Class 7 Social Science Part 2 Chapter 1, The Story of Indian Farming, explores India’s agricultural heritage from Mehrgarh and Harappan ploughs to modern crop seasons, soil types, irrigation systems, Green Revolution innovations and sustainable organic farming.
What Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Covers
India’s Agricultural Landscape, Past & Seasons traces ancient texts like Krishi-Parashara and Vrikshayurveda, monsoon dependence, and the three cropping seasons: Kharif (monsoon crops like rice, maize, cotton), Rabi (winter crops like wheat, mustard, gram) and Zaid (summer melons, vegetables).
Soil & Water: Foundation of Cultivation maps India’s six major soil types—alluvial, black (regur), red and yellow, laterite, arid and mountain soils—alongside rain-fed vs irrigated farming (tanks, stepwells, canals, drip and sprinkler irrigation).
Traditional Wisdom, Modern Innovations & Challenges compares traditional multi-cropping, organic manures (panchagavya) and indigenous seeds with the Green Revolution (HYV seeds, fertilisers), Sikkim’s 100% organic farming, government support and farmer challenges.
Exercises in Chapter 1
- Before we move on… chapter takeaways and Questions and activities for revision and project work.
Read Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Online
More Chapters
- Next: Chapter 2: India and Her Neighbours
- All Social Science chapters and the other Class 7 books: Class 7 NCERT books 2026-27
- All Class 1 to 12 NCERT Textbooks: NCERT Books PDF (Class 1–12)
FAQ
What are the three main cropping seasons in India?
Kharif (sown with the onset of southwest monsoon in June–July and harvested in September–October, e.g., paddy, maize, bajra), Rabi (sown in winter in October–November and harvested in spring in March–April, e.g., wheat, gram, mustard), and Zaid (short summer season between Rabi and Kharif, e.g., watermelon, cucumber).
What are the six major types of soil found in India?
Alluvial soil, Black (Regur) soil, Red and Yellow soil, Laterite soil, Arid (Desert) soil, and Forest/Mountain soil.