By reviewing Kerala Syllabus 8th Standard Social Science Notes Pdf and Class 8 Social Science Chapter 8 Towards The Gangetic Plain Notes Questions and Answers Kerala SCERT Solutions, students can improve their conceptual understanding.
Class 8 Social Science Chapter 8 Towards The Gangetic Plain Notes Questions and Answers
Towards The Gangetic Plain Class 8 Notes Pdf
Class 8 Social Science Chapter 8 Question Answer Kerala Syllabus
Let Us Assess
Question 1.
‘The battles fought by the Aryans in the Sapta Sindhu region were mainly for cattles.” Substantiate this statement.
Answer:
- Aryans belonged to different tribes
- Each tribe comprised of many families
- The eldest member of the tribe was selected as the head of the tribe.
- There were different tribal assemblies to assist the trial heads. These assemblies were known as Vidatha, Sabha and Samithi.
- The main occupations of the Aryans was cattle rearing and farming.
- They fought battles for pastoral grounds and cattle.
Question 2.
Analyse the changes brought in the lives of the Aryans with the use of iron.
Answer:
The Aryans who reached the gangetic plain cleared the forests using iron implements. They started farming in the fields using iron plough shares. With the expansion of agriculture, the Aryans were transformed into a settled society.
The place where the nomadic people started to settle permenantly came to be known as Janapada. The head of the tribe became the king. Kingship became hereditary. The importance of the assemblies of each tribe diminished. The farmers started the system of giving a part of their yield as tax to the king in return for protecting agricultural land. It was known as ‘bali’ and ‘bhaga’. The society was stratified into four divisions.
Question 3.
Analyse the changes in the structure of the society when the Aryans migrated to the Ganga valley from the Sapta Sindhu regions.
Answer:
1) Agriculture
2) King
3) Four
4) Brahmins
5) Complicated and complex ways of worship
Question 4.
List the common features of Buddhism and Jainism.
Answer:
Buddhism and Jainism rejected the notion of grand rituals along with the authority of the Vedas and the priestly class.
Just like his contemporary, Gautama Buddha, Mahavir Jain was born into a royal family. Both of them renounced their comfortable lifestyle to attain enlightenment.
Both Buddhism and Jainism also stressed the principle of non-violence against animals and they must also be given equal respect as one gives to a fellow human being.
Both Buddhism and Jainism believe in the concept of karma, which is an attachment of positive and negative forces to the soul based on a person’s actions, beliefs, and spiritual attachments. Reincarnation carries this force forward and requires effort to purify the soul.
Neither religion believes in God as the creator of the universe. They acknowledge all creation as being part of the universe’s divinity. As such, their holy texts are not considered the word of a god or sacred stories.
Buddhism and Jainism believe in the concept of reincarnation, which is the rebirth of the soul in a new body after the death of the previous body.
Question 5.
Match those in Column A with those in Column B
| A | B |
| Darius I | Tribal assembly |
| Alexander | Mahajanapada |
| Sabha | Macedonia |
| Magadha | Persia |
Answer:
| A | B |
| Darius I | Persia |
| Alexander | Macedonia |
| Sabha | Tribal assembly |
| Magadha | Mahajanapada |
Class 8 Social Science Towards The Gangetic Plain Notes Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Where is Sapta Sindhu region?
Answer:
The area including river Saraswathi together with river Sindhu and her tributaries Thelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej is regarded as the Sapta Sindhu region.
Question 2.
Prepare a note on the evidences available on the arrival of the Aryans in the Sapta Sindhu region in India.
Answer:
About 3500 years ago. Aryans arrived at the Sapta Sindhu region in the north western part of India. What assisted them most in their journey were the horses and the chariots pulled by the horses. The horse skeletons and the remnants of the chariots in the paths travelled by the Aryans are evidences for their arrival.
Question 3.
We get information regarding the life of the people in the Sapta Sindhu region from the Rigveda. What were the peculiarities of the life of the people there?
Answer:
- Aryans belonged to different tribes
- Each tribe comprised of many families
- The eldest member of the tribe was selected as the head of the tribe.
- There were different tribal assemblies to assist the trial heads. These assemblies were known as Viththa, Sabha and Samithi.
- The main occupations of the Aryans was cattle rearing and farming.
- They fought battles for pastoral grounds and cattle.
Question 4.
What is Gavishti?
Answer:
The battle fought by the Aryan s for cattle and pastoral grounds are known as gavishti.
Question 5.
Complete the flow chart
Question 6.
What are the features of Aryan belief?
Answer:
During their period the beliefs of the Aryans were simple and based on nature worship. Their main deity was Lord Indra. They also worshipped other Gods, namely Agni, Varuna, Maruthi and Surya. They also under- took various rituals and special prayers for increasing their cattle wealth.
Question 7.
Discuss the evidences available on the east- ward expansion of the Aryans.
Answer:
By B.C.E 1000, the Aryans started moving towards the Gangetic plain.
From the Sapta Sindhu region, the Aryans migrated to the areas adjoining the gangetic plain by clearing the forests. Tools made of iron helped them a lot in this. We get information regarding the life of the Aryans from 1000 to 600 B.C.E from later vedas, namely Atharvaveda, Samaveda and Yajurveda.
There are archaeological evidences for the advancement made by the Aryans towards the east. Important among them are the grey earthen wares and iron tools found from different parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Question 8.
The use of iron brought many changes in the life of the Aryans.
Answer:
The Aryans who reached the gangetic plain cleared the forests using iron implements. They started farming in the fields using iron plough shares. With the expansion of agriculture, the Aryans were transformed into a settled society. The place where the nomadic people started to settle permenantly came to be known as Janapada. The head of the tribe became the king.
Kingship became hereditary. The importance of the assemblies of each tribe diminished. The farmers started the system of giving a part of their yield as tax to the king in return for protecting agricultural land. It was known as ‘bali’ and ‘bhaga’. The society was stratified into four divisions.
Question 9.
The society in the Gangetic plain was stratified into four divisions. Which are they?
Answer:
Question 10.
Examine the changes in the life of the Aryans when they migrated from the Sapta Sindhu region to the Gangetic plain. Complete the table given below accordingly.
Answer:
| Sapta Sindhu region | Gangetic plain |
| The main occupation was rearing the cattle | 1 |
| Vidatha, Sabha, Samithi | 2 |
| The society was stratified into three | 3 |
| King, priests,common man | 4 |
| Simple beliefs and practices | 5 |
Question 11.
Prepare a note on rise of cities.
Answer:
The fertility of the soil and the use of iron made the Gangetic plain a better agricultural land. This facilitated surplus production and also the growth of exchange centres. These exchange centres later developed into cities. People started to settle down in cities for trade. Among such cities, the most prominent were Rajagriha, Sravasthi, Vaishali, Benares, Kushinagra and Kausambhi. Trade routes con- necting these cities came into existence. A new social category thus grew up in cities on the basis of trade and handicrafts.
Question 12.
Observe the picture and write down their features.
Answer:
These are coins in the Gangetic plain
Coins are of different shapes
• Different pictures are drawn
• Different types of metals are used.
Question 13.
‘The social changes stated above influenced the thoughts of the people. It was during 6th century B.C.E that these were more prominent. ‘What factors might have prompted these changes?
Answer:
- • The increase of Yagas and the animal sacrifice in association with them adversely affected the progress of agriculture.
- With an increase in rituals and sacrifices, the priests started amassing wealth and thereby, exerted supremacy over others.
- With the growth of trade and cities, the Vaishyas became wealthy. Though they were wealthy, they were placed in a lower position in the society.
Question 14.
What are Sramanas.?
Answer:
Various streams of thought emerged in the north eastern region of India were known as Sramanas.
Question 15.
Name two important streams of thought.
Answer:
1. Buddhism
2. Jainism.
Question 16.
Who founded Buddhism?
Answer:
Sri Buddha
Question 17.
Point out main features of Buddhism.
Answer:
- Gave importance to human beings
- It propogated the concept of Ahimsa
- It was compassionate to all living beings
Question 18.
…………. comprise the main tenets of Buddhism?
Answer:
The Tripitakas
Question 19.
Complete the following
Question 20.
Examine the contributions of Buddhism and Jainism in Indian society and culture.
Answer:
The philosophy of Buddhism was very much in tune with the agrarian economic setup that had grown up in 6th century B.C.E. The most important of the tenets was Ahimsa. Sri Buddha gave importance to one’s own karma. He said that life if full of miseries and that the cause of all suffering was human desire. He stated that prayers and rituals or practices of any kind would never put an end to this suffering. Hence, rather than ritualistic practices, Buddha gave importance to the moral lives of people.
Buddhism spread fast within and outside India. The Tripitakas, written in Pali language, comprise the main tenets of Buddhism.
Maximum Publishers Buddhism has made many contributions to the Indian culture. The administrative system of the ‘Sanghas’ which were formed for spreading Buddhism helped the growth of democratic and value oriented awareness in the society. For spreading Buddhism, many caves, chaityas (temples), viharas (monaster- ies) and pillars were built. These are evi- dences for the progress in the field of art and architecture.
Buddhism also played a major role in promoting trade and cultural relations between India and neighbouring countries. Countries like Myanmar, Japan, China, Srilanka, Java and Sumatra became the main centres of Bud- dhism. The Buddhist viharas played an important role in the progress of education in India. The universities of Nalanda, Taxila and Vikramasila were key centres of education and Buddihist teachings.
Gradually, Buddhism started to decline in its mother land. Buddhist teachings and ideolo- gies failed to receive much support from the later rulers. Moreover, Buddhism lost its grandeur when it was split into two sects – the Mahayana and the Hinayana. The revival of vedic religion adversely affected the progress of Buddhism.
Vardhamana Mahavira, a contemporary of Sri. Buddha, propagated Jainism. According to the beliefs of the Jains, there are 24th thirthankara. Mahavira was the 24th thirthankara. Jainism also laid great importance on ahimsa. The teachings of Jainism condemned all sorts of harm meted to hu- or living beings. As in Buddhism, Towards the Genetic Plan Jainism was also against vedic practices and caste system.
Jainism brought radical changes in the Indian society. Mahavira advised the people to lead right life by following
The principles of right belief, right knowl- edge and right action. The Jain saints were; abstrained from telling lies, killing, stealing and acquiring wealth. They followed celibacy in life. Jainism encouraged construction of stone pillars, cave temples and statues. The best example for this is the statue of Gomatheshwar in Sravanabalgola in Karnataka.
The separation of the followers of the followers of Jainism into Svetambaras and Digambaras resulted in the decline of the religion. The common feature of both Buddhism and Jainism was that they used the language of the common man – Pali and Prakrit – for propogating their ideologies.
Question 21.
Observe the picture of visit of Ajatashatra in page 138 of text book. What are the senses engraved in the pillar?
Answer:
- A royal procession (below left)
- The king stands in front of two trees with his right hand raised (below right)
- The king and his queens stand in obeisance (up left)
- The king kneels down at a throne with Buddha’s footprints (up right)
Question 22.
Examine the growth of Mahajanapadas?
Answer:
With the development of agriculture, people began to settle down in a particular place. The places where people placed their foot or where the tribe placed its foothold came to be known as janapada. Such Janapadas were known according to the tribes that had settled there. Thus, the people started to show their loyalty not only on to their tribes, but also on the places where they had settled.
Some of these janapadas combined together to form the Mahajanapadas were either ruled by kings or by Ganasanghas. Regions lying close to the Himalayan foothills had more of Ganasanghas ruling them. Whereas most of the Mahajanapadas in the gangetic plain were under the rule of kings.
Question 23.
Define Ganasangha.
Answer:
Groups of tribes or tribal heads are called Ganasangha.
Question 24.
Find out the Mahajanpadas from the map given above and list accordingly.
Answer:
- Kamboja
- Gandhara
- Kuru
- Panchala
- Kosala
- Surasena
- Matsya
- Vatsa
- Kuru
- Matsya
- Vasa
- Avanti Chea
- Assaka
- Magadha
- Cheti
- Malla
- Vajji
- Kasi
- Anga
- Magadha
- Assaka
Question 25.
“The most powerful among the Mahajanapadas was Magadha”. What might be the reasons for their supremacy? Examine.
Answer:
- Rich deposits of iron ore enabled the making of weapons and farming equipments. Ganga and her tributaries made Magadha a fertile land.
- Trees from nearby forests in the Gangetic plains were used for making big boats to facilitate trade.
- Made use of elephants in battles.
- Progress in agriculture and commerce Water transportation
- Powerful kingship and highly efficient military.
Question 26.
Give an account of position of Magadha.
Answer:
The main reason for the success of Magadha is its geographical location. Magadha shared its boundaries with the river Ganga in the north, the river Son in the west, the Vindhya mountains in the south and the river Chamba, in the east. Rajagriha was the first capital of Magadha and it was protected and surrounded more or less like a fort by five hills.
Question 27.
Who was Alexander?
Answer:
Alexander was the ruler of Macedonta in Greece. He extended the Greek empire by defeating many persian kings. He was a student of the famous Greek philosopher and thinker, Aristotle. Alexander was interested in geography and history and hence, recorded the historicity of the places he had captured and also their geographical settings.
Question 28.
What are the factors that prompted Alexander to attack India?
Answer:
- To capture all regions under the Persian emperor.
- To spread Greek culture.
Question 29.
Prepare a table showing the results of the invasions of the persians and Macedonia.
Answer:
| Persia | Macedonia |
| Trade relations between with Persia and India increased. | • Trade relations were Europe were Strengthened. |
| • A new script named Kharosti was introduced | New trade routes both land and sea developed. |
| Influenced Indian sculpture | Geographical Knowledge Increased. |
| Persian gold coins were circulated in India | • unification of regions in the north western frontiers of India took place. |
| The philosophers and scholars in India got ample encouragement from the Persians. | • Greek architecture was introduced in India. |
Question 30.
Match those in Column A with those in Column B
| A | B |
| Darius 1 | Tribal assembly |
| Alexander | Mahajanapada |
| Sabha | Macedoma |
| Magadha | Persia |
Answer:
| A | B |
| Darius 1 | Persia |
| Alexander | Macedoma |
| Sabha | Tribal assembly |
| Magadha | Mahajanapada |
Question 31.
Choose the correct answer from the bracket
a) Name the author of the book, ‘The wonder that was India’. [Edwin Arnold, AL Basham, Alexander, Aristotle]
b) Identify the first literary work in Sanskrit. [Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda]
c) Which among the following did not constitute the stream of Sramanas? [Jainism, Buddhism, Aryans, Charvakas]
d) How many Thirthankaras are there in Jainism? [20, 18, 24, 26]
Answer:
a) AL Basham
b) Rigveda
c) Aryans
d) 24
Question 32.
Match the following table.
| A | B |
| The light of Asia | Cyrus |
| Macedonia | Aristotle |
| Persia | Alexander |
| Greece | Edwin Arnold |
Answer:
| A | B |
| The light of Asia | Edwin Arnold |
| Macedonia | Alexander |
| Persia | Aristotle |
| Greece | Cyrus |
Question 33.
Find the relation between the two parts of item ‘a’ and fill in the blanks of item ‘b’ accordingly.
i) a) Alexander : Macedonia
b) Darius : ……………
ii) a) Sisunaga : Sisunaga dynasty
b) Bimbisara : …………..
iii) a) Mahapadmananda: Nanda dynasty
b) Ajathashatru : …………..
iv) a) Shishunagan : Shishunaga dynasty
b) Kalashokan : …………..
Answer:
i) Persia
ii) Haryanka dynasty
iii) Haryanka dynasty
iv) Shishunaga dynasty
Question 34.
Match the following table.
| A | B |
| Kharoshti | The statue of Gomatheswar |
| Ajatashatru | Thirthankara |
| Sravanabalgola | Persia |
| Jainism | Magadha |
Answer:
| A | B |
| Kharoshti | Persia |
| Ajatashatru | Magadha |
| Sravanabalgola | The statue of Gomatheswar |
| Jainism | Thirthankara |
Question 35.
Choose the correct answer from the bracket.
a) Identify the state where Sravanabalgola is situated. [Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Goa, Karnataka]
b) The Tripatakas are related with: [Buddhism, Jainism, Charvakas, Ajivikas]
c) Mention the language spoken by the Aryans. [Sanskrit, Tamil, Pali, Prakrit]
d) What is bhoge? [Cultivation, Religion, Tax, Organisation]
Answer:
a) Karnataka
b) Buddhism
c) Sanskrit
d) Tax
Question 36.
Find the relation between the two parts of item ‘a’ and fill in the blanks of item ‘b’.
i) a) Chaityas: Temples
b) Viharas: …………..
ii) a) Rulers: Kshatriyas
b) Priests : ……….
iii) a) Bali : Tax
b) Sabha : …………
iv) a) Serving higher varnas: Shudras
b) Agriculture : …………….
Answer:
i) Monestries
ii) Brahmanas
iii) Tribal Assembly
iv) Vaishyas
Std 8 Social Science Towards The Gangetic Plain Notes
- The languages spoken by the people who inhabited various parts of Europe and Asia are regarded as the Indo-European languages.
- The first literary work in Sanskrit is the Rigveda.
- About 3500 years ago, Aryans arrived at the Sapta Sindhu region in the north western part of India.
- We get information regarding the life of people in the Sapta Sindhu region from the Rigveda.
- The society was stratified in the Rigvedic period on the basis of occupation.
- The beliefs of the Aryans were simple and based on the nature worship.
- By BCE 1000, the Aryans started moving towards the Gangetic plain.
- We get information regarding the life of the Aryans from 1000 to 600 B.C.E from later vedas, namely Atharvaveda, Samaveda and Yajurveda.
- There are archaeological evidences for the advancement made by the Aryans towards the east.
- The Aryans who reached the gangetic plain cleared the forests using iron implements.
- The place where the nomadic people started to settle permanently came to be known as Janapada.
- The society was stratified into four divisions.
- Simple rituals and practices gave way to complicated and complex ways of worship.
- The fertility of the soil and the use of iron made the Gangetic plain a better agricultural land.
The philosophy of Buddhism was very much in tune with the agrerian economic set up that had grown up in 6th century BCE. - Jainism brought radical changes in the Indian society.
- There were 16 MahaJanapadas in the Indian subcontinent.
- The most powerful among the MahaJanapadas was the Magadha.
- The Persian rulers and Alexander, the ruler of Macedonia invaded India.
A L Basham
The famous historian and Indologist A L Basham was born in England. In 1954, he wrote the book, ‘The wonder that was India’. His research was about the Ajivikas.
Edwin Arnold
Edwin Arnold was a famous English poet and journalist. He was born in 1832 and died in 1904. He published the book, ‘The Light of Asia’ in 1879. Its theme is the life of Gautama Buddha. It is translated into about 30 languages. Its first 6 chapters deal with the early life of Buddha while the subsequent chapters deal with the journeys and messages of Buddha.
The Tripitikas
The Tripatakas are the compositions of the Buddhist literature, ideas, interpretations and teachings. In pali language it means ‘baskets’. They are considered as the sacred works of Buddhism. Buddhist teach- ings are included in Suktapitaka. The code of coduct to be followed by the Buddhist monks are mentioned in the Vinaya Pitaka. The highest teachings of Buddhism and the principles related to Teravada Buddhism are included in the Abhidamma Pitaka.