UPSC 2022 Art and Culture Questions with Answers

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.