DAV Class 6 SST Chapter 8 Question Answer Studying the Past

Looking for the most authentic, 100% textbook-grounded DAV Class 6 Social Science Chapter 8 Solutions: Studying the Past? Based strictly on the prescribed DAV CMC textbook We and Our World, this comprehensive master guide provides complete answers for Section A (Tick the correct option with detailed historical reasons), Section B (Fill in the blanks), Section C (Short Answer Questions), Section D (Detailed Long Answer Questions with structured headings), Value-Based Questions (VBQ), HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills), multi-column comparison tables (Archaeological vs Literary Sources, Prehistory vs History), and authentic DAV Board Examination Previous Years’ Questions (2018-2024) with official marking schemes.

Section A: Tick (✓) the Correct Option

1. Kautilya wrote the book:
(a) Arthashastra
(b) Indica
(c) Rajatarangini
(d) Harshacharita
Answer: (a) Arthashastra
Detailed Justification: Kautilya (also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta), the prime minister and mentor of Chandragupta Maurya, authored the celebrated treatise Arthashastra. It is a masterpiece on statecraft, political administration, economic policies, and military strategy in ancient India.

2. The period when the art of writing was unknown is called:
(a) History
(b) Protohistory
(c) Prehistory
(d) Ancient history
Answer: (c) Prehistory
Detailed Justification: Prehistory refers to that vast span of human existence before the invention of writing. Since no written records exist from this era, our knowledge of prehistoric human life depends entirely on archaeological excavations of stone tools, fossils, pottery, and cave paintings.

3. The study of coins is known as:
(a) Epigraphy
(b) Archaeology
(c) Numismatics
(d) Calligraphy
Answer: (c) Numismatics
Detailed Justification: Numismatics is the scientific study and collection of coins, medals, and currency. Coins provide vital historical data regarding dates of rulers, dynastic genealogies, trade relations, and economic conditions.

4. Who is the author of Abhigyan Shakuntalam?
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Banabhatta
(c) Harishena
(d) Tulsidas
Answer: (a) Kalidasa
Detailed Justification: Abhigyan Shakuntalam is a world-renowned Sanskrit drama composed by the classical poet and dramatist Kalidasa during the Gupta period, celebrated for its literary brilliance and cultural portrayal of ancient Indian society.

5. The Chinese traveller who visited India was:
(a) Megasthenes
(b) Fa-hien
(c) Marco Polo
(d) Ibn Battuta
Answer: (b) Fa-hien
Detailed Justification: Fa-hien (Faxian) was a Chinese Buddhist monk and pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) in the early 5th century CE to collect Buddhist scriptures. His travel records give an authentic account of Indian society and governance.

Section B: Fill in the Blanks

1. Monuments are the remains of palaces and forts (as well as temples, stupas, and pillars).
2. Jain literature was written in Prakrit language (specifically Ardhamagadhi Prakrit).
3. The study of inscriptions is called epigraphy.
4. Historians divide history into two parts, namely, prehistory and history.
5. Non-religious (or secular) literature consists of prose, plays, poetry, etc.

Section C: Answer the Following Questions in Brief

Question 1: How does the study of monuments help historians?
Answer:
Monuments (ancient buildings, temples, stupas, palaces, and forts) serve as invaluable architectural records that help historians in the following ways:

• Socio-Economic Insights: The scale and luxury of monuments reflect the wealth, engineering capability, and prosperity of the rulers and empires that built them.
• Religious Beliefs: Temples, stupas, and cave monasteries (like Ajanta and Ellora) reveal the prevalent religious sects, deities worshipped, and philosophical values of that era.
• Technological & Artistic Skill: The construction materials, carving styles, and masonry techniques demonstrate the scientific and artistic progress of ancient artisans.

Question 2: The study of history helps us to make the present world a better place to live in. How?
Answer:
The study of history guides contemporary society to build a better present and future through the following lessons:

• Learning from Past Mistakes: Analyzing past wars, societal divisions, and political blunders enables modern leaders and citizens to avoid repeating catastrophic errors.
• Understanding Our Roots: History explains how modern laws, languages, democratic institutions, and cultures evolved, fostering social pride and civic harmony.
• Promoting Tolerance and Empathy: Learning about diverse civilizations instills mutual respect and cultural appreciation, which are essential for peaceful global coexistence.

Question 3: How do skeletal studies help us to identify gender differences?
Answer:
Archaeologists and physical anthropologists examine excavated human skeletons using scientific criteria:

• Pelvic Bone Structure: The hip or pelvic bone of a female skeleton is distinctly broader and wider than that of a male to facilitate child-bearing.
• Cranial & Bone Robustness: Male skulls and long bones (femur, humerus) generally feature larger muscle attachment ridges and greater bone density.
• Burial Artifacts: Ornaments, bangles, and personal accessories buried alongside skeletal remains provide supplementary cultural clues to gender identification.

Question 4: What are the literary sources of Indian history?
Answer:
Literary sources comprise all written records preserved on palm leaves, birch bark (bhurjapatra), parchment, paper, and metal plates. They are classified into four main categories:

1. Religious Literature: The Vedas, Upanishads, Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), Buddhist Tripitakas, and Jain Agamas.
2. Secular (Non-Religious) Literature: Plays, poetry, legal treatises, and grammar (e.g., Kalidasa’s dramas, Panini’s Ashtadhyayi).
3. Historical Literature: Royal chronicles and biographies (e.g., Banabhatta’s Harshacharita, Kalhana’s Rajatarangini).
4. Accounts of Foreign Travellers: Memoirs written by visiting ambassadors and pilgrims (e.g., Megasthenes, Fa-hien, Hiuen Tsang).

Question 5: Explain historical literature with an example.
Answer:
Definition: Historical literature refers to written texts that directly record real political events, reigns of monarchs, genealogical records, and wars of a particular historical period.

Key Example:

• Harshacharita composed by court poet Banabhatta in the 7th century CE. It provides an authentic biographical account of the life, military campaigns, and administration of King Harshavardhana of Kannauj.
• Another classic example is Rajatarangini written by Kalhana in the 12th century CE, which presents a chronological chronicle of the kings of Kashmir.

Section D: Answer the Following Questions in Detail

Question 1: Distinguish between archaeological and literary sources.
Answer:
Historians reconstruct the past using two primary categories of historical evidence: Archaeological sources and Literary sources.

The fundamental differences are detailed below:

Feature / Parameter	Archaeological Sources	Literary Sources
Nature of Evidence	Physical, material objects and tangible remnants recovered through excavation.	Written texts, manuscripts, and literary records preserved on bark, palm leaves, or paper.
Applicability to Eras	Indispensable for studying Prehistory, Protohistory, and History.	Available only for periods after the invention of script and writing (History).
Degree of Objectivity	Direct, physical facts; free from personal bias or court flattery.	Subjective; court writers may exaggerate king achievements or introduce personal bias.
Preservation State	Survives well over millennia when carved on stone, bronze, or buried in dry soil.	Fragile; frequently destroyed by insects, damp climates, fire, or copied with errors.
Sub-categories	Inscriptions (epigraphy), coins (numismatics), monuments, pottery, fossils, tools.	Religious scriptures, secular plays, legal texts, court biographies, foreign travelogues.
Classic Examples	Ashokan Rock Edicts, Sanchi Stupa, Harappan seals, Gupta gold coins.	The Vedas, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Megasthenes’ Indica, Kalidasa’s plays.

Question 2: How do archaeological source materials help us to learn about our past?
Answer:
Archaeological source materials are tangible physical remnants left behind by ancient humans. They are indispensable for historical reconstruction through the following functions:

1. Sole Source for Prehistoric Eras: For millions of years of human existence before writing was invented (Stone Age), stone implements, fossil bones, and cave paintings are our only window into human life.
2. Corroborating Written Accounts: Inscriptions carved on rocks, iron pillars, and copper plates provide unalterable contemporary proof verifying or correcting claims found in literary manuscripts.
3. Reconstructing Socio-Economic Life: Excavated town sites (like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro) reveal urban planning, drainage systems, dietary habits (burned grains, animal bones), and international maritime trade (weights, measures, dockyards).
4. Dating Ancient Artifacts: Modern scientific techniques like Radiocarbon Dating (Carbon-14) enable archaeologists to calculate the exact chronological age of organic materials with high precision.

Question 3: What is more important in history: events, persons, places or dates? Give reasons to justify your answer.
Answer:
History is the integrated study of human civilization through time. While events, persons, places, and dates are interconnected pillars, persons (human beings) form the core driving force of history.

Justification:

1. Humans Create History: Events do not occur in isolation; they are generated by the ideas, ambitions, struggles, and decisions of human beings (e.g., Emperor Ashoka’s remorse after the Kalinga war led to the state policy of Dhamma).
2. Dates and Places Derive Meaning from Human Action: A date (such as 15th August 1947) or a place (such as Kurukshetra or Sarnath) holds historic significance solely because of momentous human achievements or spiritual sermons associated with it.
3. Collective Human Struggle: History is ultimately the story of common people, their cultural evolution, technological inventions, and societal progress over successive generations.

Conclusion: While all four elements are indispensable for structured chronological study, human personality and collective human action form the life and soul of history.

Question 4: How do secular literary sources throw light on the life of people in any period of history?
Answer:
Secular literary sources include all writings not concerned with religious rituals or prayers, such as legal books, administrative manuals, dramas, poetry, and foreign travelogues.

How They Illuminate Ancient Life:

1. Insight into Everyday Social Life: Plays like Kalidasa’s Abhigyan Shakuntalam and Sudraka’s Mrichhakatika portray the customs, attire, languages, festivals, and domestic relationships of ordinary citizens rather than just royals.
2. Administrative and Economic Systems: Texts like Kautilya’s Arthashastra detail tax rates, revenue collection, judicial punishments, trade regulations, and municipal administration under the Mauryas.
3. Impartial Foreign Observations: Foreign travellers such as Megasthenes (Greek ambassador in Pataliputra who wrote Indica) and Chinese pilgrims (Fa-hien and Hiuen Tsang) observed Indian society from an independent perspective, describing honest judicial governance, public charity hospitals, and peaceful daily life without sectarian bias.

Question 5: How does the study of coins help historians?
Answer:
The study of coins (numismatics) is one of the most reliable and precise tools for historical reconstruction:

1. Chronological Precision & Genealogies: Coins often bear the portrait, name, and exact coronation year of the issuing monarch, allowing historians to establish unbroken dynastic timelines (especially for the Indo-Greek and Kushana rulers).
2. Economic Prosperity: Coins made of pure gold (like the Gupta dynasty dinaras) indicate booming international trade and treasury prosperity, whereas debased coins made of base metals (copper, lead) point to economic hardship and treasury depletion.
3. Territorial Boundaries: The geographical distribution of an empire’s hoard of coins reveals the extent of its political control and commercial trade routes.
4. Religious & Cultural Beliefs: Images of deities, sacred symbols (such as Shiva with Nandi, or Buddha), and musical instruments (e.g., King Samudragupta playing the veena) provide evidence of the rulers’ personal interests and faith.

Value-Based Questions (VBQ)

Question: The study of history is not merely memorizing ancient dates and kings; it is an ethical guide for understanding human evolution and cultural tolerance. What moral values and civic consciousness can students imbibe from studying ancient history?
Answer:
Studying history imparts essential moral and civic values:

1. Appreciation for Cultural Diversity: Ancient India witnessed peaceful assimilation of different cultural streams, philosophies, and languages, teaching modern youth to respect all communities.
2. Preservation of National Heritage: Realizing that historical monuments and manuscripts took centuries of artistic devotion instills a civic duty to protect heritage sites from vandalism and defacement.
3. Wisdom through Historical Reflection: Recognizing that oppressive rulers collapsed while compassionate administrators (like Ashoka) earned enduring reverence teaches students that empathy, truth, and non-violence remain the greatest human virtues.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Question 1: Why are inscriptions considered more trustworthy and reliable than literary manuscripts by modern historians?
Answer:
Inscriptions are considered superior historical evidence because:

• Contemporary Execution: Inscriptions were carved directly on durable stone pillars, rocks, or copper plates at the exact time of the event, leaving no room for subsequent modifications.
• Immunity to Copying Errors: Hand-copied manuscripts were transcribed repeatedly over centuries by scribes, introducing accidental errors, interpolations, and deliberate distortions. Inscriptions cannot be easily altered once carved.
• Exact Chronology and Context: Inscriptions typically mention the precise date, reigning king, and location, providing unambiguous primary evidence.

Question 2: How can the discovery of ancient Roman coins in South Indian ports explain India’s ancient foreign trade?
Answer:
The discovery of large hoards of gold and silver Roman coins at port sites like Arikamedu (near Puducherry) and across Tamil Nadu confirms that:

• India maintained an extensive maritime trade relationship with the Roman Empire during the early centuries CE.
• Rome imported Indian spices (especially black pepper, called ‘black gold’), fine muslins, silk, pearls, and precious gems, paying for them with solid gold Roman aurei.
• The balance of trade was heavily tilted in India’s favor, causing massive bullion inflow into ancient Indian commercial centers.

Authentic DAV Board Examination Previous Years’ Questions (2018-2024)

Q1 [DAV Mid-Term Exam 2023, 2 Marks]: What is Epigraphy? Why is it vital for ancient Indian history?
Official Answer & Marking Scheme:
1. Definition [1 Mark]: The scientific study of inscriptions and epigraphs engraved on stone, metal, or pottery is known as Epigraphy.
2. Significance [1 Mark]: It provides primary, unadulterated evidence regarding royal proclamations, land grants, military victories, and boundaries of ancient rulers.

Q2 [DAV Annual Exam 2022, 3 Marks]: Differentiate between Religious and Secular literature with two examples each.
Official Answer & Marking Scheme:
1. Religious Literature [1.5 Marks]: Texts dealing with religious doctrines, prayers, and rituals. Examples: The Rigveda, The Ramayana.
2. Secular Literature [1.5 Marks]: Texts dealing with non-religious worldly topics such as politics, law, grammar, and drama. Examples: Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Kalidasa’s Abhigyan Shakuntalam.

Q3 [DAV Annual Exam 2020, 2 Marks]: Why is Kalhana’s Rajatarangini considered unique among ancient Indian historical writings?
Official Answer & Marking Scheme:
1. Critical Historical Method [1 Mark]: Kalhana did not merely praise his patron king; he critically investigated earlier inscriptions, coins, and local traditions to reconstruct historical facts objectively.
2. Chronological Record [1 Mark]: It provides a systematic chronological history of the kings of Kashmir, making it the closest ancient Indian text to modern historiography.

DAV Class 6 Social Science: Complete Chapter Solutions Navigation

Access 100% textbook-authentic solutions for all 24 chapters of DAV Class 6 Social Science (We and Our World):

Unit	Chapter Number & Title	Direct Solution Link
Geography (The Earth: Our Habitat)	Ch 1: The Planet Earth and the Solar System	Read Ch 1 Solutions →
	Ch 2: Representation of the Earth	Read Ch 2 Solutions →
	Ch 3: Locating Places on the Earth	Read Ch 3 Solutions →
	Ch 4: The Motions of the Earth	Read Ch 4 Solutions →
	Ch 5: The Realms of the Earth	Read Ch 5 Solutions →
	Ch 6: India – My Motherland	Read Ch 6 Solutions →
	Ch 7: India – The Land of Monsoon Climate	Read Ch 7 Solutions →
History (People & Society in Ancient Period)	Ch 8: Studying the Past	Current Chapter
	Ch 9: Life of Early Man	Read Ch 9 Solutions →
	Ch 10: Development of Civilisation	Read Ch 10 Solutions →
	Ch 11: The Iron Age Civilisation	Read Ch 11 Solutions →
	Ch 12: Janapadas and the Mahajanapadas (600-100 BCE)	Read Ch 12 Solutions →
	Ch 13: The Mauryan Dynasty	Read Ch 13 Solutions →
	Ch 14: Early History of Deccan and South India	Read Ch 14 Solutions →
	Ch 15: North India after Mauryas and Sungas	Read Ch 15 Solutions →
	Ch 16: The Gupta Empire	Read Ch 16 Solutions →
	Ch 17: The Era of Harsha	Read Ch 17 Solutions →
	Ch 18: Deccan and South India	Read Ch 18 Solutions →
	Ch 19: India and the Outside World	Read Ch 19 Solutions →
	Ch 20: The Indian Religions	Read Ch 20 Solutions →
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