NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 5: What Books And Burials Tells Us

This chapter deals with the literature and written records that were found by archaeologists. We will read about the Vedas and their teachings. The chapter also explains the rituals and sacrifices that were followed in Vedic times. The chapter then moves on to reading about the burial practices of the people. How and where people were buried, what did the graves look like, how could people's social status be identified by looking at their graves? All these questions would be answered in this chapter. Important points mentioned in the chapter are:

• The chapter begins with an introduction to the Vedas, some of the oldest books in this world.
• These Vedas contain thousands of hymns in praises of gods and goddesses.
• Students in ancient times were made to memorise these hymns by sages or priests.
• The chapter also teaches how archaeologists and historians interpret these books and the structure in which these books were written.
• The oldest Veda, the Rigveda, mentions horses, chariots and battles that were fought long ago.
• People are described according to the language they spoke and the work they did.
• For example, priests and rajas are described differently according to their work.
• Archaeologists also found megaliths or large stone boulders, which dated around 3000 years. They were used to mark burial sites.
• The chapter further explains the process of placing these megaliths on burial sites.
• We also study various objects which were buried along with people.
• Several objects found in graves also indicated the social status of people.
• Stones and boulders were also placed on the surface so people could easily locate the graves.
• The chapter tells of Inamgaon where people were even buried inside houses and in clay jars