Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 MCQs: India's Cultural Roots

India’s Cultural Roots – The 7th chapter of NCERT class 6th book gives information on Vedas, Upaniṣhads, Buddhism, Jainism, and diverse tribal traditions. Solving the MCQ questions will help students revise effectively for exams and build strong concepts.

30 MCQ Questions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 India’s Cultural Roots

Question 1: The word “Veda” is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘vid’, which means –

a) Prayer
b) Knowledge
c) Power
d) Ritual

Answer:

b) Knowledge – Hence related terms like vidya (learning).

Question 2: How many Vedas are recognised as the most ancient texts of India?

a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five

Answer:

c) Four – The Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Veda.

Question 3: The Vedas were primarily transmitted –

a) Through manuscripts
b) Orally by memorisation
c) By stone inscriptions
d) Through pictorial carvings

Answer:

b) Orally by memorisation – Preserved with meticulous accuracy for generations.

Question 4: UNESCO recognised Vedic chanting in 2008 as –

a) A world religious system
b) A masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity
c) An endangered language
d) A ritual practice of Hindus only

Answer:

b) A masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

Question 5: Which famous Rig Vedic hymn declares “The Existent is one, but sages give it many names”?

a) Tat tvam asi
b) Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti
c) Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
d) Aham brahmasmi

Answer:

b) Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti – Expressing unity behind diversity.

Question 6: Early Vedic society was organised in groups called –

a) Jatis
b) Sabhas
c) Janas (clans)
d) Panchayats

Answer:

c) Janas (clans) – Over 30 are mentioned in the Rig Veda.

Question 7: Which texts introduced concepts like rebirth and karma more clearly?

a) Samhitas
b) Upanishads
c) Epics
d) Puranas

Answer:

b) Upanishads – Building upon earlier Vedic ideas.

Question 8: Which school of thought taught that everything is one divine essence called brahman?

a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Vedanta
d) Charvaka

Answer:

c) Vedanta – Rooted in the Upanishads.

Question 9: The mantra “tat tvam asi” means –

a) You are the doer
b) You are That (divine essence)
c) You are the king
d) You are liberated

Answer:

b) You are That (divine essence).

Question 10: Who was the rishi who taught Shvetaketu about brahman using the seed of a banyan fruit?

a) Yajñavalkya
b) Uddalaka aruṇi
c) Nachiketa
d) Janaka

Answer:

b) Uddalaka aruṇi – From the Chhandogya Upanishad.

Question 11: Nachiketa’s dialogue with Yama in the Katha Upanishad deals mainly with –

a) Warfare
b) Life after death and immortality of atman
c) Ritual sacrifices
d) Agriculture

Answer:

b) Life after death and immortality of atman.

Question 12: In the BRihadaraṇyaka Upanishad, who debated with Yajñavalkya about brahman?

a) Shvetaketu
b) Uddalaka
c) Gargi
d) Janaka

Answer:

c) Gargi – A renowned rishika (female sage).

Question 13: The Buddha attained enlightenment under a pipal tree at –

a) Lumbini
b) Sarnath
c) Bodh Gaya
d) Rajgir

Answer:

c) Bodh Gaya – In present-day Bihar.

Question 14: The Buddha identified the root causes of human suffering as –

a) Desire and ignorance
b) Poverty and war
c) Karma and caste
d) Rituals and sacrifices

Answer:

a) Desire and ignorance (avidya and attachment).

Question 15: The community of monks and nuns founded by the Buddha was called –

a) Sabha
b) Sangha
c) Vihara
d) Ashrama

Answer:

b) Sangha – Dedicated to practising and spreading his teachings.

Question 16: The word ‘ahimsa’ originally means –

a) Non-violence
b) Non-hurting or non-injuring
c) Peaceful coexistence
d) Absence of anger

Answer:

b) Non-hurting or non-injuring – Beyond just physical non-violence.

Question 17: Who was the founder of Jainism as a widespread school of thought?

a) Rishabhanatha
b) Mahavira
c) Parshvanatha
d) Gautama

Answer:

b) Mahavira – Born near VaiShali in Bihar.

Question 18: The word ‘Jain’ comes from ‘jina’, which means –

a) Conqueror of kingdoms
b) Conqueror of ignorance and attachment
c) Saint
d) Truth

Answer:

b) Conqueror of ignorance and attachment.

Question 19: Which principle of Jainism means ‘truth has many aspects’?

a) Ahimsa
b) Anekantavada
c) Aparigraha
d) Dharma

Answer:

b) Anekantavada – Acceptance of multiple perspectives.

Question 20: Aparigraha in Jainism means –

a) Rebirth
b) Non-possession
c) Ritual worship
d) Respect for elders

Answer:

b) Non-possession – Detachment from material wealth.

Question 21: Which Jain story illustrates that even a skilled burglar could transform after hearing Mahavira’s teachings?

a) The tale of Rohineya
b) The monkey-king Jataka
c) Shvetaketu’s pride
d) Gargi’s debate

Answer:

a) The tale of Rohineya – He reformed and became a monk.

Question 22: Which ancient school denied life after death and believed only in the material world?

a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Charvaka (Lokayata)
d) Vedanta

Answer:

c) Charvaka (Lokayata) – A materialist philosophy.

Question 23: Which common concepts were shared by Vedic, Buddhist and Jain schools?

a) Rebirth, karma, dharma
b) War and conquest
c) Ritual animal sacrifices
d) Idol worship only

Answer:

a) Rebirth, karma, dharma – Along with ending suffering and ignorance.

Question 24: Tribal traditions in India are often transmitted –

a) Only in Sanskrit texts
b) Through oral traditions
c) By royal inscriptions
d) By Greek travellers

Answer:

b) Through oral traditions – Stories, songs, rituals passed down.

Question 25: The deity Jagannath of Puri was originally –

a) A Buddhist monk
b) A tribal deity
c) A Vedic rishi
d) A Persian god

Answer:

b) A tribal deity – Later integrated into Hindu worship.

Question 26: Which tribal groups worship Singbonga as the supreme creator?

a) Bhils and Gonds
b) Mundas and Santhals
c) Todas and Kurumbas
d) Khasis and Nagas

Answer:

b) Mundas and Santhals – In eastern India.

Question 27: The Todas of Tamil Nadu consider over thirty peaks of the Nilgiris as –

a) Trading routes
b) Sacred abodes of gods and goddesses
c) Farming land
d) Enemy territories

Answer:

b) Sacred abodes of gods and goddesses – Hence they avoid pointing at them.

Question 28: Which combined Sun-Moon deity is worshipped as a supreme god in Arunachal Pradesh?

a) Jagannath
b) Donyipolo
c) Khandoba
d) Singbonga

Answer:

b) Donyipolo – Worshipped by several tribes.

Question 29: Which sociologist observed that Hinduism and tribal religions have continuously influenced each other?

a) Max Muller
b) Andre Beteille
c) Romila Thapar
d) B.R. Ambedkar

Answer:

b) Andre Beteille – He emphasised their mutual influence.

Question 30: The banyan tree is used in the chapter as a symbol of –

a) Military power
b) Indian civilisation with its roots and branches
c) Royal authority
d) Foreign invasions

Answer:

b) Indian civilisation with its roots and branches – Deep roots and diverse branches lasting centuries.

Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 Fill in the Blanks with Answers – India’s Cultural Roots

1. The word “Veda” is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘vid’, which means ___.

Answer:

knowledge

2. There are ___ Vedas – the Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva.

Answer:

four

3. In 2008, UNESCO declared Vedic chanting a masterpiece of the oral and ___ heritage of humanity.

Answer:

intangible

4. The Rig Vedic hymn “Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” means “The Existent is ___, but sages call it by many names.”

Answer:

one

5. Early Vedic society was organised in clans called ___.

Answer:

janas

6. The Upanishads introduced the concepts of rebirth and ___ more clearly.

Answer:

karma

7. The Upanishad mantra “tat tvam asi” translates to “You are ___.”

Answer:

That (divine essence)

8. Uddalaka aruṇi explained brahman to Shvetaketu by using the example of a seed of a ___ fruit.

Answer:

banyan

9. Nachiketa’s dialogue with Yama in the Katha Upanishad deals with life after death and the immortality of the ___.

Answer:

atman

10. The Buddha attained enlightenment under a ___ tree at Bodh Gaya.

Answer:

pipal

11. The Buddha founded a community of monks and nuns known as the ___.

Answer:

Sangha

12. The word ‘ahimsa’ literally means non-___ or non-injuring.

Answer:

hurting

13. The principle of Jainism that truth has many aspects is called ___.

Answer:

anekantavada

14. The Mundas and Santhals worship the creator god called ___.

Answer:

Singbonga

15. The banyan tree in this chapter is used as a symbol of Indian ___, with its deep roots and diverse branches.

Answer:

civilisation

True or False type Questions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 7 India’s Cultural Roots

Question 1. The word “Veda” means prayer in Sanskrit. (True/False)

Answer:

False

Question 2. There are four Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva. (True/False)

Answer:

True

Question 3. UNESCO recognised Vedic chanting as a masterpiece of intangible heritage in 2008. (True/False)

Answer:

True

Question 4. The Upanishads clearly introduced ideas like karma and rebirth. (True/False)

Answer:

True

Question 5. Nachiketa’s dialogue with Yama in the Katha Upanishad is about agriculture and trade. (True/False)

Answer:

False

Question 6. The Buddha attained enlightenment at Sarnath under a peepal tree. (True/False)

Answer:

False

Question 7. The Sangha was the community of monks and nuns founded by the Buddha. (True/False)

Answer:

True

Question 8. In Jainism, the principle of ahimsa means non-hurting or non-injury. (True/False)

Answer:

True

Question 9. The Mundas and Santhals worship Singbonga as the supreme creator. (True/False)

Answer:

True

Question 10. The banyan tree in this chapter is described as a symbol of foreign invasions in India. (True/False)

Answer:

False