Chapter 7

                                                          

                                  Fair Play

Section A:

  1. When did the Sindhu Valley Civilization start?
    Answer: Around 3300 BC.

  2. Where was the Sindhu Valley Civilization located?
    Answer: In present-day Pakistan and northwestern India.

  3. Name the major cities of the Sindhu Valley Civilization.
    Answer: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira.

  4. What was the main characteristic of city planning in Harappa?
    Answer: Grid-like streets and systematic urban planning.

  5. How were the houses built in the Sindhu Civilization?
    Answer: With baked bricks, often two-storeyed with private bathrooms.

  6. How was sewage managed?
    Answer: Each house had drainage systems connected to main drains.

  7. Name the main crops grown by the people.
    Answer: Wheat, barley, pulses, sesame seeds.

  8. Which animals were domesticated?
    Answer: Cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, donkeys, and buffaloes.

  9. With which foreign regions did the Sindhu people trade?
    Answer: Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Iran.

  10. What metals were used by the Sindhu people?
    Answer: Bronze, copper, tin, and gold.

  11. What were the popular forms of entertainment?
    Answer: Dancing, music, chess, and bull races.

  12. How did religion manifest in the Sindhu Civilization?
    Answer: Worship of Pashupati (Shiva), Mother Goddess, sacred trees.

  13. Name two symbols used by the Sindhu people.
    Answer: Swastika and fire altars.

  14. What standard measurement tools were used?
    Answer: Uniform cubits and measurement rods.

  15. What led to the decline of the Sindhu Civilization?
    Answer: Floods, river course changes, and water scarcity.

  16. How did the people conduct trade without money?
    Answer: Through barter (exchange of goods).

  17. Name the script used by the Sindhu people.
    Answer: Indus script (still undeciphered).

  18. What were the most common crafts?
    Answer: Pottery, bead-making, and bronze sculptures.

  19. Did the Sindhu Civilization have social hierarchy?
    Answer: Yes, with priests, merchants, artisans, and farmers.

  20. Name the primary river supporting the civilization.
    Answer: Indus (Sindhu) River.

Section B: Vedic Civilization

  1. When did the Vedic period occur?
    Answer: 1500–600 BC.

  2. How many Vedas are there?
    Answer: Four — Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda.

  3. What is the main purpose of the Vedas?
    Answer: To provide spiritual, scientific, and social knowledge.

  4. How was society organized in the early Vedic period?
    Answer: Joint family system, father as head of the family.

  5. What was the role of women in early Vedic society?
    Answer: Respected, studied Vedas, chose husband by swayamvara.

  6. Describe the clothing of women.
    Answer: Vasa (lower garment) and adivasa (upper garment), decorated with gold thread.

  7. How did men groom themselves?
    Answer: Grew beard and mustache.

  8. What were the main forms of entertainment?
    Answer: Chariot races, hunting, wrestling, dancing, music.

  9. Name three musical instruments used.
    Answer: Dhvani, Tantri, Vayu.

  10. What was the primary educational institution?
    Answer: Gurukuls.

  11. What subjects were taught in Gurukuls?
    Answer: Vedas, military strategy, agriculture, animal husbandry, crafts.

  12. Name staple foods.
    Answer: Rice, barley, pulses, sesame seeds.

  13. How was religion practiced?
    Answer: Worship of one God in multiple forms, performing Yajnas.

  14. Was there caste discrimination in early Vedic society?
    Answer: No, people chose their occupation freely.

  15. What political system existed?
    Answer: Tribes led by a Raja, with advisory Sabha and Samiti.

  16. How did the Raja get chosen?
    Answer: By merit, not inheritance (early Vedic period).

  17. Who were the Shudras?
    Answer: Laborers and service class in later Vedic society.

  18. Name the four Ashramas established in later Vedic period.
    Answer: Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sannyasa.

  19. How did women’s status change in the later Vedic period?
    Answer: Declined; child marriages and polygamy appeared.

  20. Name important deities worshiped in later Vedic period.
    Answer: Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati.

  21. What are the Brahmanas?
    Answer: Prose texts explaining Vedic rituals and philosophy.

  22. What are the Aranyakas?
    Answer: Texts explaining rituals and meditation for hermits.

  23. What are the Upanishads?
    Answer: Philosophical texts on the nature of soul and reality.

  24. Who composed the Ramayana?
    Answer: Valmiki.

  25. Who composed the Mahabharata?
    Answer: Vedavyasa.

  26. What is the main teaching of the Ramayana?
    Answer: Ideal conduct of a son, brother, husband, and king.

  27. What is the main teaching of the Mahabharata?
    Answer: Victory of dharma over adharma.

  28. How were Yajnas important?
    Answer: Central to Vedic religious life.

  29. What was the main occupation in Vedic society?
    Answer: Agriculture and animal husbandry.

  30. How did Vedic people view the universe?
    Answer: As one soul (Atman) pervading all.

Section C:

  1. Describe the friendship between Jumman Shaikh and Algu Chowdhry. How did they look after each other’s families?
    Answer: Jumman and Algu were best friends with a strong bond of friendship. When either of them went away from the village, the other would take care of his family. Both were highly respected in the village because of their honesty and dedication to their families.

  2. Explain the situation that led Jumman’s aunt to approach the Panchayat.
    Answer: Jumman’s aunt had transferred her property to him with the understanding that he would take care of her. Over time, Jumman and his wife became indifferent and even grudged the little food she needed daily. After months of tolerating insults, the aunt became angry and sought justice. She first approached villagers for support and finally decided to appeal to the Panchayat.

  3. What dilemma did Algu face when Jumman’s aunt asked for help, and how did he resolve it?
    Answer: Algu was torn between his friendship with Jumman and his sense of justice. He knew speaking the truth might hurt Jumman. The aunt convinced him that justice must come first, saying, “God lives in the heart of the Panch.” Algu agreed to serve as Panch and listened impartially to the case, prioritizing justice over friendship.

  4. What was Jumman’s defense regarding his aunt’s claim for a monthly allowance?
    Answer: Jumman explained that he had supported his aunt for several years as promised. There were quarrels between her and his wife, but he could not stop them. He claimed that paying a monthly allowance now was not possible, and he expected the Panchayat to consider the circumstances.

  5. Describe the verdict given by Algu as head Panch in the first case and Jumman’s reaction.
    Answer: Algu ruled that Jumman must pay his aunt a monthly allowance, or else the property should revert to her. Jumman was initially shocked because his friend was judging him. However, he respected Algu’s fairness and accepted the decision, realizing the importance of justice over personal feelings.

  6. Explain the problem Algu faced with the bullock and why he approached the Panchayat.
    Answer: Algu sold one of his bullocks to Sahu with an agreement that payment would be made in a month. Unfortunately, the bullock died, and Sahu refused to pay, claiming the bullock brought ruin. Algu could not resolve the issue alone and referred the case to the Panchayat for a fair judgment.

  7. How did Jumman handle the situation when he became head Panch in the bullock case?
    Answer: Jumman realized that as Panch, he must remain impartial and not let personal feelings interfere. Despite being Algu’s former friend and enemy now, he carefully listened to both sides, examined the evidence, and gave a fair judgment. He ruled that Sahu must pay Algu for the bullock, as its death was unfortunate but not Algu’s fault.

  8. What was the effect of Jumman’s verdict on his friendship with Algu?
    Answer: Jumman’s impartiality restored their friendship. Algu embraced Jumman, and their tears washed away misunderstandings. They realized that truth and justice must come before friendship or enmity, strengthening mutual respect.

  9. Discuss the role of the Panchayat in the story. Why is it described as “the voice of God”?
    Answer: The Panchayat served as a fair and impartial system of justice where disputes were resolved based on evidence and truth, not personal feelings. The phrase “the voice of the Panch is the voice of God” emphasizes that Panchayat decisions are righteous and just, reflecting divine fairness.

  10. What is the moral of the story Fair Play, and how can it be applied in real life?
    Answer: The moral is that one must always uphold truth and justice above personal relationships or emotions. Personal biases should not influence decision-making. In real life, it teaches that fairness, honesty, and integrity are more important than favoritism or friendship when resolving conflicts or making judgments.

Answer by Mrinmoee