Class 6 Social Science Chapter 8 Unity in Diversity, or Many in the One Practice Paper 4

Class: VI Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 08 - Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One' Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. In the Ramayana, who helps Rama defeat Ravana?
(a) Krishna and Arjuna
(b) Lakshmana and Hanuman
(c) Bhima and Nakula
(d) Draupadi and Yudhishthira

Q2. What is the name of Makara Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana?
(a) Pongal
(b) Uttarayan
(c) Pedda Panduga
(d) Magh Bihu

Q3. According to the chapter, which fields of Indian culture also demonstrate unity in diversity apart from food, clothing, and literature?
(a) Agriculture and irrigation
(b) Classical arts and architecture
(c) Science and technology
(d) Politics and governance

Q4. The 'Pañcha Pāṇḍavar' stone depicts:
(a) Lord Rama and Sita
(b) Five Pandava brothers
(c) Krishna and Arjuna
(d) Ravana and his sons

Q5. What does the term 'Swabhava' mean as used by Sri Aurobindo?
(a) One's religion
(b) One's own nature
(c) One's language
(d) One's community

Q6. In which century did England and France ban the import of chintz from India?
(a) 15th century
(b) 16th century
(c) 17th century
(d) 18th century

Q7. The Kauravas were the _________ of the Pandavas.
(a) Brothers
(b) Cousins
(c) Teachers
(d) Friends

Q8. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common spice used throughout India?
(a) Turmeric
(b) Black pepper
(c) Cumin
(d) Cardamom

Q9. According to the chapter, who was Draupadi?
(a) Wife of Rama
(b) Wife of the Pandavas
(c) Wife of Krishna
(d) Wife of Ravana

Q10. What is Makara Sankranti called in Bihar?
(a) Khichdi Parv
(b) Pongal
(c) Bihu
(d) Lohri

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is the main story of the Ramayana? Identify the main characters and the central conflict.

Q12. Why is the chapter titled 'Many in the One'? Explain with a suitable example.

Q13. What methods are used to create diversity in Indian saris? Mention at least three.

Q14. According to Jawaharlal Nehru's observation (mentioned in the exercises), how did the epics influence the common people of India?

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Describe the findings of the 'People of India project'. What does it tell us about India's diversity?

Q16. "Indian culture celebrates diversity as an enrichment, but never loses sight of the underlying unity which nourishes that diversity." Explain this statement with examples from the chapter.

Q17. How have the Ramayana and Mahabharata created a "dense web of cultural interactions" across India and Asia? Discuss with examples.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Write a detailed note on how festivals in India demonstrate 'Unity in Diversity'. Your answer should include:
(a) Introduction to festival diversity in India
(b) Detailed example of Makara Sankranti with its different names across states
(c) The common theme underlying these different celebrations
(d) Significance of festivals in maintaining national unity (e) Any other festival example showing similar pattern

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: "The number of different dishes and preparations you can taste in India must be in their thousands, if not lakhs! Yet certain food grains are common to almost every part of the country — cereals such as rice, barley and wheat; millets such as pearl millet (bajra), sorghum (jowar), finger millet (ragi); and pulses such as various kinds of dals and grams. All these are called 'staple grains' because they are the basic food for most Indians."
(a) What are 'staple grains'? (1 mark)
(b) Name two cereals and two millets mentioned in the passage. (1 mark)
(c) How do staple grains demonstrate unity in Indian food culture while allowing for diversity? Explain with examples. (2 marks)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: "While diversity is indeed beautiful, making sense of it is not so easy. Over a century ago, the British historian Vincent Smith wondered, 'How, in the face of such bewildering diversity, can a history of India be written? … The answer to the query is found in the fact that India offers unity in diversity.'"
(a) Who was Vincent Smith and what was his question about India? (1 mark)
(b) What was the answer he found to his own question? (1 mark)
(c) Based on your reading of the chapter, explain how India's history can be written despite its bewildering diversity. Give at least two examples. (2 marks) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 04

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(b) Lakshmana and Hanuman In the Ramayana, Rama defeats the demon Ravana with the help of his brother Lakshmana and Hanuman. Ans 2.
(c) Pedda Panduga In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Pedda Panduga. Ans 3.
(b) Classical arts and architecture The chapter mentions that in India's classical arts, including classical architecture, both diversity and unity are easily noticeable. Ans 4.
(b) Five Pandava brothers The 'Pañcha Pāṇḍavar' stone in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, depicts the five Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata.

Ans 5.
(b) One's own nature Sri Aurobindo used 'Swabhava' to mean one's own nature, suggesting that unity in diversity is fundamental to India's true character. Ans 6.
(c) 17th century In the 17th century, England and France banned the import of chintz from India to protect their own textile industries. Ans 7.
(b) Cousins The Kauravas were cousins of the Pandavas. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas fight their own cousins, the Kauravas, to recover their kingdom. Ans 8.
(b) Black pepper The chapter mentions turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and ginger as common spices. Black pepper is not specifically mentioned.

Ans 9.
(b) Wife of the Pandavas According to the chapter, Draupadi was the wife of the five Pandavas. Some tribal communities have their own versions featuring her. Ans 10.
(a) Khichdi Parv In Bihar (and also in UP), the festival of Makara Sankranti is known as Khichdi Parv.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Main Story of Ramayana: The Ramayana is the story of Rama's quest to rescue his wife Sita and defeat evil. (0.5 marks) Main Characters: Rama - the hero, prince of Ayodhya Sita - Rama's wife who is kidnapped Lakshmana - Rama's loyal brother Hanuman - the devoted monkey god who helps Rama Ravana - the demon king, the antagonist (0.75 marks) Central Conflict: The demon Ravana kidnaps Sita. Rama, with the help of his brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, wages a war against Ravana to rescue Sita and re-establish dharma (righteousness).

(0.75 marks) Ans 12. Meaning of 'Many in the One': The chapter is titled 'Many in the One' because it explores how India has numerous diverse elements (languages, cultures, foods, traditions) that exist harmoniously within one unified nation. (1 mark) Example: The Pañchatantra illustrates this perfectly: 'One' - A single collection of animal fables, at least 2,200 years old, teaching life skills 'Many' - This one collection has been adapted into almost every Indian language and about 200 versions exist in more than 50 languages worldwide The core wisdom (One) has manifested in countless diverse forms (Many) (1 mark) Ans 13.

Methods used to create diversity in Indian saris:

1. Different Fabrics: Cotton, silk, and synthetic materials are used. Different regions specialize in different fabrics. (0.5 marks)

2. Different Weaving Methods: Various techniques of weaving are used across regions, creating different textures and patterns. (0.5 marks)

3. Designing Techniques: Some designs are woven directly into the fabric, while others are printed after the cloth is woven. (0.5 marks)

4. Colour Variations: Different pigments and dyeing methods create endless variations in colors. (0.5 marks) (Any three methods = 2 marks) Ans 14. Jawaharlal Nehru's Observation about the Epics: Nehru observed during his travels across India before Independence that:

1. Deep Cultural Influence: He found everywhere a cultural background which had exerted a powerful influence on people's lives. (0.5 marks)

2. Wide Knowledge: The old epics of India (Ramayana and Mahabharata), in popular translations and paraphrases, were widely known among the masses. (0.5 marks)

3. Engraved on Popular Mind: Every incident, story, and moral in them was engraved on the popular mind and gave it richness and content. (0.5 marks)

4. Oral Preservation: Illiterate villagers would know hundreds of verses by heart and their conversations would be full of references to these stories or some moral enshrined in the classics. (0.5 marks)

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. People of India Project - Findings: About the Project: Conducted by: Anthropological Survey of India, a national organisation Directed by: Anthropologist K.S. Singh When: In the late 20th century (1 mark) Key Findings: Communities: Surveyed 4,635 communities across all States of India Languages: Counted 325 languages being spoken Scripts: Found 25 different scripts in use Migration: Observed that many Indians may be called migrants - people not living near their birthplace or with their original community (1 mark) What it tells us about India's diversity:

India has one of the world's most diverse populations Linguistic diversity is enormous (325 languages, 25 scripts) Community diversity is vast (4,635 distinct communities) Despite internal migration, communities maintain their distinct identities Such diversity within one nation is unique and remarkable (1 mark) Ans 16. Diversity as Enrichment with Underlying Unity: The chapter's concluding statement captures the essence of Indian culture - it embraces diversity not as a source of division but as an enrichment, while maintaining a fundamental unity. (0.5 marks) Example 1 - Food:

Enrichment: Thousands, possibly lakhs, of different dishes and preparations Unity: Common staple grains (rice, wheat, millets) and spices (turmeric, cumin) across India The same ingredients create endless diverse dishes (1 mark) Example 2 - The Sari: Enrichment: Hundreds of varieties - Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Paithani, etc.; different fabrics, colors, draping styles Unity: A single unstitched piece of cloth worn across India Diversity in form, unity in concept (1 mark) Example 3 - Festivals: Enrichment: Same festival has different names - Pongal, Lohri, Bihu, Uttarayan Unity: All celebrate the harvest season around the same time Diverse expressions of the same underlying celebration (0.5 marks) Ans 17.

Ramayana and Mahabharata - Creating Cultural Web: Across India: The epics have been translated and adapted into regional literatures for over 2,000 years About 100 versions of Mahabharata exist in Tamil Nadu folklore alone Every region has its own versions and interpretations Tribal communities (Bhils, Gonds, Mundas, etc.) have their own oral versions K.S. Singh noted that according to folklore, there's hardly a place the Pandavas didn't visit (1.5 marks) Across Asia: The epics have spread beyond India's borders to many parts of Asia Southeast Asian countries have their own versions of these epics The Pañchatantra (related tradition) has about 200 adaptations in 50+ languages worldwide, reaching the Arab world and Europe (0.75 marks) How this creates a "dense web":

Communities preserve legends connecting their own history with epic heroes Local temples, shrines (like Pañcha Pāṇḍavar in Nilgiris) commemorate epic events Oral traditions keep the stories alive and connect different communities These shared narratives create cultural bonds across regions and communities Perhaps more than any other texts, these epics have unified Indian cultural consciousness (0.75 marks)

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Festivals in India - Demonstrating Unity in Diversity:
(a) Introduction to Festival Diversity: India has an immense variety of festivals celebrated throughout the year. These festivals reflect the country's diverse religious, cultural, regional, and seasonal traditions. There are hundreds of festivals celebrated across different states, communities, and religions, making India's festival calendar one of the richest in the world. (1 mark)
(b) Detailed Example of Makara Sankranti: Makara Sankranti is a perfect example of how one festival takes different forms across India. It is celebrated on or around January 14 and marks the beginning of the harvest season. Different names across states:

Tamil Nadu: Pongal Assam: Magh Bihu Punjab: Maghi/Lohri Gujarat: Uttarayan (famous for kite flying) Bihar/UP: Khichdi Parv Maharashtra: Makar Sankranti Karnataka: Makara Sankramana Kerala: Makara Vilakku Andhra Pradesh/Telangana: Pedda Panduga West Bengal: Poush Songkranti Kashmir: Shishur Saenkraat (1 mark)
(c) Common Theme Underlying Different Celebrations: Despite different names, rituals, and local customs, the underlying themes are common: Celebration of harvest and thanksgiving for good crops Welcome to the warmer season as the sun moves northward Prayers for prosperity and abundance Community gatherings and sharing of festive foods Expression of gratitude to nature and the sun These common themes create unity while regional practices provide diversity. (1 mark)
(d) Significance of Festivals in Maintaining National Unity:

Festivals create a shared cultural calendar across India They reinforce common values like gratitude, family bonds, and community spirit When people in Tamil Nadu celebrate Pongal and people in Punjab celebrate Lohri around the same time, it creates a sense of shared celebration Festivals help different communities understand and appreciate each other's traditions They contribute to India's identity as a nation that celebrates together despite differences (1 mark) (e) Another Festival Example: Similarly, Diwali/Deepavali is celebrated across India:

Northern India: Associated with Rama's return to Ayodhya Southern India: Associated with Krishna defeating Narakasura Eastern India (Bengal): Kali Puja celebrated alongside Western India (Gujarat): Marks beginning of new year Different stories and rituals, but common themes of victory of light over darkness, good over evil. This shows how festivals maintain unity while allowing for regional diversity. (Similarly, harvest festivals in different seasons - Onam in Kerala, Baisakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam - follow the same pattern.) (1 mark)

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19.
(a) What are 'staple grains'? Staple grains are the basic food grains that form the foundation of the diet for most Indians. They are the essential grains that people depend on for their daily nutrition and are consumed regularly across the country. (1 mark)
(b) Two cereals and two millets mentioned: Cereals: Rice and Wheat (also Barley) Millets: Pearl millet (Bajra) and Sorghum (Jowar) (also Finger millet/Ragi) (1 mark)
(c) Staple grains demonstrating unity while allowing diversity: Unity:

The same staple grains are used throughout India - from North to South, East to West Rice, wheat, millets, and pulses form the common food base for all Indians Common spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and ginger are used everywhere This creates a shared culinary foundation across the nation Diversity: The same grains are prepared in countless different ways Example: Rice can become biryani in Hyderabad, pongal in Tamil Nadu, khichdi in Gujarat, or dosa in Karnataka Different combinations of the same ingredients create regional specialties Local cooking styles, spice combinations, and techniques add regional character Thus, the same ingredients (unity) can be used in numerous combinations (diversity) to prepare an endless variety of dishes - this is how Indian food beautifully demonstrates "many in the one." (2 marks) Ans 20.

(a) Who was Vincent Smith and his question: Vincent Smith was a British historian who lived over a century ago. His question about India was: "How, in the face of such bewildering diversity, can a history of India be written?" He was puzzled by how anyone could write a coherent, unified history of a country with so much diversity in languages, cultures, religions, and traditions. (1 mark)
(b) The answer he found: Vincent Smith answered his own question by stating that "India offers unity in diversity." He recognized that despite the external diversity, there are underlying unifying threads that connect all of India's diverse elements, making it possible to view India as one civilization with a shared history.

(1 mark)
(c) How India's history can be written despite diversity (with examples): India's history can be written as a unified narrative because despite surface diversity, there are common threads that unite all Indians: Example 1 - Shared Literature: The Ramayana and Mahabharata are known and cherished in every part of India Though they exist in hundreds of versions in different languages, their core stories and moral teachings are shared by all These epics have created a common cultural consciousness across India for over 2,000 years Example 2 - Shared Food Culture:

The same staple grains (rice, wheat, millets) and spices (turmeric, cumin) are used throughout India Despite thousands of different dishes, the basic ingredients connect all Indian cuisines This shows a shared agricultural and culinary history Example 3 - Shared Festivals: Festivals like Makara Sankranti are celebrated across India at the same time Though names differ (Pongal, Bihu, Lohri), the underlying celebration of harvest unites all This shows shared seasonal rhythms and agricultural traditions These common elements allow historians to write about India's shared cultural heritage, common values, and unified civilization despite its rich diversity. (2 marks)