Sure Shot Questions: Thinkers, Belief and Buildings | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Introduction

The chapter "Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (600 BCE–600 CE)" from Class 12 History explores the philosophical, religious, and architectural developments in ancient India during a transformative period.  By analyzing previous year question papers, we’ve identified recurring question types and patterns that align with CBSE’s exam framework. Based on these trends and the syllabus’s emphasis, we’ve compiled a list of high-probability questions likely to appear in the upcoming exam. These predictions are rooted in the frequency and style of past questions, ensuring focused preparation.

Key Questions

Q1: What are the four places associated with the life of the Buddha?
Ans: (i) Lumbini (birthplace). (ii) Kapilvastu (where he was raised). (iii) Bodh Gaya (attained enlightenment). (iv) Sarnath (delivered first sermon).

Q2: What is meant by Tri-ratna in Jainism?
Ans: Tri-ratna (three jewels) refers to the path to moksha in Jainism: (i) Right faith (belief in Jaina teachings). (ii) Right knowledge (understanding the nature of reality). (iii) Right action (practicing non-violence, truth, and asceticism).

Q3: Into how many categories can the religious sects of the 6th century BCE be divided?
Ans: They can be divided into two categories: 
(i) Sects openly opposing Vedic religion (e.g., Buddhism, Jainism). 
(ii) Sects venerating old divinities with new principles without openly opposing Vedic traditions.

Q4: What does "Dharma Chakra Pravartana" mean?
Ans: It means "setting in motion the wheel of Dharma," referring to the Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath’s Deer Park after attaining enlightenment, initiating his teachings.

Q5: What are the ten incarnations of Vishnu according to Vaishnavism?
Ans: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.

Q6: What were the main teachings of the Buddha?
Ans: 
(i) The world is transient (anicca) and soulless (anatta). 
(ii) Sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence. 
(iii) Follow the path of moderation to overcome worldly troubles. 
(iv) Social world is human-made, not divine. 
(v) Individuals must seek liberation through righteous action, with the Buddha’s last words: “Be lamps unto yourselves.”

Q7: What was the Buddhist Sangha, and what were its characteristics?
Ans: The Sangha was an organization of monks (later including nuns) to teach Dhamma. Characteristics: 
(i) Lived simply with minimal possessions. 
(ii) Served as Dhamma teachers. 
(iii) Initially men-only, later included women. 
(iv) All members were equal, shedding past social identities. 
(v) Decisions made through consensus or voting.

Q8: How were Buddhist texts prepared and preserved?
Ans: The Buddha’s teachings were orally transmitted during his lifetime through discussions. After his death, the First Council at Vaishali compiled them into the Tripitaka (Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma Pitakas). Later written down, texts like Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa emerged in Sri Lanka. Pilgrims like Fa Xian and Xuan Zang carried texts to spread teachings.

Q9: How and why were stupas built?
Ans: How were stupas built: 
(i) Donations by kings (e.g., Satavahanas), guilds (e.g., ivory workers at Sanchi), bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, and ordinary men/women. 
(ii) Inscriptions record donors’ names, occupations, and origins. 
Why were they built:
(i) To enshrine Buddha’s relics or objects he used, making them sacred. 
(ii) Pre-Buddhist tradition adopted by Buddhism. 
(iii) Stupas symbolized the Buddha and Buddhism, venerated for spiritual merit.

Q10: Passage-based: Read the following excerpt and answer the questions below:
Excerpt: “This is an excerpt from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, part of the Sutta Pitaka: As the Buddha lay dying, Ananda asked him: ‘What are we to do Lord, with remains of the Tathagata?...’”
(i) What are stupas, and who advised Ananda to build them?
Ans: Stupas are sacred mounds containing the Buddha’s relics or objects he used. The Buddha advised Ananda to build them.
(ii) From which chapter and book is this excerpt taken?
Ans: From the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, part of the Sutta Pitaka.
(iii) Who was the Tathagata, and what did he say about stupas’ importance?
Ans: Tathagata refers to the Buddha. He emphasized good deeds over honoring his remains, stating stupas at crossroads would bring profit and joy to those offering garlands or salutations.
(iv) Name three places where stupas were built.
Ans: Bharhut, Sanchi, Sarnath.

Q11: Passage-based: Read the following excerpt and answer the questions below:
Excerpt: “Here is an excerpt from the Sutta Pitaka, describing a conversation between King Ajatasatru and Buddha...”
(i) What did Makkhali Gosala tell King Ajatasatru?
Ans: Pleasure and pain are predetermined, unalterable in samsara, like a ball of string unwinding to its end.
(ii) What did Ajita Kesakambalin teach?
Ans: There are no alms, sacrifices, or afterlife; humans are made of four elements, ceasing to exist after death.
(iii) What are the beliefs of fatalists?
Ans: Fatalists, like Ajivikas, believe everything, including pleasure and pain, is predetermined and unchangeable.

Q12: Passage-based: Read the following excerpt and answer the questions below:
Excerpt: “This is an excerpt from the Sutta Pitaka and contains the advice given by Buddha to a wealthy householder named Singala...”
(i) What advice did the Buddha give Singala about masters and servants?
Ans: Masters should assign work based on strength, provide food/wages, tend to the sick, share delicacies, and grant leave.
(ii) What instructions were given for clansmen toward Samanas and Brahmanas?
Ans: Show affection in act, speech, and mind, keep open houses, and supply their worldly needs.
(iii) What would Buddha advocate for parents and teachers?
Ans: Respect, affection in action/speech, and love/care.

Q13: Passage-based: Read the following excerpt and answer the questions below:
Excerpt: “These are some of the rules laid down in the Vinaya Pitaka...”
(i) Name two Buddhist texts with rules for monks.
Ans: Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka.
(ii) Why were these rules framed?
Ans: To promote fellow-feeling, sharing, simplicity, dignity of labor, and truthfulness.
(iii) What was the Sangha?
Ans: An organization of monks (later nuns) teaching Dhamma, living simply, with equal status for all members.
(iv) State three rules for bhikkhus from the passage.
Ans: (i) Keep a new felt blanket for at least six years. (ii) Accept only two/three bowlfuls of food and share them. (iii) Confess if leaving bedding unset or departing without leave.

Q14: How did Mahayana Buddhism develop, and what was the Buddha’s approach to teaching Dhamma?
Ans: 

• Mahayana Buddhism: 
  (i) Buddha was worshipped as a god for salvation. 
  (ii) Bodhisattvas, compassionate beings, accumulated merit to help others, not just attain nibbana. 
  (iii) Worship of Buddha/Bodhisattva images became central. 
• Buddha’s Approach: Taught through debates, emphasized moderation, individual effort for liberation, and humane/ethical conduct, rejecting divine origins of the social world.

Q15: Why did the Sanchi Stupa survive while Amaravati did not?
Ans: Sanchi Survived: (i) Funded by Bhopal rulers (Shahjehan Begum, Sultan Jehan Begum) for preservation, museum, and publications. (ii) Escaped railway contractors and looters. (iii) Europeans took plaster-cast copies, not originals. Amaravati Did Not: (i) Discovered before preservation awareness. (ii) Sculptures removed by Walter Elliot, British officials, and local rajas. (iii) Relics sent to Calcutta, Madras, and London.

Important Topics

• Buddhist Philosophy: Teachings on anicca, anatta, dukkha, moderation, and individual liberation; Sangha’s role in spreading Dhamma.
• Jainism: Tri-ratna, ahimsa, asceticism, and influence on Indian thought.
• Puranic Hinduism: Growth of Vaishnavism (Vishnu’s ten avatars) and Shaivism (linga, human forms), temple architecture, and bhakti.
• Stupas: Construction, symbolism (relics, Buddha’s presence), and features (anda, harmika, yashti, railings); Sanchi’s survival vs. Amaravati’s loss.
• Textual Sources: Tripitaka (Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma), Mahavamsa, Dipavamsa, and Puranas; oral-to-written transmission.
• Upanishadic Thought: Focus on atman, Brahman, karma, moksha, and rejection of Vedic rituals.
• Social Inclusivity: Buddhism and Jainism’s rejection of caste, inclusion of diverse groups, and women in Sanghas.

Preparation Tips

• Study Key Thinkers: Memorize Buddha’s teachings, Mahavira’s Tri-ratna, and Upanishadic concepts; compare with Vedic traditions.
• Understand Stupas: Learn structural (anda, harmika) and sculptural features (wheel, shalabhanjika); focus on Sanchi’s preservation.
• Master Texts: Know the Tripitaka’s components, Puranas, and their role in spreading ideas; note oral transmission and pilgrims’ contributions.
• Practice Passage-Based Questions: Analyze excerpts from Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Mahaparinibbana Sutta for context and implications.
• Use Visual Aids: Create timelines (600 BCE–600 CE) for Buddhism’s growth and charts for varna, Sangha rules, and Vishnu’s avatars.
• Address Comparisons: Be ready to contrast Buddhist/Jain ideas with Brahmanical norms (e.g., Vedas, caste, sacrifices).