GK Test - 13

Key Points

• The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was constructed during the reign of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha.
• It is one of the earliest stone-built temples in South India, dating back to the 8th century.
• The temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical and architectural significance.
• The Shore Temple is renowned for its Dravidian architectural style and intricate carvings depicting various Hindu deities and mythological scenes.

Additional Information

• Pallava Dynasty
  • The Pallava dynasty ruled parts of South India from the 3rd century to the 9th century AD.
  • Their capital was Kanchipuram, a significant cultural and religious center.
  • The Pallavas were known for their patronage of arts, architecture, and education.
  • They played a crucial role in the development of Dravidian architecture, as seen in their rock-cut temples and sculptures.
• Mahabalipuram
  • Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a historic town in Tamil Nadu, India.
  • It is famous for its rock-cut caves, monolithic structures, and temples built during the Pallava period.
  • The site includes landmarks like the Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, and the Shore Temple.
  • Mahabalipuram is a popular tourist destination and a significant archaeological site.
• Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
  • Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha, was a prominent Pallava ruler who reigned during the 7th and 8th centuries.
  • He is credited with the construction of several architectural marvels in Mahabalipuram, including the Shore Temple.
  • Under his rule, the Pallava kingdom experienced a period of cultural and artistic flourishing.
  • Rajasimha's contributions to temple architecture have left a lasting legacy in South Indian history.
• Dravidian Architecture
  • Dravidian architecture is a style of temple architecture that emerged in Southern India.
  • It is characterized by pyramid-shaped towers (vimanas), intricate sculptures, and elaborate carvings.
  • Prominent examples include the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Meenakshi Temple, and Shore Temple.
  • This architectural style significantly influenced the construction of Hindu temples across South India and Southeast Asia.

Key Points

• James Prinsep was a British scholar, antiquary, and colonial administrator in India.
• In 1837, James Prinsep successfully deciphered the Brahmi script used in the Ashokan inscriptions.
• His work on the Brahmi script was pivotal in understanding the historical and cultural context of ancient India.
• Prinsep's decipherment of Brahmi led to the unravelling of the Mauryan inscriptions and provided significant insights into Emperor Ashoka's reign.
• His work laid the foundation for the study of ancient Indian epigraphy and archaeology.

Additional Information

• Brahmi Script
  • The Brahmi script is one of the oldest writing systems used in ancient India, dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
  • It is believed to be the ancestor of many modern Indian scripts, including Devanagari, Tamil, and Bengali.
  • Its decipherment was crucial for understanding many ancient inscriptions and texts of India.
• Emperor Ashoka
  • Ashoka was the third emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, ruling from 268 to 232 BCE.
  • He is renowned for his role in spreading Buddhism and his efforts to govern based on Buddhist principles of compassion and non-violence.
  • Ashoka's edicts, inscribed on pillars and rocks, are some of the earliest examples of written records in India.
• Epigraphy
  • Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions or epigraphs as writing; it is the science of identifying graphemes, clarifying their meanings, and classifying their uses according to dates and cultural contexts.
  • It provides valuable information about historical events, administrative systems, and cultural practices of past civilizations.
• Antiquary
  • An antiquary, or antiquarian, is someone who studies or collects antiquities or things of the past.
  • James Prinsep's work as an antiquary greatly contributed to the understanding of ancient Indian history and culture.

Key Points

• Matching each ancient site with its corresponding feature:
  • I) Lothal - B) Dockyard
    • This statement is correct.
    • Lothal, located in present-day Gujarat, is known for its ancient dockyard, which highlights the advanced maritime activities of the Indus Valley Civilization.
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  • II) Mohenjo-Daro - A) Great Bath
    • This statement is correct.
    • Mohenjo-Daro, one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization, is famous for the Great Bath, a large public water tank likely used for ritual bathing.
  • III) Nalanda - D) Ancient University
    • This statement is correct.
    • Nalanda, located in present-day Bihar, was an ancient center of learning and a prominent Buddhist university, attracting students from all over Asia.
  • IV) Sanchi - C) Buddhist Stupa
    • This statement is correct.
    • Sanchi is renowned for its Buddhist stupas, especially the Great Stupa, which was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka and is a significant monument of Buddhist art and architecture.

Hence, the correct matching is: I-B, II-A, III-D, IV-C.

Additional Information

• Significance of Each Site:
  • Lothal: Known for its dockyard and as a center for trade, particularly in beads, gems, and ornaments.
  • Mohenjo-Daro: A major urban center of the Indus Valley Civilization, featuring advanced drainage systems and urban planning.
  • Nalanda: One of the earliest residential universities, where subjects like logic, medicine, and Buddhist scriptures were taught.
  • Sanchi: Home to stupas and other Buddhist structures, providing valuable insight into early Buddhist art and architecture.

Key Points

• Chinese travelers, such as Xuanzang, referred to India as 'Yindu' or 'Tianzhu' in their writings. Hence, option 3 is correct.
• Important Fact: Xuanzang visited India during the reign of King Harsha in the 7th century CE.

Key Points

• Some of the best–known epics were written during the Sangam period.
• Epics are grand, long compositions, about heroic men and women, and include stories about gods.
• A famous Tamil epic, the Silappadikaram, was composed by a poet named Ilango, around 1800 years ago.
• It is the story of a merchant named Kovalan, who lived in Puhar and fell in love with a courtesan named Madhavi, neglecting his wife Kannagi.
• Later, he and Kannagi left Puhar and went to Madurai, where he was wrongly accused of theft by the court jeweller of the Pandya king.
• The king sentenced Kovalan to death.
• Kannagi, who still loved him, was full of grief and anger at this injustice, and destroyed the entire city of Madurai.
• Therefore, we can conclude that the Tamil epic, "Silappadikaram' was composed by Ilango.

Additional Information

• Tolkappiyar:
  • Tolkappiyar is an ancient Tamil scholar and poet, known for writing the Tolkappiyam, one of the earliest works of Tamil literature.
  • The Tolkappiyam is a treatise on grammar, poetics, and rhetoric, and it lays the foundations for the study of the Tamil language.
  • It is believed to have been composed around 200 BCE to 300 BCE.
  • The text covers phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics, providing a detailed description of the Tamil language structure and its rules for poetry.
  • Tolkappiyar's work has been influential in shaping Tamil literary tradition.
• Sittalai Sattanar:
  • Sittalai Sattanar was a Tamil poet and philosopher, credited with composing Patthupattu, a collection of ten poems.
  • He is believed to have lived during the Sangam period, around the 3rd century BCE.
  • Sattanar is noted for his philosophical insights, especially his focus on ethics, governance, and the responsibilities of rulers.
  • His work often touches upon the theme of justice, societal values, and the roles individuals play within society.
  • Sattalai Sattanar's contributions to Tamil literature and philosophy have had a lasting impact on Tamil culture.
• Tirumalisai Alvar:
  • Tirumalisai Alvar was one of the twelve Alvars, a group of poet-saints in Tamil Vaishnavism, who composed devotional hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
  • He is believed to have lived during the 8th century CE.
  • His works focus on expressing deep devotion to Vishnu, and he is known for his Prabandham (devotional hymns) which are a part of the Divya Prabandham anthology. Tirumalisai Alvar's hymns reflect the love and reverence for Lord Vishnu and advocate for the importance of surrendering to divine will.
  • He is also credited with making significant contributions to the Bhakti movement in Tamil Nadu.

Key Points

• Chandragupta I
  • Chandragupta I was the founder of the Gupta dynasty.
  • He ruled from approximately 320 to 335 CE.
  • He laid the foundation of the Gupta Empire, which marked the beginning of the Gupta Golden Age.
• Samudragupta
  • Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta I and succeeded him.
  • He ruled from approximately 335 to 375 CE.
  • He is known for his military conquests and is often referred to as the "Napoleon of India."
• Chandragupta II
  • Chandragupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, was the son of Samudragupta.
  • He ruled from approximately 380 to 415 CE.
  • His reign is often considered the zenith of the Gupta Empire in terms of cultural and economic prosperity.
• Kumaragupta I
  • Kumaragupta I was the son of Chandragupta II and succeeded him.
  • He ruled from approximately 415 to 455 CE.
  • He continued the legacy of his predecessors and maintained the stability and prosperity of the Gupta Empire.

Additional Information

• Chandragupta I
  • He married Kumaradevi, a Lichchhavi princess, which helped him gain political power and legitimacy.
• Samudragupta
  • Known for his patronage of the arts and culture, as well as his military campaigns, which expanded the Gupta Empire significantly.
• Chandragupta II
  • Famous for his administrative efficiency and patronage of scholars like Kalidasa.
• Kumaragupta I
  • Known for founding the Nalanda University, one of the ancient world's greatest centers of learning.

Key Points

• Mahendra is credited with introducing Theravada Buddhism to Sri Lanka, which became the island’s dominant form of Buddhism.
• Sanghamitra also brought a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree (under which Buddha attained enlightenment), which was planted in Anuradhapura, a sacred city in Sri Lanka. 
• Mahendra’s mission to Sri Lanka led to the conversion of King Devanampiya Tissa, the ruler of Sri Lanka, to Buddhism.
• The last Mauryan ruler who was a Buddhist was Brihadratha.

Additional Information

• Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in 322 BCE, overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty.
• Chandragupta’s reign was guided by his advisor Chanakya (Kautilya), who authored the famous Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft and governance.
• Emperor Ashoka, the most famous Mauryan ruler, embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War and spread the message of Dhamma (Buddhist moral teachings) across Asia.
• The Mauryan Empire had a highly centralized administration with a well-structured bureaucracy and efficient taxation system.
• Ashoka issued rock and pillar edicts to communicate his policies and the principles of Dhamma across his empire in Prakrit and Brahmi script.
• The Mauryan Empire declined after the death of Ashoka and ended with Brihadratha, who was assassinated by his general Pushyamitra Shunga in 185 BCE, marking the rise of the Shunga Dynasty.

Key Points

• Harisena was the court poet of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta.
• He authored the Prayag Prashasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription.
• The inscription provides a detailed account of Samudragupta's reign and his military conquests.
• It is an important source of historical information about the Gupta Empire and its administration.
• The Prayag Prashasti is inscribed on an Ashokan pillar in Allahabad (now Prayagraj).

Additional Information

• The Gupta Empire is often referred to as the Golden Age of India due to its extensive achievements in arts, science, and political administration.
• Samudragupta is considered one of the greatest rulers of the Gupta dynasty and is known for his military prowess and patronage of the arts.
• His reign marked significant territorial expansion and consolidation of the empire.
• The Gupta period saw the flourishing of classical Indian culture, including the development of Sanskrit literature and the performance of classical music and dance.

Key Points

• 58 BCE marks the beginning of the Vikram Samvat era, a historical calendar system that is still used in several parts of India and Nepal for religious and ceremonial purposes.
  • The Vikram Samvat era was founded by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain following his victory over the Sakas, commemorating his triumph and the beginning of his reign.
  • This calendar is a lunisolar system, which means it considers both the sun and the moon phases in calculating the months and years, making it distinctive in its structure and application.
  • It traditionally begins with the month of Chaitra as the first month, marking the start of the new lunar year with the festival of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which coincides with the festival of Ugadi and Gudi Padwa in different regions of India.
  • The Vikram Samvat calendar plays a significant role in Hindu festivals and auspicious timings, known as 'muhurats', and is integral to the cultural and religious traditions of the relevant regions.

Additional Information

78 CE

• The Saka era starts in 78 CE, which is known as the year when the Saka ruler was defeated by the Indian king.
• The Saka era was officially adopted by the Indian government as the Indian national calendar in 1957.

Key Points

• Narasimhavarman I, also known as Narasimhavarman Mahamalla, was one of the most famous Pallava kings, ruling from 630 to 668 AD.
• He is known for successfully defeating the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II and capturing their capital, Vatapi (present-day Badami).
• His victory over the Chalukyas earned him the title "Vatapikonda", meaning the conqueror of Vatapi.
• Narasimhavarman I was also a great patron of art and architecture, and he contributed significantly to the development of the Mahabalipuram monuments, which are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Additional Information

• Pallava Dynasty
  • The Pallavas were a powerful South Indian dynasty that ruled from the 3rd century to the 9th century AD, with their capital at Kanchipuram.
  • They were known for their patronage of arts, architecture, and literature, and they played a significant role in the cultural development of South India.
  • Their architectural achievements include the rock-cut temples and monolithic rathas (chariots) at Mahabalipuram.
• Chalukya Dynasty
  • The Chalukyas were another influential South Indian dynasty that ruled over large parts of the Deccan region between the 6th and 12th centuries.
  • Their capital was initially at Vatapi (Badami), and they are known for their contributions to temple architecture, including the rock-cut caves at Badami and the temples at Aihole and Pattadakal.
  • The Chalukyas had a long-standing rivalry with the Pallavas, which led to numerous battles between the two dynasties.
• Vatapi (Badami)
  • Vatapi, now known as Badami, was the capital of the early Chalukya dynasty in the 6th century AD.
  • It is renowned for its rock-cut cave temples and structural temples, which are fine examples of Chalukya architecture.
  • After Narasimhavarman I's conquest, the city briefly fell under Pallava control before being retaken by the Chalukyas.
• Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)
  • Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a historic town on the Coromandel Coast, known for its group of sanctuaries carved out of rock in the 7th and 8th centuries.
  • This site includes the famous Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas, and the Descent of the Ganges relief.
  • It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and reflects the architectural prowess of the Pallavas during Narasimhavarman's reign.