Sources of History Chapter - 1 1. Define History

SOURCES OF HISTORY
Chapter – 1
1. Define History.
Ans. History is the fascinating and true story of human growth from barbarism to civilization.
History is a record of people, places and events of the past arranged in chronological
order. History is not only the study of past but it helps us to move towards the present and
think for future needs.
2. Why do we study history?

Ans. The study of history tells us the story of our ancestors, their lifestyles, occupations,
customs and traditions, religious beliefs, social and political systems, and cultural
patterns. It also tells us about their problems, their aspirations as well as their
achievements. History is not only the study of past but it helps us to move towards the
present and think for future needs.
3. What is the difference between prehistory and history?

Ans. Prehistory History
i)Prehistory is the history of the period i)The period after the invention of
before writing was invented. writing is known as history.
ii)Knowledge of prehistory is based ii)Knowledge of history is largely
solely on archaeology. based on written records.
iii)Prehistory is studied with the help iii) History is studied with the help of
of archaeological sources. archaeological and literary sources.
4. Define the following:-

Ans. i) Historians – They are people who study and tell us about the past. They gather
information from many sources and help us to understand how people lived and worked
from the earliest times to the present day.
ii)Prehistory – It is the history of the period before writing was invented. Our knowledge
of prehistory is based solely on archaeology as there are no written clues or records of
this period.
iii) Archaeology – It is the study of material remains of the distant past. Examples of
archaeological remains are bones, coins, tools, jewellery, ruins of building, etc.
5. What are sources of History?

Ans. Sources of History are clues from archaeology or literature which help historians to put
together a period of history.
6. How many groups can the sources of history be broadly divided into? Name them.
Ans. Sources of history can be broadly divided into two groups. They are
1)Archaeological sources – It is of 3 kinds :
a)monuments and objects (b)coins (c)inscriptions and edicts
2)Literary sources – It is of 2 categories
(a)religious (b)Secular
7. What is archaeology? Why is it so important for the study of prehistory?
Ans. Archaeology is the study of material remains of the distant past. It is very important for
the study of prehistory because prehistory is the history of the period before writing was
invented and our knowledge of prehistory is based solely on archaeology.
8. Write a brief about the archaeological sources of History.
Ans. Archaeological sources of history are the material remains of the distant past.
Archaeological sources are of three kinds. They are
(i)monuments and objects (ii) coins and (iii)inscriptions and edicts.
9. Name few archaeological objects that provide important clues to the history of
humans in the Ancient Period.
Ans. Few archaeological objects that provide important clues to the history of humans in the
Ancient period are weapon, pottery, statues, ornaments, toys, paintings, coins, etc.
10. What are monuments?

Ans. Monuments are old buildings such as temples, palaces and forts which are valuable
sources of information about the life and times of people.
11. Why are coins considered an important source of ancient history?

Ans. Coins are considered an important source of ancient history because it provides
information about the reign of kings, the extent of their empires, economic conditions,
trade, art and religion of that era. The metal or alloy used also indicates the level of
scientific advancement during that age.
12. What are inscriptions?

Ans. Inscriptions are the engravings on solid objects such as metal and stone tablets, rocks,
pillars, cave walls, etc.
13. What information do we get from inscriptions?

Ans. The inscriptions provide us with valuable information about rulers, the extent of their
empires, important events and many other aspects of the political conditions of a
particular period. They also tell us a great deal about the religious and cultural life of the
people.
14. Why are inscriptions a reliable source of information?
Ans. Inscriptions are reliable and useful sources of information since they were written during
the reign of great kings and are still intact in their original form.
15. What are literary sources of history?

Ans. Literary sources of history are narrative sources that tell a story or give a message of the
past in the form of handwritten documents.
16. What are manuscripts? On what surfaces were they written?

Ans. Manuscripts are handwritten records of the past in the form of books. The manuscripts
were written on a variety of surfaces such as dried sheep or goat skin, dried palm leaf, the
bark of birch trees.
17. How many categories can you divide literary sources into? Name them.
Ans. Literary source material can be divided into two categories: (i)religious and (ii)secular.
18. What do you understand by religious literature? Give two examples.

Ans. Books and manuscripts dealing with religion are referred to as religious literature. Two
examples of religious literature are the Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, the Gita.
19. What do you understand by secular literature? Give two examples.

Ans. Non-religious literature is known as secular literature. Secular literature includes
biographies of important historical characters, dramas and poems, folk tales, etc. Two
examples are Kalidasa’s Meghaduta, folk tales like Panchatantra.
20. Define briefly.

Ans. (i)Numismatics: The study of coins is known as numismatics.
(ii)Edicts: Edicts are royal commands issued by the rules.
(iii)Epigraphy: The study of epigraphs or old inscriptions is known as epigraphy.
(iv)Parchments: The early writing made on skins of goats and sheep are known as
parchments.
II Fill in the blanks:-
1. The worlds’s first written language was the cuneiform which was created by Sumerians
over 5000 years ago.
2. A wedge-shaped stylus is called cuneiform.
3. An example of prehistoric source is cave paintings at Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh
and seals found at the sites of the Harappan civilization.
4. Many aspects of the Kushan empire have been reconstructed from the gold and coins of
that period.
5. The metal or alloy used indicates the level of scientific advancement during that age.
6. An ancient brick temple around 2000years old has been found on the beach near the
Tiger Cave in Mamallapuram near Chennai which is believed to belong to late
Sangam Age between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century BCE. It was exposed by
the tsunami that hit Mamallapuram on 26 December 2004.
7. The Ashokan edicts inscribed on rocks and pillars have helped modern historians to
reconstruct important facts about the Mauryan period.
8. Handwritten records of the past in the form of books are known as manuscripts.
9. The manuscripts of Literary sources were written on a variety of surfaces such as dried
sheep or goat skin, dried palm leaf, the bark of birch trees etc.
10.Few examples of religious literature are the Vedas (Ramayana and Mahabharata), the
Gita and the Puranaas
11.Few examples of secular literature are
Biographies of important historical characters like Harshacharita by Banabhatta
Dramas and poems by famous writers like Kalidasa’s Abhijnanashakuntalam and
Meghaduta
Folk tales like Panchatantra
Works on politics like Kautilya’s Arthashastra
Books on law like Manusmriti.
12.Accounts of foreign travelers who visited India at various time like Megasthenes, the
Greek Ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya are also form of important
historical sources.
13.The Greek Ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya wrote a book called
Indika which gives valuable information about the Mauryan administration and society.
14.Chinese travelers like Fa Hien and Hiuen Tsang also wrote about India.
15.BCE stands for Before Common Era and CE stands for Common Era which is
measured from year 1 till the present.
LIFE IN PREHISTORIC TIMES
Chapter – 2
I Question and Answers:-
1. Describe the life of prehistoric humans in the earliest times.

Ans. In earliest times, prehistoric humans lived alone in caves or other natural shelters such as
trees and groves. They ate wild berries, roots, fruits, insects, worms and the flesh of small
animals that they killed. They had no weapons and used their bare hands to kill.
2. Name the periods into which the Stone Age can be broadly divided.
Ans. The Stone Age can be broadly divided into four periods.
- Palaeolithic Age or Old Stone Age
- Mesolithic Age or Middle Stone Age
- Neolithic Age or New Stone Age
- Chalcolithic Age or Copper-Stone Age
3. Briefly define the following:-

Ans. 1)Palaeolithic Age: It is the Old Stone Age in which humans made crude stoen tools. It
extended roughly form 50,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE.
2)Mesolithic Age: It is the Middle Stone Age which was a transition period. It extended
roughly from 10,000 BCE to 8000 BCE.
3)Neolithic Age: It is the New Stone Age in which humans made well-shaped and
polished stone tools. It extended roughly from 8000 BCE to 4000 BCE.
4)Chalcolithic Age: It is the Copper-Stone Age in which humans made tools of both
copper and stone. It extended roughly from 4000 BCE to 2000 BCE.
4. Describe the tools made by humans in the Palaeolithic Age. What purposes did these
tools serve?
Ans. Human in the Palaeolithic age were the first to make crude unpolished stone tools. Large
pieces of stones were shaped into hammers, scrapers and axe-heads. These tools were
used for cutting trees, killing and skinning animals, chopping meat and digging up roots.
5. What did the people of the Old Stone Age eat?

Ans. The people of the Old Stone Age ate food which consisted of fruits, roots, nuts, eggs of
birds and raw flesh of animals and birds.
6. Where did early humans live?
Ans. Early humans did not build houses. Instead to protect themselves from wild animals, they
took refuge in caves or on trees.
7. What did the early humans wear?

Ans. The early humans did not wear clothes. Gradually, they learnt to use the barks of trees,
leaves and animal skins to protect their bodies from the cold and the rain. Later they
made clothes by stitching animal skins with bone needles.
8. How do we know that early humans were skilful artists?

Ans. We know early humans were skilful artists because they painted pictures of animals and
hunting scenes on cave walls. These pictures were lively and colourful. They also
engraved picture on ivory, horns and flat bones.
9. Write a short note on the social life during the Palaeolithic age.
Ans. The early humans began to form small groups to protect themselves from wild animals.
They lived a nomadic life, moving from place to place in search of food.
10. How did early humans discover fire?

Ans. Humans used naturally caused fire, for example, bush or forest fires or lightning. Later,
they found that two dry stones rubbed together produced sparks of fire.
11. How did the discovery of fire help the early humans?
Ans. The discover of fire helped the early humans to roast meat, keep themselves warm and
frighten animals by keeping a fire burning at the entrance of their caves.
12. Describe the tools made in the Mesolithic Age.

Ans. The tools used during the Mesolithic Age were more advanced than Palaeolithic Age.
These tools called microliths, were smaller, sharper and more effective than those of the
Old Stone Age. Besides stones, animal bones and horns were also used to make scrapers,
hooks, borers, hammers and arrowheads.
13. What was the occupation of humans in the Mesolithic Age?

Ans. Humans in the Mesolithic Age were hunters and food gatherers. Towards the end of this
period, they learnt about growing crops and cultivation.
14. Describe the tools used by humans in the New Stone Age.
Ans. The stone tools used by humans in the New Stone Age were well shaped and polished.
The New Stone Age humans used digging sticks to till the soil and stone sickles to reap
the crops. Their axes were larger and attached to wooden handles. Well-chiselled stone
knives were used to cut plants, fruits and meat. Bone tools were widely used during this
period.
15. Discuss two important occupations of humans in the New Stone Age.
Ans. Two important occupations of humans in the New Stone Age are agriculture and
domestication of animals.
16. Write a brief about agriculture in the New Stone Age.

Ans. Farming began in the New Stone Age probably after humans discovered that wheat and
barley were edible. Humans might have observed that grains buried in the soil grew and
yielded food crops.
17. Write short notes on domestication of animals in the New Stone age.
Ans. Humans in the Neolithic Age tamed animals to serve their needs as these animals
supplied milk, meat and skins. Due to this humans did not have to go on dangerous
hunting trips in search of food. Life became safer and easier. Bullocks, donkeys and
horses were later used to plough the fields.
18. Agriculture and domestication of animals brought about dramatic changes in the
life of humans. Explain.
Ans. Agriculture and domestication of animals brought about a dramatic change in the life of
humans. They gave up their nomadic lifestyle and settled down. They built mud houses
with thatched roofs and began to live in groups in small villages. The population
increased and human life became more organized.
19. How did the invention of the wheel transform the life of the people in the Neolithic
Age?
Ans. The invention and use of the wheel was a major milestone in the evolution of the
civilized human. It brought about a great transformation and made life easier and more
comfortable. The potter’s wheel was used to make better pottery. Sometime later, the
wheel was used for transportation and for carrying loads.
20. Why did early humans make pots?

Ans. Early humans made pots to store grains, water and food. They had learned to cook and
needed utensils for cooking.
21. How did the invention of the potter’s wheel affect the art of pottery making?
Ans. At first humans made twig baskets plastered with clay for pots. The invention of the
potter’s wheel was a boom for potters. They made pots of various shapes and sizes and
decorated with floral designs and geometrical patterns.
22. Write short notes on the following.

Ans. (1) The barter system: Barter system is the system of exchanging services and goods.
The early humans of the New Stone Age became self sufficient as everything they needed
was produced in the village. They followed the barter system. For example, the potter got
food grains in exchange for pots and vice versa.
(2) Social life during the Neolithic Age: as the population increased, they followed a
code of conduct to regulate and control the activities of the people. The oldest, wisest or
the strongest man in the village was chosen as the village headman. He maintained law
and order in the village and protected the people from enemies.
23. Mention the chief features of the Chalcolithic Age.

Ans. The chief features of the Chalcolithic Age were
- Discovery of metals: The first metal discovered by humans was copper. In course of
time, humans learnt the art of making a copper alloy, i.e. mixing copper with tin to
form a harder and stronger metal called bronze.
- Society and Economy: Chalcolithic settlements were rural in nature. They were
producing far more food than they needed. This freed them from the burden of hard
labour. They now had enough time to devote to other activities. Division of labour
became more organized and specific. Society became more complex and was
classified into different groups.
- Beginning of the Iron Age: A major advancement occurred in the history of human
with the discovery and use of iron. The discovery of iron encouraged the growth and
spread of civilization. It ushered
24. What important changes took place in the lifestyle of humans in the New Stone Age?
Ans. The humans in the New Stone Age improved their lifestyle. They built mud houses, grew
crops, domesticated animals and invented the wheel. They gave up their nomadic lives
and settled down, transforming themselves from food gatherers to food producers.
1. In the earliest stages of physical development, humans walked on all fours.

2. In earliest time humans lived in caves and trees.
3. The Old Stone Age humans made stone tools such as hammers, scrapers and axe head.
4. Early humans did not know how to grow crops. They were hunters and food gatherers.
5. To protect themselves from wild animals early humans began to form groups.
6. Primitive humans painted pictures of hunting scenes and animals on cave walls.
7. The greatest achievement of early humans was the discovery of fire.
8. The stone tools of the Neolithic Age were well shaped and polished.
9. Neolithic humans domesticated dogs, goats, sheeps and cattle.
10.The invention of the wheel was a major milestone in the evolution of the civilized
human.
11.The system of exchanging services and goods is known as the barter system.
12.Copper and stone tools were used during the Chalcolithic Age.
III Match the following:-
1.Palaeolithic Age specialization (4)

2.Neolithic Age exchange of goods (5)
3.Nomadic Life search for food (3)
4.Division of labour crude stone tools (1)
5.Barter system bronze (6)
6.Chalcolithic Age polished stone tools (2)
THE MESOPOTAMIAN CIVILIZATION
Chapter – 3
1. Write a brief about Mesopotamia.

Ans. Mesopotamia in Greek language means the land between two rivers. Mesopotamia is a
broad fertile valley between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates in West Asia. Mesopotamia
is called the cradle and grave of many civilizations. Mesopotamia did not have natural
protective barriers such as mountains, deserts and seas. This civilization flourished from
3500 BCE to 600 BCE. It is also known as the oldest civilization in the world.
2. Write a brief about the Sumerian civilization?

Ans. The earliest and most advanced urban culture that flourished on the lower valley of the
Euphrates was known as the Sumerian Civilization. This civilization flourished for about
1,500 years and was then absorbed by the Babylonians and finally the Assyrians.
3. Name the three major civilizations that rose and fell in the Mesopotamian Valley.
Ans. The three major civilizations that rose and fell in the Mesopotamian Valley were
Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations.
4. Explain briefly the three-tiered social structure of Mesopotamia.

Ans. The three-tiered social structure of Mesopotamia was
- The upper class: It consisted of the members of the royal family, priests and high
officials.
- The middle class: It consisted of farmers, artisans and traders. The majority of the
people were farmers.
- The lower class: It consisted of slaves.
5. List down few characteristics of the Mesopotamian civilization.

Ans. Few characteristics of the Mesopotamian civilization are
- Social structure: The Mesopotamian society was divided into three classes – upper
class, middle class and the lower class.
- Family life: The father was head of the family. The rights of women were protected
and children were brought up strictly.
- Town planning: The cities were not well planned but followed a uniform pattern.
- Occupation: The main occupation of the Mesopotamians was agriculture.
- Domestication of Animals: They domesticated animals such as the cow, goat, sheep
and donkey.
- Art and Craft: Creative skills like pottery, weaving and metal work developed.
6. Describe the family life of the Mesopotamians.
Ans. In the Mesopotamian civilization the father was the head of the family and enjoyed
special privileges. The rights of the women were protected. Children were brought up
strictly and boys were sent to schools to study reading, writing and arithmetic. Girls were
trained in dance and music.
7. How was the town planning of the Mesopotamians?

Ans. The cities of the Mesopotamia were not well planned but followed a uniform pattern. The
city was divided into three main parts – the sacred area, the walled city on a mound and
the outer town. The sacred area had the temple-tower. People lived in the walled city and
the outer town areas. Houses were built along the streets. Each house had a central
courtyard with rooms around it.
8. What was the main occupation of the people of Mesopotamia? Write a brief about
it.
Ans. The main occupation of the Mesopotamians was agriculture. The Euphrates and Tigris
rivers were the main sources of water supply for agriculture. As flooding was irregular,
they built an elaborate and highly developed irrigation system to ensure a steady supply
of water. They also built dykes to control floods. They invented the ox-drawn plough to
increase agricultural yield. They also used the wheeled wagon for transportation of
goods. They were believed to be the first to cultivate wheat. They also grew barley,
pulses and fruits.
9. Which crop was first cultivated by the Mesopotamians? Name three other crops
cultivated by them.
Ans. Wheat was first cultivated by the Mesopotamians. Three other crops cultivated by them
was barley, pulses and fruits.
10. Name three important specialized skills of the Mesopotamians.

Ans. Three important specialized skills of the Mesopotamians were pottery, weaving and metal
work.
11. Describe the art and craft of the Mesopotamians.

Ans. The Mesopotamians used their free times to develop their creative skills. Specialized
skills such as pottery, weaving and metalwork (jewellery, armour and statues) began to
develop.
12. Describe the trade and commerce of the Mesopotamians.

Ans. As stone, timber and metal ores were scarce in Mesopotamia, these commodities were
traded for the produce of the fields. A flourishing foreign trade developed. Food grains
and finished products were exported to the Mediterranean countries and Egypt. They also
had trade relations with India. They kept records of their business accounts on clay
tablets.
13. How do we know that Mesopotamians had trade links with the people of the Indus
valley?
Ans. Seals found in the Indus valley show that Mesopotamians had trade links with the people
of the Indus valley.
14. Name the greatest contributions of the Mesopotamians in the field of architecture.
Ans. The greatest contributions of the Mesopotamians in the field of architecture were
- Mesopotamians introduced archi-tectural forms such as arches, columns, domes and
vaults in the construction of building.
- The Hanging gardens of Babylon which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient
world.
- The discovery of metal objects, statues, gold and silver ornaments and pottery is proof
of the technical knowledge of and skill of the artisans.
15. What were Ziggurats?

Ans. Ziggurats were temple-towers found in the sacred area of the city of Ur. They were
monumental structures made from sun-baked bricks. They looked like man-made
mountains soaring high above the earth. They were many storeys high and decorated with
tile, precious stones and marble. They were dedicated to the patron god and were also
used as observatories, schools, granaries and trade centres.
16. Write a brief about the religion of the Mesopotamians.

Ans. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods. Every city had its own special god. They
worshipped the forces of nature like the sun, rain, moon and stars. The king was the chief
priest and the representative of God on earth. Later the King appointed priests to look
after the temple or the ziggurat.
17. How do we know that Mesopotamians believed in life after death?

Ans. We know that Mesopotamians believed in life after death because drinking vessels,
ornaments, weapons, etc have been found in some graves.
18. Write short notes on the following:-

Ans. (i) Mathematical skills: The Mesopotamians were skilled mathematicians. They had a
special sign for number one. They used the figure 60 as the unit for measuring time. They
were also the first to divide an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds. A year
was divided into 12 months. Days and nights were divided into two equal halves
consisting of 12 hours each.
(ii)Script: The Mesopotamians invented and developed a system of writing known as
cuneiform. They wrote from right to left with a stylus. They wrote on the smooth, soft
surface of clay tablets which were then baked in fire and hardened. Each tablet was like
the page of a book. Each such clay tablets made a complete book.
19. What was Hammurabi’s contribution to the legal systems of Mesopotamia and the
world?
Ans. Hammurabi, the king of Babylon, compiled a code of law dealing with very aspect of
human life. This code of law, written on a stone slab, is one of the oldest legal codes
known to humans. These laws protected the poor and the weak and safeguarded the rights
of women. Severe punishments were given for dishonest dealings. Other nations also
followed the law code developed by Hammurabi.
20. What led to the decline of the Mesopotamia civilization?

Ans. The Euphrates river, the lifeline of Mesopotamian civilization unexpectedly changed its
course. The inhabitants abandoned the site. Winds and sandstorms eroded the walls and
the monuments, burying the treasures of this great civilization beneath a sandy desert
plain.
II Match the following:-
1. Ziggurats a)one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (2)

2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon b) temple-towers (2)
3. Cuneiform c)sharp reed pen (4)
4. Stylus d) code of law (5)
5. Hammurabi e)Mesopotamian script (3)
III State whether the following are True or False:-
1. Natural barriers surrounded Mesopotamia. False

2. The girls in Mesopotamia were sent to school to learn to read and write. False
3. The king was regarded as the representative of God on Earth. True
4. The Mesopotamians used the figure of 50 for measuring time. True
5. The cuneiform script was written from left to right. False
IV Fill in the blanks:-
1. Mesopotamia in Greek language means ‘the land between two rivers’.

2. Mesopotamia was a broad fertile valley between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates in
West Asia.
3. The earliest and most advanced urban culture that flourished on the lower valley of the
Euphrates was known as the Sumerian civilization.
4. On the north-eastern side of Sumer were regions called Babylonia and Akkad and the
highlands in the north were called Assyria.
5. The world’s first civilization was the Sumerian civilization which developed around
3500 BCE.
6. Mesopotamia is called the cradle and grave of many civilizations because Sumerian,
Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations rose and fell in this region.
7. Mesopotamian civilization flourished from 3500 BCE to 600 BCE and was known as the
oldest civilization in the world.
8. The Mesopotamian society was divided into three classes called the upper class, middle
class and the lower class.
9. In the Mesopotamian civilization, the father was the head of the family and enjoyed
special privileges.
10.In the Mesopotamian civilization, the boys were sent to schools to study reading,
writing and arithmetic while girls were trained in dance and music.
11.The discovery of the Sumerian city of Ur tells us how the people of early Mesopotamia
lived.
12.Excavations show that the city was divided into three main parts – the sacred area,
walled city and the outer town areas.
13.The temple tower in the sacred areas was called the ziggurat.
14.The main occupation of the Mesopotamians was agriculture.
15.The Mesopotamians invented the ox-drawn plough to increase agricultural yield.
16.The Mesopotamians used the wheeled wagon for transportation of goods.
17.The Mesopotamians were the first to cultivate wheat. They also grew barley, pulses and
fruits.
18.Mesopotamians domesticated animals such as the cow, goat, sheep and donkey.
19.Few specialized skills of the Mesopotamians were pottery, weaving and metalwork.
20.The Mesopotamians traded produce of the fields for stone, timber and metal ores.
21.The Mesopotamians exported food grains and finished products to the Mediterranean
countries and Egypt.
22.Seals found in the Indus Valley show that they also had trade relations with India.
23.Mesopotamians kept records of their business accounts on clay tablets.
24.The Mesopotamians introduced architectural forms such as arches, columns, domes and
vaults in the construction of buildings.
25.The temple towers or ziggurats were monumental structures made from sun-baked
bricks.
26.Ziggurats were used as observatories, schools, granaries and trade centres.
27.The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is a brilliant specimen of Mesopotamian architecture
which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
28.The discovery of metal objects, statues, gold and silver ornaments and pottery is proof
of the technical knowledge and skill of the artisans.
29.The Mesopotamians believed in many gods and worshipped the forces of nature like the
sun, rain, moon and stars.
30.The king was the chief priest and the representative of god.
31.The Mesopotamians believed in life after death because drinking vessels, ornaments,
weapons etc have been found in some graves.
32.The Mesopotamians invented and developed a system of writing known as cuneiform.
33.Mesopotamians wrote from right to left with a stylus.
34.A stylus is a sharp pen made of reeds, bone and sometimes of metal.
35.Mesopotamians wrote on clay tablets which were then baked in fire and hardened. Each
tablet was like the page of a book and several clay tablet made a complete book.
36. The Mesopotamians were skilled mathematicians and had a special sign for number
one.
37.The Mesopotamians used the figure 60 as the unit for measuring time and were the first
to divide an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds.
38.The Mesopotamians divided the year into 12 months and days and nights were divided it
into two equal halves consisting of 12 hours each.
39.Hammurabi was the king of Babylon who compiled a code of law dealing with every
aspect of human life.
40.The code of law dealing with every aspect of human life was written on a stone slab and
is one of the oldest legal codes known to humans.
41.The code of law protected the poor and the weak and safeguarded the rights of women.
42.The Mesopotamian civilization declined as the Euphrates River unexpectedly changed
its course and winds and sandstorms eroded the walls and the monuments burying the
treasures of this civilization beneath a sandy desert plain.
THE HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION
History Chapter – 5
1. How was the Indus Valley civilization discovered? Why is it also called the
Harappan.
Ans. The excavation of the ruins of the highly planned cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro
proved that a highly advance urban civilization called the Indus Valley Civilization
flourished in India about 4500 years ago. The Indus Valley civilization flourished
between 2500 BCE and 1500 BCE.
It is also called the Harappan civilization because Harappa was the first site to be
unearthed and the features of the other sites resemble those of Harappa.
2. Describe the occupations of the Harappan people.

Ans. The main occupation of the people of the Indus valley was farming. They grew wheat,
barley, fruits and vegetables. They also cultivated cotton and were the first peoplein the
world to do so. Spinning and weaving were important occupations.
3. Discuss the art and craft of the Harappan people.

Ans. The Indus Valley people were excellent potters and skilled crafts people. They made
pottery of various shapes and sizes on the potter’s wheel. They also knew the art of using
metals. They made gold and silver jewellery, copper utensils, bronze tools, weapons and
metal sculptures. They were also engaged in other crafts like brick laying, boat making,
stone cutting, masonry and carpentry. Spinning and weaving were important occupations.

Ans. (i) Trade: The Indus valley people carried on flourishing trade both within and outside
India. They traded with countries like Mesopotamia, Persia and Afghanistan. Trade was
probably carried on by barter system. Trade was carried on both by land and sea routes.
Bullock carts, boats and ships were probably used for transport.
(ii)Clothes worn by the Indus Valley people: People wore cotton and woollen garments.
Two-piece dresses were worn by both men and women. The men wore a garment similar
to the dhoti while the women wore skirts. The upper garment was a shawl worn around
the shoulder. Both men and women wore ornaments.
(iii)Ornaments worn by the Indus Valley people: Both men and women wore ornaments.
They wore necklaces, amulets and finger rings. The women also wore a headdress,
earrings, bangles, girdles, bracelets and anklets. The rich wore ornaments made of gold,
silver and ivory. The poor wore shell, bone and copper jewellery.
(iv) Drainage system: The people of the Indus valley had an excellent, well-planned
drainage system. The kitchens and the bathrooms (with slopping floors) had drains
connected to the street drains. The street drains ran along the side of the streets and were
usually covered. They had manholes at regular intervals for inspection and cleaning.
(v) Town planning: The Indus valley cities were very well-planned. The main streets ran
parallel to each other, cut at right angles by smaller streets, dividing the cities into
rectangular blocks. The main roads were straight and very wide and curved at the corners
to allow carts to pass easily. The streets were often paved with baked bricks.
5. Describe three buildings of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Ans. Three buildings of the Indus Valley Civilization are
(i) Great Bath: The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro resembled a large swimming pool. It
had six entrances, a central bathing pool, galleries and dressing rooms. Two flights
of steps led to the bottom of the pool. The floor and walls of the pool were made of
burnt bricks and made water tight with a lining of bitumen. Water from an adjacent
well was used to fill the pool with fresh water and the used water was drained out
through an outlet in one corner. The Great Bath was probably used during religious
ceremonies.
(ii) Assembly Hall: The Assembly Hall was another striking building found in
Mohenjodaro. It was pillared hall with thick walls and 20 pillars made of burnt or
baked bricks. This may have been an assembly hall, a prayer hall or a palace.
(iii) Great granary: The Great Granary at Harappa was a large building. Historians
believe that it was used to store surplus food grains. There were two rows of
granaries. Each row had six granaries.
6. What were the different types of buildings of Indus Valley Civilization?

Ans. The different types of building of Indus Valley Civilization were
(i) Dwelling houses: Large blocks of houses were built along the sides of the streets.
Many of the houses were double storied and had flat roods. An average house had
a courtyard surrounded by rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a well. A narrow
staircase led to the rooms upstairs.
(ii) Public Buildings: Many public buildings were built for the common usage during
religious ceremonies, storage of surplus food grains, prayer halls, etc.
7. What do you know about the religious beliefs and practices of the Harappans?
Ans. The people of the Indus Valley civilization worshipped a female deity which was
probably the Mother Goddess. The pipal tree was regarded as sacred and worshipped.
People probably wore amulets as luck charms to ward off evil spirits. They believed in
life after death and buried the dead together with items of food, utensils, ornaments etc.
8. Briefly explain the following:-

Ans. (i) Society: Harappan society probably consisted of several social groups: rulers,
merchants, traders and artisans, farmers and manual labourers.
(ii) Food: Wheat was the staple food. They also grew barley, mustard, fruits and
vegetables. Milk, meat, fish and eggs formed a part of their diet.
(iii)Recreation and Amusement: The Indus Valley people preferred indoor games to
outdoor activities. They spent their free time dancing, singing and playing board games
with dice. They also played a game similar to modern chess. The children played with
various toys like wheeled carts, dolls, animals with movable heads which were mostly
made of baked clay or terracotta.

Ans. (i) Seals: Seals are generally small, flat, rectangular or square in shape and made of clay,
soapstone and copper. They are skillfully carved with figures of humans and animals
such as the unicorn, humped bell, goat, tiger, etc. These seals were probably used by
merchants and traders to stamp goods.
(ii)Administration: The cities of the Indus Valley civilization were efficiently governed.
There were no kings and queens. Each city was probably looked after by a committee
consisting of rich merchants and priests.
10. How did the Harappan civilization end?

Ans. The Harappan civilization probably ended due to the following reasons:
- Natural calamities like earthquakes, floods or epidemics may have destroyed the
cities.
- Invasion by foreign tribes like the Aryans may have led to its destruction.
- A change in the course of the river Indus may have made the land infertile.

1. The Indus Valley civilization flourished between 2500 BCE and 1500 BCE.
2. The discovery of Indus Valley seals and pottery among the ruins of ancient Sumerian
cities shows that India had trade links with Mesopotamia which was a contemporary
civilization of the Indus Valley civilization.
3. Mohenjodaro means mound of the dead.
4. Mohenjodaro is located on the banks of the river Indus in the Larkana district of Sind
(now in Pakistan).
5. Harappa is situated in the banks of the river Ravi in the Montgomery district of Punjab
(now in Pakistan).
6. About 2800 sites have been discovered making the Indus Valley Civilization the largest
civilization of the ancient world.
7. As the principal cities of Indus Valley Civilization were first discovered around the river
Indus and its tributaries, it is referred to as the Indus Valley Civilization.
8. Indus Valley Civilization is also known as Harappan civilization because Harappa was
the first site to be unearthed.
9. Some major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization are Lothal (Gujarat), Ropar
(Punjab), Kalibagan (Rajasthan), Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh), Surkotada (Gujarat)
and Banawali (Haryana).
10.The two newest sites of Indus Valleyy civilization are Rakhigarhi (Haryana) and
Dholavira (Gujarat).
11.Seals are the clay tablets which were used by Harappan merchants to stamp their goods.
12.Dwelling houses are buildings that people live in and do not use at offices, trading
places, etc.
13.The Indus Valley cities were very well planned with the main streets running parallel to
each other, cut at right angles by smaller street dividing the cities into rectangular
blocks.
14.The main roads of the Indus Valley cities were about 30 feet wide and curved at the
corners.
15.The Indus Valley buildings were of two types – dwelling houses and public buildings.
16.An average house of Indus Valley Civilization had a courtyard surrounded by rooms, a
bathroom , a kitchen and a well with a narrow staircase leading to the rooms upstairs.
17.Public buildings are those that are used by all the people and are not privately owned.
18.Granaries were the storehouses where the people of the Indus Valley civilization stored
their extra grain.
19.The Great Granary was discovered at Harappa but a similar granary has been found in
Mohenjodaro.
20.All the granaries were built close to the river bank so that the grains could be easily
transported with the help of boats.
21.Great Bath was a big tank at Mohenjodaro that was probably used by the general public
during religious ceremonies.
22.The Great Bath resembled a large swimming pool which had six entrances, a central
bathing pool, galleries and dressing rooms.
23.The Assembly Hall was another building found in Mohenjodaro which was a pillared
hall with thick walls and 20 pillars made of burnt or baked bricks.
24.The Assemble Hall was probably a prayer hall or a palace.
25.Drainage system is the process by which water or liquid waste is drained out from an
area.
26.Harappan society consisted of several social groups called rulers, merchants, traders
and artisans, farmers and manual labourers.
27.The staple food of the people of Indus valley civilization was wheat but they also grew
barley, mustard, fruits and vegetables.
28.People of Indus Valley civilization wore cotton and woollen garments.
29.In Indus Valley Civilization the men wore a garment similar to the dhoti while the
women wore skirts. The upper garment was a shawl worn around the shoulder.
30.Few ornaments worn by the people of Indus Valley civilization were earrings, bangles,
girdles, bracelets and anklets.
31.The ornaments were made of gold, silver and ivory.
32.The toys of Indus Valley Civilization were made of baked clay or terracotta.
33.Terracotta is a reddish-brown clay that has been baked.
34.The main occupation of the people of the Indus Valley was farming. Spinning and
weaving were important occupations too.
35.Few animals domesticated by the people of Indus Valley Civilization were goats, sheep,
buffaloes, elephants and humped bulls. Dogs and cats were kept as pets.
36.Mother Goddess was the female deity worshiped by the people of the Indus Valley
civilization.
37.Many smoke-stained clay figures of the Mother Goddess have been found.
38.The Indus Valley people were excellent potters and skilled craftspeople.
39.The famous figure of the dancing girl shows the excellent work of metal sculptures.
40.The Indus Valley people carried on flourishing trade with countries like Mesopotamia
(Iraq), Persia (Iran), and Afghanistan.
41.A dockyard has been discovered at Lothal.
42.The different transportations used for trade was bullock carts, boats and ships.
43.Seals were small, flat, rectangular or square in shape and made of clay, soapstone and
copper.
44.Seals are skillfully carved with figures of humans and animals such as the unicorn,
humped bull, goat, tiger, elephant, etc.
45.The pipal tree was regarded as sacred and worshipped.
THE EARLY VEDIC PERIOD
1. When did the Aryans arrive in India?

Ans. Around 1500 BCE, the Aryans began to arrive in India.
2. Who were called Indo-Aryans?

Ans. Historians believe that the Aryans were nomadic people who lived in Central Asia. As
their population increased, the Aryans were force to move out from their original home in
search of new shelters and new pastures. Those Aryans who migrated to India came to be
known as the Indo Aryans.
3. Which period is known as the Early Vedic period?

Ans. The Aryans entered India and first settled in the Sapta Sindhu region which was the
region of seven rivers. They named it Brahmavarta which means the land of the gods.
They lived here between the period 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE. This period is known as
the Early Vedic period.
4. Why is the Early Vedic period also known as the Rig Vedic period?
Ans. The early Vedic period is also known as the Rig Vedic period because the history of India
during this period is based mainly on the Rig Veda which was composed during this time.
5. Which period is called the Later Vedic period?

Ans. The Aryans gradually moved ahead and settled in the Gangetic Valley and the entire
region under their control was renamed as Aryavarta which means the land of the Aryans.
They lived in this Gangetic plain from 1000 BCE to 600 BCE and is known as the Later
Vedic Period.
7. Describe the various stages in which the Aryans entered India.

Ans. The Aryans entered Iindia in stages. They first entered Indian and settled in the Sapta
Sindhu region and named it Brahmavarta, the land of the gods. They lived here between
1500 BCE and 1000 BCE and this period is known as the Early Vedic period. The
Aryans gradually moved ahead and settled in the Gangetic valley and renamed it
Aryavarta, the land of the Aryans. They lived here between 1000 BCE and 600 BCE and
is known as the Later Vedic Period.
8. What are Vedas?

Ans. The religious literatures of the early Aryans are known as the Vedas. The Vedas are a
treasure house of knowledge and collective wisdom of the Aryans.
9. Name the four Vedas. How have they come down to us?
Ans. The four Vedas are – Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, Sama Veda and Yajur Veda. Each of
these Vedas was first composed verbally over a period of hundreds of years and was
orally handed down from generation to generation. This continued for several centuries
before they were finally recorded in books.
10. What is Vedic Literature?

Ans. All the important religious books of the Aryans like the four Vedas (Rig veda, Atharva
Veda, Sama Veda and Yajur Veda), the Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the Puranas,
Aryankas and the epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata), are collectively known as Vedic
Literature.
11. Who was a rajan? What were his duties?

Ans. Each tribe had its own chieftain or rajan. The ablest and the strongest man in the tribe
became the king with the consent of the people. He protected them from the enemies and
looked after their welfare. He was also acknowledged as their spiritual leader.
12. The rajan did not have absolute power. Explain.

Ans. The rajan did not have absolute power. The king ruled according to the wishes of the
tribe. He was assisted by a number of officials who advised him on important matters.
The purohita advised him on important matters. The senani was the commander-in-chief
of the warriors and led the forces during war. Two councils called the sabha and the
amity exercised control over the king. They advised and guided the king.
13. Write a short note on the following:-

Ans. (i) Family life of Early Vedic people: The Aryans lived in villages. Each village was
composed of a number of joining families. The head of the family was the grihapati, the
eldest living male member. His decision was final and binding on all the other members.
(ii) Food habits of the Early Aryans: The Aryans ate simple, nutritious food. Wheat
barley, maize, fruits and vegetables formed their staple diet. They consumed milk and
milk products. They were fond of honey and intoxicating drinks like soma and sura. Meat
was eaten occasionally.
(iii) Dresses of the people of the early Vedic period: The dress of the Aryans consisted
of two garments. The lower garment was an unstitched piece of cloth ties round the waist
and the upper garment consisted of a light shawl. A turban like head gear was also worn.
Both men and women wore ornaments made of gold, silver and precious stones.
14. What was the position of the women in the rig Vedic period?
Ans. Women enjoyed an important position in society. They were given opportunities for
education. Some women scholars are believed to have composed some of the Rig Vedic
hymns. No religious ceremony could be performed unless the wife was present. Women
could choose their husbands in a ceremony called swayamvara. There was no child
marriage and widows were allowed to remarry. Women also took part in the assemblies.
15. What were the main forms of recreation of the Aryans?

Ans. The Aryans were fond of outdoor activities. They enjoyed chariot racing and hunting.
They also liked music and dance. Indoor activities like dice and board gamed were
popular too.
16. Name the gods worshipped by the Rig Vedic Aryans.

Ans. The Aryans believed in one supreme power, i.e. the creator of the universe. They
worshipped the different forces of nature as gods and goddesses. The most important god
was Indra, the god of rain and thunder. Next in importance was Agni, the god of fire. The
other gods worshipped were Surya - the sun god, Varuna – the god of water, Vayu – the
god of wind, Soma – the god of plants, Prithvi – the god of the earth, Usha – the goddess
of dawn, and Yama – the god of death. They believed all these gods and goddesses were
different forms of the one Supreme Being.
17. How did the Aryans worship their gods?

Ans. The Aryans did not build temples or idols. Their gods were worshipped in the open air by
chanting hymns and making offerings to them. The yagnas were performed by the
brahmanas. The entire family took part in yagnas and other religious ceremonies. The
people recited prayers in praise of these gods for good health, for the birth of sons and for
cattle.
18. How did the caste system start in early Vedic society?
Ans. The Aryans grouped themselves according to their skills in performing certain jobs. This
eventually led to the development of four classes or varnas in the Aryan society.
19. Name the four classes in the Rig Vedic period. Who were the members of each of
these classes?
Ans. The four classes in the Rig Vedic period were

- Brahmanas were the educated priests and scholars who performed religious rites and
imparted education.
- Kshatriyas were the warriors who protected the tribe from outside attacks.
- Vaishyas were the farmers, traders and craftspeople who performed the vital task of
providing food and goods for all.
- Shudras were the labourers who served the other three groups and did menial jobs.
20. Mention few important similarities between the Aryans and the people of the Indus
Valley.
Ans. Aryans Indus Valley Civilization
(i)The main occupation was agriculture. (i)The main occupation was agriculture
(ii)The dress consisted of two garments. (ii)People wore two-piece dress. The lower
The lower part was a dhoti and the upper part was a shoti and the upper part was
Part was a shawl. a shawl.
(iii)Wheat, barley, maize, fruits and (iii)Wheat was the staple food. They also
Vegetables were their staple diet. grew barley, mustard, fruits and vegetables.
21. Mention few important differences between the Aryans and the people of the Indus
Valley.
Ans. Aryans Indus Valley Civilization
(i)The Aryan society had four classes or (i)Harappan society consisted of several
Varnas – Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, social groups: rulers, merchants, traders,
Vaishyas and Shudras. and artisans, famers and manual labourers
(ii)Each tribe had its own chieftain (ii) The harappan people had no kings or
or the King. Queens.
(iii)Aryans worshipped the different (iii)Harappan people worshipped the Mother

Forces of nature as gods and goddesses. Godess. The pipal tree was considered
sacred.
(iv)The Aryans were fond of outdoor (iv)Harappan people preferred indoor games
activities like chariot racing and hunting. to outdoor activities. E.g. board games and
dice.
22. What were the main occupations of the Aryans?

Ans. The main occupation of the Aryans was agriculture. The Aryans were excellent artisans,
craftspeople like chariot-makers, weavers, leather workers, metal workers and potters.
23. Write short notes on sabha and Samiti.
Ans. The rajan did not have absolute power. Two councils called the sabha and the samiti
exercised control over the king. The samiti was a large assembly where any member of
the tribe could give his/her opinion on important matters concerning the tribe. The sabha
was a smaller assembly of important members of the tribe. The advised and guided the
king. Women also took part in these assemblies.
1. The Aryans began to arrive in India around 1500 BCE.

2. The Aryans who migrated to Indian from Central Asia came to be known as the Indo-
Aryans.
3. The Aryans entered India in stages and first settled in the Sapta Sindhu region and
named it Brahmavarta.
4. The period between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE is known as the Early Vedic period.
5. The Early Vedic period is also known as the Rig Vedic period because the Rig Veda was
composed during this period.
6. The Aryans gradually moved ahead and settled in the Gangetic Valley and renamed it as
Aryavarta which means the land of the Aryans.
7. The period between 1000 BCE and 600 BCE during which the Aryans lived in the
Gangetic plains, is known as the Later Vedic period.
8. The chief sources of information about the early Aryans are their religious literature
known as the Vedas.
9. The word Veda means knowledge which are a treasure house of knowledge and a
collective wisdom of the Aryans.
10.The four Vedas are Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, Sama Veda and Yajur Veda.
11.The Vedas was first composed verbally over a period of hundreds of years and was
orally handed down from generation to generation.
12.The important religious books of the Aryans are Vedas, Upanishads, the Puranas,
Aryankas and the Epics (Ramayana & Mahabharata).
13.The sacred books of the Aryans are collectively known as Vedic literature.
14.The Vedic Aryans also brought a new language to India which was Sanskrit.
15.Many Indian and foreign languages have been derived from Sanskrit and is called the
mother of languages.
16.The Aryans were organized into many tribes called janas.
17.Each jana consisted of a number of villages called gramas and a grama was composed of
a number of families.
18.Each village was headed by a gramani or the village headman.
19.Each tribe had its own chieftain or rajan who was the ablest and the strongest man in the
tribe.
20.The king was also acknowledged as their spiritual leader.
21.The King was assisted by a number of officials like purohita, senani and two councils
called the sabha and samiti.
22.The head of the family was the grihapati who was the eldest living male member.
23.Women could choose their husbands in a ceremony called swayamwara.
24.The Aryans ate simple nutritious food like wheat, barley, maize, fruits and vegetables.
25.The Aryans were fond of honey and intoxicating drinks like soma and sura.
26.The Aryans were fond of outdoor activities like chariot racing and hunting.
27.The indoor activities which were popular were dice and board games.
THE LATER VEDIC PERIOD
1. What are epics? Give examples.

Ans. Epics are lengthy poems that describe the brave deeds and adventures of warriors. The
two great Indian epics are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
2. What is the Later Vedic Age? What is it also known as?

Ans. the period from 1000 BCE to 600 BCE, during which the Aryans settled in the Gangetic
Valley is known as the Later Vedic Age. This period is also known as the Epic Age
because the two great Indian epics were written during this period.
3. Name the four kingdoms that developed from small tribal organizations.
Ans. The four kingdoms that developed from small tribal organizations were Kuru (near
modern Delhi), Kosala (Awadh), Magadha (Patna and Gaya) and Kashi (Varanasi).
4. How did the king become more powerful during this period?
Ans. During this period, the kings became powerful and kingship became hereditary. The
sabha and samiti lost much of their control over the king. As the kingdom increased in
size, the administration became more complex. The king was assisted by many officials
who were put in charge of different departments. When a king ascended the throne the
purohita performed the Rajsuya yagna to confer supreme power on him. The king was
elevated to the position of God’s representative on earth. The Ashvamedha yagna (horse
sacrifice) was performed to establish his undisputed authority over the territory through
which the horse moved unchallenged.
5. How did the society get sharply divided during the Later Vedic period?
Ans. During the later Vedic period, the classification of society into four varnas became rigid
and hereditary. As the caste system became deep-rooted, society got sharply divided. The
brahmanas and kshatriyas formed the ruling class. The vaishyas were the artisans, traders
and farmers. The shudras were the uneducated workers who served the other three
classes.
6. What was the position of women during the Later Vedic period?
Ans. In the Later Vedic period, the joint family system was further strengthened. The birth of
a son was welcomed. The position of women declined. They were now considered
inferior to men. They no longer took part in the assemblies. Their highest duty was to
serve their husbands and take care of the family. However they continued to participate in
religious ceremonies.
7. Briefly describe the four ashramas.

Ans. The four stages or ashramas
- Brahmacharya: It was the first stage of life during which a person stayed with his
guru in the gurukul and received education.
- Grihastha: It was the second stage in a person’s life during which he got married and
led a family life as a householder.
- Vanaprastha: It was the stage when he gave up his worldly life and went away to the
forest to meditate.
- Sanyasa: It was the last stage of life when he renounced all worldly ties and became
an ascetic, spreading the principles of religion and truth.
8. At what age was a boy sent to gurukuul? What was the relationship between the
guru and his students?
Ans. At the age of 7 years a boy was sent to a gurukul which was the house of the teacher or
guru. He stayed there till he was 25 years old. The teacher or the guru treated his students
like his own children and the children regarded the teacher as their spiritual father.
9. What was a gurukul? What was the method of teaching in a gurukul?

Ans. Gurukul was the house of the teacher or guru which were usually situated deep in the
forests. In the gurukul, the students led simple and highly disciplined lives. They helped
their guru in many ways. They cleaned the house, drew water from the well, gathered
wood and worked in the fields. Students had to memorize lessons which were taught
orally. Subjects taught were logic, arithmetic, astrology, astronomy and learning of
Vedas.
10. What were the main occupations of the people of the Later Vedic period?
Ans. Agriculture was their main occupation. The occupations of the people basically remained
the same but the use of iron and improved farming implements brought about increased
prosperity.
11. Mention the important features of the religion of the Later Vedic period.
Ans. In the Later Vedic period, Brahma - the creator, Vishnu - the preserver and Shiva - the
destroyer became the most important gods. The mode of worship became complex.
Elaborate rituals and sacrifices were performed. The status of the brahmanas rose because
these complicated rituals could only be performed by them.
12. Write a brief on Hinduism in Later Vedic period.
Ans. The word Hindu comes from the word Sindhu, the Sanskrit term for the river Indus. The
roots of Hinduism can be traced to the Indus Valley culture. Hinduism was not founded
by any spiritual leader. It is a philosophy and a way of life that evolved over hundreds of
years. The mixing of social and religious beliefs of the Indus Valley and the Aryan settled
led to the evolution of Hinduism. The essence of Hinduism is the belief in an omnipotent
and omnipresent single force or energy (shakti) – the source of all creation. This creator
of the universe is God.
13. What were the main principles on which Hindu philosophy was based on?
Ans. The three main principles on which Hindu philosophy is based on were
- Dharma means that every person has a moral duty to do what is right and to lead a
pious life.
- Karma means that people must face the consequences of their actions. As they sow so
shall they reap. Their present and future life is the result of their actions (karma).
- Transmigration of the soul means that the soul is immortal and it never dies. When
people die only their bodies die. Their souls live on, migrate into new bodies and are
reborn.
14. Write a short note on the economic life in Later Vedic Period.
Ans. The Aryans had a settled life in Later Vedic Period. Agriculture was their main
occupation. The use of iron and improved farming implements brought about increased
prosperity. This period saw the growth of towns and cities as well as the development of
trade by barter system.
15. What is the impact of the Aryan civilization on India?

Ans. The Aryan civilization is the cradle of Indian culture. The Hinduism of today is based on
the philosophy of the Vedas and the Upanishads. The Sanskrit language and Vedic
literature act as a unifying force that binds the vast majority of Indians into one nation.
16. Write a brief on the following.

Ans. (i) Guru dakshina: Guru dakshina was paid to the guru after a student completed his
education. It was paid according to the student’s capacity.
(ii) Ashvamedha: The Ashmamedha yagna was performed by powerful kings. After the
yagna, the horse was decorated with the king’s emblem and set free to roam at will. The
regions through which the horse passed came under the rule of the king who had
performed the Ashvamedha yagna. In case any other king stopped the horse, a war
ensued and the victorious king annexed the king defeated king’s territories.
17. Differentiate between early Vedic period and Later Vedic period?
Ans. Early Vedic Period Later Vedic Period
(i)It flourished between 1500-1000BCE (i)It flourished between 1000 to 600BCE
(ii)They lived in the Sapta Sindhu region. (ii)They lived in the Gangetic plains.
(iii)It is also known as Rig Vedic period. (iii)It is also known as the Epic Age.
(iv)The Rig Veda was composed during (iv)The two great Indian epics (Ramayana
this period. and Mahabharata were composed
(v)The rajan/king did not have absolute (v)The king became very powerful and
Power, while sabha and samiti exercised sabha and samiti lost control over the king.
Control over the king.
(vi)Women enjoyed an important position (vi)The position of women in society
in society. declined.
(vii)They believed in one supreme power (vii)Brahma, the creator, Vishnu the
and worshipped the different forces of preserver and Shiva the destroyer became
nature as gods and goddess. The most important gods.
(viii)The caste system was flexible. (viii)The caste system became rigid.
1. Magadha creator [5]

2. Ashvamedha destroyer [4]
3. Grihastha householder [3]
4. Shiva Patna and Gaya [1]
5. Brahma horse sacrifice [2]
III State whether the following are true or false:-
1. The Upanishads were composed during the Later Vedic period. True
2. Excavations indicate the use of iron during this period. True
3. The sabha and samiti became very powerful during this period. False
4. The caste system became flexible in the Later Vedic period. False
5. Education in a gurukul was very expensive. False
1. The period from 1000 BCE to 600 BCE during which the Aryans settled in the Gangetic
Valley is known as the Later Vedic Age.
2. The later Vedas and Upanishads are supposed to have been composed during the Later
Vedic Period.
3. The Later Vedic Age is also known as Epic Age because the two great Indian epics –
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata were written during this period.
4. The three later Vedas were Atharva Veda, Sama Veda and Yajur veda.
5. The life of the Aryans during the Later Vedic age has been constructed on the basis of
information gathered from the three later Vedas, the epics as well as the recent
archaeological evidences from regions such as Hastinapur and the upper Gangetic
plains.
6. Excavations indicate the use of iron during this period.
7. During the Later Vedic period, small tribal organizations expanded and developed into
large kingdoms.
8. The four kingdoms established during the later Vedic period were Kuru (near modern
Delhi), Kosala (awadh), Magadha (Patna and Gaya) and kasha (Varanasi).
9. During the Later Vedic period, the kings became powerful and kingship became
hereditary.
10.The sabha and samiti lost much of their control over the king.
11.When a king ascended the throne the purohita performed the Rajasuya yagna to confer
supreme power on him.
12.The king was elevated to the position of God’s representative on earth.
13.The Ashvamedha yagna (horse sacrifice) was performed to establish his undisputed
authority over the territory through which the horse move unchallenged.
14.In the later Vedic period, the classification of society into four varnas became rigid and
hereditary.
15.During the later vedic period the four classes came to be known as the four castes.
16.In the later vedic period, caste was decided by birth and not by occupation.
17.The four castes of the later vedic period were the brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas and
shudras.
18.The life of an Aryan was divided into four stages or Ashramas were Brahmacharya,
Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa.
19.During the Later Vedic period, a boy of 7 years age was sent to a gurukul which was the
house of the teacher or guru and he stayed there till he was 25 years old.
20.After completing the education in the gurukul, the students paid guru dakshina or fees
according to their means.
21.In the Early Vedic period, there were highly educated women like Maitreyi and Gargi
while in the later vedic period women were not allowed to study Vedic literature.
22.Brahma – the creator, Vishnu – the preserver and Shiva – the destroyer became the
most important gods of the Later Vedic period.
23.The word Hindu comes from the word Sindhu, the Sanskrit term for the river Indus.
24.The roots of Hinduism can be traced to the Indus Valley culture.
25.The essence of Hinduism is the belief in an omnipotent and omnipresent single force or
energy which is the source of all creation.
26.The three main principles on which Hindu philosophy is based on Dharma, Karma and
transmigration of the soul.
27.The essence of Hinduism is contained in the Upanishads which is the fountainhead or
original source of Hindu philosophy.
28.Agriculture was the main occupation of the people of Later Vedic period.
29.The people of the later vedic period used painted grey vessels.
30.The later vedic period saw the growth of towns and cities as well as the development of
trade by barter system.
31.The Aryan civilization is the cradle of Indian culture.
32.The Hinduism of today is based on the philosophy of the Vedas and the Upanishads.
33.The Sanskrit language and Vedic literature act as a unifying force that binds the vast
majority of Indians into one nation.
JAINISM AND BUDDHISM
Chapter – 11
I Question and Answers:
1. How did the new customs destroy the simplicity of the original Vedic religion?
Ans. The religion of the Early Vedic Period, based on nature worship, was simple and easy to
follow. By the end of the Later Vedic period, religion became complex and difficult.
Many evil customs crept into society in the name of religion. Costly sacrifices,
superstitions, and elaborate and meaningless rituals destroyed the simplicity and appeal
of the original religion.
2. How did the rigid caste system affect the Shudras?

Ans. The caste system was rigid especially for the lower castes – the shudras. They were
increasingly isolated and persecuted. They were denied the right to study the religious
scriptures and were not even allowed to recite Sanskrit hymns.
3. Mention the main teachings of Mahavira.

Ans. The main teachings of Mahavira were
- Ahimsa: Ahimsa or non-violence is the first great teaching of Mahavira. He preached
that no one should harm any living creature, not even insects and plants.
- Sacrifices, Yagnas and Rituals: Mahavira did not accept the Vedas and opposed all
forms of religious rites and rituals.
- Caste System: Mahavira believed that all people are equal and did not believe in
dividing people into different castes.
- God: Mahavira did not believe in the existence of God.
- Karma and Rebirth: A person’s soul is reborn again and again because of his/her
karma (actions). The highest goal of a person’s life was to attain moksha, i.e. freedom
from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
4. Name the two Jain sects. What was the difference between the two?
Ans. The two Jain sects were Digambaras and Svetambaras. The Digambaras (sky clad) did
not wear any clothes and followed the original teachings of Mahavira. The Svetambaras
(white clad) wore white clothes and did not believe in hard penance.
5. In which parts of India is Jainism still popular?

Ans. Jainism is still popular among the trading classes in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu in India.
6. What were the ‘four great sights’ that proved to be turning point in Gautama
Buddha’s life?
Ans. The four great sights proved to be the turning point in Gautama Buddha’s life was once
while he was on an outing in his chariot, he saw an old man, a sick man and a dead man.
These three sights saddened and disturbed him greatly. Then he saw an ascetic who
looked calm and serene, unaffected by the sorrow and misery around him. Gautama
decided to renounce worldly life and go out in search for answers to the mysteries of life
and death.
7. Briefly explain the following events in Buddha’s life:

(i)Renunciation (ii)Enlightenment
Ans. (i) Renunciation: One night when Gautama was at the age of 29, while his son and wife
were asleep, he quietly slipped out of the house, breaking all worldly ties and became an
ascetic. Gautama renunciated worldly life and went out in search for answers to the
mysteries of life and death.
(ii) Enlightenment: For 6 years Gautama wandered from place to place in search of truth.
One day he sat down under a pipal tree in Bodh gaya and began to meditate. On the 49th
day, true light dawned on him. He became the Buddha, the enlightened one. He had at
last found the cause of human suffering and knew how to overcome it.
8. Explain the four noble truths of Buddhism.

Ans. The four noble truths of Buddhism are
- The world is full of suffering.
- The cause of suffering is human desire.
- Suffering can be ended by overcoming desires.
- Desires can be overcome and freedom from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth can be
achieved by nirvana. The eightfold path leads to nirvana.
9. What do you understand by the term eightfold path of Buddhism?

Ans. Buddha believed that a person’s ultimate goal in life is to attain nirvana by escaping from
the cycle of birth and death. This state of bliss can be achieved by following the eightfold
path. They are right belief, right speech, right means of livelihood, right memory, right
thought, right action, right effort and right meditation.
10. How and why did Buddhism spread so rapidly?

Ans. Buddhism spread rapidly because Buddha preached in Pali which was easily understood
by the common people. The simplicity of his teachings and the principle of equality
greatly appealed to the people especially to the traders. Also Buddhism was spread far
and wide by monks and nuns. Royal patronage of kings like Ashoka and the
establishment of Buddhist universities like Nalanda were the other important reasons for
the rapid spread of Buddhism.
11. Explain the following terms:

(i)Ahimsa (ii)Karma (iii)Moksha
Ans. (i)Ahimsa: Ahimsa is the first great teaching of Mahavira which means non-violence. It
means that no one should harm any living creature not even insects and plants.
(ii)Karma: Karma means action, work or deed. It also refers to the spiritual principle of
cause and effect where actions of an individual influence the future of that individual.
(iii)Moksha: Moksha means emancipation, liberation or freedom from the cycle of birth
and rebirth.
12. What were the reasons for the decline of Buddhism in India?
Ans. Buddhism declined in India because of the following reasons
- Hinduism was reformed and purified.
- The Gupta kings patronized Hinduism.
- India was invaded by the Huns who destroyed Buddhist viharas.
13. Write short notes on ‘triratna’.

Ans. Moksha could be achieved by following the triratna (three jewels) of Jainism. The three
jewels are (i)right knowledge (ii)right belief (iii)right conduct, which includes the
practice of ahimsa and hard penance.
II
THE RISE OF MAGADHA
Chapter – 12
1. State the reasons for the emergence of the mahajanapadas.

Ans. In the Later Vedic period, the pastoral Aryan tribes began to settle down and cultivate
land. They cleared jungles and brought more land under cultivation. Surplus production
led to increased prosperity and the desire to expand further. This in turn resulted in wars
and conquests and the emergence of large states called mahajanapadas.
2. How many mahajanapadas are mentioned in the religious texts of the 6th century
BCE?
Ans. Sixteen mahajanapadas are mentioned in the religious texts of the 6th century BCE.
3. How did the conquest of Anga benefit Magadha?

Ans. The conquest of Anga brought the river port of Champa under the control of Bimbisara.
This was the beginning of a flourishing maritime trade that made Magadha rich and
prosperous. The rich deposits of iron ore found in this region contributed to the
development of a strong and stable economy.
4. Why was Alexander unable to conquer Magadha?

Ans. Once Alexander and his army reached the river Beas, beyond which lay Magadha, his
army refused to advance further. The army was war-weary and homesick and was not
willing to face the powerful army of Magadha. Hence Alexander was forced to turn back
and was unable to conquer Magadha.
5. Mention briefly the effects of Alexander’s invasion?

Ans. The effects of Alexander’s invasion were
- He established a direct link between India and Europe. His invasion led to the
establishment of four different trade routes by land and sea.
- Alexander’s historians had left records of his campaigns alongwith their dates which
helped Indian historians to fix the exact dates for later events and reconstruct Indian
history chronologically.
- The cultural contact with the Greeks led to the growth of the Indo-Greek school of art
known as the Gandhara school of Art.
- Alexander’s campaigns shattered the power of the small states in north-western Indian
which made it easier for Chandragupta Maurya to expand in this region and paved the
way for the political unification of India under the Mauryas.
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

Chapter – 13
1. What happened to Alexander’s vast empire after his death?

Ans. After Alexander’s death, fighting broke out between his generals for the control of his
vast empire. Seleucus, one of Alexander’s generals, became the ruler of the territory
stretching from Asia Minor to the Indus. In 305 BCE he crossed the river Indus to
recover the territories of Alexander had conquered earlier but Chandragupta Maurya
defeated him and freed north-western India from Greek control.
2. Why was Seleucus compelled to sign a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya? Mention
two important terms of this treaty.
Ans. Seleucus was compelled to sign a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya because
Chandragupta Maruya had defeated Seleucus when he had crossed the Indus to recover
the territories Alexander had conquered earlier. Two important terms of this treaty was
that Seleucus had to give eastern Afghanistan, Baluchistan and areas West of the Indus to
Chandragupta. Also Seleucus gave his daughter to Chandragupta in marriage and sent
Megathenes as ambassador to Chandragupta’s court.
3. What was the extent of Chandragupta’s empire?

Ans. Chandragupta’s empire stretched from the Hindu Kush in eth north-west to Bengal in the
east, from the Himalayas in the north to the Narmada in the south. The kingdom of
Kalinga in the east however was independent.
4. What was the extent of Ashoka’s empire?

Ans. Ashoka’s empire stretched from the Himalayas in the north to Mysore in the south and
from the Hindu Kush in the north-west to the Brahmaputra in the east. It also included
Kabul, Kandahar, Heart and parts of Nepal and Kashmir.
5. Why was the Kalinga war a turning point in the life of Ashoka?
Ans. The Kalinga war was a turning point in the life of Ashoka because the death, destruction
and great human suffering in this war filled his heart with sorrow and remorse. So he
made up his mind to give up warfare and conquer the hearts of people with love.
6. Mention the main principles of dhamma.

Ans. The main principles of dhamma were as follows:-
 People should live in peace and harmony.
 Everyone should follow ahimsa, i.e. non-violence and non-injury to all living
creatures.
 People should love one another and show tolerance and respect towards their
religions.
 Children should obey their elders and elders should treat children with
understanding.
 People should be truthful, charitable and kind to all (including servants and slaves).
7. What did Ashoka do to spread Buddhism outside India?

Ans. Ashoka sent learned Buddhist scholars to distant lands to spread Buddhism. His son
Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra were sent to Sri lanka to spread the message of
Buddhism.
8. Mention any three taken by Ashoka to propagate dhamma in India?

Ans. Three steps taken by Ashoka to propagate dhamma in India were
- Ashoka set a personal example by strictly following the principles of dhamma,
inspiring others to do the same.
- Special officers called Dhammamahamatras were appointed to spread and enforce the
principles of dhamma throughout the kingdom.
- The principles of dhamma were engraved in Prakrit on rocks, pillars and caves so that
people could read and follow them.
9. What are edicts? Why were they composed in Prakrit?

Ans. Edicts are a source of valuable information of the Mauryan period. Edicts are royal
commands or proclamations. They were inscribed on rocks, polished stone pillars and
caves. They were composed in Prakrit, the language of the people and written in Brahmi
script so that common people could read them. In the north-west they were written in
Greek, Kharoshthi and Aramaic.
10. What did Ashoka do for the welfare of his subjects?

Ans. Ashoka was one of the greatest kings in the history of India and he worked for the
prosperity, happiness and welfare.
- He appointed officials called mahamatras to carry out administrative work.
- He built good roads and planted shady trees on both sides of the road.
- Wells were dug and rest houses were built for weary travelers.
- Health centres were built for men and animals.
- Officials were sent on tours to find out and solve the problems of the people.
11. Why does Ashoka occupy a unique place in the history of human civilization?
Ans. Ashoka occupies a unique place in the history of human civilization because he was the
first monarch in the ancient world to denounce war and proclaim peace and non-violence.
He championed the cause of universal brotherhood and tolerance.
1. Megasthenes third Buddhist Council [5]

2. Chanakya Greek Ambassador [1]
3. Seleucus Arthashastra [2]
4. Sanghamitra Alexander’s general [3]
5. Pataliputra spread of Buddhism [4]
III State whether the following are true or false:-
1. Indika was written by Kautilya. False

2. Chanakya was a wise brahmana who had a personal grudge against Dhana Nanda. True
3. Bindusara was the son of Ashoka. False
4. Ashoka’s dharma was based on the principles of Buddhism. True
5. Ashoka’s son was named Rahul. False
1. The two main sources of information on the Mauryan period are Indika by Megasthenes
and Arthashastra by Chanakya.
2. Chanakya is also known as Kautilya.
3. The rock and pillar edicts of Ashoka also provide valuable information on the Mauryan
period.
4. In 321 BCE, Chandragupta Maurya over-threw the last Nanda King, Dhana Nanda
and seized the throne of Magadha.
5. Chandragupta’s success in acquiring the throne of Magadha was largely due to the
guidance and training of Chanakya.
6. Chanakya was a wise brahmana scholar who had a personal grudge against Dhana
Nanda.
7. Seleucus was one of Alexander’s generals who became the ruler of the territory
stretching from Asia Minor to the Indus.
8. Chandragupta defeated Seleucus and freed north-western India from Greek control.
9. Seleucus gave his daughter to Chandragupta in marriage and sent Megasthenes as
ambassador to Chandragupta’s court.
10.Seleucus was compelled to sign a treaty and in return he received 500 war elephants.
11.Chandragupta Maurya built a vast empire but the kingdom of Kalinga in the east
however was independent.
12.Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son Bindusara who ruled for about 25
years.
13.During the reign of Bindusara the Mauryan empire extended upto Mysore.
14.Bindusara was succeeded by his son Ashoka.
15.Kalinga was a powerful kingdom which controlled the land and sea routes to South India
and South-east Asia.
16.In 261 BCE, Ashoka attacked Kalinga and conquered it.
17.Kalinga was a prosperous kingdom lying between the rivers Godavari and Mahanadi
close to the Bay of Bengal.
18.The kingdom of Kalinga has an infantry of 60,000 men, 10,000 horsemen and 600
elephants.
19.The Kalinga war become a turning point in Ashoka’s life.
20.Ashoka was deeply influenced by the Buddhist principles of compassion, peace and
non-violence.
21.The policy of dig vijaya (conquest of territories) was replaced by dhamma vijaya
(conquest through dharma).
22.The word dhamma is derived from the Sanskrit word dharma which means religious
duty.
23.Ashoka’s idea of dhamma was based on human values and a code of conduct inspired
by the noble teachings of Buddha.
24.Ashoka visited places like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath etc associated with the life of Buddha to
spread Buddhism.
25.Ashoka sent Mahendra and Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to spread the message of
Buddhism.
26.Ashoka appointed special officers called Dhammamahamatras to spread and enforce
the principles of dhamma.
27.The principles of dhamma were engraved in Prakrit on rocks, pillars and caves so that
people could read and follow them.
28.Ashoka organized the third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra to discuss ways of
propagating Buddhism.
29.Mahamatras were officials appointed by Ashoka to carry out administrative work.
30.Arthashastra was the book written by Chanakya on politics.
31.The edicts are royal commands or proclamations which are a source of valuable
information of the Mauryan period.
32.The edicts were composed in Prakrit the language of the people and written in Brahmi
script.
33.In the north-west edicts were written in Greek, Kharoshthi and Aramaic languages.

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SOURCES OF HISTORY

2. Why do we study history?

3. What is the difference between prehistory and history?

4. Define the following:-

5. What are sources of History?

10. What are monuments?

11. Why are coins considered an important source of ancient history?

12. What are inscriptions?

13. What information do we get from inscriptions?

15. What are literary sources of history?

16. What are manuscripts? On what surfaces were they written?

18. What do you understand by religious literature? Give two examples.

19. What do you understand by secular literature? Give two examples.

20. Define briefly.

II Fill in the blanks:-

I Question and Answers:-

1. Describe the life of prehistoric humans in the earliest times.

3. Briefly define the following:-

5. What did the people of the Old Stone Age eat?

7. What did the early humans wear?

8. How do we know that early humans were skilful artists?

10. How did early humans discover fire?

12. Describe the tools made in the Mesolithic Age.

13. What was the occupation of humans in the Mesolithic Age?

16. Write a brief about agriculture in the New Stone Age.

20. Why did early humans make pots?

22. Write short notes on the following.

23. Mention the chief features of the Chalcolithic Age.

II Fill in the blanks:-

1. In the earliest stages of physical development, humans walked on all fours.

III Match the following:-

1.Palaeolithic Age specialization (4)

1. Write a brief about Mesopotamia.

2. Write a brief about the Sumerian civilization?

4. Explain briefly the three-tiered social structure of Mesopotamia.

5. List down few characteristics of the Mesopotamian civilization.

7. How was the town planning of the Mesopotamians?

10. Name three important specialized skills of the Mesopotamians.

11. Describe the art and craft of the Mesopotamians.

12. Describe the trade and commerce of the Mesopotamians.

15. What were Ziggurats?

16. Write a brief about the religion of the Mesopotamians.

17. How do we know that Mesopotamians believed in life after death?

18. Write short notes on the following:-

20. What led to the decline of the Mesopotamia civilization?

II Match the following:-

1. Ziggurats a)one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (2)

III State whether the following are True or False:-

1. Natural barriers surrounded Mesopotamia. False

1. Mesopotamia in Greek language means ‘the land between two rivers’.

I Question and Answers:-

2. Describe the occupations of the Harappan people.

3. Discuss the art and craft of the Harappan people.

4. Write short notes on the following:-

5. Describe three buildings of the Indus Valley Civilization.

6. What were the different types of buildings of Indus Valley Civilization?

8. Briefly explain the following:-

9. Write short notes on the following:-