Chapter 10
Indian culture
Exercise-1
1. By answering the following questions—
(a) What does 'Veda' mean?
Answer: The word 'Veda' means knowledge. This is the religious book of the Aryas, which is considered to be the oldest religious book in the world.
(b) What is a village?
Answer: The village is made up of many villages and is a small settlement. The basic unit of Vedic age society was 'gram'.
(c) Write the name of Keijanman, a notable prophet of the Vedic age.
Answer: The prominent prophets of Vedic age are – Agastya, Vishwamitra, Vasishtha, Bhrigu and Atri.
2. It is a sketch of the social system of the Vedic age.
Answer: Vedic society was patriarchal. Society was divided according to 'varna' - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Man's life depended on these four goals of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
3. What is the main idea mentioned in the Vedas?
Answer: 1. The main concepts mentioned in the Vedas are –
2. monotheism
3. Sacrifice
4. Religion
5. Concept of soul and reincarnation
Exercise-2
1. By answering the following questions—
(a) Who was the propagator of materialism?
Answer: Charvak was the propagator of materialism.
(b) What do you understand in Lokayat Bulile?
Answer: 'Lokayat' refers to the way of thinking based on common human beliefs or experience. This is another name for Charvak.
(c) Who first propounded the concept of materialism?
Answer: Charvak first propounded the concept of materialism.
(d) According to materialism, all objects in the world are aggregates of which elements?
Answer: According to materialism, all the things in the world are the sum of these four elements - earth, water, fire and air.
Exercise-3
1. By answering the following questions—
(a) What was Mahavira?
Answer: Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. He also gave full form to this religion.
(b) What are the tirthangas of Jainism? Who was the first Tirthankar?
Answer: There are 24 tirthankaras in Jainism. The first Tirthankar was Rishabhava.
(c) What are the five principles of Jainism?
Answer: Jainism has five principles –
1. Non-violence
2. Truth
3. Inexpensive (no theft)
4. Brahmacharya
5. Aparigraha
(d) Write the names of two kings of ancient India who embraced Jainism.
Answer: Names of two kings — Chandragupta Maurya, Kharbel.
(e) Can the followers of Jainism be divided into two groups?
Answer: The followers of Jainism are divided into two sects — Shwetambara and Digambara.
(f) By what name are the teachings of Mahavira included in the Prakrit language?
Ans: The teachings of Mahavira are enshrined in the name "Agam" in Prakrit language.
2. What was the reason for the emergence of new ways of thinking in India's spiritual direction?
Answer: The common people were unhappy with the strict religious rules of the Vedic age, the predominance of sacrifices and the extravagance of the Varna system. As a result of this dissatisfaction, new schools of thought - such as Buddhism and Jainism - emerged.
3. What was the opinion of Burdwan Mahavira about living ascetic life?
Answer: Burdhman Mahavira left the world to seek the truth of life and the liberation of the soul and took up the ascetic life.
Exercise-4
1. By answering the following questions—
(a) Who was the founder of Buddhism?
Answer: Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism.
(b) What was Gautama Buddha's paternal name?
Answer: Gautama Buddha's paternal name was Siddhartha.
(c) Gautama Buddha performed what kind of penance?
Answer: Gautama Buddha practiced penance under the Bodhi tree named Bodhgaya.
(d) What is the word 'Bodhidrum'?
Answer: 'Bodhidrum' refers to the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
(e) What are the four noble truths of Buddhist doctrine?
Answer: The four great truths of Buddhism are –
1. There is sadness.
2. There is reason to be sad
3. Sorrow is possible
4. Ashtamarga is the way to get rid of sorrow
(f) What is the name of the main book of Buddhism?
Answer: The main book of Buddhism is called 'Tripitaka'.
(g) What was the center of mass education of Buddhism?
Ans: The major educational centers of Buddhism are –
1. Nalanda
2. Vikramshila
3. Taxila
2. Explain the main doctrine of Buddhism.
Answer: The main tenets of Buddhism are —
1. Non-violence
2. Equality
3. The four great truths
4. Ashtamarg
Mercy and friendship
3. Essay on the contribution of Buddhism to Indian civilization and culture.
Answer: Buddhism has had a profound impact on Indian civilization and culture. It promotes non-violence, equality and education. The establishment of various educational centers, the development of architecture, painting and literature are one of the contributions of Buddhism.
Exercise-5
1. By answering the following questions—
(A) What is the meaning of the people?
Ans: Janjati Buli refers to those people who live with their own distinct language, traditions and beliefs.
(b) From which sources can we know about the past of the nation?
Answer: We can know about the past of people through oral stories, folktales, songs and lifestyles.
(c) Dr. Nipal is worshiped by the people of which community?
Ans: Dr Nipal is worshiped by people of Mishing community.
(D) Mainly in folk belief: Crow is the place of God?
Ans: In folk belief, mainly with the place of Prakriti or natural energy gods.
(e) What do Munda and Chantal tribals worship?
Ans: Munda and Chawtals worship the god named Chingbanga.
2. Briefly describe the folk beliefs of India.
Ans: People of India generally worship nature. Teolok consider forest trees, rivers, birds, animals etc. as gods. Teolok beliefs are passed down through oral history and festivals. These trust societies value peace, cooperation and conservation of nature.
