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NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 1: What, Where, How and When
Introduction
History is the study of past events, people, cultures, and societies. Chapter 1 "What, Where, How and When" introduces young historians to the fundamental concepts of historical inquiry. This chapter helps students understand what history is, where historical events took place, how we study them, and when they happened. Through these NCERT solutions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the chapter and develop skills to think historically.
Key Concepts
Before diving into the chapter solutions, let's address some key concepts:
- History is the study of changes in societies over time.
- Sources of History include manuscripts, inscriptions, archaeological findings, and oral traditions.
- Chronology refers to the arrangement of events in the order of their occurrence.
- Historians are people who study and write about history.
NCERT Solutions
Q1. Match the following:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| Narmada Valley | The first big kingdom |
| Meghalaya | Hunting and gathering |
| Ind Valley | City about 4700 years ago |
| Magadha | Early agriculture |
| Garo Hills | The earliest Nandy |
Answer:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| Narmada Valley | Hunting and gathering |
| Meghalaya | Early agriculture |
| Ind Valley | City about 4700 years ago |
| Magadha | The first big kingdom |
| Garo Hills | The earliest Nandy |
Q2. List one major difference between manuscripts and inscriptions.
Answer: Manuscripts are handwritten records on materials like palm leaves, birch bark, or paper, while inscriptions are writings carved on hard surfaces like stone or metal.
Q3. Return to Rasheeda's question. Can you think of some answers to it?
Answer: Rasheeda's question was about how people lived in the past. Some answers to this question include:
- In the past, people lived in different ways depending on where they lived and when they lived.
- Some people were hunters and gatherers, moving from place to place in search of food.
- Others practiced agriculture and settled in villages near fertile lands.
- Many people lived in cities, like those of the Indus Valley, and engaged in trade and various crafts.
- Their lives were influenced by the climate, geography, and available resources around them.
Q4. Make a list of all the objects that archaeologists may find. Which of these could be made of stone?
Answer: Objects that archaeologists may find include:
- Tools and weapons
- Pottery
- Coins
- Jewelery
- Sculptures
- Structures
- Fragments of cloth and leather
- Bones and plant remains
Q5. Why do you think ordinary men and women did not keep records of what they did?
Answer: Ordinary men and women likely didn't keep records of what they did because:
- They may have lacked the skills for writing or record-keeping, which were often specialized tasks.
- They may have focused their energy on daily survival needs rather than documentation.
- Recording and preserving information typically required resources like writing materials, which ordinary people might not have had access to.
- In many ancient societies, literacy was often limited to a small elite such as priests, scribes, or rulers.
Q6. Describe at least two ways in which you think the lives of kings would have been different from those of farmers.
Answer: The lives of kings would have been different from those of farmers in several ways:
- Power and Authority: Kings held political power and authority over large territories, commanded armies, and made important decisions affecting many people. Farmers, in contrast, worked on their land and made decisions mainly about their own farming activities.
- Wealth and Lifestyle: Kings lived in palaces or grand residences, wore expensive clothes, and enjoyed various luxuries. They had servants and workers to attend to their needs. Farmers typically lived in simple houses, wore ordinary clothes, and worked hard in the fields to grow crops and sustain their families.
- Responsibilities: Kings were responsible for governance, justice, defense, and sometimes religious duties. Farmers were primarily responsible for agricultural production, which involved working with the soil, sowing seeds, tending crops, and harvesting.
- Social Status: Kings were at the top of the social hierarchy and received respect and honor from their subjects. Farmers held a lower social status and had limited influence beyond their local community.
Q7. Find the word 'pasture' in the paragraph on page 2. What do you understand from the word 'pasture'?
Answer: The word 'pasture' refers to an area of land covered with grass or other plants suitable for grazing animals. Pastures are typically used by pastoral communities who keep animals like cattle, sheep, or goats. These communities move with their herds from one pasture to another in search of fresh grazing grounds, especially in areas where rainfall is uncertain and grass availability varies seasonally.
Q8. Make a list of all the differences between the lives of farmers and herders.
Answer: Differences between farmers and herders:
| Aspect | Farmers | Herders |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Activity | Cultivation of crops | Rearing of animals |
| Mobility | Generally settled in one place | Often nomadic or semi-nomadic |
| Social Organization | Often formed villages | Lived in clans or tribes |
| Diet | Mainly grains and vegetables | Primarily animal products like milk and meat |
| Housing | Permanent structures | Temporary shelters like tents |
| Relationship with Land | Ownership or cultivation rights | Use of common grazing lands |
Q9. List three ways in which archaeologists find out about the past.
Answer: Three ways in which archaeologists find out about the past:
- Excavation: Archaeologists dig at sites to find objects buried underground. These objects can include buildings, tools, pottery, coins, and other remains that provide clues about how people lived in the past.
- Carbon Dating: They use scientific methods like carbon dating to determine the age of organic materials. This helps establish a timeline for when different civilizations existed.
- Analysis of Artifacts: Archaeologists carefully study the artifacts they find, analyzing their materials, construction techniques, and cultural significance to understand the technology, trade, art, and daily life of ancient people.
Q10. Match the columns:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| Narmada valley | First big kingdom |
| Garo hills | Hunting and gathering |
| Indus valley | City about 4700 years ago |
| Magadha | Early agriculture |
| Meghalaya | Traces of earliest Nandy |
Answer:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| Narmada valley | Hunting and gathering |
| Garo hills | Traces of earliest Nandy |
| Indus valley | City about 4700 years ago |
| Magadha | First big kingdom |
| Meghalaya | Early agriculture |
Important Terms
Understanding these key terms will help students grasp the concepts discussed in the chapter:
- Archaeology: The study of human history through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.
- Chronology: Arrangement of events in the order of their occurrence.
- Excavation: Digging through sites to recover artifacts and other materials.
- Historical period: The period for which written records are available.
- Manuscripts: Handwritten records on palm leaves, birch bark, or paper.
- Inscriptions: Writings carved on relatively hard surfaces such as stone or metal.
- Pre-history: The period before the development of writing systems.
Conclusion
The chapter "What, Where, How and When" lays the foundation for understanding how historians study the past. It introduces students to various sources of historical information, the importance of chronology, and the methods archaeologists use to uncover our collective history. Through these NCERT solutions, students can reinforce their understanding of these fundamental historical concepts, preparing them for more advanced studies in history as they progress through their academic journey.
Remember that history is not just about memorizing dates and events, but about understanding the processes, causes, and effects of changes in human societies over time. Developing a historical perspective helps us make sense of the present and prepare for the future.
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