Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 7 – India’s Cultural Roots Extra Questions and Answers
Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 Extra Questions and Answers for History “India’s Cultural Roots” (based on NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond).
EXTRA IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS – Social Studies History Chapter 7 – India’s Cultural Roots
Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Theme C — Our Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Traditions
History Chapter 7: India’s Cultural Roots
This includes All types of Questions normally asked in school exams, tests, and NCERT exercises.
EXTRA IMPORTANT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Chapter 7: India’s Cultural Roots
Very Short Answer Questions
1. What does the word “Veda” mean?
The word “Veda” comes from the Sanskrit root vid, which means knowledge.
2. Name the four Vedas.
The four Vedas are the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
3. Who composed the Vedic hymns?
The Vedic hymns were composed by rishis (male sages) and rishikas (female sages).
4. What does the phrase “ekam sat viprā bahudhā vadanti” mean?
It means “Truth is one, but sages call it by many names.”
5. What is meant by ‘ṛitam’?
Ṛitam refers to truth and cosmic order that sustains the universe.
6. What are the Upanishads?
The Upanishads are philosophical texts that developed from Vedic ideas and discuss the self, rebirth, and ultimate reality.
7. What is ‘ātman’?
Ātman means the inner self or soul present in every being.
8. What does “aham brahmāsmi” mean?
It means “I am Brahman,” expressing the unity of the self with the supreme reality.
9. Who was Siddhartha Gautama?
Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who became the Buddha after attaining enlightenment.
10. What does the word ‘Buddha’ mean?
Buddha means “the enlightened” or “the awakened one.”
11. What is ‘ahimsa’?
Ahimsa means non-violence or non-harming of all living beings.
12. What is the Sangha?
The Sangha is the community of Buddhist monks and nuns.
13. Who was Mahavira?
Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism and a great spiritual teacher.
14. What does ‘anekantavada’ teach?
Anekantavada teaches that truth has many aspects and cannot be understood from only one viewpoint.
15. What does ‘aparigraha’ mean?
Aparigraha means non-possession and limiting one’s material desires.
Short Answer Questions (3–4 sentences)
1. Why are the Vedas considered important in Indian culture?
The Vedas are among the oldest texts of India and form the foundation of Indian spiritual thought. They contain hymns, prayers, and ideas about truth and cosmic order. They influenced later philosophical systems like Vedanta and Yoga. Their oral tradition also shows the importance of memory and learning.
2. Describe the main message of the Vedic hymns.
The Vedic hymns emphasize truth, unity, and harmony in the universe. They express the idea that the divine reality is one though known by many names. They encourage cooperation among people and unity of thoughts and purpose. They also stress living in accordance with cosmic order.
3. What role did the Upanishads play in Indian thought?
The Upanishads expanded Vedic ideas and introduced deeper philosophical concepts. They explained the ideas of atman (self) and brahman (ultimate reality). They taught that all beings are interconnected. Their teachings influenced later Indian philosophies.
4. How did the Buddha try to remove human suffering?
The Buddha taught that suffering is caused by ignorance and attachment. He advised self-discipline, right conduct, and meditation. He encouraged people to purify their thoughts and actions. His teachings helped people seek inner peace.
5. What are the core teachings of Jainism?
Jainism teaches ahimsa, meaning complete non-violence. It also teaches anekantavada, the idea that truth has many sides. Another teaching is aparigraha, which means avoiding unnecessary possessions. These ideas promote peaceful and simple living.
6. How did monks help spread Buddhism and Jainism?
Monks travelled from place to place to teach people. They lived disciplined lives and set examples for others. They built monasteries and stayed in caves. Their efforts helped these teachings spread widely.
7. What is meant by tribal traditions?
Tribal traditions are beliefs and practices followed by tribal communities. They are usually passed down orally through songs, stories, and rituals. These traditions often involve nature worship. They are an important part of India’s cultural roots.
8. How have tribal beliefs influenced Indian culture?
Tribal beliefs have influenced Hindu practices and local traditions. Some deities worshipped today have tribal origins. Tribal communities also adopted stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. This exchange enriched Indian culture.
Long Answer Questions (More than 6 sentences)
1. Explain the importance of the Vedas and Vedic culture.
The Vedas are the earliest sacred texts of India and form the foundation of Indian culture. They were composed by sages and preserved through oral tradition for thousands of years. The hymns praise various deities and express ideas about truth, order, and unity in the universe. The Vedas teach that the divine is one though known by many names. They emphasize harmony among people and cooperation in society. Vedic culture also influenced rituals, social life, and later philosophical systems like the Upanishads, Vedanta, and Yoga. Even today, Vedic ideas continue to shape Indian spiritual thought.
2. Describe the life and teachings of the Buddha.
Siddhartha Gautama was born a prince but left his palace after seeing suffering in the form of old age, sickness, and death. He became an ascetic and searched for the cause of suffering. After deep meditation under a pipal tree, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. He taught that suffering is caused by ignorance and attachment. He advised people to follow right conduct, meditation, and wisdom. He stressed ahimsa and inner purity rather than external rituals. His teachings spread widely and influenced many parts of Asia.
3. Explain the life and teachings of Mahavira.
Mahavira was born into a royal family in Bihar. At the age of thirty, he renounced his home to seek spiritual knowledge. After years of strict penance and meditation, he attained supreme wisdom. He taught the principles of ahimsa, anekantavada, and aparigraha. He believed that all living beings are interconnected and should not be harmed. He encouraged simple living and control over desires. His teachings became the foundation of Jainism.
4. Discuss the contribution of folk and tribal traditions to Indian culture.
Folk and tribal traditions have contributed greatly to Indian culture. They have preserved their beliefs through oral traditions such as songs, dances, and stories. Many tribal communities worship nature and consider mountains, rivers, and trees sacred. Some Hindu deities and practices have tribal origins. Tribal communities also developed their own versions of major Indian epics. There has been constant exchange between tribal and mainstream traditions. This mutual interaction enriched Indian culture and kept it diverse and vibrant.