NCERT Notes: Grade 6 Social Science - Chapter 3: From Gathering to Growing Food

Introduction

The progression from gathering to growing food marks a significant transition in human history. This chapter explores the gradual shift from nomadic life to settled agricultural communities and its profound impact on human societies.

Hunter-Gatherers

For thousands of years, people led a nomadic life, moving from one place to another in search of food.

• Tools and Techniques: Early humans used tools made of stone, bone, and wood. These tools assisted in hunting, gathering, and processing food.

• Social Structure: These societies were egalitarian with minimal hierarchies. People worked in groups, ensuring the safety and sharing of resources.

Birth of Agriculture

Around 10,000 years ago, humans began practicing agriculture. The process involved:

• Domestication of Plants and Animals: Instead of hunting and gathering, humans started cultivating plants and rearing animals.

• Settlements: With a steady source of food, people began establishing permanent settlements near fertile land and water sources.

Key Reasons for the Shift

1. Climate Changes: Post Ice Age, the earth’s climate became warmer and stable, making conditions favorable for cultivation.

2. Population Growth: As populations grew, hunting became less sustainable, pushing communities to explore food cultivation.

3. Observation and Experimentation: Early humans observed and learned about plant life-cycles, leading to experimentation with planting and harvesting.

Changes Brought About by Agriculture

1. Settled Life

• People began to build homes and settle down, leading to the emergence of villages.

2. Storage

• Granaries were built to store surplus grain, which could be used in times of shortage.

3. Pottery

• The art of pottery developed as people needed pots to store grains and cook food.

4. Tools and Technology

• New tools were designed for digging, planting, and harvesting.

5. Social Changes

• The concept of property and land ownership emerged.

• Hierarchies started to form, with landowners and priests holding significant power.

• Barter systems emerged, where goods were exchanged for other goods.

The First Farmers and Herders

The Indian subcontinent saw some of its earliest agricultural activities in areas like the Indus Valley and the Ganges plains.

• Crops Cultivated: Wheat, rice, pulses, millets, and barley.

• Animals Domesticated: Cattle, sheep, and goat.

Consequences of Settled Life

Settled life brought a mix of advantages and challenges.

• Advantages: Steady food supply, development of crafts, and emergence of trade.

• Challenges: Risk of crop failure, emergence of social hierarchies, and conflicts over land and resources.

Conclusion

The transformation from gathering to growing food is a testament to human adaptability and innovation. This shift laid the foundation for modern societies, influencing not just the way we procure food, but also our social, economic, and cultural structures.

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Reference: NCERT Grade 6 Social Science - Chapter 3: From Gathering to Growing Food

Note: This article provides an SEO-optimized overview of the chapter on the transition from gathering to growing food. For an extensive understanding, students are advised to consult the original NCERT textbook.