Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Past Chapter 9

Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9

History is the study of historical facts, events, people, and societies. History documents the events, inventions, and discoveries that shaped our society, beginning with the moment that man first understood what it was like to walk on earth and continuing with the development of aeroplanes. The history field is very diverse. The ninth chapter of Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts is Traders, Kings and Pilgrims. The history chapter titled ” Traders, Kings and Pilgrims” in the sixth-grade NCERT textbook briefly touches upon the famous emperors of new dynasties in ancient India, especially in southern and western India. . It deals more with the traders and their trade routes, the story of silk route, the spread of Buddhism, pilgrims who came to India and the main features of Bhakti and why people were attracted to Bhakti.. Additionally, Chapter 9 Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Important Questions provides a brief glimpse of the traders and the trade routes and the kings who wanted to control the trade route and the rise of new kingdoms of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in Southern India and the rise of Satavahanas in western India approx.200 years later. The author tries to spark the young children’s interest in learning about and comprehending India’s powerful rulers of the past.

The Social Science faculty experts of Extramarks have recently developed a new concept of important questions. They have recently curated  Social Science Our Pasts Class 6 Chapter 9 Important Questions using NCERT Textbook, other reference books, past years’ question papers, and other sources. To help students understand each chapter, our Social Science experts have compiled a list of step-by-step solutions. Students may register with Extramarks and access Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9 Important Questions.

Extramarks, one of the leading e-learning platforms, is known for providing the best educational materials for students of all classes. Along with Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9, students can easily access materials like NCERT Solutions, CBSE revision notes, past years’ question papers, NCERT books, and more on the Extramarks website.

Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9- with Solutions

Social Science experts at Extramarks have presented an entire list of Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9 using multiple sources. The great emperors of a few dynasties in ancient India are discussed, in the history chapter titled “Traders, Kings, and Pilgrims” in the sixth-class NCERT textbook. Indians had a rich history when it came to traders and the trade routes and the kings who wanted to control the trade route and the rise of new kingdoms of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in Southern India and the rise of Satavahanas in western India approx.200 years later. c. These questions and solutions help students better comprehend the chapter Traders, Kings and Pilgrims.

Mentioned below are a few Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9 and their solutions:

Question 1. Why did kings want to control the Silk Route?

Answer 1. Some kings attempted to take control of lengthy stretches of the silk route and its branches. This was because they could profit from the taxes, tributes, and gifts that traders along the route brought. They frequently provided protection for traders going through their kingdoms in exchange for being robbed or looted.

Question 2. What did Xuan Zang take while going back from India?

Answer 2. In order to understand more about Buddhism, to explore the places associated with the life of Buddha and famous monasteries., Chinese traveller Xuan Zang made his way to India. He gained much knowledge from numerous monasteries and places associated with Buddha. He took a land route to China through northwest and Central China. On horses, he transported 600 scrolls, and statues of the Buddha made of gold, sandalwood, and silver to China. Some of the manuscripts were lost as the boat capsized while crossing the Indus river.

Question 3. Why do you think ordinary people were attracted to Bhakti?

Answer 3.  This was the period when Bhakti became a central feature of Hinduism and the main deities were – Shiva, Vishnu and goddess Durga. The Bhakti movement gave ordinary people more freedom of choice to worship their own deities. In addition to worship, the temple serves many other purposes. They were free to worship whichever God they chose which involved no elaborate sacrifices. The simpler norms of Bhakti were what attracted people to it. According to certain beliefs, if a devotee worshipped a deity with a pure heart, the deity will appear in whichever form he or she worshipped this idea gained acceptance and artists started making beautiful images of deities.

Question 4. What do you know about Ashvaghosa? 

Answer 4. Ashvaghosa, a  poet and composer of the biography of Buddha, the Buddhacharita. He is recognised as the first poet and playwright from India. He is viewed as being more exceptional than the well-known poet Kalidasa. Ashvaghosa also wrote Saundarananda Kavya. His life is said to have occurred between the first and second centuries AD. .

Question 5. What kinds of evidence do historians use to find out about trade and trade routes?

Answer 5. Historians discovered the following kinds of evidence:

• Historians often search for coins that contain a wealth of information about a specific trade.T
• The Kushanas were the earliest rulers of the subcontinent to issue gold coins that were used by traders along the silk route.
• In order to learn more about their economic ties to other countries, they also consider which products are made in some areas of the world.
• Historians study the tales of merchants and pilgrims.

Question 6. Why was Bhakti famous? Explain using Bhakti’s characteristics.

Answer 6. In the sacred book of Bhagavad Gita ‘Bhakti’ connotes one of the possible paths of spirituality and towards moksha, as in bhakti marga.

It was later on that Hinduism gave increased emphasis on bhakti. Both gods and goddesses were worshipped, including Shiva, Vishnu, Lakshmi and Durga. Bhakti strongly emphasised devotion, and gods and goddesses were highly revered. It was designed for people to atone for all of their sins by worshipping Gods and Goddesses. It did not value sacrifices very highly. People used to believe that if they worshipped God sincerely,  God would visit them and fulfil their requests. Once this idea became popular, the artist started making beautiful images of deities. Bhakti found expression in art – sculpture, poetry and architecture.  God and his images were held in utmost respect. Images of God are frequently found in temples, designated homes for worship or other unique places.

Question 7. Discuss Fa Xian’s return trip from the subcontinent to his native China.

Answer 7. The returning journey of Fa Xian is described below:

• Approximately 1600 years ago, Fa Xian arrived in India during Chandragupta’s rule. He stayed in his court for quite some time before he returned to China. 
• From Bengal, he boarded a ship owned by some merchants and set sail. They had not even been on the road for two days when they were swept by a storm.
• The traders began throwing their goods overboard to lessen the weight and prevent the ship from sinking.
• Fa Xian discarded his meagre personal items but kept his books and the statues of Buddha. .
• After 13 days, the storm finally subsided. He travelled for more than 90 days before arriving at Java, where he stopped for five months before boarding another ship to China.

Question 8. Discuss the reasons why the Chinese pilgrims came to India.

Answer 8. The Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, Fa Xian, Xuan Zangand I-Qing came to the subcontinent to study Buddhism.They came to see well-known monasteries and places significant to Buddha’s life. They spent some days in Nalanda studying.

Question 9. Why was the silk trade significant in ancient times?

Answer 9. The trade-in of silk was very significant in ancient times because silk was so rare and was known for its rich colours and smooth texture which was in great demand in most societies. The majority of societies valued silk as a valuable fabric. Warm silk cocoons were used to remove the raw silk. It was a complicated process and a closely guarded secret for 1000 years. Trading in silk was expensive because it was made in China, and had to pass along dangerous routes through mountains and deserts. In order to trade and sell at higher prices, it was transported from China to India, which meant the traders had to pass through several kingdoms and made payments to pass and were often attacked by robbers.

Question 10. Talk about the Chinese Pilgrims’ Quest.

Answer 10. The Chinese Pilgrims’ Quest meant that : 

• Pilgrims commonly accompanied traders and merchants on their voyages to faraway regions in caravans and ships. Several Chinese pilgrims occasionally travelled to India.
• Fa Xian is the most well-known of the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims. About 1600 years ago, he arrived in the subcontinent.
• Xuan Zang is another well-known Chinese pilgrim from Indian history. Around 1400 years ago, he arrived in the subcontinent.
• I-Qing is the third well-known Chinese pilgrim. He arrived roughly fifty years after Xuan Zang (nearly 1350 years ago).
• The three Chinese pilgrims mentioned above travelled to notable monasteries as well as locations connected with the life of the Buddha.
• Each of these travellers left a detailed record of their journeys, the difficulties they faced along the way (which typically spanned years), the nation and monasteries they visited, and the literature they brought back.

Question 11. What were the main features of Bhakti

Answer 11. Following are some of the features of Bhakti:

• Bhakti developed into a key component of Hinduism.
• Bhakti was the method used to worship deities.
• Generally speaking, bhakti refers to a person’s devotion to their chosen deity.
• Anybody could follow the path of bhakti, whether they were rich or poor, members of the so-called “high” or “low” castes, men or women.
• This way placed more emphasis on personal devotion and worship of a god or goddess than it did on performing extravagant sacrifices.
• According to this system, the deity will manifest in the form that the devotee may wish if they worship their chosen God with a pure heart. Therefore, the deity could be imagined as a lion, tree, human, or another shape. After this theory became widely accepted, artists created stunning representations of these deities.
• Bhakti found expression in art – sculpture, poetry and architecture.

Question 12. Describe the innovations and the expansion of Buddhism during and after the reign of the Kanishka.

Answer 12. The following is known about the expansion of Buddhism during the reign of Kanishka and afterwards:

• The most well-known Kushana emperor was Kanishka, who ruled in the early 1900s. Buddhist academics gathered in his Buddhist council to address important issues.
•  Ashvaghosha, a poet who wrote the Buddhacharita, a biography of the Buddha, lived in his court.
• During the reign of Kanishka, a brand-new school of Buddhism known as Mahayana (the Big Ship) Buddhism emerged. This has two definite characteristics. Historically, the Buddha’s presence in sculpture was denoted by specific markers. His achievement of enlightenment, for instance, was depicted in peepal tree sculptures.
• Now, Buddha statues were constructed. Many of these were produced in Taxila, while others were made at Mathura (a city in contemporary Uttar Pradesh) ( now in modern Pakistan).
• A belief in Bodhisattvas was the second change. These were considered enlightened individuals who chose to stay in the world to assist others and renounce their earthly existence.
• The worship of Bodhisattvas gained enormous popularity and eventually expanded to Korea and Japan from China and Central Asia.
• Additionally, Buddhism gained ground in western and southern India, where hundreds of monk caves were constructed. These were developed by merchants and farmers and by monarchs and queens in some cases. These were frequently constructed close to the Western Ghats passes. These passes were used by roads that connected Deccan cities with affluent coastal ports. These cave monasteries were built by kings and queens, where the traders halted while travelling.
• The south-eastern spread of Buddhism reached Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia. In these regions, Theravada Buddhism, an older school of Buddhism, was more widely practised.

Question 13. Briefly describe in your own words the Silk Route’s history and silk production.

Answer 13. The following is a summary of the Silk Route and its history:

• In most countries, silk is a highly prized fabric due to its glossy, rich colours and smooth and soft texture..
• Silk production is a complex procedure. It is necessary to harvest raw silk from the cocoons of silkworms, spin the thread, and finally weave the fabric.
• Around 7000 years ago, China was where the earliest silk-making methods were developed.
• Although the methods were kept a well-guarded secret for a long time, certain people from China who travelled to far-off places on foot, horses, and camels brought silk with them. They travelled on routes that became known as the Silk Route.
• Chinese emperors occasionally sent gifts of silk to the kings of Iran and West Asia, and it was through them that the western world learned about silk.
• Wearing silk became popular among Rome’s aristocracy and ruling classes over 2000 years ago.

It was extremely expensive since it had to be transported all the way from China across dangerous routes, mountains, and deserts. People who lived near the Silk Route frequently requested payment for letting traders pass through these routes.

Many of the routes were under the control of some rulers. This was because they could profit from the taxes, tributes, and presents that traders along the route brought. In exchange, they typically defended the traders passing through their kingdoms from robbery attacks.

The Kushanas, who ruled across central Asia and northwest India around 2000 years ago, are the most well-known historical figures to have controlled the Silk Route. A portion of the Silk Route that stretched through the Indus Valley and Central Asia during their control allowed silk to be transported to the Roman empire in the west.

Question 14. In a short note, describe how the New Kingdoms came along the coast.

Answer 14.  

• Coastal development of New Kingdoms: Coastal development of New Kingdoms: The southern half of the Indian subcontinent is characterised by a lengthy coastline, hills, plateaus, and river valleys, the most fertile of which is the Kaveri.
• Rich and powerful chiefs and kings ruled over the beaches and river valleys.
• The muvendar is mentioned in Sangam poetry. This Tamil term, which translates to “three chiefs,” was used to refer to the heads of the three leading houses of south India at the time—the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas.
• The two inland and one coastal power centre belonged to each of the three chiefs. The two most important of these six cities were Madurai, the Pandyas’ capital, and Puhar or Kaveripattinam, the Cholas’ port.
• These new Kingdoms’ Chiefs did not levy standard taxes. Instead, they requested gifts from their subordinates and accepted them. They conducted raids and demanded tribute from surrounding regions. They divided the remaining wealth among their clan, troops, and poets supporters, keeping some of it for themselves.
• Numerous poets whose works are included in the Sangam collection wrote eulogies for chiefs who frequently gave them gold, horses, elephants, chariots, valuable stones, silk, and extremely expensive cloth.

Question 15. Describe Nalanda in short.

Answer 15. About Nalanda:

• When Xuan Zang, a Chinese pilgrim, travelled to the subcontinent, Nalanda was a unique study centre. He spent time studying in Nalanda (Bihar), the era’s most well-known Buddhist monastery, along with other pilgrims. This is the way he puts it.
• The Nalanda professors are men of the finest talent and competence. They sincerely adhere to the Buddha’s teachings.
• Everyone is required to abide by the severe restrictions of the monastery.
• There are conversations all day, and the young and old support one another.
• Men of knowledge from many cities come here to clear their doubts.
• The gatekeeper quizzes newcomers with challenging questions. They can only enter once they can respond to these. Seven to eight people out of 10 are unable to respond.

Question 16. What was the cause of the rise in silk demand in the European markets?

Answer 16. Chinese traders had to cross mountains, deserts, and hazardous roads in order to reach the silk markets. Dacoits and wild animals were present, making the paths dangerous. People who lived in the traders’ path demanded money so they could pass through their kingdom. As a result of this circumstance, demand in European markets increased dramatically.

Question 17.  Describe the Satavahanas of western India briefly.

Answer 17. A dynasty known as the Satavahanas rose to prominence in western India about 200 years after the muvendar, the heads of three ruling families, the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.

Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni was the Satavahanas’ most important king. His mother, Gautami Balashri, wrote an inscription that contained information about him. He and other Satavahanas emperors were referred to as the “lords of the dakshinapatha,” which is Sanskrit for the southern road. Still, they were also used to refer to the entire southern region. The eastern, western, and southern shores received his army.

Question 18. Briefly describe the role that traders and sailors played in the discovery and use of sea routes in ancient times.

Answer 18. Traders looked into several sea routes. Some of them travelled down the coast. Others took advantage of the monsoon winds to cross the seas quickly. , such as the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, they decided to sail with the southwest monsoon if they wished to reach the western coast of the Indian subcontinent from East Africa or Africa.

Question 19. Write two to three sentences describing the ancient Indo-Roman trade.

Answer 19. About Indo-Roman trade:

• India’s black pepper was prized in the Roman empire and referred to as “black gold.”
• Along with black pepper, traders sent numerous other Indian goods to Rome by ships, the sea, and caravans.
• In south India, several Roman gold coins have been discovered.The Kushanas were the earliest rulers in the subcontinent to issue gold coins which were used by traders along the silk route.

Question 20. In two sentences, describe Puhar in the manner that Sangam poetry does.

Answer 20. The evidence of Puhar in the Sangan poems describes as:

• On the eastern shore, Puhar is reported to be an important port.
• Different kinds of items were brought to Puhar by traders and individuals from various locations. For instance, fast, prancing horses on ships, carts carrying bags of black pepper, gems and gold from Himalayas, sandalwood from western India and pearls from southern seas.

Question 21. How do pilgrimages work in modern India? Describe using an example.

Answer 21. Indian shrine Amarnath is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims. This pilgrimage is known as the Amarnath Yatra. This is where a Shivlinga is made of ice. People  from all regions of India come here for the pilgrimage. For the journey, there are train and bus options. Some of the journeys must be on foot because there are no roads after a certain point.. The elderly can be carried by others or transported on the pilgrimage by animals. Security guards are on hand to check the numerous pilgrims who come to the site. After bathing, travellers pray in the temple. And on their way home, the pilgrims take Prashad. 

Extramarks believes in incorporating joyful learning experiences through its own repository of resources. To maximise their potential students may sign up at Extramarks’ official website and access all the educational materials.The above section of Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9 covers all the chapter’s important concepts.

Benefits of Solving Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9

Due to the vast information covered in History, some students may find it challenging to memorise it.. Students are often advised to read Extramarks Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9. Students gather confidence by answering the important questions and going over their solutions.

 Here are some of the benefits of solving Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 9:

• Students can entirely rely upon these important questions as these are made following all the guidelines laid by CBSE.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. 
• These solutions help students save time while preparing for the upcoming examination and cover the entire chapter.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 9 covers the concepts of the entire chapter- Traders, Kings and Pilgrims.It can help them understand the important points easily and make them revise quickly. 

Extramarks, one of the leading e-learning platforms, is known for providing the best educational materials for students of all classes. Extramarks provides comprehensive learning solutions for students from Class 1 to Class 12. Our website has abundant resources, along with important questions and solutions. Students can easily click on the links given below to access some of these resources:

• NCERT books
• CBSE Revision Notes
• CBSE syllabus
• CBSE sample papers
• CBSE previous year’s question papers
• Important formulas 
• CBSE extra questions