Theme: Indian Paintings

A similar question was asked in 2013 and 2015.

Statement 1 is incorrect: These are rock shelters belonging to Mesolithic period.

Notes :

Bhimbetka Paintings
Bhimbetka rock shelters are located between Hoshangabad and Bhopal, in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau. The painted caves are more than 400 in number and spread over an area of ten square kilometres. The credit for discovering the caves goes to Shri V. S. Vakankar

It is a magnificent repository of rock paintings within natural rock shelters’. Largely in white and red, the paintings are essentially a record of the varied animal life of the surrounding forest and of various facets – economic and social- of peoples’ lives. Images include extinct fauna,
mythical creatures; domesticated animals, carts and chariots; designs and patterns, inscriptions and also some symbols of the Historic period and along with pictorial narratives of events such as large processions of men on caparisoned horses and elephants, and battle scenes.

Theme: Important books/texts of Ancient India

Mahendravarman I was a very important Pallava king. Hence his texts become important. Mattavilasa Prahasana means the ‘delight of the drunkards’. It’s written in Sanskrit and is a mockery on Buddhist and Kapalika ascetics.

Consolidation Theme: Important caves of India

Similar Question was asked in UPSC prelims 2016

Statement D is incorrect.

Bagh Caves are known for Mural Paintings and are associated with Buddhism. Located on the bank of Baghani river in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. These rock-cut caves possess the most amazing paintings known to be made by ancient man. According to legend, these caves were established by Buddhist monk Dataka. Out of the initial 9 caves only 5 have been extant. Jain architecture is very prominent in West India

https://www.holidify.com/blog/jain-temples-in-india/ Shravanabelagola

is very frequently in the news.

A monolithic, 18 m statue of Bahubali referred to as “Gommateshvara”, built by the Ganga minister and commander Chavundaraya, is situated on a hilltop in Shravanabelagola

Theme: Architecture in ancient India Similar question was asked in Prelims 2014 and 2017.

Both statements are correct.

Nagara style the temple rises to a great height in a curvilinear manner curving inside to meet at the highest point. This style starts taking shape during the Gupta Period.

Vesara style is actually a hybrid of Nagara and Dravida style of temple architecture and this style was adopted by the Chalukyas of Badami.

Badami is an important site for this architecture.

Theme: Architecture of ancient India Similar Question was asked in 2014 and 2017 prelims.

The main architectural features of Odisha temples are classified in three orders, i.e.,

1.Rekhapida

2.Pidhadeul and

3.Khakra

Most of the main temple sites are located in ancient Kalinga-modern Puri District, including Bhubaneswar or ancient Tribhuvanesvara, Puri and Konark. The temples of Odisha constitute a distinct substyle within the Nagara order. In general, here the shikhara, called deul in Odisha, is vertical almost until the top when it suddenly curves sharply inwards. Deuls are preceded, as usual, by mandapas called Jagamohana in Odisha. The ground plan of the main temple is almost always square, which, in the upper reaches of its superstructure becomes circular in the crowning mastaka.

Theme : Indian Paintings Similar question was asked in 2013 and 2015 Statement 2 is not matched correctly: Kuda Caves are loctaed in Raiga.ddistrict of Maharashtra.

Notes: Armamalai Cave paintings

1. Located in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, Armamalai Cave is known for a Jain temple with ancient paintings, Petroglyphs and rock art.

2. The cave has three parts with walls of mud and adobe, turning it into a complex of three shrines – trikūta. The cave belongs to 8th century AD. The ceiling and walls of the cave are covered with beautiful colour paintings depicting the stories of Jainism, many of them don’t survive to date.

3. These paintings are similar to murals in Sittanavasal cave which is located 250 km south of Armamalai Cave. The western part of ceiling is adorned with floral designs with lotus as dominating motive – similar as in Sittanavasal.

Kuda Caves Located in Raigad district of Maharashtra. Walls of caves were plastered with earth and rice-chaff. Several caves contain traces of paintings.

Lenyadri Caves: Lenyadri Caves are also known as Ganesh Lena. Located in Pune district of Maharashtra. Lenyadri contains nearly 40 rock-cut caves. Lenyadri caves have preserved traces of ancient cave paintings and inscriptions.

Theme : Vedic Period Similar question was asked in UPSC 2013 and 2014. Notes: Crafts and Metallurgy

All kinds of crafts were practised. There were potters, Chariot makers, carpenters, and weaver and leather workers. The metalwork was known as follows: Copper was known as “Ayas” Gold was known as Hiranya, Iron was also known as was known as Shyama or Krishna Ayas.

Theme : Buddhism and Jainism Similar question was asked in UPSC 2014,2016 and 2017

Notes: The five great events in Buddha’s life are represented by symbols as under:

(i) Birth by Lotus and Bull

(ii) Great Renunciation by Horse

(iii) Nirvana by Bodhi Tree

(iv) First Sermon by Dharmachakra or Wheel

(v) Parinirvana or death by the Stupa.

Theme : Mauryan Period

Statement 3 is incorrect: Various animals are used on different pillars. Notes: Characteristics of the pillars are as follows

1. Monolithic meaning carved out of one stone.

2.Two kinds of stones used – Chunar sandstone, Varanasi and Spotted-red sandstone, Mathura

3.Highly polished surfaces – known as Mauryan polish.

4. These pillars are plain and undecorated.

5. Capitals – Capitals are the crowning element atop the pillar. This capital is also termed as the ‘bell capital’ which resembles an inverted lotus. 5.Abacus – Platform over which the seated animal rests.

6. Crowning animal – The topmost portion contains a crowning animal. Various animals are used on different pillars.

Tikdam The question can be solved using Tikdam technique as well.

Statement 3 is an extreme statement as it uses the phrase ‘all’.Using this, statement 3 can be eliminated and the correct answer can be deduced.

Theme: Mauryan Period

Statement 2 is incorrect: These caves were granted to Ajivika sect by Ashoka

Notes : BARABARA CAVES

1.Oldest surviving rock-cut cave in India.

2.These caves are situated in the twin hills of Barabar (four caves) and Nagarjuni (three caves) located in Bihar.

3.These caves were granted to Ajivika sect by Ashoka. Ashokan inscriptions have been found in this cave.

4.Caves are carved out of granite and have a polished surface.

5.Barabar Hill contains four caves, namely, Karan Chaupar, Lomas Rishi, Sudama and Visva Zopri.

6.Among these most important are Sudama and Lomas Rishi Caves as they are the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India

Theme : Buddhism and Jainism

A similar question was asked in UPSC 2014,2016 and 2017

Notes: Aśvaghosa

Aśvaghosa is the Greatest Indian Poet Prior to Kalidasa.

He is known as the first Sanskrit Dramatist of the World. His epics rivalled the contemporary Ramayana. He wrote Buddhist texts in Classical Sanskrit. He was the court writer and religious advisor of Kushana king Kanishka.

His main works are Buddhacharita, Mahalankara (Book of Glory) and Saundaranandakavya (details the life of Nanda)

Theme: Gupta Period

Notes: Please refer https://www.civilsdaily.com/gupta-period-300ad-600ad/ for further details.

Theme: Miscellaneous

Notes: Shiva Nataraja Image The most magnificent image in the bronzes is Nataraja, Siva in his cosmic dance. In this dance, he creates and destroys the world. The richness of symbolic meaning in the Nataraja image makes it one of the greatest icons created by man. The important features of this image have been described below:

1. Ring of Cosmic Fire There is an oval ring around the original figure of Shiva Nataraja. It represents the cosmic fire he uses to destroy the universe as part of the cycle of destruction and creation. Each flame has three points. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, a round circle of fire with flames of five points became typical for the Shiva Nataraja image.

2. Third Eye Shiva’s third eye represents his cosmic knowledge.

3. Feet and Apasmara Nataraja has been shown balancing himself on his right leg and suppressing the apasmara, the demon of ignorance or forgetfulness, with the foot of the same leg. At the same time, he raises his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, which represents tirobhava that is kicking away the veil of maya or illusionfrom the devotee’s mind. He looks blissfully up at the conquering Lord Shiva.

Theme : Temple Architecture

Similar question was asked in Prelims 2014 and 2017.

Notes:

Mandagapattu rock-cut temple

The earliest monument of Mahendravarman was Mandagapattu rock cut temple which was a single rock cut temple built without any wood, brick or metal. It is located near Villupuram in Tamil Nadu. This temple has the icons of large Dwarapalas which later became a characteristic of almost all south Indian temples.

Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram

Kailasanathar Temple is best building created during the reign of Pallava King Narsimhamvaraman. This temple is one of the most beautiful temples in India which has well balanced sculptures like a jewel box. This temple is important for historic point of view because: This temple inspired Rajraja Chola I to built another great beauty Brihadeshwar Temple at Tanjore. The direct & close intervention of the rulers started after creation of this temple.

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

Shore Temple is a granite made temple at Mahabalipuram built during the rein of Narsimhavarman. This group of temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is oldest strucutral temple (in contrast with rock cut temples) in India. Its a beautiful 5 storyed temple, which is a combined complex of 3 shrines; 2 dedicated to Shiva and one to Vishnu.

Theme: Mughal Period

Notes: The Humayun’s tomb is the first garden-tomb in India. It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. This was the first splendid monument of the times of Akbar, created mainly in red sandstone and white marble.

Tikdam: The above question can be solved using Tikdam technique as well.Babur’s tomb is located in Afghanistan,Bagh style was introduced by Mughals therefore Mausoleum of Shershah is also eliminated. As the question mentions ‘first’ garden-tomb, Humayun’s tomb is a more plausible answer.

Theme: Delhi Sultanate

Notes: Introduction of the Double Dome feature during Delhi Sultanate: The tomb of Sikandar Lodi was the first example with a double dome. The method of making double dome was originally practised in East Asia before it was imported into India. A double dome has two layers and its objective was to lift the height of the monument and also keep its attraction intact. The problem with the single dome was that if it was erected very high, it left a deep void inside the building. If it was kept low, then it diminished the monumental effect of the building. To shoot both the birds with one arrow, the double dome was devised. In the double dome, the dome instead of consisting of one thickness of masonry was composed of two separate shells viz. inner and outer with ample space between them. The inside layer provides a ceiling to the interior of the building, while the outer layer crowns the buildings. Use of two domes enables the ceiling inside to be placed lower and in better relation to the Interior space it covers. This is done without disturbing the proportions and the effect of elevation of the exterior. The attempts in the direction of Double Dome started with the tomb of Taj Khan (1501 ) and the tomb of Sikandar Lodi (1518), both in Delhi. However, the fully mature form of the double dome is seen, for the first time in India in the tomb of Humayun.

Theme: Miscellaneous

Notes: UNESCO list of Intangible Culture Heritage of India

1.The tradition of Vedic chanting

2.Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana

3.Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre

4.Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas, India 5.Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala

6.Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan

7.Chhau dance

8.Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: the recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India

9.Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur

10.Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India

11.Yoga

12.Nowruz

13.Kumbh Mela

Theme : Important literature of ancient India

Notes: Shruti and Smriti The Vedic literature is broadly divided into two categories viz. Shruti and Smriti.

Shruti (that was heard) literature was initially transmitted orally before it was finally written down. It is considered authoritative, canonical, eternal / divine and unquestionable truth. Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads together form the Shruti literature and make the central canon of Hinduism. These also make the four components of Vedic literature. Smriti is what is remembered, supplementary and may change over time.

The entire body of Classical Sanskrit literature is Smriti including Vedangas, Shatdarshana, Puranas, Itihasas (epics), Upavedas, Trantras, Agamas and Upangas.

They are authoritative to the extent that they conform to the bedrock of Shruti.

Theme : Miscellaneous

Statement 3 is incorrect.It was issued by Kumaragupta and was written by Vattasbhatta.

Notes: Important Inscriptions of Ancient India:

Junagarh Rock inscription

The Junagarh Rock inscription of Rudradaman is considered as an early example of chaste Sanskrit, written in mid-second century AD. It mentions that one of Chandragupta Maurya’s governors,Pushyagupta, was responsible for building a dam on Sudarshana Lake near Girnar in Kathiawar. From another inscription of Skandgupta we came to know that this very dam was repaired during his reign, almost 800 years after it was built.

Mahrauli Inscription / Garuda Pillar

The Mahrauli Iron Pillar was originally placed on a hill near the Beas and was brought to Delhi by a King of Delhi. This pillar credits Chandragupta with conquest of the Vanga Countries by his battling alone against the confederacy of the enemies united against him. It also credits him for conquest of Vakatkas in a fight that ran across seven mouths of Sindhu. This pillar was established by Chandragupta-II of Gupta dynasty as Vishnupada in the honor of Lord Vishnu.

Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prasasti)

This was issued by Samudragupta and was composed by Harisena. It is written in very simple and refined Sanskrit in Champu kavya style. It lists achievements of Samudragupta. This Inscription is a eulogy of Samudragupta and mentions about the conquests of Samudragupta and boundaries of the Gupta Empire. As per this inscription, Samudragupta defeated 9 kings in North, 12 Kings in South, reduced all the Atavika states to vassalage. It also mentions that more than five states in the frontier states surrendered and accepted his suzerainty Mandsaur Inscription It was by Kumaragupta and was written by Vattasbhatta.

Theme : Important terminology/key words

Notes: Chola Self Government The most important feature of the Chola administration lies in the running of autonomous institutions. There was a great deal of local self-government in the villages in the Chola Empire. Each village had its own general assembly which administered control over all the affairs of the village and was free from the control of the Central Government. It enjoyed all powers regarding the village administration. There were two types of institutions working at village level.

Ur

Ur was the general assembly of the village. The Ur consisted of all the taxpaying residents of an ordinary village. The Alunganattar was the executive committee and the ruling group of the Ur. The Ur was open to all the adult men but was dominated by the older member of the village. The members of the executive committee of ‘Ur’ were called ‘Shashak Gana’ or ‘Ganam’. Exact number of the committee members or the procedure adopted for their election is not known.

Mahasabha

This was a gathering of the adult men in the Brahmana villages which were called agraharas. These were villages settled by the Brahmanas in which most of the land was rent-free. Sabha managed most of its affairs by an executive committee called variyam to which educated persons owning property were elected. Reporters appointed by the sabha were called Variyar. Generally, Variyar was assigned some or other special task. Sabha could settle new lands and executive ownership rights over them. It could also raise loans for the village and levy taxes. Villages were divided among sheries, roads and blocks. Each shery constituted a community. Shery was assigned many tasks for the welfare of the village Each shery had its representation in the managing committee of the village.