Class 6 History – New Questions and Ideas: Important Questions and Answers
Introduction: The chapter "New Questions and Ideas" in Class 6 History introduces students to the religious, philosophical, and cultural changes that occurred in ancient India during the 6th century BCE. This was the period when thinkers, philosophers, and reformers such as the Buddha and Mahavira emerged, along with the development of Upanishadic thought. In this article, we provide a complete set of questions and answers based on the NCERT syllabus, designed for deep understanding, exam preparation, and competitive exams. The content is SEO-friendly, AdSense-compliant, and structured for easy reading.
Very Short Answer Questions
Q1: Who was the founder of Buddhism?
Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhartha, was the founder of Buddhism. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and taught the path to overcome suffering.
Q2: Who was Mahavira?
Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He taught principles like ahimsa (non-violence), truth, and non-possession.
Q3: What is the meaning of the term ‘Upanishad’?
The term ‘Upanishad’ means ‘to sit near the teacher’. These were philosophical texts explaining the deeper meaning of the Vedas.
Q4: Name the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, also known as the ‘Dharmachakra Pravartana’.
Q5: In which language did the Buddha teach?
Buddha taught in Prakrit, the language of the common people.
Short Answer Questions
Q6: What were the main teachings of Buddha?
Buddha's main teachings include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. He taught that life is full of suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, suffering can be overcome, and it can be ended by following the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path includes right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
Q7: What are the principles of Jainism?
The principles of Jainism include non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possession (aparigraha). Jain monks follow strict rules to avoid harming any living being.
Q8: Explain the concept of Sangha in Buddhism.
The Sangha was a community of Buddhist monks, nuns, and lay followers. Monks and nuns lived a disciplined life, meditated, and spread Buddha's teachings. Lay followers supported the Sangha by offering food, shelter, and other necessities.
Q9: Why did Buddha leave his home?
Buddha left his home at the age of 29 after witnessing suffering in the form of an old man, a sick man, a dead body, and a monk. These sights motivated him to find a way to end human suffering.
Q10: What is the significance of Bodh Gaya?
Bodh Gaya is the place where Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha.
Long Answer Questions
Q11: Describe the life of Gautama Buddha in brief.
Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini (present-day Nepal) as Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the Shakya clan. He lived a luxurious life until he encountered the realities of suffering. Leaving his family, he meditated and practiced austerities, eventually attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. He spent the rest of his life teaching the Dhamma and founded the Sangha. He passed away at Kusinara at the age of 80.
Q12: How did Jainism spread across India?
Jainism spread through the teachings of Mahavira and his disciples. Jain monks traveled extensively, spreading the principles of non-violence and truth. Jain merchants and traders also played a major role in its spread by supporting Jain monasteries and art. Over time, Jainism influenced Indian architecture, literature, and ethics.
Q13: Discuss the importance of the Upanishads.
The Upanishads are important philosophical texts of Hinduism that explore questions about life, the universe, and the self. They emphasize meditation, self-realization, and the unity of the soul (Atman) with the universal soul (Brahman). They influenced not only Hindu thought but also Buddhism, Jainism, and later Indian philosophy.
Q14: How were the Buddhist monasteries maintained?
Buddhist monasteries were maintained through donations from kings, merchants, and lay followers. These donations included food, clothes, medicines, and money. In return, monks provided spiritual guidance and taught the principles of Buddhism to the community.
Q15: Compare the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira.
Both Buddha and Mahavira emphasized non-violence, truth, and self-discipline. While Mahavira practiced and preached extreme austerity, Buddha advocated a middle path between luxury and hardship. Jainism focuses heavily on non-violence towards all living beings, while Buddhism focuses on overcoming suffering through mental discipline and compassion.
Extra Questions for Practice
Q16: What is meant by the ‘Middle Path’ in Buddhism?
The Middle Path refers to avoiding extremes of indulgence and severe austerity, and instead following a balanced life of ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.
Q17: Why did many people join the Sangha?
People joined the Sangha to lead a disciplined spiritual life, to meditate, and to seek liberation from suffering. It was open to men and women from all castes and backgrounds.
Q18: What is the significance of Sarnath in Buddhist history?
Sarnath is where Buddha delivered his first sermon, setting in motion the ‘Wheel of Dharma’. It became an important center for Buddhist learning.
Q19: Name any two famous Upanishadic thinkers and their contributions.
Two famous Upanishadic thinkers are Yajnavalkya, known for his teachings on the self (Atman) and truth, and Gargi, a woman philosopher who engaged in debates about the nature of reality.
Q20: How did Buddha’s teachings challenge the existing social order?
Buddha rejected the authority of the Vedas and the caste system. He taught that people could achieve enlightenment through their own efforts, regardless of birth or social status. This made his teachings appealing to people from lower castes and marginalized communities.
Exam Preparation Tips
- Remember key terms like Upanishad, Sangha, Middle Path, and Tirthankara.
- Practice writing short and long answers to improve recall in exams.
- Focus on differences and similarities between Buddhism and Jainism.
- Revise the geographical locations like Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kusinara.
Related Reading: Explore more Class 6 all Chapters
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