Source Based Questions: Thinkers, Beliefs and buildings | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The most wonderful ancient buildings in the state of Bhopal are at Sanchi, where stone sculptures and statues of the Buddha are preserved. Major Alexander Cunningham meticulously studied the site, taking detailed drawings and deciphering inscriptions.

i. What did Major Alexander Cunningham do at Sanchi? (1 mark)
ii. Why was Sanchi considered an important archaeological site? (2 marks)
iii. How did European interest in Sanchi contribute to its preservation? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Major Cunningham studied the Sanchi site, took drawings, and deciphered the inscriptions.
ii. Sanchi is a significant archaeological site for several reasons:

• It features well-preserved Buddhist sculptures that showcase early Buddhist art.
• The site includes important inscriptions that offer insights into the historical context of Buddhism.
• Sanchi's architecture reflects the development of Buddhist culture in ancient India.

iii. European interest helped in its preservation as the French and British decided to preserve parts of the site, rather than removing them for display, ensuring the site’s protection.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Shahjehan Begum and her successor Sultan Jehan Begum provided funds for the preservation of Sanchi’s ancient structures, including the construction of a museum and guesthouse for scholars.

i. Who were the key figures responsible for preserving Sanchi? (1 mark)
ii. What specific contributions did these rulers make to the site? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the preservation of Sanchi significant? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Shahjehan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum were key figures responsible for preserving Sanchi.
ii. The rulers of Bhopal, Shahjehan Begum and her successor Sultan Jehan Begum, made significant contributions to the preservation of the ancient site of Sanchi:

• They provided funding for the preservation of Sanchi.
• They financed the construction of a museum at the site.
• They built a guesthouse for researchers and visitors.
• They supported John Marshall's research work, which included the publication of important volumes on Sanchi.

iii. The preservation of Sanchi is significant for several reasons:

• It has kept the site intact, allowing for the study of early Buddhism.
• It ensures the continuity of this important cultural heritage.
• The site serves as a testament to successful archaeological restoration efforts.

Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Sanchi became one of the most important Buddhist centers, providing scholars with invaluable information about early Buddhist practices and art.

i. What made Sanchi an important center for Buddhism? (1 mark)
ii. How did the discoveries at Sanchi influence historical understanding? (2 marks)
iii. Why is Sanchi considered a testament to the restoration of ancient sites? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Sanchi was important due to its role as a major Buddhist center with preserved structures that reveal early Buddhist art and practices.
ii. The discoveries at Sanchi have greatly enhanced our understanding of early Buddhist culture. 
Key insights include:

• Revealed the development of architecture and sculpture in ancient India.
• Provided evidence of religious practices and beliefs among early Buddhists.
• Helped scholars trace the evolution of Buddhist art and its influence on later traditions.

iii. Sanchi’s preservation serves as a model for successfully restoring and maintaining ancient monuments, reflecting the wisdom of the preservation efforts.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Great Stupa at Sanchi stands as a remarkable monument, surrounded by a stone railing and adorned with sculptures depicting various Buddhist teachings.

i. What is the significance of the Great Stupa at Sanchi? (1 mark)
ii. How does the architecture of the Great Stupa reflect Buddhist principles? (2 marks)
iii. What role did the stone railing play in the design of the stupa? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Great Stupa is significant as a major Buddhist monument that represents key Buddhist teachings through its sculptures and architectural design.
ii. The architecture of the Great Stupa embodies key Buddhist principles through several important features:

• The stupa serves as a symbol of the Buddha's presence, housing sacred relics.
• It creates a dedicated space for meditation and worship, promoting spiritual practice.
• The design encourages followers to engage in circumambulation, reflecting the path of enlightenment.

iii. The stone railing separated the sacred space from the secular world, marking the boundary of the sacred area and enhancing the reverence for the site.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Early Buddhist sculptures did not depict the Buddha in human form. Instead, his presence was symbolized through objects like the empty seat and the wheel of dharma.

i. How did early Buddhist sculptures represent the Buddha? (1 mark)
ii. Why did early sculptures avoid depicting the Buddha in human form? (2 marks)
iii. What do the symbols like the empty seat and wheel of dharma represent? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Early Buddhist sculptures represented the Buddha through symbols like an empty seat, a tree, and the wheel of dharma, instead of depicting him in human form.
ii. Early sculptures did not depict the Buddha in human form for several reasons:

• To highlight the transcendence of the Buddha beyond physical representation.
• To focus on his teachings rather than his appearance.
• To use symbols, such as an empty seat or a stupa, to signify his presence.

iii. The empty seat symbolized the Buddha’s meditation, and the wheel of dharma represented his first sermon, introducing the teachings of Buddhism.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Buddhist texts, initially compiled orally and later written down, were preserved in different regions as Buddhism spread. Notable works include the Pali Tipitaka and later Sanskrit texts.

i. How were Buddhist texts preserved? (1 mark)
ii. What role did the Pali Tipitaka play in the development of Buddhist literature? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the translation of Buddhist texts into different languages important? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Buddhist texts were initially preserved orally, then written down and classified into the Tipitaka and other works in various languages.
ii. The Pali Tipitaka played a crucial role in shaping Buddhist doctrine by compiling the Buddha’s teachings into three baskets: Vinaya, Sutta, and Abhidhamma.
iii. The translation of texts allowed Buddhism to spread across regions, making its teachings accessible to diverse cultures and ensuring its continued relevance.

Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara in Jainism, taught that the entire world is animated, and non-violence (ahimsa) is central to Jain philosophy. Asceticism and penance are required to attain liberation.

i. What central teaching did Mahavira emphasize in Jainism? (1 mark)
ii. How did Mahavira’s teachings relate to the concept of karma and liberation? (2 marks)
iii. Why was asceticism important in Jainism according to Mahavira? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Mahavira emphasized non-violence (ahimsa) as central to Jain philosophy.
ii. Mahavira's teachings emphasise the connection between karma and liberation. He taught that:

• The cycle of karma results in rebirth.
• To achieve liberation (moksha), one must renounce worldly attachments.
• This renunciation is accomplished through ascetic practices.

Thus, Mahavira's philosophy highlights the importance of self-discipline and detachment from material desires to break free from the cycle of existence.
iii. Asceticism was important because it allowed followers to renounce material desires, thus purifying their souls and ultimately achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Buddha allowed women to enter the sangha, the monastic order, after being persuaded by his disciple Ananda. His foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, became the first woman to be ordained.

i. Who was the first woman to be ordained in Buddhism? (1 mark)
ii. Why was Ananda’s intervention significant for women in Buddhism? (2 marks)
iii. How did the inclusion of women in the sangha reflect the Buddha’s teachings on equality? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The first woman to be ordained in Buddhism was Mahapajapati Gotami.
ii. Ananda’s intervention was significant because it led to the inclusion of women in the sangha, providing them with the opportunity to pursue spiritual liberation and teach others.
iii. The inclusion of women reflected the Buddha’s emphasis on equality, as he allowed both men and women to join the monastic order and follow the path of liberation.

Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Stupas were built as religious monuments to house the relics of the Buddha. They became central to the practice of pilgrimage, where worshippers circled the stupa in a clockwise direction.

i. What purpose did stupas serve in early Buddhism? (1 mark)
ii. Why did people circle the stupa in a clockwise direction? (2 marks)
iii. How did the stupa become a symbol of Buddhism? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Stupas served as religious monuments to house the Buddha’s relics and were places for worship and pilgrimage.
ii. Worshippers circled the stupa in a clockwise direction for several reasons:

• To mimic the sun's movement across the sky.
• This direction represents the path of righteousness.
• It is a sign of reverence and respect.

iii. The stupa became a symbol of Buddhism by housing sacred relics and representing the Buddha’s presence, embodying key teachings of Buddhism.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The early temples were small, square structures with a garbhagriha, or sanctum, where the image of a deity was placed. Over time, these temples became more elaborate, with tall shikharas and gateways.

i. What was the basic structure of early temples? (1 mark)
ii. How did the design of temples evolve over time? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the garbhagriha important in early temples? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Early temples had a small square room (garbhagriha) where the deity’s image was placed, and a simple structure.
ii. Over time, temples evolved into larger structures with a tall shikhara (spire) and elaborate gateways, signifying the growing importance of temple worship.
iii. The garbhagriha was important because it housed the deity’s image, serving as the focal point of worship and spiritual practice.