Indian Civilization and Culture Subjective: 12th English Subjective Question 1st Chapter Subjective, Bihar board
Indian Civilization and Culture Question Answers: Looking for Indian Civilization and Culture important questions and answers for BSEB Class 12
Indian Civilization and Culture - Subjective Questions Answers
Short Answer Type Questions (2 Marks Each)
1. What is civilization in the real sense of the term?
According to Mahatma Gandhi, civilization in the real sense is the deliberate and voluntary restriction of wants. This promotes contentment, true happiness, and the capacity for service, rather than the multiplication of desires.
2. Why does Gandhi say that the mind is a restless bird?
Gandhi describes the mind as a restless bird because the more it gets, the more it wants. The unending desire for material possessions and pleasures makes the mind restless.
3. What did Gandhi do for the farmers in Bihar?
In 1917, Gandhi visited Champaran to address the indigo farmers' issues. He fought against the exploitation by British landlords through a non-violent movement, freeing farmers from fear and oppression.
4. What do you understand by civilization and culture?
Civilization is the state of development of a people, encompassing their social, political, and legal organizations. Culture includes the customs, beliefs, and ways of living inherited by them.
5. How did our ancestors view large cities?
Our ancestors viewed large cities as snares and encumbrances, filled with thieves, robbers, and prostitutes. They preferred small villages for their simplicity and safety.
6. Why did our ancestors dissuade us from luxuries and pleasures?
Our ancestors dissuaded us from luxuries because they believed material possessions do not lead to happiness. They knew the rich often worry about wealth, while the poor can be content.
7. What, according to Gandhi, is modern civilization?
Gandhi considers modern civilization as the worship of materialism and violence. It is characterized by an indefinite multiplicity of human wants, leading to moral degradation.
8. What is the distinguishing characteristic of modern civilization?
The distinguishing characteristic of modern civilization, according to Gandhi, is the indefinite multiplicity of human wants, driven by materialism and a lack of faith in divinity.
9. Why did our ancestors prefer to live in villages?
Our ancestors preferred villages because they were safe, aligned with ancient traditions, and free from the vices of cities, such as thieves, robbers, and prostitutes.
10. What does Gandhi prefer to materialism?
Gandhi prefers spiritualism to materialism, emphasizing moral elevation and the pursuit of eternal bliss over physical comforts.
11. Has civilization taught us to be more friendly towards one another?
Gandhi notes that while civilization makes us friendly within our groups, we remain ferocious towards outsiders, indicating that true universal friendship is lacking.
12. What is the Gujarati equivalent for civilization?
The Gujarati equivalent for civilization, as per Gandhi, means "good conduct," reflecting a mode of behavior that guides one towards duty.
13. What civilizations does Gandhi refer to while highlighting the vitality of Indian civilization?
Gandhi refers to the civilizations of Rome, Greece, Japan, and China, which have either been destroyed or westernized, while Indian civilization remains alive.
14. What holds the key to real happiness, according to Gandhi?
According to Gandhi, real happiness lies in voluntary restriction of wants and living a life of simplicity and high thinking, not in wealth or material possessions.
15. What is the base of Indian civilization?
The base of Indian civilization, as per Gandhi, is "simple living and high thinking," rooted in morality and belief in God.
Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks Each)
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?
Mahatma Gandhi firmly believes that Indian civilization is unparalleled due to its enduring strength and moral foundation. He argues that while civilizations like Egypt, Rome, Greece, and Japan have either perished or adopted Western materialism, Indian civilization has withstood the test of time. Its vitality lies in its emphasis on simple living, high thinking, and voluntary restriction of wants, which promote true happiness and spiritual growth. Unlike Western civilization, which pursues endless material pleasures, Indian civilization prioritizes morality, duty, and belief in God, making it superior.
Personally, I partly subscribe to Gandhi’s views. Indian civilization’s focus on spirituality and morality is indeed unique and valuable, fostering contentment and ethical living. However, adopting certain aspects of modern civilization, such as technological advancements, can complement India’s traditional values without compromising its core principles. A balanced approach could enhance India’s global standing while preserving its cultural heritage.
2. What is the essential difference between Indian civilization and Western civilization? How is our civilization superior to the Western civilization?
The essential difference between Indian and Western civilization, as per Gandhi, lies in their core values. Indian civilization emphasizes morality, spirituality, and voluntary restriction of wants, aiming to elevate the soul and achieve eternal bliss. It is rooted in belief in God and simple living. In contrast, Western civilization prioritizes materialism, physical comforts, and the multiplication of wants, often neglecting spiritual growth. It relies heavily on machines and pursues momentary pleasures, leading to moral decline.
Indian civilization is superior because it fosters true happiness through self-restraint and moral conduct, unlike Western civilization, where excessive comforts become burdensome. By focusing on the soul over the body, Indian civilization offers a sustainable path to contentment, as material desires are limitless and unfulfilling. This enduring quality has allowed Indian civilization to survive while others, like Rome and Greece, have faded.
3. What did Gandhi convey to his countrymen about dealing with modern civilization?
Gandhi urged his countrymen to shun modern civilization at all costs, as it represents the worship of materialism and violence. He believed that modern inventions, though tempting, are maddening and lead to temporary pleasures that compromise permanent well-being. Gandhi warned that blindly imitating Western civilization would result in India’s ruin, as it promotes an indefinite multiplicity of wants and neglects spiritual and moral growth. Instead, he advocated for embracing Indian civilization’s values of simple living, high thinking, and voluntary restriction of wants. By adhering to these principles, Indians could preserve their cultural heritage, achieve true happiness, and resist the destructive allure of modern civilization.
4. What are the features of Western civilization, according to Gandhi?
According to Gandhi, Western civilization is characterized by several distinct features:
- Materialism: It worships material wealth and physical comforts, prioritizing bodily pleasures over spiritual growth.
- Immorality: It lacks a strong moral foundation, often promoting indulgence in passions.
- Godlessness: It does not emphasize belief in God, relying instead on secular and material pursuits.
- Dependence on Machines: It heavily depends on technology, reducing human effort and fostering laziness.
- Momentary Pleasures: It seeks temporary gratification through endless wants, leading to dissatisfaction.
These features contrast sharply with Indian civilization’s focus on morality, spirituality, and self-restraint, making Western civilization, in Gandhi’s view, unsustainable and inferior.
5. What is the real glory or beauty of Indian civilization?
The real glory of Indian civilization, as described by Gandhi, lies in its enduring vitality and moral foundation. Unlike other civilizations (e.g., Rome, Greece, or Egypt) that have perished or lost their essence, Indian civilization remains immovable due to its emphasis on:
- Simple Living and High Thinking: It promotes a lifestyle of minimal material needs and profound spiritual and intellectual growth.
- Belief in God: Its religious and moral framework fosters unity, integrity, and ethical conduct.
- Voluntary Restriction of Wants: This ensures contentment and true happiness, unlike the endless desires of modern civilization.
- Humanity and Duty: It teaches lessons of care, honor, and the path of duty, elevating the moral being.
These qualities have enabled Indian civilization to withstand external influences and remain a beacon of spiritual and moral strength.
 |
| www.bsebstudynews.in |
