Al-Biruni, told of a very old wooden idol, asked how wood could have lasted such a length of time; then came one point; then "God knows best!". Which point is missing?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → He pointed out that the air and the soil there were rather wet
Option (1) He pointed out that the air and the soil there were rather wet — Correct. Al-Biruni added that wood would rot faster in a place where the air and the soil are rather wet. He tested the story against nature, then ended with "God knows best!".
Option (2) He checked the age of the idol in the Puranas — Incorrect. The Puranas were among the Sanskrit texts he quoted. Here he reasoned from how wood behaves in wet places.
Option (3) He compared the idol with old stone images in Persia — Incorrect. He used Persian parallels to explain caste. His doubt about this idol rested on the wet climate.
Option (4) He asked the priests to show an inscription giving its date — Incorrect. No inscription enters this story. His doubt came from his own reasoning about wood, air and soil.
NCERT (2026-27): “4.2 Al-Biruni’s description of the caste system … |