Class 6 Social Studies Notes Chapter 7 (New Questions and Ideas) – History - Our Past Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 7, 'New Questions and Ideas'. This period, around 2500 years ago, was a time of great intellectual and spiritual churning across the world, including in India. People began questioning old beliefs and seeking answers to profound questions about life, death, and the universe. This chapter introduces us to some key thinkers and the religions or philosophies they founded, which continue to influence millions today. Pay close attention, as these topics are frequently tested in government exams.

Detailed Notes: Chapter 7 - New Questions and Ideas

1. The Context: A Time of Change (Around 6th Century BCE)

• Social & Political Changes: Mahajanapadas were rising, cities were growing, trade was expanding, and society was becoming more complex.
• Intellectual Ferment: Amidst these changes, many thinkers (rishis, munis, philosophers) began questioning existing Vedic rituals and social norms. They sought deeper meanings beyond elaborate sacrifices.
• Key Questions: What is the true meaning of life? Is there life after death? What is the nature of the self and the universe? What leads to suffering, and how can it be overcome?

2. The Upanishads (Meaning: 'Approaching and sitting near')

• Nature: These texts were part of the later Vedic literature. They contain philosophical discussions and dialogues between teachers and students.
• Core Ideas:
  • Atman: The individual soul or self.
  • Brahman: The universal soul or ultimate reality.
  • Central Belief: The Upanishadic thinkers believed that ultimately, the Atman and the Brahman were one and the same. Realizing this unity was considered the path to liberation.
• Thinkers: Most Upanishadic thinkers were men, especially brahmins and rajas. However, there are mentions of women thinkers like Gargi, known for her learning and participation in debates held in royal courts. Poor people rarely took part in these discussions due to the time and knowledge required.
• Significance: Moved focus from external rituals (sacrifices) to internal knowledge and self-realization. Laid the foundation for many later schools of Indian philosophy.

3. Jainism

• Founder: While Jains believe their religion is eternal with 24 Tirthankaras (teachers/ford-makers), the most important figure for this period is Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (around 6th Century BCE).
• Mahavira's Life:
  • Born a Kshatriya prince in the Lichchhavi clan, part of the Vajji sangha (near Vaishali, Bihar).
  • Left home around the age of 30 in search of enlightenment.
  • Practiced intense asceticism and meditation for 12 years.
  • Attained enlightenment (Kaivalya Jnana).
  • Travelled and taught for 30 years.
• Core Teachings:
  • Ahimsa (Non-violence): This is the central principle. Jains believe every being (humans, animals, plants, insects, even stones and water) has a soul and must not be harmed. This strict adherence influenced occupations (many Jains became traders to avoid harming living beings in agriculture).
  • Truthfulness (Satya): Always speak the truth.
  • Non-stealing (Asteya): Do not take what is not given.
  • Non-attachment/Non-possession (Aparigraha): Detach from worldly possessions.
  • Celibacy (Brahmacharya): Added by Mahavira.
  • Karma: Belief that actions (karma) bind the soul and cause rebirth. Liberation (moksha) is achieved by shedding accumulated karma through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (the Three Jewels or Triratna).
  • Simple Life: Advocated a very simple, austere life, including giving up everything, even clothes (for monks).
• Language: Taught in Prakrit, the language of ordinary people, making teachings accessible (unlike Sanskrit used in Vedic rituals). Different regions had different forms of Prakrit (e.g., Magadhi in Magadha).
• Spread: Initially spread mainly in North India, later moved to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Followers included traders, farmers (though adherence to ahimsa was difficult for them), and kings.
• Jaina Texts: Teachings were initially transmitted orally. Compiled and written down much later (around 1500 years ago) at a council in Valabhi (Gujarat).

4. Buddhism

• Founder: Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha ('The Enlightened One').
• Buddha's Life:
  • Born around 2500 years ago (c. 563 BCE) into a Kshatriya family belonging to the Shakya gana (clan).
  • Lived a sheltered life as a prince in Kapilavastu (near Nepal border).
  • Witnessed suffering (an old man, a sick man, a dead body, an ascetic) which deeply affected him.
  • Left home around age 29 in search of truth (Mahabhinishkramana - The Great Renunciation).
  • Wandered, studied, and practiced severe asceticism but found no answers.
  • Finally, meditated under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya (Bihar).
  • Attained Enlightenment (Nirvana) after 49 days of meditation.
  • Gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi. This event is called Dhammacakkappavattana (Turning of the Wheel of Law).
  • Travelled extensively, teaching for the rest of his life.
  • Died (Mahaparinirvana) at Kusinara (Kushinagar, UP).
• Core Teachings:
  • Four Noble Truths:
    1. The world is full of suffering (Dukkha).
    2. The cause of suffering is desire and craving (Tanha).
    3. Suffering can cease.
    4. The way to end suffering is by following the Eightfold Path (Astangika Marga).
  • Eightfold Path (Middle Path): A path avoiding extremes of luxury and austerity. Includes Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
  • Middle Path: Advocated moderation in all things.
  • Karma and Rebirth: Actions have consequences, influencing future lives. The goal is to break the cycle of birth and death and attain Nirvana.
  • Ahimsa: Taught respect for all living beings, though perhaps less extreme than Jainism regarding unintentional harm.
  • Equality: Rejected caste distinctions and emphasized kindness and compassion towards all.
• Language: Taught in Pali (a form of Prakrit), the language of ordinary people, making his message widely accessible.
• Spread: Buddhism spread rapidly across the Indian subcontinent and later to Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Royal patronage (like Ashoka) played a significant role.

5. The Sangha (Association/Order)

• Establishment: Both Mahavira and the Buddha felt that true knowledge could only be gained by leaving home. They established an order (Sangha) for those who became monks (bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis).
• Rules: Rules for the Buddhist Sangha were written down in a book called the Vinaya Pitaka.
  • Men and women could join (though initially, Buddha was hesitant about women, later admitting them at the request of his foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami).
  • All were considered equal within the Sangha, regardless of previous caste.
  • Required permission (from parents for children, creditors for debtors, king for royal servants, husband for wives - reflecting social norms).
  • Life was simple: Meditated, begged for food (alms) once a day, taught others, held meetings to settle quarrels.
• Membership: People from all walks of life joined – brahmins, kshatriyas, merchants, labourers, barbers, courtesans, slaves.

6. Monasteries (Viharas)

• Need: Monks and nuns travelled constantly, except during the rainy season when travel was difficult. They needed shelters during this period.
• Early Shelters: Temporary shelters in gardens or natural caves.
• Permanent Monasteries (Viharas): As support grew, permanent shelters were built.
  • Often built by rich merchants, landowners, or kings.
  • Land was donated.
  • Initially made of wood, then brick. Some were elaborate cave monasteries carved in hills, especially in Western India.
• Function: Became centres of learning, meditation, and propagation of religion. Monks and nuns lived, studied, and taught here.

7. The System of Ashramas (Hinduism)

• Context: Around the time Jainism and Buddhism were becoming popular, Brahmin thinkers developed the system of ashramas (stages of life).
• Purpose: To define stages through which upper-caste (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya) men were expected to pass.
• Four Ashramas:
  1. Brahmacharya: Student life; simple living, studying the Vedas.
  2. Grihastha: Household life; marriage, earning a livelihood, fulfilling social responsibilities.
  3. Vanaprastha: Forest-dweller stage; retiring to the forest for meditation, detachment from worldly life.
  4. Sannyasa: Renunciation; complete detachment, wandering ascetic life.
• Exclusions: Women were generally not allowed to study Vedas or adopt ashramas independently (expected to follow their husbands'). Shudras were excluded from this system.

8. Elsewhere: Zoroastrianism

• Founder: Zoroaster (or Zarathustra), an Iranian prophet.
• Time: Flourished in Iran possibly before Mahavira and Buddha.
• Core Teachings: Contained in the sacred book, the Avesta. Language and practices show similarities to the Vedas. Basic teaching: "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds".
• Significance: Major religion in Iran for over a thousand years. Later, some Zoroastrians migrated from Iran and settled in coastal towns of Gujarat and Maharashtra – they are the ancestors of today’s Parsis.

Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Know the founders, key life events (birthplace, enlightenment site, first sermon, death place), and core teachings of Jainism and Buddhism.
• Understand the concepts of Atman, Brahman, Ahimsa, Karma, Nirvana/Moksha, Sangha, Vihara, Ashramas.
• Note the languages used (Prakrit/Pali vs. Sanskrit) and their significance for accessibility.
• Remember key locations: Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Valabhi.
• Be aware of the social context and who participated in or was excluded from these new ideas/systems (e.g., women, poor people, Shudras in Upanishads/Ashramas).
• Understand the basic idea and origin of Zoroastrianism/Parsis.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Where did the Buddha attain enlightenment?
   a) Sarnath
   b) Kushinagar
   c) Bodh Gaya
   d) Lumbini

2. The central teaching of Jainism, emphasizing non-violence towards all beings, is known as:
   a) Karma
   b) Ahimsa
   c) Tanha
   d) Brahman

3. The Upanishads primarily focus on the concept that:
   a) Elaborate sacrifices are necessary for salvation.
   b) The individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman) are ultimately one.
   c) Society should be strictly divided into four varnas.
   d) Following the Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

4. In which language did the Buddha primarily teach his doctrines?
   a) Sanskrit
   b) Tamil
   c) Prakrit (Pali)
   d) Avestan

5. The rules for the Buddhist Sangha (monastic order) are contained in which text?
   a) Upanishads
   b) Avesta
   c) Vinaya Pitaka
   d) Manusmriti

6. Vardhamana Mahavira belonged to which gana or clan?
   a) Shakya
   b) Lichchhavi
   c) Kuru
   d) Malla

7. The permanent shelters built for Jain and Buddhist monks, especially during the rainy season, were called:
   a) Stupas
   b) Chaityas
   c) Viharas
   d) Ashramas

8. According to the system of Ashramas developed by Brahmins, which stage involved living as a householder?
   a) Brahmacharya
   b) Grihastha
   c) Vanaprastha
   d) Sannyasa

9. Where did the Buddha deliver his first sermon after attaining enlightenment?
   a) Bodh Gaya
   b) Kushinagar
   c) Sarnath
   d) Vaishali

10. The ancestors of the present-day Parsis in India originally migrated from Iran and followed the teachings of:
    a) Mahavira
    b) Buddha
    c) Upanishadic thinkers
    d) Zoroaster

Answer Key:

1. c) Bodh Gaya
2. b) Ahimsa
3. b) The individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman) are ultimately one.
4. c) Prakrit (Pali)
5. c) Vinaya Pitaka
6. b) Lichchhavi
7. c) Viharas
8. b) Grihastha
9. c) Sarnath
10. d) Zoroaster

Make sure you revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding the core philosophies and the historical context is crucial. Good luck with your preparation!