India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Question Answer Social Science Chapter 7
NCERT Class 6 Social Science SST Chapter 7 India’s Cultural Roots Questions and Answers Solutions
India’s Cultural Roots Class 6 Questions and Answers (InText)
Let’s Explore (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? (Hint: Think back to what you’re learning in the theme ‘Governance and Democracy’!) Write your thoughts in a paragraph of 100-150 words.
Answer:
A civilisation in which people choose their leaders is known as a ‘democracy.’ Democracy empowers citizens to elect leaders who align with their interests and ideals. This system promotes accountability, as leaders must address the interests and concerns of their citizens to maintain power.
Democracy encourages citizen participation and ownership, leading to increased engagement in the governance process. Unelected politicians can cause dissatisfaction and unrest among citizens. Leaders who fail to focus people’s well-being may create policies that do not align with public needs and wants. A democratic system encourages fairness and stability in society.
Let’s Explore (Page 115)
Question 2.
Discuss the way the Buddha is depicted in the given panel. (Page 115)
Answer:
This 1800 -year old stone panel shows Buddha teaching his disciples and followers what he himself had realised, including the idea of ahimsa, which is generally translated as ‘non-violence’, but originally it means ‘non-hurting’ or ‘non-injuring’. Buddha also insisted on having a sincere inner discipline in life.
Let’s Explore (Page 118)
Question 3.
Observe the below panel (from a Jain temple in New Delhi). What is striking about it? What messages does it carry? (Page 118)
Answer:
- The panel depicts a lion and a cow drinking water together from the same container. This is striking because these are natural enemies, and yet they are shown in harmony.
- The panel shows that even natural enemies can live together peacefully if they are treated with compassion and respect.
- The image represents the interconnection of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
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’d question Yama about the soul’s nature and journey beyond death. I would ask Yama, “What happens to the soul after it leaves the physical body?” Is there a paradise or hell, and does the soul go through rebirth? How can one break free from the cycle of birth and death?
How does karma influence our fate, and how can we overcome previous actions to achieve spiritual purity? Finally, what practices or disciplines can promote a calm and enlightened afterlife? These questions aim to explore the mysteries of life, death, and spiritual enlightenment.
Question 2.
Explain a few central ideas of Buddhism. Briefly comment upon them.
Answer:
Central ideas of Buddhism are as follows
The Four Noble Truths Buddhism teaches that life is characterised by suffering (dukkha), which is caused by desire and attachment (tanha). The end of suffering is possible through the end of desire, and this can be achieved by following the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path This is a guide for ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions. It includes Right Understanding, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
Non-violence (Ahimsa) Central to Buddhism, it advocates for kindness and compassion towards all living beings as a means to reduce suffering.
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:
Main paint of discussion in Class room:
- Gautam Buddha means by this quotation that you can not be pure just by having a bathe in any sacred river like the Ganges.
- You could become pure only within by following the path of non-violence and inner discipline.
- The one who could conquer his inner mind by mediation and further enlighten¬ment is greater manifolds than any emperor who wins any battle killing thousands of men.
Question 4.
Explain a few central ideas of Jainism. Briefly comment upon them.
Answer:
The word ‘Jain’ or jaina comes from ‘jina’, meaning ‘conqueror’. This does not refer to the conquest of territory or enemies, but to the conquest of ignorance and attachments, so as to reach enlightenment. Jain teachings include ahimsa, anekäntavada and aparigraha. Anekantavada means ‘not just one’ aspect or perspective.
That is, the truth has many aspects and cannot be fully described by any single statement. Aparigraha means ‘non-possession’ and advises detachment from material possessions, limiting oneself to what is truly necessary in life. In both Buddhism and Jainism, ahimsa means much , more than refraining from physical violence against a person or an animal. It also means refraining from violence in thought, such as having ill feelings towards anyone.
Question 5.
Consider and discuss in class Andre Beteille’s thought
“The thousands of castes and tribes on the Indian sub-continent 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.”
Answer:
Andre Beteille’s thought highlights the reciprocal influence between tribal religions and Hinduism. Tribal religions have impacted Hindu practices and conversely, Hinduism has influenced tribal beliefs. This mutual enrichment shows the fluid nature of cultural and religious exchanges in India.
Question 6.
Make a list of popular gods and goddesses in your region and the festivals they are associated with.
Answer:
Here is a list of popular gods and goddessess in my region and the festivals they are associated with
- Lord Krishna Janmashtami
- Goddess Durga Durga Puja
- Lord Ganesh Ganesh Chaturthi
- Goddess Lakshmi Diwali
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:
Here is a list of tribal groups from the state of Tamil Nadu
- Toda Tribe They are known for their distinctive traditional shawls and rituals associated with nature worship. They consider mountain peaks sacred.
- Irula Tribe They are famous for their traditional weaving skills and snake-catching techniques. They practice animistic beliefs centered around natural elements.
True or False
1. The Vedic hymns were written on palm-leaf manuscripts.
Answer:
False
2. The Vedas are India’s oldest texts.
Answer:
True
3. The Vedic statement ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti reflects a belief in the unity of cosmic powers.
Answer:
True
4. Buddhism is older than the Vedas.
Answer:
False
5. Jainism emerged as a branch of Buddhism.
Answer:
False
6. Both Buddhism and Jainism advocated for peaceful coexistence and the avoidance of harm to all living beings.
Answer:
True
7. Tribal belief systems are limited to belief in spirits and minor deities.
Answer:
False
Class Activity :
Question 1.
Stage a small play with Yama, god of death, surrounded by several Nachiketas asking him questions about life.
Answer:
Here is a role-play example consisting of Yama, god of death, surrounded by several Nachiketas asking him questions about life.
- Characters Nachiketa, Yama and other actors as onlookers.
- Scene Nachiketa approaches Yama and asks profound questions about life, death and the nature of the soul.
- Dialogues Yama provides answers that reveal the nature of existence and spiritual truths.