NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 Questions and Answers India’s Cultural Roots

India’s Cultural Roots – Class 6th SST Chapter 7


The Big Questions

Question 1. What are the Vedas? What is their message?
Answer:
The Vedas are very old religious books written in Sanskrit, and they are the foundation of Hinduism. They were written between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE and are considered some of the oldest texts in the world. There are four Vedas:

  1. Rig Veda: Contains hymns (songs) about gods and their stories.
  2. Sama Veda: Focuses on hymns for religious rituals.
  3. Yajur Veda: Gives instructions for performing religious rituals.
  4. Atharva Veda: Contains spells and prayers for protection from enemies and diseases.

The Vedas teach that God created the universe and guide people to live a truthful, happy, and meaningful life. They encourage people to live well in the present and work toward the final goal of life.


Question 2. What new schools of thought emerged in India in the 1st millennium BCE? What are their core principles?
Answer:
In the early 1st millennium BCE, many new ideas and philosophies came up, based on the Vedas. Some of them are:

  1. Yoga: Teaches methods to control and improve one’s mind and body.
  2. Vedanta: Developed from the Upanishads. It believes that everything in the world, including humans, nature, and the universe, is connected and is part of one divine force called Brahman.

Other ideas came from groups that didn’t follow the Vedas:

  • Buddhism: Founded by Buddha. It focuses on ahimsa (non-violence) and inner discipline. Buddha taught that life is full of suffering, and we can end it by following the right path.
  • Jainism: Founded by Mahavir. It also teaches ahimsa and believes in avoiding harm to all living beings.
  • Charvaka: This school of thought did not believe in life after death and rejected the idea of God. It disappeared over time.

These new thoughts helped shape the culture of India.


Question 3. What is the contribution of folk and tribal traditions to Indian culture?
Answer:
Folk and tribal traditions give us a glimpse of India’s rich culture. Many ancient tribes in India believed that elements of nature like rivers, mountains, trees, and animals were sacred. This belief is similar to some Hindu traditions today.

Some tribes worshipped the same gods as others, like Lord Jagannath, and even had their own versions of Hindu epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

These folk beliefs and tribal traditions merged with Hinduism and became an important part of India’s cultural roots.


Let’s Explore

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?

Answer:
A society where people choose their leaders is called democracy. In democracy, people vote to select leaders who represent their interests and make decisions for the country. The benefits of democracy are:

  • Representation: People feel that their voices matter because they elect the leaders.
  • Accountability: Elected leaders must listen to the people and work for their welfare.
  • Participation: Citizens can be active in making decisions and solving problems.

However, if people live under leaders they did not choose, it can lead to problems. The leaders might not care about the needs of the people, leading to unfairness and oppression. For example, British rule in India was a dictatorship where people had no say in how the country was governed. This led to suffering, poverty, and exploitation.


Question 2. (a) Discuss the way the Buddha is depicted in the below panel. (b) Can you name some states of India or some other countries where Buddhism is a major religion even today?

Answer:

(a) In the stone panel, Buddha is shown teaching his disciples. His main message included non-violence and practicing inner discipline.

(b) Buddhism is still a major religion in the following places:

  • India: It is practiced in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Ladakh.
  • Other countries: Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, China, Japan, Mongolia, etc.

Question 3. Observe the below panel (from a Jain temple in New Delhi). What is striking about it? What messages does it carry?

Answer:
The panel shows a lion and a cow drinking water from the same container, even though lions usually prey on cows. This is striking because it shows that even natural enemies can live peacefully if they treat each other with respect and compassion.

The panel sends the message that all living beings are connected and that we should live in harmony with nature.


Think About It

Question 1. Have you heard or read any other story that conveyed an important message? What value did it teach you?

Answer:
Yes, I read a story from the Panchatantra called “The Mouse and the Elephant”. It teaches that even small creatures can make a big difference. The story of “The Rabbit and the Lion” also teaches that knowledge is more important than strength. These stories teach important values like courage, wisdom, and humility.


Questions, Activities, and Projects

Question 1. If you were Nachiketa, what questions would you like to ask Yama?

Answer:
If I were Nachiketa, I would ask Yama, the god of death, the following questions:

  1. What happens after death?
  2. What is the soul?
  3. Where does the soul go after death?
  4. Does the soul get reborn?
  5. Will the soul live forever, or does it also die?

Question 2. Explain a few central ideas of Buddhism.

Answer:
Buddhism was started by Gautama Buddha. It teaches that the main causes of suffering are ignorance and attachment. To end suffering, one must practice non-violence and follow a path of self-discipline. Buddha also taught that people should live in harmony with others and avoid causing harm.


Question 3. Discuss in class the quotation of the Buddha: “Not by water is one made pure, though many people may bathe here [in sacred rivers].”

Answer:
In this quote, Buddha is teaching that you cannot become pure just by bathing in holy rivers like the Ganges. True purity comes from within, by living a life of non-violence and inner discipline. Buddha says that real purity is about controlling your thoughts and actions, not just following rituals.


Question 4. Explain a few central ideas of Jainism.

Answer:
Jainism teaches that the path to enlightenment is through non-violence (ahimsa). Jains believe that all living things, including animals and plants, have souls and should not be harmed. They also believe in reincarnation (birth, death, and rebirth) and that your actions (karma) decide your next life. Jains practice strict ahimsa to avoid harming any living beings.


Question 5. Consider and discuss in class Andre Beteille’s thought (see page 122).

Answer:
Andre Beteille, an Indian sociologist, said that the religious beliefs of Hinduism have been influenced by different tribes and castes throughout history. These tribes had their own customs, which merged with Hinduism over time. This helped Hinduism evolve and become more diverse, influenced by the traditions and beliefs of many different communities.


Question 6. Make a list of popular gods and goddesses in your region and the festivals they are associated with.

Answer:
Here’s a list of gods and goddesses in my region and the festivals related to them:

  1. Lord Rama: Diwali – Celebrates Rama’s return to Ayodhya.
  2. Lord Ganesh: Ganesh Chaturthi – Celebrates Ganesh’s birthday.
  3. Lord Shiva: Shivaratri – Celebrates Lord Shiva.
  4. Lord Krishna: Janmashtami – Celebrates Krishna’s birth.
  5. Goddess Durga: Durga Puja – Celebrates Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.
  6. Goddess Lakshmi: Diwali – Celebrates the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.

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 are a few tribal groups:

  1. Gonds
  2. Santhals
  3. Bhils

The Gonds and Santhals believe that nature, like trees, rivers, and animals, is sacred. Their art is simple, using bright colors, and often represents their connection to nature. The Bhil art also uses bright colors and is practiced on walls and clothes.


True or False

  1. The Vedic hymns were written on palm-leaf manuscripts. – True
  2. The Vedas are India’s oldest texts. – True
  3. The Vedic statement “ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” reflects a belief in the unity of cosmic powers. – False
  4. Buddhism is older than the Vedas. – False
  5. Jainism emerged as a branch of Buddhism. – False
  6. Both Buddhism and Jainism advocated for peaceful coexistence and the avoidance of harm to all living beings. – True
  7. Tribal belief systems are limited to belief in spirits and minor deities. – False

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