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Type: Prelims Only

  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    Renati Chola Era Inscription

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Renati Cholas, Chola Administration

    Mains level: Not Much

    A rare inscription dating back to the Renati Chola era has been unearthed in a remote village of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

    Term: Description

    1. Eripatti: Land revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
    2. Taniyurs: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
    3. Ghatikas: Colleges generally attached to the temples

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) 1 and 3

    Who are the Renati Cholas?

    • The Telugu Cholas of Renadu (also called as Renati Cholas) ruled over Renadu region, the present-day Kadapa district.
    • They were originally independent, later forced to the suzerainty of the Eastern Chalukyas.
    • They had the unique honour of using the Telugu language in their inscriptions belonging to the 6th and 8th centuries.
    • The earliest of this family was Nandivarman (500 AD) who claimed descent from the family of Karikala and the Kasyapa gotra.
    • He had three sons Simhavishnu, Sundarananda and Dhananjaya, all of whom were ruling different territories simultaneously.
    • The family seems to have had its origin in Erigal in the Tunmkur district, situated in the border between Pallava and Kadamba regions.

    About the inscription

    • The inscription so found was engraved on a dolomite slab and shale.
    • The inscription was written in archaic Telugu which is readable in 25 lines — the first side with eleven lines and the remaining on the other side.
    • It was assigned to the 8th Century A.D. when the region was under the rule of Chola Maharaja of Renadu.
    • The inscription seems to throw light on the record of a gift of six Marttus (a measuring unit) of land gifted to a person Sidyamayu, one of the Brahmins serving the temple at Pidukula village.
    • It says the people who safeguard this inscription for future generations will acquire the status of conducting Aswamedha Yajna and those destroying it will incur sin equivalent to causing death in Varanasi.

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Russia

    Exercise Kavkaz 2020

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: External State & Non-State Actors: Challenges To Internal Security.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Exercise Kavkaz 2020

    Mains level: Not Much

    India has turned down Russia’s invitation to participate in the multilateral defence exercise Kavkaz 2020.

    Go through the list for once. UPSC may ask a match the pair type question asking exercise name and countries involved.

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/prelims-spotlight-defence-exercises/

    Exercise Kavkaz 2020

    • The Kavkaz 2020 is also referred to as Caucasus-2020.
    • The exercise is aimed at assessing the ability of the armed forces to ensure military security in Russia’s southwest, where serious terrorist threats persist and preparing for the strategic command-staff drills.
    • The main training grounds that will be involved are located in the Southern Military District.
    • The invitation for participation has been extended to at least 18 countries including China, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey apart from other Central Asian Republics part of the SCO.

    Why didn’t India participate?

    • While it is learned that China has confirmed its participation, Pakistan is also likely to send its troops for the exercise.
    • In the response communicated to Russia, New Delhi cited Covid-19 as the official reason to skip ‘Exercise Kavkaz 2020’.
    • The move comes in the backdrop of a border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

    Earlier instances

    • Exercise Tsentr last year had the participation of India, Pakistan and all Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member-nations.
    • India had participated in SCO peace mission exercise in 2018, and in 2019, for the first time, was involved in a strategic command and staff exercise as part of Exercise Tsentr.

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  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    [pib] Historic City of Hampi

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Hampi

    Mains level: Vijayanagara Architecture

    The Ministry of Tourism organised their latest webinar titled Hampi- Inspired by the past; Going into the future under Dekho Apna Desh Webinar series.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of-

    (a) Chalukya

    (b) Chandela

    (c) Rashtrakuta

    (d) Vijayanagara

    Facts about Hampi

    • Its name is derived from Pampa which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River on whose banks the city is built.
    • In 1336 CE, the Vijayanagara Empire arose from the ruins of the Kampili kingdom.
    • It grew into one of the famed Hindu empires of South India that ruled for over 200 years.
    • The Vijayanagara rulers fostered developments in intellectual pursuits and the arts, maintained a strong military and fought many wars with sultanates to its north and east.
    • They invested in roads, waterworks, agriculture, religious buildings and public infrastructure.
    • The site used to be multi-religious and multi-ethnic; it included Hindu and Jain monuments next to each other.
    • The buildings predominantly followed South Indian Hindu arts and architecture dating to the Aihole-Pattadakal styles.
    • The Hampi builders also used elements of Indo-Islamic architecture in the Lotus Mahal, the public bath and the elephant stables.

    Major attractions

    • One of the major attractions of Hampi is the 15th Century Virupaksha temple which is one of the oldest monuments of the town.
    • The main shrine is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva.
    • Hemkunta Hill, south of the Virupaksha temple contains early ruins, Jain temples and a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha, a form of Lord Vishnu.
    • At the eastern end, there is the large Nandi in stone; on the southern side is the larger than life Ganesha.
    • Large single stone carvings seem to have been the fashion of the day in Hampi, for there is a large image of Narasimha (6.7m high), the half-lion half-man incarnation of God, as well as a huge linga.

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Person in news: Noor Inayat Khan

    Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Noor Inayat Khan

    Mains level: Not Much

    World War II spy Noor Inayat Khan is now the first woman of Indian origin to be commemorated by the distinct blue London plaque.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.A recent movie titled “The Man Who Knew Infinity” is based on the biography of-

    (a) S. Ramanujan
    (b) S. Chandrasekhar
    (c) S. N. Bose
    (d) C. V. Raman

    Noor Inayat Khan

    • A descendant of Tipu Sultan, Noor Inayat Khan became a secret agent during the Second World War.
    • She was the first woman radio operator to be infiltrated into occupied France in 1943 and worked under the code name ‘Madeleine’.
    • Renowned for her service in the Special Operations Executive, an independent British secret service set up by Winston Churchill in 1940.
    • Noor was Britain’s first Indian Muslim war heroine in Europe and the first female radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France.
    • She was killed at the Dachau concentration camp in 1944 and was posthumously awarded the George Cross in 1949.

    What are Blue Plaques?

    • The idea of placing commemorative plaques on historically significant buildings was first mooted in 1863.
    • The idea was to honour important people and organisations that have lived or worked in London buildings.
    • Currently, the blue plaque scheme is being run by the charity organisation, English Heritage that takes care of historic sites and buildings in England.
    • While Khan is the first woman of Indian origin to be honoured with a blue plaque, it has been erected on houses and venues associated with several Indian men including Mahatma Gandhi, Raja Ram Mohun Roy, B R Ambedkar, Sardar Patel and Swami Vivekananda among others.

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  • GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

    In news: Channapatna Toys

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: GI Indications in news

    Mains level: NA

    The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a crippling blow to the Channapatna Toys industry.

    Must read:

    GI Tags in news for 2020 Prelims

    All time GI tags in news

    Channapatna Toys

    • Channapatna toys are a particular form of wooden toys (and dolls) that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka.
    • This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the state govt.
    • As a result of the popularity of these toys, Channapatna is known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) of Karnataka.
    • Traditionally, the work involved lacquering the wood of the Wrightia tinctoria tree, colloquially called Aale mara (ivory-wood).
    • Their manufacture goes back at least 200 years according to most accounts and it has been traced to the era of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century.
    • The toys are laced with vegetable dyes and colours devoid of chemicals and hence they are safe for children.

    Back2Basics: Geographical Indications in India

    • A Geographical Indication is used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
    • Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.
    • This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.
    • Recently the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has launched the logo and tagline for the Geographical Indications (GI) of India.
    • The first product to get a GI tag in India was the Darjeeling tea in 2004.
    • The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Act) is a sui generis Act for the protection of GI in India.
    • India, as a member of the WTO enacted the Act to comply with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
    • GI protection is granted through the TRIPS Agreement.

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Who was Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis?

    Prelims Only | Trivia | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Dr Kotnis and his legacy

    Mains level: NA

    A bronze statue of Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis is set to be unveiled in China.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.A recent movie titled The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the biography of

    (a) S. Ramanujan
    (b) S. Chandrasekhar
    (c) S. N. Bose
    (d) C. V. Raman

    Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis

    • He is revered in China for his contributions during the Chinese revolution headed by its founder Mao Zedong and World War II.
    • He hailed from Sholapur in Maharashtra came to China in 1938 as part of a five-member team of doctors sent by the Indian National Congress to help the Chinese during World War II.
    • He joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1942 and died the same year at the age of 32.
    • Kotnis’ medical assistance during the difficult days of the Chinese revolution was praised by Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
    • His statues and memorials were also set in some of the Chinese cities in recognition of his services.

    A revered personality in China

    • Late Chinese leader Mao Zedong was deeply affected by his death.
    • Mao wrote in his eulogy that “the army has lost a helping hand; the nation has lost a friend. Let us always bear in mind his internationalist spirit”.
    • Kotnis is remembered not only as a symbol inspiring medical students to work hard, but also an eternal bond between the people of China and India.

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  • Roads, Highways, Cargo, Air-Cargo and Logistics infrastructure – Bharatmala, LEEP, SetuBharatam, etc.

    Atal Tunnel at Rohtang

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Atal Tunnel, Pir Panjal Range

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, near Manali, is almost complete in all respects and will be inaugurated very soon in September.

    Tap to read more about Himalayas at:

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/the-northern-and-northeastern-mountains-part-1/

    Atal Tunnel

    • The 9-km-long tunnel is constructed under the Pir Panjal range.
    • It has been named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and will be the world’s longest highway tunnel above the altitude of 10,000 feet (3000 metres).
    • It was scheduled to be completed by May 2020, in a revised estimate, but the Covid-19 pandemic pushed back the completion by a few months due to lockdown conditions.
    • Vehicles can travel at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour. Up to 1,500 trucks and 3,000 cars are expected to use it per day when the situation gets to normal.

    What is its strategic advantage?

    • Cutting through the Pir Panjal range, the tunnel will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km.
    • The tunnel will provide almost all-weather connectivity to the troops stationed in Ladakh.

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  • Tribes in News

    PVTGS in Andaman

    Prelims Only | Trivia | Mains Paper 1: Population & Associated Issues

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: PVTGs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    Mains level: Not Much

    Five members of the Great Andamanese tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTGs) have tested positive for COVID-19.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:

    1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
    2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
    3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
    4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?(CSP 2019)

    (a) 1, 2 and 3

    (b) 2, 3 and 4

    (c) 1, 2 and 4

    (d) 1, 3 and 4

    PVTGs in Andaman

    • Great Andamanese is one of five PVTGs that reside in Andamans archipelago.
    • The Great Andamanese speak Jeru dialect among themselves and their number stands at 51 as per the last study carried out by Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti in 2012.
    • The five PVTGS residing in Andamans are Great Andamanese, Jarwas, Onges, Shompens and North Sentinelese.

    What are PVTGs?

    • There are certain tribal communities who have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward.
    • They generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support.
    • These groups are among the most vulnerable section of our society as they are few in numbers, have not attained any significant level of social and economic development.
    • 75 such groups have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    Turkey’s Maritime Disputes

    Prelims Only | Trivia | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Causacus region mapping

    Mains level: Not Much

    Turkish President Erdogan has asserted that his country will take whatever belongs to it in the Mediterranean, as well as Aegean and the Black Sea.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Turkey is located between

    (a) The Black Sea and Caspian Sea

    (b) The Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea

    (c) Gulf of Suez and the Mediterranean Sea

    (d) Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea

    Assertion over the Mediterranean

    • Greece and Turkey have been locked in a dispute over control of eastern Mediterranean waters.
    • They are at odds over the rights to potential hydrocarbon resources, based on conflicting claims over the extent of their continental shelves.
    • The Turkish navy will hold the shooting exercises in the eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Iskenderun, northeast of Cyprus.
    • Cyprus was divided in 1974 following a Turkish invasion triggered by a Greek-inspired coup.
    • Turkey recognizes the Turkish-populated north of Cyprus as a separate state, which is not recognised by other countries.

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  • Coronavirus – Economic Issues

    Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

    Mains level: NA

    Since the lockdown began in India, different bodies representing the country’s hospitality sector have repeatedly asked the government for financial assistance to help tide over the crisis. UK’s popular Eat Out to Help Out (EOHO) Scheme can be an example of the kind of intervention in India.

    Note: The ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Scheme recently seen in news is related to Hospitality. One may get confused over Poverty and Hunger.

    What is the EOHO Scheme?

    • The EOHO Scheme is an economic recovery measure by the UK government to support hospitality businesses as they reopen after the lockdown.
    • The scheme was announced as part of the Plans for Jobs summer economic update.
    • Under the EOHO Scheme, the government would subsidise meals (food and non-alcoholic drinks only) at restaurants by 50 per cent.
    • There is no minimum spending and no limit on the number of times customers can avail the offer, since the whole point of the scheme is to encourage a return to dining in restaurants.

    Why was this scheme deemed necessary?

    • All over the world, the food services sector is one of the worst affected by the pandemic.
    • The top two concerns were customers avoiding restaurants for fear of contracting the virus and customers having less disposable income for dining out.
    • Instead of delivering a financial package to operators, it makes eating out more affordable for consumers directly and helps restore demand.
    • Restoring consumer demand is being seen as crucial to the UK’s economic recovery.

    Can India benefit from such a scheme?

    • The main problem confronting the restaurant industry, following Unlock 1.0 in June, has been consumer fear, even as the government has remained silent about specific recovery packages aimed at the hospitality industry.
    • The government needs to work on the demand side.

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