M.M: 30
Attempt all questions.
Q1. Fill in the blank:
The Bene Israel community lived on the __________ coast, south of Mumbai. (1 Mark)
Ans: Konkan.
Q2. Which prophet founded Zoroastrianism? (1 Mark)
(i) Buddha
(ii) Zarathushtra
(iii) Baha'u'llah
(iv) Moses
Ans: (ii)
Explanation: Zoroastrianism was founded by the prophet Zarathushtra in Central Asia and is one of the world's oldest religions.
Q3. What does the Sanskrit phrase 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam' mean? (1 Mark)
Ans: It means that the whole world is family.
Q4. True or False: The 14th Dalai Lama took refuge in India in 1959 and lives in Dharamshala. (1 Mark)
Ans: True.
Q5. What is a synagogue? (1 Mark)
Ans: A synagogue is a place of worship for Jews where religious services and ceremonies like weddings are held.
Q6. Why did Syriac Christians come to India? (2 Marks)
Ans: Syriac Christians faced persecution in the Roman and Persian Empires because they were treated as heretics. To escape this persecution, they travelled eastward along trade routes and reached the Malabar coast, where they could live and worship freely.
Q7. What is the legend of milk and sugar related to the Parsis? (2 Marks)
Ans: When Parsis approached Raja Jadi Rāṇā of Sanjān, he showed them a jug full of milk to indicate his kingdom was full. A wise Parsi man dissolved sugar in the milk without spilling it, meaning that Parsis would blend into Indian society and enrich it without causing problems.
Q8. Who was Hirabai Lobi and what did she do? (2 Marks)
Ans: Hirabai Lobi belonged to the Siddi community in Gujarat. She worked for the upliftment of women in her community by connecting them with banking services and educating them on organic farming and livelihood options. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023 for her service.
Q9. Describe how the Bene Israel community came to India. (3 Marks)
Ans: According to scholars, the Bene Israel came around 175 BCE from the ancient Kingdom of Israel. Their ship was caught in a storm and shipwrecked near the Indian coast. The survivors settled in India and started a new life. Although they lost their holy books, they remembered their prayer about one God and became the largest Jewish community in India.
Q10. What were the challenges faced by Zoroastrians in Persia after the Islamic conquest? (3 Marks)
Ans: After the Sassanid Empire fell to Arab Muslim forces in the mid-7th century, Zoroastrians faced several challenges. They had to face forced conversions to Islam and pay religious taxes called jizya. Their fire temples were destroyed, and they faced social and legal marginalisation. This persecution forced them to leave Persia and seek refuge in India.
Q11. Explain the role of the 'Good Maharaja' during the Second World War. (3 Marks)
Ans: During the Second World War, Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Maharaja of Nawanagar State, helped Polish children orphaned when Poland was invaded. He mobilised the Red Cross and other organisations to rescue them. He brought around 1,000 Polish orphans to Jamnagar between 1942 and 1946 and provided them with a safe place to stay, food, and care. Several thousand Polish refugees were also welcomed to his state.
Q12. What is Sowa Rigpa, and how is it connected to India? (5 Marks)
Ans: Sowa Rigpa, also called 'Art of Healing', is the traditional Tibetan medicine system. It was codified in the 8th century CE by a medical council near Lhasa, Tibet. This system blends ancient principles of Ayurveda with inputs from China, Central Asia, Persia, and Greece. Tibetan refugees started propagating Sowa Rigpa in India soon after taking refuge in 1959. It is popular in Himalayan regions, including Nepal and Bhutan. In India, institutions like Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamshala practise this system. The Government of India has integrated it in the AYUSH programme along with other traditional medicine systems.
Q13. How did India become a haven for persecuted communities? Give examples to support your answer. (5 Marks)
Ans: India became a haven for persecuted communities because of its culture of acceptance and inclusion. Indian values like vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the whole world is family), atithi devo bhava (a guest is like God), and sarve bhavantu sukhinah (may all creatures be happy) created a welcoming environment. Many communities found refuge in India: Jews came from Israel and settled on the Konkan coast and Kochi; Parsis escaped religious persecution in Persia after the Islamic conquest; Syriac Christians fled from the Roman and Persian Empires; and Tibetan refugees, including the 14th Dalai Lama, took shelter in India after the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The Indian government rehabilitated these communities, provided education to their children, and helped them preserve their culture. These communities integrated into Indian society while maintaining their unique traditions, showing India's culture of peaceful coexistence.
| 1. What is the significance of India's diversity? | ![]() |
| 2. How does geography influence the culture of India? | ![]() |
| 3. What are some major religions practiced in India? | ![]() |
| 4. Why is it important to learn about India's history and heritage? | ![]() |
| 5. What role do festivals play in Indian society? | ![]() |