NCERT 6th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Reaching out to Distant Lands

Question: Why did Fa Hien visit India?

Answer: Fa Hien who came to India in the 5th century CE. He was a scholar who stayed at Pataliputra for 3 years and learnt Sanskrit. Central Asia was also heavily influenced by Buddhism. The Silk Route provided a meeting point for Central Asia, India and Persia. Buddhism thus spread to many parts of the world.

Question: Why was Karikala Chola so called? Mention some of his important achievements.

Answer: Karikala means ‘the one with the Charred leg’. It is believed that the king had lost one of his legs in an accident in his early childhood.

1. Sources mention his extensive conquests at the battle at Venni (near Tanjore) where he defeated the Pandya and Chera kings.
2. He as also regarded as the first Tamil king to have conquered Sri Lanka.
3. He built the Kallanai Dam across the river Kaveri near Trichur.

Question: Who were the Indo-Greeks? Why is their rule important in the history of India?

Answer: The Greeks who settled in India were known as the Indo-Greeks.

1. The Indo-Greeks were the first rulers to issue coins bearing the portraits of kings.
2. The Indo-Greek rule Introduced Greek elements in Indian art and the new style of art came to be known as the Gandhara School of Art.

Question:Write a note on the reign and achievements of Kanishka.

Answer: The Kushans reached the height of their glory under Kanishka. In 78 CE he started the Sakaera which is now used by the Indian government. Kanishka patronized Buddhism. He got a huge stupa built at Purushapura. He held the fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir to discuss the teachings of the Buddha. Kanishka also encouraged art and Sanskrit literature. Ashvaghosha, a famous Sanskrit scholar lived in his court. The Kushans patronized the Gandhara School Of Art which developed as a result of the intermingling of Indian and foreign ideas. The Kushans also issued a number of gold and copper coins.

Question: What was the impact of the invasinons from the north-west on the cultural life of India?

Answer: The continuous invasion from the north-west had a significant impact on India. As new groups came, new elements of culture were introduced in the Indian society. This brought about change in the life of the Indian people and influenced the development of trade relations with Central Asia increased. The Indian rulers collected taxes from the foreign traders passing through their territories and thus became rich. Art and architecture also grew during this period. The Central Asian invaders were greatly influenced by Indian religion and Philosophy. They patronized Indian artists to build temples and carve sculptures of gods and deities. Most of the art of this period is influenced by the Gandhara School of Art.