Questions of Chapter 1 Understanding Diversity

(b)

Explanation: People in Ladakh collect wool of the sheep and sell it to the traders from Kashmir. Pashmina shawls are woven in Kashmir.

(b)

Explanation: Kerala is surrounded by the sea on one side and hills on the other side. Spices like pepper, cloves and cardamom are grown on the hilly regions of Kerala.

(a)

Explanation: Vasco da Gama landed his ship at Calicut in India. He brought the merchants of Portugal into direct maritime touch with India and opened the way for their commercial relations with India.

(c)

Explanation: British troops under General Dyer fired 1,600 rounds of ammunitions into the unarmed crowd who had no means of exit.

(a)

Explanation: People of Ladakh also domesticate Yak and cow for their livelihood.

(b)

Explanation: People from Tibet came to Ladakh through the passes. The rich and old traditional songs and poems of Ladakh were translated in Tibetan language. Tibetan national epic, i.e., Kesar Sagar, was performed and sung by Muslims and Buddhists in Ladakh.

(b)

Explanation: Kochi has a historical value; the name was mentioned in the writings of ancient travellers. The city remained as the important centre for trade of Indian spices for many centuries.

(b)

Explanation: The Chinese fishing nets (cheena vala) are fixed land fittings for an extraordinary form of fishing. Each net is operated by a team of six fishermen. Chinese fishing nets are an attraction among the tourists visiting Kerala.

(a)

Explanation: According to the ancient traveller’s records, St.Thomas, the Apostle came to Craganore in Kerala in 52 AD. He found seven Churches in Kerala. He preached the principles of Christianity and many people converted to Christianity during his time in Kerala.

(c)

Explanation: He travelled Africa, the Middle East, India and South East Asia. In India, he sailed to Kozhikode (Calicut) and there he visited a Mosque on the shore of Calicut. In 1341, Ibn Battuta was appointed by the Delhi Sultan to lead a diplomatic mission to the court of the Mongol emperor of China.

(b)

Explanation: The state is very rich in producing cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, ginger and turmeric. The Phoenicians (ancient civilization) came to Kerala to trade spices, ivory and sandalwood.

(a)

Explanation: The Himalaya and Karakoram are the highest mountain ranges in the world.

(a)

Explanation: The meaning of “La-tags” is the land of the passes. In the past, the region was the crossroads of important trade routes.

(d)

Explanation: There is a great diversity in people’s traditions, manners, habits, tastes and customs. Every region in India has different traditions and customs.

(a)

Explanation: India’s diversity has been counted as a source of its strength when the British ruled India. Inspite of diversity, people of India live in peace and harmony.

(a)

Explanation: People from different sections of the society worked together to decide joint actions, went to jail together and found different ways to oppose the British rule in India.

(a)

Explanation: People living in different parts of the country are considered to be Indians. Although, they follow different languages, living styles and culture, still they are united. Diversity has created a sense of unity among the Indians.

(c)

Explanation: The agricultural lands in Ladakh are not suitable for large scale agriculture. The staple crop of Ladakh is barley and in certain areas wheat, peas and vegetables are also grown.

(a)

Explanation: Goncha is a voluminous robe of thick woollen cloth with a colourful cummerbund (waist sash) at the waist, loose pyjamas, a top hat and long boots complete the dress as a whole. It is the traditional dress of both men and women of Ladakh.

(a)

Explanation: Ladakhi women wear an attractive headgear called perak, mode of black lamb skin studded with semi precious turquoise stones, covering the head like a cobra’s hood and tapering a thin tail reaching down the back.