Instead of the War Drum Questions and Answers

About the lesson:

The lesson ‘Instead of the Ward Drum’ is about the emperor Ashoka and his belief in Buddhism. He sends his son and daughter to Sri Lanka to help spread Buddhism and many other monks to the different countries; Afganistan, Syria, Egypt, Macedonia and South East countries, he fights the Battle of Kalinga. After seeing the huge loss of humans and animals he swears not to fight any battle again and joins Buddhism.

Questions and Answers

Here in this text Questions and Answers of ‘Instead of the War Drum’ for Class 7 have been given –

A. Answer these questions with reference to the context:

‘His father, Bindusara, did not like hi very much, Ashoka decided to prove himself.’

Question 1: Why did Ashoka’s father dislike him?

Answer: Ashoka’s father disliked him because he had a skin disease when he was a young child that made him unpleasant to look at.

Question 2: Why did Ashoka want to prove himself?

Answer: Ashoka wanted to prove himself because his father disliked him because of his skin disease, so that his father might like him.

Question 3: How did he (Ashoka) prove himself?

Answer: Ashoka decided to prove himself and became a fearless warrior and boosted up his value. His father began to value him as a soldier and a statesman.

Multiple Choice Questions

MCQs from ‘Instead of the Ward Drum’

B. Choose the correct options:

Questions 1: Why did Ashoka send Sanghmitra and her twin brother, Mahindra, to Sri Lanka to –

(a) conquer new realms for Magadha

(b) help spread Buddhism

(c) build a stupa

Question 2: Ashoka’s edicts proclaim –

(a) Ashoka as the emperor of India

(b) Ashoka as Chand Ashoka

(c) Ashoka’s belief in the Buddhist principles of dhamma

Question 3: The emperor was remorseful because –

(a) many of his soldiers had died in the battle of Kalinga

(b) the battle had caused much more destruction than expected

(c) he was responsible for taking the lives of many individuals

Question 4: The king expected his subjects to –

(a) lead a vegetarian lifestyle

(b) respect each other’s religious beliefs

(c) spread the Buddha’s teachings to other kingdoms

Long Answer Type Questions

C. Answer the questions:

Question 1: What are Ashoka’s edicts and why are they important?

Answer: All the 33 inscriptions of Ashoka that were found on boulders and caves are his edicts. They proclaim Ashoka’s belief in Buddhism and its priniciple dhamma and non – violence. He had the intention to win the people by good deeds. that’s why they are very important. These edicts also talk about his social efforts to protect his subjects, both humans and animals.

Question 2: Why was Chand Ashoka a well – deserved nickname for Ashoka?

Answer: Ashoka deserved the name Chand Ashoka because he was a fearless and brave warrior and he earned the status of a clever statesman. He also fought small wars and merged some of the territories to his kingdom.

Question 3: Describe the incident that transformed Emperor Ashoka.

Answer: Ashoka the great emperor fought the War of Kalinga. When the war ended he looked around him heaps of corpses on that war area, he got very sad on seeing the horrific surrounding. He swore himself never to wage any war again. This led him to conversion to Buddhism, and he made it the state religion. In his kingdom he banned hunting and protected animals. Even he urged and subjects not to kill any animal and not to eat meat and turn vegetarian.

Question 4: What were the ways that Emperor Ashoka adopted to avoid violence altogether?

Answer: He converted himself to Buddhism and made it the state religion. He banned hunting and urged his subjects not to eat meat and turn vegetarian.

Question 5: A tolerant person shows respect for the rights, opinions and practices and others. How was the battle of Kalinga an example of Emperor Ashoka’s intolerant nature?

Answer: The Battle of Kalinga was an example of Emperor Ashoka’s intolerant nature that refused to submit to him. Ashoka started the war against Kalinga and fought bravely with his soldiers and won the battle and made Kalinga the part of his Kingdom.

Question 6: How did Emperor Ashoka change to become a tolerant king after the battle of Kalinga? Explain in about 1000 words.

Answer: After fighting the Battle of Kalinga Ahoka was deeply saddened by the destruction he saw at the battle field. Seeing this great loss he transformed himself. He converted himself to Buddhist. He gave up the violence and wars. Later he did the work for Buddhism and spread Buddhism in the different parts of the world. He sent his daughter Sanghmitra and son Mahindra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. And many other monks from his kingdom he sent to various other countries.

Additional Questions from ‘Instead of the War Drums’

Question 1: When was Ashoka born?

Answer: Ashoka was born in 304 BCE and died in 232 BCE.

Question 2: Kalinga is in which state at present?

Answer: Odisha

Question: 3: Where is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha?

Answer: Lumbini, Nepal

Question 4: Who is known as Devanam Piyadassi (Beloved of the Gods)?

Answer : The emperor Ashoka was known as Devanam Piyadassi

Question 5: Why did Sanghmitra and Mahindra go to Sri Lanka?

Answer: Sanghmitra and Mahindra went to Sri Lanka to preach buddhism.

Question 6: After which war Ashoka decided never to wage any war again?

Answer: After the Kalinga War

Question 7: Under which tree Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment?

Answer: Under the ‘Bodhi Tree’ Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.

Question 8: The War of Kalinga was fought between whom?

Answer: The War of Kalinga was fought between Ashoka and Raja Padmanabh of Kalinga.

Exercises:

A. Here are some idioms with the names of different weapons in them. Match them to their meaning –

Idioms Answers
(1) cross swords to fight or argue with someone
(2) jump the gun to do something before the right time
(3) bite the bullet to face something difficult which cannot be avoided
(4) put to sword to kill or execute someone
(5) bury the hatchet to forget past conflicts and become friends
(6) stick to your guns to stand firm in the face of opposition

B. Write one word for each of the following phrases. Choose the word from the box.

siege, ceasefire, warfare, warmonger, truce, disarmament
  1. A person who advocates or encourages the start of war Warmonger
  2. A period of time when enemies agree to stop fighting, usually while a way is found to end the fighting permanently Truce
  3. The reduction of a country’s armed forces or weapons Disarmament
  4. The activity of fighting a war, especially using specific weapons or methods Warfare
  5. An agreement between warring countries that aims to end armed conflict Ceasefire
  6. The process of capturing a city by surrounding it and stopping the supply of food to the people of the city Cease

Other Important Links:

  1. The Charge of the Light Brigade Questions and Answers

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