CBSE Class 12 History Thinkers Beliefs And Buildings Cultural Developments Worksheet

Key concepts in nutshells

- Buildings of Sanchi are the most wonderful ancient buildings in the state of Bhopal.

- Buddhist, Jain and Brahamanical text, monument and inscription are the some of the important historical sources of the age of 600 BCE - 600 CE.

- Many were provided by rulers of Bhopal, Shahjahan Begum and her successor Sultan Jahan Begum to preserve the ancient sites.

- The Rigveda is a collection of hymns, Prais of many deities like Agni, Indra, Soma etc.

- The basic philosophy of Jainism already existed in north India. Even before the birth of Vardhamana Mahaveera.

- The Bhuddha was the most influential teachers if his times.

- Two tradition were including in model Hinduism - Vaishnavism and Shaivism

ASSERTION AND REASON BASED MCQs

Directions : In the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Mark the correct choice as:
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.

Question. Assertion (A): Mahavira and the Buddha, questioned the authority of the Vedas. They also emphasise individual agency – suggesting that men and women could strive to attain liberation from the trials and tribulations of worldly existence.
Reason (R): In Brahmanical position, an individual’s existence was not thought to be determined by his or her birth in a specific caste or gender but by their deeds.
Answer : C

Question. Assertion (A): Early Buddhist teachings gave importance to self-efforts in achieving nibbana.
Reason (R): Buddha was regarded as human being, who attained enlightenment and nibbana through his own efforts.
Answer : A

Question. Assertion (A): Hagiographies often praise the saint’s achievements, and may not always be literally accurate, although those are important.
Reason (R): They tell us about the beliefs of the followers of that particular tradition. 
Answer : A

Question. Assertion (A): Sculptures like the shalabhanjika motif were used in the stupas. According to popular belief, this was a woman whose touch caused trees to flower and bear fruit.
Reason (R): It is likely that this was regarded as an auspicious symbol and integrated into the decoration of the stupa. The shalabhanjika motif suggests that many people who turned to Buddhism enriched it with their own pre-Buddhist and even non-Buddhist beliefs, practices, and ideas. 
Answer : A

Question. Assertion (A): Buddhism grew rapidly both during the lifetime of the Buddha and after his death.
Reason (R): It appealed to many people dissatisfied with existing religious practices and confused by the rapid social changes taking place around them. It was a simple religion that had no place for superstitions and other rituals.
Answer : A

Question. Assertion (A): The Therigatha, a unique Buddhist text is a part of Vinaya Pitaka, is a collection of verses composed by bhikkhunis.
Reason (R): It provides an insight into women’s social and spiritual experiences. 
Answer : D

Question. Assertion (A): Sculptures were removed from stupas and transported all the way to China.
Reason (R): Those who saw them considered them to be beautiful and valuable, and wanted to keep them for themselves. 
Answer : D

Question. Assertion (A): When a grief-stricken woman whose child had died came to the Buddha, he gently convinced her about the inevitability of
death rather than bring her son back to life. Reason (R): Buddha tried to convince people through reason and persuasion rather than through displays of supernatural power. 
Answer : A

CASE-BASED MCQs

Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the following questions: 

A prayer to Agni

Here are two verses from the Rigveda invoking Agni, the God of Fire:
“Bring, O strong one, this sacrifice of ours to the Gods, O wise one, as a liberal giver. Bestow on us, O priest, abundant food. Agni, obtain, by sacrificing, mighty wealth for us.” Procure, O Agni, for ever to him who pays to you (the gift of) nourishment the wonderful cow. May a son be ours, offspring that continues our line... “Verses such as these were composed in a special kind of Sanskrit, known as Vedic Sanskrit. They were taught orally to men
belonging to priestly families.

Question. Vedic Sanskrit is considered to be important because:
(A) It was the language of common people
(B) The Vedic verses were written in Sanskrit
(C) Sanskrit was not spoken by Brahmins
(D) Sanskrit was the major language of South India.
Answer : B

Question. Choose the correct option. Assertion (A): Agni was the God of Fire in the Vedic tradition.
Reason (R): Therefore, offerings were made to Agni so that in form of smoke they would reach the Gods living in the sky and invoke their blessings
(A) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is incorrect but R is correct.
(D) R is incorrect but A is correct.
Answer : A

Question. Why were sacrifices performed during the Vedic Period?
(A) For the birth of daughters
(B) For the birth of sons
(C) For spiritual satisfaction
(D) For seeking the blessings of Buddha
Answer : B

Question. Consider the following statements:
(a) Rig Veda consists of hymns in praise of Agni, Indra, Soma etc.
(b) Many of these hymns were chanted when sacrifices were performed.
Choose the correct option:
(A) Only (a) is correct.
(B) Only (b) is correct.
(C) Both (a) and (b) are correct.
(D) Neither (a) nor (b) is correct
Answer : C

Very Short Questions

Question. What were the main Principles of Jainism?
Answer:
- The entire world is animated
- The cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma.

Question. What do you know about Tirthankars?
Answer:
- Those who guide men and women across the river of existence.

Question. What do you understand of early Vedic Tradition?
Answer:
- Early Vedic tradition known from the Rig-Veda compiled between c. 1500 and 1000 B.C.E.
- The Rig-Veda consists of human in praise of a variety of deities, especially Agni, Indra, and soma.

Question. What is Tripitaka?
Answer:
- After Buddha's Death his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of elders or senior monks at Vaishali
- These compilations were known as Tripitaka

Question. What is the Jaina philosophy on Birth and rebirth?
Answer:
- According to Jainism the Cycle of Birth and Rebirth is shaped through karma.
- Asceticism and Penance are required to free oneself from this cycle. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world.

Question. How do we know about the Buddha's Teachings?
Answer:
- These have been reconstructed by carefully editing, translating and analysing the Buddna's texts mentioned earlier.
- Historians have also tried to reconstruct details of his life from hagiographies.

Question. What do you mean by Dharma Chakra Pravartana?
Answer:
- Dharma Chakra Pravartana means writhing in motion the wheel to of Dharma the first religious discourse of sermon delivered by Mahatma Buddha after attaining.

Question. Describe Hinayana and Manayana-
Answer: Mahayan: by the first century C.E. there is evidence of changes in Buddhist way of thinking was called Mahayana. Idol of Buddha was worshipped.
Hinayana: Those who adopted the older tradition were known as Hinayana.

Question. What is vaishnavism and shaivism?
Answer: Vaishnavism is from Hinduism within which Vishnu was warshipped as the principal deity.
Shaivism- A tradition within which shiva was regarded as the chief god.

Question. What do you mean by the kutargarashala.
Answer: Teachers Travelled from Place to Place trying to convince one another as philosophy or the way they understand the world. Debates took place in the kutargarashala. Literally a hut with a pointed roof.

Short Questions

Question. Write Causes for the popularity of Buddhism.
Answer:
- Many people dissatisfied with existing religious practices and confused by the rapid social changes taking place around them.
- The importance to conduce and values rather than claims of superiority bases on Birth.
- Younger and weaker than one self were ideas that men and women to Buddhism were trained.

Question. Discuss the Role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa of Sanchi.
Answer:
- Sahajan Begum and Sultan Jahan Begum provided money for the preservation of the ancient side.
- Sultan Jahan Begum funded the museum that was built
- Guest house was provided where John Marshal wrote the volume.
- She also funded the publication of the volumes.

Question. Describe the unique features of the early temples.
Answer:
- The First Temples to House images of gods and goddesses were also being built.
- The early temples were a small square room called the garbhagriha.
- A Tall structure, known as the shikhara.
- Temple walls were after often decorated with sculpure.

Question. Why is the mid first millennium BCE is regarded as a turning point in world history?
Answer:
- This time emergence of Zarathustra in Iran, Kongzi in china, Socrates, Plato and Aristable in Greece
- Manavira and Gautama Buddha among many others in India, tried to understand the mysteries of existence and the relationship between human beings and the cosmic order.

Long Questions

Question. Describe the factors that led to the growth of Puranic Hinduism in India During 6th century BCE.
Answer:
- Savior was not to Buddhism we find similar Ideas being developed in Hinduism.
- These included Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
- In such worship the bond between the devotee and the god was visualized as one of love and devation or bhakti.
- Vaishnavism cults developed around the various avators.
- Recognizing each of these local deities as a form of Vishnu.
- Shiva for instance was symbolized by the linga.
- To understand the meanings of sculptures. Historians have to be familiar with the stories.
- Women and shudras who did not have access in Vedic learning.
- Much of what is contained in the puranas evolved through interaction.

PASSAGE BASED QUESTIONS

Read the given passage carefully and answer the Questions that follows-
Why were sputa's built This is an excerpt from the Mahaparinibbama Sutta Part of sutta pitaka As the Buddha lay dying Amanda asked him what are we to do Lord with remains
of the Tathagata (another name for the Buddha)? The Buddha replied, "Hinder not yourselves Ananda by honoring the remains of the Tathagata. Be zealous, be intent on your
own good'' But when pressed further, the Buddha said At the four crossroads they should erect a stupa (Pali for stupa) to the Tathagata And whosoever shall there place garlands or
perfume or make a salutation there become in its presence calm of heart, that shall long be to them for a profit and joy.

Question. What are the stupas? Who advised Ananda to build the stupa?
Answer: The Stupa was the sacred place. They preserved the relics of Buddha Such as his bodily remains or the objects used by him all these things were buried in the stupas.

Question. From which chapter has this excerpt been taken? It is a part of which book. 
Answer: This excerpt has been taken from the Mahaparnibbhana Sutta." It was a part ofthe "Sutta Pitaka:

Question. Who was the Tathagata? What had he told about the Importance of the stupa? 
Answer: Tathagata was another name for the Buddha He told Ananda that the honor to his worldly.
Remainsis not important. He laid stress on the importance of one's good deeds. The stupas should be erected on the holy places if anybody placed garlands of perfume or saluted them, he will not only get the peace of mind but also profit-and joy.

Question. Name any three Places where the stupas have been built.
Answer: The stupas were built at many places. The most important stupas existed at Bharhut, Sachi and Sarnath.