ALL INDIA PRELIMS TEST SERIES – 2018 GENERAL STUDIES PAPER- 9 Ancient + Medieval History + Art & Cultural of India ANSWER KEY
Ans:1)(c) Academies, Zonal cultural Centers and Art Explanation: The oldest part of Junagadh, and Organizations like faculties of art in universities, the center of any visit to the city, is the upper art colleges and schools, art museums, art citadel, known as Uparkot. Over 2300 years old, galleries and art associations; with walls up to 20 m high in some places, To publish and to promote publication of literature Uparkot is what allowed Junagadh to withstand a on art including monographs, journals etc 12-year siege at one point. It is believed that these Ans:4)(d) caves belong to 1st-4th Century AD and are gilded Explanation: Man Sagar Lake is an artificial lake, with beautiful pillars and entrances, water situated in Jaipur, the capital of the state of cisterns, horseshoe shaped chatiya windows, an Rajasthan in India. It is named after Raja Man assembly hall and cell for meditation. There is also Singh, the then ruler of Amer, who constructed it a 300 ft.-deep moat inside the walls, that in c. 1610 by damming the Dharbawatiriver. The reportedly used to be inhabited by crocodiles, so Jal Mahal is situated in the middle of the lake. that if any attacker managed to surmount the high There is the Nahargarh Fort (Nahargarh meaning fortifications, they would then either be exposed on home of tigers) in the hills that provides a the upper battlements or fall into the crocodile- commanding view of the Man Sagar Lake and the infested trench. Jal Mahal palace, in addition to a beautiful view of Ans:2)(d) the city of Jaipur. The lake was created by Explanation: Varada mudra expresses the energy constructing a dam across the Darbhawati River, of compassion, liberation and an offering of between Khilagarh hills and the hilly areas of acceptance. This mudra is made with the left Nahargarh, in the 16th century. hand. This mudra is also called a boon-granting Ans:5)(c) mudra, because it helps bestow a specific quality Explanation: The chaitya Cave Nos. 19 and 26 (of of energy one might be seeking from an Ajanta) are elaborately carved. Their facade is enlightened being. decorated with Buddha and, Boddhisattva images. Abhaya is translated from Sanskrit as They are of the apsidal-vault roof variety. Cave No. fearlessness. The Abhaya mudra is made with the 26 is very big and the entire interior hall is carved open palm of the right hand extending outwards at with a variety of Buddha images, the biggest one the chest level or slightly higher. If you look at this being the Mahaparinibbana image. Buddha hand gesture, or mudra, you will also feel Ans:6)(c) the energy of protection, peace and a sense of Explanation: Kalamkari or vrathapani from strong, deep inner security. Andhra Pradesh demonstrates the variety of Namaskara or Anjali mudra, is the hand gesture natural materials used to create a work of art. that evokes greeting another being with the utmost Kalamkari means “pen work” in Persian and refers respect and adoration for the Divine in all. As you to both printed and painted cloth. In the can see, the greeting is expressed in a form of seventeenth century Persian influences led to prayer coming from one’s heart or the third eye. artists experimenting with the depiction of trees, The Namaskara Mudra can be expressed with fruits, flowers and ornamental birds. palms at the heart level or at the forehead. The painting is made exclusively with a pen, the Namaskara, or Anjali mudra, is the hand gesture kalam made out of a bamboo sliver wound at one that evokes greeting another being with the utmost section with wool and then dyed with natural respect and adoration for the Divine in all. As you colours. Black ink is used to make outlines, and can see, the greeting is expressed in a form of jaggery, rusted iron filings and water are used for prayer coming from one’s heart or the third eye. making colours to fill in details. Ans:3)(d) Ans:7)(b) Explanation: Functions of the Lalit Kala Akademy Explanation: The Vedas are a large body of texts To encourage and promote study and research in originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic the fields of creative arts such as painting, Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest scriptures sculpture and graphics etc.; of Hinduism. To encourage and coordinate the activities of the The Vedas are not of human agency. They are regional art organizations and State Lalit Kala supposed to have been directly revealed, and thus Akademies; are called Shruti meaning which is heard. The To promote cooperation among artists and art creation of Vedas is credited to Brahma. associations and development of such The Vedic texts or Shruti are organized around associations; four canonical collections of metrical material To encourage, where necessary, the establishment known as Samhitas, of which the first three are of Regional Art Centers; related to the performance of yajna in historical To encourage the exchange of ideas between Vedic religion. various schools of art by organizing conferences, The Rig-Veda, contains the hymns to be recited by seminars, exhibitions etc. on all India basis presiding priest and the Yajurveda, contains involving scholars and educationists and State formulas to be recited by the officiating priest. 1 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
The Samveda containing formulas to be sung by mentioned in the hymns of Rig Veda. Some of the priest that chants and Atharvaveda contains a these might have needed full–time specialists. collection of spells and incantations, apotropaic Metallurgy is not mentioned in the Rig Veda, but charms and speculative hymns. It is Yajurveda the word ayas and instruments made from it such which is partly prose and partly in verses. as razors, bangles, axes are mentioned. Ans:8)(c) Ans:11)(c) Explanation: Chitrakathi: 'Chithra' is painting Explanation: Both men and women wore and 'Katha' is story. The tradition of telling the ornaments like necklaces, fillets, armlets and mythical and historical stories was alive on the finger rings. Girdles, earrings and anklets were Maharashtra/Karnataka border and in parts of worn only by women. Harappans used cotton and Andhra Pradesh. wool, which were spun by rich and poor alike. Pattachitra is one of the oldest forms of artwork Spindles and whorls were made from expensive found in Orissa, Patachitra (also spelled faience as well as cheap clay. The people of the as Pattachitra) art is fascinating, depicts Hindu time were conscious of fashion as well, as can be mythological tales and wonders. inferred from the different styles of hair and beard. Kavads of Rajasthan is a traditional visual story Ans:12)(d) telling device. It is a portable wooden Explanation: National Emblem : The abacus and temple/shrine that has visual narratives on its the animal part of the Sarnath pillar forms the multiple panels that are hinged together. These official national emblem of India. In the abacus of panels open and close like doors simulating the the Sarnath pillar, four animals are shown several thresholds of a temple. The visuals are representing four directions- a galloping horse those of Gods, goddesses, saints, local heroes and (west), a bull (east), an elephant (south) and a lion the patrons. (north). The animals seem to follow each other Ans:9)(a) turning the wheel of existence till eternity. Explanation: If you have been following the news The Elephant depicts the dream of Queen Maya, a for the past month or two, you would be able to white elephant entering her womb. The Bull guess the answer to this question. You need not depicts the zodiac sign of Taurus, the month in know the specific provisions of the bill to answer which Buddha was born. The horse represents the this. horse Kanthaka, which Buddha is said to have • Construction in ‘prohibited areas’: The Act (1958 used for going away from princely life. The Lion Act) defines a ‘prohibited area’ as an area of 100 shows the attainment of enlightenment. meters around a protected monument or area. The In the National Emblem of India, the words central government can extend the prohibited area Satyameva Jayate from Mundaka Upainshad, beyond 100 meters. The Act does not permit meaning “Truth Alone Triumphs’, are inscribed construction in such prohibited areas, except below the abacus in Devanagari script. The Capital under certain conditions. The Act also prohibits is crowned by the Wheel of the Law (Dharama construction in ‘prohibited areas’ even if it is for Chakra). public purposes. The Bill amends this provision to The lions symbolize Buddha spreading Dhamma in permit construction of public works in ‘prohibited all directions. It was built in the commemoration of areas’ for public purposes. the first sermon by Buddha or the • Under the bill, if there is any question related to Dhammachakraparivartana. whether a construction project qualifies as ‘public Ans:13)(d) works’, it will be referred to the National Ans:14)(a) Monuments Authority. This Authority, will make Explanation: The Vedic household was patriarchal its recommendations, with written reasons, to the and patrilineal. The institution of marriage was central government. The decision of the central important and different types of marriages— government will be final. monogamy, polygyny and polyandry are mentioned Ans:10)(d) in the Rig Veda. Explanation: Economy in the Rig Vedic period was Both women sages and female gods were known to sustained by a combination of Pastoralism and Vedic Aryans. However, hymns attributable to agriculture. There are references, in the Rig Veda, female sages are few and female gods were not as to leveling of field, seed processing, and storage of important as male ones. grains in large jars. Women could choose their husbands and could War booty was also a major source of wealth. remarry if their husbands died or disappeared. Economic exchanges were conducted by gift giving, While the wife enjoyed a respectable position, she particularly to kings (bali) and priests (dana), and was subordinate to her husband. barter using cattle as a unit of currency. While People consumed milk, milk products, grains, gold is mentioned in some hymns, there is no fruits and vegetables. Meat eating is mentioned, indication of the use of coins. however, cows are labeled aghnya (not to be Panis in some hymns refers to merchants, in killed). Clothes of cotton, wool and animal skin others to stingy people who hid their wealth and were worn. did not perform Vedic sacrifices. Some scholars Soma and sura were popular drinks in the Rig suggest that Panis were Semitic traders, but the Vedic society, of which soma was sanctified by evidence for this is slim. religion. Flute (vana), lute (vina), harp, cymbals, Professions of warriors, priests, cattle–rearers, and drums were the musical instruments played farmers, hunters, barbers, vintners and crafts of and a heptatonic scale was used. chariot–making, cart–making, carpentry, metal Dancing, dramas, chariot racing, and gambling working, tanning, making of bows, sewing, were other popular pastimes. weaving, making mats of grass and reed are 2 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
Ans:15)(d) generally five, which were carved intaglio on the Explanation: Bhogi : celebrated as Pongal festival surfaces. The common animal motifs were in Tamil Nadu. unicorn, humped bull, rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, Bihu : Celebrated in Assam. buffalo, bison, goat, markour, ibex, crocodile, etc. Maghi : Celebrated in Punjab & Haryana. However, no evidence of cow had been found on Ans:16)(a) any seal. Explanation: In the lower part of the city, small Ans:22)(a) one-roomed housed have been found which might Explanation: Pashupati Seal: A steatite seal have been used as quarters by the working class discovered at Mohenjo-daro depicts a human people. Some of the houses have stairs which figure or a deity seating cross-legged. The figure, indicate they might have been double storied. Most referred to as Pashupati wears a three-horned buildings have private wells and bathrooms and headgear and is surrounded by animals. An are properly ventilated. The most striking feature elephant and a tiger are there on the left side of of Harappan civilization is the advanced drainage the figure while a rhinoceros and a buffalo are system. seen on the right side. Two antelopes are shown Ans:17)(a) below the seat of the figure. Explanation: The Shunga dynasty introduced the Ans:23)(a) idea of torans as beautifully decorated gateways to Explanation: The potteries found at the the stupas. The torans were intricately carved with excavation sites can be broadly classified into two figures and patterns and were evidence of kinds-plain pottery and painted pottery. The Hellenistic influence. Bharhut stupa is in Madhya painted pottery is also known as Red and Black Pradesh and the toran at Sanchi stupa is in pottery. Trees, birds, animal figures and Madhya Pradesh. geometrical patterns were the recurring themes of Ans:18)(c) the paintings. Most of the potteries that have been Explanation: Fa-hein (337 – c. 422 CE) was the found are very fine wheel made wares, with a very first of three great Chinese pilgrims who visited few being handmade. India from the fifth to the seventh centuries CE, in Ans:24)(c) search of knowledge, manuscripts and relics. Explanation: Sikh style of architecture developed Faxian arrived during the reign of Chandragupta II in the region of modern day Punjab. It was heavily and gave a general description of North India at influenced by the Mughal style of architecture. that time. Among the other things, he reported Some of the features of the Sikh school are – about the absence of capital punishment, the lack 1. The use of multiple Chhartis or kiosks on the top of a poll-tax and land tax. Most citizens did not of the construction. consume onions, garlic, meat, and wine. 2. Use of shallow cornices. From Chandragupta II, the kings of Gupta dynasty 3. The buildings had fluted domes, which were are known as Parama Bhagavatas or Bhagavata generally covered by brass and copper guilds for Vaishnavas. The Bhagavata Purana entails the decoration and support. fully developed tenets and philosophy of the Ans:25)(a) Bhagavata tradition wherein Krishna gets fused Explanation: Heavy influence of Greek. It is also with Vasudeva and transcends Vedic Vishnu and known as Indo-Greek art. Early Gandhara school cosmic Hari to be turned into the ultimate object of used bluish-grey sandstone while the later period bhakti. saw the use of mud and stucco. Mainly Buddhist Ans:19)(d) imagery, influenced by the Greco-Roman Explanation: Two of the famous sculptures of the pantheon. Mauryan period are those of Yaksha and Yakshi. Ans:26)(d) They were objects of worship related to all three Explanation: The sculptures of Mathura school religions –Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism. The were made using spotted red sandstone. Buddha earliest mention of yakshi can be found in is shown in delighted mood with a smiling face. Silppadikaram, a Tamil text. Similarly, all of the Buddha is seated in padmasana with different Jain tirthankars were associated with a Yakshi. mudras and his face reflects grace. Pottery of the Mauryan period is generally referred Ans:27)(d) to as Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). They Explanation: It indicates teaching and discussion were characterised by the black paint and highly or intellectual debate. The tips of the thumb and lustrous finish and were generally used as luxury index finger touch each other, forming a circle. The items. circle formed by the thumb and index finger Ans:20)(a) maintains the constant flow of energy, as there is Explanation: Udayagiri caves are famous for the no beginning or end, only perfection. Hathigumpha inscription which is carved out in Ans:28)(a) Brahmi script. The inscription starts out with Explanation: The beauty and the exquisiteness of “Jain Namokar Mantra” and highlights various mural paintings can be seen in places like Ajanta, military campaigns undertaken by the Kharavela. Armamalai Cave, Ravan Chhaya Rock Shelter, Udaygiri and khandagiri caves are in Odisha. Bagh caves, Sittanavasal caves and Kailasanatha Ans:21)(a) temple in Ellora. Most of the mural paintings are Explanation: Most seals have inscriptions in a either in natural caves or in rock-cut chambers. pictographic script that is yet to be deciphered. The paintings follow a theme, the most common The script was written mostly from right to left, being Hindu, Buddhist and Jain. Apart from this, but, bi-Directional writing style i.e right to left on such paintings were also made to adorn any one line and left to right on another line has also mundane premise. An example of such a work can been found. Animal impressions were also there, be seen in the ancient theatre room in Jogimara 3 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
Cave. The Mural paintings are unique because of followed by some tribal of the Arunachal Pradesh. their sheer size. They cannot be contained on Ancient Bhima Devi Temple is located in Haryana paper and need to be executed on the walls of Ans:40)(a) large structures. Explanation: The site of Ashoka’s inscriptions at Ans:29)(c) Kalsi is singularly unique as it is the only place in Explanation: This style of painting developed in North India where the great Mauryan emperor has the sub-Himalayan states that were also under the inscribed the set of the fourteen rock edicts. The umbrella of Mughal over lordship. A typical language of these edicts is Prakit and Brahmi Paharai painting would bring several figures into Ans:41)(c) the canvas and they would all be full of movement. Explanation: In the central part of India, the Each figure is different in composition, colour and Chandela rulers developed a distinct style of pigmentation. Two of the greatest painters of this temple making of their own-known as Khajuraho school were Nainsukh and Manaku. The themes school or Chandel school. The temples were made painted ranged from mythology to literature. of sandstone. The temples had three chambers – Ans:30)(d) garbhagriha, mandapa and ardha-mandapa. The Explanation: The origin of this styles was temples were generally north or east facing. attributed to Amir Khusrau. A khyal composition Ans:42)(c) is also referred to as a ‘Bandish’. One of the most Explanation: Some of the features of the unique features of Khyal is the use of taan in the Architecture are : composition Because of this, Alap is given much Multiple Shrines were built around a centre less room in the khyal music as compared to pillared hall Dhrpad. Soft sope stone (chorite schist) was the main Ans:31)(d) building material. Ans:32)(d) The shrines led out in the shape of an intricately Ans:33)(c) designed star. This was known as the Stellate Ans:34)(d) plan. Explanation: Created by the Meitei people of Massive emphasis was laid on the decoration of Manipur. Thang-Ta is an armed martial art that the temple through sculpture. finds its mention in the most lethal combat forms. Ans:43)(a) Sarit Sarak, on the other hand, is an unarmed art Explanation: Noble Eight fold Path are- form that uses hand-to-hand combat. The two Right meditation and concentrating on the components thang-ta and sarit sarka are together meaning of life. called Huyen Langlon. One should avoid superstition and cultivate right Ans:35)(d) understanding. Explanation: ASI is directly under the aegis of the Kind, truthful and rights speech. Union Ministry of Culture and it is the foremost Honest, peaceful and right action. institution for archaeological research conducted To find the right livelihood which does not harm across India. Its focus is on the preservation of any being. physical and tangible heritage that is accumulated Right effort and cultivating self-control. in the ancient monuments and archaeological Right mindfulness. sites. The ASI also has several diplomas and degrees for studying archaeology from the Institute The worth of the sincere and intelligent man is of Archaeology in New Delhi. through right thoughts. Ans:36)(c) It rejects the concept of existence of soul unlike Ans:37)(c) Jainism. Explanation: Prakrit is a term which is loosely Ans:44)(d) attached to any language from the standard one, Explanation: Jains believe that through three- i.e. Sanskrit. Pali is usuall used to indicate the jewels : right belief, right knowledge and right archaic or old form of Prakrit and it combines conduct, one can get rid of bad karma and also several existing dialects. These languages gained pull themselves out of cycle of rebirth and achieve prominence when religious literature of the salvation. Buddhists and Jains were composed in this Anekantavada is a doctrine of Jainism. It language. emphasizes that the ultimate truth and reality is Ans:38)(a) complex, and has multiple-aspects. Hence, there Explanation: It is similar to Bharatnatyam in the exits non-absolutism that means no single, use of Mudras and postures to express emotions. specific statement can describe the nature of The Tribhanga posture, i.e. the three-bended form existence and the absolute truth. of the body is innate to Odissi dance form. Odissi Ans:45)(a) dance form is unique in its representation of Ans:46)(b) gracefulness, sensuality and beauty. The dancers Explanation: create intricate geometrical shapes and patterns 1. Kathakali Kerala with here body. Hence, it is known as ‘mobile 2. Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh sculputre’. ‘Atavakul or Atavus’ is the collection of 3. Sattriya Assam fourty basic dance movements, is a feature of 4. Bharat natyam Tamilnadu Mohiniattam dance and not Odissi dance. Ans:47)(c) Ans:39)(b) Explanation: The Kharosthi script is an ancient Folk Dance Teratali is associated with the script used in ancient Gandhara. It is a sister Rajasthan. ”Donyi Polo” is a religion / tradition script of Brahmi and was deciphered by James Princep again. Kharosthi is mostly written right to 4 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
left but some inscriptions also show the left to the opportunity to emerging, independent artists right direction of Kharosthi. to get discovered and enjoy the attention along Ans:48)(b) with the established artists. Explanation: Most seals have inscriptions in a IAF also features curated 'Conversations' a two- picto graphic script that is yet to be deciphered. days educative seminar - a series of panel The script was written mostly from right to left but discussions offering expert perspectives on the in bi-directional writing style. Some seals with a subjects ranging from the contemporary art and hole have been found on dead bodies. This the economy, art collection, exhibitions, to art indicates they might have used as amulets. galleries and infrastructure. The speakers invited Ans:49)(d) at IAF Conversations include artists, gallerists, Explanation: museum directors, critics, historians, institution- 1. It was developed indigenously and not influenced builders, cultural organizers, editors, and by external cultures. publishers. 2. The sculptures of Amaravati School were made India Art Festival, the only contemporary art fair in using white marbles. India hosting two annual editions at Mumbai and 3. Mainly Buddhist influence. New Delhi positions itself today as a successfully 4. Patronized by Satvahana rulers. tested module of art fair with a focus on both - art 5. Developed in the Krishna-Godavari lower valley, in galleries and independent artists and around Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. Ans:53)(a) 6. The sculptures generally depict life stories of Explanation: The Mudrarakshasa (“The Signet of Buddha and the Tataka tales, i.e., previous lives of the Minister”) is a historical play in Sanskrit by Buddha in both human and animal form. Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of the king Ans:50)(b) Chandragupta Maurya to power in India. Explanation: Some of the features of Nagara style Mudrarakshasa is dated variously from the late are: 4th century to the 8th century. The temples generally followed the Panchayatan Vishakhadatta was an Indian Sanskrit poet and style of temple making, which consisted of playwright. Although Vishakhadatta furnishes the subsidiary shrines laid out in a crucified ground names of his father and grandfather as Maharaja plan with respect to the principal shrine. Bhaskaradatta and Maharaja Vateshvaradatta in Presence of assembly halls or mandaps in front of his political drama Mudrârâkcasa, we know little the principal shrine. else about him. Only two of his plays, the Outside the garbhagriha, images of the river Mudrarakshasa and the Devichandraguptam are goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, were placed. known to us. There were no water tanks or reservoirs present in Ans:54)(c) the temple premises. Explanation: The Manusmrti is one of the best- The temples were generally built on upraised known legal texts of early India, written in platforms. Sanskrit and compiled between second century The porticos had a pillared approach. BCE and second century CE. Manusmriti records The shikharas were generally of three types. the words of Lord Brahma only. The text states the Latina or Rekha-Prasad, Phamsana, Valabhi. law of all the social classes. The vertical end of the shikhara ended in a Ans:55)(b) horizontal fluted disc, known as the Amalak. On Explanation: Gupta period was called as the top of that, a spherical shape was placed known as golden age of India because of the scientific and the Kalash. artistic endeavours that took place in this period Ans:51)(d) and also various inventions and discoveries in Explanation: science, technology, engineering, art, literature, Raga Time Season Mood astronomy etc occur-red in this period. The Gupta period produced scholars like Kali das, Bhairav Dawn Any Peace Aryabhatta, Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma and season Vatsyayana who made great advancements in Hindol Morning Spring Evokes many academic fields. Ashvaghosha belonged to sweetness of Kanishka Period. a young Ans:56)(d) couple Explanation: There was no needless interference Deepak Night Summer Compassion by the government in the lives of the common Megh Late Rainy Courage public. It was tolerant in the matters of religion Night and temperate in the matters of repression of Shree Evening Winter Gladness crimes. Provinces were known as Deshes or Malkaush Midnight Winter Vir or Brave Bhuktis and were divided into group of districts known as Pradeshes which were divided into Vishyas or districts. The head of the district was Ans:52)(c) Vishyapati. Explanation: India Art Festival, a contemporary A distinct feature of Gupta administration was art fair founded in 2011 is a new model for payment of grants in land instead of salaries. Only dialogue and collaborations between art galleries, military personnel were given salaries in cash. Two art dealers, art buyers, artists, interior designer, kinds of grants were there, namely given to the architects and art connoisseurs who come together Brahmans and it was tax free and second to the every year under roof. India Art Festival (IAF) along Secular officials either as salaries or rewards. with mid-level and major art galleries also provides These grants weakened the authority of the king. 5 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
There were three varieties of land namely the nadu was further divided into (Urs) villages which waste land, crown land and the private land were form part of the last unit of the administration. there during this period. Land revenue and taxes Ans:59)(b) were charged at various stages of the produce. Ans:60)(b) Administration was highly centralized, but Ans:61)(d) recruitment ceased to be based on merit. Explanation: Central Purpose Ans:57)(b) Administration Explanation: Indo Islamic architecture has Department produced some of the greatest monuments in the Diwan-i-Risalat Department of appeals Islamic world partially because of the two reasons. Diwan-i-Ariz Military department First - the Islamic architecture had already passed Diwan-i-Bandagan Department of slaves its experimental phase by the time of the arrival of Diwan-i-Qaza-i- Department of justice Islam in the subcontinent. However Second and Mamalik most important reason is the availability of the Ans:62)(c) skillful and experienced native craftsmen. Explanation: Vedanta implies the philosophy of The arrival of Afghans and Turks brought new the Upanishad, the concluding portion of the culture along with them which resulted in some Vedas. Shankaracharya wrote the commentaries drastic changes in the native culture of the India on the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and the which was reflected in the field of architecture Bhagavad Gita. Hence the three main sources of where new features like Domes and Arches schools of Vedanta are Bhagwad Gita, appeared along with the new types of the buildings Brahmasutras and Upanishads. Shankaracharya’s like Mosques, Madarsa, Mausoleum, Gardens etc. discourse or his philosophical views came to be for the first time in most parts of the subcontinent. known as Advaita Vedanta. Advaita literally means Quwwat-ul-Islam (literally meaning Might of Islam) non-dualism or belief in one reality. was the first mosque ever built in Delhi; it was Shankaracharya expounded that ultimate reality is built 1193 immediately after the Qutub-ud-din one, it being the Brahman. took control of Delhi (known as Qila Rai Pithora at According to Vedanta philosophy, ‘Brahman is that time) from Prithviraj. It consists of the true, the world is false and self and Brahman are courtyard surrounded by the pillared cloisters on not different, Shankaracharya believes that the the 3 sides. On the western side pillars are Brahman is existent, unchanging, the highest arranged in more elaborated fashion to form the truth and the ultimate knowledge. He also believes sanctuary. that there is no distinction between Brahman and Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the governor of Delhi, the first the self. The knowledge of Brahman is the essence sultan of the Delhi Sultanate (ruled 1206-1210 of all things and the ultimate existence. Ramanuja AD), started the construction of the Qutb Minar in was another well known Vishakha Advaita scholar. 1192, which was completed after his death by his Among different schools of philosophy was found successor Iltutmish. one philosophy which reached the climax of It is made of fluted red sandstone and marble and philosophic thought that the human mind can comprises several superposed flanged and possibly reach, and that is known as the Vedantic cylindrical shafts, separated by balconies philosophy supported by Muqarnas corbels (an architectural Five different schools of Vedanta philosophy are ornamentation reminiscent of stalactites employed now known today. in traditional Islamic and Persian architecture). These five schools are: The walls of the minaret are covered with Indian Dvaita: the dualistic school, main exponent is floral motifs and verses from the Quran. Madhava. Ans:58)(a) Bheda Abheda or Dvaita Advaita: the founder is Explanation: The king was the head of the Nimbarka. administration. The Chola kings and Queens were Vishista Advaita: the founder is Ramanuja considered as representatives of God. Their idols Shudh Advaita: the founder is Vallabha. were kept in temples. The Chola kingship was Kevala Advaita: the founder is Sankaracharya. hereditary. The Chola royal family followed the Kevala Advaita is usually referred to simply as principle that eldest son should succeed the king Advaita, and it is this school that is meant when to the Chola throne. The heir apparent was called people say ‘Advaita’. Yuvaraja, The Chola monarchs enjoyed enormous Ans:63)(b) powers and privileges. The Chola kings took up Explanation: The chola king Rajendra I was the titles which marked their achievements. son of RajaRaja Chola. After his armies crossed The Chola Empire was divided into nine provinces. the Ganga and defeated two local kings he They were also called mandalams. The head of the assumed the title ‘Gangaikondachola’. province was called viceroy. Close relatives of kings Ans:64)(b) were appointed as viceroys. The Viceroys were in Explanation: Shivaji was helped by the constant touch with the Central Government. Ashtapradhan (eight ministers) which was unlike a Viceroys received orders from the king. They sent council of ministers for there was no collective regular reply to the king. The viceroys had a large responsibility. Each minister was directly number of officials to assist them in the work of responsible to him. administration. Chauth was one-fourth of the land revenue paid to Mandalams were named after the original names the Marathas so as not be subjected to Maratha or the titles of the Chola kings. Each mandalam raids. Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of divided into number of Kottams or Valanadus. 10% on those lands of Maharashtra over which the Each kottam was sub divided into nadu. Each 6 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
Marathas claimed hereditary rights, but which Ans:72)(d) formed part of the Mughal Empire. Explanation: South Indian temple architecture, Ans:65)(c) also called Dravidian style architecture invariably Explanation: The kathaks were originally a caste employed for Hindu temples in modern Tamil of story-tellers in temples of north India, who Nadu from the 7th to the 18th century, embellished their performances with gestures and characterized by its pyramidal, or kumina-type songs. Kathak began evolving into a distinct mode tower. of dance in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries Variant forms are found in Karnataka (formerly with the spread of the bhakti movement. Mysore) and Andhra Pradesh states. The South The legends of Radha-Krishna were enacted in folk Indian temple consists essentially of a square- plays called rasa lila, which combined folk dance chambered sanctuary topped by a superstructure, with the basic gestures of the kathak story-tellers. tower, or spire and an attached pillared porch or Emphasis was laid on intricate and rapid footwork, hall (magapa, or magmapam), enclosed by a elaborate costumes, as well as on the enactment of peristyle of cells within a rectangular court. The stories. external walls of the temple are segmented by Ans:66)(d) pilasters and carry niches housing sculpture. Explanation: The features of Indo-Islamic The superstructure or tower above the sanctuary architecture include: is of the kumina type and consists of an Arch and Dome, and Minar arrangement of gradually receding stories in a Use of Mortar as cementing agent pyramidal shape. Each story is delineated by a Avoided representation of human beings and parapet of miniature shrines, square at the animals corners and rectangular with barrel-vault roofs at Calligraphy using Arabesque method the centre. The tower is topped by a dome-shaped Jali work cupola and a crowning pot and finial. The origins Use of water in the premises in the form of of the Dravidian style can be observed in the courtyard pools and fountains Gupta period. The earliest examples of the Charbagh style developed style are the 7th-century rock-cut Pietra dura technique shrines at Mahabalipuram and a developed structural temple, the Shore Temple, at the same Foresighting technique site. Ans:67)(b) Ans:73)(a) Explanation: Ochre Pottery- Chalcolithic Age Explanation: Harsha was a great patron of Grey Ware Pottery- Vedic Period learning. His biographer Banabhatta adorned his NBPW – 6th century B.C. royal court. Besides Harshacharita, he wrote Ans:68)(b) Kadambari. Explanation: Under the system, mansabs (ranks) Mahendravaraman-I composed the Sanskrit play in terms of numbers were assigned to nobles and Mattavilasaprahasanam. commanders who were also placed in important Perundevanar was patronized by Nandivarman-II administrative position. The Mughal mansab and he translated the Mahabharata as system included all public services except the Bharathavenba in Tamil. The Jain literature judiciary. flourished under the patronage of the Ans:69)(d) Rashtrakutas. Amogavarsha-I, who was a Jain Explanation: At ‘Vaishali’, Alara Kalama (Sankhya patronized many Jain scholars. His teacher philosopher) taught the techniques of meditation Jinasena composed Parsvabhudaya, a biography of and the teaching of Upanishads to Gautam Parsva in verses Buddha. Ans:74)(d) At ‘Rajgriha’, Udraka Ramputra taught him to Explanation: The Pallavas were great patrons of achieve the highest level of meditation. At last, at learning. Their capital Kanchi was an ancient the age of 35, Gautam Bhudha attained nirvana at centre of learning. The Ghatika at Kanchi was ‘Bodh gaya ‘in Bihar. popular and it attracted students from all parts of Ans:70)(c) India and abroad. The Nayanmars and Alwars Explanation: Dashakumaracharita (The narrative composed religious hymns in Tamil. The Devaram of ten young men) is a prose romance in Sanskrit, composed by Nayanmars and the attributed to Dandin in the 7th century CE. Nalayradivyaprabandam composed by Alwars Dandin is a 6th-7th century Sanskrit author of represent the religious literature of the Pallava prose romances and expounder on poetics. period. Ans:71)(c) Ans:75)(c) Explanation: The Barabar Caves are the oldest Explanation: After consolidating their position in surviving rock-cut caves in India, mostly dating India, the Delhi Sultans introduced reforms in the from the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), some land revenue administration. The lands were with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the classified into three categories: Jahanabad district, Bihar. Iqta land – lands assigned to officials as iqtas These rock-cut chambers date back to the 3rd instead of payment for their services. khalisa land century BC, Maurya period, of Ashoka (r. 273-232 – land under the direct control of the Sultan and BCE) and his son Dasaratha Maurya. the revenues collected were spent for the Though Buddhists themselves, they allowed maintenance of royal court and royal household. various Jain sects to flourish under a policy of Inam land – land assigned or granted to religious religious tolerance. The caves were used by leaders or religious institutions. ascetics from the Ajivika sect.
7 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
Ans:76)(b) Dipankara, were invited to Tibet, and they Explanation: In the ninth century Sankara started introduced a new kind of Buddhism there. a Hindu revivalist movement giving a new 3) The Palas had close trade contacts and cultural orientation to Hinduism. His doctrine of Advaita or links with South-East Asia. The trade with South- Monism was too abstract to appeal to the common East Asia was very profitable and added greatly to man. In the twelfth century, Ramanuja, who was the prosperity of the Pala Empire. born at Sriperumbudur near modern Chennai, Ans:81)(d) preached Visishtadvaita. According to him God is Explanation: The governors of the provinces were Sagunabrahman. In the thirteenth century, royal princes at first. Later, persons belonging to Madhava from Kannada region propagated Dvaita vassal ruling families and nobles were also or dualism of Jivatma and Paramatma. According appointed as governors. The provincial governors to his philosophy, the world is not an illusion but had a large measure of autonomy. They held their a reality. Nimbaka is known for propagating the own courts and maintained their own armies. They Vaishnava Theology of Dvaitadvaita or dualistic were allowed to issue their own coins, though of “non-dualism”. It is also known as Bhedabheda small denominations only, and appoint their own philosophy. officers. There was no regular term for a provincial Ans:77)(b) governor; his term depended on his ability and Explanation: Many foreign travelers visited the strength. Vijayanagar Empire and their accounts are also Ans:82)(c) valuable. The Moroccan traveler, Ibn Battuta, Explanation: This is an expression for the post- Venetian traveler Nicolo de Conti, Persian traveler Gupta period. The age of the Vikramadityas is also Abdur Razzak and the Portuguese traveler used for the Gupta period. The Age of scientific Domingo Paes were among them who left valuable knowledge has also been used by some. accounts on the socio-economic conditions of the Ans:83)(d) Vijayanagar Empire. Explanation: Jallikattu: Jallikattu is a rural bull- Francois Bernier was a French physician and taming sport played in Tamil Nadu on Mattu traveler. He was a personal physician to Mughal Pongal day (mid-January) Prince Dara Shikoh and was later attached to the Kambala: Kambala is an annual buffalo race held court of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for about 12 between November and March by the farming years of his stay in India. community in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada and Ans:78)(d) Udupi districts Explanation: Babur wrote his memoirs, Tuzuk-i- Maramadi: At the annual Maramadi festival during Baburi in Turki language. It provides a vivid the post-harvest season in the villages of Kerala in account of India. He frankly confesses his own southern India, a peculiar bull race takes place failures without suppressing any facts. Bailgada Sharyat: Bullock-cart racing has been a Sher Shah introduced new silver coins called popular tradition in some parts of Maharashtra “Dam” and they were in circulation till 1835. His known as ‘Bailgada Sharyat’ or ‘Shankarpat’ in revenue reforms increased the revenue of the various parts of the state. state. Ans:84)(b) Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system in his Explanation: Kalighat painting was a product of administration. Under this system every officer the changing urban society of the nineteenth- was assigned a rank (mansab). The lowest rank century Calcutta. It was first of its kind in the was 10 and the highest was 5000 for the nobles. Indian subcontinent that expressed subaltern Princes of royal blood received even higher ranks. sentiment and addressed customers directly. It Ans:79)(d) started on a religious note with the subjects being Explanation: All the statements are correct. The Hindu Gods and Goddesses alon with their Chinese pilgrim Huan Tsang gives us information incarnations. However, over time, social on the Harsha period. The feudal practice of sentiments came to be expressed in the medium of rewarding and paying officers with grants of land paper and colours. seem to have begun with Harsha. This explains Ans:85)(b) why we do not have too many coins issued by Explanation: Only the women of higher orders did Harsha. Land grants continued to be made to not have access to independent sources of priests for special services rendered to the State. livelihood in pre-Gupta and Gupta period. The fact In addition, he is credited with the grant of land to that women of the two lower varnas were free to the officers by charters. These grants allowed the earn their livelihood gave them considerable same concessions to priests as were allowed by the freedom, which was denied to the women of upper earlier grants. varnas. It was argued that the vaishyas and Ans:80)(d) shudra women take to agricultural operations and Explanation: Information about the Palas is also domestic services and hence they are outside the provided to us by Tibetan chroniclers, although control of their husbands. In a patriarchal set up these were written down in the seventeenth they began to treat women as items of property, so century according to these, much so that a woman was expected to follow her 1) They were great patrons of Buddhist learning and husband into the next world. The first example of religion. Dharmapala founded the Vikramasila immolation of widow appears in A.D. 510. University which became second only to Nalanda Ans:86)(b) in fame. Explanation: These are types of Stupas - 2) The Palas had a close cultural relation with Tibet. Dhatugarbita – Stupas containing relics of Buddha The noted Buddhist scholars, Santarakshita and Paribodhaka – Stupas built on articles used by monks 8 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
Uddeshika – Built as a token of gratitude on Many of today's gurus of this style belong to the fulfillment of a desire gotipua tradition. Ans:87)(a) Ans:91)(a) Explanation: The central head was the Peshwa Explanation: In the Old Stone Age, food was whose secretariat was called Huzur Daftar. obtained by hunting animals and gathering edible The provinces were under Sarsubahdars. Next to plants and tubers. Therefore, these people are him was Mamlatadar who was administrative head called as hunter-gatherers. They used stone tools, of Sarkars/Subahs or Prants. They performed hand-sized and flaked-off large pebbles for hunting various functions – civil and criminal justice, animals. Stone implements are made of a hard development of agriculture, revenue assessment in rock known as quartzite. Large pebbles are often villages (with assistance of Patels) found in river terraces. In the Mesolithic or Middle Deshmukhs exercised checks on Mamlatadars in Stone Age, the hunting-gathering pattern of life matters of accounts. continued. However, there seems to have been a Patels were the chief village officers who performed shift from big animal hunting to small animal judicial, revenue and other administrative hunting and fishing. The use of bow and arrow functions. Kotwal was the chief officer in city. He also began during this period. Occasionally, also headed the city police. burials of the dead along with some microliths and Nyaydhish performed judicial duties in towns. The shells seem to have been practiced in the Patel performed these functions in villages. There Mesolithic or the Middle Stone Age and not the was no separation of judicial and executive power Neolithic Stone Age. as the highest appeal would lie to the Raja of Ans:92)(d) Satara. Panchayats however were the main Explanation: The first Buddhist Council was held instruments of civil justice. at Rajagraha under the chairmanship of Ans:88)(a) Mahakasapa immediately after the death of Explanation: Warli paintings are painted by Buddha. Its purpose was to maintain the purity of tribals in North Sahyadri range, Maharashtra. the teachings of the Buddha. The second Buddhist These rudimentary wall paintings use a set of Council was convened at Vaisali around 383 B.C, basic geometric shapes: a circle, a triangle, and a under the patronage of King Kalasoka and the square. These shapes are symbolic of different presidency of Sabakami. The third Buddhist elements of nature. The circle and the triangle Council was held at Pataliputra under the come from their observation of nature. The circle patronage of Asoka. Moggaliputta Tissa presided represents the sun and the moon, while the over it. The final version of Tripitakas was triangle is derived from mountains and pointed completed in this council. The fourth Buddhist trees. In contrast, the square appears to be a Council was convened in Kashmir by Kanishka human invention, indicating a sacred enclosure or under the chairmanship of Vasumitra. Asvagosha a piece of land. The central motif in each ritual participated in this council. The new school of painting is the square Buddhism called Mahayana Buddhism came into Ans:89)(c) existence during this council. The Buddhism Explanation: The sublime image of the Buddha preached by the Buddha and propagated by Asoka represented in the act of turning the Wheel of Law was known as Hinayana. is one of the masterly creations of Gupta classical Ans:93)(b) sculpture. The image is carved in Chunar Explanation: The inscriptions of Asoka were first sandstone and has a surface texture of shining deciphered by James Princep in 1837. There are smoothness. The Master is shown as seated in fourteen Major Rock Edicts. The two Kalinga Vijraparyanka with the hands held near the breast Edicts are found in the newly conquered territory. in Dharmachakrapravartana Mudra (the gesture of The major pillar Edicts were erected in important Preaching). A subtle discipline permeates the cities. There are minor Rock Edicts and minor entire figure, physically as well as mentally. pillar Edicts. These Edicts of Asoka deal with Ans:90)(d) Asoka’s Dhamma and also instructions given to Explanation: Odissi closely follows the tenets laid his officials. down by the Natya Shastra. Facial expressions, The XIII Rock Edict gives details about his war hand gestures and body movements are used to with Kalinga. suggest a certain feeling, an emotion or one of the The language mostly employed in the Edicts of nine rasas. Asoka is Pali, but in some places Prakrit was used. The techniques of movement are built around the The Brahmi script was employed for writing. In the two basic postures of the Chowkand the north western India Ashokan inscriptions were Tribhanga. The chowk is a position imitating a found in Karoshti script. square - a very masculine stance with the weight The Pillar Edict VII gives a summary of his efforts of the body equally balanced. The tribhanga is a to promote the Dhamma within his kingdom. very feminine stance where the body is deflected at Thus the Ashokan inscriptions remain valuable the neck, torso and the knees. sources for the study of Asoka and the Mauryan For centuries maharis were the chief repositories Empire. of this dance. The maharis, who were originally Ans:94)(b) temple dancers, came to be employed in royal Explanation: Hereditary monarchy was the form courts which resulted in the degeneration of the of government during the Sangam period. The king art form. Around this time, a class of boys called had also taken the advice of his minister, court- gotipuas were trained in the art, they danced in poet and the imperial court or avai. Each of the the temples and also for general entertainment. Sangam dynasties had a royal emblem – Carp for
9 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487
the Pandyas. Tiger for the Cholas and Bow for the a source of great income to them and they built Cheras. large prosperous empire because of the tolls levied Ans:95)(b) from the traders. It is significant that the Kushans Explanation: Balban introduced Sijdah were the first rulers in India to issue gold coins on (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the feet of the a wide scale. However, they also promoted sultan in the court) as the normal form of agriculture. The early archeological traces of large salutation for the Sultan. He introduced the scale irrigation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and festival of Nauroz. These customs left the nobility western Central Asia belong to the Kushan period. and visitors utterly humbled, terro-stricken and Ans:98)(c) dumb. He also maintained a dazzling durbar on Explanation: Khajuraho, as we know, is the the Persian model which became famous ancient capital of the Chandela Dynasty. The throughout Central Asia for its splendor and temples here were erected simultaneously in the magnificence. 11th century and are nearly equally divided among Ans:96)(c) the three religions viz. Jaina, Saiva and Vaishnava. Explanation: The bhakti movement has said to be Each group has one shrine greater than the rest originated in the south in the teachings of Tamil around which small temples have been clustered. mystic saints of 7th-9th centuries. Later on it was This largest temple is Kandariya Mahadev in systematized by Ramanuja in 12th century and Saivite, Ramachandra in Vaishnavite and propagated throughout India. At that time Islam Jinanatha in Jain. provided a major challenge to Hinduism. Continual Ans:99)(a) defeats on the field of battle loss of political power Explanation: ‘Me-Dam-Me-Phi’ festival of the Tai and domination of alien religion in the country Ahom community of Assam. The Tai-Ahoms accentuated frustration. It developed under two extends offerings to their departed ancestors and different schools of thought- Nirgunabhakti and offer sacrifices to Gods in traditional manner. Sagunabhakti. Nirgunabhakti which believed in Ans:100)(b) formless worship and Sagunabhakti which Explanation: Śāradā is a script of the Brahmic believed in the worship of form. Nirgunabhakti family of scripts, developed around the 8th saints were- Kabir, Guru Nanak, Malak das, Dadu century. It was used for writing Sanskrit and dayal, Ghora etc. Sagunabhakti saints were- Kashmiri. The Gurmukhī script was developed Ramanuja, Madhav, Vallabha, Meera bai, from Śāradā by Guru Angad. Originally more Chaitanya, Tulsidas, Surdas etc. widespread, its use became later restricted to Ans:97)(a) Kashmir, and it is now rarely used except by the Explanation: The coming of the Central Asian Kashmiri Pandit community for ceremonial people established intimate contacts between purposes. There are several variants of Śāradā Central Asia and India. As a result, India received Scripts such as Takkari or Tankari which is the a good deal of gold from the Altai Mountains in parent of the Dogri script, Kului script (Kullu in Central Asia. Gold also may have been received by Himachal Pradesh), Chameali Script (in Chamba it through trade with the Roman Empire. The Himachal Pradesh), Sindhi, Bania of Punjab etc. Kushans controlled the Silk Route. The route was
10 AIPTS GS – 9 Answer Key Byju’s Classes: 9873643487