5Aug, 2025
Chapter 7 – India’s Cultural Roots

Worksheet – 19 PP Publication

A. Tick the correct option:

  1. A woman Upanishadic thinker:
    (a) Urmila
    (b) Jabali
    ✔ (c) Gargi
    (d) Satyakama
  2. Monks and nuns lived in
    ✔ (a) Caves
    (b) Huts
    (c) Under trees
    (d) Houses
  3. The tribals of Tamil Nadu who avoid pointing to 30 peaks of the Nilgiris with a finger:
    (a) Adiyan
    (b) Kadar
    (c) Kanikar
    ✔ (d) Toda
  4. In Eastern India, the Munda and Santhal tribals worship
    (a) Khandoba
    (b) Donyipolo
    (c) the Sun
    ✔ (d) Singbonga
  5. In both Buddhism and Jainism, it means refraining from violence in thought:
    (a) Non-violence
    ✔ (b) Ahimsa
    (c) Peace
    (d) Non-tormented

B. Fill in the blanks:

  1. A tribe is a group of families or clans sharing a tradition of common descent, a culture and a language.
  2. In the 19th century, anthropologists studying tribes often described them as ‘primitive’ or ‘inferior’.
  3. According to tradition, Jagannath, worshipped at Puri, was originally a tribal deity.
  4. Vedanta and Yoga are among the best known schools of thought.
  5. Buddhism and Jainism departed from the authority of the Vedas.

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

  1. Tribal belief systems and art have interacted with Hinduism for millenniums.
    ✅ True
  2. There is no interaction between folk and tribal tradition.
    ✅ False
  3. The Vedic, Buddhist and Jain schools had no differences.
    ✅ False
  4. In English, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism are ‘belief systems’.
    ✅ True
  5. Many scholars agree that the word ‘religion’ is too limiting in the context of the Indian civilisation.
    ✅ True

D. Short Answer Questions:

  1. Name any two Indian states and the countries where Buddhism is a major religion even today.
    • States: Bihar and Maharashtra
    • Countries: Sri Lanka and Thailand
  2. After how long did Vardhamana achieve supreme wisdom and become Mahavira? How did he enlighten the people with his great ideas?
    • Vardhamana achieved supreme wisdom after 12 years of ascetic discipline. He became Mahāvīra and enlightened people by teaching values such as ahimsa, anekāntavāda, and aparigraha.
  3. Jainism insists on the interconnectedness and interdependence of all creatures. Discuss.
    • Jainism teaches that all living beings, from humans to invisible organisms, depend on one another for survival. This belief emphasizes non-violence, mutual respect, and living in harmony with nature.
  4. What is the difference between monasteries and caves where ascetics lived?
    • Monasteries were formal institutions created for teaching and learning. Caves, on the other hand, were natural or man-made shelters in rocks used by ascetics for solitary spiritual practice.
  5. Schools of thought like Charvaka disappeared with time. Why?
    • Schools like Charvaka did not gain wide acceptance as they denied the existence of life after death and spiritual aspects. Due to lack of support and written tradition, they gradually disappeared.

E. Long Answer Questions:

  1. Along with important differences, the Vedic, Buddhist and Jain schools also shared some common concepts. What are those concepts?
    • Common concepts include:
      • Dharma (righteous conduct)
      • Karma (action and its consequences)
      • Rebirth
      • Ahimsa (non-violence)
      • Search for truth and end of suffering
  2. For Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, the phrase ‘schools of thought’ should be preferred in place of ‘religions’. Why?
    • Because these traditions involve philosophical, spiritual, ethical, and social aspects, and not just ritual or belief. The term ‘religion’ is too narrow to describe their diversity and depth.
  3. What similar concepts do the folk, tribal and Hindu belief systems have?
    • All three:
      • Regard nature as sacred
      • Believe in a supreme divinity
      • Emphasize spiritual connection with elements like rivers, trees, animals, mountains
  4. Describe the following terms briefly:
    • Ahimsa: Non-violence in thought, word, and deed
    • Anekāntavāda: Truth has many sides or perspectives
    • Aparigraha: Non-possession; living with only what is necessary

F. Read the paragraph and answer the questions:

“The thousands of castes and tribes on the Indian subcontinent have influenced each other in their religious beliefs and practices since the beginning of history and before. That the tribal religions have been influenced by Hinduism is widely accepted, but it is equally true that Hinduism, not only in its formative phase but throughout its evolution, has been influenced by tribal religions.”

  1. Whose lines are these?
    • André Béteille
  2. Who has influenced whom?
    • Tribal religions have influenced Hinduism and vice versa.
  3. What do you conclude?
    • There has been a mutual exchange of ideas, practices, and beliefs between tribal and mainstream Indian belief systems, leading to cultural enrichment.

G. Identify the given picture and describe it briefly, discussing the following points:

1. What does the picture depict?
The picture depicts the rock-cut caves at Ellora, which include Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and monasteries carved into the hillside.

2. Its exact location
The Ellora Caves are located near the village of Ellora (Verul), about 30 km from Aurangabad, in the state of Maharashtra, India.

3. Its period
The caves were carved between the 6th and 10th centuries CE. They reflect the religious harmony and architectural excellence of ancient India.