Insights Secure – 2015 Compilations: General Studies - 1

Insights Secure – 2015

General Studies Paper – 1

29 December 2014 to 3 January 2015

[THE UNDERCOVER GROUP]

Compiled By:

Urstruly KArtheek
Deepak Thurwal
Anand vardhan
Hatas Engineer
Devil Baba
LuV

Source:

http://www.insightsonindia.com

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Table of Contents
General Studies – 1 ........................................................................................... 4
Q) Discuss, with examples, the distinctive features of Mughal chronicles. (200 Words) ...... 4
Q) Examine the factors that led to the raise of jotedars in rural Bengal. Also explain how
different they were from zamindars in their power and influence. (200 Words) ..................... 5
Q) On October 14, 1956, Babasaheb Ambedkar, along with several hundred thousand
“untouchables”, embraced Buddhism. Critically examine the ideological bases and other
reasons which convinced Dr Ambedkar to embrace Buddhism. (200 Words) ....................... 6
Q) Compare and contrast the picture of Indian culture depicted by Arabian and European
travellers respectively. (200 Words) .............................................................................................. 7
Q) Discuss salient features of the temple architecture of Vijayanagar Empire. (150 Words) 8
Q) Discuss the development in sculpture and architecture associated with the rise
of Vaishnavism and Shaivism. (200 Words)................................................................................. 9
Q) To what extent do you think the architecture of mosques in the subcontinent reflects a
combination of universal ideals and local traditions? (150 Words) ........................................ 10
Q) Examine How did the American Civil War affect the lives of ryots in India in the mid –
nineteenth century. (200 Words) .................................................................................................. 12
Q) Critically examine how differently the British and the nationalist sources analysed the
1857 sepoy revolt. (200 Words) .................................................................................................... 13
Q) Describe the role played by women in agricultural production in medieval India.
Critically examine how her role has changed in modern India. (200 Words) ....................... 15
Q) Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. (150
Words, CSE-14)............................................................................................................................... 15
Q) With suitable examples, critically comment on the effect of state and market’s
intervention on the culture of some of the important tribal communities of India. (200
Words) ............................................................................................................................................. 17
Q) Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterised Sufism. (150 Words) ............ 18
Q) It is being reported that many parts of North India are suffering from severe cold
waves. Examine the causes and nature of these cold waves. (150 Words) ............................ 19

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Q) Discuss, with examples, the distinctive features of Mughal chronicles. (200

Words)

Chapter – 9

Ans:

The chronicles are mouthpiece of Mughal dynasty with distinctive characteristics.

Royal insignia
The very name of every chronicle like padshah nama; babar nama indicates that they
are illuminating symbol of Mughal emperor firming the magnanimity of emperor.

Emperor as divine origin

The illustrations of most of the chronicles establishes emperor as descendent of allah
depicting magical characteristics. A halo or divine light is presented to sigmify
emperor. In most of the illustrations of the jahangir nama; emperor is presented with
a halo.

Story becomes live

The popular belief about india that trees also talks becomes enliven with miniature
paintings of chronicles. Persian; turkish elements with naturalism under akbar and
naturalism with European subjects gets vividity in the paintings of chronicles under
jahangir.

Religious tolerance
The idea of surkh i ul and harmony among various communities are presented in
most chronicles of Akbar's time.

Overridden of prejudice
The most chronicles present allah in natural form against the prohibition of ulema.
Abul fazal vehemently protested against the prejudices of Ulema.

Sufi influence
The sufi ideology of presenting emperor as symbol of allah and giving respect to him
with devotion is presented in most chronicles. Abul fazal presents this ideology in
akbar nama.

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Political history
Chronicles like ain e akbari; padshah nama gives detail description about the
political chronology of time.

Reflection of inner conflicts:

Humayun nama presents the Inner confliction of women mind in harem and
genuine political conspiracy in court of the time.

Depiction of contemporary life

The court scenes; Battle scenes; busy roads and bazaars etc are depicted in
illustrations in the chronicles.

Depiction of peculiar rituals

The free roaming of lion and lamb depicted below the emperors feet in jahangir
nama symbolises Justice.kornisg ; axix mundi and many other rituals are narrated in
darbar i Akbari.

Vivid description of indian flaura and fauna

Along with many other chronicles the tazuk i babari is the specimen of this aspect.

Thus Mughal chronicles are enriched with multifarious characteristics.

General Studies – 1

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues

Q) Examine the factors that led to the raise of jotedars in rural Bengal. Also
explain how different they were from zamindars in their power and influence.
(200 Words)

Theme 10 (i.e. chapter 10)

Ans:

Jotedars were a class of rich peasants that emerged in the late eighteenth century
bengal. They were a rich ryot who owned vast areas of land and often rented them
to under ryots. they also controlled trade and money lending in villages.
The emergence of jotedars to an extent can be attributed to the system of permanent
settlement. Various other possible factors are,
* Acquisition of large tracts of lands gave immense wealth and power to these class
of peasants in the villages.
*The inablity of big zamindars to directly deal with the local tenants in lending credit
and local trade necessitated raise of jotedars who could directly lend money to poor
cultivators and collect their harvest in markets .
* The constant efforts by company to undermine authority of zamindars and
regulate them lead to decrease in zamindar power paving way for the jotedars and

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village headmen as alternative power house. Acts like auctioning of zamindari

estates were on such example.

Zamindars and jotedars differed in their responsibilties, ways of functioning, power

they weileded and influnce over the local village folks.
* foremost difference being the zamindars often residing in urban areas far from the
reality of villages but jotedars being one among the village ryots had a strong
presence and weileded considerably more power over the village men.
* Zamindars control pertained to only collecting rent/revenue through his officers,
though he could take defaulters to courts but the litigations would be drawn forever
weakening the system. But Jotedar would involve in direct trade with ryots, lend
money, rent lands to share croppers thereby directly influencing villagers.
* Jotedars often tried to undermine authority of zamindars by willful default of
revenue dues, mobilizing the locals against payment of revenues. This often leading
to auctioning of estates by government and jotedars again emerging as purchasers at
such auctions.
By early nineteenth century,depresion in prices being over zamindars again
consolidated their power but only to collapse during the great depression of 1930's
thereby again leading to emerence of powerful jotedars.

General Studies – 1

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues

Q) On October 14, 1956, Babasaheb Ambedkar, along with several hundred

thousand “untouchables”, embraced Buddhism. Critically examine the ideological
bases and other reasons which convinced Dr Ambedkar to embrace Buddhism.
(200 Words)

Frontline

Ans:

The decision of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to embrace Buddhism was not an

impulsive
decision rather it was after years of comprehensive study of different religions that
inspired him to adopt Buddhism. The ideological basis and other reasons for
adopting Buddhism are:

1. Upliftment of Untouchables and Depressed Class of Society: Dr. B.R Ambedkar

believes that the upliftment of the Depressed class in the social stratum is possible
only through adoption of Buddhism as this religion is based on principle of karma,
mankind and equality.

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2. Purpose to unite Depressed class: To unite all untouchables of India, it was

important to adopt one common religion, as untouchables and depressed class are
themselves divided into various small sub-classes.

3. “Pressure Tactics”: Initially B.R Ambedkar use proselytisation issue as a tool to

gain attention of Radical Hindus to adopt liberal principles of equality and natural
justice for backward classes. Through conversion politics he wants to convert
depressed class into “pressuregroup”. Through this strategy he succeeded in
reserving seats for depressed
class in Poona pact.

4. Eradication of “Untouchability and Caste System”: Being himself a victim of

untouchability and caste system, Dr. B.R Ambedkar wants to end such practises
from the society.

5. Rational & Scientific Principles of Buddhism: Buddhism principles of

Prajna(understandings against superstition & supernaturalism), Karuna (love) and
Samata(equality) appeals him a lot. He believes Buddhism is the only religion which
will give them “equal status, equal right and fair treatment”.

6. Attempt of turning Buddhism into a social reform movement: Dr. Ambedkar tried
to convert backward class to neo-Buddhist as a symbol of mass social reform
movement for elevating their social status.

Thus, Dr. Ambedkar adoption of Buddhism and his process of proselytization of

untouchables and depressed class can be seen as a process of social upliftment of
backward class.

Topic: NCERT Class XII, Themes in Indian History – II, Theme 5 and 6

Q) Compare and contrast the picture of Indian culture depicted by Arabian and
European travellers respectively. (200 Words)

Theme – 5

Ans:

There is an interesting juxtaposition of Arabic and European description of India.

Both Arabic sources of Biruni and specifically Battuta approach the subject in a
systematic manner, never dismissing the subject. The W. European experience
however was far more critical focusing on political and socio-economic customs of
the time.

Batuta & Biruni describe significant portions of their life being spent whilst
travelling through the subcontinent. Essentially travelogues and court-descriptions,
the authours' choose to associate with the subject in a constructive and analytical
manner. The description of the caste system was compared to ancient Persian

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hierarchy, and although criticized, it was never fully dismissed. One should note
that the the in-depth description the language and public services like the postal
service has been done to demonstrate the efficiency of such services. Similarly,
European subject-matter chose to describe socio-economic and political customs.
Merchant communities and guilds were given their due, pertaining to the
importance of the mercantile class in Europe at the time. An established middle class
missing from the Indian context, was theoretically portrayed by the elaborate
descriptions of guilds in European writing.

Contrasting this with the effort of the authors in approaching the subject matter.
Sanskrit was described as alien however a systematic manner was used in assessing
the barriers to the difficulties of learning it. Batuta's dictation chose to enumerate the
wonder he faced in foods and customs.

However, European writings focused on descriptions that were unflattering,

establishing Oriental despotism that sought to critique social customs and individual
rights. Sati and women's rights were constantly critiqued. It is clear from its critique
of Mughal emperors, that Bernier demonstrated an evolving polity in Europe at the
time. A polity with a king ruling within a constitutional monarchy, where land
rights were recognized as a step towards attaining liberty and economic
independence. Both schools dismissed the varna system recognizing it as unnatural.

Both schools were highly influenced by their own understanding of Indian customs
and their manner of approaching the subject delves into the psyche of not only the
writer, but the importance given the field of respective disciplines during the
periods.

Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times

Q) Discuss salient features of the temple architecture of Vijayanagar Empire. (150

Words)

Chapter – 7

Ans:

The Emperors of Vijayanagar whose empire compromised of almost the whole of

peninsular India, were great builders and spent lavishly on works of public utility
palaces and temples. In temple building they continued the traditions and styles of
the Chalukyas, Cholas and
Pandyas.

Salient features:

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-Created their own architecture style named Provida style which plays a lot of
emphasis on piers and pillars.

-Built of hard stone, the temples are large structures with spacious Mandapas and
lofty Gopurams .

-Exquisitely carved pillars and the massive solid granite rathas with three huge
wheels in the open courtyard with exceptional carvings and murals both within and
on the outer walls.

-Inscribed stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata on the walls of the various
temples.

-Depiction of animal like horses and elephants on the walls were common figures.

-Important temples were Vithalswami and Hazara temples at Hampi, Tadapatri and
Parvati temples at Chidambaramand Varadraja and Ekambarnatha temples at
Kanchipuram.

General Studies – 1

Topic: Themes in Indian History – I, Class XII, Chapter Four

Q) Discuss the development in sculpture and architecture associated with the rise
of Vaishnavism and Shaivism. (200 Words)

Theme Four

Ans:

The evolution of both cults Shaivism and Vaishnavism portrayed an increasing

complexity in their figurines. Themes were diverse with multiple actors united on a
single rock face or in a figurine recounting good vs. evil, or complex temple
structures that exhibited a sense of regal opulence.

As compared to Buddhism where centrality of human action was emphasized in

thematic representation of Buddha's life, the stage for both cults shared an emphasis
on divine intervention. This led to the representation of gods in anthropomorphic
form in mythic settings such as Varaha or Durga, consistently focused on defeating
evil incarnates.The unifying factors of these various incarnations are proof of a rich
tapestry where the dichotomy of good vs. evil was central.

Although one comes across simple iconography as the Linga for Shaivites, the choice
to portray a religious figurine in such a form when intricate sculptures already
existed, is proof of complex state of beliefs. The linga is the physical manifestation of
male fertility and at the same time the patriarch that binds the sect together.

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With each successive iteration the level of story-telling and scenes became greater.
Again, compared to the Buddhist stupa which was of uniform design from its
inception, the temple structure in Hinduism continued to evolve.

From the simple Garbagriha with a singular door, it became an elaborate structure
with central halls for the amassing of larger crowds. Such choice in architecture
again emphasized the communal nature of worship, where collective rituals would
gain popularity. Also, the facade of the temple became more elaborate with multiple
towering shikharas built so to draw the eye to the pinnacle of these structures.

Such structures would strike awe and reverence into the hearts of worshipers.
Headdresses, ornaments and weapons on multiple hands emphasized the multiple
roles that a single deity could play therefore uniting the local deities into central
figures. Addition of these factors made each manifestation of the deity even richer.
Whether it was Vishnu reclining at Deogarh or a simple linga, both sects added a
rich body of work to Indian culture.

Topic: NCERT Class XII, Themes in Indian History – II, Theme 5 and 6

Q) To what extent do you think the architecture of mosques in the subcontinent

reflects a combination of universal ideals and local traditions? (150 Words)

Theme – 6

Ans:

From the first mosque established in medina by prophet muhhamad to the present
time ; mosque architecture shows variation responding to regional climate; available
elements etc.

Universal elements in mosques of subcontinent

Direction of prayer
The direction of " musallah' instructed by "mihrab " towards mecca is univeral
element.

Qibla wall
The niche presented here shows direction of mecca.

Tower of azan
It is the minerat tower that calls people for prayer. It also signifies strong dominance
of muslim as made high visible from distance.

Domes
Domes with symbolic decoration are present in most of the mosques.

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Ablution purpose
The presence of water tank is noticeable in all the misques.

Convenience of light
The hanging lamp; roofed part and open part to sky are common elements in
mosque

Presence of minbar
It is the place from where imam delivers " khutba" ;is present in all the big mosques

Dikha
It is the place from which rituals of imam are performed towards the devotees.

Lecturn
It is situated next to " dikha" where " quoran" is situated

Calligraphy
The calligraphy which are mostly quoranic verses are common feature in qibla wall
of mosques.

Regional influence
Climatic variance
Responding to this factor structure of mosques varies. The most of the mosques in
kerala and kashmir are constructed responding to climatic variation and so roofed
part and open part to sky varies depending upon availability of sunshine. The
heritage mosque Aali mosque in srinagar is noticeable for its wooden structure.

Place of mihrab
In india the direction of mecca is west giving regional element to the construction of
mihrab wall.

Combination of regional motifs

The jami nosque of ahmedabad bears kalash shaped roof; lotus shaped dome and
hanging bell that specifies influence of hindu and jain temple.

Functional variation
The structure of minerate; dome; arch varies responding to regional interest.

Moorish mosque
This mosque in punjab imbibes the character of Malaysian mosques.

Aesthetic variance
The decoration of archs and decoration of minerate and dome with flute with gold or
brass finial by mughal in most of the north indian mosques gives regional variety to
mosques.

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Decoration
The use of pietra dura and many other regional invention gives variety to many
mosques.

Regional variety in fatehpur sikri

The mosque here shows blend of hindu and jain architecture and are made from
locally available sandstone called " sikri sandstone".

Thus both universal representing common Islamic faith and regional representing
varied interest; climatic influence are seen in the mosques of the subcontinent.

Q) Examine How did the American Civil War affect the lives of ryots in India in
the mid – nineteenth century. (200 Words)
Ans –

The American civil war had touched the every aspect of Indian ryots that can be
enumerated as following ways

Economic aspects

" king cotton" slogan and a ray of hope

The diplomatic stance of some of the cotton producing states of America to stop
supply of cotton to England and subsequent civil war of America turned the eyes of
British towards india for expanding market of cotton. It changed the life of ryots of
india especially of deccan with a new profit in Cotton production.

Credit extension
With the booming cotton market in india caused by american civil war; merchants
extended credit to cotton farmers. Thus farmers got profited with investment in
farming and thereby profit.

Social aspects

A spasm
Only rich farmers got credit thus making a gap between rich and poor ryots.

Regional disparity
The Deccan soil was much suitable to cotton production thus giving frustration to
ryots of other areas.

Debt trap
Caused by the stop of civil war the merchants stopped giving credit to farmers. To
fulfil the increased revenue demand ; farmers were compelled to enter into new debt
thus increasing the evil.

A period of awareness

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Discovery of evils of moneylenders

Aftermath of American civil war; when ryots went to the lenders; they discovered
that the moneylenders especially used fictitious bond and did not return receipts. It
led to revolt in Deccan and ryots burnt the receipts of lenders.

A change in law
American civil war and related economic slump in Cotton market in India and
subsequent Deccan ryot revolt compelled the British to reform in lending law that
the maximum lending period is three years.

Thus, American civil war brought an economic prosperity; regional disparity and a
upcoming recession to Indian ryots.

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues (GS1)

Q) Critically examine how differently the British and the nationalist sources
analysed the 1857 sepoy revolt. (200 Words)

NCERT

Ans:

The sepoy revolt; revolt of first popular uprising against british; has been analysed
by british and nationalist Indian different ways.

British view

Critical views

Exclusive sepoy mutiny

According to one stream; it was only a revolt of sepoy without participation of mass.
Sir john seeley says- '" ..a wholy unpatriotic and selfish sepoy mutiny with no native
leadership and no popular support."

A revolt with pathetic leadership

As opined by some British british officers; this revolt shows the petty leadership
quality of indians. Johh Lawrence says -".. Had a single leader of ability arisen
among them we must have been lost beyond redemption."

Revolt due piecemeal causes

Some opine that it is far to be recognized as a revolt by wholesome cause. It just
assimilated with the other causes of civil society instead of a lynchpin cause to be
considered as wholesome revolt.

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A comparatively optimistic view

Praise of indian lady
Hugh rose says-"here lay the woman who was the only man among the rebels." It is
a great respect to indian lady in the mouth of a foreign officer.

Recognition of the depth

Stanley wolpert says-" it was far more than a mutiny;..yet much less than a first war
of independence". It shows the gravity of the revolt.

Regardless of different views; it shook the base of british administration in india and
make them thought to respect indian values.

Nationalist view

Moderate view
Moderate nationalist considers it as the source of indian nationalism.

Extremist view
Extremist consider it as the remarkable effort to abdicate imperial power. Savarkar
considers it as the first war of independence.

Marxist view
They view the revolt as uprising of peasants and mutiny against landlord and
imperial power.

Nationalist; thus; shows greast respect to mutiny. But; it is undeniable fact that; still
the mutiny lacked the basic characters of a popular successful rebellion.

A comparison

British view

Brutal rebellion
British artists view the rebellion as crude ; atrocious event and depicts British as
saviour. The painting "in memorium " by joseph noel explicitly depicts this view.

Nationalist artistic view

Khoob lari mardani wo to jhandi wali rani thi

It is the view of poet subhadra chauhan about the heroic depiction of revolt. Many
nationalist literature is dedicated to the name of the revolt.

Thus, revolt of 1857 can be seen from different perspectives which are complete
opposite of each other.

Topic: Salient features of Indian Society

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Q) Describe the role played by women in agricultural production in medieval

India. Critically examine how her role has changed in modern India. (200 Words)

Chapter 8

Ans:

Role of women in medieval India:

Women were an invaluable resource.

1. they contributed to low skilled jobs, by sowing, weeding and harvesting.
2. They were child bearers, i.e. future source of labour.
3. Additionally, they worked in the houses of their employer and went to the
markets.
4. As the household was the unit of production, gendered segregation was not
possible. But, even so, women were discriminated on the basis of their biological
functions. e.g. menstruating women were not allowed enter betel field in Bengal.

Role of women in Modern India:

1. It dependents on her class and caste status.

2. For small and marginal farming households, women participation is crucial in
agricultural labour, and they participate in low skilled jobs.
3. Some households, esp. of higher caste/class, prefer women in a role of seclusion
away from public eye. Here, there is no participation in agricultural labour and they
are confined to household activities.
4. Discrimination still continues as it is seen that inspite of equal participation of
women to labour, they are still given secondary status in the household.

Q) Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.

(150 Words, CSE-14)

Theme Four

Ans:

Gandhar art; developed in pakistan; Afghanistan; india; is an excellent combination

of both greek and Roman influences.

Roman influence:
Artistic interpretation:
The legendary interpretation of buddha is sometimes presented through roman
motifs like triton.

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Artistic techniques:
In artistic interpretation; buddha of gandhar is sometimes presented through roman
art techniques using vine scroll; cherub wearing Garland

Anthropomorphic tradition
The tradition of representation of buddha in human form is inspired from roman
anthropomorphic tradition .

Dresses
The outer robe of buddha of gandhar like ka aya; antarvasa resembles to attire of
roman gods.

Greek influences
Greek god as protector
In many images of buddha in gandhar ; he is seen under the protection of greek god
Herculeus.

Vajrapani
Vajrapani found in the right hand of future buddha is told as transformed symbol of
herculeus who is seen as protector of buddha.

Greek architectural influence

Sime images of buddha in gandhar are presented in greek architectural environment
bearing the affinity of Corinthian.

Coins
Many coins found in gandhar bears greek script and greek divinity.

Pantheon of greek gods

Boreas ; atlas and such other greek gods are artistically combined to pantheon of
buddh as found in gandhar.

Artistic beauty
The Apollo like face of buddha; natural realism; wavy hair as seen in images of
buddha in gandhar resembles to Hellenistic tradition.

Intellectual affinity
The hello and bun of Gandhar Buddha signifies intellectual imbibitions of buddha
from Greek.

Thus; it is proved that both roman and Greek tradition enriches gandhara art.

Topic: Effects of globalization on Indian society (GS1)

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Q) With suitable examples, critically comment on the effect of state and market’s
intervention on the culture of some of the important tribal communities of India.
(200 Words)

The Hindu

Ans:

State and market interventions are done with the purpose of overall development of
the country and to help tribal communities participate in the development process.

But it often leads to assimilation instead of integration, downplaying tribal culture

and imposition of mainstream culture, and often forceful and brutal suppression of
tribal rights.

Positive effects:
1. It can help in integration of tribals with the mainstream economy.
2. Help tribal communities preserve their identity and cultural intellectual property
by modern methods.
3. It can help bring modern medicine and education to raise the standard of living of
tribals and empower them.

The positive effects are visible in some tribal groups like the Meenas of Rajasthan,
and some North east tribal groups who have successfully integrated into the
mainstream and taken advantage of the development process.

Negative effects:
1. It can forceful impose the mainstream culture on the tribals. e.g. by educating in
the mainstream language instead of tribal language to the Dongria Kondh tribe in
Orrisa.
2. It can take away forest rights or disturb traditional common property rights.
Individual property and money too leads to conflict in tribal communities which
were peaceful till now.
3. Most of the time, the tribals end up in the fringes of society when they are forced
to migrate to cities and are one of the most poor and marginalized sections.
4. The mining and development works can forcefully take away the land from tribals
due to ineffective tribal councils and state and market collusion. Such cases have
come to the fore like Vedanta vs Dongria Kongh, in which the tribal group successful
won the legal battle.

Thus, reforming existing institution and laws for effective implementation and
protection of tribal rights for integration rather than assimilation is of utmost
importance

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Topic: NCERT Class XII, Themes in Indian History – II, Theme 5 and 6

Q) Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterised Sufism. (150 Words)

Theme – 6

Ans:

Sufism; one of the most crucial bhakti movements medieval india; are enriched with
lots of extraordinary beliefs and practices

Sufi beliefs

Isq allah muhabbat allah:

Sufism belives that god is lover and god is beloved. Love is the foundation of sufism.
Showing love to the world is the way to find god.

Multidimensionality of universe
Sufi believes 7 planes of existence. The most important is the abode of god and he
maintains the entire existence through affection.

Tasawwuf
Wool and its garments are regarded as dresses of ascetic in sufism.

Asceticism and social life

Early sufism believed in extreme celibacy but later they began to lead social life also.

Mysticism
Sufism believe it as the way to unite with god.

Music
Music is regarded in Sufism as one of the ways to assimilate with god.

Utmost place of god

Tawakul (absolute trust in god) and tawhind ( there is no deity except god) are
firmly rooted belief In sufism. They believe in " baqi bi allah" or assimilation with
god.

Spiritual quality
Sufism believes in acquiring spiritual knowledge like self annihilation to unite with
god; inner knowledge etc. They believe --" he who cognizes himself cognizes with
god".

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Sheikh
Sufism believe in spreading sufi teachings from generation to generation through a
sheikh.

Sufi practices

Teaching under a pir

Sufism practices spiritual learning under pir through special path.

Hymn or dhikr
Sufism practice spiritual prayer through special chanting of name of allah.

Sama
Sufi practice this mystic recital of poetry and music to unite with god.

Use of narcotics
Some sufi sects used narcotics in past as part of sama as a mystic drug.

Zikr
Sufism practice this musical and dancing method to get assimilated with god.

Psycho spiritual practice

Whirling and devishes are some practices performed with dance; music; mantra
where one gets utmost spirituality and comes out of consciousness

Thus, sufism is enriched with various spiritual; musical ; psychological beliefs and
practices.

Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena GS1

Q) It is being reported that many parts of North India are suffering from severe
cold waves. Examine the causes and nature of these cold waves. (150 Words)

The Indian Express

Ans:

India has a monsoon type of climate with seasonal reversal of wind system due to
interplay of a number of factors like circumpolar whirl, jet streams,movement of sun
to north and south of equator,tropical and temperate cyclones.

The cold wave that establishes over northern india is a temporary phenomena but
can remain active for a number of days. The main reasons for this cold wave are:
1)formation of temperate cyclones in area around Mediterranean sea and their
movement towards east under influence of westerly jet stream.
2)southward movement of circum polar whirl due to sothward movement of sun.

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3)bifurcation of circum polar whirl by himalayas and establishment of anticyclonic

conditions over multan and karachi area of pakistan.

The southward movement of sun causes fall in temperature over north western and
northern india . this causes formation of high pressure area in this region.The
anticyclonic wind circulation in upper atmosphere due to southern branch of
circumpolar whirl intensifies the subsidence of air in this area.

Now the temperate cyclones which are brought by jet stream to this area donot get
chance to rise upward due to subsiding air and further decrease the temperature of
this area causing cold wave.But as soon as these temperate cyclones also called as
western disturbances gets a chance to rise due to weakening of subsidence of air,
they cause winter rainfall in northern and north-western India. Thus the nature of
these cold waves is temporary.

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