NCERT Solutions for class 6 Social Studies History Chapter 8 Vital Villages, Thriving Towns

NCERT Solutions for class 6 Social Studies History Chapter 8 Vital Villages, Thriving Towns

NCERT Solutions for class 6 Social Studies History Chapter 8 Vital Villages, Thriving Towns

Let’s recall

Question 1. Fill in the blanks:

(a) ———————— was a word used for large landowners in Tamil.

(b) The gramabhojaka often got his land cultivated by the ————————

(c) Ploughmen were known as ———————— in Tamil.

(d) Most grihapatis were ———————— landowners.

Answer:-

  1. ‘Vellalar’
  2. slaves and workers
  3. ‘uzhavar’
  4. Smaller

Question 2. Describe the functions of the gramabhojaka. Why do you think he was powerful?

Answer:- Functions of the Gramabhojaka:

  1. Tax Collection: They Gathered various taxes and levies from villagers.
  2. Resource Distribution: They Ensured fair allocation of collected resources.
  3. Administrative Role: They Settled disputes and managed local affairs.
  4. Infrastructure Caretaker: They Oversaw maintenance of village facilities.

Reasons for their Power:

  1. Local Authority: They Made influential decisions at the village level.
  2. Economic Control: They Managed economic resources, gaining influence.
  3. Direct Communication: They Linked villagers and ruling authorities, holding sway.
  4. Social Significance: They Held cultural and religious positions, enhancing influence.

Question 3. List the crafts persons who would have been present in both villages and cities.

Answer:-  Craftspeople present in both villages and cities during ancient times included:

  1. Potters
  2. Weavers
  3. Carpenters
  4. Blacksmiths
  5. Jewelers
  6. Basket Weavers
  7. Leatherworkers
  8. Cobblers
  9. Artisans

Question 4. Choose the correct answer:

(a) Ring wells were used for:

  1. bathing
  2. washing clothes
  3. irrigation
  4. drainage

(b) Punch marked coins were made of:

  1. silver
  2. gold
  3. tin
  4. ivory

(c) Mathura was an important:

  1. village
  2. port
  3. religious centre
  4. forested area

(d) Shrenis were associations of:

  1. rulers
  2. crafts persons
  3. farmers
  4. herders

Answer:- (a) drainage

(b) silver

(c) religious centre

(d) crafts persons.

Let’s discuss

Question 5. Which of the iron tools shown on page 79 would have been important for agriculture? What would the other tools have been used for?

Answer:- Iron tools shown on page 79 are sickles, tongs, and axes, they were vital in agriculture for harvesting, handling hot objects, and land preparation. Plows, hoes, spades, and seed drills aided cultivation, while watering cans and winnowing baskets supported irrigation and grain processing.

Question 6. Compare the drainage system in your locality with that of the cities mentioned in the lesson. What similarities and differences do you notice?

Answer:-  The drainage system in our area consists of pipes and drains.

In the lesson, it is said that ring wells and drains are examples of irrigation-related constructions from the period (which we have covered in the chapter).

Comparison:

Similarities:  My home is in a city. Our neighbourhood has a reliable drainage system. Additionally, each home or structure has a reliable drainage system. In addition, archaeologists have discovered a few sewers and waste dumps in each city/town, site, and home described in the chapter.

Dissimilarities or Differences: Nowadays, everything is well-maintained and constructed using high-quality raw materials. However, mud bricks and thatch, which may not have endured for very long, were utilised in early towns. We use separator and filters with modem technology which was not there earlier.

Let’s do

Question 7. If you have seen crafts persons at work, describe in a short paragraph what they do. (Hint: how do they get the raw materials, what kind of equipment do they use, how do they work, what happens to the finished product).

Answer:- Craftspeople skillfully transform raw materials into finished products. They source materials from nature or suppliers. Using specialized tools like looms, forges, or potter’s wheels, they meticulously shape, carve, or weave. Precision and creativity characterize their work. The final product showcases their expertise, reflecting hours of dedication and craftsmanship.

Question 8. List the functions performed by men and women who live in your city or village. In what ways are these similar to those performed by people who lived in Mathura? In what ways are they different?

Answer:- In Delhi, a bustling contemporary metropolis, men and women fulfill various roles including professionals, educators, healthcare workers, traders, and laborers. Similarly, around 2000 years ago in Mathura, people engaged in tasks like farming, trading, crafting, and religious practices. Both cities share functions related to sustenance, commerce, and societal functioning.

However, differences arise in complexity and technological advancements. While Mathura’s ancient residents had limited occupational choices and were predominantly engaged in an agrarian economy, Delhi boasts a multitude of specialized jobs within its urban landscape. Moreover, gender roles have evolved over time, with Delhi showing greater gender equality compared to Mathura’s historical socio-economic structure. Additionally, Delhi’s contemporary functions are intertwined with advanced technology, communication, and modern infrastructure, which differ significantly from Mathura’s simpler lifestyle and more rudimentary means of living.