Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8
Contrary to popular belief, history not only looks at the past but helps one to understand the present by highlighting the dynamic nature of our environment or, depending on one’s viewpoint, the enduring influence of the institutions that have eliminated the alternatives. The eighth chapter of Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 is Devotional Paths to the Divine. People engage in religious practices. They even silently recite God’s name. They pray when they are unwell or wish to do well on examinations. But where did the concept of gods and divine enlightenment come from? Does anyone know that before the emergence of vast kingdoms, several ethnic groups worshipped various deities? Learn more about the many paths of devotion to the divine in Chapter 8 Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Important Questions. Students can easily access all this and more on the Extramarks website.
Students dive into the past by studying history. They can relive past events owing to history. The Social Science Our Pasts 2 Class 7 Chapter 8 Important Questions are created by history specialists at Extramarks utilising the NCERT Textbook, other reference books, past exam questions, and other sources. Our history specialists have created a list of step-by-step solutions to help students comprehend each chapter. Students can register with Extramarks and access Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8 Important Questions.
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Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8- with Solutions
The social science experts of Extramarks have designed an entire list of Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8 from many different sources. People practise their religion. They even say God’s name in silence. They pray when people are ill or want to perform well on exams. But where did the idea of gods and divine enlightenment originate? Is anyone aware that several ethnic groups worshipped their own unique gods before great nations emerged? Devotional Paths to the Divine contains further information on the many paths of devotion to the divine.
Mentioned below are a few Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8 and their solutions:
Question 1. Why do you think ordinary people preserved the memory of Mirabai?
Answer 1. After being entirely committed to Krishna, Mirabai became a devotee of Ravidas, a saint from an “untouchable” caste. Since Mirabai’s songs boldly questioned upper-caste customs, the public has preserved her legacy.
Question 2. What beliefs did Ramanuja have?
Answer 2. Ramanuja was an Alvar saint from Tamil Nadu who lived in the 11th century. He believed that unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu was the only path to salvation. He declared that Vishnu liberates his followers from the cycle of life and death and bestows upon them the blessing of oneness. He promoted Vishishtadvaita and declared that the soul is still separate even after being united with God.
Question 3. Describe the beliefs and practices of the Nathpanthis, Siddhas and Yogis.
Answer 3. Most of the new religious movements during this time used simple arguments to criticise rituals, traditional religion, and the social structure. They included Yogis, Siddhacharas, and Nathpanthis, who promoted renunciation of the world. They held that meditation was the key to salvation. They, therefore, promoted rigorous training of the body and mind via techniques like yoga poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. As a result of the Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis’ popularity among the “lower” classes and their critique of traditional religion, devotional religion gained hold in Northern India.
Question 4. What changes in religion occurred in North India?
Answer 4. In the 13th century, the Bhakti Movement rose to prominence in North India. As a result, the various branches of Bhakti, such as Sufism and Brahmanism, began to interact. People of many professions and religions adhere to the teachings and ideologies of these instructors. The two most notable works of this era were Mirabai’s Krishna Bhakti and Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas. Peasants, artisans, traders, etc., often adhered to the teachings of the Bhakti saints.
Question 5. Discuss the attitudes of the Virashaivas and the saints of Maharashtra towards caste.
Answer 5. The Virashaivas made a strong case for the equality of all people and opposed Brahmanical views on caste and how women should be treated. They also opposed any ceremony or idolatry. Maharashtra experienced many saint-poets from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries who disapproved of all ritualism, public displays of piety, and social distinctions based on birth. They even rejected the notion of renunciation and opted to stay with their families, living just like everyone else while kindly helping those in need. They also believed that Bhakti is found in experiencing others’ suffering.
Question 6. What were the main ideas expressed by Kabir? How did he express them?
Answer 6. Kabir is said to have lived during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, one of the most prominent saints. His teachings were based on a total, even vehement, rejection of the main religious traditions. Kabir attracted disciples from both Hindus and Muslims. He believed in an amorphous Supreme God and held that the only way to redemption was via Bhakti or devotion. Brahmanical Hinduism and Islam’s exterior forms of worship were publicly mocked in his teachings. He also made fun of the caste structure and the dominance of the priestly castes. He wrote his poetry in a dialect of spoken Hindi that the average person could easily understand. He occasionally spoke in mysterious ways that were difficult to understand. His large collection of lyrics known as sakhis and pads, written by him and performed by travelling bhajan singers, provide us with information about his thoughts. Later, some of these were gathered and preserved in the Bijak, Panch Vani, and Guru Granth Sahib.
Question 7. What concepts did Shankara hold?
Answer 7. One of the finest Indian philosophers was Shankara. He stressed the notion of unity. He believed that the Brahman, the ultimate truth, is without form and qualities. He said everything around us is a “Maya” and pleaded for its renunciation. Since everyone is born from a single soul, he assumed that the soul is the pinnacle of reality.
Question 8. What were the major teachings of Baba Guru Nanak Dev?
Answer 8. Talwandi is where Baba Guru Nanak (1469–1539) was born (Nankana Sahib in Pakistan). At Kartarpur, where Dera Baba Nanak is located, he built a place of daily devotion that featured singing his songs. No matter what their previous faith, caste, or gender was, his disciples all ate in the communal kitchen (langar). Baba Guru Nanak thus established a hallowed area known as “Dharmsala.” Its current name is Gurdwara. Under his successors, Baba Guru Nanak’s following grew throughout the sixteenth century. The Sikh movement was shaped by the shifting historical circumstances of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. From the outset, Baba Guru Nanak’s concepts significantly influenced this growth. He stressed the significance of worshipping just one God. He emphasised that achieving liberty was independent of caste, creed, or gender. The pursuit of an active existence with a strong feeling of social engagement was his concept of freedom rather than a state of passive joy. He referred to the core of his teaching as “nam,” “dan,” and “isnan,” which, respectively, represented true worship, other people’s well-being, and moral purity. Now known as nam-japna, Kirt-Karna, and vandchhakna, his teachings also stress the value of true belief and worship, truthfulness in daily life, and charitable giving. Baba Guru Nanak’s conception of equality has social and political ramifications.
Question 9. What were the major beliefs and practices of the Sufis?
Answer 9. Muslim mystics known as the Sufis emphasised love and devotion to God as well as compassion for all people in place of outward religion. The Sufis frequently ignored the elaborate rites and moral rules imposed by Muslim religious teachers. They sought oneness with God and contempt for the outside world as a lover would. The Sufis produced a vast body of prose writing and poetry that expressed their emotions. Around them, tales and anecdotes were created. Under the direction of a master or pir, they created sophisticated training techniques involving “Zikr” (chanting of a name or sacred phrase), reflection, sama (singing), raqs (dancing), discussion of parables, breath control, etc. It resulted in the formation of the “Silsilas,” each of which had its distinctive style of instruction and ceremonial performance.
Question 10. What caused the Sikh movement to take off?
Answer 10. Jahangir ordered Guru Arjan Singh’s death in 1606 because he assessed the Sikhs to be dangerous. This facilitated the politicisation of the Sikh cause, which finally resulted in the creation of the Khalsa Sahib institution.
Question 11. Why do you think many teachers rejected prevalent religious beliefs and practices?
Answer 11. Because these beliefs promoted societal divisions where the upper castes subjugated the lower castes, many professors questioned the popular religious ideas and practices. They were drawn to the notion of a Supreme God who held that Bhakti, or devotion, was the only way to salvation and believed in the efficacy of individual devotion.
Question 12. Who all wore Nayanars and Alvars?
Answer 12. Between the 7th and 9th centuries, new religious groups under the leadership of the Nayanars (saints devoted to Shiva) and Alvars (devoted to Vishnu) appeared. All castes, including the untouchable Pulaiyar and Panars, were represented among the saints and adherents of these religious groups.
The Nayanars and Alvars travelled about, writing beautiful songs and setting them to music in homage to the gods worshipped in the communities they visited. There were 63 Nayanars, including potters, untouchable labourers, peasants, hunters, warriors, Brahmanas, leaders, and members of all castes. Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, and Manikkavasagar were the most well-known. They have two collections of music compilations: Tevaram and Tiruvacakam.
12 Alvars hailed from equally diverse origins; Periyalvar, his daughter Andal, was the most well-known. Alvar and Nammalvar Tondaradippodi. The Divya Prabandham has a compilation of their songs.
In the section given above of Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8, all the important topics of the chapter are covered.
Benefits of solving Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8
History covers a wide range of dates and events. Students find it challenging to retain all of this. Students are encouraged to read Extramarks to help them with Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8. Students gather confidence by answering the important questions and going over their solutions.
Mentioning below are some benefits of solving Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8:
- Students can entirely rely upon these important questions as they are made following all the guidelines laid by CBSE.
- These solutions help students save time while preparing for the upcoming examination and cover the entire chapter.
- Important Questions Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts 2 Chapter 8 covers the concepts of the entire chapter- Devotional Paths to the Divine.