Consider the following statements regarding the 'Birch' tree used for manuscripts: 1. It is a tropical deciduous tree found in Central India. 2. Its bark was specially prepared to write manuscripts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (b) 2 only Explanation Manuscripts (from the Latin manu meaning 'hand') are handwritten documents from the ancient past. In the Indian subcontinent, the primary materials used for writing were palm leaves and the bark of specific trees. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Birch tree (Betula utilis) is not found in Central India. It is a species native to the Himalayas. It grows in cool, temperate, and alpine zones, whereas Central India is characterized by a tropical climate which is unsuitable for this tree. - Statement 2 is Correct. The inner bark of the Himalayan Birch tree, known locally as Bhojpatra, was specially prepared to serve as a writing surface. This bark is durable and was extensively used for writing manuscripts, particularly in the northern regions of the subcontinent. Key Takeaway: Ancient manuscripts in India were primarily written on palm leaves or the bark of the Himalayan Birch (Bhojpatra); the latter is restricted to the Himalayan region and is not found in Central India.

NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

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Consider the following statements regarding the 'Birch' tree used for manuscripts:

It is a tropical deciduous tree found in Central India.
Its bark was specially prepared to write manuscripts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (b) 2 only

Explanation

Manuscripts (from the Latin manu meaning 'hand') are handwritten documents from the ancient past. In the Indian subcontinent, the primary materials used for writing were palm leaves and the bark of specific trees.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Birch tree (Betula utilis) is not found in Central India. It is a species native to the Himalayas. It grows in cool, temperate, and alpine zones, whereas Central India is characterized by a tropical climate which is unsuitable for this tree.
Statement 2 is Correct. The inner bark of the Himalayan Birch tree, known locally as Bhojpatra, was specially prepared to serve as a writing surface. This bark is durable and was extensively used for writing manuscripts, particularly in the northern regions of the subcontinent.

Key Takeaway:
Ancient manuscripts in India were primarily written on palm leaves or the bark of the Himalayan Birch (Bhojpatra); the latter is restricted to the Himalayan region and is not found in Central India.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

Consider the following statements regarding the development of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent: 1. The Garo hills to the north-east were one of the areas where agriculture developed. 2. Rice was first grown in the Sulaiman hills. 3. The earliest cities flourished in the Vindhyan region before the Indus valley. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Arrange the following events in chronological order (from earliest to latest): 1. Development of cities on the banks of the Ganga. 2. Beginning of agriculture in Sulaiman and Kirthar hills. 3. Flourishing of earliest cities on the Indus. 4. Composition of the Rigveda. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I | List II A. Sulaiman Hills | 1. First cities (4700 years ago) B. Indus River | 2. Cities about 2500 years ago C. Ganga Valley | 3. Rearing of animals and early crops D. Vindhyas | 4. Agriculture developed

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Consider the following statements regarding the shift of urbanization: 1. Urbanization first occurred in the Indus valley. 2. Cities in the Ganga valley developed before those in the Indus valley. 3. The gap between these two phases is less than 500 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

With reference to the earliest human settlements in the Narmada valley, which of the following statements best describes the livelihood of the people?

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Keep practising Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

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The correct option is (b) 2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Birch tree (Betula utilis) is not found in Central India. It is a species native to the Himalayas. It grows in cool, temperate, and alpine zones, whereas Central India is characterized by a tropical climate which is unsuitable for this tree.
Statement 2 is Correct. The inner bark of the Himalayan Birch tree, known locally as Bhojpatra, was specially prepared to serve as a writing surface. This bark is durable and was extensively used for writing manuscripts, particularly in the northern regions of the subcontinent.