UPSC Prelims Research: Ancient History & Art and Culture 2017

Q. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Notes:

Rig Vedic Aryans vs. Indus Valley People:

• Use of Armor in Warfare:
  • Rig Vedic Aryans utilized armor and helmets during warfare, whereas the Indus Valley Civilization did not leave evidence of similar protective gear.
• Knowledge of Metals:
  • Rig Vedic Aryans were knowledgeable about gold, silver, and copper.
  • However, the Indus Valley people also had knowledge of bronze (copper and tin alloy) and possibly iron.
• Domestication of Horses:
  • The Rig Vedic Aryans domesticated horses, while there is no substantial evidence that the Indus Valley people were aware of horses.
• Tribal Society Structure:
  • The Rig Vedic society was primarily divided into three groups: warriors, priests, and the common people.
  • A fourth group, the Sudras, emerged towards the end of the Rig Vedic period, first mentioned in the tenth Book of the Rig Veda, which is the most recent.
• Presence of Slavery:
  • References in the Rig Veda indicate the existence of slaves, primarily women, who were given as gifts to priests and employed for domestic purposes.
  • Slaves were not directly used in agriculture or production activities during this period.
• Occupational Differentiation:
  • While there was a beginning of occupational differentiation, it was not rigid, as many families engaged in various occupations simultaneously.
• Social Structure:
  • Tribal elements in society were prominent, with no significant social divisions based on tax collection or the accumulation of land.
  • The society maintained a largely egalitarian structure, indicating a lack of feudalism during the Rig Vedic period.

Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Notes:

• Sautrantikas and Sammtiyas are the sects of Buddhism.
• The word “Sautrantika” means a follower of the sutras.
• Sautrantika is generally considered to be another school of Buddhism that developed within the Sarvastivada sect.
• Sarvastivadin: While, like all Buddhists, the Sarvastivadins consider everything empirical to be impermanent, they maintain that the dharma factors are eternally existing realities. This sect of Buddhism believes that all things exist, and exist continuously, in the past and the future as well as in the present.

Q. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

(a) Kakinada

(b) Motupalli

(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)

(d) Nelluru

Answer: (b) Motupalli

Notes:

• Motupalli was a thriving trading hub during the Kakatiya dynasty’s rule, located on the east coast of India. 
  • The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian dynasty whose capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal.
• Historical records, including mentions by Marco Polo, highlight its significance as a major port city for trade with other regions in India, Southeast Asia, China, and the Middle East. 

Q. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at:

(a) Ajanta

(b) Badami

(c) Bagh

(d) Ellora

Answer: (a) Ajanta

Notes:

• The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani, a famous and oft-illustrated mural, is found in Cave 1 of the Ajanta Caves, a Buddhist rock-cut monastery in Maharashtra, India.
• Paintings of various Bodhisattvas in tribhanga pose in Cave 1:
  • Vajrapani (protector and guide, a symbol of Buddha’s power),
  • Manjusri (manifestation of Buddha’s wisdom) and
  • Padmapani (Avalokitesvara) (symbol of Buddha’s compassion).
• The Dying Princess in Cave no. 16.

Cave Architecture in Ancient India

Mural Paintings in India

Q. Consider the following pairs:

	Traditions	Communities
1.	Chaliha Sahib Festival	Sindhis
2.	Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra	Gonds
3.	Wari-Warkari	Santhals

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above

Answer: (a) 1 only

Notes:

• Chaliha Sahib: Chaliha Sahib, a 40-day festival, is a significant cultural and religious event celebrated by the Sindhi Hindu community, honoring Lord Jhulelal, their patron deity, and involves fasting and devotion.
  • The festival typically takes place in July and August.
• Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra: The Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, also known as the “Himalayan Mahakumbh,” is a significant religious pilgrimage and festival in Uttarakhand, India, celebrated in honor of Goddess Nanda Devi, that occurs once every 12 years.
  • Gonds are not native to this state.
• Wari-Warkari: Wari is a pilgrimage for the Warkari sect related to Pandharpur god Vithobain Maharashtra, and it is a part of Bhakti movement rather than a festival of a particular tribal group. Besides, Santhals are not native to this state.
  • “Wari” refers to an annual Hindu pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur, Maharashtra, honoring the deity Vithoba, while “Warkari” means “one who performs the Wari,” belonging to a specific sampradaya (religious movement) within the Bhakti tradition

Important Tribes of India – UPSC

Fairs and Festivals of India

Q. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?

1. Arasavalli
2. Amarakantak
3. Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 only

Notes:

• Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh has one of the prominent Sun temple or suryanarayan temple.
• Temple at Amarkantak is dedicated to Goddess Narmada and Lord Shiva.
• Moreover, Omkareshwar temple on the banks of Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh is one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to lord shiva.

Famous Sun Temples in India

Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

• The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya.
• It is located in the town of Konark in the Indian state of Odisha. The temple is one of the most famous sun temples in India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The temple is built in the shape of a giant chariot, with 12 pairs of stone horses pulling the chariot. The chariot is 100 feet high and is adorned with intricate carvings of deities, animals, and geometric patterns. The temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat

• The Modhera Sun Temple is another famous sun temple in India. It is located in the town of Modhera in the Indian state of Gujarat.
• The temple was built in the 11th century CE by King Bhimdev I of the Chaulukya dynasty.
• The temple is built in the Maru-Gurjara architectural style and is made of sandstone.

Martand Sun Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

• The Martand Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya.
• It is located in the Anantnag district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The temple was built in the 8th century CE by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty.
• The temple is built in the Kashmiri architectural style and is made of limestone.

Sun Temple, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

• The Sun Temple in Gwalior is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the city of Gwalior in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
• The temple was built in the 12th century CE by Raja Suraj Sen of the Tomar dynasty.
• The temple is built in the Hindu architectural style and is made of sandstone.

Surya Narayana Temple, Arasavalli, Andhra Pradesh

• The Surya Narayana Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the village of Arasavalli in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
• The temple was built in the 7th century CE by King Devendra Varma of the Chalukya dynasty.
• The temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style and is made of sandstone.

Surya Pahar Temple, Assam

• The Surya Pahar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya.
• It is located in the village of Surya Pahar in the Indian state of Assam. The temple is built on a hilltop and is surrounded by lush greenery.
• The temple was built in the 18th century CE by King Pramatta Singha of the Ahom dynasty. The temple is built in the Assamese architectural style and is made of stone.

Suryanar Kovil, Tamil Nadu

• The Suryanar Kovil is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the village of Suryanar Kovil in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the oldest sun temples in India and is believed to have been built in the 7th century CE.
• The temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style and is made of granite.

Surya Narayana Temple, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka

• The Surya Narayana Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the Domlur neighborhood of Bengaluru, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple was built in the 19th century CE.
• The temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style and is made of granite.

Dakshinaarka Sun Temple, Gaya, Bihar

• The Dakshinaarka Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the city of Gaya in the Indian state of Bihar. The temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
• The temple was built in the 12th century CE by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala dynasty. The temple is built in the Hoysala architectural style and is made of sandstone.

Balaji Sun Temple, Unao, Madhya Pradesh

• The Balaji Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the city of Unao in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The temple is one of the oldest sun temples in India and is believed to have been built in the 6th century CE.
• The temple is built in the Nagara architectural style and is made of sandstone.

Sun Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand

• The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the city of Ranchi in the Indian state of Jharkhand. The temple was built in the 19th century CE by King Birsa Munda.
• The temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style and is made of sandstone.

Sun Temple, Katarmal, Uttarakhand

• The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. It is located in the village of Katarmal in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The temple was built in the 11th century CE by King Ajaypal of the Katyuri dynasty.
• The temple is built in the Nagara architectural style and is made of sandstone.

Q. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:

1. It is a song and dance performance.
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Sankirtana:

• The Sankirtana is a Manipur ritual singing, drumming, and dancing art form. This art form is performed to commemorate religious occasions as well as different stages in the lives of Manipuri Vaishnavites.
• Kirtana singing is said to have arrived in Manipur in the fifteenth century during the reign of Bengal’s King Kiyamba (1467-1508).
• This devotional form quickly emerged as a distinct cultural form within Manipur’s Vaishnavite community.
• The first kirtana was said to have been performed at Lord Vishnu’s small temple in the village of Vishnupur.
• Sankirtana is a collection of arts done by the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains to commemorate religious festivals and stages in their lives.
• Sankirtana traditions revolve around the temple, where singers and dancers describe Lord Krishna’s life and actions via songs and dance.
• Two drummers and roughly 10 singer-dancers perform in a hall or residential courtyard surrounded by seated worshippers in a typical performance.
• Cymbals and drums are the most commonly used musical instruments.
• The dignity and flow of artistic and holy energy are unrivaled, driving audience members to tears and causing them to kneel themselves in front of the artists on many occasions.
• Sankirtana has two primary social purposes: it brings people together on festive occasions throughout the year, functioning as a unifying factor within Manipur’s Vaishnava community; and it develops and maintains links between individuals and communities via life-cycle rites.
• As a result, it is viewed as God’s tangible manifestation.
• In 2013, it was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.