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Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One' – Class 6 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 6 Social Science, chapter 8. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

India has great diversity of languages, food, clothing, festivals and customs, yet a deep sense of unity runs through it. Shared values, stories such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and common festivals linked to seasons and harvests connect people across regions.

Aspects of diversity

India has hundreds of languages; the Constitution lists 22 scheduled languages.
Food changes with region: rice is a staple in the east and south, wheat in the north, and millets in many dry regions.
Textiles vary: Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Pochampally, Patola and Sambalpuri saris, and khadi spun by hand.

Festivals and epics

Harvest festivals are celebrated under different names: Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Bihu (Assam), Baisakhi (Punjab), Onam (Kerala), Makar Sankranti and Nuakhai (Odisha).
The Ramayana (Valmiki) and Mahabharata (Vyasa) have been retold in many languages: Kamba Ramayanam in Tamil, Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi and Jagamohana Ramayana in Odia.
The Ramayana also spread to South-East Asia, for example as the Ramakien in Thailand.

Unity

Common values such as respect for elders, hospitality and care for nature are shared across regions.
Diversity is a strength: people learn from one another, and many cultures together make Indian culture.

Key terms

Diversity: differences in language, food, dress, festivals and customs among people
Unity: a feeling of oneness and belonging together
Scheduled languages: the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution
Epic: a long poem telling the story of heroes and great events

Important questions with answers

Give two examples of diversity in India's food and clothing.2 marks

Rice is the staple food in eastern and southern India, while wheat-based rotis are common in the north, and millets are eaten in many dry regions. Clothing also varies, such as Kanjivaram silk saris in Tamil Nadu, Sambalpuri saris in Odisha and woollen clothes in the hills.

How do harvest festivals show unity in diversity?3 marks

Farmers across India celebrate the harvest, but under different names and with different customs: Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Punjab, Onam in Kerala, Makar Sankranti in many states and Nuakhai in Odisha. The names and foods differ, but the shared feeling of gratitude for the harvest and joy of community celebration unites people.

Explain how the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata have united people across India and beyond.5 marks

The Ramayana, composed by Valmiki, and the Mahabharata, composed by Vyasa, are two great epics of India. Over centuries they were retold in many languages and forms, so people in different regions could enjoy them in their own language: Kamban wrote the Kamba Ramayanam in Tamil, Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, Krittivas wrote a Bengali version and Balaram Das wrote the Jagamohana Ramayana in Odia. They are performed as plays, puppet shows, dances and Ramlila across the country. Their values of duty, truth, loyalty and courage are shared by people of different regions. The Ramayana also travelled to South-East Asia, where it became the Ramakien in Thailand and is performed in Indonesia and Cambodia. Thus the epics are a common heritage that binds diverse people together.

Quick revision

22 scheduled languages.
Harvest festivals: Pongal, Bihu, Baisakhi, Onam, Nuakhai.
Epics retold in many languages.
Diversity is a strength.

Exam tips

Give one example each of diversity in food, clothing, language and festivals.
Use regional versions of the Ramayana to show 'unity in diversity'.

Practice MCQs

How many languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution
1. 14
2. 18
3. 22
4. 28
Show answer
Answer: (c) 22. These are the scheduled languages.
Bihu is a festival of
1. Kerala
2. Punjab
3. Assam
4. Gujarat
Show answer
Answer: (c) Assam. It marks the harvest and the new year in Assam.
The Ramayana was originally composed by
1. Vyasa
2. Tulsidas
3. Valmiki
4. Kamban
Show answer
Answer: (c) Valmiki. Valmiki wrote it in Sanskrit.
Nuakhai, a festival of eating the new rice, is celebrated in
1. Rajasthan
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Punjab
4. Odisha
Show answer
Answer: (d) Odisha. It is a major harvest festival of western Odisha.
The Ramcharitmanas was written by Tulsidas in
1. Sanskrit
2. Tamil
3. Awadhi
4. Bengali
Show answer
Answer: (c) Awadhi. It is a retelling of the Ramayana.
Sambalpuri saris come from
1. Varanasi
2. Odisha
3. Kanchipuram
4. Gujarat
Show answer
Answer: (b) Odisha. They are made with the ikat technique.
The Ramakien is a version of the Ramayana from
1. Indonesia
2. Sri Lanka
3. Thailand
4. Nepal
Show answer
Answer: (c) Thailand. It shows the epic's spread beyond India.
Which statement best explains 'unity in diversity'
1. all Indians speak one language
2. people with different languages and customs share common values, stories and a sense of belonging
3. India has only one festival
4. diversity divides the nation
Show answer
Answer: (b) people with different languages and customs share common values, stories and a sense of belonging. Shared values and stories connect varied cultures.

All chapters of Class 6 Social Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.