NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 6 New Questions and Ideas

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 6 New Questions and Ideas contains the answers to the exercise questions. These solutions are easy and accurate that helps with the questions asked in the examinations. The Class 6 History Chapter 6 solution covers all the questions of the chapter in detail. These solutions are prepared by our subject experts in very easy language. All our Class 6 NCERT solutions are updated as per the latest CBSE Syllabus and Guidelines.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 6

Question 1: Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people?

Answer: The Buddha preached about life being full of suffering and unhappiness. He spoke of ‘tanha’ the desire to have more. He taught about ‘Karma’our actions which affect us in the current life and also in the later lives. He taught people to be kind and to respect the lives of others. He used the language of the ordinary people, Prakrit, to talk to them.

Question 2: Write whether true or false:

(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices

(b) Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time

(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives

(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya

(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that atman and brahman were ultimately one

Answer: 
(a) False
Buddha professed kindness for animals. He discouraged the practice of sacrificing animals.

(b) True
Sarnath is where Buddha taught for the first time after enlightenment. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

(c) False
Karma means action or the work we do. Buddha believed that Karma affects our current and next lives.

(d) True
Buddha did meditation for several days under a Peepal (Banyan) tree in Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment.

(e) True
Atman means individual soul, whereas Brahman means universal soul. Those who follow the Upanishads believed that Atman and Brahman were the same.

Question 3: What were the questions Upanishadic thinkers wanted to answer?

Answer: The Upanishadic thinkers wanted to find answers to the following questions:

  • What happens after death?
  • Is there any life after death?
  • Why should sacrifices be performed?
  • Is there something permanent in the Universe, which lasts even after death?

Question 4: What were the main teachings of Mahavira?

Answer: The main teachings of Mahavira were as follows:

  • Those who wish to know the truth must leave their homes.
  • They must not hurt or kill any other living being, as life is dear to all.
  • They must lead very simple lives.
  • They must be absolutely honest.
  • They must observe celibacy.

Question 5: Why do you think Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of the Buddha?

Answer: Buddha was the founder of Buddhism and he was the Wise One. His stories could be inspirational and motivational to students. So Anagha‘s mother wanted her to know his story.

Or

Anagha was going on a school trip to Varanasi. Sarnath is a place in Varanasi, where Buddha taught for the first time after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of Buddha so that she could take some lessons from the life of Buddha who was a great teacher and preacher of ancient times. This would motivate and inspire Anagha.

Question 6: Do you think it would have been easy for slaves to join the Sangha? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: No, it would not have been easy for slaves to join the sangha because they had to take the permission of their masters to do so. Also, the masters would not have given them permission so easily.

Question 7: Make a list of at least five ideas and questions mentioned in this lesson. Choose three from the list and discuss why you think they are important even today.

Answer: Ideas and questions mentioned in the lesson and their relevance today

  • Life is full of suffering and unhappiness. It is due to our unfulfilled desires. This is true today since most people are not satisfied with what they have. They resort to unfair means out of greed and end up in suffering and trouble.
  • Our actions (‘Karma’) affect us in our current life as well as next life.
  • We should not hurt or kill any living being, according to Mahavira. This is important because every living being has a desire to live.
  • Thinkers wanted to know about life after death and they wanted to know why sacrifices should be performed. Sacrifices are not justified since living being should be killed.
  • Upanishadic thinkers also felt that something was permanent in the universe and it lasted even after death

Question 8: Find out more about men and women who renounce the world today. Where do they live, what kinds of clothes do they wear, what do they eat? Why do they renounce the world?

Answer: Religious saints, monks, nuns, philosophers, jain-munnies (rien as well as women), men and women who have joined the Buddha- Sangha renounce the world even today.

They live in ashrams, vihars, sanghas, dargahas or lonely places of meditation or worship. Some of them even live in remote forests or near some permanent rivers or on the peak of mountains. They meditate for the most of the time.
They wear very simple clothes or clothes of particular colour and design.

Generally, they eat vegetarian food, simple rice or chapatis along with milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses. They renounce the world because they feel that only those who leave their homes can gain true knowledge.

Extra Questions

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What was the atm of the thinkers in society?  [V. Imp.]
Answer: The thinkers wanted to understand the ongoing changes in society and to try to find out the true meaning of life.

2. What did the Buddha do after his enlightenment?
Answer: The Buddha went to Samath and taught for the first time. He spent the rest of his life travelling and teaching people.

3. What was the ‘Karma’ according to the Buddha? [V. Imp.]
Answer:  ‘Karma’ refers to our actions—good or bad.

4. How did the Buddha connect to everyone in society?
Answer: The Buddha used Prakrit so that everyone could understand his teachings.

5. What sort of people became Upanishadic thinkers?
Answer: The Upanishadic thinkers consisted of men, especially ‘brahmins’ and ‘rajas’. There were exceptions, however.

6. What did Mahavira do to attain enlightenment?   [Imp.]
Answer: Mahavira left home at the age of thirty. Then he spent twelve years in the forest and led a hard and lonely life. Then he got enlightenment.

7. State two basic rules of Jainism
Answer: (a) The Jains had to beg for food.
(b) They were to be absolutely honest.

8. Name the book which gives the rules of the Buddhist ‘Sangha’.
Answer: The Vinaya Pitaka gives the rules made for the Buddhist ‘Sangha’.

9. Who all joined the ‘Sangha’?
Answer: Those who joined the ‘sangha’ included ‘Brahmins’, Kshatriyas’, merchants, labourers, slaves, etc.

10. How did monks take shelter in the rainy season?
Answer: The monks got temporary shelters built during the rainy season, or they lived in caves.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Write a short note on the Buddha’s teachings. [V. Imp.]

Answer: The Buddha said that life is full of suffering and unhappiness. He said that its cause lies in our unfulfilled desires and dissatisfaction (‘tanhaj. He suggested a moderation in everything as a solution. He told people to be kind and to respect each and every life. Our actions (‘Karma’) affect us in this life and the further ones. The Buddha encouraged people to think for themselves rather than simply accept his teachings.

2. Write a short note on Mahavira’s teachings.

Answer: Mahavira said that those who wish to know the truth must leave their homes. People must follow ‘ahimsa’. The Jaines had to leave very simple lives and be very honest throughout. The men had to give up clothes.

3. Describe how Jainism spread in other parts of India.

Answer: Jainism was initially supported mainly by traders. Farmers found it difficult to follow the rules since they required to kill the insects affecting crops. Over centuries, Jainism spread to different parts of north India, and to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

4. What does the Vinaya Pitaka teU. about ‘sangha’? [V. Imp.)

Answer: From the Vinaya Pitaka, we know that there were separate branches for men and women in the Buddhist ‘sangha’. Children were supposed to take the permission of their parents and slaves had to ask for permission from their masters to join it. Women had to ask their husbands. Those who lived in the ‘sangha’ had to lead very simple lives—meditating, travelling and begging. They taught others and helped each other.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Describe Buddha’s life in brief.  [V. Imp.]

Answer: The Buddha (original name—Siddhartha Gautama) belonged to a small ‘gana’ and was a Kshatriya. At an early age, he left the comforts of home and went in search of knowledge. He wandered for several years, and met and discussed with other contemporary thinkers. He meditated for several days under a ‘peepaT tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. Here, after meditation, he attained enlightenment. This gave him the name ‘the Buddha’ (the Wise One). He went to Samath and taught people. He travelled and preached for the rest of his life. He spoke of ‘tanha’, ‘Karma’, etc. He died at Kusinara.

Class 6 History Chapter 6 NCERT Questions and Answers

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