the rest of the items were distributed among the locals. The leader would perform Yajnas to present offerings to their different Gods. Animal sacrifices were made, and wealth was also employed in these Yajnas. These wars used to attract a large number of people. These days, there was no army or cadre. During this time, cadets were not regulated. In the assemblies, people discussed war and peace issues. The most common choice for a leader was a skilled and fearless soldier.

19. Explain why people of the Inamgaon were hunter gatherers?

Ans: Gatherers, hunters, and farmers were among the Inmagaon's occupations for a variety of reasons. Archaeologists have discovered a variety of evidences about it :-

1. Many animals' bones were discovered with sliced marks, indicating that they may have been utilised as food. The people of Inamgaon were hunters, according to this.

2. Fruits including jamun, ber, amla, dates, and a modest variety of berries were collected, indicating that they hunted for sustenance.
   
   

20. What were the features of Megaliths?

Ans: Megaliths used to bury their ancestors once they passed away. They used to place a massive block of stone on the site. This stone had their name inscribed on it, which made it easier for them to find their burial. Large pieces of iron and weapons were found in these tombs. The dead were usually buried with distinctive pots known as Black and Red Ware. It shows that members of the same family were buried in the same location at various times. Megaliths are memorialised tomb sites surrounded by stone boulders.

Conclusion 

Vedantu's provision of important questions for CBSE Class 6 Social Science Our Past Chapter 4, "What Books and Burials Tell Us," is a valuable asset for students exploring the realms of archaeology and ancient civilizations. These questions are thoughtfully curated to reinforce key historical concepts, fostering a deeper understanding of the significance of archaeological findings and ancient texts. They encourage critical thinking, historical analysis, and examination readiness. Vedantu's commitment to quality education shines through, as these important questions empower students to excel in their social science studies. By practicing these questions, students can strengthen their historical knowledge, revision, and exam preparedness, ultimately contributing to their academic success and providing a profound insight into the captivating world of archaeology and the mysteries of our past.