Professional Documents
Culture Documents
History Revision Answer Writing Classes Lecture 1 2627 June 2023
History Revision Answer Writing Classes Lecture 1 2627 June 2023
Mains-2023
History
Lecture 1
Q. Discuss the varied socio-economic functions that were performed by temples of ancient and
medieval India. (150 words)
Q. Highlight the significant features of Harappan artistic creations with adequate examples. (150
words)
Q. Compare and contrast core philosophical ideas of Buddhism and Jainism. (250 words)
Q. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for
freedom. (UPSC, 2016)
Content
Presentation
Read the To remove unwanted content
syllabus
Solve
questions To set yourself in practice mode
simultaneously
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Total
Modern history 4 2 3 3 4 1 4 2 3 2 28
Post Ind. 3 1 1 1 6
World History 5 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 16
Medieval History 2 1 2 1 1 7
Total 14 10 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 74
UPSC’s favorite in Art UPSC questions
and culture:
Indus valley To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus valley civilization
civilization provided inputs to the present-day urbanization? Discuss. (2014)
Buddhism and Jainism 1. Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives
successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (2016)
2. Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.
(2014)
3. Highlight the central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art.
(2019)
Mauryan, Gupta, and How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic
Chola Period art is not at all noticeable in later times? (2015)
Discuss the main contribution of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian
heritage and culture. (2022)
Travelers and visitors Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travelers in the
reconstruction of the history of India. (2018)
Bhakti and Sufi 1. Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas
and practices or the……… (2014)
2. Bhakti movement re-orientation of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (2018)
UPSC’s favorite in Modern History UPSC questions
Mahatma Gandhi and others 1. How different would have been the achievement of
Indian Independence without Mahatma Gandhi?
Discuss (2015)
2. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash
Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggles
for freedom. (2016)
3. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of
Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (2018)
Major Revolts Explain how the uprising of 1857 constitutes an
important watershed in the evolution of British policies
towards colonial India. (2016)
Important Governor Generals In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of
modern India.
UPSC’s favorite in Post Independence: UPSC question
Consolidation Has the formation of linguistic states
strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? (2016)
Re-organisation Discuss whether formation of new states in
recent times times is beneficial or not for the
economy of India. (2018)
UPSC’s UPSC questions
favorite in
World History:
Major 1. Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the
revolutions American and French Revolutions. (2019)
2. American revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism.
Substantiate. (2013)
Decolonization 1. Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accidents of
European competition. Analyze. (2013)
2. What problems were germane to the decolonization process in the
Malay Peninsula? (2015)
World wars To what extend can Germany be help responsible for causing the two World
Wars? Discuss. (2015)
Mark Twain said:
“India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace
of human speech, the mother of history, grandmother of
legend, and great grand mother of tradition. Our most
valuable and most instructive materials in the history of
man are treasured up in India only.”
Core approach
in History
Cause and
Evolution Transition
effect relation
Q1. Highlight the significant features of Harappan artistic creations with adequate examples. (150 words)
Indus valley civilization
Seals: made of steatite, and occasionally of agate, chert, copper, faience and terracotta. Unicorn bull,
rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, bison, goat, buffalo were depicted. Standard size was 2x2 inch. E.g.,
Pashupati seal at Mohenjodaro.
Pottery: red clay, with or without a fine red or grey slip. Geometric and animal designs are executed
in glossy black paint (PGW).
Beads, Ornaments, fashion and Cosmetics: White necklaces, fillets, armlets and finger rings were
commonly worn by both sexes. Metals included gold and copper. Dead bodies were buried with
ornaments. Cotton and wool was used. Cinnabar was used as a cosmetic and face-paint, lipstick and
collyrium (eyeliner).
Writings: used the boustrophedon style (consecutive lines starting in opposite direction. It was
pictographic and logo syllabic. Not yet deciphered.
Urban planning
• Drainage system: There were covered drains along the road. Houses were built on either
side of the roads and streets. Each street had a well-organized drain system.
• Citadel and Lower towns: between rich and labour class, Houses had the same plan – a
square courtyard around which were a number of rooms. Entrance to the houses were
from the narrow lanes which cut the street at right angles. No windows faced the
street.
• Animal husbandry: animals such as cows, bull and ox were domesticated, milk was
consumed along with other animal fat.
• Major crops: lentils and other pulses (peas, chickpeas, green gram, black gram), wheat
and barley were staple crops, millets in Gujarat. Range of fruit, vegetables and spices :
these included a variety of brown mustard greens, coriander, dates, walnuts, grapes, figs;
many others, such as mango, okra, garlic, turmeric, ginger, cumin and cinnamon.
• Foreign trade: trade in stone, metal, shell, etc, did not use metal money. Trade with
south India, North-central India (Ketri mines), Mesopotamia.
• Consumer products: weights and measures were used, all daily consumer items like
clothing, utensils, cosmetics were available.
Cultural aspects
• Leisure: indoor games which involved the use dice and marbles,
toys were used by kids, there was a stadium in Dholavira, dances
were performed, music was known.
The artistic creation of the Indus Valley Civilisation that emerged during the
second half of the third millennium BCE includes sculptures, seals, pottery,
jewellery, terracotta figures, etc.
Candidates
Features of Harappan art work must not
write on
this margin
• Excelled in small size art works: Such as terracotta toy carts and animals; Seals
Practice Question from Rau’s MTS
Buddhist art
• Raised platform/plinth
•Jainism recognised the existence of Gods but placed them lower than jina, Buddha on
other hand did not involve himself in conversation about God as he found it fruitless.
•Mahavira asked his followers to lead a more austere life, whereas Buddha prescribed
“Middle path”,(madhyam marg).
•Jainism gave the Tri-ratnas for salvation, whereas Buddha gave a practical Ashtangika
Marg for liberation.
•Jainism prohibited even agriculture for its followers to abide by non-violence, Buddhism
avoided such extremes.
Thus both Jainism and Buddhism emerged as social
reform movements in 6th century BC and became
religious traditions with their own distinct philosophical
ideas. They continue to enrich the culture, languages
and spiritual thinking of Indian subcontinent and
beyond.
Foreigners’ account
Ancient Medieval
• Megasthenes • Al-Masudi
• Fa-Hein • Al- Beruni
• Huien Tsang • Marco Polo
• Ibn Batuta
• Abdur Razzak
• Nicolo Conti
• Thomas Roe
• Francois Bernier
MEGASTHENES
• He was the ambassador of Seleucus.
• Megasthenes was a Greek Diplomat, Historian and ethnographer whose extensive writings about the cultures
of India gave an insight into the lives of ancient Indians during the rule of Chandragupta Maurya.
• Chandragupta was known to the Greeks as Sandrocottus.
• He was also the author of the book ‘Indica’ (original book is lost).
• His observation: well-organized governance structure with a hierarchy of officials, presence of spies, presence
of varna system, prevalence of slavery, use of irrigation systems, extensive trade network, worship of gods and
goddesses, the performance of sacrifices, and the influence of astrology.
FA-HIEN
• He was a Chinese Buddhist monk (a voyager and pilgrim from China)
• He visited India during the reign of Gupta King Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II) in Magadha (Present-day Bihar).
• He is known for his visit to Lumbini.
• His voyage is described in his travelogue “Record of Buddhist Kingdoms”.
• Based on his record we came to know about the prevalence of socio-economic and cultural aspects of Gupta
empire.
Fa Hien’s record on India
On Polity: Gupta Administration was liberal on the subjects, disputes were very limited, first-time offenders were
treated with fine, repeated offender were treated with severe punishment, death penalty was absent, there was
palace of Ashoka that survived,
On Economy: land ownership was transferable, government servants were paid in cash, Monasteries, Sanghas,
temples were free from any form taxes, Indians carried sea voyages, ports like Cambay, Sopara, Baroach, and
Tamralipti existed,
On society: public places and highways were free from dacoity and thieves, rest houses for travelers and hospitals
for poor were built, majority of population was vegetarian, alcohol was least consumed, only Chandalas were the
meat eaters, tradition of donation by the rich people to Temples, monastries and shrenis, emperor worshipped
Vishnu but remained tolerant to the other religious faiths, there were
HUIEN TSANG
• He was a Chinese traveller who visited India during the supremacy of Harshvardhan (Pushyabhuti Dynasty)
• Si-Yu-ki or ‘The Records of the Western World’ was written by him.
• He also visited, studied and written about Nalanda University.
• He visited to far south up to Kanchipuram.
• King Harsha also invited Hiuen Tsang to Kumbh Mela in Prayag.
AL-MASUDI
• Al-Masudi was An Arab traveller.
• In his book Muruj-ul-Zehab (Meadows of God) he has explained his journey.
• Al Masudi was the first Arab writer to combine history and scientific geography in his works.
• His works largely focused on the geographical extent of India and beyond.
What Hiuen Tsang Observed?
ABDUR RAZZAK
• He was a Persian scholar and also an ambassador of Persia.
• Abdur Razzak, the Persian Islamic scholar and a Timurid chronicler visited the Vijayanagar Kingdom at
the time of Dev Raya II ruler of Sangam dynasty.
• He described that the city of Vijayanagar was governed by an able King. It was filled with temples, gardens
and palaces. There were 300 harbours and 1,100000 warriors. It was well fortified and the markets were
teeming with wealth. He also mentioned the Royal Centre of Hampi that several rivulets and streams
flowed through channels of cut stone.
Quality improvement about foreign traveller:
Q. Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travelers in the reconstruction
of the history of India. (UPSC, 2018)
Paintings during different period
Pre-historic
Mural Ancient
Medieval
Paintings
Medieval
Miniature
Modern
Folk paintings
Prehistoric Paintings
Why?
• Source of leisure and depiction of local customs
and cultural ideas.
• Preserve the local traditions
• Women participation in cultural activities • Madhubani Paintings.
• Source of earning • Pattachitra Art.
• Source of entertainment • Pithora Painting.
• Kalamkari Paintings.
• Kalighat Pat Art.
Common elements • Floor Paintings.
• Designed in easier manner • Warli Art.
• No complex tools or methods involve • Thangka Paintings
• Follow local folklore or mythological stories
• Derived to celebrate festival or important life
event.
• Important themes include Gods or goddess,
animals, rural life, womanhood etc.
Quality improvement about painting:
• Sources of these paintings
• Unique features of these paintings
• Patronage given
• Material used
• Reflection of Indian history and culture
• Religious denomination
Candidates
must not
write on
this margin
Q. Folk paintings have been an integral part of Indian civilization; they exhibit diversity in style and
Practice Question from Rau’s MTS
patterns with respect to different regions of India. In light of the above statement, enumerate
some folk paintings along with their characteristics. (250 words)
Madhubani/Mithila
• Theme: Hindu deities like Rama, Krishna etc. and social happenings like court scenes and
weddings.
• Fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks are used for paintings
Tanjore/Thanjavur
• Use of brilliant colour schemes, decorative jewellery with stones and cut glasses are
remarkable feature of these paintings.
Candidates
must not
Warli write on
this margin
Practice Question from Rau’s MTS
• Flourished in Maharashtra.
• The paintings are done on walls coated with mud and cow dung.
Pattachitra
• Themes: mostly mythological are depicted for ex temple of Jagannath; Krishna Lila etc.
• Display of emotions of the figures is the key striking feature of the painting.
Candidates
must not
write on
Rajasthani miniature this margin
Practice Question from Rau’s MTS
• Flourished around provinces like Bundi, Kota, Marwar (Jodhpur) and Kishangarh etc.
• Several local innovations like Kishangarh School famous for its Bani Thani paintings
depicted Radha-Krishna as divine lovers.
Kalamkari
Rulers
Ancient
Others
Personalities
Medieval Freedom
fighters
Modern
Other
Quality improvement about personalities:
• Duration and know for
• Unique contributions
• Patronage given to
• Impact on Indian socio-economic and cultural aspects.
• Personal contributions
Kanishka
• Cultural contribution:
v Patronised Buddhism
v Spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and China
v He replaced Greek with Bactrian as the official language of administration in
the empire
v Issued gold coins with his own image, image of Greek gods and Greek script.
v He administered the 4th Buddhist Council in Kashmir as the head of the
council. It was presided by Vasumitra and Ashvagosha.
v Kanishka stupa at Purushapura, modern day Peshawar. Chinese pilgrims such
as Xuan Zang paid a visit to this stupa.
v Buddhist Coins: Showed Shakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya.
v He inaugurated Mahayana Buddhism and patronized Gandhara and Mathura
school of Buddist Art.
Shivaji
• Aastha Pradhan Mandal, was an administrative and advisory council set up by Shivaji.
• Shivaji's royal seal was in Sanskrit.
• Production of ‘Rājavyavahārakośa’ (Lexicon produced to replace Persian and Arabic words)
• Shivaji is known for his liberal and tolerant religious policies.
• Shivaji not only allowed Muslims to practice without harassment but supported their
ministries with endowments.
• Shivaji was a master of guerrilla warfare.
Personalities already asked by the UPSC:
• Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
• Krishna deva Raya
• Lord Curzon
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Subhash Chandra Bose
• Lord Dalhousie
• Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad
• Acharya Vinoba Bhave
Q. Krishna deva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but Candidates
must not
was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss. (2016, UPSC) write on
this margin
Practice Question from Rau’s MTS
Temple architecture and their role
RajaRani temple, Bhubaneshwar 11th century AD Unique temple without any presiding deity.
Somavamsi and Ganga rulers; 11th
Lingaraja temple, Bhubaneshwar It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
century AD
Narasimhadeva 1: Eastern Ganga ruler;
Sun temple, Konark It is also known as Black Pagoda.
13th century AD
Krishna 1: Rashtrakuta ruler; 8th century
Kailasa temple, Ellora It is a mix of Pallava and Chalukyan architecture.
AD
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh Chandellas; 900-1130 AD Consists of Hindu and Jaina temples.
Vijayanagar ruler; originally since 7th It is dedicated to Shiva and is an imitation of Kailashnath,
Virupaksha temple, Hampi
century AD Kanchipuram.
Lad Khan temple, Aihole Chalukyan rulers; 5th cen AD It is one of the oldest temples and dedicated to lord Shiva.
Udayagiri cave temple at Vidisha Chandragupta: Gupta ruler; Contains a grand statue of the Varaha avatar of Vishnu
Temple Architecture
Images of Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are placed outside Sculptures of fierce dvarapalas or guarding the temple is generally a
the Garbhagriha. common feature.
Examples- Kandariya Mahadeva (Khajuraho), Jagannath Examples - Shore temple (Mahabalipuram), Brihadesvara temple
Temple (Puri), Dashavatara temple (Deogarh). (Thanjavur), Meenakshi Temple (Madurai)
VESARA TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
• The Vesara style emerged during the reign of Chalunkyan Rulers.
• It is a hybrid temple architecture. It has features of both the Nagara and
Dravidian style of temple architecture.
• It is mainly found in Deccan and Central India regions.
• Though the trend of the Vesara Style of temples started by the Chalukyan
Rulers, it flourished during the Hoysala Period.
• The main important feature of the Vesara Style is that they have Northern
Indian Style (Nagara Style) of Shikhara, and the Mandap was designed in
Southern Indian Style (Dravidian Style).
• In the Vesara Style of temples Shikhara (top of the temple)
and Mandap (main shrine) are joint by the Antarala. So, the temples do
not have ambulatory passageways around Sanctum Sanctorum.
• Examples- Ladkhan Temple at Aihole, Temples at Badami.
KALINGA TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
• In Kalinga Architecture, basically a temple is made in two parts, a
tower and a hall.
• The tower is called deula and the hall is called Jagmohan.
• The walls of both the deula and the Jagmohan are lavishly sculpted
with architectural motifs and a profusion of figures. The most
repeated form is the horseshoe shape, which has come from the
earliest times, starting with the large windows of the chaitya-grihas.
It is the deul or deula which makes three distinct types of
temples in Kalinga Architecture.
• The style consists of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula,
Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula. The former two are associated
with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva temples while the third is mainly with
Chamunda and Durga temples.
KAKATIYA TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
• Decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite.
• Kakatiyan-built water reservoir.
• Pyramidal Vimana
• Stepped tower made of lightweight porous bricks, called as floating bricks;
• Sculptures: Temple sculptures are of high artistic quality and highly polished.
• Sandbox technique: The foundation of the temple is built using sand-box technique which is
utilising sand as a material for the foundation.
Other important Kakatiyan period structures:
o Keerthi Thoranas of Warangal
o Temple of Thousand Pillars at Hanumakonda
Temples’ contribution
Cultural: centre for dances and music, organised cultural fairs, paintings
were developed.