NCERT Solutions for Class 7th Social Science Chapter 6 Fig. 6.6 (page 123), Some Śhunga Contribution to Art — LET'S EXPLORE
Book page 124 Updated on2026-09-19
Q1.
Look closely at the pictures in the collage in Fig 6.6 (on the previous page). In a note, write down your observations on the clothes, the jewellery, and other objects of daily use.
The ten pictures in the collage, in the order the book numbers them:
6.6.1 Pillar with a Greek warrior — a tall carved stone pillar with one standing figure in high relief.
6.6.2 Male figure — a long terracotta plaque with a single standing figure.
6.6.3 Woman with a child — a broken terracotta plaque; a standing woman carrying a small child on her hip.
6.6.4 Woman with a fan — an oval terracotta plaque; a standing woman holding a round fan.
6.6.5 A vase — a tall pot covered with rows of small moulded figures.
6.6.6 Female figure with hair ornaments, terracotta — a broken plaque showing a head with an elaborate headdress.
6.6.7 Royal family — a rectangular terracotta plaque with two figures side by side inside a frame.
6.6.8 Bronze bangles covered with a thin layer of gold — two plain round bangles, photographed on a black ground.
6.6.9 Comb of ivory — a curved comb with fine close teeth and carved figures along the top.
6.6.10 Beads of a necklace — a curve of small gold beads laid out with a larger piece at the centre.
Fig. 6.6 (page 123) — the collage of Śhunga-period objects; photographs, described here. See the textbook for the pictures themselves.
Answer
Sample answer — a note of the kind the question asks for. Ten objects are shown; group your observations as below.
Object in Fig. 6.6
What can be seen
6.6.1 Pillar with a Greek warrior
A short belted tunic, a cross-belt over the chest, a sword at the hip and boots — foreign dress, carved on an Indian pillar
6.6.2 Male figure
Bare upper body, a dhoti with folds falling between the legs, a heavy turban, large earrings, bangles
6.6.3 Woman with a child
An elaborate hairstyle, big round earrings, layered necklaces, a broad beaded girdle (mekhalā) at the waist, bangles up the forearm, anklets
6.6.4 Woman with a fan
The fan itself is an object of daily use; note again the girdle and the stacked bangles
6.6.5 A vase
Terracotta, its whole surface covered with rows of small human and animal figures — a decorated household pot
6.6.6 Female figure with hair ornaments, terracotta
A crown-like arrangement of hair ornaments, a crescent mark on the forehead — hairdressing was itself an art
6.6.7 Royal family
Two richly dressed figures with turbans, ornaments and a long staff — the same jewellery as the others, but more of it
6.6.8 Bronze bangles covered with a thin layer of gold
Real jewellery, not sculpture: gold-plating shows a clever craft technique that made costly-looking ornaments affordable
6.6.9 Comb of ivory
Fine long teeth, and a carved top with figures and animals — an everyday object made beautiful
6.6.10 Beads of a necklace
Small gold beads of different shapes, including a tiny animal figure — evidence of very fine goldsmithing
What the collage tells us as a whole:
Clothes were mainly unstitched — dhoti, sari-like drapes, sashes and turbans — except on the Greek warrior, who wears a stitched tunic and boots. Foreign dress was known and could be carved without fuss.
Jewellery was worn in quantity by everyone shown, men included: earrings, necklaces, armlets, bangles, girdles, anklets. Materials range from terracotta to bronze, gold-plated bronze, gold and ivory.
Daily objects were decorated — a comb, a vase, a fan. Art was not kept only for temples.
The number of terracotta pieces shows that ordinary people, not only the rich, could own well-modelled figures. Clay was cheap; skill was not.
Try This: compare 6.6.8 with any gold-plated bangle sold today. The technique — a thin layer of gold over a cheaper metal — is over two thousand years old.