NIOS Class 10 Social Science Chapter 1 Question Answer
INTEXT QUESTIONS 1.1
1. Fill in the blanks:
(a) Society in Bronze Age civilisation was divided into …………………
Ans: classes
(b) ………………… seems to be the most important cause of the decline of Harappa Civilisation.
Ans: Natural calamities
(c) The Harappa people had overseas trade with …………………
Ans: Mesopotamia
2. Which was the first metal used by human beings?
Ans: Copper
3. Name the rivers between which the Mesopotamian Civilisation was founded.
Ans: Tigris and Euphrates
4. Name the ancient Egyptian script.
Ans: Hieroglyphics
5. Name at least four sites of the Harappa Civilisation situated in India.
Ans: Lothal (Gujarat), Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Banawali (Haryana), Dholavira (Gujarat), Ropar (Punjab).
INTEXT QUESTION 1.2
1. Name the three spheres where the impact of iron implements were felt the most.
Ans: Agriculture, Transport and Warfare
2. Name two important city states in Greece.
Ans: Athens and Sparta
3. Name the river on which the city of Rome is situated.
Ans: Tiber
4. Complete the sentences below:
a) Constantinople was the capital of the …………………
Ans: Byzantine Empire
b) The Persian king who united the Persians was …………………
Ans: Cyrus
c) The Indo-Aryans and the early Persians worshipped the …………………
Ans: forces of nature
INTEXT QUESTION 1.3
1. What were the main occupations of people in the Later Vedic Period?
Ans: Agriculture and Crafts
2. Which religion did Ashoka embrace after the Kalinga war?
Ans: Buddhism
3. Name at least four great centers of learning in Ancient India.
Ans: Taxila, Nalanda, Kashi, Vikramshila, Vallabhi
4. Name two great physicians of Ancient India.
Ans: Charaka and Sushruta
5. Fill in the blanks:
(a) The Tamil work Tolkappiyam belonged to the …………………
Ans: Sangam Age
(b) ………………… was the capital of the Pandyas.
Ans: Madurai
(c) Kanishka belonged to the ………………… Dynasty.
Ans: Kushana
TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. How did the Bronze Age mark a shift from the New Stone Age?
Ans: Towards the end of the New Stone Age, began the use of metal. Copper was the first metal used by them. The cultures based on the use of both stone and copper are called Chalcolithic Cultures. This is also called Bronze Age because of the invention of bronze in this period which is an alloy of copper and tin. Gradually copper and bronze replaced stone, wood, and bones to some extent for making weapons and implements.
2. What were the important features of the Harappa Civilisation?
Ans:
- The most remarkable aspect was the high level of sophistication in town planning, crafts and culture.
- The Great Granary of Harappa was another important building.
- A general feature of the cities was the presence of a fortified citadel which housed public buildings.
- The cities had wide roads, which cut each other at right angles.
- The houses were brick – built and most of these were two-storied.
- There were wells, baths, drains and sewage in each house.
- Paved roads and street lighting were also known.
- The cult of Mother Goddess and Lingam worship seems to have been very popular among them.
- They knew about urban engineering, weights and measures, health and hygiene.
- They also knew how to write, and used a script which has not yet been deciphered.
3. Discuss how the discovery of iron brings in radical changes in the lives of the people?
Ans: The use of iron tools and implements enabled our forefathers to clear forests and to reclaim lands for the extension of cultivation. Agricultural production thus increased considerably. This brought radical changes in the social and economic life of the people.
The use of iron had a great impact on transport and communication. Iron rims and spokes were used in wheels to make them stronger. Iron nails and sheets were widely used for making boats and ships. Trade and commerce flourished. This trade brought prosperity.
4. Describe the Roman society and economy during 5th century BC
Ans: In the early Roman society, there were three classes of people – the patricians (aristocrats), the plebeians (commoners) and the slaves. The Roman economy was based on slave labor. Rich Romans owned slaves, who were often trained for the gladiators’ fight, a fight between the slaves and wild animals. There were also frequent slave revolts in Rome. One such revolt was led by Spartacus in 74 BC.
5. Describe the social, religious and economic life of the Early Vedic people.
Ans: The economy of the people of the Early Vedic period was mainly pastoral. Cattle-rearing was the chief means of livelihood. Horses, goats and sheep were also important. A little agriculture was also practiced. Family, clan and tribes (called Janas) were the social units, and there were no castes. The chief of the tribe was called Raja. Popular assemblies of all members of the Janas, called Sabhas and Samitis, had an important say in public affairs. Several deities were worshipped, Indra being the most important of them.
6. What is ‘dhamma’ according to Ashoka?
Ans: Ashoka’s policy of ‘dhamma’ was based on religious toleration, respect to elders, care for the old, kindness, truthfulness and purity.
7. Write a short note on India’s contribution to World Civilisation.
Ans: Indian civilisation has a very important place in world history.
- In India, also, some kind of democratic and republican form of government existed in ancient times. We also made tremendous progress in philosophy and various branches of science.
- Indian contribution to the fields of Mathematics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Metallurgy and Medicine is worth mentioning.
- Aryabhatta and Varahamihira were famous mathematicians and astronomers. Charaka and Sushruta were great physicians. Nagarjuna was a famous chemist as well as a pharmacist.
- The concept of zero and the decimal system first evolved in India.
- The ancient Indians also showed great skill in art, architecture, painting and sculpture.
- Many great centres of learning were developed in Ancient India, which imparted education to both Indian and foreign students, where famous scholars and teachers taught.
- Indian learning and scholarship were highly appreciated abroad by the Arabs.
Additional Study Materials
- NIOS Class 10 Science Textbook Solutions
- NIOS Class 10 Social Science Syllabus Bifurcation
- NIOS Class 10 Social Science Sample Paper
- Introduction to Social Science Textbook Solutions
