Viva Social Studies - 6 (Updated Edition)

Contents:

History

Chapter 1. Introduction to History • History and its importance • Prehistory • Chronology: BCE and CE • Geographical factors and history • Literary and archaeological sources
Chapter 2. The Earliest People • Evolution of man • Sites • The Stone Age • Rock Art • Case Study: Hunsgi Valley
Chapter 3. The First Farmers and Herders • The Neolithic Age • Life of the Neolithic people • Chalcolithic Age • Case Studies: Mehrgarh, Burzahom, Daojali Hading
Chapter 4. The Indus Valley Civilization • The earliest civilizations • The Indus Valley Civilization • Main Features of the Indus Valley Civilization • Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization • Case Studies: Lothal, Dholavira
Chapter 5. The Vedic Age • The Aryans and the Vedic Age • The four main Vedas • The Early and Later Vedic Age • Understanding culture through graves and burials • Case Study: Inamgaon
Chapter 6. Janapadas and Mahajanapadas • The Janapadas and Mahajanapadas • Development of Mahajanapadas—republics and monarchies • Important aspects of Janapadas and Mahajanapadas • Case Studies: Magadha, Vajji
Chapter 7. Development of New Religious Ideas • Emergence of new religions • The Upanishads • Teachings, literature and spread of Buddhism and Jainism
Chapter 8. The Mauryan Empire • The Mauryas and some important Mauryan kings • Ashoka and his dhamma and edicts • Revenue collection, Mauryan administration and occupation • Mauryan art and architecture • Decline of the Mauryan empire
Chapter 9. Life in Towns and Villages • Second urbanization • Sources of second urbanization • Features of second urbanization • Emergence of urban centres • Case Study: Arikamedu
Chapter 10. The Post-Mauryan Period • Sangam Literature • Kingdoms in the North • The Silk Route and its importance • Spread of Buddhism • The beginning of Bhakti
Chapter 11. New Empires and Kingdoms • The Gupta dynasty • Harshavardhana • Important kingdoms in the Deccan and South India 
Chapter 12. Culture and Science • Some major developments in the fields of literature, science, art, architecture and painting in the ancient period • Some important books written during this period • Some famous scientists and their work • Some important buildings that were built during this period 

Geography

Chapter 1. Earth and the Solar System • How the universe came into existence • Stars • The solar system • Other celestial bodies
Chapter 2. The Globe— Latitudes and Longitudes • Shape and size of the Earth • The globe — grid system • Latitudes — heat zones • Longitudes — time zones • International date line
Chapter 3. Motions of the Earth • Difference between rotation and revolution • Rotation and its effects • Revolution and its effects • Summer solstice and winter solstice • Spring and autumn equinox
Chapter 4. Maps and Map Reading • Different types of maps • Components of a map • Scale, directions and symbols • Sketch and plan
Chapter 5. Domains of the Earth • The important domains of the Earth • Lithosphere — continents and the hydrosphere • The composition and structure of the atmosphere • The biosphere
Chapter 6. Major Landforms of the Earth • The three important landforms of the Earth • Types of mountains, plateaus and plains • Significance of mountains, plateaus and plains
Chapter 7. India—Location and Features • Location and extent of India • Political divisions of India • Physical features of India
Chapter 8. India—Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife • The factors affecting India's climate • The various seasons of India • The different types of natural vegetation in India • The importance of forests • The need to protect forests • The importance of wildlife and the need to protect It

Civics

Chapter 1. Understanding Diversity • Meaning of the term diversity • Impact of diversity • Forms of diversities in India • Concept of unity in diversity
Chapter 2. Prejudice and Discrimination • Prejudice and stereotype • Defining discrimination • Types of prejudices and discrimination • Constitution and diversity
Chapter 3. Government • The government, functions, levels, organs and types • Universal adult franchise, suffragette, anti-apartheid • Significance of democracy
Chapter 4. Key Elements of a Democratic Government • Key elements of a democratic form of government • Ways in which people participate in the democratic process • Conflict resolution, equality and justice in democracy
Chapter 5. Panchayati Raj • Introduction to Panchayati Raj • Three levels of the Panchayati Raj and their functions • Role played by women in the Panchayati Raj
Chapter 6. Urban Administration • Introduction to Municipal Corporation • Composition, Functions and Sources of income of Municipal Corporation • Case Study: Expressing Grievances
Chapter 7. Rural Administration • Role of the police and the patwari • District and judicial administration • The Law of Inheritance • Case Studies: Role of the Police, Maintenance of Land Records
Chapter 8. Rural Livelihood • Meaning of livelihood and types of occupations • Different types or levels of farmers • Other sources of livelihood • Case Studies: Agricultural Labourers and Landless Peasants, Small or Middle Level Farmers, Rich Farmers
Chapter 9. Urban Livelihood • Types of Urban Workers • Migration • Case Studies: Hawkers or Vendors, Daily-Wage Workers, Permanent Workers 

About the Authors:

Shrutakirti S. Rajan is an educational books author and editor, based in New Delhi. She graduated from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University. She has completed her M.A. in History of Art from National Museum Institute, New Delhi.

Tilottama Mallik is a teacher with over 15 years teaching experience in a reputed school in Delhi. She has done her M.A. in Economics from Anna Malai University, Chennai; B.Sc. Hons., and B.M. in Geography from Calcutta University.

About the Series Editors:

Uttara Chakraborty is a retired professor, formerly, Department of History, Bethune College and Guest Lecturer, Presidency College and Presidency University. She has served with several government colleges in Kolkata under WBES (West Bengal Educational Service).

Jayita Kundu has been teaching at Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Kolkata. She graduated from Presidency College, Kolkata and has completed her Masters and M.Phil from Calcutta University.