Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Past Chapter 7

Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7

History is the study of change, and historians are specialists in analysing and interpreting changes in human identity as well as changes in society and civilisations over time. By analysing how the past has affected (and is still forming) relationships between communities and individuals on a local, national, and global scale, studying history helps us understand and address complex challenges and complexities. . The seventh chapter of Class 6 Social Science is Ashoka, The Emperor who gave up War. Three prominent kings made up the Maurya dynasty: Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara’s son Ashoka. The only king of India to forgo violence after winning a war was King Ashoka, who was motivated to do so by his sadness for the bloody aftermath of the war. He made the decision to give up war after realising how many people had been killed and was horrified at the sight. He became the only king in the history of the world to do so. Chapter 7 Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Important Questions help students understand the entire chapter. Students can easily access all this and more on the Extramarks website.

Social Science Our Pasts Class 6 Chapter 7 Important Questions have been curated by Extramarks specialists using the NCERT Textbook, other reference books, past years’ questions, papers and other sources. Our history subject experts have created a list of step-by-step answers to help students comprehend each chapter.  To access the Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7 Important Questions  students may sign up at Extramarks’ official website because it has a repository of resources to which they can’t say no. Be an early bird and make the most of it.

Extramarks credibility lies in providing reliable and trusted study material related to NCERT from Class 1 to 12 for all the subjects. In addition to Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7, students can easily access materials like NCERT Solutions, CBSE revision notes, past year question papers, NCERT books, and more on the Extramarks website.

Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7- with Solutions

The Social studies experts of Extramarks have designed an entire list of Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7 using multiple sources. The Maurya dynasty was ruled by Chandragupta, his son  Bindusara, and Bindusara’s son Ashoka. . Emperor Ashoka was the only king of India to give up conquest after winning a war, and he was inspired to do so because he was horrified by the aftermath of the violence and bloodshed. .  lakhs of people lost their lives and more than that were taken prisoner, many innocent people lost their loved ones in the battle. He was sad beyond words. These questions and solutions help students to get a clear understanding of the chapter – Ashoka, The Emperor who gave up War.

Mentioned below are a few Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7 and their solutions:

Question 1. What were the problems that Ashoka wanted to solve by introducing dhamma?

Answer 1. Emperor Ashoka intended to introduce dhamma to address the following issues:

  • Disputes between different religions among his subjects.
  • Religious ceremonies that involve animal sacrifice.
  • Mistreatment of slaves and servants.
  • Ongoing disputes over petty issues between neighbours.

Question 2. What was  Ashoka’s Dhamma? What did he achieve in this field?

Answer 2. Ashoka’s Dhamma:

  • The Prakrit word “Dhamma” signifies the Sanskrit term Dharma. The dhamma of Ashoka disallowed idol worship and animal sacrifices.
  • Ashoka believed that he was responsible for teaching his subjects as a father would. The Buddha’s teachings had a profound influence on him.
  • Emperor Ashoka was disturbed by a variety of problems. Conflict occasionally resulted from the numerous religions practised by the people.. Animal sacrifices were made. Servants and slaves were treated poorly. In addition, there were disputes between neighbours and families. Ashoka believed it was his responsibility to address these issues; therefore, he created officials known as the Dhamma Mahamatta, who travelled around teaching the dhamma to people. Additionally, Ashoka had his messages carved on pillars and rocks, giving his officials the responsibility of reading the messages to those who could not do it for themselves.
  • He urged his followers to abandon pointless rituals. He advised his followers to treat slaves and servants with respect. He requested that they honour their elders.
  • All creatures should be treated with care, Ashoka urged his people. They should present gifts to monks and brahmins.
  • When it was improper to support one’s religion or criticise another’s, Ashoka questioned. Everyone should respect the religious beliefs of others. According to Ashoka, praising one’s faith while criticising another’s causes more damage to that religion. As a result, it is essential to respect and attempt to comprehend the core principles of other people’s religions.
  • Ashoka assigned messengers to propagate the dhamma’s teachings to places like Syria, Egypt, Greece, and Sri Lanka.
  • Ashoka constructed highways, planted trees alongside them, dug wells, and constructed rest areas. In addition, he made arrangements for both human and animal medical care.

Question 3. Make a list of occupations of people who lived within the Mauryan Empire.

Answer 3. People who lived in the Mauryan Empire were from different occupations::

  • Herding
  • Farming
  • Hunting and gathering
  • Trading
  • Handicraft

Question 4. Talk about the main events in Ashoka’s war in Kalinga. What impact did this war have on him?

Answer 4. The ancient name for Orissa’s coastal region was Kalinga. Ashoka waged a battle to conquer  Kalinga. Over a lakh, people were slain, and around a lakh and a half were arrested. He subdued Kalinga after eight years. He effectively became the monarch of practically the whole of India in this manner.

Impact of war on Ashoka:

  • When Ashoka witnessed the aftermath of bloodshed and carnage, he was shocked and horrified at the result. He decided not to wage any wars in future.
  • Ashoka decided to practise dhamma and spread its knowledge far and wide as he was extremely sad and depressed.
  • After this military success, he concluded that using dhamma to convert people was far more superior than using force over them.  In short, winning people was more important than defeating them.
  • He left an inscription with his message of love and peace for the future so that his son and grandson would not consider going to war. Instead, they should try to find ways to promote the dhamma.

Question 5. Why do you think slaves and servants were ill-treated? Do you think the orders of the emperor would have improved their condition? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 5. The hierarchy of society is the main reason for the mistreatment of slaves and servants. The Varna system was in place, which separated society into hierarchical layers. People who were higher up in the hierarchy believed they were superior and had the right to treat others poorly. Because they belonged to the lowest ranks and were presumed to have no rights or voice of their own, slaves and servants were frequently enslaved by their masters and subjected to abuse.

In earlier times, it was the responsibility of an emperor to govern the whole empire. Therefore, if he had given any orders to penalise those mistreated slaves, their living conditions would have improved, and they wouldn’t have had to endure their masters’ torture.

Question 6. What did Megasthenese write about the Mauryan Emperor and the Mauryan Empire’s capital city? Describe in your own words.

Answer 6. A snippet from Megasthenese’s account of the Mauryan Emperor and the Capital City is provided below: (Modern Patna or Pataliputra)

The Emperor:

  • The emperor’s public appearances are celebrated with lavish royal processions. He is brought in a palanquin made of gold (Palankeen).
  • Elephants adorned with gold and silver were ridden by the emperor’s guards. A group of trained parrots, among other live birds, were perched on trees carried by some guards and circled the emperor’s head.
  • Usually, women guards with weapons would surround the king (or the emperor). He feared that he could be the target of his enemy and was risky for him to travel unarmed. .
  • Before he ate, the emperor had special servants taste the cuisine. He never spent two nights in the same bedroom.

The capital city:

  • Pataliputra served as the Mauryan empire’s capital (modern Patna). It was a sizable, stunning city. It had a huge wall around it. It had 64 gates and 570 towers.
  • Wood and mud bricks were used to construct the capital city’s two- and three-story homes.
  • The king’s palace was constructed of wood and adorned with stone decorations: gardens and bird-keeping aviary cages around it.

Question 7. State whether true or false:

  • Ujjain was the gateway to the northwest
  • Chandragupta’s idea was written down in the Arthashastra
  • Kalinga was the ancient name of Bengal
  • Most Ashokan inscriptions are in the Brahmi script

Answer 7. The following are the solutions for true and false:

  1. False: The entrance to the northwest was through the Mauryan province of Taxila.
  2. False: In Sanskrit, “arthashashtra ” means “economic science.” Arthashashtra contains the ideas of Kautilya, also referred to as Chanakya.
  3. False: Instead of Bengal, the term “Kalinga” refers to the coastal region between the Godavari and Mahanadi rivers in what is now Orissa.
  4.  True: Hindi and several other north Indian languages are descended from the Brahmi Script.  Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were composed in Prakrit and were written in Brahmi Script. .

Question 8. Why was it essential to control rivers and roads during the Mauryan era?

Answer 8. Roads and waterways were under the control of the Mauryas. These were crucial for transportation and collecting any available resources such as tax and tribute. For instance, the Arthashastra, a well-known work of literature by Kautilya or Chanakya, informs us about the importance of blankets from the northwest and the importance of gold and valuable stones from south India.

Question 9. Describe the Mauryan empire’s political structure.

Answer 9. The Mauryan Empire’s governing structure (or administration) was as follows:

  • The Mauryan empire was immensely large, and its many regions were governed in various ways.
  • The emperor had complete authority over the region surrounding Pataliputra. This meant that administrators were chosen to select farmers, herders, artisans, and traders in the local villages and cities to collect taxes.
  • The Mauryan government’s officials also punished those who disobeyed a ruler’s decree.
  • The pay was granted to some of the Mauryan authorities.
  • Messengers travelled back and forth while spies watched over the officials.
  • With the assistance of likely members of the royal family and senior ministers, the Mauryan emperor oversaw the governance..
  • There were other areas which were governed from a provincial capital by royal princes  appointed as governors such as Taxila or Ujjain.

Question 10. List the three most important characteristics of life during the Mauryan empire.

Answer 10. The following were the main characteristic features of the Mauryan Empire were:

  • The empire contained several cities. The capital was primarily where the emperor, his other family members, and significant kingdom officials resided. Probably residing in cities were merchants, officials, and artisans.
  • There were villages of herders and farmers in places (other than cities).
  • There were forests in some places, like central India, where people could harvest forest produce  and go hunting animals for food.
  • Individuals throughout the empire spoke different languages. They most likely consumed different foods and dressed differently as well.
  • Ashoka’s inscriptions were composed in Prakrit and were written in Brahmi script to spread the messages of dhamma to his subjects and to people in other lands.

Question 11. Mention three of the Mauryan empire’s major or well-known cities. Why were these cities famous or well-known?

Answer 11. The following are the three most popular cities during the Mauryan empire:

  • The Mauryan empire’s capital city was Pataliputra. It served as the central hub for all political and administrative activities.
  • Taxila, which is now in modern-day Pakistan, was a gateway to the northwest, including Central Asia.
  • The path from north to south India passed through Ujjain. All three of the cities mentioned above likely had merchants, government employees, and artisans residing there.

Question 12. Describe the provinces and the Mauryan Empire’s administration in three or four sentences.

Answer 12. A  brief description of the  Mauryan empire administration:

  • The Mauryan empire comprised several provinces.
  • Each province had a provincial capital, such as Taxila or Ujjain, from which it was governed. The officials were appointed to collect taxes, and messengers and spies kept a watch on them.
  •  Although Pataliputra exercised some degree of control,  royal princes were appointed administrators of the provinces.
  • Local traditions and customs were undoubtedly observed in the provinces.

Question 13. How was Ashoka, the emperor, different from the rest?

Answer 13. The most famous Mauryan emperor was Ashoka. He was renowned for using inscriptions to spread his message among the people and to other lands such as Syria, Egypt, Greece and Sri Lanka.. His inscriptions were composed in  Prakrit and written in Brahmi script for the people to understand easily and even appointed dhamma mahamatta to spread teaching about dhamma. Ashoka is the only king in recorded history to end the war after winning it. After seeing the violence in the Kalinga war, he decided to give up the war and observe and spread the message of dhamma. .  Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga war and decided to spread  “dhamma.” So that the future generation may not think about war, they should think about how to spread dhamma.

Question 14. Describe the Mauryan people in brief.

Answer 14. Most people in the Mauryan cities were traders, administrators, and artisans. Farmers and herders lived in the village. People hunted and farmed for survival in forested areas, gathering various forest products. People spoke different languages in different parts of the empire. They most likely consumed different kinds of foods and wore different clothes. .

Question 15. Make a distinction between taxes and tribute.

Answer 15. Tribute was not something that was regularly collected.. People gave it away voluntarily, as opposed to taxes, which were regularly collected and everyone had to pay it. For instance, farmers, herders, craftspeople and traders had to pay taxes. The northwest was known for blankets and south India for its gold and precious stone, which were possibly collected as tribute. 

Extramarks credibility lies in providing reliable and trusted study material related to NCERT from Class 1 to 12 for all the subjects.The above section of Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7 covers all the chapter’s important concepts.

Benefits of Solving Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7

To understand each chapter completely, Extramarks Social Science experts have curated  Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7. These important questions play a crucial role in helping students grasp the essence of each chapter. By answering important questions and reviewing their solutions, students gain a sense of confidence. 

 Here are some benefits of solving Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7:

  • Students can entirely rely upon these important questions as these are made following all the guidelines laid by CBSE. They are complete in every way for students to learn and grasp with better understanding and score well. No wonder students have complete faith and trust in Extramarks 
  • Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7 covers the concepts of the entire chapter- Ashoka The Emperor Who Gave Up War.  It can help them understand the important points easily and make them revise quickly.
  • History comprises vast chapters—all the intricacies of the chapters in these important questions by Extramarks.Social Science faculty experts work conscientiously and diligently to prepare authentic, concise answers which students can trust and rely on. They can be confident of getting excellent grades in their examinations. 

At Extramarks, we understand the importance of solving important questions and we take our role seriously to provide the best resource to the students and help them excel in life. Students may sign up at Extramarks’ website and app to find all study materials that are easily accessible. Students need not look elsewhere for further assistance because it has all the answers students might need to boost their academic scores. Extramarks provides comprehensive learning solutions for students from Class 1 to Class 12. Our website has abundant resources, along with important questions and answers. Students can easily click on the links given below to access some of these resources:

Q.1 Identify the province based on the following information:
1. Gateway to the northwest.
2. A provincial capital.

Brahmagiri

Maski

Girnar

Taxila

Marks:1

Ans

Taxila was the gateway to the northwest and also a provincial capital.

Q.2 Identify the correct statements from below and choose the correct option:
I) Ashoka was inspired by Mahavirs teachings and hence started following Jainism.
II) Ashoka considered himself a father of his subjects.
III) Ashoka’s dhamma also involved worship of God.

I, III

II

II, III

I, II

Marks:1

Ans

Ashoka was inspired by Buddhas teachings and started following Buddhism. According to Ashoka, just like a father instructing his children, he was also responsible for teaching his subjects. Ashoka’s dhamma did not involve the worship of any god or performing any type of sacrifice.

Q.3 Mauryas tried to control roads and rivers.
1)What resources was the Mauryan empire blessed with (3 marks)
2) How did the Mauryan empire earn through those resources (2 marks)

Marks:5

Ans

1) The Mauryan empire was a very vast empire. Hence it was a network of several connective ways like roads and rivers. These ways were usually used by several locals but also mainly by merchants and traders to import and export their goods. The empire was also blessed with heavily forested regions which brought a lot of goods to the empire.
2)The Mauryas tried their best to control roads, rivers, and forested regions to collect taxes and tribute from merchants who use these ways to trade.  Forests provide honey, elephants and timber to the empire.

Q.4 As the empire was so large, different parts were ruled differently.
1) Discuss the Mauryan empire’s political system. (3 marks)
2) Who was appointed to look after the administration of the regional sections of the empire (2 marks)

Marks:5

Ans

1) Since the Mauryan empire was so vast, different regions of it were governed differently. The emperor had direct influence over the land around Pataliputra. Officials were appointed to collect taxes from farmers, herders, craftspeople, and dealers in the area’s villages and cities.   Officials in the Mauryan government also punished people who defied the ruler’s orders. Some Mauryan officials received remuneration. Messages were sent and received, and spies kept an eye on the officials. With the support of members of the royal family and senior ministers, the Mauryan emperor oversaw all officials, species, diplomats, and so on.
2) The emperor usually appointed royal princes as governors to the provinces to look after their administrative affairs.

Q.5 Ashoka’s inscriptions are very famous.
I) Who was the first ruler to inscribe his messages for his people (2 marks)
II) What was written in these inscriptions and why (3 marks)

Marks:5

Ans

I) Ashoka was the first ruler to get his messages inscribed so as to convey these to his subjects.

II) Most of Ashokas messages were in his inscriptions. These messages were written in the inscriptions so that it was easier for his subjects to see, read, and obey them. Hence, these inscriptions generally had instructions or messages of dhamma for the people of his kingdom.

Q.6 Read the following passage and answer the following questions.
Eight years after becoming king I conquered Kalinga. About a lakh and a half people were captured. And more than a lakh of people were killed. This filled me with sorrow. Why Whenever an independent land is conquered, lakhs of people die, and many are taken prisoner. Brahmins and monks also die. People who are kind to their relatives and friends, to their slaves and servants die, or lose their loved ones. That is why I am sad, and have decided to observe dhamma, and to teach others about it as well.
I) After which war did Ashoka realize the need for dhamma and why (2 marks)
II) What are some of the consequences of war mentioned in the paragraph (3 marks)

Marks:5

Ans

I) It was after the war of Kalinga that Ashoka realized the need for dhamma. Ashoka was devastated by the effects of the war. Even after his victory over Kalinga, he was deeply sorrowful after realizing the casualties of war.
II) If a war takes place, it involves not only two kings but lakhs and lakhs of soldiers involved in the war. No matter whichever side wins, there are lakhs of people who get killed. Many people are not killed, instead their lives become more miserable as prisoners. It is not just the soldiers who die but even monks and Brahmins get killed in wars.

Q.7 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, wrote: His edicts (instructions) still speak to us in a language we can understand and we can still learn much from them.
I) Who was Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru (1 mark)
II) Name the person referred to as his in the paragraph. (1 mark)
III) In which script and language were most of the Ashokan inscriptions written (1 mark)

Marks:3

Ans

I). Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was India’s first Prime Minister.
II) The word his refers to Ashoka in this paragraph.
III) In most of the Ashokan inscriptions, Prakrit language and Brahmi scripts were used.

Q.8 What was the idea behind Ashokas dhamma

Marks:1

Ans

There were numerous problems in his kingdom that troubled him. Ashoka saw himself as the protector or father of his people. Thus, he felt a sense of responsibility for resolving these challenges and problems. He was very inspired by Buddhas teachings and also inculcated those teachings in his dhamma. Just like a father teaches his son, he also wanted to instruct his subjects through dhamma and therefore he appointed officers for this purpose. The dhamma mahamatta were officials who travelled from place-to-place teaching people about the concept of dhamma. Hence, the idea behind Ashokas dhamma was to solve the problems that existed in his kingdom as well as to teach and instruct his subjects.

Please register to view this section

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the relevance of Social Science History in Class 6?

To give the students important background knowledge about our past and its origins, the subject of history is included in the syllabus for Class 6. Students must be aware of all the traditional customs, beliefs, and civilisations that formerly prevailed. The society, their customs and rituals, food and kinds of clothes they wore, the settlements etc. were all very different. History is not just about the past, it’s about the present. Students will learn how we have evolved over the long centuries of development. How the transformation of villages to cities and thriving towns gradually took place and much more. . Class 6  social science Chapter-by-chapter descriptions of several significant historical events from the past are provided in the Social Science textbook Our Past of Class 6.

2. What was Ashoka's Dhamma, as described in Chapter 8 of History for Class Six?

Following the Kalinga War, Ashoka decided to follow the path of  Dhamma. . Dhamma, a Prakrit term, translates to “Dharma” in Sanskrit. He thought that the Dhamma was more about how one lived their life than it was about worshipping God or making sacrifices. He spread in his people the idea that they should treat all living things with compassion, drawing inspiration from the Buddha’s teachings. Additionally, one should never criticise another religion. To know more about the topics, students can refer to Extramarks Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7.

3. Why did Ashoka come up with putting an end to battles and wars?

The turning moment in Ashoka’s life was the Kalinga War. Ashoka was depressed when he returned from the Kalinga War and found the entire battlefield covered in debris and dead people everywhere.. He couldn’t overlook the fact that lakhs of people died, and many more were imprisoned, others taken as prisoners, and people lost their loved ones, all this made him sad.  . Realising this, he decided to forgo wars that cause widespread harm in favour of the “Dhamma,” and he was determined to do so. To gain a deeper perspective of the topic, students may refer to Extramarks Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7.

4. Why did Ashoka stand out as a ruler?

Everyone is familiar with Ashoka, the greatest ruler in history. The most famous Mauryan emperor was Ashoka. He is regarded as the most unusual king that has ever existed. He was the first ruler to speak directly to the people through his  Dhamma-related inscriptions which carry royal orders.  Ashoka’s inscriptions were composed in Prakrit and most of his inscriptions were written in Brahmi script. He is renowned for giving up war after he conquered  Kalinga. Students can refer to Extramarks Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 7 to know more about the topic.