Class 6 Social Science Chapter 8 Extra Questions and Answers Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’
NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 8 Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ Important Extra Questions and Answers
Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ Class 6 Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
In the late 20th century, the Anthropological Survey of India conducted the ‘People of India project’. How many languages and scripts were counted in this project?
Answer:
325 languages using 25 scripts were counted by the ASI in the ‘People of India’ project.
Question 2.
Which two long Sanskrit poems narrate stories of heroes re-establishing Dharma?
Answer:
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are the two long Sanskrit poems which narrate stories of heroes re-establishing Dharma.
Question 3.
Which communities have their own versions of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata?
Answer:
Tribal communities such as the Bhils, Gonds and Mundas have their own versions of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Question 4.
What are some staple grains common to almost every part of India?
Ans.
Rice, barley and wheat are some staple grains common to almost every part of India.
Question 5.
Who observed that epic heroes visited almost every place in India according to folklore?
Answer:
The anthropologist KS Singh observed that epic heroes visited almost every place in India according to folklore.
Question 6.
How did European countries react to the popularity of chintz?
Answer:
European countries reacted to the popularity of chintz by banning its import to protect their own textile industries.
Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ Class 6 Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
What is India famous for in terms of diversity?
Answer:
India is famous for its rich diversity in religion, language, culture, food, festivals, and geographical features.
Question 2.
What kind of variety do we find in Indian food?
Answer:
Indian food offers a wide variety of flavors, spices, and ingredients. From vegetarian curries in the south to rich butter curries in the north, there’s something for everyone.
Question 3.
How does the staple food differ across various regions in India?
Answer:
Rice is a staple food in many southern and eastern regions, while wheat dominates the north and west. Roti, chapati, and paratha are different types of flatbreads made from wheat that are popular in various regions.
Question 4.
What is India famous for its textiles?
Answer:
India is famous for its textiles like silk, cotton, and wool. These textiles come in a wide range of colors, designs, and weaving techniques.
Question 5.
How does clothing in India differ based on climate?
Answer:
In hotter regions, people wear lighter clothes made from cotton or silk. In colder regions, people wear warmer clothes made from wool or thicker cotton.
Question 6.
What is the geographical spread of India?
Answer:
India has a vast geographical spread, from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the tropical beaches in the south.
Question 7.
How does the landscape of India vary from place to place?
Answer:
The landscape of India varies from mountains and plateaus in the north to plains, deserts, and coastal areas. There are also rich biodiversity hotspots and forests.
Question 8.
What are some ways India shows its rich diversity?
Answer:
India has a vast variety of languages, religions, different kind of food, festivals and cultures across different regions.
Question 9.
How does this diversity contribute to India’s richness?
Answer:
The mix of Cultures brings unique traditions, festivals, and ways of life, making India vibrant and interesting.
Question 10.
Why is Indian food so diverse?
Answer:
Different regions have their own cuisines based on local crops, spices, and cooking styles.
Question 11.
How does this variety showcase unity?
Answer:
Despite the differences, all Indians share a love for good food and enjoy trying dishes from other regions during festivals or other celebrations.
Question 12.
How does clothing diversity reflect India’s culture?
Answer:
From sarees and dhotis to kurtas and lungis, different regions have distinct traditional wear.
Question 13.
How does this variety promote unity?
Answer:
Despite regional clothing styles, we all come together under the common thread of Indian fashion and textiles.
Question 14.
Why does India celebrate so many festivals throughout the year?
Answer:
Each religion and region has its own festivals, reflecting the diverse beliefs and traditions.
Question 15.
How do these festivals promote unity?
Answer:
People from different backgrounds participate in each other’s festivals, fostering a sense of togetherness and respecting each other’s customs.
Question 16.
How does India’s vast geographical expanse contribute to diversity?
Answer:
From the snowy mountains of the Himalayas to the coastal plains, each region has unique landscapes, flora, and fauna.
Question 17.
How does this geographical diversity strengthen unity?
Answer:
Despite the differences in physical features, we all belong to the same land, India (Bharat), which binds us together.
Question 18.
India is a land of vast diversity. Can you explain this diversity in terms of people and their back¬grounds?
Answer:
India boasts a rich tapestry of people from different religions, languages, ethnicities, and cultures. This creates a unique blend of traditions and customs.
Question 19.
Can you give examples of how different regions offer unique culinary experiences?
Answer:
South India is known for its rice and coconut-based dishes, while Punjab offers rich and creamy curries. Coastal regions offer a bounty of seafood delicacies. Similarly, each state in India has its own unique cuisine speciality.
Question 20.
How does the climate and geography of a region influence the clothing choices of its people?
Answer:
People in hot, humid regions like the South prefer light weight cotton clothes like lungis and dhotis, In colder regions like Kashmir, woolen shawls and pherans are common.
Question 21.
Besides regional variations, what are some common threads that bind Indian clothing?
Answer:
Vibrant colours and intricate designs are hallmarks of Indian textiles. Traditional clothing like sarees and kurtas are worn across the country, albeit with regional variations in style and fabric.
Question 22.
How do festivals showcase India’s unity in diversity?
Answer:
We celebrate numerous festivals throughout the year, each with its own unique traditions. However, the spirit of joy, togetherness, and sharing transcends these differences, igniting us as a nation.
Question 23.
Can you name two festivals celebrated in different parts of India, highlighting their cultural significance?
Answer:
Diwali and Makar Sankranti are two major festivals which are celebrated all over India. Makar Sankranti signifies beginning of new harvest year as due to Earth’s revolution around Sun, Sun begins its movement from Southern to Northern hemisphere.
At around same time, Lohri is celebrated in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Bihu in Assam. Diwali is celebrated as Lord Rama came back to his home town Ayodhya after defeating the demon Ravana. It is celebrated as victory of good over evil.
Both above festivals shows deep cultural roots in Bharat since ancient times.
Question 24.
India is known for its incredible diversity. Can you name some ways this diversity is reflected in our society?
Answer:
India’s diversity is evident in the various languages spoken, religions practiced, and customs followed across the country. We have people from different ethnicities and backgrounds, each adding their unique flavour to the national unity in diversity.
Question 25.
How does this diversity enrich our lives?
Answer:
Diversity exposes us to different perspectives, traditions, and ways of life. It broadens our understanding of the world and fosters a sense of appreciation for other cultures. This enriches our lives by adding new experiences, flavours, and celebrations.
Question 26.
What was Vincent Smith’s view regarding India’s diversity and unity?
Answer:
British historian Vincent Smith questioned how the history of India could be written given its great diversity. He found the answer in India’s “unity in diversity.” This concept means that despite the vast differences in cultures, languages and traditions, there is an underlying sense of unity that binds the country together, making its diversity manageable.
Question 27.
What was the purpose of the ‘People of India’ project conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India (ASI)?
Answer:
The ‘People of India’ project aimed to document the diversity within India by surveying 4,635 communities across all states. It found that India has 325 languages using 25 scripts and highlighted the significant number of Indians living away from their birthplace or original . community. This project illustrated the country’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity and provided insights into the various communities and their unique identities.
Question 28.
How does the celebration of festivals like Makar Sankrantl exemplify India’s cultural unity?
Answer:
Festivals like Makar Sankranti exemplify India’s cultural unity by being celebrated across the country, under different names and customs. This festival marks the harvest season and is observed with various regional traditions.
The shared timing and underlying significance of the festival highlight a common cultural thread, despite the diverse ways it is celebrated. This reflects the unity in diversity that characterises Indian culture.
Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ Class 6 Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Why is India known as the land of festivals?
Answer:
India is known as the land of festivals because there are festivals celebrated throughout the year, reflecting the diversity of religions and cultures. Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Christmas, Onam, and Durga Puja are some of the major festivals celebrated in India.
Question 2.
How does geographical variation contribute to India’s diversity? Despite regional variations, what unites Indians in terms of food?
Answer:
From the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas to the tropical beaches of Kerala, India’s diverse landscapes influence the way people live, dress, and even the food they eat. Despite diverse cuisines, a sense of community and sharing is central to Indian food culture. We often share meals with family and friends, celebrating festivals and occasions together.
Question 3.
In your opinion, how does India’s diversity contribute to its rich cultural heritage?
Answer:
India’s diverse population, traditions, and customs create a vibrant and dynamic culture. Each region adds its own unique flavour, enriching our collective identity. This diversity fosters creativity, tolerance, and a sense of national unity.
Question 4.
India is renowned for its diverse textiles and clothing styles. How does climate and geography influence these variations?
Answer:
People in hot and humid regions like the south often wear lightweight cotton clothes, while those in colder northern areas like Kashmir wear woolen garments for warmth. This demonstrates how textiles adapt to the specific needs of the local environment.
Question 5.
India is a land of vibrant festivals. How do these festivals showcase unity in diversity? Can you give an example of a festival that transcends religious or regional boundaries?
Answer:
Although we celebrate various festivals throughout the year, the underlying message of togetherness, joy, and community spirit remains constant. We share sweets, participate in rituals, and celebrate each other’s cultures, fostering a sense of national unity.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a prime example. It is celebrated by people of different faiths across the country, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. This shared celebration exemplifies our unity despite our diverse backgrounds.
Question 6.
Imagine you are organizing a national event showcasing India’s epic spread. How would you highlight the diverse agricultural products from different regions?
Answer:
Our national event, “Flavours of India,” would be a vibrant tapestry celebrating the diversity of our agricultural bounty! We’d create regional pavilions showcasing each region’s unique products. Live cooking demonstrations by local chefs would tantalize taste buds with regional specialties, from saffron infused Kashmiri pulao to appams with tangy Kerala curries.
Interactive booths would display agricultural wonders plump mangoes from Maharashtra, golden pineapples from Meghalaya, and fragrant spices from Kerala. Informative panels would tell the stories behind each product, highlighting the rich traditions and diverse climates that shape India’s “epic spread.” This multi-sensory experience would leave’ visitors with a deeper appreciation for India’s incredible agricultural diversity and the vital role it plays in our food culture.
Question 7.
How does the Panchatantra exemplify the concept of “unity in diversity” within Indian literature and beyond?
Answer:
The Panchatantra, a collection of ancient Indian stories, exemplifies “unity in diversity” through its widespread adaptation and translation across various cultures and languages. Originally written in Sanskrit over 2,200 years ago, the Panchatantra features animal characters to teach important life skills and moral lessons. Despite linguistic and cultural differences, its universal themes have connected people globally.
This has led to approximately 200 adaptations in more than 50 languages. This widespread acceptance and adaptation show how a single literary work can unify large audiences. Panchatantra’s journey from India to South-East Asia, the Arab world and Europe showcases the ability of literature to cross cultural boundaries, illustrating the inter-connectedness of human societies.
Question 8.
What role do tribal communities play in preserving the Ramayana and Mahabharata?
Answer:
Tribal communities play a crucial role in preserving the Ramayana and Mahabharata through their unique adaptations and oral traditions.
For over two thousand years, these epics have been translated into many regional languages. They have also been adapted into various cultures both within India and abroad. Tribal communities, such as the Bhils, Gonds and Mundas, have their own versions of these epics. They include local folklore and cultural elements, which makes the stories relevant to their own histories and values.
In many parts of India, including the North-East and Himalayan regions like Kashmir, tribes have preserved and transmitted these epics through oral storytelling.
These versions often include local legends about how the epic heroes, such as the Pandavas, visited their regions, as observed by anthropologist KS Singh.
Question 9.
How does travelling through different regions of India highlight the country’s diversity in landscapes, clothing, foods and languages?
Answer:
Travelling through different regions of India showcases the country’s remarkable diversity. Each area presents a new landscape, from mountains and rivers to deserts and coastal plains. The clothing styles vary widely, with different fabrics, colours and patterns reflecting the region’s climate and culture. India has a great variety of food.
Each region offers its own unique dishes and flavours that reflect local ingredients and culinary traditions. There are many different languages and scripts used across India. This highlights the country’s linguistic diversity, as each language carries its own rich history and cultural significance. Even within the same region people from various parts of India bring their own customs and traditions. This adds to the rich Indian culture. This incredible diversity is often what first attracts visitors to India.
India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Case Based Questions
Question 1.
Read the paragraph given below and answer the following questions.
Every region and community in India has developed its own styles of clothing and dresses. Yet, we notice a commonality in some traditional Indian dresses, irrespective of the material used.
An obvious example is the plain length of cloth called the sari, a type of clothing worn in most parts of India and made from different fabrics-mostly cotton or silk, but nowadays synthetic fabrics too. Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Paithani, Patan Patola, Muga or Mysore are some of the famous types of silk saris. There are many more kinds of cotton saris. Altogether, this unstitched piece of cloth comes in hundreds of varieties. They are produced by different methods of weaving and designing.
Some designs are part of the cloth, while others are printed after the cloth is woven. Finally, there are endless variations in the colours, which are produced from many kinds of pigments. The sari has a long history. The stone relief from Vaishali (today in Bihar) goes back a few centuries BCE. There are many ways of wearing the sari, as they vary from one region to another or from one community to another. In fact, new ways of draping it are still being invented. But in the end, it is a single dress-the sari.
(i) Which of the following fabrics is not mentioned as a material used for making saris?
(a) Cotton
(b) Silk
(c) Synthetic fabrics
(d) Wool
Answer:
(d) Wool
(ii) How are the colours of saris produced?
(a) Using only natural dyes
(b) Using various pigments
(c) Using embroidery
(d) Using digital printing
Answer:
(b) Using various pigments
(iii) Which statement about the sari is true?
(a) It is only worn in specific regions of India.
(b) It has a single standard method of draping.
(c) It has a long history and various regional draping styles.
(d) It was invented in the 20th century.
Answer:
(c) It has a long history and various regional draping styles.
(iv) What aspect of the sari is still evolving?
(a) The types of fabric used
(b) The ways of draping it
(c) The number of colours available
(d) The history of the garment
Answer:
(b) The ways of draping it
Question 2.
Read the paragraph given below and answer the following questions.
Literature offers us another fine illustration of unity in diversity. Indian literatures are extremely diverse (and among the most abundant in the world). Over centuries, despite differences in language, technique, etc., they have shared important themes and concerns. Who has not heard of the Panchatantra, for example-
This collection of delightful stories, with animals as the main characters, teaches us important life skills. The original Sanskrit text is at least 2,200 years old, but its stories have been adapted in almost every Indian language. In fact, they have travelled well beyond India, all the way to South-East Asia, the Arab world and Europe, inspiring new collections of stories on the way-it is estimated that about 200 adaptations of the Panchatantra exist in more than 50 languages! This ‘illustrates how ‘one’ collection of stories has become ‘many’.
(i) How has the Panchatantra influenced regions outside of India?
(ii) What does the adaptation of the Panchatantra into various languages illustrate?
(iii) What is a significant feature of the Panchatantra stories?
Answer:
(i) The Panchatantra’s influence extends beyond India, reaching South-East Asia, the Arab world and Europe. It has inspired new collections of stories and has been adapted into approximately 200 versions in over 50 languages.
(ii) The wide range of adaptations of the Panchatantra shows how one set of stories can become many different versions but still keep the same main ideas.
(iii) A significant feature of the Panchatantra stories is that they teach important life skills.
India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Competency Based Questions
Question 1.
For a very long time India produced the finest cotton in the world. This led to the export of Indian textiles as far away as Europe. How did Indlan textiles impact 17th-century Europe?
Answer:
Indian textiles, particularly the printed cotton called ‘chintz,’ was highly popular in 17th-century Europe. They were so popular that they affected the sale of European dresses. This led England and France to ban the import of chintz to protect their own textile industries. This historical example highlights the global influence of Indian craftsmanship and the far-reaching impact of India’s cultural products.
Question 2.
The common ingredients (unity) can be used in a number of combinations (diversity) to prepare an endless variety of dishes. How does the variety of food in India illustrate the concept of unity in diversity?
Answer:
India’s food diversity shows unity in diversity. Even though different regions have their own unique dishes, they all use common ingredients. Staples like rice, wheat and millets are common across India. Spices like turmeric, cumin and coriander are essential in many recipes. These shared ingredients help create a wide range of dishes. For instance, rice can be a simple steamed dish or a flavourful biryani.
Question 3.
How have the Ramayana and the Mahabharata maintained their significance and adaptability in Indian literature and culture over the centuries? Also, discuss their themes.
Answer:
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata have demonstrated their enduring significance and adaptability in Indian literature and culture through their numerous translations and adaptations for over two thousand years. These two epics have been transformed into regional literatures across India and beyond, showcasing their wide-reaching influence.
In Tamil Nadu alone, a survey revealed about a hundred folk versions of the Mahabharata. Together, these epics contain approximately 7,000 pages in their original Sanskrit versions and narrate the heroic efforts to re-establish dharma.
The Mahabharata tells the story of the Pandavas, who, with the help of Krishna, fought with their cousins, the Kauravas, to get their kingdom back. The Ramayana tells how Rama, helped by his brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, defeats the demon Ravana to save his wife Sita. These stories explore values and ethical questions, making them timeless and important in culture.
India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Skill Based Questions
Question 1.
Research the different types of saris mentioned in the text (e.g., Banarasi, Kanjivaram). Create a presentation or poster showcasing their unique features, materials and weaving techniques.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Question 2.
Select a common vegetable like potato or spinach. Research and list at least five different dishes from various Indian regions that use this vegetable.
Answer:
Five different dishes from various Indian regions using potato are as follows
| Region | Dish |
| Maharashtra | Pao bhaji |
| Delhi | Chhole bhature |
| Kerala | Masala dosa |
| Kashmir | Dum aloo |
| Punjab | Aloo paratha |
Question 3.
Choose a character from either the Ramayana or the Mahabharata and research how their story is adapted in different regional or tribal versions.
Answer:
Character: Rama from Ramayana
Adaptations of Rama’s story in different regional or tribal versions are given below
Rama in the Tamil Version The Tamil adaptation is written by poet Kamban. The Kamba Ramayanam, while retaining the core elements of the story, places a stronger focus on the emotional and devotional aspects of Rama’s life.
Rama in the Bengali Version The Bengali adaptation features a narrative style that reflects Bengali cultural and religious practices. It often focuses on Rama’s role as a deity and his divine attributes, reflecting the regional devotional practices and local legends.
Rama in Tribal Versions In tribal communities such as Bhil and Gond, the story of Rama is adapted to fit local myths and cultural contexts.