Quest_Sst_CB_Grade4_SS_AY25 by Uolo

QUEST

Explore Time, Lands and Cultures

Social Science

Quest

Social Science

Acknowledgements

Academic Authors: Ankita Yadav, Yuvraj, Urmi Maitra, Kashika Parnami, Chandani Goyal, Anuj Gupta, Simran Singh

Creative Directors: Bhavna Tripathi, Mangal Singh Rana, Satish

Book Production: Sanjay Kumar Goel, Vishesh Agarwal

Project Lead: Sneha Sharma

VP, Learning: Abhishek Bhatnagar

All products and brand names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks or trade names of their respective owners.

First impression 2025

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser and without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above-mentioned publisher of this book.

Book Title: Quest Social Science 4

ISBN: 978-81-979482-7-5

Published by Uolo EdTech Private Limited

Corporate Office Address:

85, Sector 44, Gurugram, Haryana 122003

CIN: U74999DL2017PTC322986

Illustrations and images: www.shutterstock.com, www.stock.adobe.com and www.freepik.com

All suggested use of the internet should be under adult supervision.

Preface

Welcome to the exciting world of social science through Quest, a textbook that has been thoughtfully designed to nurture an understanding of people, places, communities, and how society works.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, a solid foundation in understanding the social surroundings and human society from an early age is more crucial than ever. Social science education lays the groundwork for rational thinking, critical outlook, humane values, and the ability to make informed choices. These skills are not just academic: they are essential life skills that empower young minds to understand and interact with the world around them in a rational and meaningful way. At UOLO, we believe that every child deserves to learn these skills with the best resources available.

In this pursuit, Quest is uniquely crafted to provide a comprehensive and contemporary learning experience, meticulously aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023. The book incorporates the curricular goals and competencies outlined in the NCF 2023, ensuring that every chapter, exercise, and feature reflects these foundational principles.

This textbook transcends traditional teaching methods by adopting a competency-based approach, recommended by both NEP 2020 and NCF 2023, that emphasises not just conceptual understanding and critical thinking, but also application of key concepts, and problem-solving. It is designed to make learning both meaningful and relevant, equipping students with the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Carefully curated content, NEP-specific tags, and a diverse array of elements have been seamlessly integrated throughout the book to nurture essential skills, values, and dispositions outlined in the NEP. Competency-based projects and assessments are strategically placed to help students master key concepts and develop higher-order thinking skills.

The book has the unique feature of being complemented by a graphic novella. Each unit of the book begins with an episode of the gripping sci-fi tale, which not only captivates the students’ interest and promotes reading, but also ingeniously connects with some of the core concepts that will be taught in the respective units.

Each chapter is also enriched with vibrant illustrations, relatable examples, and interactive activities to engage our young learners. Observations, inquiries and community-based learning experiences have been embedded throughout the book to develop an analytical mindset and make learning a relatable and enjoyable journey for them. Moreover, assessments ‘of, as, and for learning,’ as envisioned by the NEP and NCF, have been interwoven throughout the curriculum, providing continuous evaluation and meaningful feedback to students to support their growth and success.

The Quest product bundle offers a comprehensive social science kit which includes a textbook that has relevant and up-to-date content, concept building opportunities, projects, and assessments; a teacher manual offering extensive teaching support; technology-powered features that includes engaging videos and interactive exercises for students; and digital lesson plans and an assessment generator for teachers.

In conclusion, Quest is designed to fascinate students towards social science, both as a subject and as a practical experience in their everyday lives, while also making them well-rounded individuals.

We invite educators, parents, and students to embrace Quest and join us in nurturing the next generation of rational thinkers, responsible citizens, and problem-solvers. Embark on this exciting journey with us and let Quest be a valuable resource in your educational adventure.

The Product Philosophy

Welcome to the Quest journey.

The program is carefully designed to elevate the experience of learning social science through an NCF-based, age-appropriate, pedagogically-sound, and engaging content. Teachers will be supported with a manual that offers comprehensive guidance to optimise classroom instruction. Furthermore, various assessment mechanisms have been built in to the program.

PRINT

Engaging Textbooks

Comic Stories

Teacher Manual

ASSESSMENT

Competency-based Model Assessments

Applied Social Science Projects

Question-paper Generator

DIGITAL

Student and Teacher Apps

Learning Videos

Interactive Tasks & Exercises

Byte-size Lesson Modules

The Quest program is also augmented by a digital learning platform that offers powerful educational videos and interactive exercises to help children master concepts and skills in a joyful and fear-free manner.

Key NEP Recommendations

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced by the Government of India, represents a transformative shift in the country’s education system. It aims to create a more holistic, dynamic and multidisciplinary approach to education. NEP 2020 focuses on fostering conceptual understanding, skills, values, and competencies that align with the demands of the 21st century, while also preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. UOLO is fully committed to actualising the vision of NEP 2020 by meticulously adhering to its outlined recommendations.

1. Focus on conceptual understanding

2. 21st century skills, values, and dispositions

3. Critical thinking and problem solving

4. Application in real life

5. Holistic and integrated learning

6. Experiential learning

7. Enjoyable and engaging

8. Discussion-based approach

9. Technology-based solutions

10. Knowledge of India

Competency-based Education

NEP Pages 12, 17, and 22

Teaching and Learning Pedagogy

NEP Pages 3, 11, 12, and 27

National Pride

NEP Pages 15, 16, and 43

11. Assessment of core concepts and application skills Assessments

NEP Pages 12, 18, and 22

Our Key Features: Aligning with NEP 2020

Applied Social Science Projects

Engaging hands-on projects blending social sciences, mathematics, arts, and technology to understand the world around them

Competency-based Assessments

Test papers designed to evaluate the understanding of core concepts and application of skills

Story-based Approach

Enchanting comic stories that bring learning themes to life, making education a captivating adventure

Explore More

Curated videos to find out more about key concepts

Do and Learn

Multidisciplinary, holistic, and fun-filled activities to internalise the concept better

Community Connect

Engaging with community members to make text-to-self connections and develop appreciation for diverse contexts and cultures

Translating Words into Action

Error Alert

Concise snippets of information designed to caution against potential misconceptions

HOTS

Intellectually stimulating questions designed to encourage deep, analytical, critical, and evaluative thought processes

Digital worksheets on key concepts to supplement textbook exercises

Wonders of Bharat

Fascinating insights into India’s rich culture and heritage, designed to ignite a profound sense of pride and love for the nation

Picture-based Questions Questions featuring visual stimuli to elevate comprehension, interpretation, and critical thinking

Life Skills

Simple activities and tips to develop a diverse set of essential skills for living well

The NEP Tags

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 outlines essential skills, values, dispositions, and learning approaches necessary for students to thrive in the 21st century. This textbook identifies and incorporates these elements throughout its content, activities, and exercises. Referred to as “NEP Tags”, they are defined as follows:

INTEGRATED

Art Integration

Bringing creativity and fun into learning by combining music, drama, and art with other subjects

Sports Integration

Using physical activities, sports, and games to make learning active and engaging

THINK RATIONAL

Holistic & Integrated Learning

Cross-curricular and skill linkages to make the learning experience more holistic, joyful and meaningful

Rational Thinking

Using facts, logic and reasoning to understand problems and make smart decisions

Teamwork

TEAMWORK

SDG

Embracing the spirit of mutual collaboration and cooperation while working together to solve problems

Sustainable Development Goals

Unwavering commitment to create a green, peaceful, prosperous, and equitable and inclusive world

SEL Social Emotional Learning

Developing the skills to understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships with others, and make responsible choices

GAMES

Education Standards as per the NCF 2023

The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF), released in 2023, is developed based on the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Its purpose is to enable the implementation of the NEP. The NCF provides guidelines for designing school syllabi and textbooks in India. It aims to improve the quality of education by making it more relevant, engaging, inclusive, and learner-centric. To achieve this, the NCF has articulated precise Learning Standards through well-defined Curricular Goals and Competency statements. These statements serve to harmonise the syllabus, content, pedagogical practices, and assessment culture, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive educational experience.

Curricular Goals: Curricular Goals are statements that give directions to curriculum development and implementation. They are derived from Aims and are specific to a Stage in education.

Competencies: Competencies are learning achievements that are observable and can be assessed systematically. These Competencies are derived from the Curricular Goals and are expected to be attained by the end of a Stage.

NCF Page 59

Curricular Goals

CG-1

Explores the natural and social environment in their surroundings

CG-2

Understands the interdependence in their environment through observation and experiences

Competencies

C-1.1 Observes and identifies the natural (insects, plants, birds, animals, geographical features, sun and moon, soil) and social (houses, relationships) components in their immediate environment

C-1.2 Describes structures, relationships, and traditions in the family and community

C-1.3 Asks questions and makes predictions about simple patterns (season change, food chain, rituals, celebrations) observed in the immediate environment

C-1.4 Explains the functioning of local institutions (family, school, bank/ post office, market, and panchayat) in different forms (story, drawing, tabulating data, noting discussion), and analyses their role

C-1.5 Creates simple objects (family tree, envelopes, origami animals) on their own using local materials

C-2.1 Identifies natural and humanmade systems that support their lives (water supply, water cycle, river flow system, life cycle of plants and animals, food, household items, transport, communication, electricity in the home)

C-2.2 Describes the relationship between the natural environment and cultural practices in their immediate environment (nature of work, food, traditions)

C-2.3 Expresses the changes in the lives of their family and community as communicated by elders and through local stories (changes in occupation, food habits, resources, celebrations, communication)

The above is a snapshot of the curricular goals and competencies relationship in EVS for the Preparatory Stage (NCF 2023, pages 340–341). The next section shows the coverage of all these competencies across the chapters.

Mapping with NCF 2023

Ch 19 Ch 20

Ch 18

Ch 17

Ch 16

Ch 15

Ch 14

Ch 13

Ch 12

Ch 11

8 Ch 9 Ch 10

Ch 5 Ch 6

Ch 4

Ch 3

Ch 2

Ch 1

Competencies

C-1.1 Observes and identifies the natural (insects, plants, birds, animals, geographical features, sun and moon, soil) and social (houses, relationships) components in their immediate environment

Curricular Goals

CG-1

Explores the natural and social environment in their surroundings

C-1.2 Describes structures, relationships, and traditions in the family and community

C-1.3 Asks questions and makes predictions about simple patterns (season change, food chain, rituals, celebrations) observed in the immediate environment

C-1.4 Explains the functioning of local institutions (family, school, bank/post office, market, and panchayat) in different forms (story, drawing, tabulating data, noting discussion), and analyses their role

C-1.5 Creates simple objects (family tree, envelopes, origami animals) on their own using local materials

C-2.2 Describes the relationship between the natural environment and cultural practices in their immediate environment (nature of work, food, traditions)

CG-2

Understands the interdependence in their environment through observation and experiences

C-4.1 Observes and describes diversity among plants, birds, and animals in their immediate environment (shape, sounds, food habits, growth, habitat)

C-4.2 Observes and describes cultural diversity in their immediate environment (food, clothing, games, different seasons, festivals related to harvest and sowing)

C-4.3 Observes and describes natural resources in their immediate environment, and their use

C-4.4 Discusses how natural resources can be shared and maintained (growing vegetables in flowerpots/kitchen gardens, use of rainwater)

CG-4

Develops sensitivity towards social and natural environment

C-5.2 Reads simple maps of city, State, and country to identify natural and humanmade features (well, lake, post office, school, hospital, etc.) with reference to symbols and directions

CG-5 Develops the ability to read and interpret simple maps

C-6.1 Performs simple investigations related to specific questions independently or in groups

CG-6 Uses data and information from various sources to investigate questions related to their immediate environment

C-6.2 Presents observations and findings through different creative modes (drawing, diagram, poem, play, skit, through oral and written expression)

1 The Universe

Chapter at a Glance Walkthrough of

universe is a huge endless space which has stars, planets, It also has dust, gases, and big pieces of rocks that float in The Earth seems quite big to us but it is quite tiny in the universe.

Comic Story: Exciting story built through out the book, contains hooks to topics in a unit

Chapter Overview: Outline of the key concepts covered in the chapter

Did You Know?

Stars are there during the day are not visible bright light of

Get Set: A short and fun activity to get learners excited about the new topic

and the stars. All these heavenly bodies are a part of the universe. The universe is a huge endless space which has stars, planets, sun, and moon. It also has dust, gases, and big pieces of rocks that float in the vast space. The Earth seems quite big to us but it is quite tiny in the universe.

Stars and Constellations

Did You Know: Interesting facts related to the topic

Understanding Our Universe

Revolution of the Earth

When we look up at the sky during the day and at night, does it look the same? During the day we can see a bright blue sky and a bright sun. At night, we can see the moon

Revolution of the Earth

The movement of the Earth around the Sun in an orbit is called revolution. The Earth moves around the Sun in a fixed path called an orbit. The Earth completes one revolution in one year. The revolution of the Earth around the Sun and its tilted axis causes different seasons in different parts of the Earth.

Vocabulary: Meanings of difficult words

What Makes the Earth Unique

The Earth is the only planet in our solar system that can support

This is possible because the Earth has water,

and sunlight. Living beings cannot survive without air or water. There is no other planet like the Earth. The Earth is our

The Sun and the Solar System

Did You Know?

If we look carefully, we can make patterns of the stars in the patterns are called constellations. People have given these different names based on what they look like. They are usually animals or myths. For example, Ursa Major or Big Dipper spoon in the sky, Leo looks like a lion, Hydra looks like a water snake, and Orion looks like a hunter. The Ursa Major is called Saptarishi in India.

3 4 5

Stars are there in the sky during the day too but they are not visible to us due to the bright light of the Sun.

We have all seen the Sun in the sky. The Sun rises in the East West. It is also a star. It is a huge ball of very hot gas that makes give out light and heat. This heat and light makes life possible There are eight planets that revolve around the Sun. They Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The with all these planets that revolve around it together form

There are only five oceans Pacific Ocean is written Error Alert!

Chapter 1 • The Universe are a part of

myths: oral stories that have been told over hundreds of years which not be true revolve: to go around or travel around something

Error Alert: Caution against misconceptions

During sunset, the Sun does not move. It is the Earth that moves, which causes sunset.

The Earth is the only planet in our solar system that can support life. This is possible because the Earth has water, air and sunlight. Living beings cannot survive without air or water. There is no other planet like the Earth. The Earth is our home, and it is precious. We should make sure that our actions do not harm the earth in any way. For example, we must not waste water.

Understanding Our Universe

Revolution of the Earth

Wonders of Bharat

and it is precious. We should make sure that our actions do not harm the earth in any way. For example, we must not waste water. Wonders of Bharat Jantar Mantar is a monument in New Delhi. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh almost 300 years ago! It was built to predict the movements of the sun, the moon and the planets. It also told time based on the shadow caused by the sun. Jantar Mantar, New

Jantar Mantar is a monument in New Delhi. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh almost 300 years ago! It was built to predict the movements of the sun, the moon and the planets. It also told time based on the shadow caused by the sun.

Ursa Major Leo Hydra

We can see the stars in the sky at night. Stars look tiny to us but in reality they are big, bright balls of hot gas that shine in the sky. They are far away from us that is why they look like tiny lights. If we look carefully, we can make patterns of the stars in the sky. These patterns are called . People have given these star patterns different names based on what they look like. They are usually named after animals or myths. For example, Ursa Major or Big Dipper looks like a big spoon in the sky, Leo looks like a lion, Hydra looks like a water snake, and Orion looks like a hunter. The Ursa Major is called Saptarishi in India.

Wonders of Bharat: Fascinating insights into India’s rich culture and heritage

The movement of the Earth around the Sun in an orbit is called . The Earth moves around the Sun in a fixed path called an orbit. The Earth completes one revolution in one year. The revolution of the Earth around the Sun and its tilted axis causes different seasons in different parts of the Earth.

The Sun and the Solar System

Oceans are very important. animals. People can also oceans through ships. industry.

What Makes the Earth Unique

Explore More: Short videos to find out more about the topic

We have all seen the Sun in the sky. The Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. It is also a star. It is a huge ball of very hot gas that makes it glow and give out light and heat. This heat and light makes life possible on Earth. There are eight planets that revolve around the Sun. They are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The Sun along with all these planets that revolve around it together form the Solar System.

myths: oral stories that have been told over hundreds of years which may or may not be true revolve: to go around or travel around something

NEP Tags: To show alignment with NEP skills and values

Wonders of Bharat

USS25CBG3.indb

Do and Learn: Multidisciplinary, holistic, and fun activities to understand the concept better

Oceans are very important. They are home to many plants and animals. People can also travel from one continent to another by crossing oceans through ships. Oceans also support the fishing industry

The Earth’s continents and oceans each has its own unique features, cultures, and wildlife. We must not pollute the water in the oceans so that we don’t harm the aquatic plants and animals.

The Earth’s continents has its own unique features, wildlife. We must not oceans so that we don’t plants and animals.

Draw a large world map of continents and oceans on the

or use a large printed one. The teacher will then call out the name of a continent or ocean and students will take turns to go and stand at the correct location on the map. The student with the maximum correct markings wins.

Ursa Major Leo

Jantar Mantar, New Delhi

During sunset, the Sun does not move. It is the Earth that moves, which causes sunset.

Revolution of the earth around the Sun in an orbit

Jantar Mantar, New Delhi

Coastal Plains Islands

4. Directions can be found using a compass.

Pause and Answer

Make two teams and hide small objects like toys, stones, sketch pens etc. at different places in a playground. Then make a map of the playground, marking the spots where you have hidden the objects. Now exchange your maps and use them to find the hidden objects of the other team.

Pause and Answer: Short exercises between the chapter to pause and assess comprehension

Tick (✓) the correct statements.

The team that finds all the objects first, wins.

1. Maps are flattened representations of the earth.

2. A physical map shows countries and boundaries.

Think and Tell

3. North is located to the opposite of South.

learn more about them.

Himalayan Mountains

C Define universe.

D. How is the Sun similar or different to the Moon?

4. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

If you had to find out the names of all states in India, which type of map will you use?

4. Directions can be found using a compass.

Think and Tell / Discuss: Analysis, reflection, and text-to-self connection-based prompts for discussion in class

Wonders of Bharat

The team that finds all the objects first, wins. GAMES Do and Learn

Remember!

A. What is shown in this picture?

B Label the parts marked in the picture.

India is located in Asia and is the seventh largest country in the world by land area.

Ancient Indian scholars such as Aryabhata had inspired Greeks and Romans about making maps. His famous work includes describing the shape of the Earth as round.

Remember: Recall of previous knowledge relevant to the topic

Think and Tell

Himalayan Mountains lie in the part of India. They are highest mountain ranges in the row of mountains is called mountain range. The weather in region is cold and it is difficult crops here. The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, lies Himalayas. Other famous mountains Himalayas include Kanchenjunga, Parbat and Nanda Devi. Many rivers the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Brahmaputra originate in the Himalayas. formed by the melting ice.

Know?

Wonders of Bharat

Explore More!

Picture-based Questions: Special questions featuring visual stimuli to foster comprehension, interpretation, and critical thinking

Ancient Indian scholars such as Aryabhata had inspired Greeks and Romans about making maps. His famous work includes describing the shape of

C Define universe.

If you had to find out the names of all states in India, which type of map will you use?

Life Skills: Simple activities and tips to develop a diverse set of essential skills for living well

Error Alert!

Aryabhata

4. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

Learn more about how globes were made in olden times.

A What is shown in this picture?

HOTS

Label the parts marked in the picture.

What would happen if the Sun stops giving heat and light?

Life Skills

Learn more about how globes were made in olden times.

Snow-covered Himalayas

The Mount Everest is not located in India. It lies in China and Nepal. The highest mountain peak in India is Kanchenjunga.

Word Splash

Create a colorful poster about our universe and include the sun, the moon, stars, and constellations in it. Give a title to your poster. Share the completed poster with your class.

HOTS

rotation: movement of the earth on its axis revolution: movement of the earth around the sun orbit: a fixed path in which the earth moves around the sun

Word Splash: Recall of key terms and concepts in the chapter

What would happen if the Sun stops giving heat and light?

rotation: movement of the earth on its axis revolution: movement of the earth around the sun orbit: a fixed path in which the earth moves around the sun

Points to Remember

Life Skills

• The Earth is the third planet from the Sun in our solar system.

Points to Remember: Summary of the chapter

• The Earth is the third planet from the Sun in our solar system.

• The Earth moves in two ways: rotation and revolution.

Create a colorful poster about our universe and include the sun, the moon, stars, and constellations in it. Give a title to your poster. Share the completed poster with your class.

Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary were the first men to reach the peak of Everest in 1953.

The Earth moves in two ways: rotation and revolution.

• The rotation of the Earth causes day and night, while the revolution causes seasons.

Northern Plains

Northern Plains are flat lands to the the Himalayas. They are also known Indo-Gangetic Plains. Rivers like the and the Yamuna that originate in the Himalayas flow through these plains. This the soil fertile and suitable for farming.

originate: start or begin

soil that is good for growing plants

and

Checkup

1. Tick the correct answer.

the correct answer.

A The only planet that has life on it:

Chapter Checkup: Chapter-end practice exercises aligned to different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy

A The only planet that has life on it:

a Jupiter b. Neptune c. Earth d. Saturn

a Jupiter b. Neptune

B The number of hours the Earth takes to complete one rotation is:

c. Earth d. Saturn

a 36 b. 24 c. 10 d. 25

HOTS: Intellectually stimulating questions designed for

C The sailor who proved that the Earth is round was:

B The number of hours the Earth takes to complete one rotation is:

HOTS

a Vasco Da Gama b. Christopher Columbus

a. 36 b. 24 c. 10 d. 25

c Ferdinand Magellan d. Maharaja Jai Singh

2. Fill in the blanks.

C The sailor who proved that the Earth is round was:

Which states in India share a capital, and who governs that capital?

a Vasco Da Gama b. Christopher Columbus

c Ferdinand Magellan

A farmer in his wheat fields in Northern Plains 9/17/2024 6:31:30 PM

orbit axis rotation round

A The of the Earth is an imaginary line.

2. Fill in the blanks.

B The Earth is in shape.

Community Connect: Engagement with the community members to make text-to-self connections and develop appreciation for diverse cultures

D The movement of the Earth on its own axis is called Chapter

d. Maharaja Jai Singh

Community Connect

C The movement of the Earth around the Sun in an is called revolution.

A The of the Earth is an imaginary line.

B The Earth is in shape.

India has changed a lot over the last 20 years. Speak to the elderly people around you and ask them what changes do they see around them in India. Ask about changes in dressing styles, ways of communication, ways of living, facilities and so on.

C The movement of the Earth around the Sun in an is called revolution.

Community Connect

D. The movement of the Earth on its own axis is called .

Aryabhata

The Earth— Our Home 1

Chapter Overview

The Earth—Our Home

Land and Water on Earth

Landforms on Earth

Water Features

Get Set

Read the poem aloud with your partner. Use hand movements.

Let's protect our Earth so green, Keep the rivers and the air clean. Plant trees, let forests grow, Help the flowers bloom and glow. Together we can take a stand, To care for every piece of land.

Land and Water on Earth

We live on Earth. It is a wonderful planet with many different features. The two main things that make up the Earth’s surface are land and water.

Land covers around 1/4th of the Earth’s surface. It includes mountains, hills, plains, plateaus and deserts. Water covers more than 3/4th of the Earth’s surface. It includes oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Water is essential for life on Earth.

1/4 3/4th

Land and water on Earth

Did You Know?

Even though most of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, we can drink very little of it. Most of the Earth’s water is salty and found in oceans.

Landforms on Earth

Different features like mountains, plateaus and deserts on the surface of the Earth are called landforms. Landforms are shaped by natural forces like water, wind and ice or by processes deep inside the Earth. Let us learn about them in detail.

Mountains and Valleys

Mountains have very steep slopes and high peaks. Many mountains together form long rows of mountains, which are known as mountain ranges. The Himalayas in northern India are the highest mountain ranges in the world. Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak on the Earth.

When two large landmasses push against each other to form mountains, they are called fold mountains. The Himalayas in Asia and the Alps in Europe are both fold mountains.

Some mountains are formed when molten rocks from deep inside the Earth reach the ground and rise to form a volcano. Such mountains are known as volcanic mountains. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount Vesuvius in Italy are examples of volcanic mountains.

Block mountains are formed when large blocks of land break up and slide. Sierra Nevada mountains in the USA and the Black Forest mountains in Germany are examples of block mountains.

molten: something that has become liquid-like due to heat volcano: a mountain with a hole at the top from which molten rock, gases, etc. come out from under the Earth

Nevada Mountains, USA

The Himalayan Mountain Range

Mount Fuji, Japan

A valley is a U-shaped or V-shaped land formed between hills or mountains. The melting snow from glaciers form rivers that flow down the mountains. These rivers wear down the rocks on their way to form valleys. Many valleys have rivers flowing through them. Some wellknown valleys in India include the Kashmir Valley and the Brahmaputra Valley.

The Kashmir Valley

A pass is a narrow, natural gap between mountains. People use passes to cross mountains. For example, the Khyber Pass in the Himalayas links Afghanistan with Pakistan.

Do and Learn

Get some modelling clay. Work with your friends and shape the clay to form mountains, hills, valleys and plains.

Plateaus

A plateau is higher than the land around it but is flat at the top. For example, the Southern Plateau in southern India and the Columbia and Colorado Plateaus in the USA.

Did You Know?

The Tibetan Plateau is the highest plateau in the world. It is called the ‘roof of the world.’

Plains

Plains are flat lands. Rivers flowing from the mountains bring fertile soil to the plains and make them suitable for agriculture. For example, India’s Northern Plains and the Prairies of the USA.

Deserts

A desert is a large area of extremely dry land with hardly any rainfall and very few plants. For example, the Sahara Desert in North Africa, the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, the Atacama Desert in South America and the Thar Desert in India.

Deserts are not always hot. There are two types of deserts: hot deserts and cold deserts. For example, Antarctica is a cold desert. It is always very cold there and very few people live there.

glacier: a large body of slowly moving ice

The Colorado Plateau

The Thar Desert

Pause and Answer

Write True or False.

1. Plenty of crops can be grown on the plains due to the fertile soil.

2. Passes are lowlands between mountains and hills.

3. Sierra Nevada is a block mountain.

4. Many plants can grow in deserts.

Water Features

Coasts, Peninsulas, Bays and Islands

A coast is where land meets the sea. Some coasts are sandy and straight, while others are rocky.

Any land that extends into the sea and is surrounded by water on three sides is called a peninsula. The southern part of our country is a peninsula. The tip of a peninsula is called a cape. Kanyakumari, also known as Cape Comorin, is the southern-most tip of the Indian Peninsula. The Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world.

A bay is a body of water that is surrounded on three sides by land. For example, the Bay of Bengal, along the eastern coast of India.

An island is a piece of land surrounded by water on all sides. The country Sri Lanka is an island. Greenland is the world’s largest island.

Rivers

Rivers are long streams of water. Many rivers start in the mountains, as the snow melts from glaciers and forms rivers. These rivers have water all the year round and are called perennial rivers. For example, the Ganga and the Yamuna.

In South India, rivers are formed by rainwater. They dry up during the summer. They do not have water throughout the year, so they are called seasonal rivers. For example, the Godavari and the Krishna.

A bay

An island

Along the way, smaller rivers join the main river. These smaller rivers are called tributaries. As a river nears the sea, it slows down. It carries a lot of mud called sediment. This sediment keeps getting deposited on the way, causing the river to split into smaller streams or distributaries. These distributaries spread out and form low, flat, triangular-shaped land, just before reaching the sea. These areas are called deltas. The delta formed by the Brahmaputra and the Ganga rivers is the largest in the world.

Rivers play an important role in our lives. They make the soil fertile and give us drinking water. We must not pollute rivers by throwing garbage in them.

Wonders of Bharat

The Umngot River in Meghalaya, India, is Asia’s cleanest river. The water is so clear that the bottom of the river is visible from the surface. It is a popular tourist destination.

Word Splash

Did You Know?

valleys: U-shaped or V-shaped lowlands found between mountains and hills pass: narrow, natural gap in mountains

bay: a body of water surrounded on three sides by land

island: a piece of land that is surrounded on all sides by water

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Thar desert.

Points to Remember

• There are three types of mountains: fold mountains, volcanic mountains and block mountains.

• The Khyber Pass in the Himalayas links Afghanistan with Pakistan.

• There are two types of rivers: perennial and seasonal.

The Nile River is the longest river in the world.

The Umngot River

The Ganga River

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which type of mountains form when large blocks of land split and slide?

a. Fold mountains

b. Volcanic mountains c. Block mountains

B. Which is the longest river in the world?

a. Nile

b. Umngot c. Ganga

C. What is the tip of a peninsula called?

a. Bay

2. Fill in the blanks.

b. Lagoon c. Cape

Khyber mountain range sediment valleys

A. The dirt and mud carried by a river is called .

B. The Pass connects Afghanistan and Pakistan.

C. Many mountains together form a .

D. are lowlands found between mountains and hills.

3. Match the following.

A. Plateaus

B. Tributaries

C. Bay

D. Delta

4. Short answer questions.

i. A water body surrounded by land on three sides

ii. Higher than surrounding land, flat at the top

iii. Small rivers that join a main river along the way

iv. A triangular area formed by distributaries

A. Name any 2 fold mountains and where they are located.

B. Name any 2 volcanic mountains and where they are located.

C. Name any 2 deserts and where they are located.

D. If you are in Kolkata, will you find a bay or a peninsula there?

5. Long answer questions.

A. Write any two differences between seasonal and perennial rivers. Give one example of each.

B. How is a peninsula different from a bay?

6. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. What landform can you see in the image?

B. How is this landform formed?

C. Give one example of this kind of landform in India.

HOTS

If you are travelling from Kashmir to Rajasthan in a car, which landforms will you find on the way?

Life Skills

Take a blank map of India and mark any three perennial rivers, one desert, one bay and a plateau. Write their names when you mark them on the map. You can use an atlas or a book to do this. Display your maps in the class.

2 Knowing India

Chapter Overview

Knowing India

Location and Neighbours Physical Features

Get Set

India is a land of beautiful monuments. Colour the picture of the India Gate.

India is the seventh largest country of the world by area, and the largest in the world in terms of population. New Delhi is the capital of India. More than 22 languages are spoken in India in different parts. People of different religions and cultures live together in India. We must respect each other's religions and cultures.

According to the 2011 Census of India, more than one thousand mother tongues are spoken in our country. Did You Know?

India also has many different landforms, like mountains, plains and deserts. Together, all of these things make India a unique country.

Let us learn more about our big and beautiful country, India.

Location and Neighbours

India lies in Asia. Asia is the largest of the seven continents in the world. The Himalayan ranges lie in the northern part of India. The southern part of India is a peninsula. India is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west and the Indian Ocean in the south.

The southernmost tip of India is called the Indira Point. It lies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India shares its land borders with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. Across the sea, its neighbours are the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

India, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan together are called the Indian subcontinent.

Physical Features

India has different types of landforms like mountains, valleys, plateaus and plains. India can be divided into six physical divisions based on the landforms. They are the Great Himalayas, the Northern Plains, the Great Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains and Islands and the Southern Plateau.

Remember!

A series of mountains is called a mountain range and a piece of land that is surrounded by large bodies of water on three sides is called a peninsula.

Landforms of India

Indira Point

Political Divisions

India is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. These states and union territories are divided into districts to make administration easy.

India has two levels of government: central government and state government. The central government makes laws for the whole country and the state government looks after particular states.

The union territories in India come under the central government.

Did You Know?

The seven states in north-eastern India are called the Seven Sisters. These are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura.

Do and Learn

Map not to Scale

States and union territories of India

Make teams of 3–4 students in class and find one famous tourist spot in each of the seven sister states of north-eastern India. Decide which one you would like to visit and why. Share it with the class.

Wonders of Bharat

More than half of the Himalayan range falls in India. The Himalayas act as a natural barrier that prevents very cold winds from Central Asia from coming into India. Since, they are very high, they also serve as a natural wall to protect India’s border. The Himalayan Range

administration: running and managing the daily functions of government

Word Splash

population: the total number of people living in a country landforms: features on the earth’s surface that make up the terrain

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about different languages spoken in India.

Points to Remember

• India has the largest population in the world.

• More than 22 languages are spoken in India.

• India shares its land borders with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

• Across the sea, its neighbours are the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which of these countries is not a neighbour of India?

a. Iran

b. Sri Lanka

B. How many states are there in India?

a. 36

b. 7

c. Bhutan

c. 28

C. Which ocean lies towards the south of India?

a. Indian Ocean

c. Atlantic Ocean

2. Fill in the blanks.

d. Pakistan

d. 25

b. Pacific Ocean

d. Arctic Ocean

Bay of Bengal seventh peninsula Sri Lanka

A. India is the largest country in the world in terms of area.

B. India has the in the east.

C. The southern part of India is a .

D. is India’s neighbour across the sea.

3. Write True or False.

A. India is a land of diverse landforms and cultures.

B. The northern part of India is surrounded by water.

C. Arunachal Pradesh is one of the Seven Sisters.

D. China is part of the Indian subcontinent.

4. Short answer questions.

A. What is the southernmost tip of India called and where is it located?

B. How many states and union territories are there in India?

C. Name any two neighbouring countries of India that lie across the sea.

5. Long answer questions.

A. Why does India have two levels of government?

B. What makes India a unique country? Give two reasons.

6. Picture-based questions.

Look at the map and answer the following questions.

A. Name the country which shares borders with the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

B. Name the country which shares a border with the Indian states of Meghalaya and West Bengal.

HOTS

Do you think India should have good relations with its neighbouring countries? Give 2–3 reasons.

Life Skills

Find out how to write your name in 3 different languages recognized in India. You can use the internet or ask your parents to help you.

The Northern Mountains

Chapter Overview

The Northern Mountains

Location and Climate

The Three Divisions Importance of the Himalayas

Life in the Himalayas

Get Set

If you had the option to visit any of the following places, which one would it be and why? Tell your partner about it.

1. The hills in northern India

2. The desert in Rajasthan

3. The beach in Mumbai

Location and Climate

The Northern Mountains, or the Himalayas, are more than 2400 km long and pass through countries like China, Nepal, India and Bhutan.

They are spread over the northern and north-eastern parts of India. In India, they start from Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir and continue until Arunachal Pradesh. The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, is a part of the Northern Mountains and lies in Nepal. It is 8848 metres high. Apart from that, nine other highest peaks of the world are also a part of the Northern Mountains.

The word Himalayas means ‘abode of snow’. A large part of these mountain ranges is covered with snow all year round. The western part of the Himalayas is at a higher elevation. The mountain slopes here are covered with snow and cold winds blow.

The eastern part of the Himalayas is lower, so there is heavy rain but no snow.

The Three Divisions

There are three mountain ranges that together make the Himalayas.

• The Himadri or Greater Himalayas

• The Himachal or the Middle Himalayas

• The Shivalik or the Outer Himalayas

These mountain ranges are parallel to each other.

The Himadri or the Greater Himalayas

The Himalayas are fold mountains.

The Himadri, or Greater Himalayas, are the highest mountain ranges of the Himalayas. Himadri is the northernmost range of the Himalayas and is snow-capped all through the year.

It spans across countries like Pakistan, China, India, Nepal and Tibet. The world’s highest mountain peak, Mount Everest, and others like Lhotse and Nanga Parbat, are part of the Greater Himalayas range. Kanchenjunga is the highest peak in India and the third highest in the world.

Kanchenjunga, the highest peak in India

The Greater Himalayas also have many glaciers. A glacier is a large, slow-moving mass of ice and snow. Two important glaciers in this range are the Gangotri and the

elevation: height parallel: run next to each other with almost the same distance between them

Yamunotri. The Yamuna river starts from the Yamunotri glacier and the Gangotri glacier is where the Ganga river starts.

The Himachal or the Middle Himalayas

These mountains are not as high as the ones in the Himadri Range. They are located to the south of the Himadri range. It is a beautiful stretch of mountains with many forests, waterfalls, rivers and fertile valleys. There are beautiful towns and valleys here like Mussoorie, Shimla, Nainital, Almora, Kullu, Manali, Darjeeling, etc. which are famous tourist attractions.

Do and Learn

Collect pictures of any 5 towns or valleys of the Middle Himalayas. Paste the pictures in your scrapbook and write their names.

The Shiwalik or the Outer Himalayas

The Shiwalik range, also known as the Outer Himalayas, is the southernmost range of the Himalayas.

The Shiwalik range receives heavy rainfall, and the land is fertile. The foothills of Shiwalik are known as the Terai region.

Terai region

The Shiwalik range is covered with dense forests that have wild animals such as tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, etc. To protect these wild animals, the Government has declared many forests as protected forests. Protected forests are closely monitored by government officials, and people cannot cut trees or hunt animals there. Some examples of protected forests in this region are the Jim Corbett National Park and the Kaziranga National Park. Chopping down trees harms the environment. We must protect the environment.

Pause and Answer

Write whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Mount Everest is a part of the Greater Himalayas.

2. The river Ganga starts from the Yamunotri glacier.

3. The outer Himalayas are also known as the Shiwaliks.

4. The middle Himalayas are higher than the Himadri Range.

foothills: hills that are located at the bottom of mountains

Importance of the Himalayas

Some of the ways in which the Himalayas are important for India are:

• They act like a huge wall and protect our borders with other countries.

• The Himalayas protect India from the cold winds blowing from Central Asia. This prevents India from becoming a cold desert.

• Many important rivers originate in the Himalayas. These rivers are a source of drinking water and, also make the land fertile. Dams built over these rivers provide us with electricity.

• They help bring monsoons to India. They stop the winds from going further north, which leads to rains in India.

• The thick forests in the Himalayas are home to many wild animals and useful plants.

• The beautiful valleys and towns are a great tourist attraction.

Life in the Himalayas

The Himalayas are spread across many Indian states in the north and north-east. The lives of people in these states is closely connected to the mountains.

In the north, Jammu and Kashmir is famous for different types of handicraft products made from wood, brass, silver and paper mache. It is also known for houseboats and shikaras. It is a famous tourist attraction due to the snow-covered mountains, beautiful valleys and lakes like Dal and Wular.

Since it is cold here, people wear a long woollen garment known as a phiran. Inside the phiran, they carry a kangri which is a small earthen pot woven around with wicker and filled with burning coals.

The main languages spoken here are Kashmiri, Dogri, Punjabi, and Ladakhi. Some main festivals are Lohri, Navroz, Baisakhi, Eid and Shivratri.

cold desert: a desert that is covered in snow all year round handicrafts: decorative objects made by artists using their hands houseboat: large boats in which people can live shikara: small colourful boats used for leisure or to sell things on a lake wicker: a natural material that is used to make baskets and furniture

Houseboat in Dal Lake Kangri

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Many hill stations like Kullu, Manali and Dharamshala lie in this state. The toy train between Kalka and Shimla is a popular tourist attraction. Women wear loose kurtas, and men wear shirts with tight pyjamas and colourful caps.

Uttarakhand is home to thick pine, oak, deodar and fir trees and a wide variety of animals and birds. Its capital is Dehradun. Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are places of religious importance in Uttarakhand.

Another state in the Himalayas is Sikkim. Its capital is Gangtok. Most people in Sikkim are of the Lepcha, Bhutia or Nepali tribe. Sikkim is famous for orchids. Mount Kanchenjunga is located in this state. Women wear traditional long skirts called baku and colourful jewellery made of beads.

In the north-east, the Himalayan range runs across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram. Together, they are known as the ‘Seven Sisters’.

Do and Learn

Find out the names of some famous food items from the Seven Sisters.

Most of Arunachal Pradesh is covered with mountains. The river Brahmaputra enters India through this state. Its capital is Itanagar. Assam is famous for its tea plantations and silk. Its capital is Dispur. Meghalaya gets the heaviest rainfall in India, and its capital is Shillong. Nagaland is famous for its colourful shawls. Its capital is Kohima.

Wonders of Bharat

The Hemis National Park is located in Ladakh. It is the largest national park in India. It is famous all over the world for having a large number of snow leopards.

A snow leopard in Hemis National Park

Women of Himachal Pradesh

A woman from Sikkim

People of Assam

Word Splash

peak: the sharp, pointed top of a mountain mountain range: a chain of mountains terai: the foothills of the Shiwalik protected forests: forests that are closely monitored by the government officials, so people cannot cut trees or hunt animals phiran: long woollen garment kangri: earthen pot with burning coal carried inside a phiran

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the animals found in the Northern Mountains.

Points to Remember

• The Northern Mountains, or the Himalayas, are more than 2400 km long and pass through countries like China, Nepal, India and Bhutan.

• The Himalayas protect India from the cold winds blowing from Central Asia.

• The Himalayas consist of: the Himadri, the Himachal, and the Shiwalik ranges.

• Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram together are also known as the Seven Sisters.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. What are the Greater Himalayas also known as?

a. Himachal

b. Shiwalik

B. What are the foothills of the Shiwalik called?

a. Terai

b. Doon

C. Which of these is NOT one of the Seven Sisters?

a. Meghalaya

b. West Bengal

D. The Shiwalik are also known as .

a. Outer Himalayas

b. Middle Himalayas

c. Himadri

c. Garhwal

c. Tripura

c. Himadri

2. Fill in the blanks.

Central

Asia Assam Jammu

and Kashmir Arunachal Pradesh

A. The Himalayas protect India from the incoming cold winds from .

B. River Brahmaputra enters India through .

C. Houseboats are a tourist attraction in .

D. is famous for its tea plantations and silk.

3. Write True or False.

A. The Yamunotri glacier is located in Uttarakhand.

B. In the Himalayas, it becomes warmer as we go higher up.

C. Mussoorie is located in the Greater Himalayas.

D. The Himalayas form a natural defence barrier for India.

4. Match the following.

A. Himachal i. Gangtok

B. Sikkim ii. North-eastern states

C. Gangotri iii. Middle Himalayas

D. Seven Sisters iv. Uttarakhand

5. Short answer questions.

A. Name the highest and the lowest range in the Himalayas.

B. Name two glaciers in the Northern Mountains from which two main rivers of India originate.

C. Which state in the Himalayan range is famous for orchids?

6. Long answer questions.

A. Give 4 reasons why Himalayas are important for India.

B. Explain what you know about the lives of people in Jammu and Kashmir.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the questions that follow.

A. What is shown in the picture?

B. Where do we find them?

C. Name two lakes in this region.

HOTS

What unique title would you like to give to the Himalayas? Why?

Life Skills

Ask a parent or an elder to help you prepare the popular Himalayan dish “Himalayan Thukpa Salad”.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of cooked and chilled noodles

• 1 small carrot, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato – all cut into thin, long pieces

• A handful of shredded cabbage

• A handful of fresh coriander leaves

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

• Salt to taste

• A pinch of black pepper

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and chilled noodles with the prepared vegetables.

• Then wash the coriander leaves and add them to the bowl.

• Drizzle 1 spoon of soy sauce and lemon juice over the noodle and vegetable mixture.

• Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.

• Mix everything together until the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.

Your dish is ready! Share it with your family and enjoy it with them.

This Thukpa-inspired salad captures the flavours of the Himalayan region.

The Northern Plains 4

Chapter Overview

Get Set

You have read about the physical features of India. Choose which of these have plains as their landform.

Flat, vast, low-lying areas are called plains. The Northern Plains are the largest and most fertile region of India. There are many states that are part of the Northern Plains. Let us learn about Northern Plains in detail.

Location and Climate

We have already learnt about the Himalayas. The Northern Plains lie to the south of the Himalayas. The Northern Plains run parallel to the Himalayas and stretch from Punjab in the west to Assam in the east. They cover the whole of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal and parts of Bihar and Assam.

1. Delhi 2. Punjab 3. Chennai 4. Patna

Rivers, like the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Yamuna, flow through the Northern Plains. Because of this, the Northern Plains is a very populated region. The rivers in the Northern Plains are formed when the ice melts in the Himalayas, so they flow throughout the year. Such rivers are also called perennial rivers. The Northern Plains is a fertile region because the rivers carry soil rich in minerals down onto the plains. Thus, agriculture is the main occupation here. There are very hot summers and very cold winters on the Northern Plains. The temperature generally rises above 40 degrees Celsius in summer and falls below 5 degrees Celsius in winter.

Features

The Northern Plains were formed when Himalayan rivers, such as the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej and their tributaries deposited soil in the area. A river or a stream that flows into a larger river is called tributary. These rivers flow down the mountains with great speed. As they reach the Northern Plains, their speed becomes slow and they deposit alluvial soil there. As the rivers flow through the plains, their sediments become denser. So, these rivers break into smaller rivers called distributaries. They form triangular pieces of land known as deltas

perennial: rivers that flow throughout the year deposit: leave behind sediments: remains

River Delta

The Northern Plains

Divisions

A river basin is the area of land that is drained by a river and its tributaries. The Northern Plains broadly have three divisions: the Sutlej Basin, the Ganga Basin and the Brahmaputra Basin.

The Sutlej Basin

The Sutlej basin lies in the states of Punjab and Haryana. It is formed by the rivers Sutlej and Beas. The region gets little rainfall and the climate is hot in summer and cold in winter. As this area is very fertile, wheat is grown here extensively. Crops, like rice, pulses, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds, are also grown here. The Bhakra Dam, built on the Sutlej river, provides water for irrigation and generates electricity used in the areas of Punjab and Haryana.

The Ganga Basin

The Ganga Basin covers the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. The Ganga River is the main river in the Northern Plains. It originates as the Bhagirathi from the Gangotri glacier in the Himalayan mountains. Flowing at a high speed from mountain slopes, the Bhagirathi is joined by the Alaknanda River. Together, these rivers form the Ganga River. The Ganga enters the Northern Plains near Haridwar. The Yamuna river, which is the main tributary of the Ganga, also starts from the Himalayas. The rivers Ganga and Yamuna meet at Prayagraj. The meeting point is known as Sangam. Other tributaries of the Ganga include the Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi.

The Ganga enters West Bengal after flowing through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Here, it splits into many distributaries. Distributaries are streams that originate from a river before it flows into the sea. The two main distributaries of Ganga are Hooghly and Padma. The Hooghly flows into the Bay of Bengal through Kolkata. The Padma enters Bangladesh and joins Jamuna before entering the Bay of Bengal. Here, the Ganga and Brahmaputra form a delta called the Sunderbans. This is the largest delta in the world.

Error Alert!

The Jamuna and Yamuna are not the same river. The Yamuna is the main branch of the Ganga, whereas the Jamuna is the main branch of the Brahmaputra.

Bhakra Dam

People taking a dip in Ganga River

The Brahmaputra Basin

Did You Know?

The Brahmaputra is one of the few rivers in India that has a male name. Most of the other rivers in India have female names.

The Brahmaputra basin extends from Tibet through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, and into Bangladesh. The river Brahmaputra originates in Tibet, where it is called Yarlung Tsangpo. It enters India through Arunachal Pradesh, flows through Assam, before entering Bangladesh. Here, it joins the Padma River before finally falling into the Bay of Bengal. The River Brahmaputra gets its water from the melting ice of the Himalayas, as well as from heavy rainfall and many small streams in the North-Eastern hilly regions of India. As a result, the Brahmaputra often overflows its banks and causes heavy floods. These floods cause a lot of damage to the nearby areas.

Pause and Answer

Circle the correct word.

1. Yamuna/Beas is the main tributary of the Ganga.

2. The Brahmaputra originates in Japan/Tibet.

3. The Brahmaputra enters India through Assam/Arunachal Pradesh.

Life in Plains

There are many states that are part of the Northern Plains. Let us learn about them in detail.

Punjab

Punjab is a highly fertile area because of the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers flowing through it. The capital is Chandigarh. The important cities are Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. The famous Golden Temple is located in Amritsar.

Punjabi and Hindi are the main languages spoken by the people. The main festivals are Gurupurab, Baisakhi, Diwali and Holi. Bhangra and Gidda are the popular folk dances of Punjab. Modern tools of farming, such as tractors, are used to plough the fields. Wheat, rice, maize and oilseeds are widely grown here.

folk dances: traditional dance of particular people or area

Bhangra Dance

The Golden Temple

Haryana

Chandigarh is the capital of Haryana as well. Haryana is another state in the Sutlej basin. Hindi and Haryanvi (a dialect of Hindi) are spoken here. Farmers in Haryana also make use of modern machinery in the fields. Many people have also taken up cattle and dairy farming. Its famous cities include Gurugram and Faridabad. Haryana has the largest car manufacturing plant in India.

National Capital Territory of Delhi

The National Capital Territory of Delhi is a special area in India that includes the city of Delhi and nearby places, where the country’s government is located. New Delhi is the capital of India. Offices of the President, the Prime Minister and all the Central Government ministers are in Delhi. People speak Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu. All major Indian festivals are celebrated here. Many historical monuments, such as Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar, the Lotus Temple, Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Akshardham Temple and India Gate, are located here. Historical monuments tell us about our country’s rich culture and diversity. We must not spoil them by littering or writing on the walls whenever we visit them.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India. Its capital is Lucknow. It has very fertile soil and it is in the Ganga basin. The main occupation of the people is farming. It is also famous for its mangoes and guavas. People speak Hindi, Bhojpuri and Urdu.

dialect: a form of language spoken in a particular part of a country

monument: a building, structure or site that is of historical importance

The India Gate

The Jama Masjid

Celebrations at Kumbh Mela

A view of Gurugram

The main industries of Uttar Pradesh are sugar, leather, textile and chemicals. Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, is famous for its silk sarees, and Moradabad is known for its brassware.

The Taj Mahal, in Agra, is one of the seven worders of the world. It is a great tourist attraction for both Indians and foreigners. The Kumbh Mela, held in Prayagraj, is another famous tourist attraction. It is attended in large numbers by devotees.

Bihar

Discuss!

The walls of Taj Mahal are turning black due to air pollution. What are some of the steps we can take to reduce air pollution? Discuss with your friends.

Bihar is situated in the Ganga Basin. The capital of Bihar is Patna. Here, people speak Hindi, Maithili and Bhojpuri. The main festival of Bihar is Chhath Puja, and other festivals include Diwali, Holi, Eid and Dussehra. It is a densely populated state and has extremely fertile soil. Hence, it is ideal for agriculture. Bihar has many industries, based on agriculture. Important cities of Bihar include Patna, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya and Rajgir.

Jharkhand

The capital of Jharkhand is Ranchi. Jharkhand is very rich in mineral deposits. Coal, iron ore, copper and aluminium are abundantly found here. India’s largest steel plant, the Bokaro Steel Plant, is in Jharkhand. Other important cities of Jharkhand are Jamshedpur, Bokaro and Dhanbad.

West Bengal

The capital of West Bengal is Kolkata. The main language spoken here is Bengali. Durga Puja is the most popular festival in West Bengal. Bengali sweets, like rashogolla and sandesh, are popular all over India. Kolkata is near the sea, and thus fishing is a popular occupation of people. Tea, jute, textile, and rice are produced here. Darjeeling tea is famous all over the world.

Assam

The capital of Assam is Dispur. Assam is famous for its tea gardens and silk. Tea is grown on large plantations in Assam. People mainly speak Assamese. The main festival of Assam is Bihu. The biggest city of the state

Chhath Puja

Durga Puja celebration in Kolkata

Tea plantation in Assam

is Guwahati. The Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is a popular tourist attraction because it is home to the one-horned rhinoceros. Famous industries are petroleum and oil refineries. Assam is also known for the production of rice, sericulture (the rearing of silkworms) and handicrafts.

Importance

The Northern Plains are of great importance to us. The fertile soil, perennial rivers and favourable climate make the Northern Plains densely populated. Dams support various purposes, including irrigation and electricity production. The Northern Plains are suitable for building railroad tracks and roads. Thus, they support trade too.

Wonders of Bharat

The Taj Mahal, situated in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on the southern bank of the Yamuna River, is India’s most famous and widely recognized monument. A lot of tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Word Splash

tributaries: rivers or streams that flow into a larger river alluvial: fine sand and silt deposited by the river in the floodplains distributaries: small streams of water that originate from a river before it flows into the sea delta: a triangular piece of land formed at the mouth of a river river basin: an area watered by a river and its tributaries sericulture: rearing of silkworms to produce silk

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn about the Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Taj Mahal

Points to Remember

• The Northern Plains stretch from Punjab in the west to Assam in the east.

• Rivers flowing through the Northern Plains bring with them fertile soil, sand and silt, which is suitable for agriculture.

• The three rivers that have played an important role in making the Northern Plains are the Sutlej, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.

• Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Assam are the states that lie in the Northern Plains.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which is the largest delta in the world?

a. Mekong

b. Sundarbans

B. What is the capital of West Bengal?

a. Dispur

b. Chandigarh

c. Huang He

c. Kolkata

C. Which of these states is not a part of the Northern Plains?

a. Punjab

b. Haryana

D. What is the Brahmaputra River called in Tibet?

a. Brahmaputra

2. Fill in the blanks.

c. Kerala

b. Yarlung Tsangpo

c. Yarlung Zangbo

Sutlej Guwahati South Amritsar

A. The Northern Plains lie to the of Himalayas.

B. The Bhakra Dam is built over river .

C. The Golden Temple is situated in .

D. The biggest city of Assam is .

3. Write True or False.

A. Ludhiana is the capital of Punjab.

B. Nalanda is located in Bihar.

C. The capital of Uttar Pradesh is Lucknow.

D. Sericulture is practised in Jharkhand.

4. Match the following.

A. Sandesh i. Assam

B. Bihu ii. Jharkhand

C. Mineral ore iii. Moradabad

D. Brass iv. Kolkata

5. Short answer questions.

A. Name the three river basins in the Northern Plains.

B. Name any two tributaries of the Ganga River.

C. Name any three mineral resources found in Jharkhand.

D. What is a river basin?

6. Long answer questions.

A. Why is the Northern Plains important? Give two reasons.

B. What types of clothes do the people in the Northern Plains wear during the summer and winter seasons? Why?

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

A. Which state in the Northern Plains practises this type of farming?

B. Which crop is mainly grown here?

HOTS

1. Mamta lives in Uttar Pradesh and plans to visit her friends in West Bengal. Write any 2 differences she will notice in farming, culture and industries.

2. Raju’s uncle is a farmer. He wants to buy a farm and grow wheat and rice. Suggest which part of the Northern Plains he should move to in order to start farming. Give 2 reasons for your suggestion.

Community Connect

With the help of your parents, visit a nearby vegetable market. Talk to the vegetable sellers and learn about how different vegetables are grown and how they reach the market. Share the information with your class.

The Great Indian Desert 5

Chapter Overview

Great Indian Desert Climate and Features Vegetation and Water Supply Life in the Desert Importance

India is a country with many different types of landforms. One of the most famous is the Great Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert. This vast, sandy area lies to the west of the Northern Plains, mostly in the

The Great Indian Desert is a large area of land that receives little or no rainfall.

Indian state of Rajasthan. To its south, you will find the Rann of Kachchh, and to the southeast, the Aravalli Hills. This desert even stretches into Pakistan.

A desert can be hot or cold. The Thar Desert is a hot desert.

In this chapter, we will learn more about the Great Indian Desert and the life of people there.

India also has a cold desert. Ladakh is a cold desert where the climate is dry and cold. Ladakh lies in the northern Himalayan region of the country. Did You Know?

Climate and Features

The Great Indian Desert is a dry, rocky and sandy region. The Aravalli Hills block rain clouds from reaching this area, which is why it gets very little rainfall and stays dry. The desert experiences extreme temperatures. During the day, especially in summer, it becomes extremely hot because the sand heats up quickly under the sun. However, at night, the sand cools down fast, making the nights cool and pleasant. In summer, hot winds blow across the desert toward states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. In winter, the days are comfortable, but the nights can get extremely cold.

Discuss!

If the sand dunes keep shifting every time the wind blows, how do you think people who travel in the deserts find the right direction? Discuss with your friends.

The desert is mostly covered with loose sand. Strong winds, known as sandstorms, often sweep across the desert, carrying sand from one place to another. These winds form small hills of sand called sand dunes. Some dunes are crescent-shaped, known as barchans, while others are long ridges called seif dunes. Sandstorms can be very powerful and people can easily lose their way.

In some parts of the desert, underground water comes to the surface, creating a small area where plants can grow. It is called an oasis. Trees like babul and date palms thrive in these water-rich spots.

Sunrise in the Great Indian Desert

The Great Indian Desert

Vegetation and Water Supply

In the Great Indian Desert, plants have adapted to survive with little water. Vegetation here includes shrubs, cacti and grasses that can endure the dry climate. Trees like date palms, kikar and babul can be seen in some parts.

The Luni is a seasonal river that flows through the desert. It joins the Arabian Sea at the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.

To ensure water supply in the desert, the government constructed the Indira Gandhi Canal. This canal brings water from the Satluj and Beas rivers into the desert. It has allowed the people to grow a variety of crops such as wheat, jowar, bajra and some vegetables.

Error Alert!

The Thar Desert is not an empty piece of land. Many plants and animals that are found here such as date palm, cacti, khejri, kair, and babul. It is also home to animals and birds such as camels, chinkaras, blackbucks, peafowl and vultures.

Pause and Answer

Name the following.

1. Small hills of sand in the desert.

2. A water-rich spot in a desert.

3. Another name for the Great Indian Desert.

4. A seasonal river in the Thar Desert.

Life in the Desert

The dry climate, extreme temperature, lack of water and limited vegetation make life in the desert very difficult. Most villages are found around an oasis. The people here are engaged in farming, rearing animals such as sheep, goats and camels, making handicraft items or in tourism.

Life in the Thar Desert is rich in culture and tradition, despite the harsh environment. People here have adapted to the extreme conditions with colourful, loose clothing that helps them stay cool. Men typically wear turbans and dhotis, while women dress in colourful ghagra-cholis, that often have beautiful embroidery and mirror work.

embroidery: patterns made on clothes using colourful threads

People of Rajasthan

A babul tree

The diet in this region includes bajra roti, ker-sangri (a local bean and berry dish) and dal-bati churma, a popular Rajasthani dish.

The Thar Desert is home to several tribes, including the Bhils, Kalbelias, Rajputs, and Bishnois, each with their unique customs and traditions. Folk music and dances, such as Ghoomar and Kalbelia, are an integral part of the local culture and are often performed during festivals and special occasions. Some people move from place to place searching for food and water. They are called nomads. They rear animals and sell handicrafts. The nomads of the Thar Desert region are called Banjaras.

In the Great Indian Desert, people speak Rajasthani. Hindi is also widely spoken, and in urban areas, you may hear English.

The Desert Festival in Jaisalmer is one of the most famous, attracting visitors from all over the world. This festival, held every year in February, showcases the rich cultural heritage of the desert through camel races, folk music, dance performances like Kalbelia, and even a turban-tying competition. Other important events are the Pushkar Mela and Gangaur Mela. All important festivals of India are celebrated here such as Teej, Diwali, Holi, Eid, Urs, etc.

Camels, known as the “ships of the desert,” are used for transportation and even farming. Their padded feet help them walk over the hot desert sand. They also provide milk and meat to the people of the desert.

There are many important cities like Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer and Jaisalmer in this region. These cities have some famous temples, forts and other places to visit like Jaisalmer Fort, the sand dunes at Sam, Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the colourful desert festivals.

Life of people in the desert is different from those on the plains or the mountains but it has its own unique ways.

Think and Tell

Why do camels have padded feet and humps? Can you think of any other plants or animals that have developed special features to be able to live in the desert?

Camels decorated for the Pushkar Fair

Camel, the 'ship of the desert'

Kalbeliya dancer

Gangaur celebration

Dal-bati Churma

Do and Learn

Along with your partner make a list of the famous forts and temples of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

Pause and Answer

Tick (✓) the correct statements.

1. Elephants are known as the ships of the desert.

2. In the Great Indian Desert, people speak only Rajasthani.

3. Urs is an important festival in the Thar Desert region.

Importance

Wonders of Bharat

The Jaisalmer Fort was built by King Jaisal, after whom the city Jaisalmer is named. It is also called the Sonar Qila (Golden Fort), because of its yellow sandstone architecture that glows at sunset.

Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

The Thar Desert is an important part of India. It is rich in marble, copper, silver and limestone which are used in many products and even exported to other countries. Tourists visit the desert to enjoy traditional dance, beautiful handicrafts, and the impressive forts built by Rajput rulers. The Thar Desert National Park is also a special place. It is home to over 120 different kinds of plants and animals. The desert is important for generating energy from wind and solar power. Additionally, it serves as a natural border between India and Pakistan, making it an important part of the country’s geography.

Fort

exported: sending goods to another country through trade

Jaisalmer

Word Splash

sandstorms: strong winds that blow in deserts and carry the sand with them

sand dunes: small hills of sand

barchans: crescent-shaped sand dunes

seif dunes: long ridge-shaped sand dunes

oasis: a small fertile area in a desert created by underground water coming to the surface

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Great Indian Desert.

Points to Remember

• The Great Indian Desert is a hot desert.

• Thorny shrubs, cacti and bushes grow in the Great Indian Desert.

• People live in villages around oases, big cities or as nomads.

• Many people are engaged in agriculture, animal rearing, handicrafts or in the tourism industry.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. The are located to the south-east of the Thar Desert.

a. Rann of Kachchh b. Aravalli Hills c. Satluj river basin

B. What are crescent-shaped sand dunes called?

a. Seif

b. Bidri c. Barchan

C. Which of the following is a Rajasthani folk dance form?

a. Kalbeliya

b. Gangaur c. Teej

2. Fill in the blanks.

camel oasis Rajasthan Jaisalmer

A. The Thar Desert is mainly situated in .

B. The is known as the ‘ship of the desert’.

C. is a big city located in the Great Indian Desert.

D. A small area surrounded by greenery in the desert is called an .

3. Write True or False.

A. The Thar Desert lies only in India.

B. Sand dunes are very hot during the day and night.

C. The Thar Desert in India is cold.

D. There are no plants in the Thar Desert.

4. Match the following.

A. Seif i. Festival celebrated in Rajasthan

B. Urs ii. Clothes worn by Rajasthani women

C. Ker-sangri iii. Long ridge-shaped sand dune

D. Ghagra-choli iv. Food item in the Thar region

5. Short answer questions.

A. Who are Banjaras?

B. Where is the Great Indian Desert located?

C. Why does the Thar desert receive so little rainfall?

6. Long answer questions.

A. Is it difficult to live in the desert region? Give two reasons.

B. Why are nights cooler than days in the Thar Desert?

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. What is it called?

B. In which landform is it found?

C. Name two types of trees which grow near this area.

HOTS

Compare the life of people living in the Northern Plains with the life of people living in The Great Indian Desert. Write 2 ways in which it is similar or different.

Life Skills

Prepare a poster to show the life of people living in the Thar Desert. You can collect pictures of the different folk dances, foods, dresses and festivals of the Thar Desert and paste them on a chart paper. Write a slogan or a small poem describing your poster. Display your posters in class.

The Southern Plateau 6

Chapter Overview

The Southern Plateau

Location The Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau Life in the Plateaus

Importance

Get Set

Match these states to their capitals.

A. Madhya Pradesh i. Mumbai

B. Chhattisgarh ii. Amaravati

C. Maharashtra iii. Bhopal

D. Karnataka iv. Hyderabad

E. Telangana v. Raipur

F. Andhra Pradesh

G. Tamil Nadu

vi. Chennai

vii. Bengaluru

All these states are part of the Southern Plateau of India. Let us learn more about the Southern Plateau.

Location

The Southern Plateau lies to the south of the Northern Plains. It is triangular in shape and has a rocky, uneven surface. It is less fertile than the plains. Parts of the Southern Plateau have thick forests and black soil, which is good for growing crops such as

cotton. Many rivers, such as the Godavari, Krishna and Narmada, flow through this region.

The Southern Plateau is also called the Peninsular Plateau. Land that is surrounded by large bodies of water on three sides is called a peninsula. Southern India is surrounded by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

The Southern Plateau has the Aravalli Range in the north-west, the Rajmahal Hills in the north-east, the Eastern Ghats in the east and the Western Ghats in the west.

The Narmada River roughly divides the Southern Plateau into two parts: the Central Highlands in the north and the Deccan Plateau in the south.

Remember!

Map

A plateau is higher than its surroundings and is flat at the top. It has steep sides.

The Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau

Central Highlands

The Central Highlands have the Malwa plateau in the north-west and the Chota-Nagpur Plateau in the north-east.

The Malwa Plateau is located between the Aravalli range and the Vindhya range. It spreads over parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The Chota-Nagpur Plateau covers large parts of Jharkhand, as well as parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. It has many important minerals like coal, iron mineral: a material that is naturally found in the Earth

and manganese. India’s largest coal mines are found in the Giridh and Jharia areas of Jharkhand and Raniganj in West Bengal.

India’s two largest steel plants, the Bokaro Steel Plant and Bhilai Steel Plant, are located in this area. Diamond mines are found in Panna city in Madhya Pradesh. This region also has thick forests which provide wood and other forest produce.

Did You Know?

Panna is known as the ‘City of Diamonds.’

Deccan Plateau

The Deccan Plateau extends from the Narmada River to the southern tip of the Indian peninsular. It is located between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats, which meet at the Nilgiri Hills.

The Deccan Plateau includes parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The Deccan Plateau has many rivers, such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada and Tapi.

Multi-purpose dams have been built on many of these rivers in order to generate hydroelectricity and store water for irrigation. Some of the famous dams are the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River and the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Krishna River.

Since the land of the Deccan Plateau is uneven, the rivers form many waterfalls in this region. The Jog falls on the Sharavati River in Karnataka is one of the famous waterfalls in India.

The Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and some other rivers form deltas before they flow into the Bay of Bengal. A delta is formed when a lot of rich soil is deposited by a river just before it enters the ocean. It is triangular in shape. These regions of the plateau have very fertile soil in which rice is cultivated. The Deccan Plateau mostly has black soil, which is very good for growing crops like cotton and sugarcane.

multi-purpose: something that can be used for many different activities hydroelectricity: electricity that is created using flowing water

The Deccan Plateau

The Jog Falls

Hirakud Dam over Mahanadi River

Life in the Plateaus

Let us now learn about the life of people in some states that lie in the southern plateau region.

Madhya Pradesh

The capital of Madhya Pradesh is Bhopal. People here wear traditional clothing like sarees for women and dhotis for men. Hindi is the most commonly spoken language. Major industries include textiles, mining and agriculture. Some of the popular tourist spots are the Khajuraho Temples, Sanchi Stupa and Kanha National Park. The main festivals are Diwali and the Lokrang Festival.

Chhattisgarh

Raipur is the capital of Chhattisgarh. Traditional wear includes sarees and dhotis. The primary language spoken is Chhattisgarhi, along with Hindi. The major industries include steel, coal mining and power production. Some of the famous tourist spots are the Chitrakoot Waterfalls and the Bastar and Kanger Valley National Parks. The main festivals are Hareli (celebrating farming) and Bastar Dussehra.

Maharashtra

Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. People commonly wear a mix of traditional and modern clothing, including sarees and kurta-pajamas. Marathi is the most widely spoken language. The major industries include films, textiles and automobile manufacturing. Tourist attractions include the Gateway of India, Ajanta and Ellora Caves and the Marine Drive. The main festivals are Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa.

Karnataka

Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka. The traditional dress includes sarees for women and lungis or dhotis for men. Kannada is the main language spoken. The important industries include information technology, silk and coffee production. Some famous tourist spots are Mysore Palace, Hampi and Coorg. The main festivals are Dasara and Makar Sankranti.

Khajuraho Temples

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Maharashtra

Mysore Palace

Telangana

Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana. Women wear sarees, and men wear dhotis or lungis. Telugu and Urdu are the primary languages spoken. Major industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Bidri is a form of handicraft here that is famous all over the world. Some of the popular tourist spots include Charminar, the Golconda Fort and Ramoji Film City. The main festivals are Bonalu and Bathukamma.

Andhra Pradesh

The capital of Andhra Pradesh is Amaravati. The traditional dress includes sarees and dhotis. Telugu is the main language spoken. The major industries include agriculture, seafood and textiles. It is also known as the 'Rice Bowl of India' due to the amount of rice it produces. Some of the famous tourist spots are the Tirupati Temple, Araku Valley and the Borra Caves. The main festivals are Ugadi and Sankranti. Kuchipudi is a famous dance form of Andhra Pradesh.

Tamil Nadu

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Women wear sarees, and men wear veshtis. Tamil is the most widely spoken language. Some major industries include textiles, automobile manufacturing and electronics. Some popular tourist attractions include the Meenakshi Temple, Marina Beach, and the Nilgiri Hills. The main festivals are Pongal and Tamil New Year (Puthandu). Bharatanatyam is a famous dance form of Tamil Nadu. The silk sarees of Kanchipuram are famous all over the world.

Do and Learn

Find out the names and find pictures of any two special food items of each state in the Southern Plateau.

handicraft: something that is made in the traditional way with hands and not using machines

Bidri artist making a vase

Araku Valley

Pause and Answer

Tick (✓) the correct statements.

1. Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana.

2. Men in Tamil Nadu wear veshtis.

3. The Hirakud Dam is on the Krishna River.

4. The Deccan Plateau extends up to Delhi.

Importance

The Southern Plateau region of India is known for its rich natural resources, including minerals like coal, iron and mica. This region is good for growing crops such as cotton, sugarcane and oilseeds. The region is home to major rivers that provide water for irrigation. Industries, such as mining, textiles and IT, contribute significantly to India’s economy. This region also has several famous tourist spots that are visited by people from all over the world. It helps generate jobs for the local people.

Wonders of Bharat

Think and Tell

How would living in the Southern Plateau be different from living in the Northern Plains? Think of at least 3 ways in which life is different at both the places.

Bharatanatyam is the oldest Indian classical dance form. It originated in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. It first started in the temples and then spread across the world. It is regarded as the mother of many other Indian classical dance forms.

Word Splash

peninsula: land that is surrounded by large bodies of water on three sides delta: a triangular deposit of rich soil by a river just before it enters the sea

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Southern Plateau.

A Bharatanatyam Dancer

Points to Remember

• The Southern Plateau lies to the south of the Northern Plains.

• The Southern Plateau is also called the Peninsular Plateau.

• The Narmada River roughly divides the Southern Plateau into two parts: the Central Highlands in the north and the Deccan Plateau in the south.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. What kind of soil does the Deccan Plateau mainly have?

a. Red soil

b. Alluvial soil

B. Kuchipudi is a famous dance form from which state?

a. Andhra Pradesh

b. Maharashtra

C. Which of these tourist spots lie in Maharashtra?

a. Marine Drive

2. Fill in the blanks.

c. Black Soil

c. Tamil Nadu

b. Borra caves c. Golconda Fort

Nilgiri Hills Andhra Pradesh Jog Falls cotton

A. is called the ‘rice bowl of India.’

B. The Eastern and Western Ghats meet at the .

C. The in Karnataka is one of the famous waterfalls in India.

D. The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is good for growing .

3. Short answer questions.

A. Name 2 rivers in the Southern Plateau that have a dam on them.

B. Name 2 crops that are grown in Telangana.

C. What are the two ways in which multi-purpose dams are helpful?

4. Long answer questions.

A. Write 3 reasons why the Southern Plateau is important.

B. How are the rivers of the Southern Plateau different from the rivers of the Himalayas?

5. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the questions that follow.

A. What kind of work is being done on the vase in the picture?

B. Which state is famous for this work?

C. How do handicrafts help the people in the region where they are made?

HOTS

What problems do you think the people living in the Southern Plateau might face when the rivers dry up during the summer?

Life Skills

Prepare Maharashtrian Bhelpuri.

Ask your parents to help you collect these items: 1 cup of puffed rice, 2 tablespoons of chopped onions, 1 tablespoon of chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon sev (crunchy noodles), 1 teaspoon of tamarind (imli) chutney, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, salt and coriander leaves.

Now follow these steps to make the dish on your own.

1. Mix puffed rice, onions, tomatoes and sev in a bowl.

2. Add tamarind chutney, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.

3. Stir well, garnish with coriander leaves and enjoy!

Serve this dish to your family and people who help you in different ways during the day.

The Coastal Plains and Islands 7

Chapter Overview

Location

Climate and Life

Importance

Get Set

Can you solve the riddle given below?

I’m a place where land meets the sea, With sand and waves as far as you can see. You can build castles or take a nap, Where am I? Just bring your cap!

The strips of plain land along the sea are known as coastal plains. There are narrow strips of plain land on the eastern and western sides of India, along the sea.

• The Western Coastal Plains lie on the west, between the Western Ghats and the Arabian sea.

• The Eastern Coastal Plains lie on the east, between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.

The coastal plains meet at Kanyakumari, which is the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula. Two island groups are also part of India: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.

The Coastal Plains and Islands

A sea coast

Location

The Western Coastal Plains

The Western Coastal Plains is located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It stretches from Gujarat in the north and passes through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerela.

It is divided into three main divisions. In the North lies the Gujarat coast, the Konkan coast lies in the middle up to Goa, and towards the south lies the Malabar coast, which extends from Goa to Kanyakumari.

Some of the important rivers of the Western Coastal Plains are Narmada, Sabarmati and Tapi. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala are the states that are along the Western Coastal Plains.

The Eastern Coastal Plains

Coastal Plains of India

The Eastern Coastal Plains is located between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. It begins from West Bengal in the north and passes through Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

It is wider than the Western Coastal Plains and is divided into two parts. The northern part is called the Northern Circars. The southern part is called the Coromandel Coast.

Some of the main rivers of the Eastern Coastal Plains are Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu are along the Eastern Coastal Plains.

The coastal plains of India are home to wildlife and support local communities by providing important resources. By protecting these areas, we help preserve the environment and ensure that future generations can enjoy their beauty and benefits.

Did You Know?

Marina beach is India’s longest and world’s second longest beach. It is in Chennai, Tamil Nadu along the Bay of Bengal.

Kanyakumari is not the southernmost point of India. It is the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula (mainland). The southernmost point of India is Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Error Alert!

The Island Groups

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of about 300 islands in the Bay of Bengal. The northern part of these islands is known as the Andaman Islands and the southern part is known as the Nicobar Islands.

The Lakshadweep Islands lie in the Arabian Sea. They are a group of about 30 islands.

Pause and Answer

Tick (✓) the correct statements.

1. The Eastern Coastal Plains lie between the Eastern Ghats and the Arabian sea.

2. The Western Coastal Plains stretch from Gujarat to Kanyakumari.

3. Maharashtra and Goa are located along the Eastern Coastal Plains.

Climate and Life

The coastal plains of India have a humid and moderate climate as they are close to the sea. The coastal plains experience heavy rainfall.

In the previous chapters, we learnt that several states and union territories are a part of the coastal plains. Some of these regions are also a part of the Southern Plateau. Now, let us learn about life in the other states that lie in the coastal plains of India.

Gujarat

The capital of Gujarat is Gandhinagar, and Gujarati is the main language spoken there. Traditional attire includes sarees and lehengas for women, and churidars with angrakhas for men, often paired with colourful turbans. Some important industries in Gujarat are trading, farming, textiles, petroleum, salt, fertilisers and diamond cutting. Dairy farming is also significant, with Anand producing the famous Amul products. Ahmedabad is Gujarat’s largest city and is home to Sabarmati Ashram, where Gandhiji lived. The Gir forest, which is home to Asiatic lions, is another major attraction.

Think and Tell

How are the Northern Plains different from the Coastal Plains?

Asiatic lions, Gir forest

A Gujarati family

Goa

Panaji, the capital of Goa, is known for its iron ore mining industry and vibrant festivals like Christmas. The city attracts many tourists for its beautiful beaches and historic churches, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, one of India’s oldest. In 2022, a major cleanliness drive was organised to clean the beaches in Goa. It is important to keep the seas and oceans clean as they support human and animal life in many ways.

Odisha

Bhubaneshwar is the capital of Odisha. Puri and Cuttack are other important cities in Odisha. The state is known for its rice production and popular handloom sarees. Odia is the common language spoken here and Odissi is the classical dance form that originates from this state. Tourists visit Odisha for the Rath Yatra in Puri, the ancient temples in Konark, and the Chilika Lake bird sanctuary.

Puducherry

The Union Territory of Puducherry lies to the south of Chennai. Puducherry was previously known as Pondicherry. The famous Aurobindo Ashram is located here. Many years ago, this place was ruled by the French. Tamil, English and French are spoken by the people here.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Port Blair. The Cellular Jail is located in Port Blair. The British used this jail to imprison Indian freedom fighters. It is now a national monument. Fishing is the main occupation of people here. These islands attract many tourists due to their beautiful beaches. They are full of thick forests and coconut trees and are also home to many tribal people.

Discuss!

Why was the Cellular Jail built in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

handloom: process of making sarees using a machine that is operated by hands and not by electricity tribal people: people who live in forests and have their own customs and ways of life

Basalica of Bom Jesus, Panaji

Odissi dance

Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Lakshadweep Islands

The capital of the Lakshadweep Islands is Kavaratti. Malayalam is the most common language spoken by the people there. Products made from coconut fibre form a major industry here. There are many beaches that attract tourists. Fishing, boat building and tourism are other important industries. These islands are made of deposits of skeletons of animals known as corals. Therefore, they are called coral islands.

Importance

The coastal plains and islands are important for India in many ways. Some of them are:

• The coastal plains are home to major ports like Mumbai and Chennai. They are crucial for India's trade.

• They support the fishing industry, thus creating work for the local people.

• They attract tourists from all over the world.

• Fertile coastal plains are ideal for growing crops like rice, coconut and spices.

• They have dense forests that are good for the environment.

• Coastal plains and islands are important for national security by protecting India’s maritime borders.

Do and Learn

In your scrapbook, paste pictures of three wildlife or bird sanctuaries that are located in the coastal plains. Under the pictures, write their names and where they are located. Share it with your class.

Wonders of Bharat

The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue, with a height of 182 metres (597 feet). It is located near Kevadia in Gujarat, India. It was inaugurated in 2018 as a mark of respect to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

maritime: related to ships and seas

The Statue of Unity

Corals

coastal plains: narrow strips of plain land along the sea on the western and eastern side of India

coast: stretch of land along the sea

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Points to Remember

• The coastal plains meet at Kanyakumari. It is the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula.

• The coastal plains of India have a humid and moderate climate as they are close to the sea.

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of about 300 islands.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. The Western Coastal Plain lies between the Western Ghats and the:

a. Arabian Sea

B. The capital of Goa is:

a. Panaji

b. Indian Ocean

b. Chennai

C. The capital of Lakshadweep Island is:

a. Port Blair

D. The largest city of Gujarat is:

a. Ahmedabad

b. Kavaratti

b. Gandhinagar

c. Bay of Bengal

c. Ahmedabad

c. Itanagar

c. Surat

2. Fill in the blanks.

Malayalam Kanyakumari Port Blair French

A. The Malabar Coast stretches from Goa to .

B. is the most common language spoken by the people of Lakshadweep.

C. The Cellular jail is located in .

D. Puducherry was once ruled by the .

3. Write True or False.

A. The coastal plains lie to the north of the Himalayas.

B. The Lakshadweep Islands are highly populated.

C. The Lakshadweep Islands are also known as coral islands.

D. The Coromandel coast stretches from Goa to Kanyakumari.

4. Match the following.

A. Puducherry i. Coral Islands

B. Odisha ii. Sri Aurobindo Ashram

C. Lakshadweep iii. Gir Forests

D. Gujarat iv. Rath Yatra

5. Short answer questions.

A. What is the climate like in the coastal plains and islands in India?

B. Name the three parts of the Western Coastal Plains of India.

C. What is the international importance of coastal plains for India?

D. Why are Lakshadweep Islands also known as Coral Islands?

6. Long answer questions.

A. Why is fishing a common occupation in the coastal regions and islands of India?

B. How do industries on the islands of India, like fishing and tourism, influence the daily lives of the people living there? Write any 2 points.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

A. Name the group of islands that you see in the picture.

B. Name the southernmost point of India present here.

C. Name a popular tourist attraction of this place.

HOTS

The coastal plains attract a lot of tourists throughout the year. How does this affect businesses and communities in these areas?

Life Skills

Coconuts are popular in the coastal plains and islands of India. Let us learn how to make coconut ladoos.

Materials Needed:

• 1 cup of grated coconut (fresh or desiccated)

• 1/2 cup of condensed milk

• 1/4 tsp of cardamom powder

• A few chopped nuts (optional)

Steps:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine grated coconut and condensed milk.

2. Add cardamom powder and mix well.

3. Take a small portion of the mixture and roll it into small balls.

4. Optional: Roll the balls in extra coconut or nuts.

5. Refrigerate for 15 minutes and enjoy.

Serve them with love to your family and friends.

PROJECT 1

Creating a 3D Map of India

Objective: Students will create a 3D map of India highlighting the major physical features: the Northern Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Great Indian Desert, the Southern Plateau, the Coastal Plains and Islands.

Materials Needed: A large sheet of cardboard, clay, paints and brushes, markers, toothpicks, paper, glue and a map of India (for reference)

Step 1: Prepare the Base Map: Draw an outline of India on the cardboard. Divide the map into the major physical features mentioned above.

Step 2: Create the Northern Mountains: Use clay to form the Northern Mountains. Make them elevated to show the height of the Himalayas. Paint the mountains brown and their peaks white.

Step 3: Shape the Northern Plains: Use a thinner and flat layer of clay to create the Northern Plains. Paint that area green.

Step 4: Build the Great Indian Desert: Make the desert area using clay. Create small sand dunes and paint the desert yellow.

Step 5: Form the Southern Plateau: Use a medium thickness of clay to build the Southern Plateau. Create gentle slopes to show the plateau’s height. Paint it brown and green.

Step 6: Design the Coastal Plains and Islands: Use narrow, flat strips to show the Coastal Plains along the eastern and western edges of India. Paint these regions green. Make small clay pieces to represent the island groups and paint them green and their surroundings blue as they lie in the ocean.

Step 7: Label the Features: Write labels for each physical feature on small pieces of paper. Attach them to toothpicks and place them on each physical feature.

Project Outcome: Now you have your own 3D map of India’s physical features. Display it in your class.

Final Outcome: This hands-on project will help you understand the location and nature of the different physical features of India.

To be read aloud and explained in the mother tongue by the teacher, as needed.

Assessment 1

Read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

Tara’s Trip Around India

Tara is excited about her family trip across India, where they will explore various landforms. First, they visited the Himalayas, where they saw tall snow-capped mountains. Tara notices that the houses there are built with slanted roofs, and people wear thick woolen clothes to stay warm. Next, they travel to the Thar Desert, where the land is dry and sandy. Tara sees people living in mud houses, wearing light, loose clothing to protect themselves from the heat. Their final stop is Kerala, where the land is lush with green hills and backwaters. She notices that the houses here also have slanted roofs, however the people wear light cotton clothes throughout the year. She sees crops like rice, coconut and spices being grown here, and she loves the boat ride on the rivers. Thus, she learns that each place has its unique features, and the way people live is shaped by the land around them.

1. Which landform did Tara visit where she saw tall, snow-capped mountains?

a. The Western Ghats

b. The Thar Desert c. The Himalayas

2. Why do people in the Thar Desert wear light, loose clothing?

a. To stay cool in the hot desert climate

b. To blend in with the sandy landscape

c. To help with climbing sand dunes

3. How do the slanted roofs in the Himalayas help people living there?

4. If Tara's family were to visit Kerala during the monsoon season, what challenges might they face, and how should they prepare for them? Mention any 2 challenges and the preparations they can make.

To be read aloud and explained in the mother tongue by the teacher, as needed.

The Climate of India 8

Chapter Overview

The Climate of India

Weather and Climate Seasons of India Get Set

Read aloud the poem given below with expressions.

Rainy days are full of fun,

Raindrops sparkle in the sun.

Puddles form for us to splash,

Thunder booms and lightning flash.

Umbrellas open, boots go on,

We dance and play until it’s gone.

Weather and Climate

Weather is what the sky and the air are like each day, such as sunny, rainy or windy. For example, if it is raining today—that describes the weather today.

Climate is the pattern of weather conditions at a place over many decades. For example, it is generally hot and dry in a desert. While it can be rainy on some days in the desert, but its climate remains hot and dry most of the year.

Landforms play a major role in the climate of a place.

Do and Learn

A rainy day in Delhi

Scientists use different instruments to study changes in the weather. They can measure changes in temperatures throughout the day, the amount of rainfall, in which direction the wind is blowing and more.

Find out about any two instruments that are used to study weather. Paste their pictures in your notebook and write their uses in 3–4 lines under the picture.

Remember!

India has varied landforms such as the Northern Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Great Indian Desert, the Southern Plateau and the Coastal Plains and Islands. Each of these landforms has different climatic conditions.

The climate of each place depends on many factors. Some of them are:

• Location: Places near the equator are warmer, while places near the poles are colder.

• Altitude: The higher up we go into the mountains, the colder it gets.

• Distance from sea: Places near oceans or seas are neither too hot nor too cold.

Pause and Answer

Did You Know?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides weather reports in India. It also issues warnings for floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Read the given sentences. Write ‘W’ next to the sentence that indicates weather. Write ‘C’ next to the sentence that indicates climate.

1. It is cloudy today.

2. It is cold in Ladakh.

3. Rajasthan is a hot place.

4. Tomorrow will be a rainy day.

decade: a period of ten years

Seasons of India

The periods into which a year can be divided, with each period having its own type of weather conditions, are called seasons. There are five seasons in India. Let us learn more about them.

Spring

In India, spring usually lasts from March to April. The weather is warm, flowers bloom and trees grow new leaves. It is a colourful and pleasant time when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.

Summer

Summer in India spans from May to June. It is the hottest time of the year, with temperatures often rising above 40°C (104°F) in many places. During summer, days are longer than nights. The northern part of India and some parts of the Southern Plateau experience hot and dry winds known as loo. People enjoy summer fruits like mangoes and often use fans and air conditioners to stay cool. Schools also declare summer holidays in this season.

Think and Tell

Which festivals are celebrated in India during spring?

The northern mountains do not get as hot as the plains. The coastal areas are not as hot as the plains either, as the breeze from the sea keeps these places cool.

Monsoon

The period from July to September is known as the monsoon season. During the hot summer months, winds blow from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal towards the land. These winds carry a lot of moisture from the sea. They are called monsoon winds as they bring rains.

Kerala is the first state to receive the monsoon rain, while Punjab is the last.

The western coast, the north-eastern states, parts of the Northern Plains and parts of the Southern Plateau receive heavy rainfall. Meghalaya receives the heaviest rainfall in India. However, the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and the Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat receive scanty rain. Fruits like peaches, plums and cherries are available in monsoons.

moisture: water present in the air in the form of vapour scanty: very little

A hot summer day in north India

GAMES Do and Learn

Many of us fall sick when a season changes. A good way to stay healthy is to exercise. Learn some exercises from your sports teacher to keep your body healthy so you don’t fall sick easily.

Autumn

Autumn in India lasts from October to November. The weather becomes cooler, and the skies are often clear. It is a time for many festivals, including Diwali. Some practices during festivals can pollute the environment. We must celebrate festivals in a way that does not harm the environment.

Winter

Winter in India is from December to February. This is the cold weather season, when days are short and nights are long. January is usually the coldest month. People wear warm clothes, like sweaters and jackets. The northern parts of India experience extreme cold, with several parts in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh experiencing snowfall. As we move towards the south, the cold decreases. In winters, we get groundnuts, leafy vegetables and apples.

Many places in India are experiencing extreme and unexpected weather conditions, such as severe hot or cold days, droughts and floods. These changes occur mainly due to human actions like deforestation and pollution. We must plant more trees and protect nature to prevent such extreme changes in climate.

Mawsynram, a town in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, receives the most rainfall in India. It is known to be the wettest place in the world.

Manali, Himachal Pradesh, after snowfall

Not all hill stations receive snowfall in winters. Only some places in the Himalayas do.

Error Alert!

Destruction due to flood

Wonders of Bharat

Mawsynram, Meghalaya

Word Splash

weather: what the sky and the air are like each day climate: pattern of weather conditions at a place over many decades season: periods in a year, each with its own type of weather conditions monsoon winds: winds that bring rains to India

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about Mawsynram and why it receives such heavy rains.

Points to Remember

• Weather is what the sky and the air are like each day, such as sunny, rainy or windy.

• Climate is the pattern of weather conditions at a place over many decades.

• The climate of a place depends on its: distance from the equator, altitude and distance from the sea.

• Spring, autumn, winters, summers and monsoons are the main seasons of India.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. In which season are the nights longer than the days?

a. Monsoon

b. Summer c. Winter

B. Which of the following places receives the least amount of rainfall in India?

a. Thar Desert

b. Mawsynram c. Mumbai

C. Before going outside, Meena looks outside the window and checks the sky. What is Meena checking?

a. Weather

b. Climate c. Season

2. Fill in the blanks.

A. season is pleasant, when it is neither too hot nor too cold.

B. The rainy season in India is also known as the .

C. The hot wind that blows in the Northern Plains during summers is called .

D. Monsoon winds carry a lot of which turns into rain.

3. Write True or False.

A. Some places in India do not have a summer season.

B. Northern Plains receive snowfall.

C. The monsoon season comes after the summer season.

D. Autumn season comes after the spring season.

4. Match the following.

A. Monsoon i. May–June

B. Winter ii. July–September

C. Summer iii. November–February

5. Short answer questions.

A. Name the different seasons in India.

B. What are seasons?

C. Name the state that is the last to receive monsoon.

6. Long answer questions.

A. Explain the factors affecting climate change.

B. What kind of climate will the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have?

C. Explain weather and climate with the help of examples.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

A. Name any two places in India where this happens.

B. In which months can we expect this to happen?

HOTS

Mani and his friends live in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. They want to go on a trip during their Christmas holidays to escape the cold. Which of the following places will be better for their trip—Kashmir or Kerala? Give 2 reasons.

Life Skills

Let us learn to maintain a weather journal.

Steps:

1. Observe the weather conditions (sunny, warm, hot, rainy, cloudy cold, etc.) every day for 7 days.

2. Note the maximum and minimum temperature in your city or town every day for one week. You can find this in your local newspaper.

3. Record your observations in the table given below.

Let us share the findings.

No. of rainy days:

Hottest day:

Coldest day:

Unusual weather conditions, if any:

Forests and Wildlife 9

Look at the pictures given below and complete their names in the given blanks.

A forest is a large area where a lot of trees grow, and where wild animals live. It provides shelter to many animals and help keep the air clean by producing oxygen. Forests are very important for supporting life.

Importance of Forests

Forests are highly important part of the environment. Some of its uses are:

• Forests provide oxygen. That is essential for breathing.

• They are home to many animals, birds and plants.

• Forests help prevent soil erosion by holding the soil with their roots.

• They provide us with resources like wood, fruits and medicinal plants.

• Forests help maintain the water cycle by absorbing and releasing water.

• They keep the air clean by absorbing harmful gases like carbon dioxide.

• Many communities and tribes depend completely on forests for food, fuel for fire, and water. Elephants in a forest

The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has a rich forest cover. Some important medicinal plants found in these forests include ashwagandha, giloy, triphala, bael, neem, palash and chironji. Did You Know?

Types of Forests

There are five main types of forests in India. Let us learn about them.

1. Evergreen forests: These forests have trees that keep their leaves all year round. They are found in different climatic zones in India, like the Western Ghats and the north-eastern states of India. Common trees include rosewood, ebony and mahogany. These forests remain green throughout the year.

2. Deciduous forests: These forests have trees that lose all their leaves once a year and then grow new leaves. They are found in the Southern Plateau region and the foothills of the Himalayas. Trees like teal, sal and sheesham are common in these forests. They are also called monsoon forests.

3. Thorny forests: These are dry, hot forests with trees that have thorns and small leaves to conserve water. They are found in desert regions like Rajasthan in India. Some of the common trees include babool and keekar.

soil erosion: the washing away of the top layer of the soil by wind or water in the absence of trees

medicinal plants: plants whose flowers, seeds, roots, etc. are used to treat diseases

conserve: save

Evergreen Forests

Deciduous Forests

Thorny Shrubs

4. Tidal forests or Mangrove forests: These forests are located in coastal areas and river deltas. One of the most famous tree found in these forests is the Sundari tree. The biggest tidal forest in the world is the Sundarbans in the Ganga and Brahmaputra delta.

5. Mountain or coniferous forests: These forests are found in cold regions at high altitudes, such as the Himalayan ranges in India. They have trees with needle-like leaves and cones, like pine, spruce, deodar and fir. These trees are well-suited to survive in harsh, snowy conditions. Mountain forests play an important role in preventing soil erosion and regulating water flow from melting snow. These forests are also evergreen in nature.

altitude: the height of a place when measured from the sea level

Tidal or Mangrove Forests

Mountain or Coniferous Forests

ARABIAN SEA

BAY OF BENGAL

LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS

INDIA FORESTS

INDIAN OCEAN

Tidal Forest

Thorny Forest

Evergreen Forest

Deciduous Forest

Coniferous Forest

Forest distribution in India

Map not to Scale

Pause and Answer

Choose the correct option and fill in the blanks.

1. Mangrove forests are found in . (coastal areas/mountains)

2. The oak trees grow in the . (desert area/Himalayan mountains)

3. forests are found in cold regions at high altitudes. (Mountain/ Mangrove)

Wildlife

Wildlife includes all the animals, birds, insects and plants that are wild and live in a natural environment. For example, tigers, elephants, peacocks and snakes are part of India’s wildlife.

It is important to protect wildlife. Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are special places where animals and plants are protected from hunting and destruction. These places allow wildlife to live safely in their natural homes.

Some famous national parks in India are:

• The Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is famous for its tigers and elephants.

• The Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is known for its large population of Bengal tigers.

• The Kaziranga National Park in Assam is famous for its one-horned rhinoceroses.

• The Gir National Park in Gujarat is famous for Asiatic lions.

• The Sundarban National Park in West Bengal is famous for its Royal Bengal tigers and saltwater crocodiles.

Did You Know?

The Asiatic lions are only found in India. They are endangered due to their small population. However, their numbers have increased in recent years due to conservation efforts.

Rhinos, Kaziranga National Park

Asiatic lions, Gir National Park

Collect pictures of four animals that are present in any one national park from the list given above. Paste the pictures in your notebook and write their names under the pictures. Do and Learn

Conservation

We have learnt about the importance of forests. Forests are important because they provide us with fresh air, clean water and help keep the Earth cool. They are home to many animals and plants. Without forests, there would be more pollution and less rainfall.

We can conserve forests by afforestation and reforestation. Afforestation is the planting of trees to create new forests, while reforestation involves replanting trees in forests that were cut down or destroyed earlier.

Did You Know?

Think and Tell

What would happen if we keep cutting down trees non-stop for our use?

India celebrates a special festival called Van Mahotsav every year. The festival takes place in the first week of July and is a fun way to show love and care for our environment.

In 1974, the people of Uttarakhand, India, came together to stop the cutting down of forests by hugging the trees. It was called the Chipko Movement. Sunderlal Bahuguna was the leader of this movement. He worked very hard to protect the forests in the Himalayas for many years.

Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is the world’s only floating national park. It is located in the south western part of the Loktak lake.

endangered: in danger of dying out from the world

Sunderlal Bahuguna

Wonders of Bharat

Keibul Lamjao National Park

Word Splash

wildlife: all the animals, birds, insects and plants that are wild and live in a natural environment

afforestation: planting new trees and creating new forests

reforestation: replanting trees in forests that were cut down or destroyed earlier

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the national parks of India.

Points to Remember

• A forest is a large area covered with trees, plants and wildlife.

• Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are special areas where animals and plants are protected from hunting and destruction.

• We can conserve forests by afforestation and reforestation.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which of the following do we get from forests?

a. Hydrogen

b. Oxygen c. Carbon dioxide

B. The Chipko Movement is related to:

a. Protecting trees

c. Protecting wildlife

b. Tiger conservation

C. What type of forests can we find near coastal areas?

a. Deciduous

b. Evergreen c. Mangrove

D. Which of these trees are found in deciduous forests?

a. Sal

b. Rubber c. Coconut

2. Fill in the blanks.

coniferous Uttarakhand evergreen

A. forests are green throughout the year.

B. The Chipko movement was started in the state of .

C. The Himalayan forests are also called forests.

3. Write True or False.

A. All forests in India are coastal forests.

B. National parks have been built in India for the conservation of water.

C. Sundarlal Bahuguna was the leader of the Chipko Movement.

D. Replanting trees that were cut down is called afforestation.

4. Match the following.

A. Kaziranga National Park i. Rajasthan

B. Jim Corbett National Park ii. Assam

C. Ranthambore National Park iii. West Bengal

D. Sundarban National Park iv. Uttarakhand

5. Short answer questions.

A. Write any one benefit of wildlife sanctuaries.

B. Write two ways to conserve forests.

C. Give two examples of trees found in mangrove forests.

6. Long answer questions.

A. What are evergreen forests? Explain with the help of two examples.

B. There was a movement in India in which people hugged trees to save them. Explain about this movement in 30–40 words

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

A. Name the type of forest.

B. Where is this type of forest found in India?

C. Give three examples of trees that grow in this forest.

HOTS

Imagine you live in a small village near a large forest. The forest is home to many animals and provides the village with wood, fruit and herbs. Recently, a company has come to the village with an idea to cut down a part of the forest to build a factory. The factory would have provided jobs and income for the villagers, but cutting down the trees would have made the forest smaller and harmed the animals living there.

If you were a part of the village panchayat, how would you have balanced the need for jobs with the need to conserve the forest? Give two suggestions and explain your reasons for each.

Life Skills

Work with your friends and family to find five medicinal plants like tulsi, neem, etc. Collect fallen leaves from these plants and create a scrapbook. Mention their names and any two benefits of each plant. Display your scrapbook in the class.

Soils of India 10

Chapter Overview

Soil and Its Importance

Types of Soil

Erosion and Conservation

Get Set

Tick (✓) the images that show something that plants need to grow.

Soil and Its Importance

Soil is the top layer of the Earth where plants grow. It is made up of tiny rocks, minerals and organic matter. Soil is very important because it helps plants grow, which in turn provide us with food. Farmers need healthy soil to grow crops and vegetables. Soil also provides homes for many small animals and insects like earthworms.

minerals: they occur naturally below the surface of the earth, like iron, copper, etc. organic matter: soil made up of things that were once alive, like plants and animals

Soils of India

Soil is formed over a long time when rocks break down into tiny pieces. Wind, water and sunlight slowly break down rocks into smaller bits. Dead plants and animals mix with these tiny rock pieces to make the soil rich and capable to support plants. This process can take hundreds of years to create just a thin layer of soil.

Types of Soil

There are six types of soil that are commonly found in India. Different types of soil are suitable for growing different types of crops. Let us learn about them.

Alluvial Soil

Alluvial soil is very rich and fertile. It is made from sand, silt and clay carried by rivers. This soil is great for farming and is found in areas like the northern plains of India, including states, like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane and cotton grow well in alluvial soil.

Black Soil

Think and Tell

Black soil is dark in colour and rich in minerals. Black soil is mostly found in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Other crops like sugarcane, millets and wheat also grow well in black soil. This type of soil retains water well, making it suitable for growing rice, sugarcane, millets and oilseeds.

silt: fine particles of rocks and minerals that are carried by the flowing water of rivers

Alluvial soil

Black soil

Plants need healthy soil to grow.

Soil distribution in India

ARABIAN SEA BAY OF BENGAL

INDIAN OCEAN

Did You Know?

Black soil is perfect for growing cotton, so it is often referred to as cotton soil.

Red Soil

Red soil is rich in iron, which gives it a reddish colour. It is found in areas with a warm climate. Although it is less fertile, it can grow crops with the right care. Red soil is mostly found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Crops like millets, groundnuts and cotton grow well in this soil.

Laterite Soil

Laterite soil is reddish and forms in areas with heavy rainfall and high temperatures. It is rich in iron but needs fertilisers to grow crops effectively. Laterite soil is found in states like Kerala, Karnataka and Odisha. It is good for growing crops like tea, coffee, cashew nuts and coconut.

Desert Soil

Desert soil is sandy, dry and does not hold much water. It is found in the hot, dry areas of India, especially in the state of Rajasthan. With the help of irrigation, some crops like millet, barley and pulses can grow in desert soil. Although it is not very fertile, proper watering can help these crops grow.

Mountain Soil

Mountain soil is found in hilly and mountainous areas. It is rich in organic matter known as humus, making it very fertile. This soil is found in the Himalayan regions of India, like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Mountain soil is good for growing crops like tea, coffee, spices and fruits such as apples and pears.

Pause and Answer

Tick (✓) the correct statements.

1. Laterite soil is reddish in colour.

2. Black soil is found in the northern and coastal plains.

3. Mountain soil is rich in iron.

4. Alluvial soil is best for agriculture.

organic matter: matter that has come from a recently living organism and is capable of decay

Red soil

Laterite soil

Desert soil

Do and Learn

Observe how soil reacts to water and how its texture changes through the following steps.

1. Collect one cup of soil from your neighbourhood.

2. Take a plastic glass and make a small hole at the bottom with a pencil.

3. Fill the glass halfway with soil.

4. Slowly pour water into the cup.

Does the soil change in any way? Note down how the soil changes after water is added. Check if the water is dripping from the small hole you made at the bottom of the glass. If no water is dripping from the hole, it means that the soil has absorbed all the water.

Erosion and Conservation

Soil erosion occurs when wind or water washes away the top layer of soil, making it difficult for plants to grow. For example, heavy rains can cause soil to wash down hill slopes, or strong winds can blow soil away in dry areas. Erosion can lead to the loss of fertile soil and harm plants and crops. Deforestation is a major cause of soil erosion. When we cut down trees in large numbers and clear the forests for building houses, cities, roads, etc., it is called deforestation.

Conserving soil is important because it helps plants grow and provides food for us. Soil conservation means protecting soil from being washed or blown away. To conserve soil, we can:

• Plant trees and grass to hold the soil in place. Planting trees in large numbers to form a forest is also called afforestation.

• Use cover crops to protect the soil surface.

• Build terraces on hillsides to slow down water.

• Avoid overgrazing by animals.

• Practice terrace farming on hill slopes and build embankments on rivers.

cover crops: crops that are grown to cover the soil and hold it in place and not for harvest terrace farming: farming done on terraces that are carved into mountain slopes embankment: a thick wall of earth built to prevent water from flooding an area

Soil erosion due to strong flow of water.

Terrace farming

Discuss!

How do you think human activities like farming and construction add to soil erosion?

Wonders of Bharat

Neelakurinji is a flower that blossoms only once in about 12 years. In the entire world, it is only found in the Western Ghats region of India. Many tourists travel to the Western Ghats to see the blooming of the Neelakurinji.

Word Splash

soil: the topmost layer of the earth’s surface

Neelakurinji flowers

soil erosion: a process through which the uppermost layer of the soil (topsoil) is lost from the land

deforestation: cutting down of trees in large numbers to clear a forest

soil conservation: the process of protecting soil from erosion

afforestation: planting trees in large numbers to form a forest

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the importance of soil conservation.

Points to Remember

• Soil erosion happens when wind or water washes away the top layer of soil, which can make it hard for plants to grow.

• Conserving soil is important because it helps plants grow and provides food for us.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which soil contains high amount of iron?

a. Black soil

B. Which is the most fertile soil?

a. Alluvial soil

b. Alluvial soil

c. Red soil

b. Desert soil

C. Which of these crops can be grown in laterite soil?

a. Cotton

b. Rubber

c. Mountain soil

c. Wheat

2. Fill in the blanks. Odisha Uttarakhand Rajasthan Gujarat

A. Desert soil can be found in .

B. Laterite soil can be found in .

C. Mountain soil is mostly found in .

D. Black soil is mostly found in .

3. Write True or False.

A. Laterite soil is found in coastal areas.

B. Mountain soil is rich in humus.

C. Desert soil is mainly made up of sand.

D. Red soil can hold a lot of water.

4. Match the following.

A. Alluvial Soil i. Pears

B. Red Soil ii. Groundnuts

C. Mountain Soil iii. Wheat

D. Black Soil iv. Cotton

5. Short answer questions.

A. What is soil erosion?

B. List two ways of preventing soil erosion.

C. In which areas do we find alluvial soil?

6. Long answer questions.

A. How is soil formed?

B. Why is it important to conserve soil?

C. How does terrace farming on hill slopes prevent soil erosion?

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

A. What type of soil can you see in the given picture?

B. Where can we find this type of soil in India?

C. Name two crops that are grown in this type of soil.

HOTS

Imagine you are a farmer. You need to choose which soil to use for growing rice, cotton and groundnuts. Based on what you know about each type of soil, which soil would you choose for each crop and why? You can choose one soil for all or different soils for each.

Life Skills

Make a chart of different types of soils. To do this, take a sheet of chart paper and paste pictures of different types of soil. Then write their names and the names of three crops that can be grown in each type of soil. Then, write the areas where that type of soil is found in India. Display the chart in your class.

Water Resources of India

Chapter Overview

Water Resources of India

Need and Sources of Water Means of Irrigation Shortage of Water

Rainwater

Harvesting

Get Set

Choose words from the given box to solve the following riddles related to water.

Pond Well River

1. I flow continuously from high mountains to the plains, moving through land to reach the sea. What am I?

2. I am a small body of water surrounded by land. I am not a lake and not very deep. What am I?

3. I am a hole dug deep into the ground to access underground water. You often draw water from me using a bucket. What am I?

Need and Sources of Water

Water is essential for all life. We need water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, washing and bathing. Animals and birds also require water to survive. Water is crucial for growing crops too.

Remember!

Although three-fourths of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, most of it comes from seas and oceans. Since this water is salty, it cannot be used for drinking.

Growing crops Bathing Washing Fishing

Farmers depend on rains for agriculture. Rainwater that seeps into the ground and gets stored below the Earth’s surface is called groundwater. Rainwater also collects in ponds and lakes.

Think and Tell

In what ways do you use water every day?

Means of Irrigation

Farmers need water to grow their crops. A sufficient and timely supply of water is essential for growing crops. This is done through irrigation. Irrigation is a method of providing water to crops in large fields.

Some methods of irrigation in India are:

River Water: Rivers are one of the main sources of irrigation in India. Some rivers, like the Indus and the Ganga, have water all year round and are called perennial rivers. Other rivers, such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri, fill up only during the monsoon season and are called seasonal rivers.

Wells and Tube Wells: Wells are dug in areas where there is enough groundwater. When pumps are used to extract water for irrigation, this system is called a tube well. These pumps can be powered by electricity, hand or diesel. This method is commonly used in India to draw water from deep underground for irrigation.

seeps: to flow or leak slowly through small openings or pores

Did You Know?

The Brahmaputra River in India is unique for its seasonal changes. During the monsoon, it rises to ten times its size during the dry season.

River Ganga

River Kaveri

Tube Well

Irrigation Canals: Irrigation canals are human-made channels used in areas where water is limited. These canals carry water from rivers to various parts of the country. For example, the Indira Gandhi Canal in Rajasthan carries water from the Sutlej and Beas Rivers to different parts of Rajasthan.

Tanks and Ponds: Tanks and ponds are used in areas where it is difficult to dig wells. They are used during the dry season when there is a scarcity of water. Some water from these tanks seeps into the ground, which helps to refill the groundwater.

Dams: Dams are built on rivers to create large reservoirs for storing water. These reservoirs fill up during the monsoon and help to prevent flooding. The stored water can then be used for irrigation when there is not enough water available. Dams also generate electricity from the flowing water, known as hydroelectricity.

Some important dams in India are:

• Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh

• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

• Farakka Barrage on the Ganga River in West Bengal

• Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River in Odisha

• Mettur Dam on the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu

Pause and Answer

Choose the correct answer.

1. River/Canal is human-made.

2. Ganga/Krishna is a seasonal river.

3. Ponds/Dams generate electricity.

scarcity: being in short supply reservoir: a large, artificial or natural lake used to store water

Indira Gandhi Canal, Rajasthan

Fishing in a pond, Odisha

Bhakra Nangal Dam

Mettur Dam

Shortage of Water

India faces significant water shortages in many states and villages. Some of the main reasons for this are:

• Less Rainfall: When it does not rain enough, there is insufficient water in rivers and lakes.

• Wasting Water: People sometimes leave taps running, thereby wasting water.

• Pollution: Dirty water from factories can make clean water unsafe for use.

• Cutting Trees: Trees help to bring rain, thus, cutting them down can reduce rainfall and water supply.

• Rapid population growth: Population growth has increased water demand, putting pressure on the already limited water resources in cities.

Discuss!

Discuss with your partner on how you can prevent water pollution through small actions everyday.

Rainwater Harvesting

Water is essential for all life on Earth, so it is important that we conserve it. One effective way to save rainwater is through rainwater harvesting. This involves collecting rainwater from rooftops and the ground and directing it into a deep pit or well that has been dug into the Earth. This process helps to increase groundwater levels and also prevent waterlogging and soil erosion.

Rainwater can be collected in tanks and stored for later use, especially during dry seasons. The collected rainwater can be used for irrigation, gardening, washing and even drinking after it has been properly filtered.

conserve: to avoid wasting something and collect it for future use erosion: the removal of the top layer of soil by natural forces, such as wind, water, or ice or through human activities

Drainage pipe polluting water

Increasing population in Mumbai

Rainwater harvesting in tanks

Place large buckets or tubs outside in the balcony or in parks when it rains, and use this water later to wash your house or water the indoor plants.

Wonders of Bharat

The Bhakra Nangal Dam is built on the Satluj river and is located in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is one of the largest dams in India. Its height is 225 metres. Its reservoir is known as the “Gobind Sagar Lake”.

Word Splash

groundwater: water that exists beneath the Earth’s surface irrigation: method of providing water to crops in large farm fields perennial rivers: rivers that flow continuously throughout the year seasonal rivers: rivers that fill up only during the monsoon season hydroelectricity: electricity generated from flowing water with the help of dams

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about rainwater harvesting.

Points to Remember

• Water is necessary for humans, plants and animals.

• Dams help in flood control and hydroelectric power generation.

• Rainwater harvesting helps to refill groundwater.

Bhakra Nangal Dam

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. How much of the Earth is covered by water?

a. One-third

b. Three-fourths c. Half

B. The water stored below the Earth’s surface is called a. Groundwater b. Wells c. Dams

C. When pumps are used for extracting water, the system is called a. Canals

b. Tube wells c. Rainwater harvesting

D. River fills up only during the monsoon.

a. Ganga

2. Fill in the blanks.

b. Brahmaputra c. Krishna

perennial river hydroelectricity dams canals

A. are human-made channels that are used to distribute water to places where it is scarce.

B. As the River Indus flows throughout the year, it is called .

C. help in the prevention of floods during the monsoons.

D. The electricity generated from the flow of water is called .

3. Write True or False.

A. The Indira Gandhi Canal carries water to parts of Rajasthan.

B. Irrigation canals are also called dams.

C. Farakka Barrage is on the Ganga River.

D. Nagarjuna Dam is built on the Krishna River.

4. Match the following.

A. Mettur dam i. West Bengal

B. Hirakud dam ii. Himachal Pradesh

C. Farrakka Barrage iii. Odisha

D. Bhakra dam iv. Tamil Nadu

5. Short answer questions.

A. What is a perennial river? Give two examples of perennial rivers.

B. What is a tube well?

6. Long answer questions.

A. How does rainwater harvesting make sure that we do not run out of groundwater?

B. Explain three causes of shortage of water in India.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given picture and answer the following questions.

A. What is this source of water called?

B. Give two uses of it.

HOTS

Sara noticed that her town’s water supply was running low during the summer. She saw her neighbour using rainwater from a tank to water the plants. If you were Sara, mention two ways in which you would encourage your family and community to use rainwater harvesting.

Life Skills

Water is essential for all living beings, but much of it gets wasted. Discuss with your family and think of three ways in which you and your family can save water everyday. Follow these practices together as a family and note down roughly how many buckets of water you saved in a week.

Mineral Resources of India 12

Chapter Overview

Mineral Resources of India

Metals and Non-metals

Distribution of Metallic and Non-metallic Minerals in India

Conservation

Get Set

Which of the following are made in factories? Put a tick (ü) under those items.

The things we use every day are made up of different materials, including metals. Minerals are natural substances found in the Earth, such as gold and iron. We obtain these minerals from the Earth through a process called mining. When we extract them, they are called mineral ores. Metals are used to make many things, like coins and cars. In this chapter, we will learn about these in detail.

mineral ores: a mix of minerals and other materials, like rocks and mud found below the surface of the Earth

An iron ore

Remember!

Mining is the process of digging up minerals from below the Earth’s surface.

Metals and Non-metals

Minerals can be divided into two types: metallic minerals and non-metallic minerals.

Metallic minerals: These are minerals that give us metals. Some examples of metallic minerals include iron, copper, gold and bauxite.

Did You Know?

Non-metallic minerals: These are minerals from which we do not get metals. For example, limestone, salt and coal.

Coal and petroleum are also called fossil fuels or mineral fuels.

Distribution of Metallic and Non-metallic Minerals in India

India has large deposits of many metallic and non-metallic minerals. They are found in different places across the country.

Names of metallic minerals

Iron ore

Copper

Manganese

Bauxite

States where they are found in India

Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa

Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh

Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh

Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa

Some uses

To make tools, utensils, machines, bridges and railway engines

To make tools, utensils and electrical wires

To make steel

Aluminium is extracted from bauxite and is used to make aeroplanes and utensils

Limestone

Diamond is the hardest mineral found on Earth.

Names of non-metallic minerals

States where they are found in India

Gold Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh

Limestone Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha

Coal Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Tamil Nadu

Petroleum and Natural gas

Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra (off the coast of Mumbai)

Some uses

To make jewellery

To make cement

Used as a fuel

These minerals play an important role in various industries and everyday items.

Do and Learn

Ask your parents for help and find any three metallic objects in your house. Find out the metals from which they are made.

Coal is an important mineral fuel. It forms from the remains of dead plants and animals that lived many years ago. Coal is a non-renewable resource. Some of the most important coal mines in India are located in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh; Bokaro, Dhanbad and Jharia in Jharkhand; and Raniganj in West Bengal.

Crude oil, or petroleum, is a thick, dark liquid found deep underground. It is formed over millions of years from the remains of tiny plants and animals. When these living things died, they sank to the bottom of the ocean. Over time, heat and pressure from the Earth’s layers transformed them into oil.

Petroleum is very important because it is used to make many things we use every day, like plastics and lubricants. To extract crude oil, people drill deep into the Earth, using oil wells. These wells bring the oil to the surface.

Did You Know?

Coal is made up of a substance called carbon. This same substance is also found in diamonds.

A coal mine

An oil refinery

Once crude oil is collected, it goes to the oil refineries. At the refineries, crude oil is cleaned and processed to make useful products like petrol, diesel and kerosene.

In India, some well-known places where oil is found and refined include Assam (Digboi), Gujarat (Ankleshwar), Mumbai High (offshore in the Arabian Sea) and Rajasthan (Barmer). These locations are important for producing the oil we need for energy and various products.

Natural gas is found along side petroleum in oilfields. It is used to make

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is a fuel for vehicles. CNG does not cause pollution, so it is used in several Indian states as fuel for public transport.

Think and Tell

Mineral distribution in India

The burning of mineral fuels causes air pollution, which harms the environment. Can you think of three ways to reduce air pollution?

Conservation

Minerals, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, form over millions of years. The speed at which we are using these resources is too fast. If we continue to use them in the same way, the available supply of these minerals will eventually run out.

Discuss!

Can you think of some activities that we can perform using solar energy instead of mineral fuels? Discuss with your classmates and list any three such activities.

Minerals are exhaustible resources, so it is important to conserve them. We should also use more inexhaustible means of energy, such as solar energy, water energy and wind

exhaustible: something that is finished once it is used

inexhaustible: something that does not get over after it is used solar energy: energy from the sun

energy. Inexhaustible resources are also called renewable resources. We should use mineral resources wisely and make an effort to conserve them. This can be achieved by reducing the use of fuel-powered vehicles and choosing to cycle to school instead, using solar energy and driving electric cars, among other methods.

Wonders of Bharat

Mumbai High (or Bombay High) is the largest oilfield in India and is located in the Arabian Sea. It was discovered in 1974.

Word Splash

minerals: natural substances that are found in the Earth

metals: made from minerals and can be used to make many things, like cars and machines mineral fuels: minerals that are used to produce energy, such as coal and petroleum oil refinery: a factory where crude oil is converted into products like petroleum and diesel

oilfield: an area with many wells from which oil is extracted

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about how coal is formed.

Points to Remember

• Metallic minerals are those that give us metals.

• Non-metallic minerals are those from which we do not get metals.

• Coal forms from the remains of dead plants and animals that lived many years ago.

Crude oil being drilled out from the seabed at Mumbai High.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which of these is a non-metallic mineral?

a. Copper

b. Limestone

B. Which of these states has deposits of gold?

a. Jharkhand

b. Rajasthan

C. Which of these is an inexhaustible source of energy?

a. Wind energy

b. Petroleum

D. What is a place with many wells for extracting oil called?

a. Oilfield

2. Fill in the blanks.

b. Oil refinery

c. Iron

c. Karnataka

c. Natural Gas

c. Oil mine

bauxite Dhanbad electrical Natural

A. In India, coal mines are found in several places, including .

B. Aluminium is extracted from an ore called .

C. gas is used to make CNG.

D. Copper is mainly used in the industry.

3. Match the following.

A. Iron ore

B. Copper

C. Bauxite

D. Crude oil

4. Short answer questions.

A. What are the two types of minerals?

i. Odisha

ii. Jharkhand

iii. Rajasthan

iv. Assam

B. Name any two places where natural gas is found in India.

C. Name two things that are made using iron.

5. Long answer questions.

A. Why is it important to conserve minerals?

B. How is crude oil collected and converted to petrol or diesel?

C. Why is using CNG in public transport vehicles better than diesel for our health?

6. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. Is it a metallic mineral or a non-metallic mineral?

B. In which Indian state is this mineral found?

HOTS

Different parts of India have different types of minerals. Why do you think some minerals are found in certain places and not in others?

Life Skills

Discuss with your parents and identify some items that can be reused at home, like aluminium cans, plastic bottles, cardboards, etc. Collect these items and reuse them. Make a list of the different items you collected and note down the ways in which you reused them. Share the list with your class.

Reusing plastic bottles as plant pots

Agriculture and Livestock 13

Chapter Overview

Get Set

Below are pictures of some foods. Can you name them?

All these food items are made from different crops. Agriculture is the practice of growing crops, like fruits, vegetables and grains, to provide food. It is one of the main activities in India, especially in rural areas. Livestock refers to animals, like cows, goats and chickens that are raised by farmers for various agricultural purposes. These animals provide food, milk, wool and they also help with farming activities.

In this chapter, we will learn about them in detail.

The Northern Plains are the most fertile and best suited for agriculture.

Livestock

Main Cash Crops Horticulture

Main Food Crops Agriculture and Livestock Green Revolution

Some crops grown in different parts of India.

Main Food Crops

Food crops provide food for people. Rice, wheat, millets and pulses are the main food crops grown in India.

Rice is a key food crop grown in India, especially in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Punjab. It needs plenty of water and grows best in warm, rainy conditions. Wheat is mainly grown in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. It grows best in cooler weather and is usually planted in winter and harvested in spring season. Women planting rice

Rice Wheat

Pulses

ARABIAN SEA

BAY OF BENGAL

Lakshadweep Islands

Sugarcane Wheat

INDIAN OCEAN

Map not to Scale

Pulses are grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. They grow well in moderate climates and require less water compared to rice, making them suitable for drier seasons.

Did You Know?

India is the largest producer of pulses in the world.

Grains such as maize, barley, ragi, jowar, bajra are called millets. Maize, or corn, is cultivated in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. It needs warm weather and plenty of sunshine to grow well and is harvested in late summer or autumn. Barley is mainly grown in Rajasthan and parts of Punjab. It thrives in cooler weather and requires less water, making it suitable for dry, cool climates.

Farmers work very hard to grow these food crops for us. We must respect food and not waste it.

Do and Learn

Find out which states in India are called the following:

1. Rice Bowl of India

3. Apple City of India

Main Cash Crops

2. Wheat Bowl of India

4. Milk Bowl of India

Cash crops are grown mainly to be sold for profit rather than for personal use. In India, the main cash crops are cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, spices, coffee and tea. Cotton is grown in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. It is usually planted in summer and harvested in winter. Sugarcane is grown primarily in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Tea is mainly produced in Assam and West Bengal, where it requires cool, rainy conditions, and is harvested throughout the year.

Coffee is mainly grown in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Spices such as cardamom, pepper and cloves, are cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu, significantly contributing to India’s exports.

In India, the major oilseeds include groundnut, mustard, sesame and sunflower. Groundnut is grown in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It grows well in warm climates. Mustard is grown in Rajasthan and Haryana, mainly in the winter season. Sesame is cultivated in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, while sunflower grows well in Karnataka. These crops are used for producing vegetable oils.

Sunflower seeds

Cardamom crop

Fibre crops are grown for their fibres, and are used to make textiles and other products. The main fibre crops in India are cotton, jute and hemp. Cotton is grown in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Jute is cultivated in West Bengal. It is used to make bags, carpets and other similar products. Hemp is grown in parts of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Do and Learn

Think and Tell

Which fibre has been used to make your school bag?

Find three types of pulses and three cash crops that you use at home. See what they look like, then draw and colour their pictures in your notebook. Do not forget to label your drawings.

Pause and Answer

Circle the correct word.

1. Pulses/Tea is a cash crop.

2. Sugarcane/Cotton is a fibre crop.

3. Rice/Coffee is a food crop.

Horticulture

Horticulture is the practice of growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. Examples of horticultural crops in India include mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, jasmine and roses. These crops are grown in different regions to provide food and beautify gardens. States such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and other northeastern states are known for their horticulture.

Discuss!

A farmer collecting flowers from his field.

How are agriculture and horticulture differ when it comes to the food we obtain from both?

Mustard seeds

Groundnuts

Jute Cotton

Livestock

Livestock are useful in many ways. Cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, camels and yaks give milk. Cows, bulls and oxen are used to plough fields and pull carts. Wool from sheep, camels and yaks is used to make warm clothes. The skin of certain dead animals are used to make leather. Their waste is used as manure in the fields. Cow dung is also used as a fuel to light fires for cooking in villages.

In India, many farmers practise mixed farming, which means they engage in both agriculture and animal rearing on the same farm.

Green Revolution

The Green Revolution was a big change in farming that started in the 1960s to increase food production. It introduced high-yield seeds, fertilisers, irrigation methods and big machines that helped with ploughing fields and harvesting. All of these helped farmers to produce crops like wheat and rice in large quantities.

Did You Know?

This was especially important for countries like India, which faced food shortages in the past. By using these new farming techniques, India was able to produce more food and feed a larger population. The Green Revolution mainly helped states like Punjab and Haryana, making them leading producers of food in the country.

Wonders of Bharat

Assam is the largest tea-producing state in India. The tea plantation in Assam is about 172 years old. Today, India is the second-largest tea producer in the world.

A woman harvesting tea in Assam.

manure: animal dung used to make the soil fertile high-yield: high output of crop fertilisers: chemicals that help plants grow healthier and faster

M.S. Swaminathan is known as the father of India’s Green Revolution.

A farmer using a tractor to plough the field.

Word Splash

agriculture: the practice of growing crops to provide food livestock: animals like cows that are raised by farmers for various agricultural purposes

food crops: crops grown to provide food

cash crops: crops mainly grown to be sold for profit rather than for personal use horticulture: the practice of growing fruits, vegetables and flowers

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about tea gardens of India.

Points to Remember

• Rice, wheat, millets and pulses are the main food crops grown in India.

• In India, the main cash crops are cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, spices, coffee and tea.

• The Green Revolution mainly helped states like Punjab and Haryana, making them the leading producers of food in the country.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which of the following grow best in dry climates?

a. Rice

b. Apples c. Millets

B. Which state is known for horticulture?

a. Himachal Pradesh b. Rajasthan c. Gujarat

C. Mustard and groundnuts are examples of .

a. Oilseeds

b. Fibre crops c. Livestock

D. Which of the following was introduced in India during the Green Revolution?

a. Ploughs

b. High-yield seeds c. Sickles

2. Fill in the blanks. manure jute wool mixed farming

A. When farmers are engaged in both agriculture and animal rearing on the same farm, it is called .

B. from sheep, camels and yaks is used to make warm clothes.

C. Animal waste is used as in fields to make the soil fertile.

D. is grown in the state of West Bengal.

3. Match the following.

A. Millets

i. Staple food in northern India

B. Mustard ii. Require a dry climate to grow

C. Wheat iii. Used to make bags

D. Jute iv. Produces oil that can be used for cooking

4. Short answer questions.

A. Name three food crops and where they are grown in India.

B. Name three cash crops and where they are grown in India.

C. What is the difference between food crops and cash crops?

D. Define horticulture.

5. Long answer questions.

A. Why is agriculture important for our country? Give three reasons.

B. Give three ways in which the Green Revolution benefitted India.

6. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. Name the type of farming in which they are grown.

B. Name two states where this type of farming is done.

HOTS

In mixed farming, farmers grow crops and raise animals on the same farm. Think of two ways in which growing crops and raising animals together could help the farm stay healthy and productive.

Life Skills

Plant seeds of some vegetables like tomatoes, beans or spinach in small pots at home. Place the pots in sunlight and water them daily. Once the plants grow, harvest some of the vegetables and share them with your classmates.

Tomatoes grown on the terrace

Chapter Overview

Location of an Industry Types of Industries

Get Set

Find and circle the following words in this grid.

An industry is a group of businesses that makes specific goods or provides specific services. For example, the car manufacturing industry makes cars, the clothing industry makes clothes, etc.

Remember!

Once goods are made in factories, wholesalers buy them from the factories and sell them to local shopkeepers. These shopkeepers then sell the goods to us.

Location of an Industry

The location of an industry depends on many factors, such as:

• Capital, or money: Without money, industries cannot be set up or run.

• Availability of raw materials: Industries are located near places where the required raw materials can be found easily. For example, steel industries are set up in areas where iron is found. Textile industries are set up in areas where cotton is grown.

• Energy supply: Industries need power to run machines, so they are located in places where electricity is easily available.

• Transportation: Industries need to transport their raw materials and send out finished goods, so they are usually set up near roads, railways or ports.

• Workers: Industries need workers, so they are often located where it is easy to find workers.

Industries in India

Think and Tell

Why are industries located near places where raw materials can be found?

capital: the money used to build, run, and grow a business

Pause and Answer

Tick ( ) the correct statements.

1. Energy is needed by factories to run machines.

2. Industries are located near roads, railways or ports.

3. Industries produce only steel.

4. Industries can work without raw materials.

Types of Industries

There are different types of industries. Those that use crops as raw materials are called agro-based industries, such as the cotton industry, jute industry and sugarcane industry.

Industries that use minerals like iron, copper and bauxite are called mineral-based industries. Examples are the steel industry, automobile industry and oil industry.

Industries can also be divided into three types based on their size. There are large-scale industries, small-scale industries and cottage industries. Let us learn about each one.

Large-scale Industries

Large-scale industries produce a large number of goods using huge machines and many workers. These industries need a lot of space, money and raw materials. They often produce items that are used all over the country or even the world, like cars, steel and electronics. They are usually located near facilities like mines or ports. Large-scale industries are important because they create many jobs and produce goods that people use every day.

Mining and collection of raw material for industries

Jamshedpur is called the ‘Steel City of India’. India’s first steel plant was started here in 1907. Did You Know?

Some examples are the textile mills in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata, and the steel plants in Bhilai, Bokaro, Jamshedpur, Durgapur and Rourkela. Several places in India such as Jamnagar, Kochi, Mumbai and Mangalore have oil refineries. There are automobile factories in Gurgaon and Pune that make cars. Shipbuilding industries are located in places like Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Mumbai. The aircraft industry is located in Nashik, Koraput and Bengaluru.

Cars being manufactured in a factory

Small-scale Industries

Small-scale industries are businesses that are much smaller than large-scale factories. They usually have fewer workers and smaller machines, and they produce goods in smaller quantities. These industries often use local materials and can be set up in villages or small towns. Because they are smaller, they need less money to start and run.

For example, the tailoring industry that makes clothes is a small-scale industry. These industries are important because they provide jobs and help the local economy grow.

Cottage Industries

Cottage industries are small businesses where people make things at home or in small workshops. These industries are usually family-run and don’t need big machines or a lot of money to start. The products are often handmade, using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations.

Examples are, pottery, bamboo products, handicrafts and candle-making.

Cottage industries mostly use local materials and skills. Hence they are better for the environment and also create jobs for local communities. They also keep the traditional crafts alive.

Carved wooden elephants being made in a cottage industry

Discuss!

Do you have any skills or hobbies that could be turned into a cottage industry? Discuss with your partner.

Industries are very important because they make the products we use every day, from clothes and cars to food and electronics. While traditional industries like textile mills and steel factories have been around for a long time, new types of industries are also growing. For example, software and IT (Information Technology) industries create computer programs and apps that help us with work, school and entertainment. These new industries often do not need big factories. They use computers and the internet to do their work from offices. Together, all types of industries help our world develop and improve our daily lives.

handicrafts: decorative and daily-use objects made by hand

A clothing factory

Wonders of Bharat

The Bhilai Steel Plant is located in Bhilai in Chhattisgarh. It was set up in 1955. It is the main producer of rails used by the Indian Railways.

Word Splash

industry: a group of businesses that makes specific goods or provides specific services

agro-based industries: industries that use crops as raw materials

mineral-based industries: industries that use minerals as raw material

oil refineries: industries that convert crude oil into usable products like petrol, diesel and oil

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about how automobile industries work.

Points to Remember

• The location of industries is determined by the availability of raw materials, capital, energy, workers and transportation.

• Based on their size, industries can be large-scale, small-scale and cottage industries.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which type of industry is run by people from their homes?

a. Large-scale

b. Small-scale

c. Cottage

Bhilai Steel Plant

B. Which of these is a mineral-based industry?

a. Jute b. Steel c. Sugar

C. Which of the following places has shipbuilding industries?

a. Visakhapatnam b. Lucknow c. Bengaluru

2. Fill in the blanks.

cottage raw materials automobile steel

A. Industries are located near places where can be found.

B. Heavy machinery is required in industries.

C. Pottery is an example of a industry.

D. factories are located in Gurgaon and Pune.

3. Write True or False.

A. Agro-based industries use minerals as raw materials.

B. Handicrafts are mostly made in cottage industries.

C. Small-scale industries are the same as cottage industries.

D. Cottage industries are usually family-run.

4. Match the following.

A. Kolkata

B. Bokaro

C. Jamnagar

D. Nashik

5. Short answer questions.

i. Oil refinery

ii. Textile industry

iii. Aircraft industry

iv. Steel industry

A. How is energy an important factor for determining the location of industries?

B. Which of the following industries would need the most capital: toy manufacturing, car manufacturing or aircraft manufacturing?

C. Are industries located near places where raw materials can be found or near markets or both?

6. Long answer questions.

A. Write three differences between large-scale and small-scale industries.

B. Explain the factors that determine the location of industries.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. What type of products are these: handicrafts, clothing, food?

B. In what type of industry are these made?

HOTS

1. Large-scale industries need a lot of space, money and raw materials. Give two reasons why is it still important to set them up.

2. Why are cottage industries important to the country when we have small-scale and large-scale industries too?

Community Connect

Visit a local bakery or a sweet shop in your city with your parents. Speak to the owner and understand how it runs based on the following points.

1. How many people are employed?

2. What are some raw materials that they need?

3. What are some of the different types of products they make and sell?

4. From where do they get these raw materials?

5. Do they only sell from their shop or do they also supply to other shops or cities?

Share your findings with the class.

PROJECT 2 Understanding Forests, Soil, Wildlife and Water

Objective: Students will explore how forests, soils and water resources are connected and how they affect each other.

Materials Needed: Research materials (books, internet, printed articles), notebook, markers and sticky notes

Step 1: Form Groups

Form groups of 4 students. Choose any one of the following topics for your project: Forests and Wildlife, Soils, Water Resources.

Step 2: Do Your Research

• Forests and Wildlife group:

Do research about three different types of forests and wildlife in India. Find out their connection with water and soil.

• Soils group:

Do research about three different types of soil in India and the plants that grow in them. Learn how forests and water affect the soil.

• Water Resources group:

Find out about three different water resources and how they impact the environment around them.

Step 3: Find the Connections

In your group, discuss how your topic connects to the other two. For example, how do forests and wildlife depend on soil and water?

Step 4: Prepare Your Report

Prepare a report that includes: an introduction, connection between your topic and the other two topics and a few important examples or facts.

Project Outcome: You now have an in-depth understanding of the relation between forests, soil and water resources. Present your report to the class.

Final Outcome: This hands-on project will help you understand the relation between forests, soil and water, the connection between them and how they depend on each other.

To be read aloud and explained in the mother tongue by the teacher, as needed.

Assessment 2

Read this case study. Answer the questions.

Iron Mining in Kopanagar

Near a village called Kopanagar, there is a big iron mine. Most of the villagers work in this mine. They dig for iron ore, a valuable mineral used to make steel. Steel is an important material used to build cars, bridges and buildings. The iron mine near Kopanagar provides a lot of iron ore, which is then sent to factories where it is turned into steel. Many of the villagers work in these factories as well. Thus, the iron and steel industry is the most important industry in Kopanagar. It helps the local economy by providing jobs and supporting businesses that depend on steel.

1. What is the main mineral extracted from the iron mines in Kopanagar?

a. Gold b. Iron ore c. Coal

2. What is the use of iron ore?

a. It is used to make clothes.

b. It is used to make steel.

c. It is used to grow crops.

3. Is the iron and steel industry a large-scale industry? Give two reasons.

4. How does iron ore mining in Kopanagar affect nearby areas and the environment? Write any 2 points.

To be read aloud and explained in the mother tongue by the teacher, as needed.

Transport 15

Chapter Overview

Transport

Land Transport Air Transport

Water Transport

Get Set

Solve the riddle given below.

I soar high up in the sky, With wings so wide, I love to fly.

I take you places far and near, Through clouds, I glide without fear. What am I? Can you guess?

In ancient times, it was very difficult to travel or transport goods. People had to walk long distances to do so. With the invention of the wheel, transport became easier, and people began using carts pulled by animals like horses and oxen. It made travel easier for

Remember!

The different types of vehicles that are used for carrying goods and people from one place to another are called means of transport.

them, but it still took several days to travel over long distances. Today, we have many options to travel or transport goods, such as cycles, tongas, cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes, ships and metro.

There are three kinds of transportation: land transport, water transport and air transport. Let us learn about them in detail.

Land Transport

Land transport is the most commonly used means of transport.

There are two types of land transport: roadways and railways.

Roadways

India has a wide network of roads that connects cities, towns and villages. It is also easier to build roads compared to laying railway tracks or building airports or ports. Roads are useful because they connect our homes directly to markets and other places.

Nowadays, electric cars and buses are also used on Indian roads. They have rechargeable electric motors and do not use petrol or diesel to run. Thus, they are also good for the environment and do not cause air pollution.

There are many types of roads in India. Two main types are national highways and state highways.

National highways connect states with each other across India. State highways link important cities, towns and districts within the state. They also connect National Highways or state highways of the neighbouring states.

The national highways are constructed and maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state highways are constructed and managed by the Public Works Department of each state.

Think and Tell

The Golden Quadrilateral is a national highway that connects four major metro cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Along the route it connects many major industrial, agricultural and cultural cities of India. It is 5846 kms long.

Do and Learn

Make a list of the national highways and state highways that you have in your city or state.

Railways

Did You Know?

The first railway line in India began in 1853 between Mumbai and Thane.

Railways in India transport thousands of passengers to work, vacation and business every day. They also transport several tonnes of goods from places where industries are located to the markets across India, thus helping in economic activities and development. Since Indian railways are connected to our lives in so many ways, they are referred to as ‘the lifelines of the nation’.

Compared to roadways, railways are faster and more comfortable when travelling over long distances.

India has different types of trains that serve different purposes. They are passenger trains, superfast trains and goods trains. Passenger trains focus on the comfort and basic facilities for the passengers. Superfast and express trains have limited halts on the route, so passengers can reach their destination faster. Today, the Vande Bharat Express is one of the fastest passenger trains in India. Goods trains transport only goods over long distances.

Goods train

Some trains connect different places within the city and some neighbouring areas. They are local trains and metros. For example, local trains in Mumbai connect several locations within the city, and metro trains do the same in Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai. Metro trains work underground and underwater as well. For example, a part of the Kolkata metro runs underwater and a part of the Delhi metro runs underground.

Think and Tell

What is the name of the railway station in your city or town?

People waiting to board a local train in Mumbai

economic activities: activities related to production, buying and selling of goods

Pause and Answer

Tick ( ) the correct statement.

1. Metro trains run within the city.

2. Local trains run between two states.

3. National Highways are maintained by the Public Works Department.

4. State highways link important cities, towns and districts within the state.

Water Transport

Water transport helps to move large amounts of goods over long distances, and it is often cheaper than other types of transport.

In modern times, we have container ships that carry cargo, oil tanker ships that carry petroleum and cruise ships that carry people. Cruise ships are large ships that carry passengers and have many modern facilities like cinema halls, lifts, rooms, restaurants, etc.

India has ports on the west and the east coast. Some major ports on the west coast are Kandla Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Kochi Port and Mormugao Port.

Inland waterway in India

Air Transport

Some major ports on the east coast are Chennai Port, Paradip Port, Haldia Port and Visakhapatnam Port.

In India, there are many rivers, canals and lakes that are navigable. They are called inland waterways. For example, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra river are two main inland waterways in India.

Air transport is the fastest means of transport. It is often more expensive than other means. It makes it convenient to reach mountains and hilly regions that are otherwise difficult to reach using roadways or railways. During natural disasters such as floods

navigable: deep and wide enough for boats or ships to sail safely

The smallest port in India is Port Blair, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Did You Know?

Visakhapatnam Port

or landslides, helicopters can quickly come to the rescue. Aeroplanes also carry goods and mail between states and countries.

India has several domestic and international airports located across all major cities, such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow. Some of the most common airlines in India are Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet.

Do and Learn

Team up with your partner and find out the names of Indian states in which each of the ports mentioned above are located. You can use library books or the internet.

Wonders of Bharat

India has some luxury tourist trains like the Deccan Odyssey and the Palace on Wheels. They run on special routes covering many famous tourist destinations.

Word Splash

national highways: roads that connect states with each other across India

state highways: roads that link important cities, towns and districts within the state and surrounding areas

passenger trains: they focus on the comfort and basic facilities for passengers

goods trains: trains that transport only goods over long distances

local trains: trains that connect different places within the city and some neighbouring areas

cruise ships: large ships that carry passengers and have many modern facilities

inland waterways: rivers, canals and lakes that are navigable

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

Helicopter during a rescue mission

The Deccan Odyssey

Points to Remember

• The Golden Quadrilateral connects four major metro cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.

• The Ganga and the Brahmaputra River are two main inland waterways in India.

• India has several domestic and international airports located across all major cities.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which of the following is the cheapest way to move large amounts of goods over long distances?

a. Water transport

b. Air transport c. Land transport

B. Which of the following is the more expensive mode of transport?

a. Water transport

b. Air transport c. Land transport

C. Which of the following will be most useful for rescuing people during floods?

a. Ships

2. Fill in the blanks.

b. Helicopters c. Cars

electric cars national highways Mumbai state highways

A. The first railway line in India began in 1853 between and Thane.

B. are good for the environment.

C. NHAI maintains the in India.

D. The Public Works Department maintains the in India.

3. Write True or False.

A. Metro trains only run underground.

B. Railways are easier to build than roads.

C. Road transport is the most expensive means of transport.

D. Haldia Port is on the west coast of India.

4. Short answer questions.

A. Name two inland waterways of India.

B. Name the four major metro cities that are connected by the Golden Quadrilateral.

C. Which invention made travelling easier?

5. Long answer questions.

A. Explain any two types of trains in India.

B. Why is it important to have different types of transportation like cars, metros, buses, trains and aeroplanes in a country?

6. Picture-based questions.

Look at the pictures and answer the following questions.

If you had to travel across a large river and then continue your journey by land to reach a faraway city:

A. Which two modes of transportation from the picture would you choose?

B. Explain your choices based on their abilities and limitations.

HOTS

During a major storm, several flights at an airport were delayed due to bad weather conditions. The passengers waited for hours, and many were worried about safety. However, some passengers were angry and wanted the flights to leave immediately to reach their destination on time.

1. Why do you think flights are delayed during bad weather?

2. Give two ways in which you would explain the importance of safety over time in air travel to angry passengers.

Life Skills

Make a poster of the different means of land transport available in your city. You can use magazine or newspaper cuttings, take printouts from the internet or draw pictures on your own. Write how we can use these vehicles in a sustainable manner. Share it with the class.

Means of Communication 16

Chapter Overview

Means of Communication

Meaning and Types of Communication

Methods of Personal Communication Methods of Mass Communication

Social Media

Get Set

Tick (✓) the things that you have used. Then, share one reason for using each item.

Meaning and Types of Communication

Communication is the way in which we share or exchange our ideas, thoughts, feelings and information with others. There are different methods through which people communicate with each other, for example, they may call each other on the phone or write letters. There are many types of communication, but in this chapter, we will learn about the two main types—personal communication and mass communication.

Communication between two individuals is called personal communication. The means of personal communication include letters, telephones, mobile phones, etc.

Communication between a large number of people is called mass communication. The means of mass communication are television, radio, etc.

Let us learn about them in detail.

Methods of Personal Communication

The Postal Service

The Indian Postal Service is the largest in the world and is known as India Post. We can send postcards, letters and parcels anywhere using postal services. We can use their services to send letters and parcels to different places in India and outside India. Money orders are also sent through postal services. A postman collecting letters from a postbox.

Do and Learn

Write a letter to your cousin or friend who lives in a different city. In the letter, you can write about a film you watched, any recent holiday or anything else that you would like to tell them. With the help of your parents, post this letter to your cousin/friend. Remember to write their full address and pin code before posting it.

Telephone

The telephone is an important means of communication. We can talk to anyone living in India or anywhere in the world using a telephone. The STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialling) facility helps us connect across different cities within our country. On the other hand, the ISD (International Subscriber Dialling) facility helps us to connect with people living in other countries.

Cell Phone

Communication became easy and quick with the introduction of cell phones. They are one of the most convenient way of communication, as they can easily be carried with us wherever we go. They also provide us with the Short Messaging Service (SMS)

money order: a special document which we can send to someone through post and they can get money in exchange for it convenient: easy to use

to send text messages. The modern version of cell phones or mobile phones are the smartphones. Smartphones are more advanced than cell phones and we can use them to access the internet, watch films, listen to songs, send emails, etc.

Email and Fax

Email or electronic mail is a fast way of sending electronic messages. Internet services are used to send emails with the help of computers and smartphones. Another way of sending written messages or images instantly is through the fax system. Here, the telephones are connected to fax machines. Thus, a document sent over the telephone is called a fax.

Methods of Mass Communication

Think and Tell

Share any two ways in which smartphones can be used for education.

When messages or information need to be spread to a large number of people, then methods like newspapers, radio and television are used. Let us learn more about them.

Newspapers and Magazines

These are some of the most common forms of communication used to spread information to the masses. They help us know about events around the world. Newspapers and magazines are printed in different languages.

Radio

We can listen to global and national news along with different entertainment programmes on the radio. It is specially helpful for people who cannot read, as well as those who have difficulty seeing. We can also listen to educational programmes on the radio.

Television

We can watch and listen to major events, natural disasters, films, songs, etc., on a television.

masses: a large number of people global: related to the whole world

Two boys reading a newspaper

A Radio

A Television

Different cultural events such as the Republic Day celebration and important sports events, such as football and cricket World Cup matches can all be seen live on television. This is possible due to satellites.

Satellites

Think and Tell

Why do you think radio became an important means of communication for people before the invention of the television?

Satellites are objects launched into space that revolve around the Earth. They help with communication, weather updates, etc. Satellites send and receive signals from mobile phones, smartphones, TVs and computers over long distances. This helps in connecting people worldwide.

Social Media

Satellite in space

Social media is a way to connect and share ideas with others using the internet. Some examples of social media platforms are Instagram, Meta and YouTube. They allow people to post pictures, videos and messages. Friends and family can comment on, like, and share things with each other on these platforms.

One must be careful and responsible when using social media. We should never share our personal information and pictures with strangers who try to talk to us online.

Wonders of Bharat

India’s first satellite was launched in 1975. It was named Aryabhata. The satellite was designed and built entirely in India.

Word Splash

communication: the way in which we share or exchange our ideas, thoughts, feelings and information with others

personal communication: communication between two people

mass communication: communication between a large number of people

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about how satellites are launched into space.

Indian postal stamp showing Aryabhata.

Points to Remember

• Communication is the way in which we share or exchange our ideas, thoughts, feelings and information with others.

• Letters, telephones, emails, mobile phones, etc. are means of personal communication.

• Televisions, radios, newspapers and magazines are means of mass communication.

• We should use social media responsibly.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which of these is a means of mass communication?

a. Newspaper

b. Letter

B. Which of these is an example of social media?

a. Radio

b. Meta

c. Telephone

c. Letter

C. Which of the following means of communication will help information reach the fastest?

a. Letter

2. Fill in the blanks.

b. Newspaper

c. Email

telephone emails newspapers

A. helps us send messages quickly to our friends and family using the internet.

B. A is a type of communication device that lets us talk to people far away.

C. are used to share information and news with a large number of people at once.

3. Write True or False.

A. Newspapers help us to know only about the national news.

B. The STD stands for Subscriber Test Dialling.

C. A fax machine needs a telephone to work properly.

D. Satellites are an example of social media.

4. Match the following.

A. Email i. Modern version of cell phones

B. Newspaper ii. Sends television signals to Earth

C. Smartphone iii. Spreads news to many people at once

D. Satellite iv. Sends messages quickly over the internet

5. Short answer questions.

A. What is meant by satellite communication?

B. What is the purpose of an email?

C. Define social media.

6. Long answer questions.

A. Distinguish between personal and mass communication.

B. Explain the role of social media as a form of mass communication.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the given image and answer the following questions.

A. What is shown here?

B. How has it improved television as a means of mass communication?

HOTS

Social media platforms are popular for staying in touch with friends and family. Explain two ways in which social media has changed the way we communicate with people.

Life Skills

We use the internet for many things these days, but it is important to stay safe online. With the help of your parents, make a list of any five ways in which we can stay safe online. Share your list with your classmates.

Our Government 17

Chapter Overview

Get Set

Look at the images given below. Can you identify what is shown in them?

Teacher: Just as we have teachers and a principal to make rules and keep everything running smoothly at school, there are people who do the same for our country. They are part of the government.

Maya: So, does the government help to manage the country?

Teacher: Exactly! The government makes rules, solves problems and takes care of the people. Local Government

The government is a group of people who runs the country, makes laws and ensures everyone follows them to keep things organised. The people of India choose their government through elections. All Indian citizens who are 18 years of age or above can vote in these elections.

In India, there are three levels of government—the central government, state government and local governments. In this chapter, we will learn more about these governments.

Central Government

The President of India is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. Did You Know?

The central government takes care of the whole country. It makes important decisions for everyone, such as building big highways, managing the army and printing money. For example, the central government decides what rules everyone in India should follow, regardless where they live. It also helps in emergencies like floods or droughts across the country.

The central government has important people like the prime minister, president, vice president and cabinet ministers. The prime minister is the head of the central government and the president is the head of the country. They work together in a building called the Parliament, where they meet to discuss, make and pass new laws.

The Parliament has two parts—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. These people help ensure the welfare of all people of the country.

The government has three pillars—the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

Legislature: It makes the laws for the country.

Executive: It ensures the laws are followed and supports in administration of the country.

Discuss!

The government takes care of the country and the needs and safety of the people. How can you as children contribute to take care of our country?

Judiciary: It interprets laws and makes sure everyone receives justice.

State Government

The state government takes care of a particular state, like Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu. It makes decisions for the people living in that state. For example, the state government maintains roads, builds schools and manages hospitals in the state. Each state has its own government to look after its needs.

cabinet ministers: important ministers who form a team with the prime minister

The Parliament of India in New Delhi

The important people in the state government include the chief minister, the governor and other ministers. The chief minister is the head of the state government and the governor is the head of the state. They work together to solve problems and make rules for their state. These rules are discussed in the State Legislature, which functions like the Parliament for the central government. The State Legislature has two parts—the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Only a few states in India have a Legislative Council.

Do and Learn

Find out the names and pictures of the following. Paste their pictures in your scrapbook and write their names under their pictures.

1. President of India

3. Governor of your state

Local Government

2. Prime Minister of India

4. Chief Minister of your state

The local government takes care of villages, towns and cities. It looks after things like clean water, roads, garbage collection and streetlights in these areas. In villages, the local government is called the Gram Panchayat. It is led by the Sarpanch who helps make decisions for the village, like providing clean drinking water or building schools. In cities, the local government is called the Municipal Corporation. It maintains parks, roads and provides other civic amenities. The Municipal Council takes care of towns.

Think and Tell

Where do you live–village, town or a big city? What kind of a local government is present where you live?

Wonders of Bharat

The head of a Municipal Corporation is called the mayor and the head of a Municipal Council is known as the chairperson.

The state legislative assembly building in Karnataka, known as Vidhana Soudha, is built with granite and has elements of Chalukya, Hoysala and Vijayanagara empires of Karnataka. It is a famous tourist attraction.

Legislative Assembly, Lucknow

Municipal Corporation, Mumbai

Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore

Word Splash

government: a group of people who run the country, make laws and ensure everyone follows them to keep things organised

central government: takes care of the whole country

state government: takes care of a particular state

local government: takes care of small areas like villages, towns and cities

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the local government in India.

Points to Remember

• The Central Government is at the national level.

• Each state in India has its own state government.

• The local government in villages is called the Gram Panchayat.

• The local government in big cities is called the Municipal Corporation.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Who among these is a part of the central government?

a. Prime Minister b. Municipal Council c. Chief Minister

B. Which branch of central government interprets laws?

a. Legislature

b. Executive

c. Judiciary

C. Which level of the government takes care of the needs of all the people of the country?

a. Local

b. State

c. Central

2. Fill in the blanks.

mayor chief minister municipal council sarpanch

A. Towns are looked after by the .

B. The head of the Municipal Corporation is known as the .

C. The governor, the and other ministers form the state government.

D. The head of a Gram Panchayat is called .

3. Write True or False.

A. The mayor has more powers than the Prime Minister.

B. Only some states have legislative council.

C. The Lok Sabha is part of the state government.

D. The state government can make decisions for people of other states too.

4. Match the following.

A. Head of the country i. Chief Minister

B. Head of the central government ii. Prime Minister

C. Head of a state iii. President

D. Head of a state government iv. Governor

5. Short answer questions.

A. What is a government?

B. What is the role of the legislature in the central government?

C. List any three things that the municipal corporation does in the city.

6. Long answer questions.

A. How is the state government different from the local government? Give two reasons.

B. Describe the functions of the three pillars of the Indian government.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. Identify the picture.

B. Where is it located?

C. What work is done in this building?

HOTS

1. Why do you think it is important to have different levels of government (central, state, and local) in India? How does this help in governing a large country like ours?

2. How would life be different if there was no local government? Give two examples of challenges people might face in their day-to-day activities.

Community Connect

Talk to your neighbours and learn more about the functioning of the local government of your city/town/village. Follow the steps given below.

Steps:

1. Talk to three adults in your neighbourhood.

2. Ask them the two questions given in the table.

3. Fill in the table with their answers.

Q1. Two good things that the local government has done in your neighbourhood.

Q2. Two things that the local government can improve in your neighbourhood.

Neighbour 1:

Name:

Neighbour 2:

Name:

Neighbour 3:

Name:

Our Rights and Duties 18

Chapter Overview

Our Rights and Duties

Our Constitution Fundamental Rights Fundamental Duties

Directive Principles

Get Set

Raju’s teacher taught the class about duties. She said, “We all have duties. Just as your parents pay your school fees, provide food and clothing to you and take care of you, in the same way, children also have duties. Children should help their parents keep the house clean, do homework on time, and speak politely.”

What are some duties that children have at school?

Our Constitution

A constitution is a set of important rules that tells us how a country should be run. It explains how the government works, the people’s rights, and how laws are made.

The Indian Constitution is a book of rules that guides how India is run. It tells us how the government should work, what rights every person has and what our duties are. It ensures that everyone is treated fairly and helps keep the country organised. The Constitution of India is the largest

The statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar holding the Indian Constitution.

written constitution in the world. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar is known as the Father of the Indian constitution.

The Constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950, which is why we celebrate Republic Day on 26th January every year.

The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is a short introduction that explains the main ideas and goals of the Constitution. It helps us understand the values and principles upon which the country is built.

Some of the key terms in the Preamble and their meanings are given below:

Sovereign: India is a free country that makes its own decisions without anyone else’s control.

Socialist: Everyone in India is treated fairly and has equal opportunities.

Secular: People in India can follow any religion they choose.

Democratic: People can choose their leaders by voting, and everyone has a say in how the country is run.

Republic: The president is the head of the country. Unlike a king or queen, the president is elected by the people.

Discuss!

The Constitution of India lays out rules for the government (to run the country), and for the people of India. What do you think would happen if there were no rules for anyone in the country?

Fundamental Rights

The Indian Constitution has given all its citizens certain basic rights called the Fundamental Rights. If the fundamental rights of any person are denied then that person can go to the courts to seek justice. These rights include:

Discuss!

Why is it important to treat everyone equally?

• Right to Equality: Everyone is treated equally and has the same rights.

The Constitution is not a document that cannot be changed. The government can make changes to it after following a formal procedure. Error Alert!

The Preamble to the Indian Constitution

• Right to Freedom: People can express their thoughts, travel freely and make their own choices.

• Right against Exploitation: No one can be forced to work without pay, in poor conditions or employ children below 14 years of age.

• Right to Freedom of Religion: People can follow and promote any religion they choose.

• Cultural and Educational Rights: People can protect their culture and set up institutions to preserve it.

• Right to Constitutional Remedies: If someone’s rights are denied, they can ask the court for help.

In 2009, the Right to Education Act was added to the Constitution. Every child between the ages of 6 to 14 years should get free and compulsory education. Did You Know?

Fundamental Duties

The Indian Constitution also lays down some fundamental duties that all citizens must perform. Some of them are:

• Respect the Constitution and its principles.

• Respect the national anthem and the national flag.

• Keep the country united.

• Defend the country when needed.

• Protect and preserve our public property.

• Treat all Indians as equals.

• Protect the environment.

Pause and Answer

Tick (✓) the correct statements.

We must respect our national flag.

Think and Tell

As citizens of India, we must protect and preserve our environment. What are some of the ways by which we can help in protecting the environment and keeping it clean?

1. The Indian Constitution gives us eight fundamental rights.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru is the father of the Indian Constitution.

3. We must protect the public property of India.

4. Republic Day is celebrated on 15 August every year.

Right to Education

Directive Principles

The Constitution of India also lays down some guidelines for the government to ensure the welfare of all the people of India. These are known as directive principles. Some of them are:

• Provide proper living conditions to all people.

• Provide work to everyone.

• Take steps to stop the rich from taking advantage of the poor.

• Protect the interests of the weaker groups in our society.

• Provide compulsory education to children up to the age of 14 years.

Wonders of Bharat

The original Constitution of India was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. It was completed on 26 November 1949. It had 251 pages and it weighed 3.75 kg.

Word Splash

Prem Behari Narain Raizada

constitution: a set of rules that tells how a country should be governed fundamental rights: certain basic rights given by the Constitution of India to all Indian citizens directive principles: guidelines in the Indian constitution for the government to ensure the welfare of all the people of India

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Constitution of India.

Points to Remember

• The Constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950.

• The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is a short introduction that explains the main ideas and goals of the Constitution.

• The Indian Constitution has given all citizens of India certain basic rights called the Fundamental Rights.

• The Indian Constitution has laid down fundamental duties that all citizens must perform.

• The Constitution of India lays down directive principles which are guidelines for the government to ensure the welfare of all the people of India.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Who is the Father of the Indian constitution?

a. Ambedkar

b. Gandhi

B. How many fundamental rights are there?

a. 5

b. 6

c. Nehru

c. 7

C. Right to Education has made education compulsory up to which age?

a. 12 years

b. 10 years

D. 26 January is celebrated as which day in India?

a. Republic Day

b. Gandhi Jayanti

2. Name the Fundamental Rights.

A. Children below 14 years of age cannot be employed.

B. Everyone is free to follow a religion of their choice.

c. 14 years

c. Independence Day

C. People can set up educational institutions to preserve and promote their culture.

D. People can go to the courts if someone violates their rights.

3. Write True or False.

A. India became independent on 26 January 1950.

B. Every citizen of India is free to live in any part of the country.

C. All the citizens of India should be treated equally.

D. It is our duty to distribute free food to everyone.

4. Match the following.

A. Sovereign i. Everyone in India is treated fairly and has equal opportunities.

B. Socialist ii. People in India can follow any religion they want.

C. Secular iii. People choose their leaders by voting.

D. Democratic iv. India is a free country that makes its own rules.

E. Republic v. The president is elected unlike a king or queen.

5. Short answer questions.

A. Why is India called a democratic country?

B. What is a constitution?

C. What is meant by the Preamble to the Indian constitution?

6. Long answer questions.

A. What are directive principles? Write any four of them.

B. Write four fundamental duties of a citizen of India.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. What is happening in this picture?

B. Is it against any fundamental right? Explain.

HOTS

Shyam goes for a morning walk every day in a nearby park. He notices that many people throw garbage around, making it difficult for others to enjoy in the park. As a responsible citizen, which of the Fundamental Duties could Shyam follow to help keep the park clean, and how can he encourage others to do the same? Give two points for each.

Life Skills

With your classmates, make a constitution for your class. Divide the class into groups of four students each. In your group, discuss and create your own “Classroom Constitution.” Each group will come up with three rights and three duties. After that, discuss your constitution with the other groups. Then, together, finalise a single constitution by taking good points from each. Follow the "Constitution" every day at school.

Our Culture and Heritage 19

Chapter Overview

Our Culture and Heritage

Languages

Paintings and Handicrafts Dresses

Dance, Music and Monuments

Get Set

India is famous for its festivals and rich culture. Which festivals are being celebrated in these pictures?

India’s culture and heritage are rich and diverse, shaped by thousands of years of history. From colourful festivals to ancient monuments, each part of India reflects its unique characteristics. In this chapter, we will learn about India’s culture and heritage in detail.

culture: the way of life of a group of people heritage: traditions, values and monuments passed down from previous generations

Languages

India officially recognises 22 languages. Hindi is the official language of India and English is the second official language. This means that most government work is conducted in these languages. One language can be spoken in different ways too and these ways are called dialects. The style of in which a language is written is referred to as its script. Most languages are written from left to right. However, Urdu, Sindhi and Kashmiri are written from right to left. Some of the languages spoken in India are Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Odiya, Telugu, Urdu and Kashmiri.

Scripts of some languages of India

Do and Learn

Find out the names of all the 22 recognised languages in India and make a list of them in your notebook.

Paintings and Handicrafts

Think and Tell

Talk about any language(s) that are spoken in slightly different ways in different regions of the country.

India’s traditional paintings are known for their vibrant colours and intricate designs. Famous wall paintings can be found in the Ajanta and Ellora caves, depicting ancient stories. Miniature paintings, popular in Rajasthan and during the Mughal era, showcase detailed scenes of royal life. Other traditional art forms include Madhubani from Bihar and Warli from Maharashtra, which are still practised today. They reflect India’s rich artistic heritage.

intricate: very fine

miniature: very small in size

Painting of Buddha, holding a lotus flower, at Ajanta Caves

Warli paintings on the walls of a hut

Did You Know?

Warli painting is a tribal art form which shows scenes from daily lives of people.

India’s handicrafts are famous all over the world. Bamboo and cane crafts from the northeastern states are used to create baskets, furnitures and decorative items. Chikankari from Lucknow is known for its intricate stitching on fabrics. Terracotta horses from West Bengal, puppets from Rajasthan, pottery from Khurja, Kashmiri carpets and Kanjivaram silk from Tamil Nadu are other famous examples. These crafts reflect India’s rich culture and heritage passed down through generations of skilled artisans.

Dresses

India’s traditional dresses are diverse and colourful. In North India, women wear sarees, and men wear kurta-pyjamas. In Punjab, women wear salwar-kameez, and men wear turbans. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, women wear vibrant ghaghras. Men in Rajasthan wear dhotis and colourful pagris. South Indian women wear silk sarees like Kanjivaram, and men wear lungis or dhotis. Women wear Nauvari sarees in Maharashtra. In Assam, women wear traditional mekhela-chador, and men wear dhotis with kurtas. In Kashmir people wear colourful phirans made of wool to keep themselves warm. Chikankari dresses are famous all over the world and are traditionally worn in Lucknow.

Each state’s traditional dress reflects its unique traditions and cultural heritage.

Within each state, there is often a difference in how people dress in cities compared to villages.

Discuss!

Discuss the traditional dresses worn in your state on special occasions and festivals.

Kanjivaram silk saree Kashmiri carpet Chair made of bamboo

Women wearing mekhela–chador

Punjabi turban Rajasthani turban

Pause and Answer

Tick ( ) the correct statements and cross (û) the incorrect ones.

1. Phirans are worn in Rajasthan.

2. Pottery from Khurja is famous all over the world.

3. Chikankari is from Tamil Nadu.

4. Madhubani paintings are from Maharashtra.

Dance, Music and Monuments

Dance

Classical dances in India originated in temples as a form of worship and later became popular in the royal courts. Today, many people enjoy these dances. Some of the famous classical dancers include Sonal Mansingh, Mallika Sarabhai, and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Some well-known classical dance forms are Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu, Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Kathakali from Kerala, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Manipuri from Manipur, Odissi from Odisha, and Sattriya from Assam.

A few examples of folk dances from different regions of India are Bhangra from Punjab, Garba from Gujarat, Ghoomar from Rajasthan and Bihu from Assam.

Music

The music in India has also been central to temple rituals and royal ceremonies. Some popular folk music styles include Bihugeet from Assam, Baul Sangeet from West Bengal, Bhavageethe from Karnataka, and Pandavani from Chhattisgarh. Classical music is divided into two main types: Hindustani (from the North) and Carnatic (from the South) traditions based on its origin. Some prominent Hindustani singers include Shubha Mudgal and Ustad Rashid Khan, while Ranjani and Gayathri, along with Shankar Mahadevan, are notable Carnatic singers. Indian classical music is also

Kathak

Odissi

Kathakali

Bhangra

distinguished by its use of diverse musical instruments such as the flute, sitar, tabla, veena and mridangam. All these different dance and music forms make India diverse and rich in culture. We must respect all cultures and diversity.

Monuments

India has many different types of monuments that showcase the diversity of its religions, cultures and historical periods. One of the most famous is the Sanchi Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka. India is also known for its beautiful temples such as the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, near Chennai. The Kailasha or Kailashanatha temple is the largest rock-cut temple in the world. It is at the Ellora Caves near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha is famous all over the world because it is built like a giant chariot drawn by seven horses and has 12 wheels on each side.

The Mughals brought a unique style of architecture to India. The Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, is a famous example with its tomb and minarets. Other notable Mughal monuments include Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar, the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. These monuments tell us about our rich cultural past. These monuments must be preserved as part of our heritage and national pride.

The Portuguese and British also constructed many important buildings during their rule. Some notable examples include the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi and the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. In more recent times, modern monuments such as the Akshardham Temple, Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai have also become famous tourist spots.

Do and Learn

Collect pictures of any 5 Indian monuments. Paste their pictures in your scrapbook. Write where they are located and who built them.

The Sun Temple

The Taj Mahal

The Sanchi Stupa

Tabla Flute Sitar

Wonders of Bharat

Madhubani paintings originated in the Mithila region of Bihar. Traditionally, they were made using colours from nature. The colours were extracted from flowers, leaves and wild berries. Today, Madhubani paintings are famous all over the world and are also exported from India. A Madhubani painting

Word Splash

dialect: the way a language is spoken in a specific area or by a particular group of people script: a set of symbols used to write a language architecture: the art and science of designing and building structures like houses, schools and bridges monuments: large, often historic structures or buildings created to honour or remember important people, events, or cultural heritage

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to know about artforms from Tamil Nadu.

Points to Remember

• There are 22 languages that are officially recognised in India. Hindi and English are the official languages of India.

• India’s traditional paintings are known for their vibrant colours and intricate designs.

• Many different traditional dresses are famous in India. Each state’s traditional dress reflects its traditions and cultural heritage.

• Classical dance originated in temples as a form of worship and later evolved in royal courts. Music in India has been central to temple rituals and royal ceremonies.

• India has many different types of monuments. These monuments are symbols of our diversity, religions, cultures and historical periods.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. How many languages are recognised in India?

a. 21

b. 22

c. 20

B. Ghaghra is the traditional dress of .

a. Rajasthan

b. Maharashtra c. Gujarat

C. The Sanchi Stupas were built by .

a. Emperor Akbar

b. Emperor Ashoka c. Shahjahan

D. Which script is written from right to left?

a. Manipuri

2. Fill in the blanks.

b. Kashmiri c. Malayalam

Carnatic Akbar Classical West Bengal Lungi

A. Fatehpur Sikri was built by .

B. Shankar Mahadevan is a singer.

C. Baul Sangeet is the folk music of .

D. Sonal Mansingh is a famous dancer.

E. is worn in southern part of India.

3. Write True or False.

A. Odissi is a form of classical dance.

B. The Victoria Memorial is situated in Delhi.

C. Classical dance is performed during the harvesting of crops.

D. English is the second official language of India.

4. Match the following.

A. Garba i. Punjab

B. Ghoomar ii. Assam

C. Bihu iii. Rajasthan

D. Bhangra iv. Gujarat

5. Short answer questions.

A. What are the different types of classical music in India?

B. Name two important monuments built by the Portuguese and the British.

C. Define handicraft. Name any four important handicrafts of India and also state where they are made.

D. What are the folk dances of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Assam called?

6. Long answer questions.

A. Write a note on the languages in India. Give examples of any five officially recognised languages of India.

B. Describe the two types of dance forms in India? Give two examples of each.

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

A. What is the name of this dance?

B. Which state is known for this traditional dance form?

C. When is it performed?

HOTS

Why do you think English was chosen as the second official language by the Government of India?

Community Connect

With the help of your teacher organise a 'Special Dress Day' for your class. Choose any traditional dress of India and wear it to school on this day. Take turns to explain about the traditional dress you are wearing. For lunch, you may eat traditional food that you and your classmates can bring from home.

Great Achievers of India 20

Chapter Overview

Great Achievers of India

Social Reformers

Get Set

Some of the people of India are famous for the work they did for the people. Find the names of the famous people given below in the word grid and circle them.

1. GANDHI

2. KALAM

3. AKBAR

4. ASHOKA

In this chapter, we shall explore the lives of some great achievers of India, learn about their inspiring journeys and how they have made our country proud.

Leaders

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. His full name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

He studied law in England and later became a leader in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. Mahatma Gandhi believed in nonviolence and used peaceful methods like fasting, protests and discussion to fight against the British. He led peaceful movements, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Swadeshi Movement, the Salt March and the Quit India Movement. He played a major role in achieving India’s freedom in 1947. Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings of truth, peace and kindness continue to inspire people around the world.

Did You Know?

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is one of India’s most respected scientists and leader. He was born on October 15, 1931 in a small town in Tamil Nadu. Coming from a simple background, he studied aerospace engineering and later played an important role in India’s missile and space programs. It earned him the nickname ‘the Missile Man of India’.

In 2002, he became the president of India. He aimed to use science and technology to transform India into a developed nation. Known for his simplicity and love for teaching, Dr Kalam inspired millions of young people to dream big. His life and achievements make him a true national hero.

protests: an action that shows that you do not like or approve of something aerospace engineering: the study of making airplanes and spacecrafts missile: a powerful weapon that can be sent long distances through the air space program: a plan by a country to explore the universe and learn about space

Mahatma Gandhi during the Salt March

The title of ‘Mahatma’ was given to MK Gandhi by Rabindranath Tagore.

Statue of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at a museum

Dr S. Radhakrishnan

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great Indian scholar and teacher who later became the second president of India. He was born on September 5, 1888, in Tamil Nadu. He was known for his deep understanding of Indian culture and religion and wrote many books on these subjects. He believed that education is the key to building a strong nation. His birthday is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India.

Make a scrapbook of famous leaders of India other than the ones you just studied. You can take help from the internet. Paste their pictures and write a few lines about them. Do and Learn

Rulers

Ashoka

Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was a famous ruler of the Mauryan Empire in ancient India. He ruled nearly all of India. He was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. Ashoka was a great warrior who won many battles, but later he became a follower of Buddhism. He promoted Buddha’s message of non-violence, love and kindness. Ashoka built tall pillars with messages about peace and good behaviour across his empire. He is remembered for his efforts to spread peace and Buddhism, and his rule helped promote kindness throughout his empire.

Remember!

The National Flag of India has the Ashoka Chakra at the centre, which has 24 spokes.

Akbar

Flag

Akbar was famous ruler of the Mughal Empire. He became a ruler at a young age, after his father, Humayun's death. He welcomed scholars and leaders from different religions

scholar: a person who has a lot of knowledge about a subject

Dr S. Radhakrishnan

Statue of Ashoka in New Delhi

The Indian National

to his court. He supported art, music and literature, making his court a centre of cultural activities. The Mughal Empire grew strong under his rule. Akbar respected all religions. He tried to create a new belief system called “Din-i-Ilahi,” which means the “Religion of God.”

Did You Know?

Akbar’s full name is Abū al-Fatḥ Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Akbar. He was the third emperor of the Mughal Empire.

Krishnadevaraya

Krishnadevaraya was a mighty ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire in South India from 1509 to 1529. He expanded his kingdom through successful battles and was known for his fair and just rule. Under his reign, art, literature and architecture flourished. He built beautiful temples and supported poets and scholars. Krishnadevaraya is remembered as one of the greatest kings in Indian history for his strong leadership and cultural achievements.

Pause and Answer

Write True or False for the statements below.

1. Akbar did not respect all religions.

2. Ashoka became a follower of Buddhism.

3. Krishnadevaraya was a brave ruler from South India.

Social Reformers

Some great people have brought positive changes in society by ending evil practices. These people are known as social reformers. The changes that social reformers bring to improve society are called reforms.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a great social reformer in India during the early 19th century. He worked hard to end harmful practices such as Sati, where widows were

architecture: the design and process in which a building is made widow: a woman whose husband has died

Emperor Akbar

forced to die with their husbands. He also promoted education and women’s rights. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known as the “Father of Modern India” because of his efforts to bring about positive changes in society and support freedom of thought.

Kabir

Kabir was a famous poet and saint from India who lived in the 15th century. He wrote poems that spoke about love, equality and God. Kabir’s teachings brought together ideas from both Hinduism and Islam, promoting unity and peace. His poems are still popular today for their deep wisdom and simplicity.

Ramabai Ranade

Ramabai Ranade was a leader for women’s rights in India. Born in 1863, she dedicated her life to improving the lives of women through education and social reforms. She started several schools and organisations to support women’s education. Ramabai was also one of the first women to actively work towards gender equality in India, inspiring many others to follow her path.

Wonders of Bharat

Kabir’s teaching in the form of a poem, or doha.

The Ashokan pillars are ancient stone columns built by Emperor Ashoka over 2000 years ago. These pillars are special because they have carvings of important messages and the lion emblem, which is India’s national symbol.

Word Splash

Buddhism: the religion that is based on the teachings of Gautam Buddha social reformers: great people who brought a change in society by ending evil practices reforms: the changes social reformers bring to improve society sati: an evil social practice in ancient India in which widows were forced to die when their husbands died

A stamp printed in India showing Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

A postal stamp with picture of Ramabai Ranade.

Ashokan Pillar

Explore More!

Scan the QR code to learn more about Mahatma Gandhi.

Points to Remember

• Mahatma Gandhi is an important leader of India's freedom struggle.

• Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is known as the ‘Missile Man of India’.

• Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great Indian scholar. He was also the second president of India.

• Ashoka was a famous ruler of the Mauryan Empire.

• Akbar was a famous ruler of the Mughal Empire.

• Krishnadevaraya is remembered as one of the greatest kings in Indian history.

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known as the ‘Father of Modern India’.

• Kabir was a famous poet and saint from India who lived in the 15th century.

• Ramabai Ranade was a leader for women’s rights in India.

Chapter Checkup

1. Tick ( ) the correct answer.

A. Which of the following people was a social reformer?

a. Ram Mohan Roy b. Mahatma Gandhi c. Ashoka

B. Kabir used which method to spread his messages?

a. Poems b. Speeches c. Public meetings

C. Who was the second president of India?

a. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam b. S. Radhakrishnan c. Ram Mohan Roy

2. Fill in the blanks.

Humayun Vijayanagara Empire Tamil Nadu Mauryan Empire

A. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in .

B. Akbar was the son of .

C. Krishnadevaraya was a mighty ruler of the .

D. Ashoka was a famous ruler of the .

3. Write True or False.

A. Ashoka spread the message of Buddhism to several parts of the country.

B. Non-cooperation movement was started by Ashoka.

C. Ram Mohan Roy worked to abolish the practice of Sati.

4. Match the following.

A. Ashoka

B. Gandhi

C. Akbar

D. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

5. Short answer questions.

i. Used nonviolent methods to protest

ii. Spread Buddha's teachings

iii. Started Din-i-Ilahi

iv. Studied aerospace engineering

A. Name any two movements started by Mahatma Gandhi to protest against the British rule.

B. What was Akbar’s thinking on religion?

C. Write a short note on the ‘Missile Man of India’.

6. Long answer questions.

A. Who was Krishnadevaraya?

B. Why do you think social reforms are helpful in society’s welfare and upliftment?

7. Picture-based questions.

Look at the pictures and answer the following questions.

A. Which of them worked to end the practice of Sati?

B. Which of them worked for the development of schools for women?

C. Are they leaders, social reformers or rulers?

HOTS

Many great leaders and social reformers used methods like peaceful protests and spreading messages through poems to fight against evil practices. Do you think these methods are still useful in today’s world? Give two reasons.

Life Skills

Choose any one great leader, ruler or social reformer who inspires you the most. You may choose someone you have recently studied or another individual who has made a significant impact in your life. Write a short paragraph describing how his/her qualities and teachings inspire you and how you can implement their teachings in your life. Read the paragraph aloud in the class.

PROJECT 3

Creating a Poster on a State

Objective: Each student will select an Indian state to research, focusing on its languages, dance forms and monuments. Students will create a poster to present their findings.

Materials Needed: Research materials (books, the internet, printed newspaper articles), notebook, markers and sticky notes

Step 1: Select any state: Choose any one Indian state to research upon.

Step 2: Research: Find out the following things about your chosen state:

Languages: Identify the languages that are spoken in the state.

Dance and Music: Research on the traditional dance forms and music of the state.

Monuments: Find out about the important monuments of the state.

Step 3: Create a Poster: Design a poster on your state that includes your findings about the languages spoken, dance forms and monuments.

Project Outcome: Now you have an informative poster on a state of your choice. Present it in your class.

Final Outcome: This hands-on project will help you learn more about the culture and heritage of different Indian states.

To be read aloud and explained in the mother tongue by the teacher, as needed.

Assessment 3

Read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

Milindpur Drafts a Constitution

In the state of Milindpur, there was a big meeting where people discussed how to make their town better. They realised that India has a set of rules and leaders to help everyone live happily and fairly. So, they looked at how India’s government works. They learnt that in India there is a president, who is the head of the state; a parliament, where group of people discuss rules and regulations; and the courts, which help to solve problems. They also discovered that India has book called the Constitution of India which is a set of rules for everyone and it also talks about the rights and duties of the people and the government. The people of Milindpur decided to use these ideas to create their own set of rules, making sure everyone has rights and follows rules to stay happily together.

1. What is the purpose of India’s constitution?

a. To describe the types of food people can eat.

b. To tell everyone how to work together and what rights they have.

c. To provide instructions on building houses.

2. Why is the parliament important in India’s government structure?

a. It organises local festivals and events.

b. It helps to solve personal problems between people.

c. It creates new rules for the country.

3. The people of Milindpur wanted to make their town better. How would understanding the way India’s government works help them? Write two points.

4. What would you advise the people of Milindpur do in order to fulfill their duties per the Constitution of India.

To be read aloud and explained in the mother tongue by the teacher, as needed.

About the Book

Introducing Quest, a thoughtfully designed Social Science book to nurture an understanding of people, places, social surroundings, communities, and human society. In keeping with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s focus on competency-based education, Quest provides opportunities for learners to master key concepts, hone their critical thinking, develop humane values alongside 21st century skills, and be able to make informed choices in their day-to-day lives.

Quest is designed to galvanise students’ interest in Social Sciences, both as a subject and as a practical experience, while also making them well-rounded individuals who interact with the world around them in a rational and meaningful way.

Key Features

Product Package

• Coursebook

• Uolo App

• Teacher’s Guide

• Applied Social Science Projects: Engaging, hands-on projects blending social sciences, mathematics, arts, and technology to understand the world around them

• Competency-based Assessments: Test papers designed to evaluate the understanding of core concepts and application of skills

• Story-based Approach: Enchanting comic stories that bring learning themes to life, making education a captivating adventure

• Picture-based Questions: Questions featuring visual stimuli to elevate comprehension, interpretation and critical thinking

• Community Connect: Engaging with community members to make text-to-self connections and develop appreciation for diverse contexts and cultures

• Wonders of Bharat: Fascinating insights into India’s rich culture and heritage, designed to ignite a profound sense of pride and love for the nation

About Uolo

Uolo partners with K-12 schools to provide technology-based learning programs. We believe pedagogy and technology must come together to deliver scalable learning experiences that generate measurable outcomes. Uolo is trusted by over 15,000+ schools across India, South East Asia and the Middle East.

ISBN 978-81-979482-7-5