ASKiIMAN™
NEXUS / 2023 / GS1
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UPSC 2023: Nexus 41—50

Unearthing the structural logic of the paper. [Set A]

Question 41

Ancient History

In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

  • (a) Andhra
  • (b) Gandhara
  • (c) Kalinga
  • (d) Magadha

Official Verdict: (a) Andhra

The Core Concept: Dhanyakataka was the ancient name for Amaravati, the grand capital of the later Satavahanas situated on the banks of the Krishna River in modern-day Andhra Pradesh. It was the epicenter of the Mahasanghika sect (specifically the Chaityakas) and the birthplace of the magnificent Amaravati Stupa, carved in pristine white limestone.

Tethered to: REALM 22: Satavahanas & The Deccan

ANDHRA
Pre-Buddhist Relic / Votive

Question 42

Architecture & Religion

With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

  1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
  2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
  3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Official Verdict: (b) Only two

The Core Concept: The word Stupa originates from the Rig Veda (referring to a mound or pyre). Earthen burial mounds existed in India long before the birth of the Buddha, making statement 1 false. However, Buddhism appropriated this pre-existing structure. They housed the ashes/relics of the Buddha or great monks (Saririka stupas) and were built as commemorative or votive (offering) structures (statements 2 and 3 are correct).

Tethered to: REALM 16: Jainism & Buddhism

Question 43

Sangam Age Trade

With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as

  • (a) capital cities
  • (b) ports
  • (c) centres of iron-and-steel making
  • (d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras

Official Verdict: (b) ports

The Core Concept: These are the legendary maritime gateways of Sangam-era Tamilakam. Muchiri (Muziris) was the Chera port on the west coast, famous for Roman ships bringing gold for pepper. Poompuhar (Kaveripoompattinam) was the bustling Chola port. Korkai was the Pandya port famous for pearl fishing in the Gulf of Mannar.

Tethered to: REALM 23: Sangam Age & Tamilakam

N Ritual Starvation

Question 44

Sangam Traditions

Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?

  • (a) Kings employing women bodyguards
  • (b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts...
  • (c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields...
  • (d) A king defeated in battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

Official Verdict: (d)

The Core Concept: In the fierce martial culture of Sangam Tamilakam, honor was paramount. Vattakirutal (or Vadakkiruthal) was a ritual fast unto death. A defeated king, or a warrior who suffered a wound on his back (considered deeply shameful as it implied fleeing), would sit facing North with a sword, starving himself to regain his lost honor in death.

Tethered to: REALM 23: Sangam Age & Tamilakam

Question 45

Chronology

Consider the following dynasties:

  1. Hoysala
  2. Gahadavala
  3. Kakatiya
  4. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?

Official Verdict: (d) None

The Core Concept: The "early eighth century" means the 700s AD (the era of the Tripartite struggle between Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas). Every single dynasty listed here emerged much later, rising from the ashes of the later Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas around the 11th and 12th centuries AD (1000s-1100s). Therefore, absolutely none fit the 8th-century timeline.

Tethered to: REALM 13: Early Regional Kingdoms

8th C (700s) EMPTY 11th-12th C Hoysala, Yadava...
Devichandragupta Bilhana (X) Hammira-Mahakavya Nayachandra Suri Milinda-panha Nagarjuna (X) Nitivakyamrita Somadeva Suri

Question 46

Ancient Literature

With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:

  • Devichandragupta: Bilhana
  • Hammira-Mahakavya: Nayachandra Suri
  • Milinda-panha: Nagarjuna
  • Nitivakyamrita: Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Official Verdict: (b) Only two

The Core Concept: A classic test of memory. Devichandragupta was written by Vishakhadatta (not Bilhana, who wrote Vikramankadevacharita). Milinda-panha (Questions of Milinda) is a dialogue involving the Buddhist sage Nagasena (not the later philosopher Nagarjuna). Pairs 2 and 4 are perfectly matched.

Tethered to: REALM 30: Literature & Education

Question 47

Philosophy & Religion

"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects."

The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

  • (a) Buddhism
  • (b) Jainism
  • (c) Shaivism
  • (d) Vaishnavism

Official Verdict: (b) Jainism

The Core Concept: This concept is known as Hylozoism or Animism within the Jain philosophical framework. Jainism postulates that the universe is teeming with Jivas (souls). They believe that earth-bodies (rocks), water-bodies, fire-bodies, and air-bodies all possess consciousness and can experience pain, which is the foundational rationale for their extreme adherence to Ahimsa (non-violence).

Tethered to: REALM 70: Jainism

JIVA IN ALL
CAPITAL CITY Devaraya I

Question 48

Vijayanagara Empire

Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?

  • (a) Devaraya I
  • (b) Mallikarjuna
  • (c) Vira Vijaya
  • (d) Virupaksha

Official Verdict: (a) Devaraya I

The Core Concept: Devaraya I (Sangama dynasty) was a great patron of public works. To solve the water scarcity in the capital of Hampi (Vijayanagara), he built a massive dam across the Tungabhadra River and constructed an intricate 24-kilometer aqueduct system to channel water directly into the city for irrigation and royal baths. This transformed the capital's agriculture and aesthetics.

Tethered to: REALM 41: Political History & Administration

Question 49

Advent of Europeans

Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?

  • (a) Ahmad Shah
  • (b) Mahmud Begarha
  • (c) Bahadur Shah
  • (d) Muhammad Shah

Official Verdict: (c) Bahadur Shah

The Core Concept: In the 1530s, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was under immense military pressure from the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Desperate for naval and artillery support, he signed the Treaty of Bassein (1534) with the Portuguese, ceding Bassein and granting them permission to build a fort at Diu. The alliance soured quickly, leading to his tragic death during a scuffle on a Portuguese ship in 1537.

Tethered to: REALM 04: Advent of Europeans

GG of BENGAL GG of INDIA Total Centralization

Question 50

British Administration

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

  • (a) The Regulating Act
  • (b) The Pitt's India Act
  • (c) The Charter Act of 1793
  • (d) The Charter Act of 1833

Official Verdict: (d) The Charter Act of 1833

The Core Concept: The Charter Act of 1833 was the final step towards total centralization of British power in India. It elevated the Governor-General of Bengal (Lord William Bentinck) to the "Governor-General of India", vesting in him exclusive legislative powers for the entire British territory in India. Bombay and Madras lost their legislative independence entirely.

Tethered to: REALM 11: Administration Before 1857