Ratna Sagar History Solutions for Class 6 Social science Chapter 12 - Culture And Science In The Ancient Period

Answer:

 The correct answer is option (c).

Explanation: The collection of books known as the Brahmanas includes legends, explanation of Vedic rituals, facts. Hence, they are considered to be commentaries on the Veda.

Answer:

The correct answer is option (b).

Explanation: Sage Valmiki had composed Ramayana, which is an epic poem written in Sanskrit. Prince Rama of Kosala is the central character of the poem. His war with Ravana, the king of Lanka is equally important.

Answer:

The correct answer is option (d).

Explanation: The stupas are architectural structures built by the Buddhists that contain relics. They serve as places of meditation. The decorations on the surrounding railings and gateways depict events from Buddha’s life. The Great Stupa at Sanchi and the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath are famous.

Answer:

The correct answer is option (a).

Explanation: The Shore Temple was built by the Pallavas during the reign of Narasimhavarman II. The temple had been named so because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. The Pallavas also built the Ratha Temple at Mahabalipuram and Kailasanath Temple at Kanchi

Answer:

The correct answer is option (a).

Explanation: Progress was achieved in the fields of science and medicine. Sushruta specialised in cosmetic surgery and performed several operations specifically nose reconstruction. He along with Charaka helped in the advancement of medicine.

Answer:

The correct answer is option (c).

Explanation: The Indian mathematicians had a symbol for zero. This counting system was later adopted by the Europeans and Arabs.

Answer:

1. The statement is false.

Explanation: The Puranas are sacred Hindu texts that praise the deities, especially the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). There are 18 Puranas.

2. The statement is false.

Explanation: Mahabharata was written by Sage Ved Vyasa. Bhagavad Gita is the conversation between Krishna and Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It teaches the way of life and is the holy book of Hindus.

3. The statement is false.

Explanation: The Kailasanath Temple of Kanchi was built by the Pallavas. It is dedicated to the deity Shiva in the form of Kailasanathar.

4. The statement is false.

Explanation: The Iron Pillar in Delhi was built by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya of the Gupta Empire. It is located in the Qutub complex. It has attracted the attention of archaeologists because of its resistance to corrosion.

Answer:

1. The answer is Mauryas.

Explanation: The Arthashastra was written by Kautilya and the Indika was written by Megasthenes. They provide information about the administration and governance of the Mauryan Empire. The political, social and economic conditions are also throw light upon in these books.

2. The answer is Sanskrit.

Explanation: Kalidasa, who lived during the Gupta period was a great dramatist. He produced his literary works in Sanskrit. Some of his works are Meghaduta, Ritusamhara, Raghuvamsa and Kumarasambhava.

3. The answer is Chandragupta II.

Explanation: Fa Hien was a pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. He lived for six years, from AD 405-411, in India. His writings give an account of the rule and administration of the Gupta Kings and the people under them.

4. The answer is Varahamihira.

Explanation: The encyclopaedic Brihat Samhita was written by Varahamihira. He was an astronomer, mathematician and astrologer. The book contained various subjects like astrology, planetary movements, eclipses, architecture, matrimony, agriculture, etc.

Answer:

The Mahabharata is an epic poem written by Sage Ved Vyasa. In the story, the Kauravas and Pandavas are cousins who fight the Kurukshetra war. The war is finally won by the Pandavas. The Bhagvada Gita, an important part of the epic, is where Lord Krishna gives an inspirational speech to Arjun on the battlefield.

Answer:

Some of the temples built in ancient India are as follows:

a) The cave temples of Ajanta: This Buddhist masterpiece is situated in Maharashtra.

b) The Dasavatar Temple at Deogarh: This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who had ten incarnations.

c) The Ratha temple, Shore temple at Mahabalipuram, Kailasanath temple at Kanchi: These temples were built by the Pallavas.

Answer:

The field of medicine made great progress during the ancient period. Several learned men had great contributions to this field. Charaka wrote the Charaka Samhita, a text on Ayurveda. Sushruta performed cosmetic surgeries, specifically nose reconstruction. All these efforts laid the foundation of medicine in India.

Answer:

The iron pillar built by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya is located at Mehrauli. It is a structure of wonder because despite being built 1,600 years ago, it has resisted corrosion.

Answer:

Secular literature is an important source of history because the works provide an account of the governance of the empires. The administration policies and the ways of the kings are laid out in detail. The financial and economic policies and social conditions of the people can too be understood. For example, the Arthashastra and Indika provide details about the Mauryan Empire and the Harshacharita written by Banabhatta is about King Harshavardhana.

Answer:

There were commonalities in the structures of temples built during this period. They are as follows:

a) Garbagriha: The chief deity’s image was kept in this room.

b) Shikhara or Vimana: The top of the Garbagriha was marked as sacred by a tower known as Shikhara.

c) Mandapa: The assembly hall where people gathered to pray is known as Mandapa.

Answer:

The paintings of the Gupta period known as ‘murals’ cover the walls of the Ajanta caves of Maharashtra. The decorations on the monastery depict the ways and events of Lord Buddha’s life. Colours were made from natural sources, which make the paintings glow even today. The magnificence of the paintings attract tourists from all over the world.

Answer:

Astronomy advanced tremendously during the ancient period. The Romaka Siddhanta is an Indian astronomical treatise. Aryabhatta, an astronomer and mathematician, is known for his book Aryabhatiya. He mentions the Earth’s movement around the Sun and its rotation on its axis.

Varahamihira, also an astronomer and mathematician, had written Brihat Samhita that covers the subjects of planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, etc. This proves the advanced thinking that Indians had of astronomy in the ancient times.

Answer:

Yes, political stability is essential for the overall prosperity. The reasons are as follows:

a) The proper functioning of the political machinery enables maintenance of law and order. It is necessary for the progress of a nation and avoidance of anarchy.

b) Discipline would be brought about by political stability helping in the welfare of the people.

c) Economic conditions would improve, thereby making the advancement of individuals as well as the nation easier. The way of lives would become better.

Answer:

The accounts of the foreign travellers cannot be completely relied upon. This is because they used to visit India as pilgrims and lived for a few years. They lived under the patronage of a ruler. The accounts of the administration and governance was thrown light upon in their writings. This can often be biased and elucidate on the positive elements of an empire. The lives of the common people and the functioning of the empire at the grass-roots level was overlooked. Hence, they provided only a partial idea of events.