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.