INDIAN CULTURAL ROOTS
VERY SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
1.Name one tribal deity.
Ans:Jagannath.
2.Name two holy books of Hindu.
Ans: Mahabharata and Ramayana.
3.Who wrote Vedas?
Ans:Vyasa.
4..What was Siddhartha Gautama known as after attaining
enlightenment?
Ans:He was known as the Buddha.
5.How many tribes were officially recorded in India in 2011?
Ans.There were 705 tribes recorded in India in 2011.
6.What does the term “Vedanta” refer to in Vedic thought?
Ans:Vedanta refers to the concept that everything is one divine
essence called brahman.
SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1.Write short notes on India‟s culture.
Answer:
India‟s culture is known as the oldest and very interesting culture
in the world. Citizens of this country belongs to different religions,
traditions, dresses etc.
2.What is the contribution of folk and tribal traditions to Indian
Culture?
Answer: Folk and tribal traditions provide a window into the rich
heritage of these communities.
1. They reflect the beliefs, values and the aspirations of tribal
cultures.
2. They also tell about the world view and the way of life.
3.Write short notes on Vedic Society.
Ans:1. Vedic society was organised in different Janas or Clans
i.e., large group of people.
2.The Rig Veda lists over 30 such Clans like, the Bharats, the
Purus and the Yadus etc. Each clan or Janas was associated
with a particular region of the north west part of Bharat.
4.What are the main concepts Introduced in the Upanishads?
Ans: The Upanishads, a collection of texts emerging from Vedic
tradition, introduced several concepts.
1.Important among them are the ideas of rebirth (the cycle of
repeated births and deaths) and karma (the law of actions and
their consequences).
2.The Upanishads also elaborate on the concept of brahman, the
ultimate.
Competency Based QuestionsQuestion 1.
Tribes generally worship many delties associated with these
natural elements. What is the role of nature in tribal and folk belief
systems in India?
Answer:
In tribal and folk belief systems, elements of nature such as
mountains, rivers and trees are considered sacred. Tribes often
worship natural deities associated with these elements, reflecting
a deep connection with the environment. For example, the Toda
tribals view certain mountain peaks as divine residences. These
beliefs highlight the integral role of nature in spiritual and cultural
practices.
Question 2.
Discuss about Buddhism.
Ans:1.Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who
became the Buddha.
2.it focused on overcoming suffering through enlightenment.
3.Buddha‟s teachings inclugde the concepts of „ahimsa‟ (non-
hurting) and the Four Noble Truths.
4.Unlike Vedic traditions that emphasise rituals and deities,
Buddhism centers on personal spiritual awakening and the path to
Nirvana.
Question 3.
Jainism is another important school of thought that became
widespread at the same time as Buddhism. Briefly explain some
key bellefs in Jainism.
Answer:
Jainism, an ancient school of thought, emphasises key principles
such as ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (non-absolutism),
and aparigraha (non-possessiveness). Some of its key beliefs are
1.Ahimsa is central to Jain practice and involves avoiding
harm to any living being, including insects and
microorganisms.
2.Anekantavada advocates for the understanding that truth
and reality are complex and multi-faceted, encouraging
openness to different perspectives.
3.Aparigraha involves minimising material possessions and
desires to achieve spiritual liberation.
4.Jainism highlights the interconnectedness and
interdependence of all life forms, advocating for harmony
with nature and all living beings.
