GS Paper: GS1-01.Indian Culture- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Why in the News?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has asked to resubmit his excavation report on the Keeladi site near Madurai after making necessary corrections.

About Keezhadi Excavations:

• Location: Keezhadi is a village in Sivaganga district, located about 12 km southeast of Madurai, along the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu.
• Excavations: Excavations began in 2014, led by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, to uncover urban signs from the Sangam Age.
• Period Link: The site is associated with the Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE), and findings may push it back to 800 BCE.
• Civilisation Context: Keezhadi is now seen as part of the Vaigai Valley Civilisation, with evidence of urbanisation, trade, and early literacy.

Key Findings from Keezhadi:

• Period: Charcoal samples dated to around 200 BCE; some artefacts range between the 6th century BCE and 1st century BCE using the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating.
• Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions: Over 120 potsherds with early Tamil Brahmi script indicate literacy during the Sangam period.
• Pottery and Craftsmanship: Discovery of pottery, gold ornaments, copper tools, shell bangles, and ivory combs show local industry and artistic skill.
• Trade and Imports: Agate and carnelian beads suggest access to imported materials and long-distance trade.
• Recreational Items: Dice and game pieces were found, indicating leisure activities in the society.
• Industrial Activity: Evidence of dyeing units and bead-making points to a flourishing economy.
• Cultural Continuity: Artefacts show a transition from the Iron Age to the Early Historic Period.
• Possible Indus Link: Some symbols on potsherds resemble Indus Valley signs, hinting at cultural connections, despite a 1,000-year gap.

Why in the News?

The Shirui Lily Festival has commenced in Manipur after a two-year gap caused by the ongoing conflict in the state.

About Shirui Lily Festival

• Organiser: The festival is conducted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur.
• Launch: It was first held in 2017 and is now one of Manipur’s two major tourism festivals (the other being the Sangai Festival).
• Origin: Named after the Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), the State Flower of Manipur.
• Location: The event is held in Ukhrul district, home to the Tangkhul Naga community.
• Purpose: It aims to raise awareness about the Shirui Lily and promote eco-tourism in the hill regions of Ukhrul.
• Key Activities: The festival includes cultural performances, music concerts, a beauty pageant, a cooking competition, and a trash collection marathon.

Why in the News?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in private collaboration, has successfully completed the restoration of Rajon ki Baoli, a 16th-century Lodi-era stepwell located in New Delhi.

About Rajon ki Baoli:

• Location: Situated in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Delhi, around 400 meters south of Adham Khan’s Tomb.
• Build year: Built in 1506 CE by Daulat Khan Lodi, an official under Sikandar Lodi.
• Name Meaning: “Rajon ki Baoli” means “Stepwell of the Masons”, referring to raj mistris, not royalty.
• Structure: The stepwell is rectangular, covering 1,610 sq m, and is 13.4 meters deep.
• Design: It is a 4-level structure, with only the topmost tier visible from ground level.
• Architectural Features:
  • Includes verandas, arched corridors, 12-pillared arcades, and stucco medallions.
  • The complex also has a mosque, a tomb, and a chhatri (pavilion).
• Purpose: Served as a water source and resting place and had social-religious utility.

About the Lodi Dynasty:

• The Lodi Dynasty ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1451 to 1526.
• Founder: Established by Bahlul Lodi, the first Afghan ruler of Delhi.
• Territorial Control: Dominated Punjab, Jaunpur, Gwalior, and the Upper Ganga Valley.
• Key Rulers:

1. 1. Bahlul Lodi (1451–1489): Annexed Jaunpur and solidified Afghan influence in northern India.
   2. Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517): Founded Agra, introduced agricultural reforms, standardised land with Gaz-i-Sikandari, and patronised literature and music. He imposed jizya and demolished temples in Mathura, reflecting intolerance.
   3. Ibrahim Lodi (1517–1526): Lost the First Battle of Panipat to Babur, ending the dynasty and the Sultanate.

• Successor: Their fall marked the shift from the Delhi Sultanate to the Mughal Empire in Indian history.

Tap to read more about Traditional Water Harvesting Systems in India.

ASI completes conservation work in Lodhi-era stepwell – The Hindu

Why in the News?

India’s briefing on Operation Sindoor was opened with lines from poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and concluded with a reference to the Ramcharitmanas (by Tulsidas) by the IAF spokesperson.

About the Ramcharitmanas:

• Ramcharitmanas was written in the 16th century in the Awadhi dialect and is spoken across Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya regions.
• It is a retelling of Valmiki’s Ramayana in a vernacular language accessible to the common people.
• It is divided into seven chapters (Kand), covering Lord Ram’s life from birth to his coronation.
• It is referred to simply as “Ramayan” across the Hindi heartland.
• It is regarded as the holiest text in the Indo-Gangetic region.
• Geeta Press (Gorakhpur) has reportedly sold nearly 7 crore copies.

Why in the News?

A recent survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) uncovered eleven inscriptions in Telangana’s Gundaram Reserve Forest, offering key insights into the region’s ancient history, particularly during the Satavahana period.

Key Findings about the Inscriptions:

• One inscription mentions a person from the Haritiputra lineage, indicating a connection between the Satavahanas and Chutu dynasty.
• The site includes religious symbols such as a trident and damaru, marking the first known religious iconography in early inscriptions of South India.
• The inscriptions reinforce findings from Mukkutraopet and Kotilingala, identifying Telangana as part of the Asmaka Mahajanapada.

About the Satavahana Dynasty: 

• The Satavahana dynasty emerged after the fall of the Mauryan Empire around 60 BCE, ruling over Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Simuka, the founding king, reigned from 60 BC to 37 BC and was succeeded by his brother Kanha.
• Notable Rulers:
  • Satakarni I (70–60 BC) conquered western Malwa from the Shungas.
  • Gautamiputra Satakarni (106–130 AD) expanded the empire and patronized Brahmanism and Buddhism.
  • Vashishtaputra Pulamayi (130–154 AD) extended his reign to the mouth of the Krishna River.
  • Yajna Sri Satakarni (165–194 AD) was the last great ruler, expanding the empire to Kokan and Malwa.
• Art and Architecture: The Amaravati School of Art flourished during this period, with marble sculptures depicting Buddhist narratives. The Satavahanas promoted rock-cut architecture, including Chaityas and Viharas (e.g., Karle Caves, Ajanta Caves).
• Economic and Administrative Contributions: The Satavahanas fostered trade with the Romans, promoted agriculture, and implemented a mixed revenue system. They also introduced tax-free villages for Brahmins and Buddhist monks.
• Religious and Social Structure: The Satavahanas promoted Brahmanism and Vedic sacrifices and supported Buddhism. The Varna system governed social structure.
• Decline of the Satavahana Dynasty: The empire weakened due to weak rulers after Yajna Sri Satakarni and was eventually fragmented by feudatories and invasions from the Shakas.
• Military Organization: The Satavahanas maintained a large military with 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and 1,000 elephants.

Why in the News?

Padma Awards 2025 recognised 139 individuals for their exceptional contributions across various fields. Notable awardees include actor S. Ajith Kumar, singer Pankaj Udhas, and cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin.

About Padma Awards:

• The Padma Awards are among India’s most prestigious civilian honors, announced annually on Republic Day’s eve.
• These awards recognize outstanding achievements in various fields, particularly public service.
• The GoI introduced the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan in 1954, with the three classes (Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg) renamed in 1955 as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
• The awards are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to names.
• The number of awards given annually is capped at 120 (excluding posthumous awards and awards to NRIs/foreigners/OCIs).

Award Categories:

1. Padma Vibhushan: For ‘exceptional and distinguished service.’
2. Padma Bhushan: For ‘distinguished service of a high order.’
3. Padma Shri: For ‘distinguished service.’

Eligibility and Nomination:

• Nominations are reviewed by the Padma Awards Committee, formed annually by the Prime Minister, with final approval from the President.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Open to all individuals, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender.
  • Government employees, except doctors and scientists, are generally ineligible.
  • Awards are generally not given posthumously, with exceptions in extraordinary cases.
  • A recipient can be considered for a higher category only after five years since their last Padma award.

Why in the News?

Two decades since the demolition of Bamiyan Buddha, the Afghan Taliban are now convinced to restore it.

About Bamiyan Buddha:

• The Bamiyan Buddhas were located in the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan, about 130 km northwest of Kabul.
• The Western Buddha (Salsal) stood 55 meters tall, and the Eastern Buddha (Shah Mama) stood 38 meters tall, making them two of the largest standing Buddha statues in the world before their destruction.
• Construction:
  • Built around 600 CE during the rule of the Hephthalites.
  • Carved directly into sandstone cliffs with features made from mud and straw, and painted with bright colors, including carmine red for the larger Buddha.
  • The style blends Greco-Buddhist art, Sasanian Persia, and Byzantine Empire influences.
• Historical Significance:
  • Represented Vairocana and Sakyamuni (Gautama Buddha).
  • Served as a major Buddhist religious centre along the Silk Road, hosting monasteries and playing a crucial role in religion, philosophy, and art.
  • Survived invasions, including by Genghis Khan (1221 AD) and Aurangzeb (17th Century).
• In 2001, the Taliban destroyed the statues. The Buddhas had previously survived multiple attacks.
• The site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its immense historical, religious, and cultural significance.

Why in the News?

Bhagavad Gita and Bharata’s Natyashastra manuscripts has been included in UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register.

About UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register:

• Launched in 1992, UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme preserves and promotes documentary heritage of global significance.
• It safeguards humanity’s documentary heritage, ensuring materials are accessible for future generations.

About the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra:

• Bhagavad Gita:
  • Traditionally attributed to sage Vyasa, the Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse scripture in the Mahabharata.
  • It presents a dialogue between Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Krishna, discussing duty, righteousness, and spirituality.
  • The Gita synthesizes various Indian philosophical traditions, including Vedic, Buddhist, Jain, and Charvaka.
  • The text is dated to the first or second century BCE, with oral compositions transcribed later.
• Natyashastra:
  • Attributed to sage Bharata, the Natyashastra defines the rules of performing arts such as drama, music, and dance.
  • It introduces Rasa (aesthetic experience), a key concept in Indian theatre.
  • The treatise consists of 36,000 verses and was codified around the 2nd century BCE, continuing to influence performing arts today.