The old civilisation of India was a concrete unity of many-sided developments in art, architecture, literature, religion, morals and science, so far as it was understood in those days. But the most important achievement of Indian thought was philosophy. It was regarded as the goal of all the highest practical and theoretical activities, and it indicated the point of unity amidst all the apparent diversities which the complex growth of culture over a vast area inhabited by different peoples produced.

It is not in the history of foreign invasions, in the rise of independent kingdoms at different times, in the empires of this or that great monarch that the unity of India is to be sought. It is essentially one of spiritual aspirations and obedience to the law of the spirit, which were regarded as superior to everything else, and it has outlived all the political changes through which India passed.

The Greeks, the Huns, the Scythians, the Pathans, and the Mughals, who occupied the land and controlled the political machinery, never ruled the minds of the people. These political events were like hurricanes or the changes of season, mere phenomena of a natural or physical order which never affected the spiritual integrity of Hindu culture. If, after a passivity of some centuries, India is again going to become creative, it is mainly on account of this fundamental unity of her progress and civilisation and not for anything that she may borrow from other countries.

1. Each of the following can be inferred from the information in the passage EXCEPT:

(A) India has faced various foreign invasions in the past.
(B) Philosophy was held in high regard in older civilisations.
(C) There has been complacency in Indian philosophical thought.
(D) Unity of India was affected due to its vast geographical area.
(E) Political invasion has not had any impact on India’s spiritual integrity.


2. The author predicts that India:

(A) will rule the world sometime in the future.
(B) will resurface as a philosophical power.
(C) will actively contribute to the progress of mankind.
(D) will contribute again to spirituality.
(E) will progress due to its political machinery.


3. What is the primary purpose of the author in writing the passage?

(A) To compare Indian philosophy with that of other civilisations.
(B) To analyse the connection between Indian civilisation and philosophy.
(C) To trace the impact of political invasions on Indian philosophy.
(D) To discuss the points of unity in India.
(E) To discuss the rise of spiritual aspirations in India.


4. From the passage, which of the following cannot be concluded about Indian philosophy?

(A) It has a goal of bringing together different people.
(B) It brought together practical and theoretical activities.
(C) It was immune to political upheavals.
(D) Spirituality is an important part of it.
(E) It is not subjugated by time.