Al-Biruni discussed several barriers that he felt obstructed understanding. The first was language, and the third was the self-absorption and consequent insularity of the local population. Which barrier did he name second?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The difference in religious beliefs and practices
Option (1) The difference in religious beliefs and practices — Correct. The second barrier in Al-Biruni's list was the difference in religious beliefs and practices, coming between language and the insularity of the local people.
Option (2) The notion of social pollution in the caste system — Incorrect. Pollution comes up in Al-Biruni's account of the caste system, where he disapproved of the idea. It belongs to his description of caste society.
Option (3) The rigid division of society into four varnas — Incorrect. Al-Biruni described the four-fold social order and looked for parallels in ancient Persia. This belongs to his account of the caste system.
Option (4) The absence of private property in land — Incorrect. The absence of private property in land was an argument of Francois Bernier about Mughal India, made centuries after Al-Biruni wrote.
NCERT (2026-27): “4.1 Overcoming barriers to understanding “The second barrier he identified was the difference in religious beliefs and practices. The self-absorption and consequent insularity of the local population according to him, constituted the third barrier. …” |