MCQ with Answers for Practice – History Chapter 8 – Unity in Diversity, or “Many in the One”
Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Theme C — Our Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Traditions
History Chapter 8: Unity in Diversity, or “Many in the One”
This includes All types of MCQs normally asked in school exams, tests, and NCERT exercises.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – History Chapter 8: Unity in Diversity, or “Many in the One”
MCQs (Choose the correct answer)
1. What does the phrase “Unity in Diversity” mean in the Indian context?
A. All people look the same
B. India has only one language
C. Many differences exist, yet people share a common cultural bond
D. Diversity causes division
Answer: C
2. Who said, “the touch of the one in the play of the many”?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Rabindranath Tagore
C. Swami Vivekananda
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: B
3. The ‘People of India’ project was conducted by which organisation?
A. NCERT
B. Archaeological Survey of India
C. Anthropological Survey of India
D. Indian Council of Historical Research
Answer: C
4. How many communities were surveyed in the ‘People of India’ project?
A. 1,400
B. 2,200
C. 3,000
D. 4,635
Answer: D
5. According to the survey, how many languages were recorded?
A. 125
B. 225
C. 325
D. 425
Answer: C
6. What does the term ‘staple grains’ mean?
A. Rare food grains
B. Basic food grains eaten regularly
C. Grains used only during festivals
D. Imported grains
Answer: B
7. Which of the following is NOT a staple grain mentioned in the chapter?
A. Rice
B. Wheat
C. Barley
D. Tea
Answer: D
8. Which millet is also known as ‘bajra’?
A. Sorghum
B. Finger millet
C. Pearl millet
D. Barley
Answer: C
9. Which spice is commonly used across India?
A. Saffron only
B. Turmeric
C. Vanilla
D. Mustard sauce
Answer: B
10. The example of food in the chapter shows that:
A. All Indians eat the same dish
B. Ingredients are different everywhere
C. Same ingredients are used in different ways
D. India imports most of its food
Answer: C
11. The sari is an example of:
A. A stitched garment
B. A foreign dress
C. A single garment with many regional variations
D. A tribal costume only
Answer: C
12. Which of the following is a famous silk sari?
A. Bandhani
B. Kanjivaram
C. Pochampally
D. Kalamkari
Answer: B
13. The Banarasi sari is associated with which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Gujarat
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Assam
Answer: C
14. The ancient relief showing a woman in a sari was found in:
A. Harappa
B. Vaishali
C. Taxila
D. Madurai
Answer: B
15. What does the word “relief” mean in art?
A. A flat drawing
B. A design standing out from a surface
C. A painted wall
D. A carved statue
Answer: B
16. Indian chintz became famous in:
A. China
B. Africa
C. Europe
D. America
Answer: C
17. England and France banned Indian chintz to:
A. Promote Indian trade
B. Protect their own textile industries
C. Improve fashion
D. Reduce cotton production
Answer: B
18. Apart from wearing, a sari can be used as:
A. A tool for farming
B. A baby carrier
C. A cooking vessel
D. A musical instrument
Answer: B
19. Which festival marks the harvest season around January 14?
A. Diwali
B. Holi
C. Makar Sankranti
D. Navratri
Answer: C
20. Pongal in Tamil Nadu is similar to:
A. Holi
B. Makar Sankranti
C. Eid
D. Onam
Answer: B
21. The Panchatantra stories mainly teach:
A. Science experiments
B. War techniques
C. Life skills and moral values
D. Religious rituals
Answer: C
22. The original language of the Panchatantra was:
A. Pali
B. Prakrit
C. Tamil
D. Sanskrit
Answer: D
23. Approximately how old is the Panchatantra?
A. 500 years
B. 1,000 years
C. 2,200 years
D. 5,000 years
Answer: C
24. The Ramayana and Mahabharata are examples of:
A. Short stories
B. Epics
C. Plays
D. Essays
Answer: B
25. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas fought against the:
A. Rakshasas
B. Mughals
C. Kauravas
D. Greeks
Answer: C
26. In the Ramayana, Sita was kidnapped by:
A. Kansa
B. Ravana
C. Duryodhana
D. Shishupala
Answer: B
27. Hanuman helped Rama in the war against:
A. Bali
B. Sugriva
C. Ravana
D. Indrajit
Answer: C
28. Tribal communities like the Bhils and Gonds have:
A. No knowledge of the epics
B. Their own versions of the epics
C. Only written records
D. Foreign versions of stories
Answer: B
29. The scholar who directed the ‘People of India’ project was:
A. Romila Thapar
B. K.S. Singh
C. R.S. Sharma
D. Irfan Habib
Answer: B
30. According to folklore, epic heroes like the Pandavas:
A. Stayed in one kingdom only
B. Never travelled
C. Visited many regions of India
D. Lived only in forests
Answer: C
31. Indian culture sees diversity as:
A. A weakness
B. A danger
C. An enrichment
D. A problem
Answer: C
32. The unity of India is described as:
A. Political only
B. Cultural and civilizational
C. Based only on language
D. Limited to religion
Answer: B
33. The dhoti, like the sari, shows:
A. Only diversity
B. Only unity
C. Both unity and diversity
D. Foreign influence only
Answer: C
34. The Mahabharata and Ramayana together run into approximately:
A. 1,000 pages
B. 3,000 pages
C. 5,000 pages
D. 7,000 pages
Answer: D
35. Stories of the epics are often passed down in tribal areas through:
A. Printed books
B. Television
C. Oral traditions
D. Newspapers
Answer: C
36. Which value is commonly discussed in both epics?
A. Wealth
B. Dharma (righteousness)
C. Trade
D. Technology
Answer: B
37. Classical arts of India also show:
A. Only modern ideas
B. Unity in diversity
C. Foreign domination
D. No cultural connection
Answer: B
38. Diversity in India can be seen in:
A. Landscapes only
B. Languages only
C. Food, dress, festivals, languages and customs
D. Music only
Answer: C
39. The chapter concludes that diversity does not divide India but:
A. Weakens it
B. Confuses people
C. Enriches it
D. Modernizes it
Answer: C
40. The main message of the chapter is that India’s strength lies in:
A. One religion
B. One language
C. One ruler
D. Unity that embraces diversity
Answer: D