class 6, History
1. Explain in short about the structure of the Gupta Period?
· After ruling hundreds of years, Great Kushan empire of North, collapsed and broke into small kingdoms.
· One dynasty who became rival in Kushan in size and strength was Gupta.
· During the Kushan period, Magadha (modern Bihar) lost its important.
· Later in 3rd century, under leadership of Chandragupta I and his son Samudra Gupta, it grew rapidly.
· They ruled Northern India from Indus to Brahmaputra and in South till East coast of Peninsula.
· Gupta Period marked the Golden age of India for the next two centuries.
2. Write about Chandragupta I?
· He is the first important king of Gupta Dynasty is Chandragupta I.
· His Period was 320–335 CE.
· He was married to Lichchavi princess, Kumaradevi
· He received Magadha Dynasty as his wedding gift.
· He issued gold coins having the images of him and his wife.
· He reigned for 15 years.
3. Write short note about Samudra Gupta?
· After Chandragupta I, Samudra Gupta came into region in 335 CE.
· He was called as “Indian Napolean” since he conquered many areas of Indian subcontinent.
· Samudra Gupta history was mainly known from Inscription on the Ashokan Pillar located in Sarnath.
· He was not only a warrior but also wrote poetry and played veena.
4. Write short note about Chandragupta II?
· Chandragupta II was regarded as one of the prosperous rulers of Gupta Empire.
· He ruled from 380–412 CE.
· Fa-Hien, described Chandragupta II as a wise and benevolent ruler.
· Kalidasa, greatest poet and dramatist was one of the nine gems in Chandragupta II court.
· Kalidasa plays and poetry primarily based on puranas.
5. Write in detail about the Gupta’s Administration?
· Gupta rulers called themselves as Maharajadhiraja and Vikram Aditya which means they ruled over large empire.
· Though kingship was hereditary, it was not always given to eldest son. Kings were assisted by a council of ministers called as Mantri Parishad in administration.
· These Mantri were highly paid, and they lived lavishly.
6. How was the Empire divided during Gupta Period?
· Empire was divided into provinces known as Bhuktis.
· Each Bhukti was ruled by Prince/ Kumara Matyas.
· Bhuktis were divided into districts called as Vishayas.
· Each Vishayas were placed under Vishayapati. Maha Dandanayaka were the judicial officers.
· The districts were made up of number of villages.
· Each village had a council of elders, they were headed by village headman called Gramikas.
· For towns there will be Nagarpatis.
7. How was the payments made during Gupta Period ?
· Officials were paid by large grants instead of salaries.
· The records were inscribed on copper plates.
· Army officials paid in cash.
· Military headers were provided with large grants, they supply the troops to king whenever required.
· They collected revenue from land and used this to maintain army and equipment required.
8. List the famous post in the Gupta Period?
· Chief Merchant — Nagrara Sheti
· Leader of Caravans –
· Chief Artisan — Prathama Kulika
· Scribe — Kayastha
· Chief Judicial officer — Maha Dandanayaka ( Harisena, famous poet was chief judicial officer)
9. Write a short note about Samantas ?
· Samantas were powerful people, independent of any kind of royal control.
· Samantas are local elites they have special privileges like large grants.
· They maintained their own armies and provided soldiers to king when needed.
10. Explain in brief about the life of the people?
· People lived a peaceful and disciplined life
· Brahmins were given high position.
· In Magadha almost all people were rich and generous.
· Rest houses were built on highways for travellers.
· Each town had numerous market-places, banks, temples, charitable institutions, hospitals.
· Hinduism was the main religion. Buddhism was also encouraged.
11. Write about the caste system followed during Gupta Period?
· Low caste people had to live outside the village.
· The caste system was more rigid, and there was more subcaste.
· The untouchables were ill-treated, position of women was no improvement, formal education was denied to them and were treated inferior to them. All this was mentioned by Fa-Hein writing’s
12. Write about the education system during the Guptas?
· World renowned Nalanda university was found during Gupta Period
· Nalanda was famous university for Hinayana Buddhism in the Magadha kingdom (Now Bihar).
· Scholars like Zhuang Zang, Fa-Hein, Hieun Tsang came to study Buddhism here.
· Nalanda flourished under Gupta king in 5th and 6th centuries.
· Many foreign scholars from Tibet, China, Central Asia visited the university.
13. What is the main occupation and trade of people during Gupta Period?
· Main occupation of the people is Agriculture.
· Agriculturist paid 1/6th of tax to the king.
· There were also craftsmen working in designing of ivory work, polishing stone. They formed shrenis/guilds.
· There was active trade in pepper, sandalwood, precious stone.
14. Write about the religions followed during Gupta Period?
· Hinduism is the popular religion during Gupta period.
· Hindu god and goddess like Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu was worshipped.
· Physiological debates between Hinduism, Buddhism, religion on the presence of God, cycle of rebirths, attaining salvation etc.
· Buddhism and Jainism received a lot of support from Gupta rulers.
15. Who are the Later Guptas?
· Kumara Gupta succeeded by Chandragupta II, and Kumara Gupta was succeeded by Skanda Gupta.
· Skanda Gupta face the threat from Huns of Central Asia
· Through Huns were driven out of India, Gupta empire started its decline and was reduced into Magadha.
16. Write about the king Harshavardhan in short?
· King of small piece of of land (Thaneswar) is Harshavardhan.
· He came into throne in 606 CE, he was a great conqueror and administrator.
· He united kingdoms of Thaneswar, Kannauj and brought Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal under his command.
· He married his daughter to the King of Maukari Dynasty (King of Gujarat) and moved his capital from Thaneswar to Kannauj.
· Harshavardhan rise of power, his conquest, administration was known through Harsha Charita written by Banabhatta (his court poet)
· Chinese Pilgrim Hieun Tsang also described Harsha as modest, benevolent, energetic and active ruler.
· Upon his death North India fell into complete chaos and confusion.
17. Write a short note on religion followed by Harshavardhan ?
· Harshavardhan was a follower of Shiva, later he became a great follower of Buddhism and supported Nalanda University.
· He composed three works in Sanskrit as Nagandha, Ratnavali, Priyadarshini.
· Hieun Tsang studied in Nalanda University, He wrote a book called Si Yu Ki.
18. Who were the important kingdoms of South India ?
· Chalukyas of Vatapi/Badami
· Pallavas of Kanchipuram
19. Write in detail about Chalukyas dynasty?
· In 6th century, Chalukyas set their kingdom on the Western side of the Deccan Plateau.
· Pulakeshin, I established Chalukyas Dynasty in 543 CE, by taking control of Vatapi in Karnataka.
· Harshavardhan was defeated by Pulakeshin II.
· We came to know about Pulakeshin II through Aihole Inscription written by of his court poet Ravikriti.
· Chalukyas rule marked an important time in the history of India, a South Indian kingdom to control entire region between Kaveri and Narmada Rivers.
· Chalukyas had an efficient administrative machinery flourishing oversea trade, and made significant contribution to art and architecture
· Pulekashin II was successful defeated in Mahaendravarman I, a pallava ruler of Kanchipuram.
· In 642 CE, in battle of Vatapi, Pulakeshin II was defeated by Mahendravarman son Narsimavarman I
· Battle resulted in establishment of Pallavas in Vatapi
20. Write about the Pallavas?
· Pallavas were local tribe in Southern Andhra Pradesh and Northern Tamil Nadu.
· They had extensive trade with teak, sandalwood, textile trade to countries like Cambodia, Java, Sumatra.
· Kaveripattinam was a busy port city of Pallavas.
· The state of Pallavas divided into kottams.
· Each kottam was placed under a officials appointed by the king
· Two local assemblies of Pallavas are Ur, Nagaram.
· Ur- Village assembly
· Nagaram- Organisation of merchants.
· Pallavas built tanks, wells for irrigation and they taxed people for agriculture products
21. Write about the religion followed during Pallavas?
· Narsimavarman built the famous Ratha temple at Mahabalipuram, they were rock cut temples.
· Brahmins look after temple affairs.
· During this period, rise of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and decline of Buddhism and Jainism.
· They were patrons of Sanskrit language and encouraged Tamil too.
· Bhakti movement gained momentum under Alwars- Followers of Lord Vishnu — Vaishnavism . Nayanars- Followers of Lord Shiva — Shaivism.
22. Write about the art and Literature during Pallavas?
· Pallavas capital was Kanchi, centre of learning.
· Dharmapala who became the head of Nalanda University belonged to Kanchi.
· Great Sanskrit scholars like Dandin, Bharavi lived during rule of Pallavas.
· Tamil literature, Music, Dance flourished during Pallava Period.
Cbse class 6 Social Studies
Geography
- Earth in the Solar system
- Globe – latitudes and longitudes
- Motions of Earth
- Understanding Maps
- Major Domains of Earth
- Major Landforms of Earth
- Our Country – India
- India Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife
History
- Discovering the Past
- Hunters and Gatherers
- The Agriculturist – Neolithic age
- Advent of Urbanisation
- Vedic Period
- New Ideas and New Religion
- Janapadas and New Kingdom
- Mauryan Empire
- Gupta period
- Contact with other parts of the world
- Culture and Scientific World
Civics