Indian History, Art & Culture Set 49
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📌 Art & Culture • Handicrafts
Q.1) The traditional Sankheda Furniture—celebrated for its turned wood treated with natural resins and painted in vibrant golden-orange and maroon lacquers—holds an official Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the state of:
Ans > Gujarat
- Sankheda Characteristics: Sankheda furniture is a highly ornate, colorful teak wood furniture treated with natural lacquer and painted in traditional, vivid colors like maroon and gold.
- Geographical Origin: It originates exclusively from Sankheda town, located in the Chhota Udaipur district of Gujarat, where the Kharadi community traditionally practices this craft.
- Crafting Process: The meticulous process involves turning the wood on a hand-lathe, painting it with intricate floral or geometric patterns, and finally coating it with a special lac polish to give it a glossy finish.
- GI Tag & Cultural Significance: It officially received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2007. The historical roots of this craft date back to the mid-19th century, and today, authentic Sankheda chairs and swings (jhoolas) serve as a prominent symbol of Gujarati cultural pride and heritage worldwide.
📌 Cinema • Indian History
Q.2) While Alam Ara (1931) was India’s first talkie, which film holds the historical milestone of being India’s very first indigenous color feature film released in 1937?
Ans > Kisan Kanya
- Cinematic Pioneer: Kisan Kanya (1937) was directed by Moti B. Gidwani and produced by Ardeshir Irani of Imperial Pictures. It is officially recognized as India’s first completely indigenously made color feature film.
- Technological Milestone: The film utilized the sophisticated Cinecolor process, for which Ardeshir Irani had exclusively acquired the rights from the United States, replacing the tedious process of hand-tinting individual film frames.
- Social Commentary: The storyline fundamentally revolved around rural life, focusing sharply on the plight of impoverished farmers and the exploitative landlord system, reflecting the harsh social realities of pre-independence India.
- Historical Distinction: Although earlier cinematic attempts like Sairandhri (1933) were shot in India but processed in Germany, Kisan Kanya holds the profound distinction of being completely processed within an Indian laboratory. This breakthrough permanently shifted the trajectory of the Indian film industry.
📌 Theatre • Literature
Q.3) In the history of Indian commercial theatre, which legendary 20th-century Parsi theatre playwright earned the popular title “The Shakespeare of Urdu” for scripting melodramatic blockbusters like Yahudi Ki Ladki?
Ans > Agha Hashar Kashmiri
- Theatrical Giant: Agha Hashar Kashmiri (1879–1945) was an eminent Urdu poet, playwright, and dramatist who fundamentally transformed the Parsi theatre movement in India during the early 20th century.
- The Shakespeare of Urdu: He is famously titled the “Shakespeare of Urdu” because he successfully adapted several of William Shakespeare’s classic plays into an Indian cultural context, blending rich Urdu poetry with high-voltage theatrical melodrama.
- Famous Masterpieces: Some of his most celebrated adaptations include Sufaid Khoon (based on King Lear) and Khwab-e-Hasti (based on Macbeth). His original masterpiece, Yahudi Ki Ladki (The Jew’s Daughter), became a massive blockbuster and a classic film.
- Cultural Impact: Kashmiri’s distinctive style integrated classical Hindustani music, rhythmic rhyming dialogue, and intense emotional conflicts. He shifted the focus of Parsi theatre from pure entertainment to addressing deeper moral dilemmas, leaving an indelible mark on early Indian cinema.
📌 Ancient History • Buddhism
Q.4) The Third Buddhist Council convened at Pataliputra under the royal patronage of Emperor Ashoka was presided over by which celebrated Buddhist monk?
Ans > Moggaliputta Tissa
- Council Context: The Third Buddhist Council was convened in approximately 250 BCE at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) under the royal patronage of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
- Leadership & Purpose: The council was presided over by the venerable monk Moggaliputta Tissa. The primary objective of this historic gathering was to purify the Buddhist Sangha from opportunistic factions and correct heretical practices.
- Compilation of the Kathavatthu: During this critical council, Moggaliputta Tissa compiled the Kathavatthu, a foundational text that systematically refuted dissenting philosophical views. This text subsequently became a core part of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, the third basket of the Pali Canon.
- Global Expansion: The council marked a major turning point in global religious history. Following the council’s resolutions, Emperor Ashoka dispatched Buddhist missionaries to various parts of the world, including Sri Lanka and Central Asia, transforming Buddhism into a world religion.
📌 Ancient History • Jainism
Q.5) In canonical Jain iconography, the 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshvanatha, is universally identified by which sacred animal emblem (Lanchhana)?
Ans > Snake (Serpent)
- Historical Context: In the sacred Jain tradition, Lord Parshvanatha is revered as the 23rd Tirthankara, preceding Lord Mahavira by approximately 250 years, historically placing him in the 8th or 9th century BCE.
- The Sacred Lanchhana: According to canonical Jain iconography, Parshvanatha is universally and distinctly identified by his Lanchhana (sacred emblem), which is a hooded, multi-headed serpent or snake canopy shielding his head.
- Mythological Origin: This iconic imagery stems from Jain mythology, which narrates that during his intense meditation, a serpent king (Nagaraja) named Dharanendra spread his massive hood to protect the meditating ascetic from a severe storm unleashed by a jealous deity.
- Philosophical Contribution: Consequently, idols of Parshvanatha are easily distinguishable in temples. Furthermore, he established the fourfold vow (Chatuyama Dharma)—non-violence, truth, non-stealing, and non-possession—which laid the philosophical groundwork upon which Lord Mahavira later expanded.
📌 Literature • Medieval History
Q.6) The 12th-century lyrical Sanskrit masterpiece Gita Govinda was authored by the poet Jayadeva at the royal court of which Bengal monarch?
Ans > Lakshmana Sena
- Literary Masterpiece: The Gita Govinda is a timeless 12th-century lyrical poetry masterpiece authored in Sanskrit by the illustrious poet Jayadeva.
- Royal Patronage: Jayadeva served as one of the highly esteemed ‘Pancharatna’ (Five Gems) at the royal court of King Lakshmana Sena, the prominent ruler of the Sena dynasty in Bengal.
- Structure and Theme: The text is divided into twelve chapters, structured into exquisite songs (Prabandhas) meant to be sung in specific classical ragas. It explores the divine, mystical love between Lord Krishna and Radha, set against the lush backdrop of Vrindavan in spring.
- Cultural Impact: The Gita Govinda had a profound, revolutionary impact on the Bhakti movement across the Indian subcontinent. It shaped the Vaishnava traditions and became a foundational text for classical Indian dance forms like Odissi and Manipuri, inspiring countless miniature painting traditions.
📌 Architecture • Temples
Q.7) The historic Veerabhadra Temple, celebrated globally for its architectural mystery of the “Hanging Pillar” that does not touch the ground, is situated in:
Ans > Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
- Architectural Marvel: The Veerabhadra Temple is a spectacular marvel of 16th-century Vijayanagara architectural style, located in the historic town of Lepakshi in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
- The Hanging Pillar: The temple is globally renowned for a baffling architectural anomaly: out of its 70 intricately carved stone pillars, one massive granite pillar mysteriously hangs from the ceiling, leaving a discernible gap between its base and the temple floor.
- Historical Builders: Visitors frequently demonstrate this engineering marvel by passing a thin cloth entirely under the suspended pillar. The temple was constructed by the brothers Viranna and Virupanna, who were governors under the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Frescoes and Monoliths: Beyond the hanging pillar, the Lepakshi temple is celebrated for its breathtaking fresco paintings adorning the ceilings, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, alongside a massive monolithic Nandi (bull) statue carved from a single granite stone.
📌 Martial Arts • Culture
Q.8) The traditional indigenous armed martial art Pari-Khanda (literally translating to Shield and Sword) originated natively among the warrior guilds of:
Ans > Bihar
- Martial Origins: Pari-Khanda is an ancient, highly disciplined traditional martial art form that originated among the warrior guilds and Rajput militias of the Chota Nagpur plateau and Bihar region.
- Nomenclature: The nomenclature of the art form translates directly to the weapons used in combat: ‘Pari’ means shield, and ‘Khanda’ refers to a straight, double-edged sword.
- Combat Techniques: Historically developed as a rigorous combat training system to defend rural territories, its physical movements involve rapid, synchronized steps, defensive shield blocks, and aggressive sword thrusts, requiring immense agility and stamina.
- Evolution to Dance: Over the centuries, as the necessity for literal sword combat diminished, Pari-Khanda gracefully evolved into a performance art. Its precise martial steps heavily influenced the choreography of the famous Chhau dance of Eastern India, preserving the region’s indigenous warrior heritage.
📌 Performing Arts • Music
Q.9) Conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2014, T.H. Vinayakram (popularly known as Vikku Vinayakram) is globally acclaimed for his masterly Carnatic performances on the:
Ans > Ghatam
- Musical Legend: Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram, affectionately known as Vikku Vinayakram, is a legendary Indian percussionist credited with bringing the humble clay pot, the Ghatam, to international prominence.
- Instrument Details: The Ghatam is one of the most ancient percussion instruments in Carnatic music, constructed from special clay mixed with metallic powders to produce a sharp, metallic, ringing tone when struck with the fingers.
- Global Fusion: Vinayakram’s extraordinary rhythmic precision shattered the notion that the Ghatam was merely a secondary accompaniment. In the 1970s, he achieved massive global acclaim when he joined the groundbreaking Indo-jazz fusion band Shakti with John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain.
- Awards and Recognition: His unparalleled contributions to elevating Indian classical music earned him the prestigious Grammy Award in 1991 for the album Planet Drum. The Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Shri in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
📌 Folk Dance • Culture
Q.10) Fugdi is an energetic traditional folk dance performed strictly by women in circles or rows during religious festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi in the state of:
Ans > Goa
- Cultural Roots: Fugdi is a vibrant, energetic traditional folk dance deeply rooted in the rural culture of Goa and the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
- Occasions & Participants: It is performed exclusively by women, typically serving as a joyous celebration during important Hindu religious festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Dhalo, and various agricultural harvest seasons.
- Rhythm & Performance: Unlike structured classical dances, Fugdi does not require any musical instruments. The rhythm is entirely generated by the women clapping their hands, singing traditional rhythmic local folk songs, and the heavy stomping of their feet.
- The Climax: The dance usually begins at a slow, graceful pace in a circle. As the song progresses, the tempo increases drastically, climaxing with women pairing up, holding crossed hands, and spinning rapidly in circles until they are completely exhausted.
📌 Literature • Ancient History
Q.11) The famous 7th-century satirical Sanskrit farce Mattavilasa Prahasana, which mocks the decadent lifestyle of rival ascetic orders, was authored by Pallava Emperor:
Ans > Mahendravarman I
- Literary Satire: Mattavilasa Prahasana (The Farce of Drunken Sport) is a brilliant 7th-century Sanskrit satirical play authored by the Pallava King Mahendravarman I.
- Historical Context: The play offers a fascinating, critical glimpse into the socio-religious landscape of Kanchipuram, the Pallava capital, during a period of intense sectarian rivalry among various spiritual orders.
- The Comedic Plot: The farcical plot revolves around a drunken Kapalika ascetic (a radical Shaivite sect) who misplaces his sacred alms bowl (made from a human skull) and absurdly accuses a passing Buddhist monk of stealing it.
- Mocking Orthodoxy: Through sharp wit and farcical humor, Mahendravarman I mercilessly mocks the hypocrisy, moral decay, and decadent lifestyles of contemporary religious sects, proving the vibrant intellectual freedom of early medieval South India where a monarch could openly parody religious orthodoxy.
📌 History • Institutions
Q.12) Who among the following British colonial officers was appointed as the very first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1861?
Ans > Alexander Cunningham
- Father of Indian Archaeology: Sir Alexander Cunningham (1814–1893) was a British military engineer and a passionate antiquarian who is rightfully celebrated as the “Father of Indian Archaeology.”
- Establishment of the ASI: In 1861, recognizing the urgent need to scientifically survey and preserve India’s rapidly decaying historical ruins, the British colonial government established the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and appointed Cunningham as its very first Director-General.
- Mapping Ancient India: Cunningham dedicated his life to mapping the vast historical landscape of northern and central India. He heavily relied on the ancient travel itineraries documented by Chinese Buddhist pilgrims like Xuanzang to successfully locate forgotten ancient cities.
- Foundational Excavations: Under his meticulous leadership, the ASI excavated and documented critical Buddhist heritage sites, including Sarnath, Sanchi, and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, laying the absolute groundwork for all subsequent modern archaeological research in India.
📌 Art & Culture • Paintings
Q.13) The GI-registered Pattachitra painting tradition—characterized by intricate mythological narratives drawn on treated cloth (Patta) using natural stone pigments—belongs natively to:
Ans > Odisha
- Artistic Origins: Pattachitra, translating literally to ‘cloth-picture’ (Patta meaning cloth, and Chitra meaning painting), is the flagship traditional scroll painting art form of Odisha, tracing its roots back to the 12th century.
- Temple Connection: This intricate art style is deeply intertwined with the ancient temple rituals of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Historically, these paintings served as visual substitutes for the temple deities when the main wooden idols were kept away from public viewing.
- Canvas Preparation: The canvas is meticulously prepared using a traditional binding method where a paste made from tamarind seeds is applied to cotton cloth, which is then dried and polished with a stone to create a smooth, leather-like surface.
- Natural Pigments & Themes: Artisans use strictly natural and organic pigments derived from conch shells, lamp soot, and crushed minerals to paint vibrant mythological narratives. Pattachitra proudly holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, preserving this ancient craft from modern imitation.
📌 Ancient History • Sculpture
Q.14) The celebrated Sultanganj Buddha—a colossal 2.3-meter-tall Gupta-era copper statue cast via the lost-wax technique—was unearthed by railway engineers in 1861 in the state of:
Ans > Bihar
- Metallurgical Masterpiece: The celebrated Sultanganj Buddha is a monumental masterpiece of Gupta-era metallurgy, dating back to the 5th to 7th centuries CE.
- Scale and Discovery: Standing at an impressive 2.3 meters tall and weighing over 500 kilograms, it was accidentally discovered in 1861 during the construction of the East Indian Railway in Sultanganj, Bhagalpur district, Bihar.
- The Lost-Wax Technique: It was cast using the highly complex and sophisticated “lost-wax” (cire perdue) technique, demonstrating an astonishing level of metallurgical skill and chemical knowledge possessed by ancient Indian foundries, shattering the myth that early artisans only worked with stone.
- Artistic Style & Location: The Buddha is depicted in the Abhaya Mudra, wearing sheer, clinging monastic robes that highlight the graceful curves of the human body—a hallmark of Gupta art. Currently, this invaluable artifact is housed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the United Kingdom.
📌 Performing Arts • Devotional Music
Q.15) In the traditional music taxonomy of Assam, the sacred classical devotional songs known as Borgeets were composed in the 15th and 16th centuries by:
Ans > Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva
- Spiritual Foundation: Borgeets are a deeply revered collection of sacred, classical devotional songs that form the spiritual backbone of the neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam.
- The Composers: They were composed in the late 15th and 16th centuries by the great saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardeva and his foremost disciple, Madhavdeva.
- Musical Sophistication: Unlike simple folk tunes, Borgeets are highly structured musical compositions strictly set to specific classical ragas and talas, reflecting a highly sophisticated musical taxonomy distinct to the region.
- Language & Legacy: The lyrics are written in ‘Brajavali’, an artificial, poetic literary language created by Sankardeva that blended Assamese, Maithili, and Hindi to make divine narratives accessible. Today, Borgeets remain a vital, living tradition sung inside ‘Sattras’ (monasteries), serving as a powerful tool for community bonding.
📌 Theatre • Institutions
Q.16) The National School of Drama (NSD), one of the foremost theatre training institutions in Asia, was established in New Delhi in the year:
Ans > 1959
- Premier Institution: The National School of Drama (NSD) is undeniably the most prestigious and premier theatre training institute in India, and one of the finest in Asia.
- Establishment: It was officially established in New Delhi in the year 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and later became an independent autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture in 1975.
- Academic Vision: The foundational vision of the NSD was to establish a rigorous, highly academic, and practical training ground that would professionalize Indian theatre, moving it beyond amateur dramatic societies.
- Curriculum & Alumni: The comprehensive curriculum covers acting, scenic design, and direction, blending ancient Sanskrit theatre forms with modern Western techniques. Under legendary directors like Ebrahim Alkazi, NSD produced a massive roster of legendary alumni, including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Irrfan Khan.
📌 Performing Arts • Puppetry
Q.17) Togalu Gombeyatta is the traditional leather shadow puppetry craft native to the state of:
Ans > Karnataka
- Craft Definition: Togalu Gombeyatta is the captivating and ancient traditional leather shadow puppetry craft native to the southern state of Karnataka. The name translates literally from Kannada: ‘Togalu’ means leather, and ‘Gombeyatta’ means puppet dance or play.
- Puppet Construction: The puppets are meticulously handcrafted from translucent animal hide. Artisans chemically treat the leather, cut intricate filigree patterns to represent jewelry and clothing, and dye them using vivid natural plant-based colors.
- Performance Mechanics: During a performance, these articulated flat puppets are pressed against a white cotton screen. A strong light source placed behind them projects glowing, colorful silhouettes to the audience seated on the other side.
- Storytelling Tradition: The puppeteers manipulate the figures while simultaneously singing epic narratives derived from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and local Puranas. This art form is a deeply ritualistic storytelling tradition that has educated rural masses for centuries.
📌 Literature • Ancient Texts
Q.18) The foundational 11th-century Sanskrit treatise on poetic aesthetics and rhetoric titled Kavya Prakasha was authored by:
Ans > Mammata Bhatta
- Authoritative Masterwork: The Kavya Prakasha (The Light of Poetry) is an absolute masterwork and one of the most authoritative treatises on Sanskrit literary theory and aesthetics.
- The Author: It was composed in the 11th century by the brilliant Kashmiri scholar and rhetorician, Mammata Bhatta.
- Synthesizing Theories: Prior to Mammata, Indian literary theory was highly fragmented. Mammata Bhatta brilliantly synthesized these competing theories, firmly establishing that ‘Dhvani’ (poetic suggestion) and ‘Rasa’ (aesthetic experience) are the ultimate soul of high-quality poetry.
- Enduring Legacy: The Kavya Prakasha is divided into ten chapters (Ullasas) and meticulously catalogs literary flaws (doshas), merits (gunas), and figures of speech. Its logical rigor was so universally accepted that it remained unchallenged as the benchmark for poetic evaluation across the Indian subcontinent for nearly a millennium.
📌 Art & Culture • Festivals
Q.19) The annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela, globally hailed as the world’s largest traditional handloom and crafts fair, is hosted in the state of:
Ans > Haryana
- Global Crafts Hub: The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is a spectacular cultural festival hosted annually during the first fortnight of February in the town of Surajkund, Faridabad district, Haryana.
- History and Scale: Launched in 1987 by the Haryana Tourism Department, it has grown exponentially to become the absolute largest crafts fair in the world, attracting thousands of master craftspeople.
- Economic Platform: The primary objective of the Mela is to provide a direct, lucrative platform for India’s immensely talented rural artisans, master weavers, and tribal craftspeople to showcase and sell their traditional handlooms directly to urban consumers, bypassing middlemen.
- Cultural Integration: Every year, the festival highlights a specific Indian “Theme State,” completely immersing the fairground in its unique architecture and cuisine. Furthermore, it functions as a major diplomatic event, inviting partner nations to participate in this magnificent celebration of global cultural diversity.
📌 Architecture • Mughal Era
Q.20) The Bibi Ka Maqbara—often historically nicknamed the “Taj of the Deccan”—was erected in 1660 by Mughal Prince Azam Shah in the city of:
Ans > Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar)
- Historical Location: The Bibi Ka Maqbara is a stunning piece of late Mughal architecture situated in the historic city of Aurangabad (recently renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) in Maharashtra.
- The Patron: It was commissioned in 1660 by the Mughal Prince Azam Shah, the son of Emperor Aurangzeb, as a loving tribute to his mother, Dilras Banu Begum.
- The Taj of the Deccan: The monument is famously nicknamed the “Taj of the Deccan” because it was explicitly designed to closely replicate the architectural layout and symmetry of the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra.
- Architectural Reality: Reflecting the severe financial constraints of the Mughal Empire during Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaigns, only the central dome and lower plinth are pure white marble. The rest is constructed from brick covered with a highly polished plaster called stucco. Nevertheless, it remains an architectural gem of the twilight Mughal era.
📌 Ancient Literature • Vedas
Q.21) In the classical Indic taxonomy of canonical literature, Dhanurveda (the applied science of archery and warfare) is officially attached as the Upaveda of the:
Ans > Yajurveda
- Understanding Upavedas: In the ancient, highly structured taxonomy of Hindu scriptural knowledge, ‘Upavedas’ are applied, technical sciences that are appended as supplementary texts to the four primary Vedas.
- The Science of Warfare: Dhanurveda, which literally translates to “the knowledge of the bow,” is the ancient Indian science of martial arts, archery, and complex military strategy.
- Vedic Attachment: It is officially classified as the Upaveda of the Yajurveda, which is the Veda primarily concerned with prose mantras, ritualistic sacrifices, and the strict procedures of ceremonial duties.
- Ethical Framework: The Dhanurveda was not merely a physical combat manual; it comprehensively codified the rules of ethical warfare (Dharma Yuddha). By attaching this martial science to the sacred Yajurveda, ancient scholars elevated the administration of righteous war to a sacred, ritualistic duty governed by moral frameworks.
📌 Art & Culture • Textiles
Q.22) The traditional handloom luxury craft Jamdani—characterized by opaque cotton or gold motifs woven directly onto fine translucent unbleached muslin—holds a GI tag for:
Ans > West Bengal
- Luxurious Textile: Jamdani is an incredibly luxurious, time-intensive traditional handloom weaving technique that has historically produced some of the finest cotton textiles in the world, originating in the Bengal region during the Mughal era.
- Visual Characteristics: It is characterized by weaving highly intricate, opaque motifs—often floral, geometric, or gold thread (zari)—directly onto an incredibly sheer, translucent, unbleached cotton muslin fabric.
- Complex Technique: The weaving process utilizes a highly complex supplementary weft technique. Artisans manually add heavier threads to the fine warp to create the motifs, making the patterns appear as if they are floating magically on the surface of the diaphanous cloth.
- Geographical Indication: Recognizing the exceptional skill required, the Jamdani weaving tradition holds a highly coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the state of West Bengal, specifically centered around the weaving clusters of Shantipur and Dhaniakhali.
📌 Performing Arts • Theatre
Q.23) Inscribed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage, Koodiyattam is the traditional temple Sanskrit theatre native to:
Ans > Kerala
- Ancient Origins: Koodiyattam, natively rooted in the state of Kerala, holds the extraordinary distinction of being the oldest continuously performed theatre form in the world, with an unbroken history spanning over 2,000 years.
- Temple Theatre: It is a highly stylized, traditional Sanskrit theatre performed exclusively inside the sacred precincts of Hindu temples, within specially designed ancient theatre halls known as Koothambalams.
- Performance Structure: The word translates to ‘acting together’, reflecting a unique performance structure where a male actor (Chakyar) and a female actor (Nangiar) share the stage, supported by the massive, resonant beats of the Mizhavu drum.
- UNESCO Recognition: The performances are incredibly elaborate and slow-paced, relying heavily on Netra Abhinaya (intricate eye movements). In recognition of its antiquity, UNESCO inscribed Koodiyattam as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2001.
📌 Philosophy • Hinduism
Q.24) The orthodox Hindu philosophical school of Advaita Vedanta (Absolute Non-Dualism), positing that the empirical material world is an illusion (Maya), was propounded by:
Ans > Adi Shankaracharya
- Philosophical School: Advaita Vedanta, meaning “Absolute Non-Dualism,” is one of the most profoundly influential sub-schools of the orthodox Hindu philosophical system (Darshana).
- The Propounder: This highly complex metaphysical doctrine was systematically propounded and consolidated in the 8th century by the brilliant theologian and philosopher, Adi Shankaracharya.
- Core Doctrine: The core thesis of Advaita posits that there is only one ultimate, unchanging reality in the universe, termed ‘Brahman’. The empirical, material world that we perceive through our senses is fundamentally an illusion or cosmic projection, termed ‘Maya’.
- Institutional Legacy: Shankaracharya argued that the individual soul (Atman) is identical to Brahman, and liberation is achieved through direct realization. To permanently anchor this philosophy, he established four major monastic centers (Mathas) across India, ensuring the dominance of orthodox Hinduism.
📌 Ancient History • Medicine
Q.25) The foundational ancient medical treatise Charaka Samhita was compiled by Sage Charaka, who served as the royal court physician to Kushan Emperor:
Ans > Kanishka I
- Foundational Text: The Charaka Samhita is universally acknowledged as the absolute foundational text of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian traditional system of medicine, compiled around the 1st or 2nd century CE.
- Royal Patronage: Historical and textual evidence strongly suggests that Sage Charaka served as the esteemed royal court physician to Kanishka I, the greatest emperor of the mighty Kushan dynasty, whose vast empire stretched across Central Asia and northern India.
- Medical Encyclopedia: The text is an encyclopedic marvel of ancient science. It comprehensively details fundamental medical theories, highly advanced concepts of human anatomy, and the complex diagnosis of diseases based on the imbalance of the three bodily humors (Tridoshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).
- Ethical Framework: Furthermore, the Charaka Samhita lays down rigorous ethical guidelines for medical practitioners, akin to the Hippocratic Oath, emphasizing extreme compassion, absolute hygiene, and the continuous pursuit of scientific knowledge.
📌 Performing Arts • Instruments
Q.26) According to the ancient Natya Shastra classification of musical instruments, which of the following is strictly categorized as a Sushir Vadya (Wind aerophone)?
Ans > Shehnai
- Ancient Taxonomy: In the ancient, highly systematic classification of musical instruments outlined in Bharata Muni’s Natya Shastra, all instruments are strictly categorized into four main classes based on how they produce sound.
- Sushir Vadya Definition: ‘Sushir Vadya’ explicitly refers to aerophones—instruments where sound is generated purely by the vibration of a column of blown air.
- The Shehnai: The Shehnai is a quintessential example of a Sushir Vadya. It is a traditional Indian oboe-like instrument constructed with a wooden tube that widens into a metal bell, played by blowing air through a delicate double-reed mechanism.
- Cultural Importance: Producing music on the Shehnai requires immense breath control. Historically associated with royal courts and played at temple gates, the Shehnai is highly auspicious. The legendary maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan single-handedly elevated this folk instrument to global classical concert stages.
📌 Folk Dance • Culture
Q.27) Rouf is a celebrated traditional folk dance characterized by women linking arms across their waists and executing synchronized gliding steps, native to:
Ans > Jammu & Kashmir
- Kashmiri Heritage: Rouf (pronounced exactly as ‘Rof’) is the most deeply cherished and widely recognized traditional folk dance native to the breathtaking Kashmir Valley in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Festive Occasions: It is a highly graceful, rhythmic dance performed exclusively by women, serving as the primary cultural expression during the arrival of the vibrant spring season, harvest times, and major religious festivals like Eid.
- Choreography & Attire: The choreography is visually distinct. Women wear stunningly colorful traditional embroidered tunics (Pherans) and heavy silver jewelry. They divide into two facing rows, linking their arms intimately around each other’s waists.
- Graceful Movements: The dancers move back and forth in a sweeping, gliding motion, perfectly matching the melancholic yet joyous rhythm of the mystical folk songs (Chakri) they sing collectively, symbolizing deep communal harmony and sisterhood.
📌 Institutions • Performing Arts
Q.28) The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s apex national body for the performing arts, operates as an autonomous institution headquartered at:
Ans > New Delhi
- Apex Institution: The Sangeet Natak Akademi translates to the ‘National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama’, and functions as India’s apex national body solely dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the performing arts.
- Establishment and Location: It was officially established by the Government of India in 1953 and operates as a highly autonomous institution entirely funded by the Union Ministry of Culture, permanently headquartered at the prestigious Rabindra Bhavan complex in New Delhi.
- Core Mandate: Its core mandate is to rigorously document, heavily sponsor, and deeply research the vast, diverse spectrum of Indian classical, traditional, folk, and tribal performing arts that might otherwise be lost to rapid modernization.
- Prestigious Awards: The institution is globally famous for conferring the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship’ (Akademi Ratna) and the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards’ (Akademi Puraskar), which are considered the absolute highest national honors available to practicing artists in India.
📌 Folk Dance • Tribes
Q.29) The vibrant traditional folk dance Bagurumba, performed by women waving colorful traditional shawls like butterfly wings, belongs natively to the Bodo tribe of:
Ans > Assam
- Tribal Origins: Bagurumba is an incredibly vibrant, energetic, and visually spectacular traditional folk dance that belongs natively to the indigenous Bodo tribe, the largest ethno-linguistic community in the state of Assam.
- The Butterfly Dance: The dance is famously nicknamed the “Butterfly Dance” because of its highly distinctive, fluid choreography. The women perform wearing their beautifully handwoven, brightly colored traditional attire (the Dokhona and Jwmgra).
- Musical Accompaniment: As they dance to the rhythmic, pulsating beats of native tribal instruments like the Kham (a long wooden drum) and the Sifung (a long bamboo flute), they gracefully wave the ends of their colorful shawls, mimicking the fluttering flight of butterflies.
- Cultural Significance: Bagurumba is deeply intertwined with nature and agricultural cycles. It is most prominently performed during the Bwisagu festival, which marks the vibrant arrival of spring and the Bodo New Year in mid-April, celebrating fertility and communal joy.
📌 Classical Music • Gharanas
Q.30) The late legendary vocalist Vidushi Girija Devi, widely revered across classical Indology as the “Queen of Thumri”, belonged to the historic:
Ans > Banaras Gharana
- Musical Titan: The late legendary vocalist Vidushi Girija Devi (1929–2017) was an absolute titan of Indian classical music, universally and respectfully revered by musicologists as the undisputed “Queen of Thumri.”
- Historic Lineage: She was the foremost exponent of the historic Banaras Gharana, a highly prestigious musical lineage deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural ethos of Varanasi (Kashi).
- Mastery of Thumri: While the Banaras Gharana is famous for its intricate vocal styles, Girija Devi specialized in the ‘Purabi Ang’ style of Thumri. This specific style is characterized by its intense emotional expressiveness, deeply romantic devotional lyrics, and a languid tempo.
- Legacy and Honors: Beyond Thumri, she was a master of other complex regional semi-classical forms like Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, and Hori. For her monumental contribution to elevating Indian classical music, she was honored with the Padma Shri (1972), Padma Bhushan (1989), and the Padma Vibhushan (2016).
📌 Quick Summary — Indian History, Art & Culture Set 49
- Handicrafts: Sankheda wooden furniture from Gujarat holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- Cinema: Kisan Kanya (1937) was India’s first indigenous color feature film.
- Theatre: Agha Hashar Kashmiri is renowned as “The Shakespeare of Urdu”.
- Buddhism: Moggaliputta Tissa presided over the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra.
- Jainism: The 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshvanatha, is identified by a snake (serpent) emblem.
- Literature: Jayadeva authored the Gita Govinda at the court of Lakshmana Sena.
- Architecture: Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi is famous for its “Hanging Pillar”.
- Martial Arts: Pari-Khanda (Shield and Sword) originated among the warrior guilds of Bihar.
- Music: T.H. Vinayakram (Vikku Vinayakram) is globally acclaimed for playing the Ghatam.
- Folk Dance: Fugdi is a traditional women’s dance from Goa.
- Ancient Drama: Pallava Emperor Mahendravarman I wrote the satire Mattavilasa Prahasana.
- Institutions: Alexander Cunningham became the first Director-General of the ASI in 1861.
- Paintings: Pattachitra is the GI-registered traditional cloth painting of Odisha.
- Sculpture: The Gupta-era Sultanganj copper Buddha was unearthed in Bihar.
- Devotional Music: Borgeets of Assam were composed by Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva.
- Theatre: The National School of Drama (NSD) was established in New Delhi in 1959.
- Puppetry: Togalu Gombeyatta is traditional leather shadow puppetry from Karnataka.
- Ancient Texts: Mammata Bhatta authored the Kavya Prakasha treatise on poetics.
- Festivals: Surajkund International Crafts Mela is hosted annually in Haryana.
- Architecture: The Bibi Ka Maqbara, the “Taj of the Deccan,” is in Aurangabad.
- Vedas: Dhanurveda (science of warfare) is the Upaveda attached to the Yajurveda.
- Textiles: The Jamdani handloom craft holds a GI tag for West Bengal.
- Theatre: Koodiyattam is the traditional temple Sanskrit theatre native to Kerala.
- Philosophy: Adi Shankaracharya propounded the orthodox school of Advaita Vedanta.
- Medicine: Charaka served as court physician to Kushan Emperor Kanishka I.
- Instruments: The Shehnai is categorized as a Sushir Vadya (Wind aerophone) in the Natya Shastra.
- Folk Dance: Rouf is a traditional women’s dance native to Jammu & Kashmir.
- Institutions: The Sangeet Natak Akademi is headquartered in New Delhi.
- Tribal Dance: Bagurumba is the vibrant traditional dance of the Bodo tribe in Assam.
- Classical Music: Vidushi Girija Devi, the “Queen of Thumri,” belonged to the Banaras Gharana.
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