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Subject: Art and Culture

  • Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period

    Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:
    I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.
    II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.

    Which of the following information support/supports the above statements ?

    1.There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
    2.Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu / kulisha (axe) and datra / sreni (sickle).
    3.There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

  • Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns

    Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns :
    I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.
    II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.
    III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.

    Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements ?

    1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
    2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
    3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.

    Select the answer using the code given below :

  • Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India

    Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:
    1. The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595-596).
    2. In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over India.
    3. The place-values have been found in Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia as early as the seventh century.
    which of the statements given above are correct?

  • Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is NOT included

    Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is NOT included?

  • The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents

    The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:

  • Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara

    Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara?
    1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami
    2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
    3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
    4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika.
    II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.
    The above statements have been associated with which of the following?
    1. Emergence of urban life
    2. Transition to money economy
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music

    Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music?

  • Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct

    Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct?
    1. They acted as army fortresses.
    2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.
    3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.
    4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.

  • Return of Leiden Copper Plates to India

    Why in the News?

    The Chola-era Anaimangalam copper plates, popularly known as the Leiden copper plates, were returned to India from the Leiden University during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands.

    Key Highlights

    • The copper plates had remained in Leiden University’s possession since 1862.
    • Historians termed the repatriation a major step in returning India’s cultural heritage.
    • Archaeologists also called for the return of the Velvikkudi copper plates from the British Museum.

    About the Leiden Copper Plates

    • Associated with Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I.
    • Record the grant of land at Anaimangalam near Nagapattinam for building a Buddhist vihara.
    • The vihara was built by a Javanese ruler, Sri Mara Vijayotunga Varman.

    Historical Significance

    • Demonstrates religious tolerance during the Chola period.
    • Shows a Shaivite Chola ruler supporting a Buddhist institution.
    • Reflects India’s maritime and cultural links with Southeast Asia.

    Features of the Plates

    • Consist of:
      • 21 large plates
      • 3 small plates
    • Written in:
      • Sanskrit
      • Tamil
    • Plates carry Chola royal insignia:
      • Tiger (Chola emblem)
      • Fish (Pandya symbol)
      • Bow (Chera symbol)
    [2025] Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime state, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands? 
    (a) Amoghvarsha (Rashtrakuta) 
    (b) Prataprudra (Kakatiya) 
    (c) Rajendra 1 (Chola) 
    (d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)