Here are MCQs based on Class 6 History "Our Past 1" – Chapter 7: “New Questions and Ideas”.
Q. The founder of Buddhism was —
a). Mahavira
b). Siddhartha
c). Ashoka
d). Ajatashatru
Answer: b). Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha)
Explanation: Siddhartha, known as Gautama Buddha, founded Buddhism and taught the path to overcome suffering.
Q. Gautama Buddha was born in _______.
a). Bodh Gaya
b). Kushinagar
c). Lumbini
d). Sarnath
Answer: c). Lumbini
Q. Buddha belonged to which gana or sangha?
a). Malla gana
b). Lichchhavi gana
c). Shakya gana
d). Vajji gana
Answer: c). Shakya gana
Explanation: Buddha, originally known as Siddhartha Gautama, belonged to the Shakya gana or republic, which was one of the small independent states (gana-sanghas) in ancient India.
Q. Buddha attained enlightenment under which tree?
a). Neem tree
b). Peepal tree
c). Banyan tree
d). Mango tree
Answer: b). Peepal tree
Explanation: Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree at Bodh Gaya, which later came to be known as the Bodhi Tree.
Q. The place where Buddha gave his first sermon is —
a). Rajagriha
b). Sarnath
c). Kushinagar
d). Kapilavastu
Answer: b). Sarnath
Explanation: Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, near Varanasi, known as the Dhammachakra Pravartana.
Q. The language used by Buddha for teaching his followers was —
a). Sanskrit
b). Prakrit
c). Pali
d). Tamil
Answer: b). Prakrit
Q. Match the following:
a). Bodh Gaya 1). Enlightenment
b). Sarnath 2). First sermon
c). Kushinagar 3). Death (Mahaparinirvana)
d). Lumbini 4). Birthplace of Buddha
Options:
a). a–1, b–2, c–3, d–4
b). a–4, b–1, c–2, d–3
c). a–2, b–3, c–4, d–1
d). a–3, b–4, c–1, d–2
Answer: a). a–1, b–2, c–3, d–4
Explanation: Buddha was born in Lumbini, attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, gave his first sermon at Sarnath, and died at Kushinagar.
Q. Buddha taught that desire leads to ______.
a). Peace
b). Happiness
c). Suffering
d). Knowledge
Answer: c). Suffering
Explanation: According to the Four Noble Truths, desire or craving causes suffering.
Q. Buddha’s view on Karma was that —
a). Only good actions lead to suffering
b). All actions have no effect on future life
c). Each action has consequences
d). Karma is decided by priests
Answer: c). Each action (good or bad) has consequences
Explanation: According to Buddha, every action (karma) — whether good or bad — leads to corresponding results. Good deeds bring happiness, and bad deeds cause suffering. Thus, a person’s present and future are shaped by their own actions.
Q. The word “Upanishad” literally means —
a). Sitting near and learning
b). Sacred song
c). Law and order
d). Path to victory
Answer: a). Sitting near and learning
Explanation: “Upanishad” means “to sit down near”, referring to the teacher-student dialogue method of learning spiritual truths.
Q. The Upanishads mainly deal with —
a). Rituals and sacrifices
b). Political laws
c). Philosophy and spiritual knowledge
d). Art and architecture
Answer: c). Philosophy and spiritual knowledge
Explanation: The Upanishads contain philosophical discussions on life, death, and the relationship between atman (soul) and brahman (universal soul).
Q. The main idea discussed in the Upanishads is —
a). The power of kings
b). The equality of castes
c). The relation between the soul and the ultimate reality
d). The benefits of trade
Answer: c). The relation between the soul and the ultimate reality
Explanation: The Upanishads explore the connection between the individual soul (atman) and the universal soul (brahman).
Q. Many Upanishadic thinkers were —
a). Kings and rulers
b). Men and sometimes women
c). Only priests
d). Traders and merchants
Answer: b). Men and sometimes women
Explanation: The Upanishads mention both men and women as thinkers, such as Gargi and Maitreyi, who discussed philosophical ideas.
Q. Satyakama Jabala was known for his —
a). Wealth and power
b). Courage in war
c). Desire to learn the truth
d). Role as a king
Answer: c). Desire to learn the truth
Explanation: Satyakama Jabala, who was named after his mother, the slave woman Jabali.
Q. Another woman thinker known for her questions and debates in the Upanishads was —
a). Gargi
b). Subhadra
c). Ambapali
d). Kunti
Answer: a). Gargi
Q. Panini, the ancient Indian scholar, was famous as —
a). A philosopher
b). A mathematician
c). A grammarian
d). A doctor
Answer: c). A grammarian
Explanation: Panini was a great Sanskrit grammarian who composed the book Ashtadhyayi, which systematically explained the rules of Sanskrit grammar.
Q. Match the following schools of Indian philosophy with their founders:
1. Nyaya a). Kapila
2. Samkhya b). Konada
3. Yoga c). Gotama
4. Vaisheshika d). Patanjali
5. Purva Mimamsa e). Jaimini
6. Vedanta/Uttara Mimansa f). Vyasa
Choose the correct match:
a). 1–c, 2–a, 3–d, 4–b, 5–e, 6–f
b). 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d, 5–e, 6–f
c). 1–b, 2–c, 3–d, 4–a, 5–f, 6–e
d). 1–d, 2–a, 3–b, 4–c, 5–e, 6–f
Answer: a). 1–c, 2–a, 3–d, 4–b, 5–e, 6–f
Q. Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of —
a). Buddhism
b). Jainism
c). Hinduism
d). Vedic religion
Answer: b). Jainism
Explanation: Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism.
Q. Mahavira was born in a Kshatriya family of which gana?
a). Vajji
b). Malla
c). Kuru
d). Lichchhavi
Answer: d). Lichchhavi
Explanation: Mahavira was born in the Lichchhavi clan, part of the Vajji sangha.
Q. According to Mahavira, to attain salvation one must follow —
a). Non-violence, truth, and celibacy
b). Eightfold path
c). Yajnas
d). Wealth and power
Answer: a). Non-violence, truth, and celibacy
Explanation: Mahavira emphasized ahimsa (non-violence) and self-discipline as the way to attain moksha (salvation).
Q. The teachings of Mahavira were written in which language?
a). Sanskrit
b). Pali
c). Prakrit
d). Tamil
Answer: c). Prakrit
Explanation: The teachings of Mahavira were preserved in Prakrit, the language of the common people.
Q. The concept of non-violence or non-injury to any living being is called ______.
a). Dhamma
b). Ahimsa
c). Nirvana
d). Karma
Answer: b). Ahimsa
Explanation: Ahimsa, taught by Mahavira, means non-violence.
Q. Jainism was popular among —
a). Farmers
b). Kings and warriors
c). Traders and merchants
d). Priests
Answer: c). Traders and merchants
Explanations: Farmers, who had to kill insects to protect their crops, found it more difficult to follow the rules.
Q. The word ‘Jaina’ literally means —
a). The wise one
b). The conqueror
c). The pure one
d). The noble one
Answer: b). The conqueror
Explanation: The word ‘Jaina’ comes from ‘Jina’, which means ‘conqueror’ — one who has conquered desires and overcome ignorance and attachment through self-discipline and knowledge.
Q. The Prakrit spoken in Magadha was known as —
a). Pali
b). Ardha Magadhi
c). Magadhi Prakrit
d). Sanskrit
Answer: c). Magadhi Prakrit
Explanation: The Magadhi Prakrit was the language spoken in Magadha, the region where Mahavira and Buddha lived and taught. It was one of the main dialects of ancient Prakrit languages.
Q. According to Buddha and Mahavira, the true path to peace and happiness is —
a). Sacrifice and rituals
b). Meditation and self-control
c). Wars and wealth
d). Festivals and offerings
Answer: b). Meditation and self-control
Explanation: Both Buddha and Mahavira emphasized self-control, meditation, and good conduct over ritual sacrifices.
Q. The Buddhist monks and nuns were called —
a). Brahmins and Kshatriyas
b). Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis
c). Sramanas and Ganas
d). Gurus and Shishyas
Answer: b). Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis
Explanation: Bhikkhus (male) and Bhikkhunis (female) spread Buddha’s teachings across India and Asia.
Q. Monasteries where monks lived and meditated were called —
a). Viharas
b). Chaityas
c). Stupas
d). Temples
Answer: a). Viharas
Explanation: Viharas were monasteries where Buddhist and Jain monks lived and studied.
Q. The rules made for the Buddhist Sangha were written down in a book called —
a). Sutta Pitaka
b). Vinaya Pitaka
c). Abhidhamma Pitaka
d). Dhammapada
Answer: b). Vinaya Pitaka
Explanation: The Vinaya Pitaka contains the code of conduct and rules for monks and nuns in the Buddhist Sangha, forming one of the three main divisions of the Tripitaka.
Q. Match the following stages of life (Ashramas) with their description:
a). Brahmacharya 1). Give up everything for spiritual pursuit
b). Grihastha 2). Student life and study Vedas
c). Vanaprastha 3). Marry and live as householders
d). Sannyasa 4). Live in the forest and mediate
Options:
a). a–4, b–1, c–2, d–3
b). a–3, b–2, c–1, d–4
c). a–1, b–4, c–3, d–2
d). a–2, b–3, c–4, d–1
Answer: d). a–2, b–3, c–4, d–1
Q. Zoroaster was —
a). Founder of Buddhism
b). Founder of Zoroastrianism
c). A Greek philosopher
d). A Jain teacher
Answer: b). Founder of Zoroastrianism
Explanation: Zoroaster was an ancient Persian prophet who founded Zoroastrianism, one of the earliest religions emphasizing good and evil, truth, and moral responsibility
Q. The sacred book of Zoroastrianism is called —
a). Rigveda
b). Avesta
c). Bible
d). Upanishads
Answer: b). Avesta