Skip to content 
The Unity of Indian Culture
Very Short Answer Type Questions
B.1.1. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements
1. The vitality of Indian, culture is not amazing.
2. The ancient world threw up fine flowers of civilization in many lauds.
3. The old civilization and culture have grown up and changed only in Japan.
4. The Aryans were regarded as the earliest invaders of the land.
5. Give the opposite of the following words
6. (i) modem (ii) conquer (iii) unity (iv) possible (v) dead.
Answers:
1. T 2. F 3. T, 4. F 5. T
6. (i) Modem
(ii) Conquer
(iii) Unity
(iv) Possible
(v) Dead
B. 1.2. Answer the following questions briefly
Question 1.
Who has delivered the speech “The Unity of Indian culture”?
Answer:
Humayun Kabir has delivered the Speech. “The Unit of Indian Cutlture”.
Question 2.
How were the Aryan regarded till recently?
Answer:
Till recently the Aryans were regarded as the earliest i aders of the land (India).
Question 3.
How did the pre-Aryans build up a new civilization?
Answer:
The pre-Aryans had built up a new civilization which has asbtonished modem scholars by I am extent and depth.
Question 4.
What according to author is the most remarkable feature of Indian culture?
Answer:
The most remarkable feature of Indian culture, according to the author is the underlying unity of spirit, informing Indian culture throughout the ages.
Question. 5.
Where have old civilization and culture grown and changed?
Answer:
The old civilization and culture have grown and changed in India and to some extent in China.
B. 2.1. Answer the following questions briefly
Question 1.
What has been the policy of the Indians in all spheres of life?
Answer:
The policy of the Indians in all spheres of life has been, “Live and let live”.
Question. 2.
What is preferable to fanatic devotion?
Answer:
Toleration is preferable to the fanatic devotion which leads to the denial and persecution of all other values but its own.
Question. 3.
Which spirit underlines the changes of Indian history?
Answer:
The spirit of underlying unity, which informs the diverse expressions ‘ of its life, underlines the changes of Indian history.
Question 4.
How does Humayun Kabir detine culture?
Answer:
According tp Humayun Kabir, culture is a concept which cannot be simply or unitarily defined. It is always a complex of many strands of varying importance and vitality.
Question 5.
How does Humayun Kabir define civilization?
Answer:
Humayun Kabir defines civilization as the organisation of society which creates the condition of culture.
Question 6.
What does the experience of European countries give us?
Answer:
The experience of Europeon countries gives us cases of civilization without culture.
C. 1. Long Answer Questions
Question. 1.
What in your opinion are the characteristics features of Indian culture?
Answer:
We find a remarkable unity of spirit mentioning Indian culture throughout the ages. Though there is derivation from many sources, following as a result, variety of forms and types. In my opinion, really the most remarkable features of Indian culture is this underlying unity. No any other civilization in comparison to Indian s civilisation has the vast area and long period. China may be an exception to some extent. The area of the land, the number of the people, the variety of the races and the length of the India’s history are rarely repeated elsewhere. Amidst many changes and variation, it has kept itself alive to the modem day due to its vitality. The sense of Indianness, imposing unity on all variety and stitching together different threads, colour and quality woven into one fabric of national life.
The old civilization and culture have grown and changed in India and to some extent in china. No other country retained the old civilization and are all dead and gone. The reason is that it has neve’ rown or changed at the
expense of an underlying unity. It has been done only through the capacity of readjustment shown by the indian society. So, in my opinion the characteristic features of Indian culture is remarkable unity of spirit with a message of Indian culture throughout the ages. The spirit of tolerance has also characterised Indian history. “Live and let live” has been the policy of the Indian in all spheres of life.
Question 2.
How is Indian culture different from the cultures of other countries?
Answer:
The unity and continuity of Indian culture is highly admirable. We find many examples of civilisation without culture in European countries. There is also a great difference in quality between the masses and the classes in those countries. It has shaken the faith of even all those democrats who show warmth of feeling on it. But in India such differences and evils are not found.
Unity is almost the characteristic of all culture. But the continuity is not found in all these countries, except in India. As such what specially distinguishes the culture of India is its unbrorken continuity. There have been a firmly fixed growth, developments and extension of culture which has gradually spread throughout in every class and section of the society.
Question 3.
Explain clearly the difference between culture and civilization.
Answer:
Culture is a result of combination of such organisation which forms civil societies. It (culture) expresses itself through language and art, philosophy and religion, social habits and customs and also through political institutions and economic organisations. All of them collectively constitute the expression of life which is desciibed as culture. Culture is also efflorescence of civilisation. On the other hand civilization is the organisation of society which creates the condition of culture. Therefore, we cannot think of culture without civilization. Thus culture and civilization are closely inter-related. Therefore the difference between both of them is quite evident such as
(i) Civilization is the organization of society. Which creates the conditions of culture.
(ii) There is not at all the seperate identity of culture.
(iii) There may be civilization in the places which have not yet developed their culture.
(iv) Culture is the bright radiant light (efflorescence) of civilization.
Question 4.
What is the capacity of readjustment exhibited in the Indian Society? Is it the stength or the weakness of Indian Sc-oty?
Answer:
The Indian society has always shown the capacity of readjustment. Such form of adjustment is done through our principle of “Live and let live”, which is found in the spirit of toleration. It has characterised Indian history throughout the ages and has been the policy of the Indians in all spheres of life. The rays of civilization fell and shone (sranftltr ?[f) I on many countries. But they are all dead and gone. But in India he old civilization and culture have grown and changed.
They have never grown or changed at the expense of underlying unity. The capacity of readjustment exhibited in the Indian Society is sometimes followed to such an extent that it creates an unfaourable condition. As such it appears that the capacity of readjustment exhibited is not the weakness of Indian society. It is the noble qualities which it preserves. In this sense it is rather the strength of our Indian society, as “Live and let live” has been the policy of the Indians in all spheres of life.
Question 5.
Discuss the main ideas contained in the text
Answer:
The main idea in the text is the unbroken unity and continuity of Indian culture. It is also significant that India was invaded by a hundred of tribes and races. The pre-Aryan invaders had displaced those people who were living there. The Aryan invasion repeated the process. Such attacks by wandering tribes continued for a longer time. The Greek, Saka and Hun invalders appeared on the scene as victor but were shortly being swallowed and mixed up in the Indian culture. It so happened due to our remarkable unity informing Indian culture throughout the ages. In volume and duration no civilisation can bear comparison with the civilization of India. The vitality of Indian culture is also admirable. It is also dueto our unity on all diversity, weaving together different threads into one fabric of national life.
The old civilization and culture had grown in many countries, but they . are all dead and gone. But Indian civilization arid culture have grown, flourished and remained intact, but never at the expense of an underlying unity. This has been the result of the capacity of readjustment exhibited by the indian society. The spirit of toleration has characterised Indian history throughout the ages. “Live and let live” has been the policy of the Indian in all spheres of life. We even do not care for our sufferings for other’s welfare. It is a fact that true and vital culture preserves unity and universality. Culture is a concept which cannot be simply or unitarily defined.
Civilization is the organisation of society which creates the condition of culture. Therefore except India not any civilised nation and races be regarded as cultured. In Europeon countries there is difference in quality between the masses and the classes, which is not found in India. The unbroken unity and continuity of Indian culture is admirable. Here there have been no violent or sudden breaks. The steady growth and extension of culture has flourished so far, which has gradually spread in every class and section of the society. Thus undoubtedly Indian culture is unparallel and great. Any other civilization is much inferior in all respect
C. 2. Group Discussion
Discuss the following in groups or pairs
1. Is the capaatty of readjustment on wane in contemporary society?
Answer:
No, basically, Indian culture is Hindu, with certain modifications have necessitated. Modernity ceexis its with orthodoxy, as does progressive thought with conservation and even reactionary treads. The broad features of the Hindu culture is not fixed or static but is constantly adapting itself to changed conditions, thus responding favourably to new challenges; tolerance of conflicting beliefs, liberalism and broadmindedness; emphasis on ethicat conduct and spiritualism, control of passion and temper; justice and truth, and disdain of wealth and the pleasures of the sense. So it was not due to on wane in contemporary society.
2. Live and let others live.
Answer:
Live and let others live bear a long meaning. Live means try to live happily and cheerfully. For this, you have to go on toiling and moiling in life. ‘Let others live’, give others, chance to live a happy life. Others must enjoy themselves in your pleasures. They should be given timely help. Every man has a right to decide how he is to live. Each community has its own – modes and manners of living which are quite different from those of other community. There would be violence and bloodshed unless each tolerates the other. Thus if you want to live peacefully allow others to live peacefully.
D. Word Study
D.1. Correct the spelling of the following words
infuson, atitude, fervant, ecception, consept, voilent, lenght. teksture, socity
Answer:
Infusion, attitude, fervent, exception, concept, violent, length, texture, society.
D.2. Make ten words using the suffix ‘ion’
Hints: Mark the following words taken from the lesson:
tolerate — toleration
civilise — civilisation
infuse — infusion
organise — organisation.
Answer:
Action commutation commission fixation hesitation impulsion injunction injection insertion notion
D.3. Find outfrom the lesshn words the neanings of which have been given on the left hand side. The last part of each word is given on the right hand side:
1. uncivilised…. rian
2. large kettle………….dron
3. structure……..trure
4. twisted threads making a fabric………………ands
3. blossoming of flowers………….. enees
6: tribes that keep moving from one place to another…..rdes.
Answer:
1.banmbadan 2. cauldron 3. texture 4. strands 5. efflorescence 6. hordes.
Ex. 2. Fill in the blanks with the words given below:
followed amazingcivilisation remarkable efflorescence blend
1. The pre-Aryans built up a new……
2. The Greek invaders were………
3. We find a……………unity of spirit in Indian culture.
4. The vitality of Indian culture is equally……………………
5. Indian social custom is a……………..of many different strains and elements.
6. Culture is the….of civilisation.
Answer:
1. Civilisation
2. followed
3. remarkable
4. amazing
5. blend
6. effloresence
D. 4. Phrases
Read the lesson carefully and find out the sentences in which the following phrases have been used:
a blend of on the other hand in fact at times in spite of on the contrary
Answer:
A blend of: — Whatever is Indian, whether it be an idea, a word, a form of art, a political institution or a social custom, is a blend of many different strains arid On the other.hand:—In India on the other hand, even the casual tourist has observed
In fact: — In fact, it is this underlying unity which is one of the most remarkable features of Indian culture.
At times: — There the difference in quality between the masses and the classes is, at times so great that it has shakan the faith of the most fervent of democrats.
In spite of:— In spite of this derivation from many sources and the consequent variety of forms and types
On the contrary:— On the contrary a steady growth and extension of culture which has gradually permeated every class and section of society
E. Grammar
Active and Passive Voice
Ex. 1. Read the following sentences taken from the lesson carefully
1. The Aryans were regarded as the earliest invaders.
2. The length of India’s history are hardly repeated elsewhere.
You see in these passive sentences, that the agent is not mentioned because the agent is either unknown or is too obvious. It is not a necessary piece of information.
Note: The agent (the preposition ’by’ and its subject) is to be mentioned when the meaning of the sentence would otherwise not be clear; complete or understandable.
Not look at the following sentences:
1. In Patna the traffic is controlled by the police.
2. English is taught in our school by Mr. Sinha.
(In these sentences the agent is mentioned to supply necessary information)
Ex.1.1. Now change the following sentences into passive voice :
1. People loved Gandhiji.
2. Police caught the thief red-handed.
3. thieves took away all the money.
4. Some one stole my watch.
5. People think that the earth is round
Answer.
1. Gandhiji was loved.
2. The thief was caught red handed by the police.
3. All the money was taken away by thieves.
4. My watch was stolen.
5. It is thought that the earth is round.
Sentences with two objects:
Ex.2. Read the following sentences carefully:
1. I gave the boy a pen.
2. Tom gave me the money.
Note : When sentences with two objects in Active Voice are changed into their passive equivalents, either object may become the subject of the verb in the passive sentences. However, the direct object is usually prefered as the subject of the passive sentence.
So the passive form of above two sentences will be as:
1. The boy was given a pen by me.
2. I was given the money by Tom.
The construction can be presented as follows:
Note: NP = Noun Phrase
Ex.2.1. Now change these sentences in Active voice into Passive voice
1. She teaches me English.
2. He gave me a book
3. Mohan asked me several questions.
4. They offered me a good job.
5. I taught him Sanskrit.
Answer:
1. I am taught English by her.
2. I was given a book by him.
3. I was asked several question by Mohan.
4. I was offered a good job by them.
5. Sanskrit was taught him by me.
Ex. 3. Look at the sentences given below and then do the exercise that follows:
(i) I m to do it. (Active)
It is to be done by me. (Passive)
H. Picture Composition
Work in pairs or in small groups:
Picture of the ruins of Nalanda University.
1. Look at the picture and write at least ten sentences about it
Answer:
Nalanda university was renowned ancient university. Nalanda was the symbol of the most glorious period of our history. Nalanda university was bom with the help of liberal public charity and donationc. The remains of Nalanda university discovered by archaeological excavations fully bear out the truth of these descriptions. Nalanda university had at that timesix large Viharas. The high spires of the Viharas in a row, seemed to be sky high, and around them were tanks of clear water, in which floated red and yellow lotuses, inters persed by the cool shade of the mango groves.
(ii) Sonu has to give me money. (Active)
I have to given money by sonu (Passive)
(iii) He was to help the poor. (Active)
The poor were to be helped by him. (Passive)
(iv) Ravi had to feed meal. (Active)
I had to be fed by Ravi (Passive)
Ex.3.1. Change into Passiver
(i) My teacher has to teach me.
(ii) Robin had to buy a car.
(iii) Vinayak was to close the door.
(iv) My father is to plant the tree.
(v) Reopple have to save the forest.
(vi) We have to help the blind.
(vii) Kamal Kishor is to sing a song.
Answer:
(i) I have to be tanght by my teacher.
(ii) A car had to be bought by Robin.
(iii) The door was to be closed by Vinayak.
(iv) The tree is to be planted by my father.
(v) The forest has to be saved by Reopple.
(vi) The blind have to be helped by us.
(vii) A song is to be sung by Kamal Kishor.
Ex. 4. Now study the sentences given below and then do the exercise. that follows:
(i) Who did it? (Active)
By whom was it done? (Passive)
(ii) When dc you take milk? (Passive)
When is milk taken by you? (Passive)
(iii) Do you sing a song? (Active).
A song is sung by you? (Passive)
(iv) Help me (Active)
Let me be helped or I should be helped (Passive)
(v) Give me your book. Please. (Active)
You are requested to give me your book (Passive)
Ex. 4.1. Change into Passive:
(i) Who helps the blind?
(ii) Is he writing a story?
(iii) Why do you want to do it?
(iv) Did Rekha buy a car?
(v) Close the door.
(vi) Solve the problem. Please.
(vii) Post the letter.
Answer:
(i) By whom is the bird helped?
(ii) Is a story being written by him?
(iii) Why does it want to be done by you?
(iv) Was a car bought by Rekha?
(v) The door should be closed.
(vi) You are requested to solve the problem.
(vii) Let the letter be posted. .
F. Activities
1. Collect a few folk songs which the people of your community sing on different festive occasions.
‘ Do it your self. ‘
2. Write a short report on the preservation of the cultural heritage of your state. ‘
REPORT
From
A. K. Singh
‘Kadamkuan’
Patna
To
Minister of Tourism Govt, of Bihar Patna.
3rd March, 2012
Preservation of the Cultural heritage of our state
Sir
There are many ancient building or cultural heritages in our state some of them are in ruinled condition. It should be preserved at any cost.
A.K Singh
Class – X
G. Translation
Translate the following passage from the lesson into Hindi or your mother tongue:
Culture is the efflorescence of civilisation. Civilisation is the organisation of society which creates the condition of culture. There can, therefore, be no culture without civilisation, but there may be civilisation which have not yet developed their culture. Perhaps what is more often the case is that there are civilised people among whom only a small section have achieved culture. We have, therefore, had and still have races and nations that are civilised; but, except for India, we have not yet had any nation or race that could be regarded as cultured in all its sections and classes, for here in India, culture is almost as extensive as civilisation.
संस्कृति सभ्यता का फूल है। सभ्यता समाज का मंगठन है जो संस्कृति की शर्ता का निर्माण करता है। ऐसा हो सकता है, इसलिए सभ्यता के बिना संस्कृति नहीं। लेकिन सभ्यता हो सकती है, जो अबतक अपनी संस्कृति का विकास नहीं कर पायी है। संभवत: और बहुधा ऐसा है कि सभ्य लोगों के बीच कुछ ही लोग संस्कृति को प्राप्त कर सके हैं। इसलिए, पहले भी और अभी भी ऐसी जातियाँ और गष्ट्र हैं जो सभ्य हैं, लेकिन भारत को छोड़कर, अब तक दूसरा देश नहीं मिल पाया है जा सभी क्षेत्रों और वर्गों में सुसंस्कृत हो । भारत में संस्कृति सभ्यता की तरह विस्तृत है।
Comprehension Based Questions With Answers
Read thefollowing extracts carefully and answer the questions thatfollow each
1. Till recently, the Aryans were regarded as the earliest invaders of the land. It was thought that they came to a country which was incivilised and barbarian, but modem research has proved that there were invaders even before the Aryans poured into this land. They had evolved a civilisation higher than that of the Aryan hordes who came in their wake. These Pre Aryans had displaced still earlier people and built up new civilisation which has astdnished modem scholars by its extent and depth.
The Aryan invasion repeated the process and led to fresh infusion of the old with the new. This continued with the successive inroads of fighting races who came to conquer but remained to lose themselves in the Indian racial cauldron. Hie Greek invaders were followed by Sakas and Huns and a hundred other nameless tribes. They all appeared on the scene as victors but were soon absorbed in the ranks of the vanquished.
Questions:
(i) From which piece has this extract been taken?
(ii) How were the Aryans regarded till recently?
(iii) What has modem research proved?
(iv) How did the pre-Aryans build up a new civilization?
(v) What does the word ‘invaders’ mean?
Answers:
(i) This extract has been taken from the piece ‘The Unity of Indian Culture’
(ii) Till recently, the Aryans were regarded as the earliest invaders of India.
(iii) Modem research has proved that there were invaders even before the Aryans came to India.
(iv) The pre-Aryans displaced earlier people and built up a new civilization which Was remarkable for its extent and depth.
(v) The word ‘invaders’ means ‘people who attack or. enter a country in order to occupy it’.
2. Today, whatever is Indian, whether it be an idea, a word, a form of art,
a political institution or a social custom, is a blend of many different strains and elements, In spite of this derivation from many sources and the consequent vari¬ety of forms and types we find a remarkable unity of spirit informing Indian culture throughout the ages. In fact, it is this underlying unity which is one of the most remarkable features of Indian culture. In volume and duration no civilisation i with the possible exception of the Chinese) can bear comparison with the civilisation of India.
Questions:
(i) From which piece has this extract been taken?
(ii) What is a blend of many elements?
(iii) What, according to the author, is one of the most remarkable features of Indian culture?
(iv) What does he say about the volume and duration of the civilization of India?
(v) Which word in the passage means following something as a result’?
Answers:
(i) This extract has been taken from the piece ‘The Unity of Indian ‘ Culture’.
(ii) Whatever is Indian, whether it be an idea, a form of art, a political institution or a social custom, is a blend of many elements.
(iii) According to the author, the underlyng unity of spirit is one of the most remarkable features of Indian culture.
(iv) He says that in volume and duration, no civilization (except that of China) can bear comparison with the civilization of India.
3. The ancient world threw up fine flowers of civilisation in many lands. With the exception of India and China, they are all dead and gone. It is only in India and to some extent in China that the old civilisation and culture have grown and changed but never grown or changed at the expense of an underlying unity. This has been possible only through the capacity of readjustment exhibited by the Indian society.
One ground of this adjustment is found in the spirit of toleration that has characterised Indian history throughout the ages “Live and let live” has been the policy of the Indians in all spheres of life. Sometimes this has been carried so far that contrary, if not contradictory, attitudes have been allowed to survive simultaneously. Toleration had led to the sufference, of civil and even indifference to the values of life.
This however, is at worst the defect of a virtue. Such toleration is perhaps preferable to the fanatic devotion which leads to the denial and persecution of all other values but its own. Throughout the changes of Indian history we therefore find a spirit of underlying unity which informs the diverse expressions of its life, but the unity was never a dead uniformity, a living unity never is.
Questions:
(i) Who is the author of this extract?
(ii) What happened to ancient civilizations?
(iii) Where have the old civilization and culture grown and changed?
(iv) What has the Indian society exhibited during the growth of Indian civilization and culture?
(v) Make nouns from the following words.
(i) possible (ii) dead.
Answers:
(i) Humayun Kabir is the author of this extract.
(ii) Ancient civilizations except those of India and China are all dead and gone.
(iii) It is only in India and to some extent in China that the old civilization and culture have grown and changed.
(iv) The Indian society has exhibited the capacity of readjustment during the growth of Indian civilization and cukure.
(v) (i) possibility (ii) death.
4. Unity and universality must belong to any culture that is true and vital. Now culture is a concept which cannot be simply or unitarily defined. There is no single character or mark which can be regarded as the essence or distinctive feature of culture. It is always a complex of many strands of varying importance and vitality. If we attempt to differentiate between culture and civilisation of life which makes civil society possible, culture, on the other hand, is the resultant of such organisation and expresses itself through language and art, through philosophy and religion, through social habits and customs and through political institutions and economic organisations. No one of them is separately culture, but collectively they constitute the expression of life which we describe as culture.
Questions:
(i) What are necessary for any culture?
(ii) What does ‘culture ’ mean?
(iii) Are pilosophy and religion regarded as culture?
(iv) Find out a word from the passuge which means “traditions”?
Answers:
(i) Unity and universality are necessary for any culture, they are true and vital.
(ii) Culture is the resultant of organisation expresses it through language and art, pholosophy and religion, social habits and customs and through political institutions and economic organisations.
(iii) No, only philosophy and religion are not separately regarded as culture.
(iv) “customs”
5. Culture is the efflorescence of civilsation. Civilisation is the organisation of society which creates the condition of culture. There can, there for q be no culture without civilisation, but there may be civilisation which have not yet developed their culture. Perhaps what is more often the case is that there are civilised people among whom only a small section have achieved culture. We have, therefore, had and still have races and nations that are y civilised; but, except for India, we have not yet had any nation or race that could be regarded as cultured in all its sections and classes, for here in India, culture is almost as extensive as civilisation.
Questions:
(i) Define culture in one sentence.
(ii) Is there possibility of culture without civilisation?
(iii) What does the author say about Indian culture?
(iv) Find the word from the passage which means:’gained’.
Answers:
(i) Culture is the efflorescence of civilisation.
(ii) No, culture without civilisation.
(iii) In India, culture is almost as exenstve as civilisation itself.
(iv) The word is : achieved.
6. The experience of European countries gives us cases of civilisation without culture. In India, on the other hand, even the casual tourist has ob-served that the difference between the masses and classes is not one of quality and can be explained in terms of information and opportunity. It is often otherwise in Europe. There the difference in quality between the masses and the classes is at times so great that it has shaken the faith of the most fervent of democrats.
The remarkable phenomenon can be explained only in terms of the unity and continuity of Indian culture. Unity is in one sense, the common characteristic of all culture. What specially distinguishes the culture of India is its unbroken continuity. Here, there have been no violent or sudden breaks, but on the contrary, a steady growth and extension of culture which has gradually permeated every class and section of society.
Questions:
(i) Name the piece from which this exract has been taken.
(ii) What does the experience of European countries given us?
(iii) What has even the casual tourist observed in India?
(iv) What are the distinguishing features of the culture of India?
(v) Give the opposites of the following words
(i) broken (ii) unity.
Answers:
(i) This extract has been taken from the piece ‘The Unity of Indian Culture’.
(ii) The experience of European countries gives us cases of
civilization without culture.
(iii) In India, even the casual tourist has observed that the difference between the masses and classes is not one of quality and can be explained in terms of information and opportunity.
(iv) The distinguishing features of the culture of India are unity and continuity.
(v) (i) unbroken (ii) disunity
