CBSE Class 6 Social Science: History Chapter 3 - From Gathering to Growing Food NCERT Solutions

Solution: People who engage in growing crops must remain in the same location for extended periods because agriculture is a labor-intensive process. Crops require continuous attention, including regular watering, protection from pests and weeds, and monitoring their growth stages. This commitment to tending the fields necessitates a permanent or semi-permanent settlement near the cultivated land.

Solution: Based on the information typically found in such tables regarding early rice cultivation sites, Neinuo would have visited the following places if she wanted to eat rice:

1. Koldihwa, located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
2. Mahagara, also located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.

These sites are known for yielding evidence of early rice cultivation.

Solution: Archaeologists infer this based on the stratigraphy of the excavation at Mehrgarh. In the lower layers of the site, which represent earlier periods, they have found bones of wild animals, indicating that hunting was a significant activity. As they excavated upwards to layers representing later periods, they found a greater abundance of cattle bones, suggesting that herding of domesticated animals like cattle became more prevalent and important over time.

Solution: Let's evaluate each statement:

1. Millets have been found at Hallur: True. Hallur is a site where evidence of millets has been discovered.
2. People in Burzahom lived in rectangular houses: False. People in Burzahom are known to have lived in pit-houses, which were dug into the ground, and also in rectangular houses, but the pit-houses are a distinctive feature. The statement implies *only* rectangular houses, which is not entirely accurate for the site's most noted dwelling type. However, if interpreted as 'also lived in', it could be true. Given the common understanding of Burzahom's pit-houses, this is often presented as false in contrast. For clarity, pit-houses were a significant feature.
3. Chirand is a site in Kashmir: False. Chirand is an important Neolithic site located in the present-day state of Bihar, not Kashmir.
4. Jadeite, found in Daojali Hading, may have been brought from China: True. Daojali Hading is a site where jadeite tools have been found, and this stone is believed to have been imported from regions like China.

Solution: The lives of early farmers and herders differed significantly from those of hunter-gatherers in several ways:

1. Settlement: Hunter-gatherers were nomadic and constantly moved from place to place in search of food. In contrast, farmers had to stay in one place for long periods to cultivate their crops and tend to their animals, leading to settled communities.
2. Food Sources: Hunter-gatherers relied on hunting wild animals and gathering wild plants. Farmers cultivated specific crops like wheat, barley, and rice, and herders raised domesticated animals like sheep, goats, and cattle, providing a more stable and predictable food supply.
3. Lifestyle and Shelter: Hunter-gatherers lived a more transient life, often using temporary shelters. Farmers and herders gradually developed permanent or semi-permanent dwellings, such as huts and pit-houses, leading to a more stable social structure and community life.

Solution: The animals mentioned in the table (typically found in textbooks for this chapter) are:

1. Sheep: Likely used for wool, meat, and possibly milk.
2. Goat: Primarily used for meat and milk.
3. Cattle (including Oxen and Buffaloes): Used for meat, milk, and their strength for ploughing fields and transportation. Oxen were particularly important for agriculture.
4. Dog: Likely used for hunting assistance, guarding settlements, and companionship.

In general, these domesticated animals provided essential resources such as milk, meat, wool, and hides, and their strength was utilized for agricultural tasks and transport.

Solution: The cereals commonly eaten by people today include:

1. Wheat
2. Rice
3. Maize (Corn)
4. Millets (such as Jowar, Bajra, Ragi)
5. Barley
6. Oats
7. Rye

(Note: 'Lantil' and 'Grains' in the source are less specific; 'Lantil' might be a typo for Lentil, which is a pulse, not a cereal. 'Grains' is a general term. The list above focuses on common cereals.)

Solution: This question requires a personal response and practical application.

If you grow cereals: You would create a chart illustrating the stages of cultivation. This typically includes preparing the soil (ploughing, tilling), sowing seeds, watering and fertilizing, weeding, protecting from pests, harvesting the mature crop, and finally, threshing and winnowing to separate the grain.

If you do not grow cereals: You would draw a chart showing the journey of cereals from the farm to your table. This process usually involves:

1. Farming: Farmers cultivate the cereals.
2. Harvesting: Farmers cut the mature crops.
3. Processing: Grains are threshed and winnowed.
4. Storage: Grains are stored by farmers or at warehouses.
5. Transportation: Grains are transported to markets or processing centers.
6. Milling/Processing: Grains are ground into flour or processed into other forms (like rice).
7. Distribution: Processed grains reach wholesalers and retailers.
8. Purchase: Consumers buy the cereals from shops.

It is recommended to consult with friends and your subject teacher for assistance in creating an accurate and informative chart.

Solution: Here are the correct options for each multiple-choice question:

1. (i) (c) the dog's wild ancestor - The dog is widely believed to be the first animal domesticated by humans.
2. (ii) (d) skilled-gatherers —> hunter—gatherers —> herders - This order reflects the progression from basic gathering skills to a more complex hunter-gatherer lifestyle, and then to the development of herding.
3. (iii) (a) boxes - While clay pots, woven baskets, and pits were used for storage, evidence for early 'boxes' as a primary grain storage method is less common or absent in early Neolithic contexts.
4. (iv) (c) Mehrgarh - Mehrgarh is a key site where evidence of early cultivation of wheat and barley has been found.
5. (v) (a) Hallur - Hallur is an archaeological site located in present-day Andhra Pradesh, known for evidence of agriculture and animal husbandry.
6. (vi) (a) Burzahom - Pit-houses, dwellings dug into the ground, are a characteristic feature found at the Burzahom site.
7. (vii) (b) A C B - This order indicates that hunting wild animals (A) was practiced first, followed by the domestication and herding of sheep and goats (C), and then the herding of cattle (B) became more prominent.
8. (viii) (c) Goats - Evidence from Mehrgarh suggests that the dead were sometimes buried with goats, possibly as grave goods or offerings.

Solution: Here are the completed sentences with the appropriate words:

1. (i) Jadeite is a stone, probably brought from China.
2. (ii) Ancient wood that has hardened into stone is called fossil wood.
3. (iii) Bolan Pass is an important route into Iran.
4. (iv) Remains of square or rectangular houses have been found in Mehrgarh.
5. (v) Farmers and herders lived in groups called tribes.
6. (vi) Rice requires more water than wheat and barley.
7. (vii) Grain was used as seed, food, and gift.
8. (viii) Animals were a source of milk and meat.