Introduction
English Class 12 Chapter 1 Question Answers are very important for students of the Bihar Board, especially for the prose lesson “Indian Civilization and Culture” written by Mahatma Gandhi. This chapter focuses on the values, traditions, and moral foundations of Indian culture and often carries long-answer and short-answer questions in board exams.
Students preparing for exams frequently search for English class 12 chapter 1 question answers, Indian Civilization and Culture questions, and Indian Civilization and Culture Bihar Board notes to score good marks.
About the Author – Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) was a great leader, thinker, and philosopher of India. He is known as the Father of the Nation. Gandhi strongly believed in truth (Satya), non-violence (Ahimsa), simplicity, and moral values.
In his writings, Gandhi emphasized the importance of Indian civilization, which, according to him, is based on spirituality, self-control, tolerance, and respect for all living beings.
Indian Civilization and Culture—Summary (Brief)
In Indian Civilization and Culture, Mahatma Gandhi explains that Indian civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. He argues that true civilization does not mean material progress but moral and spiritual development.
Gandhi criticizes blind imitation of Western culture and stresses that Indian culture teaches self-restraint, duty, simplicity, and harmony with nature. According to him, a civilized society promotes character building rather than luxury.
Long Answer Questions (English Class 12 Chapter 1 Question Answers)
Q1. What does Mahatma Gandhi mean by Indian civilization?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi believes that Indian civilization is based on moral and spiritual values rather than material progress. According to him, a true civilization teaches self-control, truth, non-violence, and respect for others. Indian civilization encourages people to live a simple life and focus on inner growth instead of luxury.
Q2. How does Gandhi differentiate between Indian and Western civilization?
Answer:
Gandhi states that Western civilization emphasizes material comfort, machines, and physical pleasure, while Indian civilization focuses on spiritual growth and moral discipline. He criticizes Western culture for promoting greed and restlessness, whereas Indian culture teaches self-restraint and contentment.
Q3. Why does Gandhi criticize modern civilization?
Answer:
Gandhi criticizes modern civilization because it encourages excessive materialism and neglects moral values. He believes that modern civilization weakens human character by promoting luxury, competition, and artificial needs instead of simplicity and ethical living.
Short Answer Questions (Indian Civilization and Culture)
Q1. According to Gandhi, what is true civilization?
Answer:
True civilization is moral and spiritual development, not material progress.
Q2. What does Indian civilization teach?
Answer:
Indian civilization teaches self-control, simplicity, duty, and respect for life.
Q3. What is Gandhi’s view on material progress?
Answer:
Gandhi believes material progress without moral values is harmful.
Q4. Why does Gandhi oppose blind imitation of the West?
Answer:
Because it destroys India’s cultural and moral identity.
Q5. What is the central idea of the chapter?
Answer:
The superiority of moral and spiritual values over materialism.
Objective Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who wrote “Indian Civilization and Culture”?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Rabindranath Tagore
C. Mahatma Gandhi ✅
D. Swami Vivekananda
Q2. According to Gandhi, civilization mainly means:
A. Wealth
B. Technology
C. Moral development ✅
D. Power
Q3. Indian civilization emphasizes:
A. Luxury
B. Self-restraint ✅
C. Machines
D. Competition
Q4. Gandhi criticizes which civilization?
A. Ancient
B. Eastern
C. Western modern civilization ✅
D. Rural
Q5. What is the tone of the essay?
A. Romantic
B. Critical and philosophical ✅
C. Humorous
D. Emotional
Conclusion
English Class 12 Chapter 1 Question Answers based on Indian Civilization and Culture by Mahatma Gandhi help students understand the true meaning of civilization from a moral and spiritual point of view. Gandhi clearly explains that real progress does not depend on wealth, machines, or luxury, but on character, self-control, truth, and non-violence.
This chapter is highly important for Bihar Board Class 12 examinations because questions are often asked directly from Gandhi’s ideas and arguments. By preparing these question answers properly, students can easily score good marks and also learn valuable life lessons about simplicity and ethical living. Overall, the chapter encourages students to respect Indian culture and apply its values in modern li
FAQs – Indian Civilization and Culture (Class 12 Bihar Board)
Q1. Who is the author of Indian Civilization and Culture?
👉 Mahatma Gandhi.
Q2. What is the main theme of the chapter?
👉 Moral and spiritual superiority of Indian civilization.
Q3. Is this chapter important for board exams?
👉 Yes, it is frequently asked.
Q4. What does Gandhi criticize in modern civilization?
👉 Excessive materialism and loss of values.
Q5. What does Indian civilization focus on?
👉 Self-control, simplicity, and ethics.