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

Students who are preparing for the Social Science exam must go through NCERT Solutions. Here, we have provided the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 6 “New Questions and Ideas”. These solutions contain the answers to the exercise questions in the textbook. These answers are created by our subject experts after thorough research. 

SOLUTIONS FOR CLASS 6 HISTORY CHAPTER 2 – “FROM HUNTING-GATHERING TO GROWING FOOD”

Q.1 Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.

Solution: The Buddha tried to spread his message to the people in the following ways:

1. He conveyed his teaching in the Prakrit language, which was the language of the common masses.

2. He encouraged his followers to think over his messages instead of blindly following them. This helped his ideals spread further. The encouragement of free thinking meant that people could come to conclusions based on his ideas on their own.

Q.2 Write whether true or false:

1. The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices
2. Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time
3. The Buddha taught that Karma has no effect on our lives
4. The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya
5. Upanishadic thinkers believed that atman and Brahman were ultimately one

Solution: a) False

Buddha professed kindness to 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 followed the Upanishads believed that Atman and Brahman were the same.

Q.3 What were the questions Upanishadic thinkers wanted to answer?

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

1. What happens after death?

2. Is there any life after death?

3. Why should sacrifices be performed?

4. Is there something permanent in the Universe which lasts even after death?

Q.4 What were the main teachings of Mahavira?

Solutions: The following are the main teachings of Mahavira:

1. Those who wish to know the truth must leave their home.

2. Those who are on the path of truth must adhere to the principles of Ahimsa (Non-violence) very strictly.

3. One must not hurt or kill any other living being, as life is dear to all.

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

Solution: Anagha was travelling to Varanasi on a school trip. Sarnath is a place in Varanasi where Buddha taught for the first time after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. The story and message of Buddha were inspiring, and hence Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of Buddha.

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

Solution: Everyone except men had to take permission from their master before joining the Sangha. Children had to take permission from their masters, servants had to take permission from the kings, the wives from their husbands and the slaves from their masters.

It wouldn’t have been easy for the slaves to join the sangha because:

1. Slaves had little to no rights.

2. It was not necessary that a slave would get a kind master

3. Since society, in general, depended on slaves to do their tasks for them, there was no incentive for masters to give permission for their slaves to join the Sangha.

“Unlocking the Secrets of Global Warming: Understanding, Impacts, and Solutions”

Q.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.

Solution:

The ideas and questions mentioned in the chapter are the following:

Questions:

1. Is there a life after death?

2. What was Buddha trying to teach Kisagotami?

3. How did the beggar convince sages to share food with them?

Ideas:

4. One should follow the principle of ahimsa.

5. One should renounce worldly pleasure in search of the truth.