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Showing posts with the label UPSC GS PAPER 1

Contribution of Coins to Indian History

Contribution of Coins to the Study of Indian History 1. Importance of Numismatic Studies Numismatics is the study of coins, discovered through excavations or accidental finds. Coins provide crucial historical evidence, confirming, modifying, or amplifying history. They reveal information about political, economic, religious, and cultural aspects. Coins help in understanding administration, historical geography, and artistic material evidence. 2. Sources for the Discovery of Ancient Indian Coins 2.1 Treasure Troves Coins found as hoards, often buried for safekeeping. Examples: Bayana hoard (1821, Bharatpur, Rajasthan): Gupta gold coins. Tarhala hoard (Maharashtra): Satavahana coins. Jogilthembi hoard (Nashik, Maharashtra): 13,250 silver coins. Treasure trove laws: Ancient India: Kings were considered the owner of buried treasures. Indian Treasure Trove Act (1878): Government can claim unearthed treasures exceeding ₹10. 2.2 Excavations...

Discuss the impact of social media, overprotective parenting, and the decline of unsupervised outdoor play on children’s emotional well-being?

 The emotional well-being of children has been increasingly influenced by several modern factors, including social media, overprotective parenting, and the decline of unsupervised outdoor play. Each of these elements plays a role in shaping children's emotional health, and their combined effects can be complex. Here’s a closer look at how each factor impacts children: 1. Social Media Impact on Emotional Well-being: Increased Anxiety and Depression : Social media can expose children to idealized images and lifestyles, potentially leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. For example, seeing peers portray seemingly perfect lives on platforms like Instagram or TikTok can make children feel like they don't measure up. Cyberbullying : Social media can be a medium for cyberbullying, which can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Victims of online bullying may experience emotional trauma and difficulty trusting others. Reduced Face-to-Face Interaction : Exce...

Women are agents of social change and social cohesion?

Discuss how Indian theatre can aid youngsters in comprehending social issues, language, culture and linguistic development ?10Marks

Discuss how Indian theatre can aid youngsters in comprehending social issues, language, culture and linguistic development ?10Marks  Indian theatre plays a crucial role in aiding youngsters in comprehending social issues, language, culture, and linguistic development. It serves as a powerful medium for education, reflection, and cultural expression. Here are some ways in which Indian theatre contributes to the understanding of these aspects among the youth, along with examples:  1. Social Issues:    Indian theatre often addresses contemporary social issues, helping youngsters become more aware and engaged in societal matters. Plays dealing with topics like gender inequality, caste discrimination, and environmental issues can create a platform for dialogue and reflection.    Example:The play "Muktidham" by renowned playwright Vijay Tendulkar addresses the caste system in India, making the audience question societal norms and prejudices.  2. Language Dev...

Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?" ?

  Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?" was asked in the Mains 2023 GS Paper 1.  Let us look at the model answer to this question.  Answer:  Caste identity involves the positioning of one's caste group within a social hierarchy. Caste identity in India is complex and characterised by its dual nature of being both fluid and static. On the one hand, there is evidence of social mobility and caste change, while on the other hand, caste-based discrimination and inequality persist. Factors responsible for fluidity in caste identity Education and urbanisation: Education and urbanisation have led to social mobility and a change in caste identity, loosening of traditional caste ties. For example, the enrolment of SC students in higher education has increased to 58.95 Lakh from 46.06 Lakh in 2014-15. (AISHE Survey 2020-21) Sanskritisation: Through the process of Sanskritization, lower-caste groups have adopted the rituals, customs, and lifestyles of upper-cas...

Why in Rajasthan Well Suicides Increasing among the women?

  In the heart of Rajasthan’s Barmer district, a concerning and tragic trend has emerged—young married women are resorting to self-inflicted deaths by jumping into wells. This phenomenon, termed “well suicides,” has gripped the region, prompting a closer look at the underlying factors, causes, and efforts made to address this alarming crisis. The Well Suicides Epidemic Barmer, a district famed for its natural resources such as oil, coal, and gas, has become a focal point for a distressing surge in suicides among its young married women since 2019. The disturbing pattern involves women, often with their young children, ending their lives by plunging into wells or man-made water storage tanks known as tankas. This distressing surge has prompted attention from local authorities, media outlets, and law enforcement agencies. For instance, Hanuman Ram’s ordeal encapsulates the heart-wrenching nature of this trend. Waking up one morning to find his 20-year-old wife Mamta missing, he disco...

The Economics of Indian Divorce ?

  Marriage is a union of two souls who want to spend their lives together “till death do them apart” or till a legal divorce battle, whichever comes first. The amount of money that goes into arranging, preparing, organizing, and more than that sustaining a marriage is enormous. In India divorce and separation are perceived to be relatively rare events because of course, society has a lot more to say about the situation than the two people who are actually involved. Earlier, divorce did not concern the very vast majority of people in a country where the economy is fundamentally rural, people are uneducated with no contact with the outside world, and the clamour for better living was absent. However, times have changed. According to recent reports, an upward trend and significant variations in divorce and separation by region, religion, rural and urban residence, and number and sex of children can be noticed.  Statistics Of Divorce In India India’s census gives its citizens the ...

The importance of the Arthasastra of Kautilya as an important primary source for the study of Mauryan state and society?Explain?

 The history of the Mauryan Empire (c.325-185 BCE) has been amply highlighted by a great number and diverse type of primary sources,the indigenous text, the Arthasastra of Kautilya is of immense importance.

Do you think whether iron technology was the key for the development second phase urban formation during sixth century in Ancient History ?

 There is a debate which focuses on whether iron technology was the key to urban formation. The remarkable agrarian development, according to Kosambi, Sharma and N.R.Banerjee lay in the development of iron technology and the availability of iron implements for agriculture. The argument that iron technology changed agricultural production is linked to the fact that iron axes facilitated the clearing of forests so that land could be used for cultivation. The iron ploughshare replacing the wooden share was more effective and eventually crop production increased. These scholars have also pointed to the rich deposits of iron ore in the middle Ganga plain. Iron axes and adzes, discovered from many excavated and explored sites in the Ganga valley suggest their regular use. Iron technology is perceived to have been simultaneously instrumental to the clearance of forests and improved crop production as well. Thus there was agricultural surplus with which both the urban population and funct...

Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas ?

 The Himalayas are a region prone to landslides due to several factors, including geological, topographical, and human-induced causes. Here are some of the main causes for increased landslide occurrences in the Himalayas: What causes landslides? Landslides are natural disasters occurring mainly in mountainous terrains where there are conducive conditions of soil, rock, geology and slope. A sudden movement of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope is termed as a landslide. Natural causes that trigger it include heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snowmelting and undercutting of slopes due to flooding. Landslides can also be caused by anthropogenic activities such as excavation, cutting of hills and trees, excessive infrastructure development, and overgrazing by cattle. India is among the four major countries where the risk of landslides is the highest, it added. If we look at the figures, about 0.42 million square kilometres in the country are prone to landslides, which is 12.6 per c...

There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement

 The statement suggests that a serious challenge emerged for the democratic state system during the period between the two World Wars, referring to the interwar period from 1919 to 1939. This period was marked by significant geopolitical changes, economic upheaval, and the rise of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. Evaluating the statement requires considering key factors and events that affected the democratic state system during that time. 1. Rise of Authoritarian Regimes: The interwar period witnessed the rise of authoritarian regimes, such as Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini, Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, and Soviet Russia under Joseph Stalin. These regimes challenged democratic principles, suppressed political opposition, and implemented dictatorial rule. 2. Great Depression: The global economic downturn of the Great Depression in the 1930s severely impacted democratic states. The economic crisis led to high unemployment, poverty, and social unrest, undermining the...

Discuss major elements that will act as a bridge between our ancient civilisation and modern India ?10Marks

Note : Aspirant can change the view by reading this article ,my views just giving dimensional aspects not an accurate answer . https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2023/jun/19/tryst-with-our-civilisational-ideal-and-destiny-2586273.html  The bridge between India's ancient civilization and modern India is composed of several major elements that connect the rich cultural heritage of the past with the contemporary aspirations of the nation. These elements serve as the foundation for India's identity, contributing to its social fabric, artistic expressions, and philosophical outlook. Here are some key elements that act as a bridge between ancient civilization and modern India: 1. Philosophy and spirituality: India's ancient wisdom and spiritual traditions continue to influence and shape the country's cultural ethos. Philosophical concepts such as karma, dharma, and ahimsa have permeated Indian society, fostering a sense of moral responsibility, ethical behavior, and no...

Socio-economic equality is critical to promoting equity in science? Explain? expecting 2023?

 According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2022, the level of women’s representation in leadership roles is only in proximity to gender parity in selected industries, such as non-governmental and membership organizations (47%), education (46%) and personal services and wellbeing (45%). On average, more women have been hired into leadership in industries where women are already highly represented. Why Socio-economic equality is critical to promoting equity in science?  Socio-economic status often determines access to quality education and creates barriers to entering and advancing in science-related careers. Understanding the intersectional nature of socio-economic status is critical to addressing the root causes of poverty and economic inequality. 1. Access to Resources: Socio-economic equality ensures that individuals from all backgrounds have access to the necessary resources for scientific pursuits. This includes access to quality education, research facilities, scientific ...

Why East Africa is much drier than other tropical land regions, including the Amazon and Congo rainforests.?Enumerate reasons ?

 East Africa is generally drier compared to other tropical land regions, including the Amazon and Congo rainforests, due to several factors. Here are some reasons that contribute to the relative aridity of East Africa: 1. Rain Shadow Effect: The presence of mountain ranges, such as the East African Rift System and the Ethiopian Highlands, creates a rain shadow effect. When moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean encounter these mountain barriers, they are forced to rise, cool, and release precipitation on the windward side. As a result, the leeward side, which includes much of East Africa, experiences drier conditions as the descending air mass carries less moisture. 2. Influence of Subtropical High Pressure Systems: East Africa is influenced by subtropical high-pressure systems, such as the North Atlantic High and the South Atlantic High. These high-pressure systems create stable atmospheric conditions and result in descending air masses. Descending air tends to suppress cloud ...

Bharhut sculptures

 The Bharhut Stupa is an ancient Buddhist site located in the present-day Satna district of Madhya Pradesh in central India. It was built during the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) and is famous for its elaborate and intricately carved stone reliefs, which depict scenes from the life of the Buddha and various other Buddhist symbols and motifs. Here are some of the key features of Bharhut sculptures: 1. Narrative Reliefs: The Bharhut sculptures are predominantly narrative reliefs that tell stories from the life of the Buddha, his previous incarnations, and other Buddhist legends. These reliefs were created to educate and inspire the Buddhist community and were often accompanied by inscriptions in Prakrit, the language of the time. 2. Jataka Tales: The Bharhut sculptures also depict the Jataka tales, which are stories of the Buddha's previous incarnations before he achieved enlightenment. These tales are told through intricate and detailed relief panels that often feature multiple figur...