NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian
Get here NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian.
More Detail
Latest News
Finished viewing? Save it for later —
Download NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian (PDF · 5 pages)Downloaded 49 times
About NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian is available here for free download. Published by NCERT for Class 12, this solution can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF (5 pages). Candidates preparing for Class 12 can use NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian to understand the exam pattern, the type of questions asked, and the overall difficulty level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I download NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian?
Open this page and click the Download button to save NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian as a PDF. It is completely free on AglaSem Docs.
Is NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian free to download?
Yes. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian can be viewed online and downloaded as a PDF free of cost on AglaSem Docs.
How many pages does NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian have?
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian contains 5 pages, which you can read online or download together as a single PDF.
Where can I find more Class 12 study material?
You can find more Class 12 question papers, sample papers, syllabus, and answer keys on AglaSem Docs.
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Kaleidoscope) Non Fiction 5 The Argumentative Indian – Text
Read the full text of this solution below — useful to quickly search, copy and reference the content online without downloading the PDF.
📄 View text version (5 pages)
Page 1
NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th
aglase .co
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th
aglase .co
Page 2
Book : Kaliedoscope - Non Fiction Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 English - Non Fiction
Class : 12th
Subject : English
Chapter : 5
Chapter Name : The Argumentative Indian
Q1 What is Sen’s interpretation of the positions taken by Krishna and Arjuna in the debate
between them?
[Note Sen’s comment: ‘Arjuna’s contrary arguments are not really vanquished... There remains
a powerful case for ‘faring well’ and not just ‘faring forward’.]
Answer. The Bhagavad Gita portrays the message of ‘faring forward’ despite all the challenges.
Krishna advocates this message saying that one should fare forward irrespective of
consequences. However, Sen feels that in the contemporary world of wars and violence the
message of Arjuna ‘faring well’ is a more sensible one. He supports his statement by providing
the example of J.R. Oppenheimer (the physicist whole the American team that developed the
nuclear weapon). Sen believes that simply ‘faring forward’ may not be judicious in this era of
violence as it may result in a much disastrous consequence. Instead, judging the situation
sensibly and then taking the appropriate steps would be the best solution in the present day.
Therefore he supports Arjuna’s decision of faring well and not just forward.
Page : 187 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Q2 What are the three major issues Sen discusses here in relation to India’s dialogic tradition?
Answer. The issues which Sen mainly talks about are the issues regarding gender, caste, and
voice and breaking these barriers under the argumentative tradition in In- dia. He also states
that these barriers have previously been broken on numerous occasions, sometimes as early as
the 8th century BCE.
Page : 187 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Page 1 of 4
Class : 12th
Subject : English
Chapter : 5
Chapter Name : The Argumentative Indian
Q1 What is Sen’s interpretation of the positions taken by Krishna and Arjuna in the debate
between them?
[Note Sen’s comment: ‘Arjuna’s contrary arguments are not really vanquished... There remains
a powerful case for ‘faring well’ and not just ‘faring forward’.]
Answer. The Bhagavad Gita portrays the message of ‘faring forward’ despite all the challenges.
Krishna advocates this message saying that one should fare forward irrespective of
consequences. However, Sen feels that in the contemporary world of wars and violence the
message of Arjuna ‘faring well’ is a more sensible one. He supports his statement by providing
the example of J.R. Oppenheimer (the physicist whole the American team that developed the
nuclear weapon). Sen believes that simply ‘faring forward’ may not be judicious in this era of
violence as it may result in a much disastrous consequence. Instead, judging the situation
sensibly and then taking the appropriate steps would be the best solution in the present day.
Therefore he supports Arjuna’s decision of faring well and not just forward.
Page : 187 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Q2 What are the three major issues Sen discusses here in relation to India’s dialogic tradition?
Answer. The issues which Sen mainly talks about are the issues regarding gender, caste, and
voice and breaking these barriers under the argumentative tradition in In- dia. He also states
that these barriers have previously been broken on numerous occasions, sometimes as early as
the 8th century BCE.
Page : 187 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Page 1 of 4
Page 3
Book : Kaliedoscope - Non Fiction Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 English - Non Fiction
Q3 Sen has sought here to dispel some misconceptions about democracy in India. What are
these misconceptions?
Answer. The two major misconceptions about democracy in India that Amartya Sen has sought
to dispel are:
1. The assumption that the concept of democracy was a gift to India from the western world and
that it simply adopted democracy after its independence.
2. That India, due to its history, is particularly suited for democracy.
Page : 187 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Q4 How, according to Sen, has a tradition of public discussion and interactive reasoning helped
the success of democracy in India?
Answer. Sen believed that public discussion and interactive reasoning helped in the success of
democracy in India. According to him, Indian politics was deeply influenced by this. It resulted in
making heterodoxy the natural state of affairs in India. Sen states that persistent arguments are
an inherent part of public life in India. Reasoning introduces multiple perspectives and as a
result, there is no imposition of a singular perspective. The opinion of the masses is an inherent
structure of democracy and the tradition of public discussion and interactive reasoning has
helped in augmenting the success of democracy in India.
Page : 188 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Q1 Does Amartya Sen see argumentation as a positive or negative value?
Answer. Sen sees argumentation as a positive value. Argumentation helped in inducing
heterodoxy in the politics of India. Through argumentation, multiple perspectives are introduced
at the forefront and thus there is no imposition. Through argumentation, the opinion of the
masses is upheld and that is what helps in keeping the democracy intact in our country. Thus
Sen believes that argumentation is extremely important for the proper functioning of democracy.
Page : 188 , Block Name : Talking about the Text
Page 2 of 4
Q3 Sen has sought here to dispel some misconceptions about democracy in India. What are
these misconceptions?
Answer. The two major misconceptions about democracy in India that Amartya Sen has sought
to dispel are:
1. The assumption that the concept of democracy was a gift to India from the western world and
that it simply adopted democracy after its independence.
2. That India, due to its history, is particularly suited for democracy.
Page : 187 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Q4 How, according to Sen, has a tradition of public discussion and interactive reasoning helped
the success of democracy in India?
Answer. Sen believed that public discussion and interactive reasoning helped in the success of
democracy in India. According to him, Indian politics was deeply influenced by this. It resulted in
making heterodoxy the natural state of affairs in India. Sen states that persistent arguments are
an inherent part of public life in India. Reasoning introduces multiple perspectives and as a
result, there is no imposition of a singular perspective. The opinion of the masses is an inherent
structure of democracy and the tradition of public discussion and interactive reasoning has
helped in augmenting the success of democracy in India.
Page : 188 , Block Name : Understanding the Text
Q1 Does Amartya Sen see argumentation as a positive or negative value?
Answer. Sen sees argumentation as a positive value. Argumentation helped in inducing
heterodoxy in the politics of India. Through argumentation, multiple perspectives are introduced
at the forefront and thus there is no imposition. Through argumentation, the opinion of the
masses is upheld and that is what helps in keeping the democracy intact in our country. Thus
Sen believes that argumentation is extremely important for the proper functioning of democracy.
Page : 188 , Block Name : Talking about the Text
Page 2 of 4
Page 4
Book : Kaliedoscope - Non Fiction Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 English - Non Fiction
Q2 How is the message of the Gita generally understood and portrayed? What change in
interpretation does Sen suggest?
Answer. The Gita is usually interpreted as the one-sided wisdom given by Krishna of faring
forward inspite of the consequences. However, Sen believes that Arjuna’s consequential and
more sensible analysis of faring well should also be considered in the context of the
contemporary world of violence. Sen suggests that the interpretation of the Gita requires
supplementation by the broader argumentative wisdom of the Mahabharata.
Page : 188 , Block Name : Talking about the Text
Q1 This essay is an example of argumentative writing. Supporting statements with evidence is a
feature of this kind of writing.
For each of the statements given below state the supportive evidence provided in the essay:
(i) Prolixity is not alien to India.
(ii) The arguments are also, often enough, substantive.
(iii) This admiration for the Gita, Krishna's arguments, in particular, has been a lasting
phenomenon in parts of European culture.
(iv) There remains a powerful case for ‘faring well’, and not just ‘forward’.
Answer. The supportive evidence provided in the essay:
(i) “Krishna Menon’s record of the longest speech ever delivered at the United Nations (nine
hours non-stop)”.
(ii) “The famous Bhagavad Gita, which is one small section of the Mahabharata, presents a
tussle between contrary moral positions”.
(iii) - “It was spectacularly praised in the early nineteenth century by Wilhelm von Humboldt as
‘the most beautiful, perhaps the only true philosophical song existing in any known tongue’. In a
poem in Four Quartets, Eliot summarises Krishna’s view in the form of an admonishment: ‘And
do not think of the fruit of action! Fare forward’. Eliot explains: ‘Not fare well/But fare forward,
voyagers’.”
Page 3 of 4
Q2 How is the message of the Gita generally understood and portrayed? What change in
interpretation does Sen suggest?
Answer. The Gita is usually interpreted as the one-sided wisdom given by Krishna of faring
forward inspite of the consequences. However, Sen believes that Arjuna’s consequential and
more sensible analysis of faring well should also be considered in the context of the
contemporary world of violence. Sen suggests that the interpretation of the Gita requires
supplementation by the broader argumentative wisdom of the Mahabharata.
Page : 188 , Block Name : Talking about the Text
Q1 This essay is an example of argumentative writing. Supporting statements with evidence is a
feature of this kind of writing.
For each of the statements given below state the supportive evidence provided in the essay:
(i) Prolixity is not alien to India.
(ii) The arguments are also, often enough, substantive.
(iii) This admiration for the Gita, Krishna's arguments, in particular, has been a lasting
phenomenon in parts of European culture.
(iv) There remains a powerful case for ‘faring well’, and not just ‘forward’.
Answer. The supportive evidence provided in the essay:
(i) “Krishna Menon’s record of the longest speech ever delivered at the United Nations (nine
hours non-stop)”.
(ii) “The famous Bhagavad Gita, which is one small section of the Mahabharata, presents a
tussle between contrary moral positions”.
(iii) - “It was spectacularly praised in the early nineteenth century by Wilhelm von Humboldt as
‘the most beautiful, perhaps the only true philosophical song existing in any known tongue’. In a
poem in Four Quartets, Eliot summarises Krishna’s view in the form of an admonishment: ‘And
do not think of the fruit of action! Fare forward’. Eliot explains: ‘Not fare well/But fare forward,
voyagers’.”
Page 3 of 4
Page 5
Book : Kaliedoscope - Non Fiction Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 English - Non Fiction
(iv) - “As we reflect on the manifest problems of our global world (from terrorism, wars, and
violence to epidemics, insecurity, and gruelling poverty), or on India’s special concerns (such as
economic development, nuclear confrontation or regional peace), it is important to take on board
Arjuna’s consequential analysis, in addition to considering Krishna’s arguments for doing one’s
duty.”
Page : 188 , Block Name : Appreciation
Page 4 of 4
(iv) - “As we reflect on the manifest problems of our global world (from terrorism, wars, and
violence to epidemics, insecurity, and gruelling poverty), or on India’s special concerns (such as
economic development, nuclear confrontation or regional peace), it is important to take on board
Arjuna’s consequential analysis, in addition to considering Krishna’s arguments for doing one’s
duty.”
Page : 188 , Block Name : Appreciation
Page 4 of 4
Document Details
| Board / Org | NCERT |
| Exam | Class 12 |
| Type | Solution |
| Pages | 5 |
| Updated | 30 Apr 2026 |