History, Art & Culture CA UPSC 2020 Set-1 – Free PDF Download

Topics :-

1. Ladakhi Shondol Dance
2. Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat
3. Chaukhandi Stupa
4. Karnataka Hoysala temples

Ladakhi Shondol dance ::

• This dance entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as largest Ladakhi dance.
• 408 women artists in traditional dresses performed gracefully the Shondol dance on the occasion of the Annual Naropa Festival.
• It is known as the ‘royal dance of Ladakh’. It is famous dance which was earlier used to be performed by artists for King of Ladakh on special occasions.
• It was performed near the 11th-century world-famous Hemis Monastery in Ladakh
• During the festival, it was not only focused on Zero usage of Plastic but also sensitise the religious and community leaders on plastic waste management and recycling.
• Naropa Festival: ‘Kumbh of Himalayas’
• Naropa Festival takes place every 12 years in the Tibetan calendar to celebrate the life of Buddhist philosopher and scholar Naropa.

Consider the following statements

1. 22 languages are present in the VIII schedule of the constitution
2. Sahitya Akademi awards are given for 22 languages
3. Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar is given to authors below the age of 35

Options :

1. A & B are correct
2. A & C are correct
3. Only C is correct
4. B & C are incorrect

Consider the following statements

1. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is organized by ministry of culture
2. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is a part of Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat
3. Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat was announced for the first time on the occasion of 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

Options :

1. A & B are correct
2. Only A is correct
3. Only C is correct
4. B & C are incorrect

• An ancient Buddhist site in Uttar Pradesh’s Sarnath known as Chaukhandi Stupa has been declared to be a  “protected area of national importance” by the  Archaeological Survey of India
• It is a lofty mound of brick, whose square edifice is surrounded by an octagonal tower.
• Some images of the Buddha (Dharmachakra pravartana mudra)
• and other statues were found in excavations at Chaukhandi Stupa are said to be rare artefacts and  classic examples of art from the Gupta period.
• The stupa also finds mention in account of Hiuen Tsang, celebrated Chinese traveler of 7th century AD.

• Stupa was built as a terraced temple during Gupta period (4th-6th centuries AD) to mark the site where Lord Buddha traveling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath was reunited with panchavargiya bhikshus (Budhha’s five companions) who had previously deserted him at Rajgir.
• After Gupta’s the architecture of the stupa was modified by Govardhan, son of Raja Todarmal, who altered the stupa to its present shape by building an octagonal tower in commemoration of Humayun  (Mughal ruler) visit.

Consider the following statements

1. There is only 1 UNESCO world heritage site from India in Mixed category
2. World heritage site status once given can be taken back
3. Maharashtra has the maximum number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites among all states

Options :

1. All are correct
2. A & C are correct
3. Only B is correct
4. B & C are incorrect

Karnataka to seek UNESCO World Heritage Site status for 14 Hoysala Temples ::

• Karnataka State Archaeology Department has clubbed 14 temples from the Hoysala period (11^th -14^th century AD) reflecting similar architectural style for serial nomination to seek UNESCO World Heritage  Site status.
• The final dossier, to be submitted by September 2020, is being prepared by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
• Their inclusion would highlight the monuments as representing a masterpiece of creative genius in monumental arts and as an outstanding example of a type of architectural ensemble illustrating a  significant stage in human history.
• What is Serial nomination?
  • UNESCO defines serial nominations as any two or more unconnected sites that may contain a series of cultural or natural properties in di”erent locations, provided that they are related because they  belong to the same historical and cultural group.
  • In India, forts at Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Jhalawar and Jaiselmer are
• Long drawn process
  • For a monument to qualify as a World Heritage Site, it should be in the tentative list for at least six months to one year.
  • E”orts by Karnataka since 2007.
  • The Belur-Halebid temples made it to the tentative list in 2014
  • After state submits its dossier, one round of scrutiny by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, which has to nominate the monuments and submit them to UNESCO, which will take the final call.
• Hoysala Temple Architecture :-
  • Temples built under Hoysalas near Mysore developed a distinct style during 1050 – 1300 AD.
  • The architecture of the Hoysalas is a hybrid of the nagara style of temple architecture of north India and the dravidian style from the South.
  • The most remarkable architectural achievement of the Hoysala is the numerous intricately carved stone temples in star shaped plans.
  • Multiple shrines were built around a central pillared hall.
  • Hoysala temples themselves are sometimes built on a raised platform or jagati which is used for the purpose of a pradakshinapatha (circumambulation).

• Hoysaleswara temple, It is also referred simply as the Halebidu temple, is a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
  • Chenna = beautiful
  • Kesava = Krishna
• An abundance of figure sculpture covers almost all the Hoysala temples.
• Soapstone, which allows fine detailing and clarity, also helped in this predilection.
• Multiple Hoysala era temples
  • There are 137 Hoysala temples of significant value in the State —
  • 43 are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India,
  • 55 by the Archaeology Department, and the remaining 39 are unprotected.

The list of Hoysala temples to be included

1. Chennakesava temple ,Belur
2. Hoysaleshwara temple ,Halebid
3. Panchalingeshwara temple at Govindahall,
4. Chennakeshava temple at Somnathpur,
5. Kesava temple at Harnahalli,
6. Lakshminarayana temple at Hosaholalu,
7. Ishvara temple at Arsikere,
8. Bucheshwara temple at Koravangala,
9. Nageshwara and Chennakeshava temple at Mosale,
10. Kalyani at Hulikere,
11. Lakshmidevi temple at Doddagaddavalli,
12. Amriteshwara temple at Amrutpura
13. Viranarayana temple at Amrutpura

• Karnataka has the Hampi and Pattadakal group of monuments inscribed as World Heritage Sites.
• 42 sites in India that are in the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage.
• The country has 38 World Heritage Sites.

Andhra Pradesh, excavation by ASI in Gottiprolu ::

• 2000 year old trade centre found in Andhra Pradesh.
• Remains of a large settlement surrounded by a massive brick enclosure which could have been a maritime trade centre , have been discovered in Andhra
• Location near the banks of the Swarnamukhi river in Gottiprolu , near Naidupeta in Nellore district.
• The fortified settlement may have had a trade guild with its own army to protect its interests around 2,000 years ago, according to Archaeological  Survey of India.
• Among many other antiquities unearthed are one life size Vishnu sculpture and a wide variety of pottery of the early centuries of current era
• A four armed 2 metre tall sculpture of Vishnu was unearthed at the site that can be dated back to the Pallava period (8th Century CE), looking at its  features like head gear and drapery.
• Detailed topographical study and drone images have helped in identifying an early historic settlement surrounded by a fortification and the possibility  of a moat encircling
• The size of bricks found is 43 to 48 cm
• On the basis of the brick size and associated findings they can be placed anywhere between 2nd – 1st century BCE or little later Satavahana/Ikshvaku
• Evidence for Trade centre
  • These settlements could have been an important trade centre as indicated by the presence of imitated amphorae wares that were mostly used to transport liquid commodities
• An interesting antiquity retrieved is the moulded female terracotta figurine with two hands lifted
• The excavation also unearthed a series of broken terracotta pipes that fit into each other, pointing towards a form of drainage.

• Stone tools of Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods suggest that prehistoric people also occupied this area.
• Other major retrieved antiquities unearthed are copper and lead coins, iron spear head, terracotta beads, ear studs in semi precious stones
• Further studies are being carried out through geological, chemical analysis of the site/samples
• Till October 2019, ASI had excavated about 10% of the site and would start on the second round of excavations soon.

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