CBSE Class 12 History Thinkers Beliefs And Buildings Cultural Developments Worksheet Set 02

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 some of the important historical sources of the period of 600 BCE - 600 CE.
• Many resources 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, Praise 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 Buddha was the most influential teacher of his times.
• Two traditions were included in model Hinduism - Vaishnavism and Shaivism.

Question. Q1. Write the name of any one Tripitika?
Answer: Vinaya Pitaka (or Sutta Pitaka / Abhidhamma Pitaka)

Question. Q2. Who did provide money for the preservation of the Stupa of Sanchi?
Answer: Shahjahan Begum and Sultan Jahan Begum

Question. Q3. John Marshall dedicated his important volumes on Sanchi Stupas to whom?
Answer: Sultan Jahan

Question. Q4. Jaina Teachers were known as:
Answer: Tirthankaras.

Question. Q5. Who was the first ‘Bhikhuni’ in Buddhism?
Answer: Maha Prajapati Gautami

Question. Q6. What was the birth place of Gautama Buddha?
Answer: Lumbini

Question. Q7. Where did he attain enlightenment?
Answer: Bodh Gaya

Question. Q8. Where did he give his first sermon?
Answer: Sarnath

Question. Q9. Where did he attain Nirvana?
Answer: Kushi Nagar

Question. Q10. Define Mahayana?
Answer: Mahayana: By the first century C.E., there is evidence of changes in Buddhist way of thinking, which was called Mahayana. In this tradition, idols of Buddha were worshipped.

Question. Q11. Define Hinayana?
Answer: Hinayana: Those who adopted the older tradition and followed the original teachings of Buddha were known as Hinayana.

Question. Q12. What is Vaishnavism?
Answer: Vaishnavism is a sect of Hinduism within which Vishnu was worshipped as the principal deity.

Question. Q13. What is Shaivism?
Answer: Shaivism is a tradition within which Shiva was regarded as the chief god.

Question. Q14. What do you know about Tirthankars?
Answer: Tirthankaras are those who guide men and women across the river of existence.

Question. Q15. What is Tripitaka?
Answer: After Buddha's death, his teachings were compiled by his disciples. These compilations were known as Tripitaka.

S. A. 

Question. Q16. What were the main principles of Jainism?
Answer:

• The entire world is animated.
• The cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma.
• Ahimsa is the supreme virtue of this religion.

Question. Q17. What do you understand of early Vedic Tradition?
Answer:

• Early Vedic tradition is known from the Rig-Veda, compiled between c. 1500 and 1000 B.C.E.
• The Rig-Veda consists of hymns in praise of a variety of deities, especially Agni, Indra, and Soma.

Question. Q18. 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. Q19. How do we know about the Buddha's Teachings?
Answer:

• These have been reconstructed by carefully editing, translating, and analysing Buddhist texts.
• Historians have also tried to reconstruct details of his life from hagiographies (biographies of saints).

Question. Q20. What do you mean by Dharma Chakra Pravartana?
Answer: Dharma Chakra Pravartana means to set in motion the wheel of Dharma; it refers to the first religious discourse or sermon delivered by Mahatma Buddha at Sarnath after attaining Nirvana.

Question. Q21. Describe Hinayana and Mahayana.
Answer: Mahayana: By the first century C.E., changes in Buddhist thinking emerged where idols of Buddha were worshipped. Hinayana: Those who adopted the older tradition and adhered to the original path were known as Hinayana.

Question. Q22. What is Vaishnavism and Shaivism?
Answer: Vaishnavism is a sect within Hinduism where Vishnu is worshipped as the principal deity. Shaivism is a tradition within which Shiva is regarded as the chief god.

Question. Q23. What do you mean by the kutagarashala?
Answer: Teachers travelled from place to place trying to convince one another about their philosophy or how they understood the world. Debates took place in the kutagarashala, which literally means a hut with a pointed roof.

Question. Q24. Write causes for the popularity of Buddhism.
Answer:

• Many people were dissatisfied with existing religious practices and confused by rapid social changes.
• The emphasis was on conduct and values rather than claims of superiority based on birth.
• Ideas that addressed men and women as individuals were attractive.

Question. Q25. Discuss the role of the Begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa of Sanchi.
Answer:

• Shahjahan Begum and Sultan Jahan Begum provided money for the preservation of the ancient site.
• Sultan Jahan Begum funded the building of a museum and a guest house where John Marshall wrote his volumes.
• She also funded the publication of those volumes.

Question. Q26. Describe the unique features of the early temples.
Answer:

• Early temples were built to house images of gods and goddesses.
• They typically consisted of a small square room called the garbhagriha.
• A tall structure built over the central shrine was known as the shikhara.
• Temple walls were often decorated with sculpture.

Question. Q27. Why is the mid-first millennium BCE regarded as a turning point in world history?
Answer:

• This period saw the emergence of great thinkers like Zarathustra in Iran, Kongzi in China, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle in Greece.
• In India, Mahavira and Gautama Buddha tried to understand the mysteries of existence and the relationship between human beings and the cosmic order.

L. A. 

Question. Q28. Describe the factors that led to the growth of Puranic Hinduism in India during the 6th century BCE.
Answer:

• The concept of a Saviour was not unique to Buddhism; similar ideas developed in Hinduism, primarily through Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
• In such worship, the bond between the devotee and the god was visualized as one of love and devotion or bhakti.
• Vaishnavism cults developed around various avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu.
• Local deities were recognized as forms of Vishnu, and Shiva was symbolized by the linga.
• To understand the meaning of sculptures, historians had to become familiar with the stories contained in the Puranas.
• Much of what is contained in the Puranas evolved through interaction with people, including women and shudras who did not have access to Vedic learning.

PASSAGE BASED QUESTIONS

Q29. Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Why were stupas built? This is an excerpt from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, part of the Sutta Pitaka. As the Buddha lay dying, Ananda asked him, "What are we to do, Lord, with the 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 to the Tathagata. And whosoever shall there place garlands or perfume or make a salutation there shall long be to them for a profit and joy.”

Q.1 What are the stupas? Who advised Ananda to build the stupa?
Answer: Stupas were sacred places that preserved the relics of the Buddha, such as his bodily remains or objects used by him. The Buddha himself, when pressed by Ananda, advised that stupas be erected.

Q.2 From which chapter has this excerpt been taken? It is a part of which book?
Answer: This excerpt has been taken from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta. It is a part of the Sutta Pitaka.

Q.3 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 honoring his worldly remains was not as important as one's own good deeds. However, he stated that erecting stupas at holy places would provide peace of mind, profit, and joy to those who offer garlands or salutations there.

Q.4 Name any three places where the stupas have been built.
Answer: The most important stupas were built at places like Bharhut, Sanchi, and Sarnath.