Class 12 History Short Questions with Answers - Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings

Q1. Many rituals, religious beliefs and processes were not recorded in a permanent visible form as monuments, sculptures or paintings. Critically examine the statement.
Ans:  Most rituals and beliefs were often expressed through:

• Vibrant activities during special occasions.
• Daily practices that reflected cultural values.

Many communities may not have felt the need to create lasting records, even though they had rich traditions and philosophical ideas. As a result:

• What we know about our history is limited.
• Existing records represent only a small part of a much larger cultural heritage.

Q2. Highlight any two ideas that are central points of the Jaina philosophy.
Ans: Two central points of the Jaina philosophy are:

• The entire world is animated: This means that all things, including stones, rocks, and water, possess life.
• Non-injury to living beings: This principle emphasises the importance of not harming any living creature, including humans, animals, plants, and insects.

Q3. How did the principles of Jainism influence Indian thinking?
Ans: The principle of ahimsa (non-violence) in Jainism has significantly influenced Indian thought. Key aspects include:

• The belief that all living beings, including plants and animals, are sacred.
• The idea that the cycle of birth and rebirth is governed by karma.
• To escape this cycle, individuals should live a simple life and practice self-discipline.

This philosophy resonates across various Indian religions, promoting a culture of compassion and ethical living.

Q4. How did we come to know about Buddha’s teachings? Explain.
Ans: The teachings of the Buddha have been reconstructed through various methods:

• Historians analysed Buddhist sculptures to understand their meanings.
• They studied hagiographies, which are biographies of saints, to gather insights about the Buddha's life.
• Many of these texts were written down about a century after the Buddha's death.
• Symbols in the sculptures, such as an empty seat, represent significant aspects of his teachings, like meditation.

Overall, these efforts help us learn about the Buddha's teachings and their impact on followers.

Q5. Mention the internal functioning of the Buddhist Sanghas.
Ans: The Sangha was an organisation of monks dedicated to following and teaching the Dhamma. Its internal functioning was characterised by:

• Based on the traditions of ganas and sanghas.
• Decisions were made through consensus after discussions.
• If consensus was not reached, decisions were made by voting.

Q6. As per Jainism emotion how one can free himself from the cycle of Karma?
Ans: In Jainism, the cycle of birth and rebirth is influenced by karma. To escape this cycle, individuals must:

• Practice asceticism and penance.
• Renounce worldly life, which often involves living as a monk or nun.

Jain monks and nuns adhere to five important vows:

• Not to kill.
• Not to steal.
• Not to lie.
• To remain celibate.
• Not to own any property.

Q7. Mention any four social groups through which the followers of Buddha came.
Ans: The followers of Buddha came from various social groups, including:

• Kings
• Wealthy men
• Grihapatis
• Common people, such as workers, craftspeople, and peasants

These diverse groups reflected the inclusive nature of Buddhism, where all individuals were seen as equal within the community.

Q8. Describe the ideas of the Buddha and Lord Mahavira on the authority of Vedas.
Ans: Buddha and Lord Mahavira both challenged the traditional authority of the Vedas. Their key ideas include:

• Both emphasised that individuals, regardless of gender, should seek liberation from the struggles of life.
• This view contrasts sharply with the Brahmanical belief that one's status is determined by caste and gender.
• Both Buddhism and Jainism opposed practices like animal sacrifices and Yajnas.

Q9. How was Buddha’s presence shown through symbols? Give two examples.
Ans: Buddha's presence was represented through various symbols, including:

• Empty seat: This symbolises Buddha's meditation.
• Stupa: Represents the mahaparinibbana, or Buddha's final passing.
• Wheel: Signifies the first sermon delivered by Buddha at Sarnath.

Q10. Why are Buddhist stupas said to be “stories in stone”? Explain.
Ans: Each Buddhist stupa tells its own story through intricate sculptures. These artworks depict various tales from ancient texts, making them a form of storytelling in stone.

• The sculpture at Sanchi illustrates a scene from the Vessantara Jataka, which narrates the tale of a generous prince.
• Historians interpret these sculptures by comparing them with written records to uncover their meanings.

Q11. Describe the main teachings of Buddha.
Ans: The Buddha's teachings, primarily derived from the Sutta Pitaka, convey essential principles of life:

• Transience (anicca): The world is ever-changing and temporary.
• Soullessness (anatta): Nothing in the world is permanent or eternal.
• Suffering (dukkha): Sorrow is a fundamental aspect of human existence.
• To overcome worldly challenges, one should follow a path of moderation, avoiding both extreme self-denial and self-indulgence.

In early Buddhism, the existence of a god was considered irrelevant.

Q12. What does a sculpture of a woman surrounded by lotuses and elephant depict?Mention any two opinions.
Ans: Some historians interpret the sculpture as representing Maya, the mother of the Buddha, while others see her as Gajalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune.

• Maya is associated with the Buddha's birth and enlightenment.
• Gajalakshmi is linked to prosperity and is often depicted with elephants.

Thus, viewers may have identified the figure with either Maya or Gajalakshmi.

Q13. Where is the stupa of Sanchi situated? Explain any one of its features.
Ans: The Sanchi Stupa is an ancient structure located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Specifically, it is found in the village of Sanchi Kanakhera, which sits atop a hill. Key features of the Sanchi Stupa include:

• It is approximately twenty miles northeast of Bhopal.
• The stupa resembles a crown, symbolising its significance.
  
  

Q14. What were the three Pitakas in Buddhist literature?
Ans: The three Pitakas were:

1. Vinaya Pitaka – contained rules for monks and nuns.
2. Sutta Pitaka – included the teachings of the Buddha.
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka – dealt with Buddhist philosophy and psychology.

Q15. What were the key beliefs of Upanishadic thinkers?
Ans: Upanishadic thinkers emphasized deep philosophical concepts like atman (soul/self) and Brahman (universal reality). They questioned the ritualistic sacrifices of the Vedic tradition and focused on self-realization through knowledge, meditation, and renunciation. They believed in karma (actions leading to future consequences) and moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). Their teachings were compiled in the Upanishads, forming the basis of later Hindu philosophy.