Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1: Understanding Social Science – Complete Notes
New NCERT Book: Understanding Society: India and Beyond – Part 1
PART 1: CHAPTER NOTES – FULL CHAPTER EXPLANATION
What is Social Science?
Social Science is the systematic study of human society. It means we study how people live together, how they behave, how society works, and how society changes with time.
When we study Social Science, we do not only learn what happened in the past. We also learn why it happened and how it happened. For example, History does not only tell us that a war happened, it also tells us why the war happened and what was its effect on people.
Social Science is different from Natural Science. Natural Science like Physics, Chemistry and Biology studies nature, plants, animals and the physical world. Social Science studies people, their culture, their government, their economy and their society.
The Four Branches of Social Science
In Class 9 and 10, we will study four main branches of Social Science together, because all of them are connected to each other.
- History: History is the study of the past. It tells us about people, events and changes that happened long ago. It helps us understand how our present life is connected to the past. For example, when we learn about freedom fighters, we understand how India got freedom and why it is important.
- Geography: Geography is the study of places, land, climate, environment and resources. It tells us where people live, why they live there, and how nature affects their life. For example, people living near rivers do farming easily, while people living in dry areas face water problems. Maps, weather and landforms are all part of Geography.
- Political Science: Political Science is the study of government, governance, laws, rights and duties. It tells us how a country is ruled, how laws are made, and what are our rights and duties as citizens. For example, when we vote in an election, we are taking part in Political Science in real life.
- Economics: Economics is the study of resources, money, production and trade. It tells us how people earn, spend and save money, and why prices go up and down. For example, when the price of vegetables increases, Economics helps us understand the reason behind it.
All four branches are connected. If we want to understand a village, we need History to know its past, Geography to know its land and climate, Political Science to know its Panchayat and rules, and Economics to know how people earn their living.
Social Science in Everyday Life
Social Science is not only a school subject, it is a part of our daily life.
When we go to the market and see prices increasing, that is Economics. When we follow traffic rules and laws, that is Political Science. When we check the weather and use Google Maps, that is Geography. When we hear stories of our grandparents and our country’s past, that is History.
That is why Social Science teaches us three important skills: observe changes around us, ask questions, and find evidence. We should not believe everything blindly. We should check facts and understand the reason behind every change.
India’s Ancient Knowledge Traditions
India has very old ideas about society and nature, which are still useful today.
Panchamahabhutas means the five great elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Ancient Indians believed that everything in nature, including human life, is made of these five elements. So we should respect nature and protect it.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means the whole world is one family. It teaches us to live with peace, respect and togetherness. It means we should not fight on the basis of religion, language or country, we are all part of one human family.
Arthashastra was written by Kautilya about 2300 years ago. It is a book about governance, economy and administration. It explains how a king should rule, how taxes should be collected, and how the welfare of people should be the main aim of the government. This shows that India thought about good governance thousands of years ago.
Why Should We Study Social Science?
We should study Social Science to understand society and people better, to become aware and responsible citizens, and to understand India’s past, present and future.
In the future, the world will face big problems like climate change, migration of people from one place to another, and new technology like Artificial Intelligence. To understand these problems, we will need observation, questioning and evidence. Social Science develops these skills in us, so it will become even more important in the future.
Quick Revision Notes:
Social Science is the systematic study of human society.
Four branches: History, Geography, Political Science and Economics.
Panchamahabhutas: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The whole world is one family.
Arthashastra was written by Kautilya.
Main skills: Observe, Ask Questions and Find Evidence.
NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Note: This chapter has no end-of-chapter exercise. These are all the in-text questions and activities given in the NCERT textbook.
Q1. Let’s Analyse: Observe your surroundings and identify a change that has taken place in your locality over the past five years. It could be related to transport, housing, education, technology, or the environment. What was the situation earlier? What has changed? What might have caused this change? How has it affected people’s lives?
Ans. Over the past five years, transportation in my locality has improved. Earlier, roads were narrow and public transport was limited. Today, wider roads and better bus services have made travelling more convenient. Population growth, urban development and increasing transportation needs caused this change. As a result, connectivity has improved and people can travel more easily for work, education and other daily activities.
Q2. Think about a day in your life. Explain how even the simplest daily activities show that your life depends on many social systems working together.
Ans. In one day, our life depends on many social systems. Our house is made from materials from many places, our food is grown, transported and sold by many people, we travel on roads made by the government, we study in schools and use electricity. All these systems like food supply, transport, education and governance work together. This shows Social Science is connected to our daily life.
Q3. Why do some people live in crowded cities while others live in scattered villages?
Ans. People live in cities because there are more jobs, better education, healthcare and transport. In villages, people live scattered because farming needs more land and open space. So, jobs and lifestyle decide where people live.
Q4. Why do different communities speak different languages and follow different traditions?
Ans. Different communities developed in different places, with different history and environment. So their language, food, dress and traditions became different over time.
Q5. Why are certain regions prone to floods, and why does agriculture flourish in some regions but not others?
Ans. Certain regions are prone to floods because of heavy rainfall, rivers and low-lying land. Agriculture flourishes in regions where there is fertile soil, enough water and suitable climate. In dry and rocky regions, farming is difficult.
Q6. How do governments make decisions that affect millions of people?
Ans. Governments make decisions through elected representatives, laws made in Parliament or Assembly, and government departments that implement those laws. People elect leaders, leaders make laws, and officials implement them for the welfare of people.
Q7. What is Social Science and why should we study it?
Ans. Social Science is the systematic study of human society. We should study it to understand society, government, economy, environment and history, and to become aware and responsible citizens.
Q8. Name the four main branches of Social Science studied in Class 9 and 10.
Ans. History, Geography, Political Science and Economics.
Q9. How does Social Science help us in everyday life?
Ans. Social Science helps us understand prices, rules, government decisions, weather, maps and our rights as citizens. It teaches us to observe, ask questions and find evidence before taking decisions.
Q10. What are Panchamahabhutas and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam?
Ans. Panchamahabhutas are the five great elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means the whole world is one family.
Q11. Let’s Explore: With the help of NCERT’s School Bhuvan portal, map your own village or city. What did you learn from it?
Ans. With the help of the School Bhuvan portal, I mapped my city and located roads, schools, hospitals, parks and water bodies. It helped me understand the geographical layout of my area and how mapping technology helps in studying places and planning development.
EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR EXAM
Very Short Answer Questions
Q1. What is Social Science?
Ans. Social Science is the systematic study of human society.
Q2. Name the four core disciplines of Social Science.
Ans. Geography, History, Political Science and Economics.
Q3. What does History study?
Ans. History studies the past, people, events and changes over time.
Q4. What does Geography study?
Ans. Geography studies places, land, climate, environment and resources.
Q5. What does Political Science study?
Ans. Political Science studies government, governance, laws, rights and duties.
Q6. What does Economics study?
Ans. Economics studies resources, money, production and trade.
Q7. What are Panchamahabhutas?
Ans. Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space.
Q8. What does Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam mean?
Ans. The whole world is one family.
Q9. Who wrote Arthashastra?
Ans. Kautilya.
Q10. How is Social Science different from Natural Science?
Ans. Natural Science studies nature, Social Science studies society and people.
Short Answer Questions
Q1. What is Social Science? Why is it important in everyday life?
Ans. Social Science is the systematic study of human society. It is important because it helps us understand prices, rules, government decisions, weather, maps and our rights. It helps us understand why changes happen in society and how we should take better decisions in daily life.
Q2. Explain the four branches of Social Science.
Ans. History studies the past and changes over time. Geography studies places, climate and resources. Political Science studies government, laws and rights. Economics studies money, resources and trade. All four are connected and together they help us understand society completely.
Q3. What are India’s ancient ideas about society and nature? Explain any two.
Ans. Panchamahabhutas says everything in nature is made of five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam says the whole world is one family and we should live with peace and respect. Arthashastra by Kautilya explains governance and economy for the welfare of people.
Q4. How does Social Science help us understand changes in society?
Ans. Society keeps changing with time. Roads, transport, housing and education change. Social Science helps us observe these changes, ask questions and find evidence. Example: Earlier transport was slow, now buses and trains are better because of development and population growth.
Q5. Why will Social Science become more important in the future?
Ans. In future, problems like climate change, migration, new technology and global connections will increase. To understand them, we need careful observation, questioning and evidence. Social Science develops these skills, so it will become even more important.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. What is Social Science? Explain its four main branches and their importance.
Ans. Social Science is the systematic study of human society. It explains how people live together, how society works and why events happen.
Its four branches are:
- History – It studies the past, people and events. It helps us learn from past mistakes and understand changes over time.
- Geography – It studies places, land, climate and resources. It helps us understand where people live and how nature affects life.
- Political Science – It studies government, laws, rights and duties. It helps us understand how decisions are made and why voting is important.
- Economics – It studies resources, money and trade. It helps us understand prices, earning, spending and saving.
All four branches are connected. In Class 9 and 10, we study them together because to understand any problem in society, we need all of them.
Q2. Explain how Social Science is useful in everyday life with examples.
Ans. Social Science is useful in our daily life in many ways. When the price of vegetables increases, Economics helps us understand the reason. When we follow traffic rules and laws, Political Science helps us understand their importance. When we check weather and use maps, Geography helps us. When we learn about freedom fighters and our country’s past, History helps us.
It also makes us responsible citizens. We understand our rights, duties, government decisions and social changes. It teaches us to observe, ask questions and check evidence before believing anything. That is why Social Science is not only a school subject, it is a life skill.
Q3. Explain India’s ancient knowledge traditions mentioned in this chapter.
Ans. India has very old and important ideas about society and nature.
Panchamahabhutas means five great elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Ancient Indians believed that nature and human life are made of these elements, so we should respect nature.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means the whole world is one family. It teaches peace, respect and togetherness for all people.
Arthashastra was written by Kautilya about 2300 years ago. It explains how a king should rule, how administration should work and how the economy should be managed for the welfare of people.
These ideas show that India thought about society, nature and governance thousands of years ago, and these ideas are still useful today.
Case Based Questions
Case 1:
In a village, earlier the road was narrow and only a few people had bicycles. After some years, the road became wide, buses started coming and many shops opened. The population of the village also increased.
Q1. Which branch of Social Science will help us understand the change in roads and transport?
Ans. Geography and Economics will help us understand it, because it is related to place, development and resources.
Q2. Why did the village change over time?
Ans. Because of population growth, development, better transport and new shops, the village changed over time.
Q3. What skill of Social Science is used here?
Ans. Observation, asking questions and examining evidence.
Case 2:
Rohan saw that the price of tomatoes increased suddenly in the market. His father said the government has made a new rule for farmers. Rohan also read in the newspaper about rain affecting crops.
Q1. Which branch of Social Science explains the increase in price?
Ans. Economics.
Q2. Which branch explains the government rule?
Ans. Political Science.
Q3. How does this case show that Social Science is connected to everyday life?
Ans. Because price, government rules and weather affect our daily life, and Social Science helps us understand why these changes happen.
WORKSHEET FOR PRACTICE
Try to solve this worksheet yourself without seeing the answers above. This will help you in exams.
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Q1. What is Social Science?
a) Study of nature
b) Study of human society
c) Study of animals
d) Study of machines
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a branch of Social Science?
a) History
b) Geography
c) Physics
d) Economics
Q3. Which branch studies government, laws and rights?
a) History
b) Geography
c) Political Science
d) Economics
Q4. Which branch studies prices, money and trade?
a) History
b) Geography
c) Political Science
d) Economics
Q5. Who wrote Arthashastra?
a) Aryabhata
b) Kautilya
c) Valmiki
d) Kalidasa
Q6. What does Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam mean?
a) The world is divided
b) The whole world is one family
c) Nature is powerful
d) King is supreme
Q7. Which of these is a part of Panchamahabhutas?
a) Sun
b) Moon
c) Air
d) Mountain
Q8. Social Science teaches us to:
a) Believe everything blindly
b) Observe, ask questions and find evidence
c) Only memorise dates
d) Avoid society
B. True or False
Q1. Social Science only tells us what happened, not why it happened.
Q2. Geography studies places, land, climate and resources.
Q3. Natural Science and Social Science are the same.
Q4. Arthashastra was written by Kautilya about 2300 years ago.
Q5. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means the whole world is one family.
C. Fill in the Blanks
Q1. Social Science is the systematic study of ______ society.
Q2. The four branches of Social Science are History, Geography, ______ Science and Economics.
Q3. Panchamahabhutas are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and ______.
Q4. ______ was written by Kautilya.
Q5. Social Science helps us become aware and ______ citizens.
D. Assertion – Reason Questions
Read the statements and choose the correct option:
a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
c) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
d) Assertion is false but Reason is true.
Q1. Assertion: Social Science is useful in everyday life.
Reason: It helps us understand prices, rules, weather and government decisions.
Q2. Assertion: History, Geography, Political Science and Economics are connected.
Reason: To understand any problem in society, we need all of them together.
Q3. Assertion: Social Science will become more important in the future.
Reason: Problems like climate change and new technology will increase in the future.
E. Match the Following
Match Column A with Column B:
Column A Column B
- History a) Money, resources and trade
- Geography b) Government, laws and rights
- Political Science c) Past, people and events
- Economics d) Kautilya
- Arthashastra e) Places, land and climate
F. Short and Long Answer Questions
Q1. What is Social Science? Explain with two examples from daily life.
Q2. Explain any two branches of Social Science.
Q3. What is Panchamahabhutas? Why should we respect nature?
Q4. Explain Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in your own words.
Q5. Why is Social Science important for becoming a responsible citizen? Explain in 4-5 lines.
G. Case Based Question
In a town, earlier people used to walk to school and market. Now, new roads, buses and mobile phones have changed daily life. Many new shops and schools have also opened.
Q1. Which skills of Social Science will help you understand this change?
Q2. Which branch of Social Science is related to roads and transport?
Q3. Why did the town change over time? Give two reasons.
Worksheet Answer Key
MCQ Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-c, 4-d, 5-b, 6-b, 7-c, 8-b
True or False Answers: 1-False, 2-True, 3-False, 4-True, 5-True
Fill in the Blanks Answers: 1-human, 2-Political, 3-Space, 4-Arthashastra, 5-responsible
Assertion-Reason Answers: 1-a, 2-a, 3-a
Match the Following Answers: 1-c, 2-e, 3-b, 4-a, 5-d