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Subject: Art and Culture

  • Consider the following

    Consider the following:

    1. Deification of the Buddha
    2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
    3. Image worship and rituals

    Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:

    1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
    2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
    3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Consider the following pairs

    Consider the following pairs:
    Historical place : Well known for
    1. Burzahom : Rock cut shrines
    2. Chandraketugarh :Terracotta art
    3.Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts
    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:

    1.It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.
    2.It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
    3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Consider the following pairs

    Consider the following pairs :
    King Dynasty
    1. Nannuka — Chandela
    2. Jayashakti — Paramara
    3. Nagabhata II — Gurjara-Pratihara
    4. Bhoja — Rashtrakuta
    How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

  • Consider the following pairs

    Consider the following pairs :
    Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts Location in the State of
    1. Dhauli — Odisha
    2. Erragudi — Andhra Pradesh
    3. Jaugada — Madhya Pradesh
    4. Kalsi — Karnataka
    How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

  • Consider the following pairs

    Consider the following pairs:
    Site : Well Known for
    1. Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine
    2. Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine
    3. Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrine
    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  • Consider the following statements

    Consider the following statements:
    1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
    2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • Rakhigarhi Skeletons Undergo DNA Analysis & Facial Reconstruction

    Why in News?

    The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has sent nearly 5,000-year-old skeletons excavated from Rakhigarhi, Haryana, for DNA analysis and facial reconstruction to gain insights into the people of the Harappan Civilization.

    Key Highlights

    • Five skeletons recovered:
      • 3 females and 2 males (preliminary assessment).
      • Estimated age: 30-40 years.
    • Scientific Institutions Involved:
      • Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI), Kolkata: Anthropological study and facial reconstruction.
      • Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow: Ancient DNA analysis.
    • Objectives of the Study:
      • Determine ancestry and genetic profile.
      • Identify cause of death and possible diseases.
      • Reconstruct facial features and physical appearance.
      • Estimate height, lifestyle, and social status.
      • Reconstruct the palaeo-environment of the Harappan period.
    • Three additional disturbed burials with fragmentary remains were also discovered at Mound No. 7, the site’s ancient cemetery.

    About Rakhigarhi

    • Located in Hisar district, Haryana.
    • Largest known site of the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization.
    • Flourished during 2600-1900 BCE (Mature Harappan Phase).
    • Known for Planned urban settlement, Drainage system, Granaries, Cemetery remains, and Craft production

    Ancient DNA (aDNA)

    • DNA extracted from ancient bones, teeth, or other biological remains.
    • Used to study Human migration, Evolution, Population genetics, Ancient diseases

    [2021] Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

    [A] Dholavira

    [B] Kalibangan

    [C] Rakhigarhi

    [D] Ropar

  • Mohenjo-daro’s “Dancing Girl”: History, Identity and the Debate on Modesty

    Why in News?

    The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) restored the original image of the iconic Mohenjo-daro bronze figurine in a Class 9 textbook after an earlier version had shaded its bare torso, reviving debates over cultural representation and historical interpretation.

    About the Figurine

    • A bronze statuette discovered at Mohenjo-daro (1926), dating to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE).
    • About 10.5 cm tall, created using the lost-wax casting technique.
    • Depicts a young female figure adorned with numerous bangles and ornaments.

    Why is its Identity Contested?

    • Archaeologist John Marshall identified it as a “nautch girl” (dancing girl) based on posture and appearance.
    • However, scholars argue there is no archaeological evidence that she was a professional dancer.
    • Historian Upinder Singh notes that the figure “may not have been dancing at all.”
    • Archaeologist Gregory L. Possehl also questioned the dancer interpretation.

    Partition and Ownership Debate

    • After Partition, around 12,000 Harappan artefacts in Delhi became subjects of dispute between India and Pakistan.
    • Both countries agreed to a 50:50 division of artefacts from Mohenjo-daro and Chanhu-daro.
    • Pakistan chose the “Priest King” figurine over the Dancing Girl, reportedly due to concerns over the latter’s nudity.
    • The Dancing Girl remains in India and is viewed by many scholars as part of the shared heritage of South Asia.

    Significance

    • Demonstrates the advanced metallurgical skills of the Indus Valley Civilization.
    • Highlights how colonial interpretations and contemporary moral values shape our understanding of the past.
    • Reflects debates on heritage ownership, gender, modesty, and cultural identity.

    Value Addition

    • Lost-Wax Casting Technique: A metal casting process in which a wax model is covered with clay; molten metal replaces the melted wax to create the final sculpture.
    • The Dancing Girl is one of the most iconic artistic representations of the Indus Valley Civilization.

    [2025] The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

    [A] carnelian

    [B] clay

    [C] bronze

    [D] gold