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NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS 1. List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these. Ans: 2. How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice? [Delhi, All India 2009, 2011] Ans: (a) Archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society in the following ways: Burials Looking for “luxuries”. (b) The archaeologists have noticed the following differences in the socio-economic conditions in Harappan society : In the Harappan society, the dead were generally laid in pits. In some burial pits the hallowed-out spaces were lined with bricks. Some graves contain pottery and ornaments. In some instances the dead were buried with copper mirrors. Artefacts are divided into two categories – utilitarian and luxuries. The utilitarian objects are of daily use. These are made of ordinary materials such as stone an...

 NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED 1. Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities? Ans: Widespread and deep excavations in the early historic towns have not been possible due to the fact that these towns are still inhabited. In Harappan Civilisation, we have been fortunate enough that excavations have taken place widespread. Despite this shortcoming, we have found many artefacts in the historic towns. These throw light on the craftsmanship of those days. There are other evidences too, that throw light on the craftsmanship of those days. The salient features of such evidences are as follows: 1. From the sights the fine pottery bowls and dishes have been found. They are glossy too and we call them Northern Black Polished Ware. It looks they were used by the rich people. 2. There have also been evidence of ornaments, tools, weapons, vessels and figurines. There are a wide range of items...

 NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED 1. Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families. Ans: Patriliny is the system through which descent from father to son and grandson is traced. The principle of patriliny would have been essential for the elite families for the following reasons: Continuity of Dynasty: As per the Dharmashastras, it was an established belief that the son carried forward the dynasty. That was the main reason that the families wished for sons not for daughters. A couplet of Rigveda also substantiates this view. In this couplet, a father at the time of the marriage of his daughter wishes that she should have best sons with the grace of Lord Shiva. Inheritance: In royal families, the acquisition of throne was included in the inheritance. After the death of a king, his eldest son was supposed to inherit the throne. After the death of the parents, the property was to be equally divided among all the sons. In fact, parents avoided ...

 NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED 1. Were the ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers different from those of the fatalists and materialists ? Give reasons for your answers. Ans: The ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers is not much different from those of the fatalists and materialists. This is brought out by the following arguments. (i) The essence of the philosophy of Jainism was already in existence in India, even before the birth of Lord Mahavir and Vardhaman. (ii) Ahimsa or non-violence is the most important principle of Jainism. But this also form the basic thought of Hindu religion. Thus, there is a lot of similarity between the both the streams of the religion. (iii) Upanishada believes and teaches Karma Theory. It means men and women should act and not worry about getting rewards. Fatalists also believed in the idea of work without thinking of the consequences. Thus there is a lot of similarity between the two. (iv) Both fatalists and materislists believe that human beings ...

  NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED 1. Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind. Ans: Kitab-ul-Hind was written by Al-Biruni in 1031. It was considered with India and also known by the name of Tarikh-ul-Hind and Tahqiq-ma-ul-Hind. It was written in Arabic. It is divided into 80 Chapters. They have thrown a detailed light on Hindu religions and philosphy, festivals, customs and tradition, the social and economic as well as political life of the people. In each chapter he adopted a distinctive style and had a question in the beginning. It was followed by a description based on Sanskrit tradition, At last he compare the India culture with other culture. This geometric structure he followed is known for its precision and predictability. The main reason for this structure was Al-Biruni’s mathematical orientation. 2. Compare and contrast the perspectives from which Ibn Battuta and Bernier wrote their accounts of their travels in India. Ans: Ibn Battuta was an early globe-trotter...

 NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED 1. Explain with examples what historians mean by the integration of cults. Ans: During the period of the 10th Century to the 17th Century, an important trend noticed in the religious life in India is the worship of God in many forms. Many God and Goddesses appear in the scultures and texts but they are various forms of the original deities only. These original deities are Vishnu, Shiva, and Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Parvati. Historians have noticed the two marked trends in the socio-religious life of those days. The first was dissemination of the Brahminical ideas. The Brahminical texts were reproduced in simple Sanskrit. They were now made available to women and shudras, who did not have access to Brahminical literature by and large. The second was the Brahmins who were working on the beliefs and practices. It was a process of evolution, wherein traditional classical traditions were getting new shapes continuously as they were being imp...