Class 6 History Chapter 1 Important Question Answers - What, Where, How and When?

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What is history?
Ans: History is a chronological account of events as they took place in the past.

Q2: Why should we study history?
Ans: We should study history to understand our past, ancient culture, lifestyle, and to solve present-day problems.

Q3: What do BC and AD stand for in historical dating?
Ans: BC stands for "Before Christ," and AD stands for "Anno Domini," which means "In the Year of Our Lord" in Latin.

Q4: What are the three stages into which the timeline of history is divided?
Ans: The three stages are Prehistory, Protohistory, and History.

Q5: Where did people mainly live in the past, and why?
Ans: People mainly lived near river valleys because rivers provided water for all purposes.

Q6: What are two words used for our country in ancient times?
Ans: India and Bharat.

Q7: What is archaeology, and how does it contribute to our understanding of the past?
Ans: Archaeology is the study of human history through the excavation of sites and analysis of physical remains. It helps us learn about past civilizations and their artifacts.

Q8: What is a literary source in history?
Ans: A literary source is a written record of the past, including religious and secular literature, manuscripts, and scripts.

Q9: Who were the two groups of people who studied history?
Ans: Archaeologists and historians.

Q10: What does BC mean in terms of historical dating?
Ans: BC stands for "Before Christ," and it refers to years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q11: Explain the significance of studying history.
Ans: Studying history helps us understand our past, ancient culture, and lifestyle. It also provides insights to solve present-day problems.

Q12: Describe the dating system used by historians.
Ans: Historians use BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) to denote years before and after the birth of Jesus Christ.

Q13: Why did people in the past prefer to live near river valleys?
Ans: People lived near river valleys because rivers provided water for various purposes, including agriculture, drinking, and transportation.

Q14: Explain the origin of the names "India" and "Bharat."
Ans: "India" traces its roots from the river "Indus," called "Sindhu" in Sanskrit. "Bharat" was used in the Sanskrit composition Rigveda by people in North India.

Q15: How do archaeologists and historians contribute to our understanding of the past?
Ans: Archaeologists study physical remains like buildings, artifacts, and inscriptions. Historians use inscriptions, scripts, and written records to learn about the past.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q16: Discuss the importance of chronological dating in history and explain the terms BC and AD.
Ans: Chronological dating is essential in history to establish a timeline of events. BC stands for "Before Christ," referring to years before Jesus Christ's birth. AD stands for "Anno Domini," indicating years after Christ's birth. This dating system helps historians organize and understand historical events in a chronological order.

Q17: Describe the significance of river valleys in ancient civilizations.
Ans: River valleys were crucial for ancient civilizations because they provided a source of water for various purposes. They supported agriculture, transportation, and settlement, which enabled the growth and prosperity of early societies.

Q18: Explain the role of literary sources in historical research, including examples.
Ans: Literary sources in history include religious books, manuscripts, and scripts. They provide valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and knowledge of ancient civilizations. For example, palm leaf manuscripts contained information on religious beliefs, the lives of kings, medicine, and science.

Q19: Compare and contrast the roles of archaeologists and historians in studying the past.
Ans: Archaeologists study physical remains like buildings, artifacts, and inscriptions, which provide tangible evidence of the past. Historians rely on written records, inscriptions, and scripts to interpret historical events and gather information. Both disciplines are essential in reconstructing and understanding the past.

Q20: Why is it important for us to study history in today's world? Provide specific examples.
Ans: Studying history is crucial in today's world because it helps us learn from past mistakes, understand cultural diversity, and make informed decisions. For example, studying historical conflicts can help prevent future wars, and understanding past pandemics can guide our response to current health crises.