FOLK & TRIBAL DANCE

KARAKATTAM FOLK DANCE → Tamil Nadu, performed in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman. The performers
balance a water pot (Karakam) on their head. 2 types → AATTA KARAKAM is danced with decorated pots on the head
and symbolizes joy and happiness. The SAKTHI KARAKAM is performed only in temples as a spiritual offering

TAAKALA FOLK DANCE → Maharashtra, exchange of the 'takla' vegetable among local tribal groups.
KOLI FOLK DANCE → Maharashtra, performed by fisherwomen.
MISRA RAAS OF GUJARAT → performed by both men and women, not based on any criteria of caste or profession,
associated with raas of Krishna.

MONPA OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH→ Monpa tribe, performed during Losar Festival, which marks tribe’s New Year.
GANGTE FOLK DANCE, ARUNACHAL PRADESH → performed by men and women, celebrates closeness to nature.

MAMITA OF TRIPURA → performed on the occasion of Mamita festival, which is harvest festival of Tripuri People.
TAMANG SELO OF SIKKIM → patronised by the Tamang community of the state, musical instrument Damphu,
accompanies the dance, performed during the Dasain or Dusserah festival.

OTHER DANCES → Satoiya Nitya of Assam; Fusim Dance of Jammu Kashmir; Hudka Chhudka of Uttarakhand.
Karnataka’s tableau was based on the 39th session of the INC held in Belagavi (Belgaum) in 1924, which was presided
over by Mahatma Gandhi. It was the only session in which Gandhiji presided.

INDIA’S FIRST MUSIC MUSEUM

India’s first music museum will be set up in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, which is the birth place of Saint Tyagaraja. The
Tyagaraja Aaradhana Music Festival is also held in Thiruvaiyaru.

Saint Tyagaraja is one of the Trinity of Carnatic music (other two are Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri). Bhakti
was the keynote of his compositions. He firmly believed that nadopasana (the practice of music to cultivate devotion)
can lead one to salvation only if it was combined with bhakti.

He mastered Nishkama Bhakthi, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. He mainly composed in Telugu. He set his face
against 'narastuti', praise of men for profit or benefit. Old system of 'gurukulavasa' - of disciples learning at the feet of
the master and the master imparting knowledge but not for money.
Tyagaraja Aaradhana Festival → celebrated every year at Thiruvayur as a tribute to the musical Saint Tyagaraja,
perform Tyagaraja Pancharatna Kritis in unison.

HINDUSTANI MUSIC CARNATIC MUSIC

It has its roots in Vedic traditions where hymns in
Sama Veda, a sacred text, were sung rather than
chanted.
It is raga-based. Use of tabla, sarangi, sitar, santoor,
clarionet, violin & flute.
It features a number of Turko-Persian musical
elements.
There is bandish of time.
There are more than one style of singing known as
gharanas.
It developed significantly during the Bhakti movement.
It is Kriti-based. Use of veena, mridangam mandolin,
jalatarangam, violin & flute.
No Turko-Persian influence.
There is no such Bandish.
It is written to be sung in a specific way.

GHUMOT: GOA’S HERITAGE INSTRUMENT

It is a membranophone type percussion instrument and is also known as Ghumat, Dakki or Budike. It is a folk instrument
of the Konkani people mainly the Siddis, Kudumis and Kharvis. It is part of the Mando, a musical form of the Goan
Catholics that combines elements of both Indian and Western music.

It is also part of the Zagor folk dance and Dulpod (Goan dance song). A smaller form of ghumot is generally used as the
main accompaniment to the ‘Burrakatha’ a folk, storytelling tradition of Andhra Pradesh.
 THANJAVUR PAINTINGS
Raman spectroscopy → when light is irradiated on molecules, the light is scattered by them. Some fraction of light has
different frequency due to interaction between oscillation of light and molecular vibration. The phenomenon that the
light is scattered with frequency change is called Raman scattering.

Thanjavur painting is a form of miniature painting having origin in 9th century, flourished in 18th Century. It is
characterised use of pure and brilliant colours along with semi-precious stones, pearls and glass pieces.

The conical crown appearing in the miniature is a typical feature of the Tanjore painting. Gold is extensively used in
Thanjavur paintings. It has also been granted GI tag.

Other famous miniature paintings → (1). Pala School (11th C): Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita (Buddhism).
(2). Western Indian School (12th -16th C): Kalpasutra and Kalakacharya-Katha are the two very popular Jain texts.
(3). Mughal School (1560-1800 A.D.): Tuti-nama, Hamzanama, Gulistan of Sadi, Razm-nama, Darab-nama, Ayar-i-Danish
& Anwar-i-sunavli (under Jahangir)
MITHILA PAINTING
Madhubani/Mithila painting is practiced in Bihar and Nepal, characterized by complex geometrical patterns including
festivals, religious rituals, etc. It commonly includes double line border, bold use of colours, ornate floral patterns and
exaggerated facial features and it is 2-D with no shading.

Instead of contemporary brushes, objects like twigs, matchsticks and even fingers are used to create the paintings. It is
done on freshly plastered walls using rice paste and vegetable colours on a base of cow dung and mud. For commercial
purposes, the work is now being done on paper, cloth, canvas etc. and men have also got involved along with women. It
has been given GI tag.
BAGRU BLOCK PRINTING
The ‘Titanwala Museum' in Rajasthan.
Bagru Block printing → traditional technique of printing with natural colour done by the Chippa community in Bagru
village of Rajasthan. Motifs printed at Bagru are large with bold lines. The motifs include wildflowers, buds, leaves and
printed geometrical patterns. The main colours used in Bagru are Red and Black.

Other traditional block printing techniques → (1). Gujarat: Ajrakh Print. (2). Rajasthan: Sanganeri, Ajrakh, Dabu.
(3). Madhya Pradesh: Bagh Print, Bherogarh Print (Batik). (4). Andhra Pradesh: Kalamkari.

AIPAN
Aipan art form Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The background is prepared with red clay, called geru, and the designs
are created with a white paste made from rice flour. Traditionally it was made on walls and floors.

THOLU BOMMALATA
Tholu Bommalata, the shadow puppet theatre tradition of Andhra Pradesh, literally means dance of leather puppet,
made of skin of antelope, spotted deer and goat. They are coloured on both sides and throw coloured shadows. Narrate
stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
KONARK SUN TEMPLE
Konark Sun Temple (13th C, OD) which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. King Narasimhadeva I, the
great ruler of the Ganga dynasty had built this temple. It is a classic illustration of the Odisha style of Architecture or
Kalinga Architecture.
Konark forms the third arm of Odisha’s Golden Triangle (other being Jagannath Temple, Puri, and the Lingaraja Temple
of Bhubaneswar). European sailors referred to it as the Black Pagoda.

Sun Temples in India → (1). Dakshinaarka Temple, Gaya, Bihar. (2). Sun temple, Martand, J&K. (3). Modhera Sun Temple,
Gujarat. (4). Sun Temple, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. (5). Surya Narayan Temple, Andhra Pradesh. (6). Suryanaar Temple
in Tamil Nadu. (7). Sun Temple in Rajasthan.
 KHAJURAHO TEMPLES
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples in MP, and is one of the UNESCO World
Heritage Sites in India, built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela Dynasty and famous for their nagara-style
architectural. It is built of buff sandstone and on high terraces.

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (largest), the Devi Jagadamba Temple, the Chitragupta Temple, the Vishwanatha
Temple, the Parvati Temple, the Lakshamana or Chaturbhuja Temple (dedicated to Vishnu); the Varaha Temple; the
Chaunsat Yogini Temple (the only temple made entirely of granite and dedicated to sixty four yoginis).

The South-East of Khajuraho is famous for Jain Temples. The Parsvanatha Temple is most important one whereas the
Ghantai Temple is named because of the bell and chain ornaments at its pillars.

SANCHI STUPA
Recently, GOI signed a MoU with Vietnam on joint postal stamp which depicts Sanchi Stupa and Pho Minh Pagoda of
Vietnam.

Sanchi Stupa was commission by 3rd C BCE by Emperor Ashoka. During the reign of Shunga Emperor Pushyamitra
Shunga it was vandalised. While under Agnimitra Shunga, son of Pushyamitra, it was refurbished, during Satavahans
Period the gateways were built and highly decorated with events of Life of Buddha and Jatakas. It has been enlisted as
UNESCO world heritage site in 1989.

Pho Minh Pagoda of Vietnam was built originally during the Ly Dynasty and was later expanded in 1262 during Tran
Dynasty. Pagoda refers to temple or a sacred building in East Asia. Pagodas are found in Nepal, China, Japan, Korea,
Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka etc.

BADSHAHI ASHOORKHANA
Badshahi Ashoorkhana is a Shia Muslim mourning place in Hyderabad. It was constructed in memory of martyrdom of
Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala. It was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1611, three years after building the
Charminar.

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah was the fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golkonda who ascended to the throne in
1580. He founded the city of Hyderabad and built Charminar and Charkaman archways. He is a contemporary of
Tulsidas, Mirabai and Surdas.

During his reign, Jean Baptiste Tavernier visited and wrote about walking into the Qutb Shahi tombs complex where
carpets were laid out and whoever walked in was served pulao.
Battle of Karbala took place in 680 A.D in Karbala, Iraq, in which a small party led by al-Hussain, grandson of the Prophet
was defeated and massacred by Umayyad caliph Yazid I. The battle is remembered by Shiite Muslims (followers of al-
Hussain) as an annual holy day of public mourning.

INDIA’S NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL

India’s national war memorial (first proposed in 1960) was inaugurated at the India Gate complex in Delhi to honour
soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation, post-independence. The Memorial has four concentric circles
(Amar Chakra, Veerta Chakra, Tyag Chakra, Rakshak Chakra) and an eternal flame.

The Param Yodha Sthal has the busts of 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour, with
short descriptions of their acts of valour.
MONUMENTS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

Under Section 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, ASI declares them, shall not
be less than 100 years old.
The 6 monuments are as follows → (1). High Court Building in Nagpur, MH. (2). Two Mughal-era monuments in Agra
named Haveli of Agha Khan and Hathi Khana. (3). Neemrana Baori in Alwar, Rajasthan. (4). Temples at Bolangir, Odisha.
(5). Vishnu Temple, Pithoragarh, Uttrakhand.

The ASI under the Ministry of Culture regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972. It was
founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.

WORLD CAPITAL OF ARCHITECTURE

UNESCO has named the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro as the World Capital of Architecture for 2020. As the first World
Capital of Architecture, Rio de Janeiro will hold a series of events under the theme “All the worlds. Just one world”, and
promote SDG-11: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”

Rio has a mix of modern and colonial architecture, with world-renowned sites like the statue of Christ the Redeemer and
contemporary constructions like the Museum of Tomorrow.

World Capital of Architecture initiative is a joint initiative of UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA)
launched in 2018. UNESCO also hosts the UIA’s World Congress, an event that takes place every three years.

International Union of Architects (UIA) is a non-governmental organisation recognized by UNESCO as the only
architectural union operating at an international level, founded in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1948.

MY SON TEMPLE COMPLEX

It is a cluster Hindu temples in Vietnam (4 →14th C AD) by the Champa kings of Vietnam. It has been recognized by
UNESCO as a world heritage site. Krishna and Vishnu Temples, but most importantly to Shiva. (Most important of which
is Bhadreshvara.)

Mount Meru, the mythical sacred mountain home of Hindu gods at the center of the universe.
Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest religious structure ever built. It was built for the Hindu god Vishnu by the Khmer
King Suryavarman II in the period 1113–50.

Ananda Temple in Myanmar: It is a Buddhist temple.

Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan: It was destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban.
Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia and Vat Phou Temple in Laos.
 SILAPPADIKARAM
It was composed during Sangam Period (3rd C BC to 4th C AD). Silappadikaram (the story of the anklet) written by
Ilango-Adigal (Tamil poet and Jaina Monk) is one of the five Great Epics of Tamil Nadu, followed by Manimegalai, Civaka
Cintamani, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi. Chola, Pandya and Chera Kingdoms are mentioned in the tale.

MAITHILI LANGUAGE
Mithilakshar or Tirhuta is the script of the language Maithili. It is mainly spoken in India (Bihar, Jharkhand etc.) and
Nepal. The oldest form of Mithilakshar is found in the Sahodara stone inscriptions of 950 AD.
Vidyapati Thakur, was the first writer to use Maithili as a literary language, in devotion to the God Shiva.

In the 14th century, Jyotishwar Thakur work Dhurt Samagam is very popular in Maithili. In the 20th century, Baba
Nagarjun, Ramanand Renu contributed in the field of prose writing. The language has been accorded a constitutional
status in the 8th Schedule in 2004, through the 92nd amendment.
DAKSHINA BHARAT HINDI PRACHAR SABHA
It was established in the year 1918 by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1964, the institution was recognised by GOI as one of the
Institutes of National Importance.

UAE has recently included Hindi as the third official language used in courts alongside Arabic and English. Other than
UAE, Fiji also has Hindi as official language.

Geological Survey of India → Ministry of Mines. It was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
Its HQ is in Kolkata. It has declared 32 Geological Heritage Sites.

37TH UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Victorian and Art Deco Ensembles (94 buildings) of Mumbai has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. This is
the third site from Mumbai after the Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. India stands
second largest in number after China in Asia and Pacific region. It is overall sixth in the world.

Victorian art → Use of pointed arches, Heavy stone and brick work, Use of polychromes (contrasting colours) and Bold
forms like towers, massive hip and gabled roofs.
The Art Deco edifices, blend Indian design with Art Deco imagery, creating a unique style that has been described as
Indo-Deco.

World Heritage Committee →It is the executive body responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage
Convention, adopted in 1972. The World Heritage Fund, setup under convention.
UNESCO → a specialized agency of the UN based in Paris. The United States and Israel left UNESCO.

Scheme titled ‘Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India’ implemented
through Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture.

VISHWA SHANTI AHIMSA SAMMELAN

Vishwa Shanti Ahimsa Sammelan (VSAS) 2018 took place in Mangi-Tungi in Maharashtra.
Mangi Tungi Hills are the two hills of Sahyadri range, having about 10 cave temples belonging to Jainism. 990 million
Digambar Jains achieved salvation on them. Therefore, the area is called ‘Siddha Kshtera’ (gateway to enlightenment).

Mangi Tungi is also the site of the 108-feet tall statue of Jain Tirthankar Rishabhdev, tallest monolithic Jain statue in the
world, erected in 2016. 57-feet tall Gommateswar statue of Bahubali (Son of Lord Rishabhdev) at Sravan Belagola.

Lord Rishabhdev → He is the 1st Jain Tirthankara, also called Adi Nath, introduced the philosophy of Non-Violence. His
symbol or emblem is Bull. He is considered as the founder of Ikshvaku dynasty to which Lord Rama belonged.
 BEHDIENGKHLAM FESTIVAL
Behdiengkhlam festival at Jaintia Hills District in Meghalaya, celebrated after sowing to drive away plague and diseases.
The festival is observed by 'Pnars' who believe in the traditional faith of "Niamtre". During the festival young men
symbolically drive away evil spirits by beating the roof of every house with bamboo poles.

Women do not participate in the dancing, and have an important function of offering sacrificial food to the spirits of the
forefathers. The main feature of the festival is the making of the Dein Khlam, Symlend and Khnong, which are rounded,
polished and tall trunks of trees.

The people also display their artistic skills by erecting ‘rots’ (tall bamboo structures decorated). As part of the
celebration, a game similar to football called dat la wakor with a wooden ball.

Jaintia tribe →They are also known as Syntengs and Pnars, have Austrio-Asiatic origin. They are a matrilineal society, it
is the youngest daughter who inherits property. Jaintia men wear Jymphong and dhoti. Apart from Behdiengkhlam
festival, the Laho Dance festivals also an important festivals of the Jaintias.

BATHUKAMMA FESTIVAL
Bathukamma that means ‘Mother Goddess come Alive’ is a colourful floral festival of Telangana celebrated towards the
end of monsoon. Bathukamma is a beautiful flower stack of different unique seasonal flowers most of them with
medicinal value, arranged in seven concentric layers in the shape of temple gopuram.

The final day of Bathukamma, known as Pedha or Saddula Bathukamma falls two days before Dussehra.

Pochampalli Sarees originated in 18th Century in Pochampally, Telangana and is locally called as Chit-ku. The town is
popularly known as the silk city of India. These sarees are culturally popular for the Ikat styling and geometrical designs.
The Poochampalli Ikat Sarees also have GI tag in their name.

NONGKREM DANCE FESTIVAL

Nongkrem dance festival in Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, an annual dance festival celebrated for the harvest thanksgiving
and for peace and prosperity for all the community people. Khasi tribe – Hima Khyrim in which men, women and
children dance to the tunes of drums and pipes.

Khasi tribe follows the matrilineal system and practice shifting cultivation. The celebration begins with the sacrifice of a
goat. A special dance is performed by the men called ‘Ka Shad Mastieh’ in which they hold sword in their right hand and
a whisks in left hand.
ATTUKAL PONGALA
Attukal Pongala festival in Kerala, in which women prepare sweet payasam and offer it to the Goddess. The Goddess is
fondly referred to as ‘Attukalamma’. Attukal temple is also popularly known as women's Sabarimala - where only
women are allowed to take part in the rituals.
MAKARAVILAKKU FESTIVAL
Sabarimala celebrated Makaravilakku festival.
It is located at Sabarimala inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, dedicated to the Hindu celibate deity Ayyappan
also known as Dharma Sastha, who according to belief is the son of Shiva and Mohini.

The traditions of Sabarimala are a confluence of Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and other Sramaṇa traditions.
Other religious places where women entry is restricted –
(1). Lord Kartikeya Temple, Pushkar (RJ). (2). Patbausi Satra, Assam. (3). Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi. (4). Hazratbal
Mosque, Srinagar. (5). Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. (6). Kamakhaya Temple, Guwahati,
Assam. (6). Shani Shignapur Temple, Maharashtra.
 PAIKA REBELLION
There have been demands to declare the Paika Rebellion (also known as Khurda upsrising) of 1817 as the first war of
Independence. Paikas were the traditional landed militia of Odisha who used to perform policing functions. It was led
by Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra Bhramarabar Rai or Buxi Jagabandhu. A ‘no-rent campaign’ was also started.

SADHARAN BRAHMO SAMAJ

It was formed in 1878 by Anand Mohan Bose (first president), Dwarkanath Ganguly and other after a split in Brahmo
Samaj of India. Keshab and his followers inaugurated Nava Vidhan.

Founded in 1829 as Brahmo Sabha by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Later it become Brahmo Samaj. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
had also established the 'Calcutta Unitarian Committee’ along with Dwarkanath Tagore and William Adam as its
precursor organisation.

Brahmos were the first Hindus to defy the taboo about crossing the seas to the west. In 1843, Debendranath Tagore
joined the Brahmo Sabha and started monthly Tattvabodhini Patrika with Akshoy kumar Datta as its editor.

Keshabchandra Sen was the first non-Brahmin to be appointed as the Acharya of Samaj.
In 1866, 'Brahmo Samaj of India’ created under Keshab Chandra. Hence forward, the original Brahmo Samaj became
known as the 'Adi Brahmo Samaj’ (Rabindranath Tagore assumed its leadership in 1911).
Keshab Chandra also established the 'Indian Reform Association’ in 1870 and started the ‘Sulabh Samachar’.

BATTLE OF HAIFA
Battle of Haifa on 1918, Indian soldiers from the Jodhpur, Mysore and Hyderabad Lancers liberated the city of Haifa.
In World War I the Indian Army fought on the Western Front, in East Africa, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Gallipoli. The
Indian Army was the largest volunteer force in the world

India Gate in New Delhi commemorates the70, 000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army
during the World War I.
Haifa is third largest city in Israel. It is home to the Baha’i World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

GURU NANAK DEV JI

Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs. It contains hymns of six of the ten Sikh Gurus apart from several holy
men coming from the Hindu and the Muslim tradition like Kabir, Ravidas, Ramananda, Namdev, Bhagat Bhikan and
Sheikh Farid. It was compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Sikh Guru) in 1604.

Pakistan issued visas to Indian pilgrims to visit Katas Raj, Pakistan, which is considered one of the holiest places for
the Hindu community in Pakistan.
SAINT KABIR
He was born in the year 1440 and died in the year 1518 he vouched for Nirguna form of Bhakti, his Guru Ramananda.
Kabir Panth is the huge religious community which identifies the Kabir as the originator of the Sant Mat sects.

Kabir is the first Indian saint who has coordinated the Hinduism and Islam by giving a universal path which could be
followed by both Hindus and Muslims. According to him every life has relationship with two spiritual principles,
Jivatma and Paramatma. His view about the moksha that, it is the process of uniting these two divine principles.

Some of the great writings of the Kabir Das are Bijak, Kabir Granthawali, Anurag Sagar, Sakhi Granth etc.
 SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
He was a disciple of Ramakrishna. Some of great literary works of Swami Vivekananda are Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga,
Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, My Master, and Lectures from Colombo to Almora. Swami Vivekananda’s nationalism was
based on religion. Swami Vivekananda was a great proponent of Vedantic philosophy and he spread Advaita Vedanta.

Advaita Vedanta is a non-dualistic school of Hinduism with its roots in the Vedas and Upanishads which recognizes
one reality and one God. Shankaracharya is the founder of Advaita Vedanta.

He attached great importance to the unity of all religions and their fusion into one universal religion. He advocated a
man-making character-building education.

Ramakrishna Mission → The Mission, founded by Vivekananda in 1897 is a humanitarian organization which carries
out medical, relief and educational programs.
STATUE OF RAMANUJACHARYA

A 216-foot tall statue of Vaishnavite saint Sri Ramanujacharya is set to be unveiled in Hyderabad. It will become the
world’s second tallest statue in a seated position and will be called as Statue of Equality, made of panchaloha (an alloy
of gold, silver, copper, brass and tin/lead) and its base depicts 36 elephants and 27-feet-high lotus petals.

Ramanujacharya, or Ilaiya Perumal was a bhakti saint and also spread the message of equality. His philosophy
became known as vishishtadwaita or qualified monism.

Three major commentaries: the Vedartha-Samgraha, the Shri-Bhashya and the Bhagavad-Gita- Bhashya.
Though he did not support the idea of the "lower" castes having access to the Vedas, he advocated bhakti as a mode of
worship accessible to all including the Sudras and even the outcastes.

According to him, the best means of salvation was devotion, and the best yoga was bhakti-yoga. Another means of
salvation was prapatti, putting one's soul completely in the hands of God.

SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL

Statute of Unity is the world’s tallest statue at about 597 feet. Near the statue, there is a ‘Wall of Unity’ which has been
created with the earth samples collected from various states.

TRIBAL FREEDOM FIGHTERS

GOI will set up six museums dedicated to tribal freedom fighters in GJ, JHK, CH, AP, MP and KR.

Birsa Munda → led the "Ulgulan" (revolt) or the Munda rebellion against the British in Chota Nagpur area. In 1894
Birsa declared himself a god. Munda Tribals practiced Khuntkatti system (joint holding by tribal lineages). As a result,
GOI enacted Chottanagpur Tenancy Act 1908, recognized Khuntkatti rights and banned Beth Begari (forced labour).

Veer Narayan Singh → The Revolt 1857 was spearheaded in Chhattisgarh by Veer Narayan Singh.
Alluri Sita Rama Raju → He led The Rampa Rebellion of 1922.
Thalakkal Chandu → commander-in-chief of the Kurichya soldiers of the Pazhassi Raja who fought British forces in
the Wayanad jungles, Kerala during first decade of the 19th century.

VAKATAKA DYNASTY
The Vakataka Empire originated from the Deccan in the mid-3rd century CE, the successors of the Satavahanas and
contemporaneous with the Guptas in northern India. The Vakataka dynasty was a Brahmin dynasty. Little is known
about Vindhyashakti, the founder of the family.

The rock-cut Buddhist viharas and chaityas of Ajanta Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site) were built under the
patronage of Vakataka emperor, Harishena.
 SEVA BHOJ SCHEME
It is a central sector scheme to reduce financial burden of Charitable Religious Institutions. It envisages reimbursing
the CGST and IGST of such Charitable Religious Institutions who provide Food free of cost without any discrimination
to Public/Devotees.

Conditions → existence for preceding five years, distributing free food for past three years, which serve free food to at
least 5000 people in a month.
INDIAN COUNCIL OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH

ICHR, an autonomous organization under MHRD. It provides fellowships and financial assistance to the young
teachers and also assists to promote scientific research, both in India and abroad.

The composition of council is → an eminent historian nominated by the GOI (Chairman), 18 historians nominated by
the GOI, A representative of the UGC, DG of Archaeology, Director of National Archives, Four persons nominated by
the GOI with one representative each of the Ministry of Education, the Department of Culture and the Ministry of
Finance, and Member Secretary.

CULTURAL HERITAGE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME (CHYLP)

It aims to promote fondness for India’s rich cultural heritage amongst the youth with a view to develop appropriate
leadership qualities amongst youth.

It focusses on the less privileged children residing in backward areas by interacting with them in vernacular
languages for their better understanding.

Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, is the
implementation agency for this programme.
RECENT GI TAGS
Erode turmeric →Tamil Nadu
Sirsi Supari → Karnataka (It is the first in the arecanut sector to get a GI Tag)
Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee & Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee → Karnataka
Coorg Arabica Coffee → Karnataka
Wayanad Robusta Coffee → Kerala
Marayoor jiggery → Kerala
Araku Valley Arabica Coffee → Andhra Pradesh & Odisha
Kandhamal Turmeric → Odisha

Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999 → as member of WTO, India enacted the Act to comply with the TRIPS.
GI is covered as element of IPRs under Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property. The Act is
administered by the Controller General of Patents who is also the Registrar of GI’s.

INDIRA GANDHI PEACE PRIZE

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has been awarded with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2018.
This prize is given annually to organizations and individuals in recognition of creative efforts towards promoting
peace, development internationally using scientific discoveries for the greater good of humanity.

Some notable recipients of the prize are: Dr. Manmohan Singh (2017), UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
(2015), Indian Space Research Organization (2014), Angela Merkel (2013), UN and its secretary-general Kofi Annan
(2003) and MS Swaminathan (1999).
 KOTLER PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
PM Narendra Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award.
Philip Kotler, the Father of Modern Marketing is a professor of marketing at North-western University, Kellogg
School of Management. The award aims to honour mastery in the field of marketing and management. It focuses on
the triple bottom line of ‘people, profit and planet’. It will be offered annually to the leader of a nation.

STATE SYMBOLS OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND TELANGANA

Andhra Pradesh Government notified Black Buck also known as Krishna Jinka - State animal
Rose Ringed Parakeet also known as Rama Chiluka - State Bird
Neem - State Tree
Jasmine - State Flower

Telangana Government has retained Palapitta (Blue Jay) as the state bird and announced Jinka (deer) as state
animal, Jammi Chettu as state tree and Tangedu Puvvu as the state flower.

Recently the Queen variety of pineapple is declared as Tripura's state fruit. It had received GI tag in 2015.

BABABUDAN SWAMI
Baba Budangiri shrine - shrine named after the Sufi saint Baba Budan, who is revered by both Muslims and Hindus.
11th-century Sufi, Dada Hayath (Abdul Azeez Macci); for the 17thcentury Sufi Baba Budan, said to have brought
coffee to India; and for Dattatreya, an incarnation of Shiva.