4Aug, 2025
Chapter 7 – India’s Cultural Root

Worksheet No 18 PP Publication

Chapter 7: India’s Cultural Roots – Worksheet

A. Tick the correct option (MCQs):

  1. Siddhartha was born approximately years ago.
    (a) 1500 (b) 3000 (c) 2500 ✅ (d) 2000
  2. Siddhartha was born in
    (a) Lumbini ✅ (b) Vajji (c) Ujjain (d) Vaishali
  3. Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment at
    (a) Varanasi (b) Sarnath (c) Bodh Gaya ✅ (d) Kushinara
  4. Vardhamana was born in the early
    (a) 3rd century BCE (b) 4th century BCE (c) 5th century BCE (d) 6th century BCE ✅
  5. At what age did Vardhamana renounce his home?
    (a) 20 (b) 21 (c) 30 ✅ (d) 35

B. State whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F):

  1. Jain teachings include ahimsa, anekantavada and aparigraha. – True ✅
  2. Mahavira’s birth place was at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. – False ❌
  3. Sangha, founded by the Buddha, was a community of warriors. – False ❌
  4. The word ‘Jain’ or ‘Jaina’ comes from jina, meaning conqueror. – True ✅
  5. After meditating for many days under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya, Siddhartha attained enlightenment. – True ✅

C. Fill in the blanks:

  1. The Buddha insisted on a sincere inner discipline.
  2. Vardhamana practised an ascetic discipline and, after 12 years, achieved infinite knowledge or supreme wisdom.
  3. Aparigraha means ‘non-possession’.
  4. The Jataka tales tell the stories of the Buddha’s former births.
  5. After 12 years Vardhamana became known as ‘Mahavira’ or great hero and started preaching.

D. Match the items in Column A with Column B:

  1. A man who gives up the usual life and dedicates himself to religious or spiritual pursuits – (e) Monk
  2. A community of monks – (d) Sangha
  3. Conqueror – (b) Jain/Jaina/Jina
  4. Someone who engages in rigorous discipline to attain higher consciousness – (a) Ascetic
  5. The quality of being aware, for instance, of something within oneself – (c) Consciousness

E. Long Answer Questions:

  1. What are Vedas? How many Vedas are there? Name them. Which is the oldest one?
  • The Vedas are ancient Indian texts composed of hymns and prayers. There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda is the oldest.
  1. Who composed the Vedic hymns? In which language are these hymns composed and how were they passed to the next generation?
  • Composed by rishis and rishikas in early Sanskrit, the Vedic hymns were memorised and passed orally over generations with minimal changes.
  1. How is the Truth explained in the Upanishadic worldview? What do you understand by the terms “rebirth” and “karma”?
  • Truth is explained as brahman, the divine essence of all existence. Rebirth is the cycle of life and death; karma is the law of cause and effect based on one’s actions.

F. Read the story from Katha Upanishad and answer:

  1. The man was giving away all his possessions as part of a ritual donation.
  2. Nachiketa asked his father to which god he would be offered; his father said, “I give you to Yama.”
  3. Nachiketa asked Yama what happens after death. Yama first avoided but later explained the immortality of atman.
  4. Atman is the Self or soul, eternal and immortal, neither born nor dies.

G. Identify the given figures and write the answers:

  1. Fig. (ii) shows Lord Buddha meditating, carrying a message of peace, compassion, and enlightenment.
  2. Similarities: Both taught ahimsa and rejected caste distinctions.
  3. Monks and nuns (Sangha for Buddha; Jain monks and nuns for Mahavira) spread the teachings.
  4. In Fig. (i), the ascetic Buddha is shown in calm posture with disciples around, symbolising detachment and spiritual guidance.
  5. The lines by Buddha mean that true purity comes from truth and dharma, not external rituals like bathing in sacred rivers.

End of Worksheet