Art and Culture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Ashoka’s Rock Edicts are distributed across South Asia and are categorized as Major and Minor Rock Edicts. These inscriptions highlight Emperor Ashoka’s principles of governance and his promotion of Dhamma, or ethical conduct. Major Rock Edict Sites: Dhauli (Odisha), Girnar (Gujarat), Mansehra and Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan), Jaugada (Odisha), Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh) Kalsi (Uttarakhand), Sopara (Maharashtra) etc. Minor Rock Edict Sites: Sopara (Maharashtra), Maski, Brahmagiri and Gavimath (Karnataka), Bairat (Rajasthan) etc.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Dhauli is an important site of Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts in Odisha, located near Bhubaneswar. The inscriptions mention Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma and his remorse after the Kalinga War (261 BCE). The site also features the famous Elephant Carving which symbolizes the emergence of Buddhism.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Erragudi or Yerragudi rock edict is located in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh. It mentions Ashoka’s efforts to spread Dhamma (morality and non-violence). The edicts here are inscribed on a granite rock and are written in Brahmi script and Prakrit language.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Jaugada is not located in Madhya Pradesh. It is actually located in the Ganjam district of Odisha. It is another significant site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts. The edicts here are written in Brahmi script.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Kalsi is actually in Uttarakhand, not Karnataka. It is the only Ashokan Major Rock Edict site in North India. It highlights Ashoka’s message of non-violence, moral conduct, and religious tolerance. The edicts here are inscribed in the Brahmi script and are significant because they mark the northernmost extent of Ashoka’s empire. 4 Art and Culture

Explanation

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath Temple complex in August 2021. The Somnath temple, also called Deo Patan, is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India.

Statement 1 is correct: Somnath Temple, is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Apart from Somnath, other famous jyotirlingas are Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Bhimashankar (Maharashtra), Baidyanath (Jharkhand), Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) etc.

Statement 2 is correct: Al-Biruni, an Arab traveler, gave a highly favorable description of Somanth temple in Kitab Al-Hind (Book of India). It is believed to have inspired Mahmud of Ghazni’s expedition in 1024 AD.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The contemporary Somnath temple’s reconstruction was started under the orders of the first Home Minister of India, Vallabhbhai Patel. The then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple in 1951.

Explanation

Sangam literature, composed between 300 BCE and 300 CE, is a collection of Tamil poems reflecting ancient South Indian society, culture, and politics. It was composed by poets at the Sangam councils held in Madurai and include contributions from poets like Agastya, Kapilar, and Nakkirar. The literature is divided into Eighteen Greater and Ten Lesser Anthologies, covering themes of love (akam), valor (puram), and ethics. Key texts include Tolkappiyam (grammar), Purananuru (heroic poetry), and Akananuru (love poetry), offering insights into the region’s political, social, and religious life. The two major Tamil epics, Silappathikaram and Manimekalai, are cornerstones of Tamil literature and reflect the cultural and spiritual life of ancient Tamil society

Option (b) is correct: Sangam literature does make references to the social classification of Varna, which was a system of social classification in ancient India based on occupation and birth. Sangam Literature provides valuable details about the Sangam society and polity.Social classification of varna was known to Sangam poets.There is mention of social classes like the Arashar (kings), Vaishiyar (traders), and Velalar (farmers).

Explanation

Akbar had commissioned the translation of many Sanskrit works such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, Lilavati, and Yogavashishta into the Persian language. A Maktab Khana (translation bureau) was also established at Fatehpur Sikri for this purpose.

Option (a) is correct: The "Yoga Vasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of Akbar. It was commissioned by Akbar as part of his efforts to bring together different religious and philosophical ideas, bridging the gap between Hinduism and Islam. This translation helped introduce key concepts from Vedanta, Yoga, and Hindu philosophy to Persianspeaking audiences

Explanation

Parishishta Parvan also called the Sthaviravali Charita. It was written by Hemachandra (12th century CE). It is a Jain historical text that provides biographies of Jain monks and rulers who supported Jainism. It contains details about Chandragupta Maurya’s conversion to Jainism under the guidance of Bhadrabahu. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana is a Jain Purana written by Hemachandra in the 12th century CE. It details the lives of 63 great Jain figures (Shalaka Purushas), including the 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartins, 9 Vasudevas, 9 Balabhadras, and 9 Prati-Vasudevas. Nettipakarana (The Guidebook) is an ancient Pali Buddhist text. It is part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pali Canon and serves as a guide for interpreting Buddhist teachings. Avadanasataka(Century of Noble Deeds) is a Buddhist text written in Sanskrit. It is a collection of Buddhist legends and moral stories, emphasizing karmic consequences and rebirth.

Explanation

ryadeva was a Mahayana Buddhist monk, a disciple of Nagarjuna and a Madhyamaka philosopher. His key work "Catuataka" (Four Hundred Verses) elaborates on Madhyamaka philosophy. His writings are important sources of Madhyamaka in both East Asian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Dignaga, a Buddhist logician and author of the Pramasamuccaya (Compendium of the Means of Valid Knowledge) laid the foundations of Buddhist logic. Nathamuni (9th-10th century CE) was a Vaishnavite scholar and theologian. He is credited with compiling the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of hymns by Tamil Alvars, which became a foundational text in Sri Vaishnavism. He was also the guru of Yamunacharya and predecessor of Ramanuja in the Vishishtadvaita tradition.

Explanation

India’s cave architecture is a unique form of ancient rock-cut architecture, primarily serving religious and monastic purposes. Ex-Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra), Udayagiri Caves (Madhya Pradesh), Badami Caves (Karnataka) etc.

Option (a) is correct: The Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. They are carved into a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. The caves are renowned for their exquisite Buddhist rock-cut architecture and paintings, dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE.

Option (b) is incorrect: The Sanchi Stupa is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh near the town of Sanchi. It is not in the gorge of the Chambal River but on a hill near Betwa River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains one of the oldest Buddhist stupas.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Pandu-Lena (Trirashmi) Caves are located near Nashik, Maharashtra.The closest river is the Godavari River, not Narmada. These are Buddhist rock-cut caves, dating from 1st century BCE to 6th century CE and have inscriptions related to the Satavahanas and Western Kshatrapas.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Amaravati Stupa is located in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in India built during the Satavahana period (2nd century BCE). It was rediscovered by Colin Mackenzie in 1797 and located on the banks of the Krishna River, not the Godavari River.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Chausath Yogini temple is in Morena district in Madhya Pradesh. According to an inscription dated 1323 AD, this temple was built by Kachachapaghata king Devapala (1055-1075).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The temple with a circular design pattern is situated on top of a small hill. It is not the only circular temple in India. Other examples are Kameshwar Temple, Kashmir and Vishnu Temple at Topra (Haryana) etc.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Originally 64 yoginis were placed in 64 subsidiary shrines around the central shrine of Maha Shakti. Today Shiva linga have taken their place in shrines. The central shrine also holds a Shivalinga.

Statement 4 is correct: This temple’s circular design has given rise to the popular idea that our old Indian parliament’s design designed by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker was taken from here. Fig.: Chausath Yogini Temple

Explanation

India’s tribal languages reflect its rich cultural diversity, with hundreds of languages spoken by indigenous communities. These languages belong to various linguistic families, including Indo-Aryan and Dravidian. There are also other smaller language families, such as Austroasiatic (Ex-Munda languages) and Tibeto-Burman (Ex-Bodo). Examples of Tribal Languages include Halbi (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra), Ho (Jharkhand, Odisha), Kui (Odisha), Gondi (Central India), Korku (Madhya Pradesh), Kurukh (Odisha, Jharkhand), and Bhili (Rajasthan, Gujarat).

Option (d) is correct:

Halbi is spoken in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. It is an Indo-Aryan language influenced by Marathi and Odia. It is used by the Halba tribe and is recognized as a lingua franca among tribal communities in Bastar region. Ho is spoken in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. It belongs to the Munda language family which a branch of the Austroasiatic languages. The Ho tribe is an ethnic Munda community which primarily speaks this language. It has its own script called Warang Citi developed by tribal scholar Lako Bodra. Kui is a spoken mainly in Odisha by the Kandha (Kondh) tribe. It is a Dravidian language closely related to Gondi and Telugu. The Kandha tribe has a rich oral traditio and Kui plays a significant role in their cultural expressions.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Bhilsa is the medieval name of the modern day Vidisha city of Madhya Pradesh. Vidisha was also known as Besnagar in ancient times. King Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty served as the Governor of Vidisha during his father’s regime. It is known for its archaeological sites including the Udayagiri Caves and the Heliodorus Pillar.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Dwarasamudra was the capital of the Hoysala kingdom in the 11th century. Today it is known as Halebidu - a town located in Hassan district in Karnataka and is known for exquisite Hoysala architecture, including the Hoysaleswara Temple.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Girinagar also known as Girnar or Revatak Parvat is a group of mountains in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. Temples situated on Mount Girnar are sacred to both Digambar and Swetambars branches of Jainism.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Thanesar (Thaneshwar) is an old Hindu pilgrimage town of Haryana that was famous as Sthanesvara in ancient times. Thaneshwar was ruled by the great King Harsha of the Vardhan dynasty.