Chapter 8 Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ NCERT Revision Notes Class 6 Social Science
NCERT Notes of Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ for Class 6 SST is available on this page of studyrankers website. This chapter is from NCERT Textbook for Class 6 Science named Exploring Society India and Beyond. This textbook is published by NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training). Class 6 Social Science Textbook published by NCERT is prescribed for CBSE students. Chapter 8 Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ Notes is very helpful in understanding the chapter clearly and in easy manner. Students can also find NCERT Solutions for Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ on this website for their reference. It is very helpful for class 6 students in preparing for the examination. We have covered all the important points and topics of the Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ chapter of class 6 SST ncert textbook. Students can also find all the questions answers of Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ chapter which is in the textbook updated to latest pattern of cbse and ncert.
NCERT Notes for Chapter 8 Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’ Class 6 Social Science
Introduction to the Chapter
India is a land full of colours, traditions, and different ways of life. People in different parts of the country speak different languages, wear different clothes, and eat different types of food. But even though we are different, we all live together as one big family. This wonderful idea is called "unity in diversity." It means we may not be the same, but we are still united.
Imagine going on a train journey across India—from the snowy mountains of the Himalayas to the sunny beaches of Kerala. Along the way, you will see different places, hear different languages, and taste many kinds of food. This mix of cultures makes India a very special and strong country. Let’s explore how our unity and diversity make India unique!
India: A Rich Diversity
Does traveling through India by train show you a variety of landscapes, clothing, and foods?
Yes, when you travel by train across India, you pass through different regions, each with its own unique scenery, traditional clothing, and local cuisines. This journey offers a glimpse into the rich and diverse cultural and natural tapestry of the country.
- Traveling by train in India shows changing landscapes, different clothes, and a variety of foods.
- Many languages are spoken, and signboards are written in different scripts.
- Even in one place, people from different regions live together with unique traditions.
- India has 1.4 billion people, about 18% of the world’s population.
- A survey called the "People of India" project studied 4,635 communities.
- It found 325 languages and 25 different scripts across the country.
- Many Indians move to new places, bringing their culture with them.
This rich diversity makes India unique and beautiful!
Food for All
Can you find food grains that are common across almost every part of India?
Yes, In India, many types of food grains are widely used throughout the country. These include cereals like rice, barley, and wheat, millets such as pearl millet, sorghum, and finger millet, and pulses like various dals and grams. These grains are staples in many Indian diets and are found in dishes across different regions.
Staple Grains and Common Spices in Indian Cuisine
- Many of you may have enjoyed food from various regions of India.
- The variety of dishes and preparations available in India is likely in the thousands, if not more!
- However, there are certain food grains that are common across almost every part of the country, including:
- Cereals: such as rice, barley, and wheat.
- Millets: including pearl millet (bajra), sorghum (jowar), and finger millet (ragi).
- Pulses: which encompass various types of dals and grams.
- These grains are called 'staple grains' because they form the basic food for most people in India.
- In addition to grains, certain spices are also widely used throughout the country, such as:
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Cardamom
- Ginger
- We can also identify common vegetables and oils that are frequently used in Indian cooking.
- This shows how the same ingredients can create both unity and diversity in the preparation of countless dishes!
Textiles and Clothing
Traditional Indian Dresses: The Sari
- Every region and community in India has created its unique styles of clothing.
- Despite the differences, many traditional Indian garments share common features.
- A clear example is the sari, a long piece of cloth worn across much of India.
- Saris can be made from various materials, primarily cotton and silk, but also from synthetic fabrics today.
- Some well-known types of silk saris include:
- Banarasi
- Kanjivaram
- Paithani
- Patan Patola
- Muga
- Mysore
- There are many varieties of cotton saris as well.
- This unstitched garment comes in hundreds of styles, produced through different weaving and designing methods.
- Some designs are woven into the cloth, while others are printed afterwards.
- The colours of saris are incredibly varied, made from different kinds of pigments.
- The sari has a rich history.
- A stone relief from Vaiéhali (now in Bihar) dates back to several centuries BCE.
- There are various ways to wear a sari, differing from one region or community to another.
- New styles of draping the sari continue to be created.
- Ultimately, it remains a single garment—the sari.
- In earlier centuries, many travellers in India admired the sari for its simplicity and versatility.
- Women often use the sari for multiple purposes beyond just a dress.
Chintz and the Ban on Indian Textiles
- India has a long history of producing the best cotton in the world, and Indian textiles were exported to far-off places like Europe.
- One particular type of printed cotton called 'chintz' became extremely popular in 17th-century Europe.
- The popularity of chintz was so high that it caused a significant decline in the sales of some European dresses.
- To protect their own textile industry from this competition, England and France eventually decided to ban the import of chintz from India.
Festivals Galore
- India is home to a vast array of festivals, each with its unique significance and flavor.
- Many festivals are celebrated across the country around the same time but are known by different names in different regions.
- One such example is Makara Sankranti, which marks the beginning of the harvest season in various parts of India around January 14.
- The map illustrates the different names for similar festivals celebrated across India around the same date.
An Epic Spread
- Literature is a great example of unity in diversity in India. Indian literatures are very diverse and abundant.
- Despite differences in language and technique, they share important themes and concerns.
Panchatantra
- The Panchatantra is a collection of ancient stories with animal characters that teach important life lessons.
- Originally written in Sanskrit over 2,200 years ago, these stories have been adapted into almost every Indian language.
- The Panchatantra has also spread beyond India to places like Southeast Asia, the Arab world, and Europe, inspiring around 200 adaptations in more than 50 languages.
Epics: Rämäyana and the Mahäbhärata
- The Rämäyana and the Mahäbhärata are India's two great epics that have been translated and adapted for over two thousand years.
- There are numerous folk versions of these epics, with a survey in Tamil Nadu alone identifying about a hundred different versions of the Mahäbhärata in folklore.
- Many communities, including tribal groups like the Bhils, Gonds, and Mundas, have their own unique versions of the Rämäyaoa and Mahäbhärata.
- These tribal adaptations are often passed down orally, along with legends connecting the epic heroes, like the Pandavas and Draupadi, to their regions.
- Anthropologist K.S. Singh noted that the epic heroes, especially the Pandavas, are said to have visited nearly every part of India according to folklore.
- The Rämäyaoa and Mahäbhärata have created a rich web of cultural interactions across India and parts of Asia, showcasing unity in diversity.
Diversity and Unity in Indian Culture
- Indian culture celebrates diversity as a source of enrichment while maintaining an underlying unity that supports this diversity.
- This theme of unity and diversity is also evident in India's classical arts and architecture.
Mahabharata and Ramayana: Epic Tales of Dharma
- The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are two ancient Sanskrit poems that tell the stories of heroes fighting to restore dharma, or righteousness. When written out in full, these poems would fill about 7,000 pages.
- The Mahabharata narrates the tale of the Pandavas, who, with the help of Lord Krishna, battle their cousins, the Kauravas, to reclaim their rightful kingdom.
- The Ramayana tells the story of Rama, who, aided by his brother Lakshmana and the monkey-god Hanuman, defeats the demon king Ravana, who has kidnapped Rama's wife, Sita.
- Both epics are filled with shorter stories that focus on important values and continuously explore the questions of right and wrong.
Conclusion
India's vast diversity in landscapes, people, languages, dresses, foods, festivals, and customs is truly remarkable. While diversity is evident in many areas, there is also a strong sense of unity beneath it all. India's unity celebrates diversity, showing that differences do not create divisions but rather enrich the nation.
Key Words
- Relief: A design that stands out from the surface of a panel (which may be of stone, wood, ceramic or another material).
- Epic: A long poem generally narrating the adventures of heroes and other great figures of the past.
- Unity – India stays together as one big family despite many differences.
- Diversity – People in India follow different cultures, languages, and traditions.
- Languages – India has many languages, with 325 spoken and 25 writing scripts.
- Food – Different regions have unique dishes, but some grains and spices are common.
- Clothing – Traditional dresses like the sari are worn in many styles across India.
- Festivals – Festivals are celebrated all over India, sometimes with different names.
- Travel – A train journey across India shows changing landscapes, people, and lifestyles.
- Migration – Many Indians move to new places, carrying their traditions with them.
- Art – Indian art, music, and dance are rich and different in every region.
- History – India has a long history of culture, trade, and storytelling.
- Architecture – Temples, palaces, and monuments show India's cultural richness.
- Heritage – India’s traditions, knowledge, and values are passed down through generations.