NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English Kaliedoscope Chapter 5 The Argumentative Indian - 2025-26

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Non-Fiction Chapter 5 Free PDF Download

Class 12 is a point in a student’s life where career decisions are made. This crucial period is full of studies, assignments and choices. The one decision that is necessary to make is to take help in solving their English chapters’ problems by subject matter experts. A PDF is a great way for quick revision and also accessing the solutions from anywhere, anytime. NCERT Class 12 English Chapter 5 The Argumentative Indian solutions are now available in the PDF format at the official website of Vedantu. Download and save NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 5 Non-Fiction PDF on your device so that you do not need an internet connection if you want to revise later.

Chapter 5 – Kaleidoscope Non-Fiction - The Argumentative Indian

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter

Introduction

Amartya Sen is an Indian born economist who won a Nobel prize in 1998 for his contribution to Welfare economics. He was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 3rd November 1933 and started teaching economics at Harvard University in 1987. He was then appointed as the master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and became the first Asian to head an Oxbridge college.

Amartya Sen’s name was given by Rabindra Nath Tagore as he was born on the campus of Shanti Niketan which is both a school and college run by Mr Tagore. 

Sen published a book with the same title as this chapter in 2005, and the chapter is acquired from the opening sections of the same book. This book talks about how Indians have had a long tradition of debating the truth of different ideas. The author talks about the ability of Indians to talk at length about any topic under the Sun. 

He has explained details of contemporary India from 2005 and traced back its history to ancient India. This selection of writings from Mr Sen has outlined how one needs to see the modern Indian in the light of the long tradition of argumentation in India. Sen also argues how India’s democracy can succeed only if one will eradicate the demarcations in a society based on caste, religion, gender and community.

Kaleidoscope - The Argumentative Indian

The Argumentative Indian book has four sections and this chapter is from the first section named “Voice and Heterodoxy”.  In this section, he discusses three main things:

• Dialogues and Significance: Here, he speaks about how our epics Mahabharata and Ramayana have shown the significance of arguments. He takes the example of the exchange of dialogues between Lord Krishna and Arjuna (one of the Pandavas from Mahabharat) in the Bhagavad Gita (one small section of Mahabharata). Arjuna is doubtful of the rights and wrongs in fighting his own kin and also causing the massacre of innocent individuals in the war. 

However,  Krishna readies him by telling him that one must perform one’s duties, irrespective of consequences. The moral position acquired by Krishna has been endorsed by many famous poets like T.S Eliot who summarizes Krishna’s admonishment in a few words which say “Not farewell, but fare forward”. This teaching of Krishna had a profound effect on European culture. These arguments from our epics have remained relevant even in the contemporary world.

• Gender, Caste and Voice: We all know that India is a male-dominated society and people would infer that this tradition of arguments had been solely a prerogative of the male species in Indian culture. The author says that this is true to a large extent, but there are many examples starting from ancient India, where women have raised pertinent questions and have taken part in political leadership. He complements his views with many examples like that of Sarojini Naidu, who was the first woman president of the Indian National Congress 1925 (50 years before Margaret Thatcher became the first woman leader of the British political party in 1975).

Women have taken part in debates and discussions even in ancient times which is depicted in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad where an arguing combat took place between Yajnavalkya (an unparalleled scholar and teacher) and Gargi (a woman scholar). The barriers of arguments have crossed caste and gender in India for a very long time. The author also makes a point about how affluence and a happy life are not always the same thing.

• Democracy as Public Reasoning: In this subheading, the writer talks about how public reasoning shapes our society and culture. He states that public arguments are the basis of a democratic society and that India owes it to its rich heritage of arguments (contrary to the popular belief that British rule and its influence is the sole reason for democracy in India).

Exercise - Understanding the Text

This exercise has 4 questions, and all are long answer types. The questions are based directly on the essay and content, and most of them can be answered by reviewing the given summary.

Exercise - Talking About the Text

There are 2 questions in this exercise where students are encouraged to discuss amongst themselves. This will not only better their oratory skills but also allow them to comprehend the essay from different angles.

Exercise - Appreciation

This exercise has only 1 question where 4 statements are taken from the essay, and students need to find supporting evidence for those from the writing.

Exercise - Language Work

This exercise has two questions and both are geared towards building proficiency in the English language. Details of the exercises are given below: 

• Students have to find words in the essay which are related to the basic idea of finding words like “prolixity”. They also have to find words which are used to qualify something like “often enough.”

• Students are given examples of abstract nouns in different types of phrases, and they are supposed to examine noun phrases in sentences that are picked from the essay.

Key Features of NCERT Solutions for Class English Chapter 5

NCERT Class 12 English Chapter 5 The Argumentative Indian is a topic that needs an in-depth analysis of various aspects presented by the author. To help you in finding the most accurate solutions to the questions posed in this chapter, our teachers at Vedantu have done extensive research and come up with the solutions. The primary benefits students would gain with these solutions are:

• Comprehensive explanations for each exercise and questions promote a deeper understanding of the subject.

• Clear and structured presentation for easy comprehension.

• Accurate answers aligned with the curriculum, boosting students' confidence in their knowledge.

• Visual aids like diagrams and illustrations simplify complex concepts.

• Additional tips and insights to enhance students' performance.

• Chapter summaries for quick revision.

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Conclusion

NCERT Solutions plays a crucial role in Class 12 exam prep. Start by thoroughly reading the textbook chapter. After that, solve the NCERT questions for Class 12 Chapter 5 - The Argumentative Indian. You can find detailed solutions on Vedantu that align with CBSE guidelines. Download the free NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 5 - The Argumentative Indian to guide your exam preparation with expert-reviewed answers.