NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 Gathering to Growing Food Class 6 History
In the past, ancient people lived by hunting and gathering wild animals and plants. In the absence of supplies, these hunters-gatherers moved on to new habitats. By farming, people no longer had to travel to find their food. As the climate of the world changed, people observed where edible plants could be found like seeds, and plants. They began growing their own plants for food. In this way, they became farmers. After that They began rearing sheep, goats, cattle, etc. There was often a protection system in place for these animals against attacks by other wild animals. The herding lifestyle was developed in this way and they became herders. Eventually, they developed settled communities and grew crops or raised animals nearby. Therefore, agriculture made easy to get stable food supplies for ancient people and as a result they build permanent dwellings for them.
Chapter Name | Gathering to Growing Food NCERT Solutions |
Class | CBSE Class 6 |
Textbook Name | History |
Related Readings |
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IMAGINE
Question 1: You are in charge of a small plot of land and have to decide what food crops to grow. What are the plants you would choose? Where would you get the seeds from? How would you plant them? How would you look after your plants? And when would they be ready for harvesting?
Answer
I would prefer planting rice crops.
Seeds of crops are available at local seed distribution shops.
Before planting I will plough the soil to soften it then I will put the seeds.
Rice needs a lot of water; hence I will irrigate them regularly.
Rice crops are ready for harvesting after approximately 160 days.
LET'S RECALL
Question 1: Why do people who grow crops have to stay in the same place for a long time?
Answer
People who grow crops have to stay in the same place for a long time because:
1. The crops take time to grow and ripe.Answer
Neinuo should have visited the following places to eat rice:
1. Koldihwa (Located in present day Uttar Pradesh)NOTE: Remains of rice grains were found at the above mentioned places by archaeologists.
Question 3: Why do archaeologists think that many people who lived in Mehrgarh were hunters to start with and that herding became more important later?
Answer
Archaeologists think that people who lived in Mehrgarh were hunters initially but became herders later because during excavation bones of wild deer and pigs were found which suggest that they were hunters. Further excavation led to discovery of skeletons of domestic animals like Goats and Sheep which suggests that started herding animals.
NOTE: Mehrgarh is located in present day Pakistan, it was one of the most important routes to Iran.
Question 4: State whether true or false:
(a) Millets have been found at Hallur.
(b) People in Burzahom lived in rectangular houses.
(c) Chirand is a site in Kashmir.
(d) Jadeite, found in Daojali Hading, may have been brought from China.
Answer
a) Millets have been found at Hallur. TrueMillets were found at Hallur which is located in present day Andhra Pradesh.
b) People in Burzahom lived in rectangular houses. FalsePeople in Burzahom lived in pit-houses. Burzahom is located in present day Kashmir. Rectangular houses were found in Mehrgarh.
c) Chirand is a site in Kashmir. FalseChirand is located in present day Bihar, not in Kashmir.
d) Jadeite, found in Doajali Hading, may have been brought from China. TrueJadeite a stone may have been brought from China.
LET'S DISCUSS
Question 4: List three ways in which the lives of farmers and herders would have been different from that of hunter-gatherers.
Answer
Lives of farmers and herders was different from that of hunters-gatherers in following ways:
|
Farmers-herders |
Hunters-gatherers |
|
1. They stayed at one place for long time. |
1. They didn’t stay at one place for long, they kept on moving. |
|
2. They grew their own food. |
2. They were dependent on the wild animals and plants for their food. |
|
3. They domesticated animals like sheep and goat for rearing. |
3. They didn’t domesticated animals. |
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4. They lived in permanent settlements. |
4. They lived in temporary settlements. |
Question 5: List three ways in which hunter-gatherers used fire (see page16). Would you use fire for any of these purposes today?
Answer
The earlier hunter-gatherers used fire:
1. For keeping away animals.We, today use fire primarily for cooking purpose. In rural areas where there is no electricity, fire is the primary source of light. Fire is also used for keeping ourselves warm.
Question 6: Make a list of all the animals mentioned in the table (page 25). For each one, describe what they may have been used for.
Answer
|
S.no. |
Animals |
Usage |
|
1 |
Sheep |
Meat, wool and milk |
|
2 |
Goat |
Meat and milk |
|
3 |
Cattle |
Milk, milk products turning soil in fields, carrying loads and carts with people |
|
4 |
Dog |
Protection from thieves and enemies |
|
5 |
Buffalo |
Milk and dung as fertilizers |
|
6 |
ox |
Ploughing the fields and pulling carts |
|
7 |
pig |
meat |
LET'S DO
Question 7: List the cereals that you eat.
Answer
List of cereals that we eat:
1. WheatNOTE: Cereals refer to the grains of grass that are edible, for example wheat and rice.
Question 8: Do you grow the cereals you have listed in answer no. 7? If yes, draw a chart to show the stages in growing them. If not, draw a chart to show how these cereals reach you from the farmers who grow them.
Answer
i) if yes,Yes, my family grows the rice in our fields. The stages in growing them are as listed.
Preparation of fields: Before planting rice we need to prepare the fields by ploughing. It softens the soil enabling it to absorb and retain water.
Stages in the growth of rice:
a) Sowing: sowing refers to the planting of seeds in the fields.b) Germination: After sowing, the sapling comes out of seeds, this process is called germination. It is the beginning of life of rice crop.
c) Ripening: After few months, the rice crop starts to ripen. Now they are ready to be cut.
d) Harvesting: It refers to the cutting and packaging of the rice crops after they ripe.
ii) If no,
No, my family doesn't grow cereals. The cereals reach our home from farms in following steps.
Farmers→ Middle man→ Whole seller → Retailer → Customers
Farmers: The people who grow crops.
Middle man: The person who helps farmers to sell crops.
Whole seller: The person who buys huge quantity of crops.
Retailer: The local shop keepers in your locality are called retailers.
Customers: The people like us who consume food. We buy cereals from retailer.