UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Each day, we cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on History, Culture, and Social Issues to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the Environment, Geography, Science and Technology MCQs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz.

With reference to the Sun Temple at Konark, Consider the following statements:

1. It is linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief systems.

2. It is located on the eastern shores of the Indian subcontinent.

3. The vimana was surmounted by a high tower with a shikhara which was razed in the 19th century.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

With reference to the Kapdaganda shawl, consider the following statements:

1. It reflects the rich tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs.

2. It is embroidered on an off-white coarse cloth with red, yellow and green coloured threads.

3. The shawl is worn only by women.

4. It is registered as an Odisha GI tag.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Consider the following statements about Paika Rebellion:

1. The Paikas were peasant militias of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha.

2. The Paikas were mobilised under the leadership of Veer Surendra Sai.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Consider the following statements:

1. He established the Arya Samaj in 1875.

2. He wrote Satyarth Prakash which emphasised Vedic principles.

3. He accepted the idea of idolatry.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Traditionally, these paintings are done on walls. In the Chhotaudepur area of Gujarat, they are mostly painted by men. Elephants, men, women, arms, and musical instruments, as well as weddings, festivals, and celebrations, are depicted in the paintings.

The above-mentioned lines refer to which of the following paintings?

(a) Kalamkari Paintings

(b) Kalighat Paintings

(c) Warli Paintings

(d) Pithora Paintings

FYI:

— The Archaeological Survey of India is working on a preliminary roadmap to safely remove sand from the interiors of Odisha’s Sun Temple, which was filled up by the British 118 years ago to prevent it from collapsing.

— The Sun Temple at Konarak, located on the eastern shores of the Indian subcontinent, is one of the outstanding examples of temple architecture and art as revealed in its conception, scale and proportion, and in the sublime narrative strength of its sculptural embellishment. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— It is an outstanding testimony to the 13th-century kingdom of Orissa and a monumental example of the personification of divinity, thus forming an invaluable link in the history of the diffusion of the cult of Surya, the Sun God.

— In this sense, it is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief systems. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Sun Temple is the culmination of Kalingan temple architecture, with all its defining elements in complete and perfect form.

— A masterpiece of creative genius in both conception and realisation, the temple represents a chariot of the Sun God, with twelve pairs of wheels drawn by seven horses evoking its movement across the heavens.

— The vimana (principal sanctuary) was surmounted by a high tower with a shikhara (crowning cap), which was razed in the 19th century. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: whc.unesco.org)

FYI:

— The coveted Geographical Indication (GI) label has been awarded to seven Odisha products, ranging from the Similipal Kai chutney made with red weaver ants to the embroidered Kapdaganda shawl. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

— The shawl reflects the rich tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It is embroidered on an off-white coarse cloth with red, yellow, and green threads, with each colour representing a different meaning. Green represents mountains and hills, while yellow represents peace and happiness. The colour red is associated with blood. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The motifs in the shawls are mostly lines and triangles, believed to be a reflection of the importance of mountains for the community.

— The shawl is worn by both men and women and the Dongrias gift it to their family members as a token of love and affection. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— The Centre has said in Parliament that it will not recognise the Paika rebellion as the first War of Independence.

— Odisha has demanded that the Paika rebellion of Odisha should be declared as the first war of Independence. At present, the Indian Mutiny or Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 is called the first war of Independence against British Rule.

— The Paika Bidroha (Paika Rebellion) of 1817 took place nearly 40 years before the first sepoy mutiny. The Paikas were peasant militias of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha who offered military services to the king. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The British established themselves in Odisha when the East India Company dethroned the King of Khurda, Raja Mukunda Deva in 1803.

— The Paikas lost their estates when the new colonial establishments and land revenue settlements of the British came into force.

— The continuous interference in the economy and revenue systems led to exploitation and oppression of the peasants and farmers eventually triggering a rebellion against the British.

— A large number of Paikas were mobilised under the leadership of Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, who then confronted the British on April 2, 1817. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The uprising spread like wildfire across the state resulting in several confrontations and encounters between the British and the Paika forces.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883) was one of the most influential figures of 19th-century India.

— He was a believer in the supreme authority of the Vedas, he established the Arya Samaj in 1875, leading a reform movement within orthodox Hinduism. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Among his various beliefs included a rejection of idolatry and the overly ritualistic traditions of Hinduism, support for women’s education, denunciation of child marriage and opposition to untouchability. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— He wrote Satyarth Prakash (1875), which emphasised the “return to Vedic principles”. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— Pithora paintings are traditionally done on walls that are characterised by seven horses representing the seven hills that surround the area bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, which is home to the Rathwa community that makes these paintings.

— These wall murals are created as offerings to Pithora, the God of food grains. They are only painted by men commonly in the Chhotaudepur area of Gujarat.

— The paintings are rich with imagery from their everyday life – elephants, men, women, arms and musical instruments, besides weddings, festivals and celebrations.

— The paint is prepared by mixing pigments with milk and liquor prepared from the mahuda tree. Painters use a combination of bamboo sticks, cotton and wooden stencils to create their art. Although it is traditionally practiced only as wall art, today’s generation of pithora painters use paper and canvas that they sell commercially.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.gujarattourism.com)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 40)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 39)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 39)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 39)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 39)

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