History Notes Chapter 10 Class 6 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – History Class 6

 Ancient India : Cultural

1. Language and Literature

• Ancient India had many languages like Sanskrit, Pali, Ardhamagadhi, and Tamil.
• Sangham Literature (Tamil) tells us about South India’s olden times.
  • Famous epics: Silappadhikaram & Manimekhalai.
• Religious Books:
  • Jain Texts: Agamgranthas (Teachings of Mahavir).
  • Buddhist Texts: Tipitaka (3 parts—Sutta Pitaka, Vinay Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka).
  • Hindu Texts: Bhagavad Gita (Part of Mahabharata, teaches duty and devotion to God).
• Famous Scholars & Books:
  • Kautilya’s Arthashastra – Talks about good government.
  • Panini’s Ashtadhyayi – A book on Sanskrit grammar.
  • Kalidasa’s Raghuvansha & Kumarsambhava – Classical Sanskrit literature.
  • Panchatantra – Moral stories by Vishnusharma.

2. Life of the People

• Trade was important, with goods like textiles, ivory, spices, and pottery sold in other countries.
• Society had different castes and trader groups called Shrenis.
• Food: Rice, wheat, barley, pulses, milk, fruits, meat, fish.
• Clothes: Cotton was common, but silk and wool were also worn.

3. Science

Medicine (Ayurveda): Ancient medical system.

• Charaka Samhita (by Charaka) – Talks about diseases and treatments.
• Sushruta Samhita (by Sushruta) – Describes surgeries and medical techniques.

Mathematics & Astronomy:

• Indians invented numbers 1-9 and zero.
• Aryabhata (book: Aryabhatiya) – Said the Earth moves around the Sun.
• Brahmagupta – His maths books were translated into Arabic.
• Kanad – Talked about atoms (Anu & Parmanu).

4. Education Centres

• Takshashila University (in today’s Pakistan) – Famous for many subjects.
• Nalanda University (Bihar) – Had a huge library and thousands of students.
• Varanasi – Taught Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts.
• Vikramshila University (Bihar) – Built by King Dharmapal.
• Kanchi (Tamil Nadu) – A major learning center.

5. Art and Architecture

• Maurya & Gupta Period: Great progress in architecture.
• Ashoka’s Pillars: Made of stone, beautifully carved.
• Stupas: Dome-shaped Buddhist monuments (e.g., Sanchi Stupa).
• Cave Sculptures: Found at Ajanta, Ellora, Nashik, and Udayagiri.
• Temple Architecture:
  • Chalukyas & Pallavas built amazing temples.
  • Mahabalipuram Temples – Show South Indian temple style.
• Iron Pillar (Mehrauli, Delhi) – Shows India’s advanced metallurgy.