History & Geo Long Q/A

Ch 1: Indus Valley civilization

Q1: How the Indus valley civilization had been discovered and also describe from where the signs of ancient civilization have been found?

Ans: The signs of Indus valley civilization were first discovered in 1922 in Mohenjodarho during excavation of the land. Indus valley is one of the oldest civilizations of the world. The signs of this civilization are found in Sindh at Mohenjodarho and in Punjab along with river Ravi at Harappa (Sahiwal). Four more ancient civilization of the world have not been discovered of Egypt, Mesopotamia (Iraq), Summaria and the Indus valley are included in it.

Q2: Indicate the routes by using the map how the Indus valley established with its contemporary civilizations.

Ans: The Indus valley had trade relations with Southern Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Persian Gulf. Indus valley, Dajla, Farat and Neil valley are also called “cradle of civilizations”. It had also commercial and religious relations with Sumaria and Babal civilizations.

Q3: Narrate the social system and religious beliefs of Indus Valley? 

Ans: Indus Valley system was run under regular administration. It was enforced to keep the system of weight and measurement correct and according the standard. That society had been divided into different sections. Majority of people had been poor. They lived in lower areas in small houses. Framers lived in village, while nomads wandered with herbs of cattle in forests and plains. Jobs had been located among men and women.

Religious beliefs: The religion of Indus valley civilization could not be guessed through any composition. However, there have been found the portrait of             gods and mother goddess on stamps, which reflects that they used to worship the status gods. Animals were also worshiped as a custom.

Q4: Write a note on agriculture and trade of Indus Valley? 

Ans: The soil of Indus Valley was fertile. The dependence of its wealth was upon trade and agriculture. The majority of Indus Valley civilization was consisted of farmers who made the soil fit for cultivation purposes wheat, millet, barley, vetches, peas Indian millet, sesame-seed, rice, linseed mustard-seed and cotton was produced. The signs of dates, melon and grapes have been found among fruits.

Commercial activities: Trade of agricultural crops and minerals had been carried among cities and villages of Indus Valley. Internal trade had been carried by bullock-carts weight and scales of measurements have been found which are made of stones in quadrilateral shape.

 Q5: Describe the prominent features of the Indus Valley town planning.

Ans: The people of Indus valley had excellent knowledge of art of architecture. Cities and towns had had been constructed with great technique and planning. Houses had been built on the edges of roads of city. Backed bricks were used in their construction. Every house had bathrooms which had been made towards outer street. Houses had been more than one storey. Ladders had been used to go to upper storey. There was a reasonable arrangement of light and air in houses.

Ch 2: the Aryan era

Q1: Where did the Aryans live? Give in detail the arrival in the sub-continent.

Ans: The Aryans belonged to a superior race and they were invaders. The Aryans pushed Dravidians to the South and started living in India. The Aryans came to India as refugees. Their original homeland was the region of central Asia. Aryans entered India through North Western Mountain passes. They entered India in the search of new meadows and green fields. They lived in Indus valley for a long period. Then they spread in the green fields of Ganges and Jummna. In this way the whole part of northern India was occupied by the Aryans. They established free and independent states in different areas.

Q2: Highlight the caste system.

Ans: Hindu society was divided into four castes after the arrival of Aryans. These were Brahmins, Kshatriy, Vaisyas and Sudras. Brahmins performed religious duties. They also had monopoly over education. Panddet and religious men belonged to this caste. Kshatriy defended the country. Vaisyas were farmers and traders. The most inferior caste was called Sudras. They performed inferior jobs. They were forcefully kept away from the so called superior caste of people. If they touched any of the person belonging to a superior class he would become filthy.

Q3: Give detail of war between Alexander the great and Raja Poris.

Ans: Alexander was born in Greece in 356 B.C. He left for India to capture its wealth as well as to conquer the world. He crossed the Indus River and advanced towards Texla. The Raja of Texla welcomed him very warmly and offered him many precious gifts to please Alexander. After his stay in Texla he stepped forward to Jhelum to attack Raja Poris. Raja Poris was a brave person. He preferred battle to welcoming Alexander. As the war started Alexander shot hundred of arrows at the elephants of Raja’s army. Thus Raja’s army was routed. Raja fought bravely but in the end he lost the battle. .Alexander had won the battle but the bravery of Poris impressed him a lot. He returned him his empire.

Q4: Write in brief the religious ideas of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

Ans: Hinduism is totally different from the other two because of its teaching:

1.    Jainism and Buddhism are strictly against caste and creed system while Hinduism believes in caste and creed system.

2.    Buddhism and Jainism lay stress on the theory of “non violence.”

3.    Jainism and Buddhism allow preaching while in the Hinduism one cannot be converted to a Hindu by force.

4.    Jainism and Buddhism teach to refrain from sins, while Hindus believe that after taking “bath” their sins are washed away.

5.    In Hinduism worldly life is given importance. While Jainism and Buddhism are inclined to world monkery.

Q5: Tell about the establishment of Gupt empire and revival of Hinduism.

Ans: Chandar Gupt (first) laid the foundation of Gupt empire in 320 B.C. India got reunited in this period and Hinduism flourished. He started making his empire vast. As areas of Tibet were included in his empire. It spread of Ganges and Jamuna. He died in 335 B.C.

Revival of Hinduism in the Gupt empire:

Gupt age actually is the age of revival of Hinduism. Hinduism reached its peak. Many temples were constructed. Sinsikrit was promoted. Mathematics, stoneware and music got fame. Hindu’s religious leaders started their efforts to make their religion attractive. Sinsikrat progressed in this era. The Hinduism of the present age is the form of same shape.

 

Ch 1: Earth as a Planet

Q3: Define rotation and formation of days and nights.

Ans: Rotation: The earth moves around its axis. This is called rotation.

Formation of day and night:

If a football is hanged with a string and light is thrown on it with a torch from a distance of 5 feet. You will see that half portion of football is illuminated and other half is in darkness. Mark the half portion.

Now if you rotate the football slowly, you will see that the portion which was in darkness has come into light and the portion which was illuminated has gone into darkness. Days and nights are formed in the same way. Because the earth is round like a football, its half portion remains in front of the sun for a specific time. This half portion experiences day while the other half portion experiences night. Due to rotation the day and night are constantly interchanged.

Q4: Define revolution of the earth and the change of seasons.

Ans: Revolution: The movement of the earth in its orbit around the sun is called revolution.

Seasonal variation:

On June 21, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun; while the southern hemisphere is away from the sun that’s why there is summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. On December 22, the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, while the northern hemisphere is away from the sun. That is why there is summer in the southern hemisphere and winter in the northern hemisphere.

On March 21 and September 22, neither of the two hemispheres is tilted towards the sun. That’s why the season is neither too hot nor too cold in both hemispheres.

Q5: Write a note on the continents.

Ans: Continents: The land portion is comprised of seven large masses which are called continents. These are:

1.    Asia:  It is the largest continent. In its east lies the Pacific Ocean, in the west Europe, in the north the northern ocean and in the south the Indian Ocean.

2.    Africa: It is the second largest continent. In its east lies the Indian Ocean, in the west the Atlantic Ocean, in the north the Mediterranean Sea and in the south the southern ocean.

3.    North America: It is the third largest continent. In its east lies the Atlantic Ocean, in the west the Pacific Ocean, in the north the northern ocean in the south the continent of South America.

4.    South America: It is the fourth largest continent. In its east lies the Atlantic Ocean, in the west the Pacific Ocean in the north the continent of North America and in the south the southern ocean.

5.    Antarctica: It is the fifth largest continent. It is situated around the South Pole. Due to its extreme cold climate, it is the only uninhabited continent.

6.    Europe: It is the sixth largest continent. In its east lies Asia, in the west the Atlantic Ocean, in the north the northern ocean and in the south the Mediterranean Sea.

7.    Australia: It is the smallest continent. In its east and north lies the Pacific Ocean in the west and south lies the Indian Ocean.

Ch 3: Earth as a home for the human beings

Q3: Write a note on the relationship of climate and human beings.

Ans: Climate and Human Beings: Our earth is so big that the climate found in different parts is not similar. A lot of variation is found, due to which the diet, clothing and way of living of people is different.

The people living in cold climate wear woolen clothes and fur coats. Fish is an important part of their diet.

The people living in warm climate wear light dresses. Their diet is also simple. Variation in climate also affects the colour, physical appearance and working capabilities of human beings.

Q4: Write a note on physical landscape.

Ans: Although the plains are densely populated, however, human beings are also settled in mountains and deserts and have adjusted their lives.

 Mountains: People living in mountains are physically strong because of difficult terrain. No flat land is available in mountains. Crops like maize, rice, tea and fruits are cultivated. It is difficult to develop road and railway network.

Winters are severe in mountains while summer are pleasant. Forests are found in mountains. Mountains are considered beautiful tourists resorts.

 Plains: Plains provide an easy environment. Land allows large scale cultivation, development and industries and transportation networks. Climate is not too sever, 80% of world’s population resides in plains.

Deserts: The amount of rainfall in desert in very low, that’s why there are no permanent rivers in deserts. Cactus and palms (date tree) grow in desert. People live a nomadic way of life in search of water and food.

Q5: What is meant by Natural environment? Also write a note on the relationship between forests and human beings.

Ans: Homes provide us natural environment on which life depends. The natural environment is present only on the earth among the other planets of the solar system.

Relationship of human being with forests is as under.

1.    Forests are basic source of oxygen.

2.    Relationship between forests and human being is very old.

3.    We get shrubs, herbs and fruit etc from forests.

4.    Houses are constructed with wood.

5.    Forests affect the climate.

Ch 4: rocks

Q3: Write is meant by a rock? Also write a detailed note on igneous rocks.

Ans: Rock: Rock is a combination of two or more minerals.

Igneous Rocks: Igneous rocks are formed by Lava when it solidifies either under or on surface of the earth.

Types of Igneous Rocks:

There are two types of Igneous Rocks.

1.    Intrusive Igneous Rocks

2.    Extrusive Igneous Rocks.

Intrusive Igneous Rocks: When the molten matte solidifies deep inside the surface of the earth, the rock thus formed is called Intrusive Igneous rock. It is also  called Plutonic rock. Granite, diorite and gabbro are intrusive igneous rocks.

Extrusive Igneous Rocks: When the molten matte comes on the surface of the earth and solidifies, the rock thus formed is called extrusive igneous rock. Basalt and obsidian are extrusive igneous rocks.

Characteristics of igneous Rocks:

·         These rocks were formed in the beginning, that’s why are also called primary rocks.

·         Crystals are found in these rocks.

·         There are no layers in these rocks.

·         These rocks are hard.

·         Fossils of animals and plants are not found in these rocks.

Q4: Write a detailed note on Sedimentary rocks.

Ans: The rocks formed near or on the surface of the earth are weathered and eroded into sediments by solar heat, rain, wind, a river or glacier. These sediments are transported to far off places and deposited layer by layer. These layers fix together firmly with the passage of time and a rock is formed which is called sedimentary rock.

Types of sedimentary rocks: There are three types of sedimentary rocks.

1.    Mechanically formed rocks

2.    Chemically formed rocks

3.    Organic rocks

Characteristics of sedimentary rocks:

·         The surface of the earth is formed mostly of sedimentary rock.

·         These rocks are indentified easily because of their layered form.

·         These rocks are mostly used in construction works.

·         Fossils of animals and plants are found in these rocks.

·         These rocks are comparatively less hard and weak.

Q5: Classify rocks and write a detailed note of metamorphic rocks.

Ans: There are three types of rocks according to their formation.

1.    Igneous rocks

2.    Sedimentary rocks

3.    Metamorphic rocks

Metamorphic rocks:

The rocks formed on the surface of the earth are weathered and eroded, while the rocks which are formed or buried under the surface of the earth changed. These changed rocks are called metamorphic rocks.

There are two main reasons of  this change.  (1). Temperature  (2) Pressure.

On the basis of these reasons, there are two types of metamorphic rocks.

1.    Rocks formed by Thermal metamorphism

2.    Rocks formed by regional metamorphism

Characteristics of Metamorphic rocks

·         These rocks are formed by the alternation of pre-existing rock.

·         These are more smooth and shiny.

·         These rocks are more hard and compact.

·         Fossils of animals and plants are not found in these rocks.

Ch 6: Land features of Pakistan

Q3: Write a note on Northern Mountains of Pakistan.

Ans: There are two ranges in the northern mountains.

Himalayas

Karakoram

1.    The Himalayas: The Himalayas are divided into three segments which are situated parallel to each other from south east to north west.

Siwalik Hills: The siwalik hills are situated in Islamabad, Murree, Hazara and Abbottabad. Average height of these hills is about 800 metres.

Lesser Himalayas: In the north of Siwalik Hills are the mountains of Azad Kashmir and Pir panjal. Average height of these mountains is about 4000 metres. These are called lesser Himalyas.

Greater Himalyas: Greater Himalayas are situated in the north of Lesser Himalayas. These snow peaked mountains are situated in Swat, Kohistan and Gilgit. Average height of these mountains is about 6000 metres. The highest peak of this range is Nanga Parbat which is 8126 metres high.

2.    The Karakoram:

In the north of Greater Himalayas, there is another range of snow peaked mountains, situated in Gilgit upto Skardu. This is called Karakoram Range. The highest peak of this range is K2 which is 8611 metres high. K2 is also called Godwin Austin. It is the second highest peak of the world. Huge glaciers are found in this range in which Siachin, Hispar, Baltoro, Biafo and Batura are important.

Q4: Write a note on North western and western mountains of Pakistan.

Ans: There are three mountain ranges in the west of Pamir Knot. Their height decreases towards south. These mountain ranges are:

1.    Hindukush Mountains: Hindukush Mountains are situated in the north west of Pakistan along the border of Afghanistan. This mountain ranges stretches from Chitral, Swat and Malakand up to river Kabul in the south. The highest peak of this range is Tirich Mir which ic 7690 metres high.

2.    Sufaid Koh and Waziristan Hills: In the south of Hindukush Mountains, from river Kabul to river Kurram, along the border of Afghanistan is the mountain range called Sufaid Koh. These mountains are situated in Mohmund and Khyber agency. The valleys of Peshawar, Kohat and Bannu are also situated in these mountains. The highest peak of this range is Sikeram which is 4761 metres high. In the south of Sufaid Koh from river Kuram to river Gomal are situated the less high Wazirstan hills.

3.    Suleman and Kirthar Mountains: In the south of river Gomal upto river Bolan is situated the mountain range, known as Suleman mountains. These mountains are situated along the river Indus between Punjab and Balochistan. The highest peak in this range is Takht-e-Suleman which is 3487 metres high. In the further south of river Bolan between Balochistan and Sindh is the mountain range known as Kirthar Mountains. Towards south the average height of this range is only about 300 metres.

Q5: Write a detailed not on the Indus Plain.

Ans: Indus plain has been divided into three parts.

Upper Indus Plain:

River Indus comes out of the northern mountains and enters into plains. Here the following rivers join it from the eastern side one by one. Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej.

Up to Mithun Kot, the maximum part of Punjab has been formed by the deposition of these rivers. It is called Upper  Indus Plain. It is very fertile and very much favourable for cultivation.

Lower Indus Plain:

From Mithun Kot to Thatta in the south the plain area is called Lower Indus plain. Cholistan and Thar are situated in east of river Indus. Apart from the deserts, the rest of the plain is suitable for cultivation.

Deltaic Indus Plain:

From Thatta to the coast of Arabian Sea in the south the plain area is called Deltaic Indus Plain. Here the speed of river Indus is very slow due to very gentle slope and it is divided into many branches. It is a swampy area.