- Passage 1
Irrigating trees and fields
This is an excerpt from the Babur Nama that describes the irrigation devices the emperor observed in northern India: The greater part of Hindustan country is situated on level land. Many though its towns and cultivated lands are, it nowhere has running waters … For … water is not at all a necessity in cultivating crops and orchards. Autumn crops grow by the downpour of the rains themselves; and strange it is that spring crops grow even when no rains fall. (However) to young trees water is made to flow by means of buckets or wheels … In Lahore, Dipalpur (both in present-day Pakistan) and those other parts, people water by means of a wheel. They make two circles of rope long enough to suit the depths of the well, fix strips of wood between them, and on these fasten pitchers. The ropes with the wood and attached pitchers are put over the wheel-well. At one end of the wheel-axle a second wheel is fixed, and close to it another on an upright axle. The last wheel the bullock turns; its teeth catch in the teeth of the second (wheel), and thus the wheel with the pitchers is turned. A trough is set where the water empties from the pitchers and from this the water is conveyed everywhere. In Agra, Chand war, Bayana (all in present-day Uttar Pradesh) and those parts again, people water with a bucket … At the well-edge they set up a fork of wood, having a roller adjusted between the forks, tie a rope to a large bucket, put the rope over a roller, and tie its other end to the bullock. One person must drive the bullock, another empties the bucket.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What were the primary irrigation methods observed by Emperor Babur in northern India?
Answer: Babur observed two main irrigation methods: using a wheel in places like Lahore and Dipalpur, and employing buckets in areas like Agra and Chandwar.
Question 2: How was the wheel-based irrigation system in Lahore and Dipalpur constructed?
Answer: In Lahore and Dipalpur, people utilized a wheel mechanism with ropes, wooden strips, and pitchers attached to water young trees. Bullocks turned the wheel, causing the pitchers to pour water into a trough for distribution.
Question 3: Describe the bucket-based irrigation method practiced in Agra, Chandwar, and Bayana.
Answer: In Agra, Chandwar, and Bayana, individuals employed a simpler bucket system. They tied a large bucket to a rope, which passed over a roller attached to a wooden fork. A bullock was then used to pull the bucket from the well, while another person emptied it.
Question 4: Why did Babur mention the lack of running water in the Hindustan region?
Answer: Babur noted that despite the extensive cultivation in Hindustan, running water was scarce. This lack of running water led to the development of various irrigation techniques, as water was not readily available for farming.
Question 5: How did the people in northern India manage to cultivate crops and orchards without relying solely on running water?
Answer: Despite the absence of running water, people in northern India managed to cultivate crops and orchards through the utilization of innovative irrigation methods such as wheel and bucket systems. These methods allowed for the efficient distribution of water to fields and trees, ensuring agricultural productivity even in regions lacking natural water sources.
- Passage 2
The spread of tobacco
This plant, which arrived first in the Deccan, spread to northern India in the early years of the seventeenth century. The Ain does not mention tobacco in the lists of crops in northern India. Akbar and his nobles came across tobacco for the first time in 1604. At this time smoking tobacco (in hookahs or chillums) seems to have caught on in a big way. Jahangir was so concerned about its addiction that he banned it. This was totally ineffective because by the end of the seventeenth century, tobacco had become a major article of consumption, cultivation and trade all over India.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: When did tobacco first arrive in the Deccan region?
Answer: Tobacco arrived in the Deccan region before spreading to northern India in the early 17th century.
Question 2: What notable event occurred in 1604 regarding tobacco and Akbar?
Answer: In 1604, Akbar and his nobles encountered tobacco for the first time.
Question 3: How did smoking tobacco become popular in the early 17th century?
Answer: Smoking tobacco, particularly in hookahs or chillums, gained significant popularity during this period.
Question 4: What action did Jahangir take in response to the growing addiction to tobacco?
Answer: Jahangir attempted to address the issue of tobacco addiction by issuing a ban on its consumption.
Question 5: Was Jahangir’s ban on tobacco effective?
Answer: No, Jahangir’s ban on tobacco proved to be ineffective, as by the end of the 17th century, tobacco had become a major commodity in terms of consumption, cultivation, and trade across India.
- Passage 3
Agricultural prosperity and population growth
One important outcome of such varied and flexible forms of agricultural production was a slow demographic growth. Despite periodic disruptions caused by famines and epidemics, India’s population increased, according to calculations by economic historians, by about 50 million people between 1600 and 1800, which is an increase of about 33 per cent over 200 years.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What contributed to India’s slow demographic growth between 1600 and 1800?
Answer: Varied and flexible forms of agricultural production contributed to India’s slow demographic growth during this period.
Question 2: Despite periodic disruptions, how much did India’s population increase between 1600 and 1800?
Answer: India’s population increased by about 50 million people between 1600 and 1800, according to calculations by economic historians.
Question 3: What percentage increase does this represent over 200 years?
Answer: This increase of 50 million people represents approximately a 33 percent growth over the span of 200 years.
Question 4: What were some of the disruptions mentioned that affected India’s population growth?
Answer: Periodic disruptions such as famines and epidemics impacted India’s population growth during this time.
Question 5: How did India’s agricultural production contribute to its population growth despite these disruptions?
Answer: India’s varied and flexible agricultural production methods helped sustain population growth even amidst periodic disruptions like famines and epidemics.
📚 Why NCERT Solutions for Class 11th history ✨
History is not just about learning story or writing essays—it’s about developing an appreciation for stories, poems, and ideas. 🌈 Our solutions help students understand moral lessons, improve reading comprehension, and build their vocabulary. 📖 Each chapter’s summary and answers are explained in a way that’s easy to follow, making exam preparation a breeze! 🌟
Clear Your Doubts with CBSEJanta.com 🔍
Visit CBSEJanta.com to access detailed solutions for every chapter in your Class 6 English textbook! 📚 These solutions not only help you answer questions but also enhance your overall understanding of stories and grammar concepts. 💡
Download Our App for Easy Access 📱
Want to study on the go? 🚀 Download our app for instant access to Class 6 English NCERT solutions, practice questions, and much more! Whether at home or traveling, you can easily prepare for your exams and boost your English skills with CBSEJanta.com. 🌍
Always Thinks for Students ❤️
“Excel in Class 11th history with CBSEJanta.com! 🌟 Get FREE NCERT solutions for Honeysuckle and A Pact with the Sun. Visit CBSEJanta.com now or download our app for instant access to solutions and extra practice!” 📲