Chhattisgarh State Board Class 9 Social Science Chapter 7 The Reformation and the Enlightenment (1300–1800 CE) Exercise Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, Questions and Answers here.
Chhattisgarh State Class 9 Social Science Chapter 7 The Reformation and the Enlightenment (1300–1800 CE) Solution
- How and why did so many different ways of worshipping the same god develop? Discuss in class.
Ans: Every region had its tribal societies that worshipped their own gods and goddesses according to their traditional customs and practices. There were also the followers of the Vedic religion led by the Brahmins. But there were different sects in the Vedic religion. Some Brahmins accepted the Vedas but worshipped idols of gods instead of observing the Vedic rites. They worshipped Shiva, Vishnu or other gods. Some renounced the world and meditated on Brahman.
- Tell the class about the different sects in the religion you believe in.
Ans: (To be discussed in class)
- We see the influence of many religions in the religious beliefs of the common people. Can you give some examples from your area?
Ans: Muslims of Islamic region, Christians of Christianity religion.
- What were the questions that created divisions in Islam?
Ans: What is the meaning of Islam? What is the true meaning of the Koran? What should we do? How should we lead our lives? What is the nature of god? etc.
- What differences were there in the ideas and thinking of the Islamic philosophers and the Sufis?
Ans: Islamic philosophers who influenced European thought included the Iranian mathematician Al Khwarizmi (born 780, died 850 CE) and IbnRushd (1126- 1198 CE), a Spanish physician who wrote commentaries on the books of Aristotle and Plato. IbnRushd believed it was not against religion for people to investigate the world around them. He said people could understand god with the help of science and rational thought. His philosophy clashed with the thinking of traditional maulvis and Sufis. The works of these Islamic philosophers were translated into European languages and were one of the factors that sparked the intellectual transformation in Europe. However, what they said was different from what the Sufis preached. The Sufis believed that the purpose of human life is to attain god and be with Him. They believed eternal love is the only way to attain god. They saw rational thought, philosophy and investigative activities as barriers in the path to god. The Sufis believed humans could reach god with step-by-step devotions such as meditation and incantations. Some even felt there was not much distance or difference between humans and god. Many of them studied Buddhist and Yoga literature and translated these works into Persian. Traditional Muslims were opposed to the thinking of both the Islamic philosophers and the Sufis. They strongly opposed them, even subjecting them to torture. But they could not suppress such thinking, which only kept spreading.
- What similarities and differences can you see in the religious situation in India, the Arab countries and Europe during the Middle Ages?
Ans: The Middle Ages was a time in history when the religious environments of India, the Arab nations, and Europe displayed both similar and distinctive characteristics. Notably, Europe had the Protestant Reformation, headed by Martin Luther, which cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Catholic Church and gave birth to several religious movements that emphasised individual faith and close engagement with sacred texts. In the same way, reform groups arguing for reinterpretation and encouraging direct spiritual connections arose within long-standing religious structures in India and Arab countries. In spite of these similarities, the outcome was different. The Reformation in Europe significantly reduced the influence of the state on religious organisations, hence fostering religious liberty. India and the Arab nations, on the other hand, continued to have strong ties between religion and government. These differences produced a variety of religious environments that had an influence on these areas’ sociological, political, and spiritual spheres.
- Which aspects of the Catholic Church did the Protestants oppose?
Ans: Let us now examine the main features of Protestantism. Even though it contained many sects, it had some common features. First, the Protestants believed that salvation can only be achieved through personal faith in God’s grace, not any rites or practices ordered by the church. This meant the people did not need a priest to perform these duties. They even believed that every Christian could become a priest to reach god. The Protestants said people should practice their faith by reading the Bible themselves. To make this possible, they translated the Bible into the regional European languages and printed it in large numbers to distribute widely among the people. In 1522, Luther translated the Bible into German. All this had a deep impact on the Catholic Church. It led to a reform movement within the church itself, which is called the Counter Reformation. The Reformation did not just end some of the shortcomings of the Catholic religion. Its most epoch changing result was to end the religious uniformity of Europe and the monopoly of the church over religious affairs. Countries like England did initially try to establish a state church but it was impossible to stop the multiplicity of sects that developed over time. Gradually, the link between the church and the state was snapped. This allowed people the freedom to choose their own religion and helped make the state more secular.
- What similarities or differences can you see between the Bhakti and Sufi movements in India and the Reformation in Europe?
Ans: Similarity – Both Bhakti and Sufi movements in India and the Reformation in Europe promoted the culture of showing love and devotion to the divine in their own way.
Difference – Bhakti and Sufi movements were followed by the same religious beliefs and didn’t instil any new sects. Whereas, Reformation in Europe aimed at reforming the church and making suitable changes in the educational and institutional sectors.
- Do you think that religious texts should be in a language that is understood by the common people? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, religious texts should be in a language that is understood by the common people, because more people will have the access to it, which would lead to the increase in the amounts of belief in God, and would ensure the spread of equality among the minority and superior groups.
- Do you think that every individual should define choose their religion for themselves?
Ans: Yes.
- Do you think humans today are more developed than 100 years ago? In what ways is human life better than it was 100 years ago and in what ways is it worse?
Ans: Humans have recently achieved great advancements in a variety of fields, including science, technology, and medicine. Many people’s quality of life has improved as a result of these developments, which have made it simpler to acquire information, interact with others, and go abroad. However, these developments have also brought with them certain difficulties, such as issues with the environment, social injustice, and mental health.
- What is your understanding of progress? Wealth, happiness, comfort, freedom – which of these words do you think are closest to progress?
Ans: The notion of progress has many sides and is complicated. Freedom is one of the most crucial elements of development. People who are free may follow their own ambitions, make their own decisions, and live their lives as they see fit. Progress is impossible without freedom.Progress is aided by prosperity, happiness, and comfort, yet these things are ultimately useless without freedom. True development cannot be made in an affluent but unfree society.
The accumulation of money alone should not be the only indicator of social development. Increasing individual and group liberties should be part of it as well. People are more likely to be successful and inventive when given the freedom to make their own decisions. Additionally, they are more likely to be content with their life and to be happy.
The value of human freedom in development was correctly emphasised by Enlightenment thinkers. Gaining monetary prosperity is not the only goal of progress. It also involves establishing a community in which everyone may have an independent life that is rewarding.
- Why does it take courage to trust your own intelligence and reason instead of someone else’s wisdom?
Ans: The Enlightenment thinkers believed that human decisions were gradually being based on rational thought rather than superstition, religion or the directions of a central authority. They felt reason helps humans to ask questions and investigate any authority, whether an individual or an institution. It alsohelps humans to live a principled and comfortable life. It is human intelligence that reveals the true path. That is why the driving force of the Enlightenment was to awaken and strengthen people’s trust in the power of reason.
- What were the main differences between science during the Enlightenment and science during earlier eras?
Ans: Scientific knowledge was considered to be true knowledge by the Enlightenment philosophers. They thought of science as the process of drawing conclusions from data gathered via experiments, observations, and logical reasoning and supporting them with a wealth of evidence. They did not accept revelations from the divine or the spiritual. They believed that the scientific method, independent of religious scriptures or the advice of so-called experts, was capable of understanding every element of the universe. They instead placed a strong emphasis on the value of experiments, observations, and reason.
Prior times, such as the Middle Ages, saw knowledge as a method of item classification. The idea that knowledge is only a collection of lists based on certain characteristics was rejected by the Enlightenment scientists. Instead, they gave more weight to studies that sought to understand the causes and workings of things. They had the opinion that knowledge would aid in the creation of ground-breaking technology, improving the quality of life.
- Is it possible to believe in god without accepting any religion?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to believe in God without adhering to any particular religion.
- In what situations does religion bring people together and in what situations does it make people fight among themselves?
Ans: Through a feeling of common values and beliefs, religion may bring individuals together. When there are differences of opinion on beliefs or interpretations, it may also become a cause of conflict. As a result, there may be increased tensions and, in extreme instances, even bloodshed.
EXERCISES
1.) How did people in India conceptualise the ‘ultimate truth’ during the Middle Age?
Ans: The well-known Vedic philosopher of the eighth century, AdiShankaracharya, preached the existence of a single, pure truth known as Brahman. He thought that giving up material attachments and living a monastic lifestyle were the finest ways to achieve unity with Brahman. Although Shankaracharyapublished several volumes to elucidate his theories, not everyone agreed with them.
The 12th-century VedantinRamanujacharya disagreed with Shankaracharya’s opinions. Ramanujacharya believed that although the universe is real, it is ultimate truth a manifestation of God and that God Vishnu is the ultimate reality. The route to unity with God, according to him, is via bhakti, or devotion to God.
For ages, the followers of these two Vedic thinkers argued over their divergent ideologies. However, a new generation of philosophers was also motivated by these ideas to investigate other viewpoints on the nature of reality.
2.) What impact did religious diversity have on the life of people in India?
Ans: Because of this, the religious practises of the general populace were quite diverse. Over time, the beliefs remained fluid. Every society has its own deities and ways of worshipping them. People even accepted one another’s gods and goddesses in communities where people lived close to one another. As a result, India’s religion saw a great deal of variation throughout the Middle Ages. Between the adherents of various sects, there was discussion, sharing, and trade. Disputes and sometimes fights occurred as well. In contrast, diversity grew. One factor was the lack of a central authority—a centre, organisation, or person—to declare what was good and wrong for all members of different faiths or sects. The choice of what is morally good and evil at a personal level belongs to each person or group. According to their own requirements and interests, people were free to choose any religion or sect. Religions did, however, also have social conservatism alongside this freedom. During the Middle Ages, for instance, the caste system had mostly been entrenched in India. As a result, caste and place of birth determined who was allowed to enter temples, pray there, and engage in religious education. The study of sacred writings (such the Vedas), temple worship, and performing sacrifice rituals were often outlawed for Dalits and women. Any individuals who sought to breach these caste lines were punished.
3.) How did the caste system affect people’s religious freedom?
Ans: The caste system had established itself across more or less the whole of India during the Middle Ages. Hence, entry and worship in temples as well as religious study were decided according to caste and birth. Dalits and women were usually prohibited from studying religious texts (like the Vedas), worshipping in temples, or conducting sacrificial rites. Those who attempted to cross these caste boundaries were punished. Along with differences in caste, there were vast inequalities in the distribution of wealth and power in society during the Middle Ages. The Sultanate and Mughal administration tried to concentrate wealth and power in their hands. As a result, the mansabdars (royal officers) and jagirdars (those with authority to collect taxes from peasants) began to oppress and exploit the people.
4.) Why did Akbar adopt a policy of religious tolerance?
Ans: Emperor Akbar adopted a policy of religious tolerance because, Akbar believed that the ruler was god’s representative on earth and just as god showered his blessings on people of all religions, the ruler should not discriminate on the basis of religion. His responsibility was to ensure that all people in his realm lived in peace and prosperity. Hence, a ruler could not favour any particular religion but treat all religions equally. Akbar was a rationalist who didn’t favour traditional, superstitious religion. He wanted people to use their reason to discriminate between good and bad aspects of all religions and accept what was right indifferent religions and discard what was wrong.
5.) Why did thinkers like Kabir reject all formal religions and what did they advocate?
Ans: Thinkers like Kabir rejected all formal religions and what did they advocated, because they believed thatthere was only one god and it doesn’t need any temple or mosque or religious rites to reach god. All it needed was deep love and easing the pain and sufferings of fellow humans.
6.) What similarities and differences do you see in the lives of the women devotees?
Ans: The three female worshippers mentioned in the Bible all defied conventional ideas of what women ought to be. To live distinct religious lives, they all left their families and houses behind. All of them were also musicians and writers, and their songs are still often performed today.
While Akkamahadevi was a Veerashaiva, LalDed was a Shaivite.Unlike Akkamahadevi, who was a sanyasini, LalDed was a householder.Akkamahadevi and LalDed were from less wealthy backgrounds than Mira, a Rajput princess.Mira’s husband agreed with his wife’s religious activities, while LalDed’s husband didn’t.
7.) What are the differences between traditional Muslims, the philosopher Muslims and the Sufis?
Ans:
Islamic philosophers who influenced European thought included the Iranian mathematician Al Khwarizmi (born 780, died 850 CE) and IbnRushd (1126- 1198 CE), a Spanish physician who wrote commentaries on the books of Aristotle and Plato. IbnRushd believed it was not against religion for people to investigate the world around them. He said people could understand god with the help of science and rational thought. His philosophy clashed with the thinking of traditional maulvis and Sufis. The works of these Islamic philosophers were translated into European languages and were one of the factors that sparked the intellectual transformation in Europe. However, what they said was different from what the Sufis preached. The Sufis believed that the purpose of human life is to attain god and be with Him. They believed eternal love is the only way to attain god. They saw rational thought, philosophy and investigative activities as barriers in the path to god. The Sufis believed humans could reach god with step-by-step devotions such as meditation and incantations. Some even felt there was not much distance or difference between humans and god. Many of them studied Buddhist and Yoga literature and translated these works into Persian. Traditional Muslims were opposed to the thinking of both the Islamic philosophers and the Sufis. They strongly opposed them, even subjecting them to torture. But they could not suppress such thinking, which only kept spreading
8.) How did the Arabic philosophers of the Middle Ages reach the ancient Greek classics to the modern world?
Ans: Two influences had an important role in the development of Islamic thought: Greek philosophical and scientific texts and the spirituality of the Sufis. The scholars who studied the Greek classics did not want to be restricted by narrow religious thought. They emphasised logical thinking, reasoning and scientific investigation. Their investigations led to many new developments in human anatomy, medical sciences, mathematics, astronomy and alchemy (early chemistry, which focused on experiments to turn iron and other substances into gold). Apart from the Greek classics, they also studied Chinese science and Indian mathematics, translating many books into Arabic.
9.) What was the role of the church in Europe during the Middle Ages? What impact did the Reformation have on its role?
Ans: The new religion spread across the Roman Empire by the 3rd century and almost the entire population of Europe accepted Christianity by the 8th century. The church in Rome became the central authority of the religion by the 14th century. It declared that all Christians should become members of the church and accept what it said on all religious matters. It was called the Roman Catholic Church (catholic means universal). It had a well-defined structure from the village or neighbourhood up to the regional and world level. Every region had a bishop and cardinals were nominated above them, with the Pope being the highest authority in the church.
Reformation had a deep impact on the Catholic Church. It led to a reform movement within the church itself, which is called the Counter Reformation. The Reformation did not just end some of the shortcomings of the Catholic religion. Its most epoch changing result was to end the religious uniformity of Europe and the monopoly of the church over religious affairs. Countries like England did initially try to establish a state church but it was impossible to stop the multiplicity of sects that developed over time. Gradually, the link between the church and the state was snapped. This allowed people the freedom to choose their own religion and helped make the state more secular.
10.) What aspects of the Catholic Church did Martin Luther criticise and oppose?
Ans: Martin Luther (born 1483, died 1543 CE) was a German priest who concluded that the external rituals could not be the path to salvation. He said only God’s grace and personal faith could lead to salvation. In 1517, he wrote ‘The 95 Theses’, which questioned the church’s claim that freedom from sin and punishment can be purchased with money or ‘indulgences’ and that external rituals could lead to salvation. His letter to the church was printed in large numbers and spread his thoughts far and wide. He found wide support from the common people and the ruling kings. The Pope declared Luther a heretic (anti-religious) and excommunicated him (banished him from the Catholic faith) in 1520. Luther published three books that same year to spread his views about the church among the common people. His theological ideas formed the basis of the Protestant Reformation. Seeing the mass support for Luther, the kings did not dare take any action against him. Many small feudal states in Germany put pressure on their Catholic kings to protect their religious rights. In 1555, the king gave the peoplethe freedom to choose between Protestantism and Catholicism. At that time, the Protestants were not an organised religion but had many sects influenced by the thoughts of religious thinkers like Luther, Calvin, Zwinglietc
11.) What link do you see between religious freedom and the Reformation?
Ans: In Europe, commitment to religion and the church’s monopoly over religious matters came to an end as a result of the Protestant Reformation. As one of the main tenets of religious freedom, this gave individuals the option to choose their own faith.Furthermore, the Protestant reformers emphasised the value of individual Bible reading, which contributed to the concept that individuals should have the freedom to create their own opinions about religious issues. Additionally, this aided in the expansion of religious freedom.
12.) What were the defining aspects of the Enlightenment? What relationship did it have with the Scientific Revolution?
Ans: (i) The Enlightenment thinkers believed the world progresses with the passage of time. The present is better than the past and humans will use science, reason and enterprise to ensure greater progress in the future. By progress they meant that humans would use science and technology to exercise greater control over nature.
(ii) The Enlightenment thinkers believed that human decisions were gradually being based on rational thought rather than superstition, religion or the directions of a central authority. They felt reason helps humans to ask questions and investigate any authority, whether an individual or an institution.
(iii) The Enlightenment thinkers saw scientific knowledge as true knowledge. By science they meant the process of deriving conclusions on the basis of experiments, observations and rational thought and collecting sufficient evidence to back the conclusions. They did not accept divine or spiritual revelations. They believed the method of science was powerful enough to understand everything in the world. It did not require any religious texts or the advice of so-called experts but only experiments, observations and reason.
(iv) The supporters of the Enlightenment had abiding faith in individual freedom. They said no law should be passed without the people’s consent. That’s why they were opposed to all kinds of slavery, undemocratic systems and anarchy. However, despite their beliefs, many Enlightenment thinkers became close friends and advisors of autocratic rulers. These rulers were influenced by their thinking and did attempt to reform their kingdoms.
(v) The supporters of the Enlightenment felt that religion enslaved humans and made them superstitious and scared. They said religion led to bloodshed and wars. They were mainly opposed to the monopoly of the Catholic Church. They said this authority of the church was what made humans believe in the miraculous stories told by priests and not in their own reasoning power. It made people the puppets of the priests. Most Enlightenment thinkers were not atheists. Their purpose was to find an independent and scientific basis for god. They feared that atheism would make people amoral and unethical. They said the knowledge of the world gained through science is evidence of the greatness of god, the creator. But they didn’t want their god and religion to be taken over by priests or any other system or institution.
13.) What aspects the Enlightenment did the Romanticists oppose?
Ans: The Enlightenment’s emphasis on science, reason, and industrialisation was rejected by the Romanticists. They argued for a return to bucolic rural living in harmony with nature while criticising the effects of modernity on the environment, pollution, and labour exploitation. They emphasised the importance of emotions and sentiments as a means of understanding certain parts of the world rather than placing just a high value on scientific knowledge. They challenged Enlightenment culture by investigating civilizations such as India’s. Artistic realism popularised during the Renaissance was abandoned by the Romanticists in favour of emotionally charged and tumultuous depictions that evoked emotions like terror and awe.