RBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 Solutions in English — India's Cultural Roots

RBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 Question Answer India’s Cultural Roots

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India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Questions and Answers

India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Question Answer (InText)

Page 105

Question 1.
What are the Vedas? What is their message?
Answer:
The word ‘Veda’ comes from the Sanskrit ‘Vid’ which means ‘knowledge’.
Their message is :

1. The supreme reality is one, but sages give it many names. Truth is another name of God. God is one but sages give it several names.
2. The last verses of the Rig Veda also call for unity among people. It says we should come together, speak together, common mind, agree on thoughts, united by our purpose, heart and thoughts. It means all may agree.

Question 2.
What new schools of thought emerged in India in the 1st millennium BCE? What are their core principles?
Answer:
New schools of thought emerged in India in the 1st millennium BCE are :
1. Yoga : Early in the 1st millennium BCE, many schools of thought grew out of the Vedas, one of them was Yoga. It developed methods intented to achieve the realisation of brahma in one’s consciousness.

2. Buddhism : About two and a half millenniums ago, Buddhism came into existance. Mahatma Buddha was the founder of this religion. Buddhism did not accept the supremacy of the Vedas. It has its own principles. Such as :

• Human life is full of sufferings.
• Attachment and Avidya are the source of human suffering.
• Through sincere inner discipline, we can liberate ourselves from attachment.
• It also stressed on the idea of ahimsa.
• One is pure in whom truth and dharma reside.
• Conquering oneself is the greatest victory.

3. Jainism : It is another school of thought that did not accept the supremacy of the Vedas. Mahaveer Swami was the last Tirthankara of Jainism. He was the most famous thinker of the Jainas. The main teachings are as follows :
(i) Ahimsa : This means not hurting or killing living beings; not abused, not driven away.
(ii) Anekantavada : The truth has many aspects and cannot be fully described by any single statement.
(iii) Aparigraha : It means non-possession and advises detachment from material possessions, limiting oneself to what is truly necessary in life.
(iv) Interdependence of all creatures : All humans and invisible organisms are interconnected and interdependent.

4. Charvaka School of Thought: It believed that this material world is the only thing that exists, and therefore there can be no life after death.

Question 3.
What is the contribution of folk and tribal traditions to Indian Culture?
Answer:
The Indian sociologist Andre Beteille has written “The thousands of castes and tribes on the Indian subcontinent have influenced each other in their religious beliefs and practices since the beginning of history and before. That the tribal religions have been influenced by Hinduism is widely accepted, but it is equally true that Hinduism, not only in its formative phase but throughout its evolution, has been influenced by tribal, religions.”
(1) There has been a constant interaction between folk and tribal traditions and Hinduism. Deities, concepts, legends and rituals have been freely exchanged in both directions. For instance, according to tradition, Jagannath, worshipped at Puri (Odisha) was originally a tribal deity; this is also the case with various forms of the mother-goddess worshipped across India.

(2) Folk, tribal and Hindu belief systems have many similar concepts. For instance, in all three elements of nature such as mountains, rivers, trees, plants and animals and some stones too are regarded as sacred, because there is consciousness behind all of them.

(3) But despite this multiplicity of deities as with Hinduism, many tribal groups have a concept of higher divinity or supreme being.

(4) Clearly, the result of this long interaction has been mutual enrichment. In this manner, folk and tribal beliefs and practices also count among India’s cultural roots.

Page 109

Question 1.
Do you know the term for a society where people select their leaders? How do you think people can benefit from such a situation? What could happen if they live under leaders that they did not choose?
Answer:
A society where people elect their leaders is known as democratic society.
In a democratic society, government is accountable to the people for its work. In a democracy, people can raise their voice if they are not satisfied with any decision taken by government. People want solution of their problems through their elected representatives. Now, if the people were not under the rule of the leader chosen by them, then in such a society a king or queen would be ruling and he would be answerable to the people for his action. People would not be allowed to raise their voice. Such a ruler can be autocratic and tyrannical.

Page 115

Question 1.
Discuss the way the Buddha is depicted in the above panel. (Page 114 of the text-book)
Answer:
In this panel, Lord Buddha is depicted giving a Sermon.

Question 2.
Can you name some states of India or some other countries where Buddhism is a major religion even today? Try to plot these on a world map.
Answer:
Buddhism spread in various states of India. It is the main religion in Maharashtra and Tamilnadu. It also spread in other countries like Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Korea etc.

Students will plot these countries themselves on world map.

Class 6 SST India’s Cultural Roots Question Answer (Exercise)

Question 1.
If you were Nachiketa, what questions would you like to ask Yama? Write them down in 100-150 words.
Answer:
If I were Nachiketa, I would ask Yama the following questions :

1. My father has offered me to you, in this situation what will you do with me now?
2. What truly happens to the soul after the death of the body?
3. What are the causes of death?
4. Is there a world beyond this one where the soul resides?
5. How can one achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death?
6. I would ask Yama to explain the true nature of atman and how it connects to the supreme reality (brahma)?

Question 2.
Explain a few central ideas of Buddhism. Briefly comment upon them.
Answer:
Central ideas of Buddhism are :

1. Human life is full of sufferings. Avidya and attachment are the source human suffering. He told a method to remove these two causes, Right concentration and Inner discipline are ways of detachment.
2. Buddhism advocates non-violence which means not hurting or killing anyone.
3. One is pure in whom truth and dharma reside.
4. Conquering oneself is the greatest victory.

Question 3.
Discuss in class the quotation of the Buddha which begins with “Not by water is one made pure, though many people may bathe here [in sacred rivers]” to make sure that its meaning has been understood by all.
Answer:
[Students will discuss in class and write].
Hint : This quotation by the Buddha means that true purity can not be achieved merely by performing rituals like bathing in sacred rivers. It makes our body pure not inner self. When a person’s mind is free from negative thoughts such as greed, desire then the person will be pure. It says about inner transformation.

Question 4.
Explain a few central ideas of Jainism. Briefly comment upon them.
Answer:
Central ideas of Jainism :
(1) Ahimsa : Jainism places the highest importance on non-violence. All creatures should not be hurt, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away. Life is dear to all, all need compassion.

(2) Anekantavada : It means truth has many aspects and cannot be fully described by any single statement.

(3) Aparigraha : Jainism advises detachment from material possessions, limiting oneself to what is truly necessary in life.

(4) Interconnectedness and interdependence of all creatures : All the creatures are interconnected and interdependent on each other and cannot live without one another.

Question 5.
Consider and discuss in class Andre Beteille’s thought (see page 122 of the text-book).
Answer:
Students will discuss about the following thought in their class.
Andre Beteille’s thought emphasizes the long-standing interaction between tribal and Hindu religious practices in India. The tribal religions have, been influenced by Hinduism also.

Question 6.
Make a list of popular gods and goddesses in your region and the festivals they are associated with.
Answer:
Students will do themselves with the help of their class teacher and parents.

Question 7.
As a class activity, list two or three tribal groups from your region or State. Document some of their art and belief systems.
Answer:
Students will do themselves as a part of their class activity.
True or False
1. The Vedic hymns were written on palm- leaf manuscripts.
2. The Vedas are India’s oldest texts.
3. The Vedic statement ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti reflects a belief in the unity of cosmic powers.
4. Buddhism is older than the Vedas.
5. Jainism emerged as a branch of Buddhism.
6. Both Buddhism and Jainism advocated for peaceful coexistence and the avoidance of harm to all living beings.
7. Tribal belief systems are limited to belief in spirits and minor deities.
Answer:
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. False

India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Extra Questions and Answers Social Science Chapter 7

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is the oldest of the four Vedas?
(a) Atharva Veda
(b) Yajur Veda
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Sama Veda
Answer:
(c) Rig Veda

2. ………………. was the childhood name of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
(a) Vardhamana
(b) Siddhartha
(c) Rahul
(d) Suddhodana
Answer:
(b) Siddhartha

3. Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment under a ………………. tree.
(a) Pipal
(b) Mango
(c) Neem
(d) Banyan
Answer:
(a) Pipal

4. The hymns of the Vedas were composed in the ………………. region.
(a) Sapta Sindhava
(b) Ganga-Yamuna
(c) Narmada River
(d) Kaveri River
Answer:
(a) Sapta Sindhava

5. Vedic hymns were composed in ………………. language.
(a) English
(b) Hindi
(c) Bengali
(d) Sanskrit
Answer:
(d) Sanskrit

6. Which among the following is based on the concepts of the Vedas?
(a) Principles of Buddhism
(b) The Upanishads
(c) The Puranas
(d) Principles of Jainism
Answer:
(b) The Upanishads

7. Which of the following is not included in the teachings of Jainism?
(a) Desire
(b) Non-violence
(c) Anekantaveda
(d) Aparigraha
Answer:
(a) Desire

8. ‘This material world is the only thing that exist and therefore there can be no life after death’. This is the belief of ………………. school of thought.
(a) Hinduism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Charvaka
(d) Jainism
Answer:
(c) Charvaka

9. How many tribes lived in most of the states of India in 2011?
(a) 104
(b) 705
(c) 50
(d) 10
Answer:
(b) 705

10. Which among the following is a tribal deity?
(a) Indra
(b) Sun
(c) Moon
(d) Jagannath at Puri
Answer:
(d) Jagannath at Puri

Fill in the blanks

1. The Vedic hymns were composed by rishis and rishikas in an early form of ………………. language.
Answer:
Sanskrit

2. In the last mantras of the Rig Veda a prayer for ………………. among the people was also offered.
Answer:
Unity

3. The Upanishads also introduced the concept of atman that resides in every being but is ultimately one with ………………. .
Answer:
brahman

4. Buddhism did not accept the ………………. of the Vedas and developed their own systems.
Answer:
authority

5. Everything – human life, nature and the universe – is one divine called ………………. Brahman.
Answer:
essence

6. The Buddha founded the ………………. a community of the Monks or Nuns.
Answer:
Sangh

State whether True or False

1. The word ‘Jain’ or Jaina comes from Jina, meaning conqueror.
Answer:
True

2. The truth has only one aspect.
Answer:
False

3. According to Charvaka school there is no life after death.
Answer:
True

4. There is no interconnection between folk, tribal beliefs and other schools of thoughts.
Answer:
False

Match the following

Question 1.

Answer:

Question 2.

Answer:

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is the greatest wealth of all?
Answer:
The wealth of true knowledge.

Question 2.
What is spirituality?
Answer:
It is the search for deeper and higher dimension beyond our current personality.

Question 3.
Who is a spiritual seeker?
Answer:
Someone who seeks the truths of this world. This could be a sage, a saint, a yogi, a philosopher etc.

Question 4.
What are the Vedas?
Answer:
The word ‘Veda’ comes from the Sanskrit ‘Vid- which means ‘knowledge’.

Question 5.
Name the four Vedas?
Answer:
(1) The Rigveda (2) The Yajurveda (3) The Samaveda (4) The Atharvaveda

Question 6.
Which are the oldest and ancient texts of India?
Answer:
The Vedas.

Question 7.
What has been recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of the humanity?
Answer:
The meticulous transmission of vedic chanting was recognised for that.

Question 8.
What is the full form of UNESCO?
Answer:
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Question 9.
How do the Vedic hymns address gods and goddesses?
Answer:
In poetical form.

Question 10.
How was the early Vedic society organised?
Answer:
Early Vedic society was organised in different Janas (larger groups of people) which were more than thirty.

Question 11.
Name any four professions mentioned in the vedic texts.
Answer:

1. Agriculturist
2. Weaver
3. Potter
4. Healer.

Question 12.
Mention any two concepts of Upanishads?
Answer:

1. Rebirth
2. Our actions or their results (Karma).

Question 13.
Define the term ‘Vedanta’.
Answer:
Vedanta is a thought which means everything human life, nature and the yniverse is one divine essence called Brahman.

Question 14.
Which schools of thought grew in India early in the first millennium BCE?
Answer:

1. Buddhism
2. Jainism
3. Yoga
4. Charvaka.

Question 15.
Who is an ascetic?
Answer:
Someone who engages in discipline to attain a higher consciousness.

Question 16.
What do you understand by the term Bhikshu?
Answer:
A man who giving up the usual life in the world dedicates himself towards spirituality. He commits himself to follow a disciplined life.

Question 17.
What was the main idea of Charvak school of thought?
Answer:
Charvak school believed that this material world is the only thing that exists and therefore there can be no life after death.

Question 18.
What was the meaning of tribe in ancient India?
Answer:
Ancient India did not have a word for ‘tribe’. Tribes were just different janas that lived in a specific environment, such as forests of mountains.

Question 19.
How many tribes lived in India in 2011?
Answer:
705 tribes.

Question 20.
What are the Jataka tales?
Answer:
These are the stories of Buddha’s former births and express the Buddhist values in simple terms.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What were the Vedas?
Answer:
Vedas are the most ancient texts of India, and indeed among the most ancient in the world. The Vedas consist of thousands of hymns prayers in the form of poem and songs. Experts have proposed dates ranging from the 5th to 20th millennium BCE of their composition.

Question 2.
Who composed the Vedic hymns? What was the language of their composition? Who were addressed in these hymns?
Answer:
The Vedic hymns composed by rishis and rishikas in an early form of the Sanskrit language. They were addressed to many deities such as Indra, Agni, Varuna Mitra, Sarasvati, Ushas and many more.

Question 3.
Which beliefs of Vedic philosophy were particularly important?
Answer:
The Vedic philosophy which was particularly important can be explained as: –

1. The Supreme truth is one but the sages give it many names. Truth is only God.
2. The last verses of the Rigveda also call for unity among people.

Question 4.
What are the Upanishads?
Answer:
Upanishads are a group of texts built up on vedic concepts. They are based on the concept of atman that resides in every being but is ultimately one with brahman. It follows that everything in this world is connected and interdependent.

Question 5.
Explain the term ’Vedanta’.
Answer:
The Vedanta is a school of thought that says human life, nature and the universe – is one divine essence called brahman or sometimes just tat. Two well known mantra express this in a simple but profound way- “I am brahman” “You are That”.

Question 6.
Which organisation was founded by the Buddha? (Pg. 114)
Answer:
The Buddha founded the Sangha, a community of bhikshus who dedicated themselves practising and spreading his teachings. His influence on India, and indeed the whole of Asia was enormous.

Question 7.
How did Rishi Uddalaka Aruni explain his son Shvetaketu about the nature of Brahman mentioned in Chhandogya Upanishad?
Answer:
He explained that Brahman is invisible but everywhere. Similarly everything around us has emerged from the same essence brahman and consists of essense of brahman only.

Question 8.
What did Yama reply of Nachiketa’s question – “What happens after the death of body”? Mentioned in Katha Upanishad.
Answer:
Yama said that the atman is hidden with in all creatures. It is neither bom nor it die. It is immortal. After the death of body atman lives here only.

Question 9.
How did the monks of Buddhism and Jainism spread their teachings?
Answer:
They travelled to spread their respective teachings far and wide. Some of them created new monasteries in far way places. Others led ascetic lives in caves cutting the rocks.

Question 10.
How did anthropologists define a tribe?
Answer:
Today, anthropologists usually consider a tribe to be a group of families or clans sharing a tradition of common descent, a culture and a language, living as a close knit community under a chief and holding no private property.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the features of early vedic society.
Answer:

1. Early vedic society was organised in different janas or clans, that is larger group of people. There were lists over 30 such janas for instance, the Bharatas, the Purus, the Kurus, the Yadus, the Turvashas etc. Each clan was associated with a particular region of the northwest part of the subcontinent.
2. The Vedas only give us a few clues through world’s like raja, a sabha and samiti, both of which refer to a collective gathering.
3. Many professions are mentioned in the vedic texts such as agriculturist, weaver, potter, builder, carpenter, healer, dancer, barber, priest etc.

Question 2.
Write a comment on Upanishad concepts.
Answer:
A group of texts known as ‘Upanishads’ built upon Vedic concepts. And they introduced new philosophy such as rebirth and Karma. The Upanishads also introduced the concept of atman that recites in every being but is ultimately one with brahman. It says that everything in one world is interconnected and interdependent. This explains a common prayer that begins with sarve bhavantu sukhinah, or “May all creatures be happy”, and goes on to wish them all to be free from disease and sorrow.

Question 3.
Write a note on tribes in India.
Answer:

1. In ancient India, there was no word for tribes. Tribes were just different janas that lived in a specific environment, such as forests or mountains.
2. The constitution of India uses the term ‘tribes’ and tribal communities for them in English.
3. According to census of 2011, 705 tribes were living in India in various states.
4. Tribals consider land a sacred part of their lives and they also have high concept of divinity.

Question 4.
‘Many tribal groups have a concept of higher divinity similar to Hinduism. Explain the statement with example.
Answer:
Despite being multiplicity of deities, tribal groups have concept of higher divinity. For example, several tribals of Arunachal Pradesh worship Donyipoio, a combined form of Sun and Moon. He is considered as supreme god.

In eastern India, the Munda and Santhal tribals worship Singhonga, a supreme deity who created this whole world.

Essay Type Questions

Question 1.
How and where did Siddhartha Gautama attain Enlightenment?
Answer:

1. Prince Siddharth Gautama was born in Lumbini about two and a half millenniums ago. He grew up living in a palace. One day, at the age of 29 he went to visit the city in a chariot. For the first time in his life, he saw on an old man, a sick man and a dead body. He also saw an ascetic who was appeared to be happy and at peace.
2. Following this experience, Siddhartha decided to give up his luxury life, wife and son also. He travelled as an ascetic, meeting other scholars and ascetics. He searched for the root cause of suffering in human life.
3. After meditating for many days under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya (today in Bihar), he attained enlightenment he realised that avidya (ignorance) and attachment are the source of human suffering and conceived a method to remove these two causes. Siddhartha then became known as the ‘Buddha’.

Question 2.
Explain how did Prince Vardhamana achieve infinite knowledge and by which name did he come to be known after attaining enlightenment?
Answer:

1. Prince Vardhamana was bom into a royal family in the early 6th century BCE. His birthplace was near the city of Vaishali, in modern day Bihar. At the age of 30, he decided to leave his home and go in search of spiritual knowledge.
2. He practiced an ascetic discipline and after 12 years, achieved ‘infinite knowledge’ or supreme wisdom.
3. He became known as ‘Mahavira’, or ‘great hero’ and started preaching what he had realised.
4. The teachings include ahimsa, anekantavada and aparigraha.

Question 3.
“The diverse cultural roots of India from Hinduism to tribal traditions are interconnected and have influenced each other over millennia.” Explain the statement
Answer:

1. There has been a constant interaction between folk and tribal traditions and Hinduism. Deities, concepts, legends and rituals have been freely exchanged in both directions. For instance, according to tradition, Jagannath worshipped at Puri (Odisha), was originally a tribal deity, this is also the case with various forms of the mother-goddess worshipped across India. Some tribes, on the other hand adopted Hindu deities long ago and possess their own versions of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
2. Folk, tribal and Hindu belief systems have many similar concepts. For instance in all three elements of nature such as mountains, rivers, trees, plants and animals and some stones too. are regarded as sacred because there is consciousness behind all of them.
3. But despite this multiplicity of deities as with Hinduism, many tribal groups have a concept of higher divinity or supreme being. For example, several tribes of Arunachal Pradesh worship Donyipolo, a combined form of the Sun and the Moon. In Eastern India the Munda and the Santhal tribes worship Singbonga. In parts of the Central India god Khandoba is worshiped. The result of this long interaction has been mutual interaction and all have influenced, each other.

India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Notes Social Science Chapter 7

Indian culture is several millenniums old. Many archaeologists and scholars have pointed out that some of India’s cultural roots go all the way to the Harappan civilisation. Later on, over time, hundreds of schools of thought emerged in India. Few early schools, which have shaped India into a country are :

I. The Vedas and Vedic Culture

1. The word ‘Veda’ means ‘knowledge’.
2. There are four vedas : The Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, the Atharva Veda.
3. They are the most ancient texts of India and indeed among the most ancient in the world.
4. The Vedas consist of thousands of hymns that were recited orally. These hymns were composed in the Sapta Sindhava region.
5. The Rig Veda is the oldest Veda. Vedas were composed from the 5th to the 2nd millennium BCE.
6. These Vedas were passed on to 100-200 generations without any changes through rigorous training.
7. The Vedic hymns were composed by rishis and rishikas in the Sanskrit language.
8. Rishis and rishikas saw gods and goddesses as one. Truth was the another name for God but sages has given it many names.
9. The last verses of the Rig Veda also call lor unity among people.

(a) Vedic Society :

1. Early vedic society was organised in different Jana (Group of people). The Rig Veda alone lists over 30 such janas.
2. Janas governed their society.
3. Many professions are mentioned in the Vedic texts such as agriculturist, weaver, potter, builder, healer etc.

(b) Vedic School of Thought

1. Vedic culture also developed many rituals directed towards various deities for benefits and wellbeing of all.
2. Daily rituals were in the form of prayers and offering to Agni but those rituals became more and more complex in the course of time.
3. Upanishads were built upon Vedic philosophy. Some new concepts were rebirth, Karma, Vedanta philosophy, Concept of soul, ‘may all creatures be happy, wish all to be free from disease and sorrow.
4. Early in the 1st millennium BCE, several more schools of thought grew out of the Vedas.
5. All these schools of thought laid the foundation of ‘Hinduism’.

II. Buddhism

1. Other schools of thought also emerged, which did not accept the authority of the Vedas and. developed their own systems. One of them is Buddhism.
2. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama bom in Lumbini. He was born in 560 BCE as an approximate year. At the age of 29 he left his home and under a peepal tree in Bodhgaya, he got enlightenment.
3. He realised that avidhya and attachment are the source of human suffering and conceived a method to remove these two causes. Then he became Buddha which means awakened one.
4. The Buddha started teaching what he realised. He told the idea of Ahimsa and inner- discipline. He declared that one is pure in whom truth and Dharma reside conquering oneself is the greatest achievement.
5. The Buddha founded the Sangha, a community of Monks and Nuns. They dedicated themselves to practice and spread his teachings.

III. Jainism :

1. Jainism is an another important school of thought. Although its roots are set to be much more ancient. Mahavir Swami was the last Tirthankara of Jainism. He was bom in the early sixth century BCE near the city of Vaishali. His childhood name was Vardhaman. At the age of 30 he decided to leave his home and go in search of spiritual knowledge. After 12 years he achieved supreme wisdom and came to be known as Mahavira.
2. Mahavira started to preach his knowledge. His teachings include ahimsa, anekantavada and aparigraha. Jain teachings also insists on the interconnectedness and interdependence of all creatures.
3. In both Buddhism and Jainism monks and nuns begin travelling across the land to spread their respective teachings. They created monasteries and lead a ascetic lives in caves.

IV. Other School of Thoughts : There were other schools of thoughts at the time known as Charvaka school. It believed that this material world is the only thing that exists and therefore their can be no life after death.

V. (i) There was a wide diversity of intellectual or spiritual belief systems people were free to choose what suited them.
(ii) Although the Vedic, Buddhists and Jain schools had important differences but they shared some common concepts such as dharma, karma, rebirth and the search for an end to suffering and ignorance.

VI. Folk and Tribal Roots :

1. Ancient India did not have a word for ‘tribe’ – ‘tribes’ were just different janas that lived in a specific environment such as forests or mountains.
2. According to official figures, in 2011 India had 705 tribes spread over most states amounting to a population of about 104 million people.
3. Clearly the result of this long interaction has been mutual enrichment. In this manner, folk and tribal beliefs and practices also count among India’s cultural roots.