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Indian civilization and culture all questions answer
A. Answer the following questions:
Q. 1. What do you know about Gandhiji ?
Ans. Gandhiji, popularly known as 'Bapu', was the father of our nation. He used truth and non-violence as the chief weapons against the British rule in India. Thus he was a politician and a spiritual leader at the same time.
Q. 2. What did Gandhi do for the farmers in Bihar?
Ans. The farmers of Bihar suffered a lot under the Britishers. They were forced to cultivate indigo. They used to get a very low price. Gandhiji started satyagrah for their cause. At last the farmers got relief from their sufferings.
Q. 3. What do you understand by civilization and culture?
Ans. Civilization is the manner of man's life. It comes from education and the society in which a man lives. It is expressed through man's conduct and behaviour in his day to day life. Culture is a bit different from it. It includes art, language and literature, custom, tradition and religious belief. Thus culture is the finer aspect of civilization.
Q. 4. What do our holy scriptures tell us about universal human values ?
Ans. Every holy scripture of every religion lays emphasis on universal human values. They teach us to be truthful, kind and sympathetic to all. Though their path is different, they aim at the universal human values.
B.1. 1. Complete the following sentences on the basis of what you have studied :
(a) India's glory is that it...............….............
(b) The charge against India is that........................
(c) We dare not change what.....….........…………
(d) Our ancestors set a limit to our indulgences because ...……………...............
(e) Our forefathers did not invent machinery because.................…......
Ans. (a) remains immovable.
(b) her people are very uncivilized, ignorant and stolid.
(c) we have tasted and found true on the anvil of experience.
(d) the more we indulge in our passion, the more unbridled they become.
(e) they knew that if we set our hearts after such things, we would become slaves and lose our moral fibre.
B.1.2. Answer the following questions briefly:
Q. 1. How is Indian civilization different from European civilization?
Ans. There are some basic differences between Indian and European civilization. Indian civilization lays emphasis on moral values while European civilization propogates immorality.
Q. 2. Why does Gandhiji say that 'mind is a restless bird'? What makes the mind restless ?
Ans. According to Gandhiji, "Mind is a restless bird" as it wants more and more. The more it has, the more it wants. Our needs are unlimited. Passions are never satisfied. In short, it is like an unbridled horse.
Q. 3. Why did our ancestors dissuade us from luxuries and pleasures? Did they do the right thing?
Ans. Our ancestors observed that a man is not necessarily happy only because of wealth. Similarly a poor man is unhappy not because of his poverty. Hunger for wordly pleasures make us more restless. So our ancestors dissuaded us from luxuries and pleasures. To me they were right in their observance.
Q. 4. Why, according to Gandhi, have we stuck with the same kind of plough as existed thousands of years ago? Should we do the same thing even today?
Ans. According to Gandhiji, we have managed with the same kind of plough as existed thousands of years ago because we knew the ill-effect of modern discoveries. But now we should adopt to the modern machines to pace with the modern times needs.
Q. 5. How did our ancestors view large cities? Why were they satisfied with small villages?
Ans. According to our ancestors, happiness is a mental condition. They thought that the life in big cities was not easy. People living in cities were clever. The innocent were easily cheated there. The number of evil-doers was comparatively large so our ancestors were satisfied with small villages.
Q. 6. How did our ancestors enjoy true 'Home Rule'?
Ans. Our ancestors had seen the kings and their powers. But those mighty kings also bowed down their heads before the saints. There was law and justice. Doctors, vaidyas, pleaders and others did not rob people. The common people were engaged in agriculture. They carried their livelihood by hard labour. The evil-doers were only and around the capital. Thus they enjoyed true 'Home Rule'.
B. 2. Answer the following questions briefly:
Q. 1. What, according to the author, is modern civilization ?
Ans. Modern civilization is based on materialism. People seek pleasures in worldly things. They try to earn more and more. In short, according to the author, it is the worship of brute in us. It is unadulterated materialism. It has no existence if it does not think at every step of triumph of material civilization. So it is advisable on the part of men to keep away from it at all costs.
Q. 2. What did the author convey to the countrymen about dealing with modern civilization ?
Ans. The distinguishing feature of modern civilization is the unlimited lust for worldly things. Contrary to this, in the ancient civilization there was a restriction upon human wants and desires. This discontentment arises from want of living faith in a future state and in Divinity.
The author makes us aware of the immediate and disastrous results of modern inventions. He warns us against the danger of exchanging the permanent good for momentary pleasures.
Q. 3. What is the distinguished characteristic of modern civilization ?
Ans. The distinguishing characteristic of modern civilization is an indefinite multiplicity of human wants. This dissatisfaction or hunger for worldly things arises from want of faith in a future state or in Divinity.
Q. 4. The author perceived danger from modern inventions. How?
Ans. The author is fully aware of the immediate results of modern inventions. These have resulted otherwise and made men slave. Men have tried to seek pleasure in them but in vain. According to the author, we are in danger of exchanging permanent good for a temporary pleasure.
Q. 5. What does the author prefer to materialism?
Ans. Material and materialism cannot give permanent. pleasure to man. The thirst for material things is never quenched. It increases day by day. So the author prefers to restrict of wants.
Q. 6. What does our civilization depend upon ?
Ans. Our civilization does not depend on multiplying our wants-self-indulgence, but upon restricting wants-self-denial.
Q. 7. What is civilization in the real sense of the term ?
Ans. Our civilization in the real sense of the term does not consist in multiplication of wants. It consists in the deliberate and voluntary restriction of wants. It increases and promotes contentment and real happiness and capacity for service.
C. 1. Long Answer Type Questions :
Q. 1. 'I BELIEVE that the civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. What does Gandhi mean by this statement? Do you subscribe to his views?
Ans. By this statement Gandhiji means that the Indian civilization is matchless. No other civilization can equal it. The Indian Civilization has marked the fall of many civilizations. Even the Roman civilization and the Greek civilization have been westernized. The civilization of Japan met the same fate. It's only the Indian civilization that has not lost its glory even today. People everywhere in the world hear about the civilization that existed here in the past. Contrary to this, we can proudly say that ancient India is still surviving.
I fully subscribe to his views. I am proud of it as I am a part of this civilization and culture.
Q. 2. 'We notice that the mind is a restless bird, the more it gets the more it wants, and still remains unsatisfied.' Pick out other metaphors used in the lesson. How do these metaphors help Gandhiji in persuading the readers ?
Ans. Some of the metaphors from this lesson are as follows: "....so understanding and believing, it behaves every lover of India to cling with Indian civilization even as a child clings to the mother's breast." 'It may be that my reading is wrong, but I know that for India to run after the Golden Fleece is to court certain death. With the use of these metaphors Gandhiji tried to show the identification with the thing put into metaphorical use.
Secondly, they clarify the significance of the issue. These comparisons make the concept lucid and more expressive.
Q. 3. 'A man is not necessarily happy because he is rich or unhappy because he is poor. The rich are often seen to be unhappy, the poor to be happy.' What, according to Gandhi holds key to real happiness? How does Gandhi define 'happiness'?
Ans. As per Gandhiji the key to real happiness lies in satisfaction or contentment. One who indulges himself in one's passion, one's desires arise again. Even after being fulfilled, new desires come up with intensity. And this situation does not allow the man to be happy and content. Thus the more we have, the more we want. On the other hand, the poor, having not these luxuries and comforts, controls his passions. The tendency to control one's passion keeps one content and satisfied. Thus the key to happiness lies really in restriction of worldly desires. To Gandhiji, happiness is a peaceful and joyful condition of mind.
Q. 4. Why did our ancestors feel satisfied with small villages? Did they do the right thing? Will it be wise today to follow our ancestors in this connection? Give your own view.
Ans. It's true that our ancestors felt satisfaction in small villages. They did so as life in large towns and cities were full of burden. To them cities were nothing but trap. People could not be happy there. They thought that a number of thieves cheat and prostitutes were there to rob and cheat the innocent. I think our ancestors were right in their opinion as they maintained their ancient civilization.
Yes, even today it would be wise to follow our ancestors for protecting our ancient civilization. We should never run after modern habits which lead us to moral degradation. We must follow the path which is not devoid of soul, religion and moral values. It is sure that the western civilization can never give us real happiness based on contentment or satisfaction.
Q. 5. Discuss the negative features of western civilization.
Ans. The first negative thing about western civilization is that it is based on materialism. It is the worship of brute in us. It is complete materialism. Secondly, the other negative feature of this civilization is limitless multiplicity of wants. It propagates the theory of earning money even by immoral acts. It makes us slave to luxuries and comforts.
Q. 6. What is the essential difference between the Indian civilization and the Western civilization? How is our civilization superior to the Western civilization?
Ans. There are some basic differences between the Indian civilization and the Western civilization. The first difference is that the West promotes an indefinite multiplicity of human wants. Contrary to this, the Indian civilization advocates a strict control on our desires. Secondly, the Western civilization is based on materialism. Indian civilization is the worship of Supreme Spirit. The Indian civilization is superior in the respect that in elevates moral values. Unlike it, the western civilization dissipates morality in man's life. In the West there have been many discoveries which have promoted materialism. In the Indian civilization these things are of lesser importance Everything is studied in the light of spiritual, religious and moral values
Q. 7. A certain degree of physical harmony and comfor is necessary but above a certain level it becomes a hindrance instead of help'. Elaborate.
Ans. It is a fact that physical peace and comfort is necessary for our body to remain healthy. We need rest also. But these things must be limited to an extent. If not, we become habituated to it. We start craving for it. It multiplies our desires and wants. As a result, our desires turn into voluptuousness. Thus it becomes a hindrance in the service of humanity. In short, excessive use of luxuries and comforts is not good at all on our part.
C. 2. GROUP DISCUSSION:
Discuss the following in groups or pairs:
1. Truth and non-violence have been the biggest weapons of mankind.
Ans. It is true that truth and non-violence are the biggest weapons of mankind. They don't cause physical harm to the enemy, but change his heart. These weapons have moral force and bring peace and harmony. These weapons were used by Mahatma Gandhi to fight against the British rule in India. The successful experiment of using these weapons prove that these weapons are greater than the combined forces of the world too.
2. High thinking cannot go alongside high living.
Ans. High living depends only on money and wealth. It is the worship of materialism. So a man of high living has no time for high thinking. They always seek luxury and pleasure. On the other hand, a man of plain living has limited wants. As his physical needs are limited, his inner qualities come forward to think of great values. Mental energy and physical energy are directed to higher aspects of thinking. Thus it is clear that high living cannot go alongside high thinking.
C. 3. COMPOSITION:
Write a paragraph in about 100 words on each of the following:
(a) The real dignity of man lies not in what he has but in what he is.
Ans. The real dignity of man does not lie in wealth and physical power. In India, saints and sages have been getting due respect and honour. Even the kings and monarchs bowed their heads before them. The sword of ethics is always greater than the sword of a king. So a man gets respect for his knowledge and wisdom. There is a proverb that a learned man is respected everywhere whereas a king is respected only in his domain. Moreover, this respect is only because of his post, position, power and throne. Unlike it, a learned man commands respect not only from common man but also from kings and monarchs. So it is clear that the real dignity of a man lies not in what he has but in what he is.
(b) The crown and glory of life is character.
Ans. A man needs many things in his life. He requires wealth. One cannot do without it. Wealth makes his life colourful He wants name and fame also. He acquires knowledge and wisdom. All these are necessary for man. But one thing is more important than all these. And this is character. It is more valuable than anything in the world. It is the character that is the crown and glory of life. A man of character commands respect from one and all. It makes the people trust and feel secure in his company A man of character has no fear at all. A man without character is a man only in name. He can never get respect in the society. In short, character is always more precious than any other thing in life.
D. WORD STUDY:
D. 1. Dictionary Use:
Ex. 1. Ans.
dissuaded. occupation. votaries. immorality. unadulterated. materialism. belief. maddening. engrave. harmony.
Ex. 2. Ans.
Reason - Cause of, power of thought
Thinking - Come to a conclusion, expect
Wants - Need, scarcity
Ruin - Destruction, decay
Copy - Reproduction, imitate
D. 2. Word-formation :
Ans.
convert - conversion
perform - performance
define - definition
please - pleasure
educate - education
observe - observation
D. 3. Word-meaning:
Ex. 1. Ans. Ancestor, Indigenous, Encumberance, Pro- agate, Stolid, Dissuade, Barter.
Ex. 2. Ans. (i) writing, (ii) maddening, (iii) bartering, (iv) living, (v) thinking.
D. 4. Phrases: Ans.
1. Satisfy with - I am not satisfied with what I have.
2. At all costs - I shall buy it at all costs.
3. In spite of - He came here in spite of heavy rains.
4. After all - After all Suresh is a good boy.
5. To be suited to - This kind of dress is not suited to me
6. Believe in - We believe in old customs.
7. Cling to - You must not cling to a person like him.
8. In vain - He laboured hard but in vain.
E. GRAMMAR
Ex. 1. Ans. (a) kept, (b) living, (c) borrowed, (d) copying, (e) speak, (f) written.
Ex. 2. Ans.
1. The more we have the more we want.
2. The more he labours, the more he earns.
3. The higher we go, the cooler we feel.
4. The more he reads, the more he remembers.
5. The more he gets, the more he wants.
6. The higher you climb, the more you see.
7. The harder you try, the better you perform. 8. The more you eat, the less hungry you feel.
9. The more I think, the more I get nervous.
10. The earlier you rise, the earlier you start.
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