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 Ajivika sect, consider the following statements:

1. Ajiviks used to wear white clothes and lived in organised groups.

2. The central belief of the sect was that absolutely everything is predetermined by fate.

3. The sect reached its peak during the Gupta Empire.

4. The Barabar Caves in Bihar were made for Ajiviks to retreat and meditate.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

This semi-precious stone is discovered in underground mines in Rajpipla and Ratanpur riverbeds and exploited to make a range of ornamental products. India’s Prime Minister handed a bowl made of this semi-precious stone to G20 leaders.

The semi-precious stone mentioned above is:

(a) Lapis lazuli

(b) Sapphire

(c) Emerald

(d) Agate

With reference to Etikoppaka Toys, consider the following statements:

1. They are made by the use of turned key lacquering method.

2. They are made of Wrightia Tinctoria wood.

3. It is a registered geographical indication (GI) tag product of Kerala

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Consider the following statements about Raigad Fort:

1. It is also known as Gibraltar of the South.

2. This hill fort is situated in the Sahyadri Mountain ranges.

3. In 1656, Chhatrapati Shivaji captured it from the More’s of Javli who were under the suzerainty of the Adilshahi Sultanate.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

With reference to the Hoysaleshwara temple, consider the following statements:

1. The temple follows Vaishnavism tradition..

2. The sculptures inside the temple depict scenes from the Ramayana.

3. The Hoysaleshwara temple was built in the 13th century during the reign of the Hoysala King, Vira Narasimha II

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

FYI:

— Around the 6th century BC, at the time of the Buddha, there was an explosion all across India of different schools of thought and philosophy.

— One of the most popular was the Ajivika sect. Though it had been around for ages, its most important leader Makkhali Goshala was a contemporary of both the Buddha and Mahavira.

— The Ajivikas’ central belief was that absolutely everything is predetermined by fate, or niyati, and hence human action has no consequence one way or the other. According to them, each soul’s course was like a ball of thread that is unravelling. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Ajiviks wore no clothes, and lived as ascetic monks in organised groups. They were known to practice extremely severe austerities, such as lying on nails, going through fire, exposing themselves to extreme weather, and even spending time in large earthen pots for penance. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— There was no caste discrimination and people from all walks of life joined them. Interestingly, the oldest rock-cut caves in India, the Barabar Caves in Bihar dating from the Mauryan Empire, were made for Ajiviks and Jains to retreat and meditate. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

— Ajiviks were quite influential, and had many powerful followers. The sect reached its peak during the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka’s father’s (Bindusara’s) time. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— At the G20 summit in 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted heads of states curated craft pieces from Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

— Agate bowls from Kutch were presented to the leaders of France, Germany and Singapore.

— The semi-precious stone is found in underground mines of Rajpipla and Ratanpur in riverbeds, and extracted to produce a variety of ornamental objects.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— Etikoppaka Toys are registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) tag product of Andhra Pradesh under Sub-section (1) of Section 13 of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Etikoppaka Toys are one of the finest wooden lacquered crafts. It is an age-old tradition from the region. The craft is said to have been practiced since 18th century.

— The name of the craft is derived from the village called “Etikoppaka” which is situated on the bank of River Varaha in the Taluk Yelamachalli in Vizag district in Andhra Pradesh.

— Etikoppaka Toys are made of “Ankudu woods” botanically named Wrightia Tinctoria. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— An important characteristic in the making of Etikoppaka Toys is the use of turned key lacquering method. These toys are crafted and naturally lacquered on the hand lathe machine by using natural Dyes (colors). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Source: search.ipindia.gov.in)

FYI:

— Raigad is a hill fort situated about 25 km from Mahad in the Raigad district and stands 2,851 feet above sea level. This hill fort is located in the Sahyadri Mountain ranges. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The British Gazette states the fort was known to early Europeans as the Gibraltar of the East. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Its decisive feature is a mile-and-a-half flat top with adequate room for buildings. In its prime, the fort had 300 stone houses and a garrison of 2,000 men.

— The fort, earlier called Rairi, was the seat of the Maratha clan Shirke in the 12th century. The fort changed hands a number of times from the dynasty of Bahaminis to the Nizamshahis and then the Adilshahis.

— In 1656, Chhatrapati Shivaji captured it from the More’s of Javli who were under the suzerainty of the Adilshahi Sultanate. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in)

FYI:

— The Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu is the most exemplary architectural ensemble of the Hoysalas extant today. It was built in 1121 CE during the reign of the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The Hoysaleswara temple follows the Shaivism tradition but includes themes from Vaishnavism and Shaktism, along with Jainism images. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The sculptures inside the temple depict scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Bhagavata Purana. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— It is one of the protected monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which takes care of their conservation and maintenance.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: whc.unesco.org)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 45)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 44)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 44)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 44)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 44)

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