Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’

 

8. Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’

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🧩 A. Multiple Choice Questions (40 Questions)

Each question carries 1 mark. Choose the correct option.

No.	Question	Options	Answer
1	Who said, “How, in the face of such bewildering diversity, can a history of India be written?”	(A) Rabindranath Tagore (B) Vincent Smith (C) Jawaharlal Nehru (D) Sri Aurobindo	B
2	Who wrote the line “Oh, grant me my prayer, that I may never lose the bliss of the touch of the one in the play of the many.”	(A) Gandhi (B) Nehru (C) Tagore (D) Sri Aurobindo	C
3	The phrase “Many in the One” was used by —	(A) Sri Aurobindo (B) Tagore (C) Radhakrishnan (D) Nehru	A
4	What is the approximate population of India mentioned in the chapter?	(A) 1 billion (B) 1.4 billion (C) 2 billion (D) 1.2 billion	B
5	The Anthropological Survey of India conducted which project?	(A) People and Cultures of India (B) People of India Project (C) Indian Society Project (D) Cultural Unity Project	B
6	How many communities were studied under the People of India Project?	(A) 4,635 (B) 3,200 (C) 5,000 (D) 2,500	A
7	How many languages were found in the People of India Project?	(A) 225 (B) 300 (C) 325 (D) 350	C
8	How many scripts were recorded in India?	(A) 25 (B) 15 (C) 30 (D) 35	A
9	Which food item is called a staple grain?	(A) Sugar (B) Rice (C) Tea (D) Coffee	B
10	Which of these is not a millet?	(A) Bajra (B) Jowar (C) Ragi (D) Maize	D
11	Common Indian spices include all except —	(A) Turmeric (B) Cumin (C) Cardamom (D) Vanilla	D
12	The sari is an example of —	(A) Western clothing (B) Uniformity (C) Unity in diversity (D) Industrial dress	C
13	The word “sari” refers to —	(A) Stitched clothing (B) Unstitched cloth (C) Woollen garment (D) Shawl	B
14	The Vaishali relief shows —	(A) Cotton trade (B) Woman wearing a sari (C) Village festival (D) Dance scene	B
15	“Chintz” refers to —	(A) Type of silk (B) Printed cotton cloth (C) Metalwork (D) Woollen fabric	B
16	Chintz was banned in Europe to —	(A) Promote Indian trade (B) Protect European textile industries (C) Stop imitation (D) Reduce imports from China	B
17	Which garment is common for men in many Indian regions?	(A) Kurta (B) Dhoti (C) Pyjama (D) Sherwani	B
18	Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal in —	(A) Kerala (B) Tamil Nadu (C) Assam (D) Gujarat	B
19	Which state celebrates Makar Sankranti as Magh Bihu?	(A) Assam (B) Punjab (C) West Bengal (D) Odisha	A
20	Uttarayan is celebrated in —	(A) Gujarat (B) Rajasthan (C) Bihar (D) Kerala	A
21	The Pañchatantra is a collection of —	(A) Poems (B) Animal stories (C) Historical tales (D) Plays	B
22	Approximate age of the Pañchatantra —	(A) 1,000 years (B) 2,200 years (C) 3,000 years (D) 1,500 years	B
23	Who are the main heroes of the Mahābhārata?	(A) Pandavas (B) Kauravas (C) Both A and B (D) Rama and Sita	C
24	The Rāmāyaṇa tells the story of —	(A) Krishna and Arjuna (B) Rama and Sita (C) Buddha (D) Shiva	B
25	Ravana kidnapped —	(A) Draupadi (B) Sita (C) Kunti (D) Radha	B
26	The Pandavas’ cousin and rival was —	(A) Karna (B) Duryodhana (C) Shakuni (D) Ashwatthama	B
27	Dharma means —	(A) War (B) Duty or righteousness (C) Wealth (D) Worship	B
28	K.S. Singh observed that —	(A) Tribes ignored the epics (B) Every region linked itself to epic heroes (C) Only cities knew epics (D) Epics divided communities	B
29	Pañcha Pāṇḍavar stone is found in —	(A) Gujarat (B) Tamil Nadu (C) Assam (D) Rajasthan	B
30	It is maintained by which tribal community?	(A) Bhils (B) Gonds (C) Irulas (D) Mundas	C
31	“Unity in Diversity” means —	(A) Same culture everywhere (B) Variety with harmony (C) Absence of difference (D) Cultural separation	B
32	The People of India Project showed that many Indians are —	(A) Foreigners (B) Migrants (C) Farmers (D) Soldiers	B
33	India’s unity celebrates diversity because —	(A) It divides people (B) It enriches culture (C) It creates distance (D) It rejects others	B
34	Who said India’s unity is based on her Swabhava and Swadharma?	(A) Gandhi (B) Tagore (C) Sri Aurobindo (D) Nehru	C
35	What percentage of the world’s population lives in India?	(A) 10% (B) 15% (C) 18% (D) 20%	C
36	Which of the following is a pulse?	(A) Rajma (B) Bajra (C) Rice (D) Maize	A
37	Which fabric is most famous from Kanchipuram?	(A) Cotton (B) Wool (C) Silk (D) Polyester	C
38	The moral lessons in Pañchatantra are taught mainly through —	(A) Kings (B) Animals (C) Saints (D) Gods	B
39	Which two epics have united Indian culture for centuries?	(A) Vedas and Upanishads (B) Ramayana and Mahabharata (C) Gita and Quran (D) Puranas and Bible	B
40	The idea of “Unity in Diversity” teaches us —	(A) Uniformity only (B) Division among cultures (C) Respect and harmony among differences (D) Avoiding other communities	C

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✏️ B. Short Answer Questions (20 Questions, 2–3 lines each)

No.	Question	Answer
1	What does “unity in diversity” mean?	It means maintaining harmony and togetherness among people of different languages, religions, customs, and traditions.
2	Name the national organisation that conducted the People of India Project.	The Anthropological Survey of India.
3	How many languages and scripts were recorded in the project?	325 languages and 25 scripts.
4	Name any three staple food grains in India.	Rice, wheat, and millets (like bajra or jowar).
5	Mention two common Indian spices.	Turmeric and cumin.
6	Name two kinds of silk saris famous in India.	Banarasi and Kanjivaram.
7	What is “chintz”?	A type of printed cotton fabric exported from India to Europe.
8	Why was Indian chintz banned in Europe?	Because it became so popular that it hurt local textile industries.
9	What does the sari represent?	Unity (same garment) and diversity (different styles and fabrics).
10	Name any two regional names of Makar Sankranti.	Pongal (Tamil Nadu) and Magh Bihu (Assam).
11	What is the Pañchatantra?	A collection of ancient Indian animal stories teaching moral lessons.
12	Who are the heroes of the Mahābhārata?	The Pandavas and their cousins, the Kauravas.
13	What does the Rāmāyaṇa teach?	The victory of good over evil and the importance of duty.
14	Who helped Rama in his fight against Ravana?	Hanuman and Lakshmana.
15	Name one tribe that has its own version of the epics.	The Bhils or Gonds.
16	What is “dharma”?	Righteous duty or moral law.
17	What did K.S. Singh observe about the epics?	Almost every region of India connects its history with the epic heroes.
18	What is Swabhava and Swadharma?	Swabhava means one’s nature; Swadharma means one’s duty.
19	What did Jawaharlal Nehru say about the epics?	They shaped the minds of ordinary people and united the country culturally.
20	Why is diversity seen as enrichment in India?	Because it adds colour, creativity, and variety to our shared life.

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📜 C. Long Answer Questions (20 Questions, 4–6 lines each)

No.	Question	Answer
1	Explain the idea of “Unity in Diversity” in the Indian context.	India is home to people of different languages, religions, and customs, yet there is a deep cultural and emotional unity. This unity comes from shared traditions, beliefs, and values that bind Indians together.
2	What did the People of India Project reveal about India’s diversity?	It studied 4,635 communities and found 325 languages and 25 scripts. It showed that migration and mixing of communities created India’s rich cultural variety.
3	How does Indian food reflect unity and diversity?	Common ingredients like rice, dal, and spices are used across India, but each region cooks them differently, creating thousands of dishes that show unity in ingredients and diversity in taste.
4	How does the sari illustrate the idea of unity in diversity?	The sari is worn all over India (unity) but in various materials, designs, and styles (diversity). It unites Indian women while showing regional creativity.
5	Why was the Indian textile “chintz” famous?	It was a beautifully printed cotton fabric admired in Europe for its colour and quality. Its popularity led to bans in France and England to protect local cloth makers.
6	Mention different regional names of the festival Makar Sankranti and explain its significance.	Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Magh Bihu (Assam), Lohri (Punjab), and Uttarayan (Gujarat). It marks the Sun’s northward journey and the harvest season.
7	How do festivals show India’s unity and diversity?	Festivals are celebrated in different forms, names, and rituals, but all express joy, gratitude, and togetherness. They connect people emotionally across regions.
8	What is the significance of the Pañchatantra in Indian culture?	It teaches moral lessons through simple animal stories. Translated into many languages, it unites people through shared wisdom and values.
9	Describe the main theme of the Mahābhārata.	The story of Pandavas and Kauravas teaches duty, justice, and righteousness. It highlights moral choices and human values.
10	Describe the story of the Rāmāyaṇa.	Rama, with Lakshmana and Hanuman, rescues Sita from Ravana. It teaches devotion, truth, and the triumph of good over evil.
11	How have tribal communities preserved the epics?	They retell the stories in their languages and songs, linking epic heroes with their own regions, showing India’s living oral tradition.
12	What did K.S. Singh’s findings reveal about India’s cultural unity?	He observed that every region connects to epic heroes, showing a shared cultural base across India’s vast diversity.
13	How do Indian arts reflect unity in diversity?	Classical dance, music, painting, and architecture differ in form but share spiritual themes and values from common sources like the epics.
14	Why did Nehru believe the epics united India?	He saw that villagers across India knew and quoted stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, giving India a shared cultural identity.
15	What does “Swabhava and Swadharma” mean according to Sri Aurobindo?	Swabhava is one’s true nature; Swadharma is one’s duty. India’s unity comes from following its true nature and duty of cultural harmony.
16	How can diversity strengthen a nation?	Diversity promotes understanding, creativity, and tolerance. When people respect differences, the nation becomes stronger and more united.
17	Explain how migration has influenced India’s culture.	Movement of people across regions spread languages, foods, and customs, blending cultures and enriching national life.
18	Discuss the importance of food, clothing, and festivals in showing India’s unity.	These everyday aspects connect people through shared experiences while allowing local variations, symbolizing the harmony of unity in diversity.
19	What role do literature and epics play in uniting India?	They transmit shared moral values and stories across generations, languages, and regions, creating a common cultural foundation.
20	Why is “Unity in Diversity” called India’s strength?	Because despite countless differences, Indians live with cooperation and respect, turning variety into beauty and strength for the nation.

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