NCERT 6th Class (CBSE) Social Science: What, How and When?

Question: Why did people first settle near rivers valleys?

Answer: People first settle near river valleys because:

1. The river provided sufficient water for all needs.
2. The land near the river was very fertile. People could grow crops easily.
3. The river served as a means of transport.

Question: What are inscriptions? How do they help us know about ancient India.

Answer: Written records engraved on rocks cave wall, mental pillars wall of temples and palaces and on clay tablets and copper tablets are called inscriptions. Very often, kings got the important events in their reign and their achievements inscribed so that people could read them. Thus, our knowledge about kings and many important events of their reign is largely through these inscriptions. The study of inscriptions is called epigraphy.

Question: How are coins a valuable source of information about ancient India?

Answer: Coins are an extremely valuable source of information. They tell us about the reigning periods of kings, the economy of the kingdom the extent of king’s the empire and about trade with other region coins also throw light on the art and religion or earlier times. The study of coins are called numismatics.

Question: Write a short note on secular literature.

Answer: Writings that are not religious are called secular literature. These include stories, poems, plays, biographies of kings, accounts of foreign travelers and books on politics and science. For example: Arthashastra by Kautilya and the Indika by Megasthenes. The plays and poems of Kalidasa.

Question: Pottery is one of the most common finds on a excavation side. Why?

Answer: Pottery is one of the most common finds on a excavation site because it was used extensively by a large section of people fostering various things like water, grains etc.

Question: Why do you think ruler in ancient times recorded their victories on hard surfaces like rocks and pillars?

Answer: Rulers in ancient times recorded their victories on hard surfaces like rocks and pillars because they wanted.

1. To impress others with their power and position.
2. The future generations to know about their victories.