CLASS 6 GEOGRAPHY · NCERT · CH 7: NEW QUESTIONS AND NEW IDEAS (NCERT CLASS 6 — OUR PASTS I)
NCERT-aligned Class 6 Geography topic. Every item is anchored to a real location on India's map — built for boards (CBSE, ICSE, state) and UPSC aspirants.
When and where was the Buddha born?
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA — born ~563 BCE at LUMBINI (today in Nepal, near the Indian border). Son of Shuddhodhana, king of the SHAKYA clan (a small republican gana of Kapilavastu).
Where did he attain enlightenment?
At BODH GAYA (Bihar), under the BODHI TREE (a peepal tree); after 6 years of severe asceticism + meditation; aged ~35.
Where was the FIRST SERMON delivered?
At SARNATH (Deer Park, near Varanasi); to his five former companions; first turning of the Wheel of Dharma — DHAMMA-CHAKRA-PRAVARTANA. Foundation of the Buddhist Sangha.
Where did the Buddha attain Mahaparinirvana?
At KUSHINAGAR (UP), at age 80 (~483 BCE) under sal trees. His relics were divided among 8 kingdoms and enshrined in 8 STUPAS — the original "Ashta Maha Sthanas" (Eight Great Places) of Buddhism.
Buddha's core teaching?
4 NOBLE TRUTHS: (i) life is dukkha (suffering); (ii) cause is craving (tanha); (iii) end of craving = end of suffering; (iv) the path is the EIGHTFOLD PATH (right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration). Taught in PALI/Prakrit (people's language).
Who was Mahavira?
VARDHAMANA MAHAVIRA (~599-527 BCE) — son of Jnatrika clan chief Siddhartha and Trishala (daughter of Licchavi king Chetaka); born at KUNDALAGRAMA near VAISHALI. Renounced family at 30; gained kevalya (omniscience) at 42; preached for 30 years.
Mahavira's 5 great vows (Mahavratas)?
AHIMSA (non-violence — extreme; even insects), SATYA (truth), ASTEYA (no stealing), BRAHMACHARYA (celibacy), APARIGRAHA (non-possession). Made Jain monks famously austere; no meat, no agriculture, no harm to any life.
Where did Mahavira die?
At PAVAPURI (Bihar) ~527 BCE; attained MOKSHA (liberation). Pavapuri became a major Jain pilgrimage site.
Why did Jainism spread to Karnataka and Gujarat?
Tradition says CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA, in old age, became a Jain monk and went south with his guru BHADRABAHU to SHRAVANABELAGOLA (Karnataka) where he died of fasting (~298 BCE). Jainism flourished in south India under various dynasties; also in Gujarat-Rajasthan.
MAHAVIRA + JAINISM — full life details?
MAHAVIRA (~599-527 BCE per Jain tradition; modern scholars ~540-468 BCE) — 24th + last TIRTHANKARA. Born VARDHAMANA to LICHCHAVI clan parents (Siddhartha + Trishala) at Kundagrama (Vaishali, Bihar). Married YASODHA. At age 30, RENOUNCED royal life. After 12.5 years of EXTREME asceticism, achieved KEVALA-JNANA (omniscience) at JRIMBHIKAGRAMA. Preached for 30 years across MAGADHA + Bihar + UP. Died at PAVAPURI (Bihar) age 72. Founded organised JAIN sangha — 14,000 monks + 36,000 nuns at his death.
Who were the Ajivikas?
A non-Vedic ascetic order founded by MAKKHALI GOSALA (a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavira); believed in NIYATI (absolute determinism — fate decides all). Had royal patrons (Mauryas; Ashokan rock-cut caves at BARABAR HILLS were granted to Ajivikas). Eventually disappeared by ~14th century.
Who were the Charvakas?
Followers of CHARVAKA / LOKAYATA tradition — radically materialist; rejected soul, afterlife, gods, Vedas; "Eat, drink, be merry — when the body burns, that's the end". Influential heretical school.
This topic is part of the NCERT Class 6 History syllabus, drawn from the chapter Ch 7: New Questions and New Ideas (NCERT Class 6 — Our Pasts I). Content is cross-referenced against the latest NCERT textbook editions + standard reference works.
Use the interactive India map to learn new ideas (buddha + mahavira) the way memory works best — by spatial location. Each pin opens a flashcard. Mark "Knew it" or "Didn't know" to track your mastery over time.
The questions, answers, item descriptions, and period chips on this page were authored with the help of Claude, an AI assistant by Anthropic, under human editorial direction. The catalog is our best approximation of factual knowledge synthesised from NCERT textbooks, the UPSC syllabus, and standard reference works. For high-stakes exams, please cross-check critical facts against your official NCERT textbook. Reports to support@bharatgeoquiz.com are folded into future updates as the community grows. Full disclosure on the Terms page →