CBSE Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 11: New Empires and Kingdoms NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, "New Empires and Kingdoms," for CBSE Class 6 Social Science delves into the significant empires and kingdoms that emerged in ancient India. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to questions covering the Gupta and Harshavardhana periods, as well as important dynasties in South India like the Chalukyas and Pallavas. Students will learn about the sources of historical information, such as inscriptions and prashastis, and understand the political structures, including the role of samantas and the concept of untouchability. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the key historical developments, rulers, and administrative systems of these ancient Indian empires, aiding in their exam preparation and understanding of India's rich past.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	History - Chapter 11 New Empires and Kingdoms

Chapter summary

Chapter 11, "New Empires and Kingdoms," focuses on the rise of major empires in ancient India, particularly the Gupta period and the reign of Harshavardhana. It explores the sources used to study these eras, like inscriptions and prashastis, and introduces prominent South Indian dynasties. The solutions cover key rulers, geographical areas like the Raichur Doab, and social aspects such as the status of untouchables and the role of samantas. This chapter provides a foundational understanding of political and social structures during these significant historical periods.

Learning outcomes

Identify the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the title 'maharaj-adhiraja'.
Recognize the primary sources used to learn about Gupta rulers.
Identify the kingdom ruled by Harshavardhana's brother-in-law.
Name the dynasty to which Pulakeshin II belonged.
Recall the sources that provide information about Harshavardhana's reign.
Identify the ganas to which Samudragupta's mother belonged.
Name the Chinese pilgrim who visited Harsha's court.
Identify the ruler who checked Harshavardhana's military success.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Gupta Dynasty
Harshavardhana's Reign
Chalukya Dynasty
Pallava Dynasty
South Indian Kingdoms
Prashastis
Inscriptions
Coins as historical sources
Samantas
Raichur Doab
Untouchability
Chinese travelers in India

Important topics

Gupta Empire and its rulers
Harshavardhana and his administration
Key dynasties of South India (Chalukyas, Pallavas)
Sources of historical information (Prashastis, Inscriptions)
Social structure and the concept of untouchability
Role of Samantas

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Questions and Solutions

I. Multiple Choice Questions

(i) The first ruler of the Gupta dynasty who adopted the grand title of maharaj-adhiraja was

(a) Samudragupta (b) Chandragupta

Solution: The correct option is (b) Chandragupta. Chandragupta was the first significant ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of 'maharaj-adhiraja', which means 'great king of kings', indicating his imperial status and the expansion of the Gupta empire.

(ii) We learn about Gupta rulers from the

(a) Inscriptions

(b) Prashastis

(d) Both (a) and (c).

Solution: The correct option is (d) Both (a) and (c). Historical information about the Gupta rulers is derived from multiple sources. These include inscriptions engraved on stone or metal, prashastis which are laudatory poems written about rulers, and coins that provide details about their reigns, economy, and iconography.

(iii) Harsha's brother-in-law was the ruler of

(b) Patliputra

(a) Kanauj

(d) Prayaga.

Solution: The correct option is (a) Kanauj. Harshavardhana's brother-in-law, who was the ruler of Kanauj, was killed by the king of Gauda. This event led Harshavardhana to launch a campaign against the killer of his brother-in-law and eventually take control of Kanauj.

(iv) Pulakeshin II was a ruler of

(a) Chalukya dynasty

(b) Pallava dynasty

(d) Chola dynasty.

Solution: The correct option is (a) Chalukya dynasty. Pulakeshin II was one of the most famous rulers of the Chalukya dynasty. He is known for his military prowess and for checking the advance of Emperor Harshavardhana towards the south.

(v) We come to know about Harshavardhana from

(a) The biography written by Banabhatta

(b) The account of Xuan Zang

(d) Neither (a) nor (d).

Solution: The correct option is (c) Both (a) and (b). Our knowledge about Harshavardhana comes from two main sources: the biography 'Harshacharita', written by his court poet Banabhatta, and the detailed accounts left by the Chinese traveler Xuan Zang, who visited India during Harshavardhana's reign.

II. Fill in the Blanks

(i) Kumara Devi, the mother of Samudragupta belonged to the ...... gana.

Solution: Kumara Devi, the mother of Samudragupta, belonged to the Lichchhavi gana. This indicates a significant alliance and the influence of the Lichchhavi clan during the early Gupta period.

(ii) ......a Chinese pilgrim, spent a lot of time at Harsha's court and left a detailed account of what he saw.

Solution: Xuan Zang, a Chinese pilgrim and Buddhist scholar, spent a considerable amount of time at Emperor Harshavardhana's court. His detailed travelogue provides valuable insights into the administration, society, and culture of India during that era.

(iii) Harshavardhana's success was checked by ......, a Chalukya ruler.

Solution: Harshavardhana's military expansion towards the south was checked by Pulakeshin II, a powerful Chalukya ruler. Pulakeshin II defeated Harshavardhana, thus establishing the Chalukya dominance in the Deccan region.

(iv) The two important ruling dynasties in south India during this period were the ..... and the .....

Solution: The two important ruling dynasties in South India during this period were the Pallavas and the Chalukyas. These dynasties were prominent powers in the Deccan and Southern India, often engaging in conflicts with each other.

(v) The Raichur Doab was situated between the rivers ...... and ............................

Solution: The Raichur Doab was situated between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra. This fertile region was strategically important and often a point of contention between the major South Indian kingdoms.

(vi) The ...... and ..... were the new dynasties which took place of the Pallavas and the Chalukyas.

Solution: The Rashtrakuta and Chola dynasties rose to prominence and eventually replaced the Pallavas and the Chalukyas as the dominant powers in South India.

(vii) Whenever the Samantas found the ruler weak and inefficient, they tried to become ......

Solution: Whenever the Samantas found the ruler weak and inefficient, they tried to become independent. Samantas were feudatories or subordinates who, given the opportunity, asserted their autonomy and established their own kingdoms.

(viii) The untouchables during this period were treated badly and were expected to live on the of the city.

Solution: The untouchables during this period were treated badly and were expected to live on the outskirts of the city. This reflects the rigid social hierarchy and discrimination prevalent at the time.

III. True/False

(i) The military leaders collected revenue from the land granted to them and spent this on their families.

Solution: True. Military leaders, often referred to as samantas or feudatories, were granted land. They were expected to maintain troops and use the revenue generated from their granted lands to support themselves, their families, and their military obligations.

Common mistakes

Confusing rulers and dynasties, especially between North and South Indian kingdoms.
Misidentifying the primary sources of historical information for ancient empires.
Incorrectly recalling the geographical locations or relationships between rulers.
Confusing the roles and titles of different historical figures.

Revision tips

Create a timeline of the major empires and dynasties discussed.
Make flashcards for key rulers, their titles, and significant achievements.
Practice identifying the correct sources of information for each ruler or period.
Map out the geographical locations of the kingdoms mentioned, especially in South India.
Review the definitions of terms like 'samanta' and 'prashasti'.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of 'maharaj-adhiraja'?

Q2. From which sources do we primarily learn about the Gupta rulers?

Q3. Harshavardhana's brother-in-law was the ruler of which city?

Q4. Pulakeshin II, a significant ruler, belonged to which dynasty?

Q5. Information about Harshavardhana's life and reign is primarily known from which sources?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of Chapter 11, 'New Empires and Kingdoms' for Class 6 Social Science?

This chapter focuses on the emergence and characteristics of significant empires and kingdoms in ancient India, particularly the Gupta Empire and the reign of Harshavardhana, along with important South Indian dynasties.

What are the primary sources mentioned in the solutions for learning about the Gupta rulers?

The solutions indicate that we learn about Gupta rulers from inscriptions, prashastis (eulogistic poems), and coins.

Who was Pulakeshin II, and which dynasty did he belong to?

Pulakeshin II was a Chalukya ruler whose military success was significant. He is mentioned as having checked Harshavardhana's advance.

What information do the solutions provide about Harshavardhana?

The solutions state that we learn about Harshavardhana from the biography written by his court poet Banabhatta and the accounts of the Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang.

Which two major rivers define the Raichur Doab mentioned in the chapter?

The Raichur Doab is situated between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers.

How were untouchables treated during the period of new empires and kingdoms?

According to the solutions, untouchables were treated badly and were expected to live on the outskirts of cities.

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