Q1 50M 30w Compulsory write short notes Archaeological sites identification on map
Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note of about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum-Answer Booklet. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below seriatim: (i) Paleolithic site, (ii) Mesolithic site, (iii) Neolithic site, (iv) Neolithic-Chalcolithic site, (v) Harappan site, (vi) Proto-historic and historic site, (vii) Inscriptional site, (viii) Jain monastic site, (ix) Coin hoard, (x) Paleolithic site, (xi) Terracotta site, (xii) Rock-cut caves, (xiii) Ancient learning centre, (xiv) Political and cultural centre, (xv) Buddhist site, (xvi) Ancient port, (xvii) Early historic site, (xviii) Ivory hoard, (xix) Buddhist monastic centre, (xx) Temple complex. (50 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
आपको दिए गए मानचित्र पर अंकित निम्नलिखित स्थानों की पहचान कीजिए एवं अपनी प्रश्न-सह-उत्तर पुस्तिका में उनमें से प्रत्येक पर लगभग 30 शब्दों की संक्षिप्त टिप्पणी लिखिए। मानचित्र पर अंकित प्रत्येक स्थान के लिए स्थान-निर्धारण संकेत क्रमानुसार नीचे दिए गए हैं: (i) पुरापाषाणकालीन स्थल, (ii) मध्यपाषाणकालीन स्थल, (iii) नवपाषाणकालीन स्थल, (iv) नवपाषाणकालीन-ताम्रमयुगीन स्थल, (v) हड़प्पाकालीन स्थल, (vi) आधि-ऐतिहासिक एवं ऐतिहासिक स्थल, (vii) अभिलेखीय स्थल, (viii) जैन विहार स्थल, (ix) सिक्कों का ज़खीरा, (x) पुरापाषाणकालीन स्थल, (xi) मृण्मूर्तिकला स्थल, (xii) शैल्यकृत गुफाएँ, (xiii) प्राचीन विद्या केन्द्र, (xiv) राजनीतिक एवं सांस्कृतिक केन्द्र, (xv) बौद्ध स्थल, (xvi) प्राचीन बन्दरगाह, (xvii) प्रारम्भिक ऐतिहासिक स्थल, (xviii) हाथीदाँत का ज़खीरा, (xix) बौद्ध संघाराम केन्द्र, (xx) मन्दिर संकुल। (50 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC History Paper 1 Map Identification. (i) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (ii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (iii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (iv) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (v) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (vi) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (vii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (viii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (ix) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (x) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xi) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xiii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xiv) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xv) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xvi) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xvii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xviii) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xix) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (xx) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance Full marks: All 20 sites correctly identified with accurate 30-word notes including specific features.
- Site correctly identified as Attirampakkam
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Langhnaj
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Daojali Hading
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Mehrgarh
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Manda
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Ropar
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Sohgaura
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Udayagiri-Khandagiri
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Bayana
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Hunsgi
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Chandraketugarh
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Udayagiri (Vidisha)
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Vallabhi
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Sirpur
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Sankissa
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Bharuch (Bhrigukachchha)
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Keeladi (near Madurai)
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Begram
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Somapura (Paharpur)
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
- Site correctly identified as Kedarnath
- Location (state, river or region) stated
- One key feature or finding
Q2 50M comment Harappan civilization, Upanishadic philosophy, post-Mauryan art
(a) Do you agree that ecological factors influenced the flow and ebb of the Harappan Civilization? Comment. (20 marks) (b) Do you consider that the Upanishadic principles embody the high point of Vedic religious thought? Comment. (15 marks) (c) Analyze the significance of external influences and indigenous development on post-Mauryan art. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) क्या आप सहमत हैं कि पारिस्थितिक कारकों ने हड़प्पीय सभ्यता के प्रवाह एवं ह्रास को प्रभावित किया? टिप्पणी कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) क्या आप मानते हैं कि उपनिषदीय सिद्धांत वैदिक धार्मिक विचारों की उच्च स्थिति को मूर्त रूप देते हैं? टिप्पणी कीजिए। (15 अंक) (c) मौर्योत्तरकालीन कला पर बाह्य प्रभावों एवं देशज विकास के महत्व का विश्लेषण कीजिए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Context > Thesis > Evidence > Historiography. (a) comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close | (b) comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close | (c) analyse: intro > causes > effects > stakeholders/linkages > way forward Full marks: Thesis-driven, cites specific sources/historians, balanced judgment, clear analysis
- Ecology in the rise: Indus floods, alluvium, Ghaggar-Hakra system
- Environmental theories of decline: tectonic flooding (Raikes), aridity (Gurdip Singh), river shifts
- Qualified judgement: ecology interacted with trade decline and Late Harappan de-urbanisation
- Shift from ritual to knowledge: Brahman, Atman, karma, moksha
- Continuity with the Aranyakas and later Vedanta, with the end-of-the-Veda sense
- Qualification: contemporary heterodox movements and surviving ritual religion
- External influence: Gandhara school under Indo-Greek, Shaka and Kushana patrons
- Indigenous development: Bharhut, Sanchi, Mathura, Amaravati
- Synthesis and its role in preparing Gupta art
Q3 50M analyse Megalithic cultures, Mauryan state, Varnashrama Dharma
(a) Will it be proper to consider the megaliths to represent a single, homogeneous or contemporaneous culture? What kind of material life and cultural system is revealed in the megalithic cultures? (15 marks) (b) How would you characterize the nature of Mauryan state on the basis of Kautilya's Arthashastra? (20 marks) (c) How did the Varnashrama Dharma manifest the increasing social complexities in the Gupta and post-Gupta period arising from social and economic developments? (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) क्या महापाषाण को एकल, समरूप अथवा समकालीन संस्कृति का प्रतिनिधि मानना उपयुक्त होगा? महापाषाण-कालीन संस्कृतियों से किस प्रकार के भौतिक जीवन व सांस्कृतिक व्यवस्था का पता चलता है? (15 अंक) (b) कौटिल्य के अर्थशास्त्र के आधार पर आप मौर्य राज्य के स्वरूप का चित्रण कैसे करेंगे? (20 अंक) (c) 'वर्णाश्रम धर्म' कैसे गुप्त एवं गुप्तोत्तर काल में सामाजिक एवं आर्थिक विकास से उत्पन्न होने वाली बढ़ती सामाजिक जटिलताओं को प्रदर्शित करता है? (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Context > Thesis > Evidence > Historiography. (a) comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close | (b) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Thesis-driven, specific sources, clear analytical structure, no narrative drift.
- Diversity of types and regions with chronological spread rather than one culture
- Material life: iron tools, agriculture, irrigation, black-and-red ware
- Social ranking and chiefdoms shown by burial differences
- Saptanga theory and the king's position under dandaniti
- Bureaucracy, espionage and state control of the economy
- Balance of welfare and control, with caution on the text's date and nature
- Dharmashastra restatement of varna duties for a society of many jatis
- Land grants, tribal absorption and new jatis, with mixed-caste theory
- Changing status of Shudras and Vaishyas and hardening of untouchability
Q4 50M comment Rise of Buddhism, agricultural expansion, vernacular literature and regional identity
(a) "The political and economic needs of rulers, combined with economic and status needs of the merchant class, together provided the receptive cultural milieu in which Buddhism flourished." Comment. (20 marks) (b) Large number of land grants in hitherto non-arable tracts invariably meant expansion of agriculture in early medieval India. How did the management of hydraulic resources (different types of irrigation works) facilitate expansion of agriculture in this period? (15 marks) (c) Discuss the relationship between emergence of literature in vernacular languages and formation of regional identities in early medieval India. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) "शासकों की राजनीतिक व आर्थिक आवश्यकताओं ने व्यापारी वर्ग की आर्थिक व सामाजिक स्थिति की जरूरतों से मिलकर एकसाथ ग्रहणशील सांस्कृतिक वातावरण प्रदान किया जिसमें बौद्ध धर्म विकसित हुआ।" टिप्पणी कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) प्रारंभिक मध्यकालीन भारत में अब तक गैर-कृषियोग्य क्षेत्रों में बड़ी संख्या में भूमि अनुदान निरपवाद रूप से कृषि-विस्तार के उद्देश्य से था। जल संसाधनों (विभिन्न प्रकार के सिंचाई कार्य) के प्रबंधन ने इस काल में कृषि-विस्तार को कैसे सुगम बनाया? (15 अंक) (c) प्रारंभिक मध्यकालीन भारत में स्थानीय भाषाओं में साहित्य के आविर्भाव एवं क्षेत्रीय पहचान के निर्माण के बीच संबंध की विवेचना कीजिए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Context > Thesis > Evidence > Historiography. (a) comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close | (b) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Demonstrates deep understanding of the historiographical debate, cites specific sources, and provides a nuanced, well-argued response.
- Sixth-century BCE urban and trade growth and new states needing legitimacy
- Merchants' low varna status against Buddhist ethics and patronage (Anathapindika, guilds at Sanchi)
- Royal support (Bimbisara, Ashoka, Kushanas) and benefit to the Sangha
- Land grants and settlement of uncultivated tracts
- Types of irrigation works: tanks (eri), wells and araghatta, canals, reservoirs
- Regional examples and outcome in cropping and surplus
- Rise of Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Apabhramsa and early Bengali literature
- Role of courts, bhakti and inscriptions in patronage
- Link between language, shared memory and regional identity