CBSE Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 8 - Unity in Diversity or ‘Many in the One’

1. What does ‘unity in diversity’ mean?
Ans: It means that despite the differences in culture, language, and traditions across India, there is a sense of unity that binds the country together.

2. What are staple grains in India?
Ans: Staple grains in India include rice, barley, wheat, and various millets like jowar, bajra, and ragi.

3. What is the significance of the sari in Indian culture?
Ans: The sari is a traditional unstitched garment worn by women across India, showing the country’s diversity in design while being a common piece of clothing.

4. What are some common Indian spices?
Ans: Some common Indian spices are turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and ginger.

5. What is the People of India project?
Ans: It was a survey conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India, documenting 4,635 communities, 325 languages, and 25 scripts across the country.

6. How does food reflect unity in diversity in India?
Ans: India’s food reflects unity in diversity as many common ingredients like rice, pulses, and spices are used across the country, yet each region creates unique dishes with these ingredients. For example, rice is a staple grain used in dishes like biryani in the north and pongal in the south, showing both unity and diversity.

7. How do Indian textiles and clothing showcase diversity?
Ans: Indian textiles and clothing showcase diversity through the various styles, fabrics, and designs found across regions. The sari, for instance, comes in many types like Banarasi, Kanjivaram, and Paithani, each with its own weaving techniques and colours, yet all remain unified as a common traditional dress for women.

8. What are some other uses of a sari besides being worn as a dress?
Ans: Besides being worn as a dress, a sari can be used for many other purposes, such as a headscarf, baby sling, bed sheet, or even as a protective cover. This reflects the sari’s versatility and its integration into everyday life in India.

9. What does the map in Chapter 8 show about festivals?
Ans: The map shows how the harvest festival, celebrated on or around January 14, is called by different names in different regions of India. For example, it is known as Makara Sankranti in some parts, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Lohri in Punjab, illustrating India’s diversity in celebration.

10. How are Indian epics like the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata examples of unity in diversity?
Ans: The Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata are examples of unity in diversity because they have been adapted into many regional languages and folk versions, each reflecting the local culture. Despite these variations, the central themes of dharma and heroism remain constant, uniting different communities through shared values.

11. How does the concept of unity in diversity apply to Indian food?
Ans: Indian food is a perfect example of unity in diversity. Across India, staple ingredients like rice, wheat, and pulses are used by people from different regions. However, the way these ingredients are prepared varies greatly. For example, rice can be used to make biryani in the north, pongal in the south, and khichdi in the west. This diversity in preparation showcases the creativity of Indian cuisine, while the common ingredients provide a sense of unity among all Indians.

12. Why is the sari considered an example of unity in diversity?
Ans: The sari represents unity in diversity because it is a common garment worn by women across India, yet it varies in fabric, design, and the way it is draped depending on the region. For example, Banarasi saris are famous in Uttar Pradesh, Kanjivaram saris are from Tamil Nadu, and Paithani saris are from Maharashtra. Despite these differences, the sari remains a single piece of cloth, symbolising the unity within India’s cultural diversity.

13. How do festivals like Makara Sankranti demonstrate unity in diversity in India?
Ans: Festivals like Makara Sankranti demonstrate unity in diversity by being celebrated across India with variations in names, traditions, and customs. For example, while it is called Makara Sankranti in the north, it is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Magh Bihu in Assam. Each region celebrates the festival in its unique way, yet the shared theme of marking the harvest season unites people across the country.

14. What role do India’s epics, the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata, play in Indian culture?
Ans: India’s epics, the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata, play a central role in shaping Indian culture. These ancient texts, which narrate the stories of heroism, dharma, and the struggle between good and evil, have been adapted into many regional languages and folk traditions. They have influenced Indian art, literature, and values for centuries, uniting different regions and communities under common cultural stories.

15. How has literature in India contributed to the idea of unity in diversity?
Ans: Indian literature, especially the epics like the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata, has contributed significantly to unity in diversity. These texts, originally composed in Sanskrit, have been translated and adapted into various regional languages and oral traditions. Despite regional variations, the central themes of heroism, moral dilemmas, and dharma are shared across different versions, creating a cultural bond between communities while respecting their unique traditions and interpretations.

16. Why do you think the sari has remained a popular dress in India despite its regional variations?
Ans: The sari has remained popular in India because of its versatility, adaptability, and cultural significance. It can be worn in different styles, made from various fabrics, and designed for all occasions. Its timeless appeal and ability to adapt to regional preferences while maintaining its core identity as a single piece of cloth make it a lasting symbol of Indian culture and unity in diversity.

17. How does the concept of unity in diversity help in understanding India’s cultural heritage?
Ans: The concept of unity in diversity helps in understanding India’s cultural heritage by recognising that while India has many languages, traditions, and customs, there is a shared cultural identity that connects its people. Whether through common values in literature, shared festivals, or similar ingredients in food, India’s diverse communities are united by deep-rooted cultural ties, creating a rich and vibrant civilisation.

18. How do India’s classical arts reflect unity in diversity?
Ans: India’s classical arts, such as architecture, music, and dance, reflect unity in diversity by showcasing a variety of regional styles and forms that are still connected by shared traditions. For example, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu and Kathak from northern India have different techniques but are both based on ancient texts like the Natyashastra, representing the diversity of India’s arts within a unified cultural framework.

19. What role did the Anthropological Survey of India play in documenting India’s diversity?
Ans: The Anthropological Survey of India conducted the People of India project, documenting the vast diversity of India’s population. It recorded over 4,600 communities, 325 languages, and 25 scripts across the country. This project highlighted how India’s diverse communities coexist, offering valuable insights into the complex and multi-layered nature of Indian society.

20. How do folk versions of the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata reflect diversity within India?
Ans: Folk versions of the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata reflect India’s diversity by adapting the stories to fit local cultures, languages, and traditions. Different regions have their own interpretations and retellings of these epics, which often include regional heroes, customs, and moral lessons. Despite these variations, the core themes of the epics remain, showing how diverse communities are connected through shared narratives.

21. What are some common ingredients used in Indian cooking across regions?
Ans: Common ingredients used across India include grains like rice and wheat, pulses like lentils, and spices such as turmeric, cumin, and ginger.

22. How do textiles in India show both unity and diversity?
Ans: Textiles in India show unity through common garments like the sari, worn across the country, while diversity is reflected in the regional variations of fabrics, weaving techniques, and designs.

23. How is Makara Sankranti celebrated in different parts of India?
Ans: Makara Sankranti is celebrated under different names, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, and Magh Bihu in Assam, but all celebrations mark the beginning of the harvest season.

24. What is the significance of epics like the Rāmāyaṇa in India’s tribal communities?
Ans: Tribal communities in India often have their own versions of the Rāmāyaṇa, preserving legends that link their history to the epic, showing the widespread influence of the text across different cultural groups.

25. What is meant by the phrase 'Many in the One'?
Ans: 'Many in the One' refers to India’s ability to maintain unity despite its many diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, symbolising how all these different elements come together to form one country.

5 Important Topics from the chapter 8 Unity in Diversity or ‘Many in the One’ you must know

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 8

• The FREE PDF includes important questions on topics such as Indian festivals, traditional clothing, and food, helping students understand how India’s diverse customs create a unique cultural identity.

• Through these questions, students gain insights into how common themes like shared epics and staple ingredients unify the nation despite regional differences.

• Expert-curated questions ensure relevance to the CBSE syllabus, simplifying key ideas and making revision more focused and efficient.

• The PDF’s downloadable format allows students to review and practice questions anytime, adding convenience to exam preparation.

• Regular practice with these questions enhances confidence in explaining India’s unity in diversity, ensuring students are well-prepared for chapter-based questions in exams.

• By covering examples like the People of India project and the Rāmāyaṇa's adaptations, students gain a deeper understanding of India's multicultural background.

Conclusion:

This chapter, Unity in Diversity or ‘Many in the One’, helps us understand how India's cultural diversity is united by common traditions, values, and shared experiences. From food, clothing, and festivals to literature and epics, we see how different aspects of life bring people together while celebrating their unique differences. By learning about these varied traditions, students can gain a deeper appreciation of the unity that binds India. Vedantu's Important Questions for this chapter offer helpful practice, making it easier to grasp the key points and prepare well for exams. Download the FREE PDF to support your studies.

Additional Study Material for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 8

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