Sample Questions
Lesson 1: Decolonisation
Short Answer Questions
- Define colonisation.
- What is cultural colonisation?
- What is meant by 'monoculture'?
- Who coined the phrase 'The Beautiful Tree'?
- What was Macaulay’s goal in Indian education?
- Mention two visible effects of colonisation on Indian identity.
- Name any three Indian philosophers who spoke against colonialism.
- What are the five symptoms of a colonised mind?
- How does collective memory relate to decolonisation?
- Explain the difference between IKS and CKS.
Long Answer Questions
- Discuss how British educational reforms disrupted Indian indigenous knowledge systems.
- Analyze the broader definition of colonialism as explained in the text.
- Explain how identity is stolen through colonisation and how decolonisation restores it.
- Critically evaluate the differences between Indian and British visions of education.
- Reflect on the internalised notions of progress brought by colonial rule.
Lesson 2: Indian Darshanas
Short Answer Questions
- What does 'Darshana' mean?
- List the six classical schools of Indian philosophy.
- Define epistemology and its role in philosophy.
- What is Satkāryavāda?
- Explain Syādvāda.
- What is Pratītyasamutpāda?
- How many statements are there in Saptabhaṅgī? Name any three.
- Relate Schrödinger’s cat to Jain logic.
- What is Maya according to Advaita?
- What was Swami Vivekananda’s view on the relationship between science and religion?
Long Answer Questions
- Compare Indian epistemological frameworks with Western scientific approaches.
- Explain Satkāryavāda with examples and relate it to modern evolutionary theory.
- Describe Saptabhaṅgī and discuss its significance in the context of logic and science.
- Explain Nagarjuna’s concept of dependent causation with reference to coevolution.
- Analyze how Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo anticipated scientific paradigms
through Vedantic insights.
Lesson 3: Pañcamahāyajña
Short Answer Questions
- Define Pañcamahāyajña.
- Name the five yajñas.
- What is the purpose of Ṛṣi Yajña?
- How does Bhūta Yajña relate to nature?
- Explain the difference between duty and rights.
Long Answer Questions
- Explain the five Yajñas and their significance in Indian culture.
Lesson 4: Epistemology
Short Answer Questions
- What is Pramāṇa?
- List the six types of Pramāṇas. - Explain the five Yajñas and their significance in Indian
culture.
- How does Indian epistemology differ from Western logic?
Long Answer Questions
- Explain any four Pramāṇas with examples.
- Discuss the contribution of Indian philosophies to epistemology.
Lesson 5: Vedantic Personality
Short Answer Questions
- List the five koshas.
- Define Atman.
- What is the role of Buddhi in decision-making?
- Differentiate between Manas and Chitta.
- Explain the term 'Panchakosha'.
Long Answer Questions
- Describe the Panchakosha model and its application in personal development.
- Compare the Vedantic personality model with any modern Western model.
Lesson 6: Upanishads
Short Answer Questions
- What does 'Tat Tvam Asi' mean?
- Define Avidya.
- Name any two major Upanishads.
- What is the goal of Upanishadic teaching?
- What are Mahāvākyas?
Long Answer Questions
- Discuss the concept of self-realization in the Upanishads.
- How do Upanishadic teachings help resolve human suffering?
Lesson 7: Goals of Life
Short Answer Questions
- Name the four Puruṣārthas.
- What is Dharma?
- How is Artha different from Kama?
- What does Mokṣa signify?
- Which Puruṣārtha is considered the highest and why?
Long Answer Questions
- Explain each of the four goals of life and their interrelationships.
- Analyze the relevance of the Puruṣārtha framework in today’s world.