Chapter 11 - Ancient India and the World
1. Name the following.
(1) Places where articles made in Rome were found.
Ans: Kolhapur in Maharashtra and Arikamedu in Tamil Nadu.
(2) A new style of art that emerged during the Kushana period in India.
Ans: Gandhara school of art.
(3) The language of the books, Mahavansa and Deepvansa.
Ans: Pali.
(4) A country to which Buddhism had spread in the ancient period.
Ans: Srilanka.
2. Think and expand/elaborate:
(1) Indian culture had an impact on Southeast Asia.
Ans:
(i) Many people from India travelled to Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia either for the purpose of trade or to propagate religion.
(ii) The Indians carried with them Indian philosophy, manners and ideas of religion as also Indian culture.
(iii) As a result, Indian culture had an impact on Southeast Asia.
(2) The spread of Buddhism in China became easier.
Ans:
(i) The Ming Emperor of China invited the Buddhist Bhikkhus, Dharmarakshaka and Kashyapmatanga to China.
(ii) The Bhikkhus translated many Indian Buddhist texts into the Chinese language.
(iii) This gave impetus to Buddhism in China. As a result, the spread of Buddhism in China became easier.
3. What would you do if you are encouraged in your favourite hobby?
Ans: If I were encouraged to pursue my favourite hobby, I would try my best to achieve success in it. I would constantly keep pushing myself until I got what I wanted to achieve. I would work very hard, as this was my greatest chance to turn my life around for the better. I would give my extra best and not let down the people who have encouraged me, making them proud.
4. Describe a picture.
A picture of the Gandhara style sculpture on a stupa in Hadda, Afghanistan is given in this chapter. Observe it and write about it.
Ans: The sculptures of the Gandhara style of art found at the stupa of Hadda in Afghanistan consists of carved sculptures of figures whose faces match with the Greek forms of art. The sculptures are related to the lifestyle of Gautam Buddha and the followers of Buddhism. Since they were of religious importance to the Buddhists, they are well-preserved. The sculptures seem to have worn clothes of Greek fashion carrying Greek musical instruments. They are examples of fine architecture of that period.
5. Find out more about –
(1) The Gandhara style of art
Ans:
(i) Under the influence of Greek art of sculpture, a new form of art emerged in India during Kushana period; it was called Gandhara School of Art l.
(ii) In the Gandhara school of art, images of Gautama Buddha were mainly carved.
(iii) As these images were mostly found in the Gandhara region of Afghanistan, the style is called the ‘Gandhara style’.
(2) The Silk Route
Ans:
(i) The land route by which the silk trade was carried on was called the ‘Silk Route’.
(ii) Some ancient places in India were connected to this route.
(iii) Nala-sopara near Mumbai in Maharashtra was one such place. The Chinese Buddhist bhikkhus Fa Hien and Yuan Chwang also came to India through this Silk Route.
6. Mark the countries of Southeast Asia mentioned in the chapter on an outline map.
Ans: The countries of Southeast Asia mentioned in the chapter are:
1. India
2. Myanmar
3. Indonesia
4. Thailand
5. Sri Lanka
6. Cambodia
