CBSE Class 12 History Thinkers Beliefs And Buildings MCQs

SUMMARY

This chapter deals with the ideas and beliefs of Buddhism and Jainism and Brahminical dogmas. It highlights the stupa of Sanchi, teachings of Buddhism and Jainism and the puranic Hinduism. It further highlights sculpture, symbols of worships and popular traditions. Finally it also touches the new religious tradition (Mahayana Buddhism)

Key concepts

Stupa:- A mound like structure in which relics of Buddha is kept and being worshipped.

Kutagarasala:- A hut in which philosophers assembled where the mendicants assembled and discussed about various philosophies.

Tirthankaras:- Those who guide men and women across the river of existence.

Hagiography:- Biography of a saint or religious leader.

Chaityas:- It is a funeral pyre and by extension a funerary mount.

Viharas:- Prayer hall.

Theravadins:- Followers of the old tradition of Buddhism

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS[MCQ]

2. What do you mean by Kutagarshala?
(a) A place where philosophical debated took place
(b) A hut with pointed roof
(c) Both are correct
(d) Both are wrong

Answer : C

6. How many Theerthankaras are recorded in the History of Jainism
(a) 21
(b) 22
(c) 23
(d) 24

Answer : D

3. Which religious script is called Tripitaka
(a) Jainism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Hinduism
(d) Sikhism

Answer : B

1. Hagiography is the biography of_____________
(a) Saints
(b) Kings
(c) Priests
(d) None of the above

Answer : A

11. In which structure is the term Harmika is associated?
(a) Chaitya
(b) Vihara
(c) Stupa
(d) None of the above

Answer : C

4. In which section Buddha’s teaching are included?
(a) Sutta Pitaka
(b) Abhidhamma Pitaka
(c) Vinaya Pitaka
(d) All the above

Answer : A

7. Identify the given image from the following options

(a) Buddhist Manuscript in Pali
(b) Buddhist Manuscript in Kharosthi
(c) Buddhist Manuscript in Sanskrit
(d) Buddhist Manuscript in Tamil

Answer : C

10. Where did Gautam Buddha attain enlightenment?
(a) Buddha Gaya
(b) Saranath
(c) Lumbini
(d) Kapilavatu

Answer : A

8. Identify this structure from the given options

(a) Chaitya
(b) Stupa
(c) Vihara
(d) Temple

Answer : B

5. Who was Mahaprajapati Gautami?
(a) Mother of Buddha
(b) Step Mother of Buddha
(c) Sister of Buddha
(d) Disciple of Buddha

Answer : B

9. Which among the following can be identified with the term Mahayana?
(a) Lesser Vehicle
(b) Greater Vehicle
(c) Both A and B
(d) None of the above

Answer : B

12. Buddha’s group desciples are called_____________
(a) Sangha
(b) Dhammamahamatra
(c) Bhikkhus
(d) Bhikkhuni

Answer : A

Question :  Which of these Buddhist texts dealt with philosophical matters?
(a) Vinaya Pitaka
(b) Sutta Pitaka
(c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
(d) Tipitaka

Answer :  C

Question :  Which of these is the most wonderful ancient building in the state of Bhopal?
(a) Gohar Mahal
(b) Sanchi Kanakhera
(c) Taj ul Masjid
(d) None of these

Answer :  B

Question :  In which of the following countries was Dipavamsa witten?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) China
(c) Nepal
(d) All of the above

Answer :  A

Question :  The Rigveda was compiled between:
(a) c 1500 to 1000 BCE
(b) c 1200 to 1100 BCE
(c) c 1400 to 1200 BCE
(d) c 900 to 1100 BCE

Answer :  A

Question :  Buddhism grew rapidly both during the lifetime of the Buddha and after his death as:
(a) Buddha and his disciples taught in Prakrit.
(b) Importance was given to rituals in Buddhism.
(c) People were dissatisfied with existing social practices.
(d) Only men were allowed into the Sangha.

Answer :  C

Question :  Which of these principles of Jainism left its mark on Indian thinking as a whole?
(a) Equality
(b) Sovereignty
(c) Respect for teacher/guru
(d) Ahimsa

Answer :  D

Question :  Which one of these is a core/foremost teaching of Buddha?
(a) Right Actions
(b) Non-violence
(c) The world is animated
(d) All of the above

Answer :  A

Question :  Who among the following became the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni?
(a) Prabhavati Gupta
(b) Mahapajapati Gotami
(c) Draupadi
(d) None of these

Answer :  B

Question :  The paintings at Ajanta caves depict stories from the:
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Sutta Pitaka
(c) Mahabharata
(d) Jatakas

Answer :  D

Question :  How has Buddha been depicted by many early sculptors?
(a) Human form
(b) Through Symbols
(c) Almighty
(d) Both (b) and (c)

Answer :  B

Question :  What human attribute did an ‘elephant’ represent in the sculpture found at Sanchi?
(a) Happiness
(b) Greed
(c) Laziness
(d) Strength and wisdom

Answer :  D

Question :  Which of these is a temple with a single doorway for the worshipper to enter and offer worship to the image?
(a) Gopuram
(b) Garbhagriha
(c) Mandap
(d) Swagatam

Answer :  B

Question :  In which year was Sanchi declared a World Heritage Site?
(a) 1988
(b) 1889
(c) 1898
(d) 1989

Answer :  D

Question :  When did the cave temples become prominent?
(a) 8th century
(b) 6th century
(c) 9th century
(d) 5th century

Answer :  A

Question :  Tirthankaras are those who guide men and women across the river of existence. Mahavira was preceded by
(a) 10 thirtankaras
(b) 20 thirtankaras
(c) 23 thirtankaras
(d) 25 thirtankaras

Answer :  C

Question :  Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) Buddhist texts mention as many as 66 sects or schools of thought.
(b) Debates about the validity of the philosophy or the way these sects understood the world, took place in the kutagarashalas in villages.
(c) Many teachers of these sects such as Mahavira and Buddha questioned the authority of the Vedas.
(d) They also emphasised individual agency– suggesting that men and women could strive to attain liberation from the trials and tribulations of worldly existence.
(a) (a), (b), (d)
(b) (a), (b), (c)
(c) (b), (c), (d)
(d) (a), (c), (d)

Answer :  C

Question :  There were several pre-existing traditions of thought, religious belief and practice, including the early Vedic tradition, known from the Rigveda. Which of the following statement is incorrect regarding the sacrificial tradition of Rigveda?
1. The Rigveda consists of hymns in praise of a variety of deities, especially Agni, Indra and Varuna.
2. Many of these hymns were chanted when sacrifices were performed, where people prayed for cattle, sons, good health, long life, etc.
3. At first, sacrifices were performed by the heads of households for the well-being of the domestic unit.
4. More elaborate sacrifices, such as the rajasuya and ashvamedha, were performed by chiefs and kings who depended on Brahmana priests to conduct the ritual.
(a) 1, 2
(b) 2, 3
(c) 3, 4
(d) 1, 3

Answer :  D

Question :  Mahavira and Buddha questioned the authority of __________
(a) The Jatakas
(b) The Vedas
(c) The Ganas
(d) The Yajnas

Answer :  B

Question :  Which one of the following statements is incorrect according to the principles of Jainism?
(a) According to Jainism, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through Karma.
(b) If one is to escape this cycle of Karma, one must practice asceticism and penance.
(c) There is no need to live in a monastery to attain salvation.
(d) The principle of ahimsa, emphasised within Jainism, has left its mark on Indian thinking.

Answer :  C

Question :  What does the symbol of ‘empty seat’ symbolise?
(a) First Sermon of the Buddha
(b) An event in the life of Buddha
(c) Wisdom of the Buddha
(d) Meditation of the Buddha

Answer :  D

Question :  New tradition of Buddhism was called as:
(a) Shwetambar
(b) Digambar
(c) Hinayana
(d) Mahayana

Answer :  D

Question :  Which one of the following statements is incorrect about Goutama Buddha?
(a) Goutama Buddha was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini in Nepal.
(b) Bodh Gaya contains one of the holiest of Buddhist sites: the location where, under the sacred peepal Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment and became the Buddha.
(c) Buddha preached his first sermon in a deer forest at Sachi, north of Bodhgaya.
(d) Lord Buddha attained Nirvana at the age of 35 when he was alive at Bodh Gaya. He is known to have attained Parinirvana after his death at Kushinagar.

Answer :  C

Question :  The most splendid stupa was at __________
(a) Amravati
(b) Sanchi
(c) Bhoomra
(d) Shahjidheri

Answer :  A

Question :  Inscriptions found on the railings and pillars of stupas record donations made for building and decorating them. Which one of the following statements is incorrect regarding the donations of Stupas?
(a) Hundreds of donations were made by women and men who mention their names.
(b) Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis also contributed to building these monuments.
(c) Guilds such as the ivory workers financed part of one of the gateways at Sanchi.
(d) The kings of Mauryas also made some donations.

Answer :  D

Question :  What was the balcony-like structure in a stupa called?
(a) Anda
(b) Harmika
(c) Yashti
(d) Chhatri

Answer :  B

Question :  Identify the archaeologist who has written these words: “It seems to me a suicidal and indefensible policy to allow the country to be looted of original works of ancient art.”
(a) H.H. Cole
(b) Walter Elliot
(c) Colin Mackenzie
(d) John Marshall

Answer :  A

Question :  By the first century CE, there is evidence of changes in Buddhist ideas and practices. Identify the statement included in the ideas and practices of the new Buddhist tradition.
(a) Buddhist teachings had given great importance to self-effort in achieving nibbana.
(b) The Buddha was regarded as a human being who attained enlightenment or nibbana through his own efforts.
(c) As the concept of the Bodhisatta also developed, he was perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others.
(d) However, the worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas became an unimportant part of this tradition.

Answer :  C

Question :  Vaishnavism is a part of _______ religion.
(a) Hinduism
(b) Jainism
(c) Buddhism
(d) Vaishnav religion.

Answer :  A

Question :  Which of the following is not correctly match?
(a) Vishnu: The Varaha or boar avatar
(b) Shiva: Linga
(c) Mahabalipuram: Kerala
(d) Vasudeva-Krishna : Mathura

Answer :  C

Question :  What is Shikhara in temple architecture?
(a) A single doorway for the worshipper to enter and offer worship to the image .
(b) The rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North India.
(c) A central hall, with small cells connected to it sometimes with beds carved from the stone.
(d) An open court surrounded by open cells accessible through an entrance porch.

Answer :  B

Question : What is the meaning of Theravadins?
(a) The oldest surviving branch of Buddhism.
(b) Major movement in the history of Buddhism.
(c) "white-clad", and refers to its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes.
(d) None of these.

Answer :  A

CASE-BASED MCQs

I. Read the following excerpt titled “Rules for Monks and Nuns” carefully and answer the following questions:
These are some of the rules laid down in the Vinaya
Pitaka: When a new felt (blanket/rug) has been made by a bhikkhu, it is to be kept for (at least) six years. If after less than six years he should have another new felt (blanket/rug) made regardless of whether or not he has disposed of the first, then–unless he has been authorised by the bhikkhus it is to be forfeited and confessed.
In case a bhikkhu arriving at a family residence is presented with cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may accept two or three bowlfuls if he desires. If he accepts more than that, it is to be confessed.
Having accepted two or three bowlfuls and having them from there, he has to share them among the bhikkhus. This is the proper course here.
Should any bhikkhu, having set out bedding in alodging belonging to the Sangha or having had itset out and then on departing neither put it away nor have it put away or should he go without taking leave, it is to be confessed.

Question : What did ‘Vinaya Pitaka’ include? 
(A) Rules for samanas
(B) Rules for monks and nuns
(C) Rules for righteous actions
(D) Rules for transient world
Answer : B

Question : What was the Sangha?
(A) Institution to keep a check on activities of monks and nuns.
(B) Institution to organise religious gatherings of Buddhists.
(C) Institution to teach Dhamma
(D) Institution to encourage more and more people to follow Buddhism.
Answer : C

Question : Why were these rules framed?
(A) To inculcate the habit of leading a simple life
(B) To inculcate the habit of being selfish
(C) To inculcate the habit of worshipping one god
(D) None of these
Answer : A

Question : The Buddhist monks were called bhikkus. The Buddhist nuns were names as
(A) bhikkis
(B) bhikkunis
(C) bhikununs
(D) bhikks
Answer : B

II. Observe the picture and answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.

Question : Where has this sculpture been found?
(A) Sanchi
(B) Amravati
(C) Gandhara
(D) Deogarh
Answer : A

Question : According to the historians, the sculpture depicts a scene from
(A) Mahakapi Jataka
(B) Vessantara Jataka
(C) Daddabha Jataka
(D) Jambu-Kahdaka Jataka
Answer : B

Question : This site is particularly sacred for which sect?
(A) Vaishnavas
(B) Jains
(C) Buddhists
(D) Greeks
Answer : C

Question : What do the historians compare the sculpture with to understand its meaning more closely?
(A) Coins
(B) Texts
(C) Seals
(D) Paintings
Answer : B