Class 12 History Chapter 4 – Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Complete NCERT Notes | CBSE)

Class 12 History Chapter 4 – Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Complete NCERT Notes | CBSE)

CBSE Class 12 History
Published on By Amresh Academy

 

📘 Class 12 History – Chapter 4

Thinkers, Beliefs, and Buildings (NCERT / CBSE)

✳️ 1st Millennium BC (An Important Period)

🔹 This period was very important in world history because many great thinkers arose.
👉 Examples: Buddha, Mahavira, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Confucius (Khungtsi)
🔹 All these scholars tried to understand the mystery of life (जीवन का रहस्य).

✳️ Jainism (जैन धर्म)

Founder (संस्थापक): Rishabh Dev

Key Principle (मुख्य सिद्धांत):
➡️ Determinism – Everything is subject to fate and destiny (भाग्य और नियति), already predetermined.

🔹 The word Jain comes from Jin meaning Conqueror (विजेता).
🔹 Final compilation of Jain texts → 500 AD, Vallabhi (Gujarat).
🔹 Jainism existed in India even before the 6th century BC.

❇️ Tirthankaras (तीर्थंकर)

🔹 23 teachers before Mahavira were called Tirthankaras – those who help people cross the river of life.
🔹 Mahavira → 24th Tirthankara
🔹 Rishabh Dev → 1st Tirthankara
🔹 Parshvanath → 23rd Tirthankara

📍 Literal Meaning

Tirthankara → One who builds a ghat/pilgrimage to cross the worldly life.

❇️ Important Tirthankaras

  • 1st Tirthankara – Rishabh Dev

    • Considered founder of Jainism

    • Related to Ikshvaku dynasty (Ayodhya)

    • Mentioned in Rishabh Veda

    • Considered incarnation of Narayana

  • 2nd Tirthankara – Ajitnath

    • Mentioned in Yajurveda

  • 19th Tirthankara – Mallinath (Neminath)

    • Contemporary of Vasudeva Krishna

  • 23rd Tirthankara – Parshvanath

    • First historical Tirthankara

    • Born in Kashi, 250 years before Mahavira

    • Parents: Ashwasen (father), Vama (mother)

    • Real Knowledge: 84th day of penance

    • Symbol: Snake

    • Degree: Nirgranth (Bondless / मुक्त बंधन से)

❇️ Mahavira Swami (महावीर स्वामी)

  • 24th & Last Tirthankara

  • Real founder of Jainism

📍 Important Facts:

  • Born – 599/540 BC, Kundagram (Vaishali Republic, Vajji Sangh)

  • Father – Siddhartha (Head of Jnyantri clan)

  • Mother – Trishala (sister of Lichchavi ruler Chetak)

  • Real Name – Vardhman

  • Daughter – Priyadarshana (Shvetambara tradition)

  • Attained Kaivalya Gyan (Perfect Knowledge) → under Sal tree near river Rijubaluka

  • Title → Jin (Conqueror of senses)

  • First Sermon → Medhpur, Vipulachal Hill, Rajgriha

  • First Male Disciple → Jamali (son-in-law)

  • First Female Disciple → Chandana (daughter of Champanresh)

  • Language of preaching → Prakrit

  • Patron rulers → Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Udayin, Chandragupta Maurya

  • Death → At age 72, Pava (Bihar)

📖 According to Uttaradhan Sutra – Initially born in womb of Devananda (Brahmin family), but later transferred to Trishala’s womb by Lord Indra.

✳️ Branches of Jainism (जैन धर्म की शाखाएँ)

👉 Shwetambar → White-clothed monks.
👉 Digambar → Naked monks.

❇️ 5 Vows of Jain Monks (पाँच व्रत)

1️⃣ Ahimsa (Non-violence) – not to kill.
2️⃣ Satya (Truth) – not to lie.
3️⃣ Asteya (Non-stealing) – not to steal.
4️⃣ Aparigraha (Non-possession) – not to hoard wealth.
5️⃣ Brahmacharya (Celibacy / ब्रह्मचर्य) – added by Mahavira (earlier only 4 vows).

❇️ Jain Pilgrimage Sites (तीर्थ स्थल)

  • Sammed Shikhar (Jharkhand)

  • Shatrunjaya (Gujarat)

  • Girnar (Gujarat)

❇️ Major Jain Caves (गुफाएँ)

  • Udayagiri & Khandagiri (Odisha)

  • Ellora (Maharashtra)

❇️ Major Jain Temples (मंदिर)

  • Shravanabelagola (Karnataka)

  • Palitana (Gujarat)

  • Ranakpur & Delwara (Rajasthan)

  • Pava (Bihar)

  • Mahavir Temple (Rajasthan)

❇️ Jain Philosophy (जैन दर्शन)

🔹 Entire world is full of life (जीवात्मा).
🔹 Life exists even in stones, rocks, and water.
🔹 Non-violence (अहिंसा) towards all beings → Central principle.
🔹 Cycle of birth & rebirth depends on karma.
🔹 Freedom from karma → through sacrifice, penance & renunciation.

✳️ Buddhism (बौद्ध धर्म)

🔹 An ancient & great religion originated in India.
🔹 Founded by Mahatma Buddha (Gautam Buddha).
🔹 Established in the 6th century BC.
🔹 Today → 3rd largest religion in the world (after Christianity & Islam).
🔹 Major followers in China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, India.

✳️ Mahatma Buddha (महात्मा बुद्ध)

  • Founder of Buddhism

  • Full name → Gautam Buddha

  • Childhood name → Siddhartha

  • Birth → 563 BC, Lumbini (Nepal)

  • Father → Shuddhodan

  • Mother → Mayadevi (died 7 days after birth)

  • Stepmother → Prajapati Gautami (brought him up)

  • Dynasty → Shakya (Capital – Kapilvastu)

  • Gotra → Gautam

  • Wife → Yashodhara

  • Son → Rahul

📍 Enlightenment (ज्ञान प्राप्ति):

  • Place → Uruvela (Bodh Gaya) under Bodhi tree near river Niranjana.

  • Called Shakyamuni (from Shakya dynasty) & Gautam Buddha (from Gautam gotra).

📍 First Sermon (पहला उपदेश):

  • Place → Sarnath (near Varanasi)

  • Event → Turning of the Wheel of Dharma (धर्मचक्र प्रवर्तन)

📍 Disciples (शिष्य):

  • First → Tapasu & Bhallik (merchants of Gaya)

  • Principal → Upali

  • Dear disciple → Anand

  • First female disciple → Prajapati Gautami (aunt, with Anand’s request)

📍 Language of Preaching: Pali
📍 Most Preaching Place: Shravasti
📍 Patron Rulers: Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Prasenjit, Udayin
📍 Later Supporters: Ashoka, Kanishka, Harshavardhana, Menander

📍 Important Places (Life-related):

  • Birth – Lumbini

  • Enlightenment – Bodh Gaya

  • First Sermon – Sarnath

  • Death (Mahaparinirvana) – Kushinagar (483 BC, on river Hiranvati)

📍 Ashta Mahasthana (8 holy sites):
Lumbini, Sarnath, Gaya, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Rajgriha, Vaishali, Sankasya

❇️ Key Concepts in Buddhism

  • Salvation = Nirvana (निर्वाण) → Extinguishing of the lamp (Desire free state).

  • Death of Buddha → Called Mahaparinirvana.

  • After death → Buddha known as Ajitabh.

📍 Triratna (Three Jewels):

  1. Buddha (the Enlightened One)

  2. Dhamma (teachings)

  3. Sangha (monastic community)

📍 Philosophy:

  • Atheistic reincarnation (नास्तिक पुनर्जन्म का सिद्धांत)

  • Panchskandha: Form, Feeling, Perception, Mental formations, Consciousness.

❇️ Nirvana (निर्वाण)

🔹 Literal meaning → Extinguishing of a lamp (दीपक का बुझना).
🔹 State where mind becomes pure, free from craving & sorrow.

✳️ 4 Sights that Changed Buddha’s Life

  1. An old man 👴

  2. A sick person 🤒

  3. A dead body ⚰️

  4. A hermit/ascetic 🧘

✳️ Teachings of Buddha

📖 Compiled in Tripitaka (Three Baskets):

  1. Sutta Pitaka → Teachings of Buddha (Buddhist encyclopedia).

  2. Vinaya Pitaka → Rules for Sangha (monks/nuns).

  3. Abhidhamma Pitaka → Philosophical principles.

🔹 Follow Middle Path (between severe penance & indulgence).
🔹 Existence of God = Irrelevant.
🔹 The world = impermanent & ever-changing.
🔹 Desire/greed = Cause of sorrow.
🔹 “Be your own light – find your own way of liberation.”

✳️ Why Buddhism Spread Rapidly?

  • Simplicity of teachings.

  • No caste system ✖️.

  • Equality for all → No high/low discrimination.

  • Criticized Brahmanical rituals.

  • Women included in Sangha.

  • Liberal & democratic approach.

  • No strict rituals.

  • Middle path (avoiding harsh penance).

❇️ Hinayana vs Mahayana

Hinayana

Mahayana

Ideal → Arhat (personal salvation).

Ideal → Bodhisattva (help others before Nirvana).

Buddha → A great man.

Buddha → Revered as God.

No idol worship.

Idol worship accepted.

Nirvana attained through knowledge.

Nirvana possible through compassion & devotion.

Traditional form.

Modified form.

❇️ Similarities between Buddhism & Jainism (बौद्ध धर्म व जैन धर्म की समानताएँ)

🔹 Importance of renunciation & retreat (संन्यास).
🔹 Rejected authenticity of the Vedas → counted as atheistic traditions (नास्तिक परंपरा).
🔹 Rejected God as creator of universe.
🔹 Both believed in Karma & Reincarnation (कर्म और पुनर्जन्म).
🔹 Emphasis on moral conduct & discipline.
🔹 Supported social equality.
🔹 Birth determined by karma, not caste.
🔹 Attempted to destroy caste system.

❇️ Differences between Buddhism & Jainism (भिन्नताएँ)

🔹 Jainism → Hard renunciation (कठोर संन्यास)
Buddhism → Middle path (मध्यम मार्ग).

🔹 Jainism → Believes in eternal soul (शाश्वत आत्मा).
Buddhism → Believes in Anatman (No-soul doctrine).

🔹 Jainism → Nirvana only after body completion.
Buddhism → Nirvana possible through knowledge.

🔹 Ahimsa (non-violence) more rigid in Jainism compared to Buddhism.

❇️ Stupa (स्तूप)

🔹 Literal meaning → “Heap” (ढेर).
🔹 Developed from earthen mound placed over ashes of the dead.
🔹 Stupas built at places related to Buddha’s life events → Birth, Enlightenment, First Sermon, Nirvana.

✳️ Sanchi Stupa (सांची स्तूप)

📍 Location → Sanchi (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh).
📍 Built by Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BC).
📍 Famous for → Beauty, gateways & sculptures.

❇️ Protection of Sanchi Stupa

🔹 19th-century Europeans admired its beauty.
🔹 French tried to take Eastern Gateway to Paris Museum.
🔹 British also attempted similar removal.
🔹 But Begum of Bhopal refused & gave them plaster replicas.
🔹 Begum Shah Jahan Begum & Sultan Jahan Begum → Donated money for maintenance & museum construction.
🔹 Archaeologist John Marshall → Wrote books, funded by Begums.

✳️ Structure of a Stupa (स्तूप की संरचना)

  • Anda (अंड) → Dome/hemisphere.

  • Harmika (हार्मिक) → Balcony-like structure, abode of gods.

  • Yashti (यष्टि) → Pillar rising from Harmika, topped with Chhatra (umbrella).

  • Toranas (तोरण द्वार) → Archways for entry.

  • Pradakshina Patha (प्रदक्षिणा पथ) → Circumambulatory path.

👉 Worshippers entered via Eastern Gateway and circumambulated clockwise.

✳️ How were Stupas Built?

🔹 Inscriptions mention donations from kings (Satavahanas), traders, craftsmen.
🔹 Example → Ivory workers donated for Sanchi Torana.
🔹 Hundreds of names of donors inscribed → sometimes along with village, profession, family.
🔹 Monks & nuns also donated.
🔹 Early stupas (Sanchi, Bharhut) → Plain, unornamented, except for gateways & railings.

❇️ Amaravati Stupa (अमरावती स्तूप)

📍 Location → Andhra Pradesh.
📍 Considered most magnificent Buddhist stupa.

🔹 1850s → Stones & statues taken away:

  • To Asiatic Society, Calcutta

  • To Madras Museum

  • To London
    🔹 British officers even kept Amaravati sculptures in their gardens 🌿.

❇️ A Different Thinker – H.H. Cole

🔹 Archaeologist H.H. Cole opposed the removal of ancient Indian artefacts.
🔹 Suggested → Originals must stay at site, only plaster copies to museums.
🔹 Couldn’t save Amaravati, but his idea worked for Sanchi Stupa preservation.

✳️ Vedic Yajnas (वैदिक यज्ञ)

📖 Rigveda → Mentions gods like Agni, Indra, Soma.
🔹 Purpose → Cattle, sons, health, long life.
🔹 Initially collective, later done by householders.
🔹 Special Yajnas → Rajasuya, Ashwamedha (royal rituals).

✳️ Debates & Discussions (वाद-विवाद)

🔹 Mahavira & Buddha → Criticized Yajna system.
🔹 Teachers travelled, debated with people.
🔹 Discussions held in huts, groves.
🔹 Disciples grew into large communities.

✳️ Rise of Mythological Hinduism (पौराणिक हिन्दू धर्म)

🔹 Includes Vaishnavism & Shaivism.
🔹 Vaishnavism → Worship of Vishnu & his 10 incarnations (Dashavatara).
🔹 Shaivism → Worship of Shiva, symbolized as Linga.
🔹 Idol worship became important.

✳️ Construction of Temples (मंदिर निर्माण)

🔹 Initially → Small square sanctum (Garbhagriha).
🔹 Later → Added Shikhara (spire) above sanctum.
🔹 Walls decorated with carvings & sculptures.
🔹 Some temples cut into rocks → Cave temples.
🔹 Over time → Huge complexes with courtyards & boundary walls.
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