Table of Contents

1. Architecture ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1-6

1.1 Monuments of National Importance ................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Jagannath Temple ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Al-Hakim Mosque ............................................................................................................................ 2
1.4 Thirunelli Temple ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.5 Thukkachi Abathsahayeswarar Temple ............................................................................................ 3
1.6 New Parliament Building .................................................................................................................. 3
1.7 Tungnath Temple .............................................................................................................................. 3
1.8 Khooni Darwaza ............................................................................................................................... 3
1.9 Karnataka’s Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas ..................................................................................... 3
1.10 Al-Aqsa Mosque ............................................................................................................................. 4
1.11 Konark Sun Temple ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.12 Chausath Yogini Temple ................................................................................................................ 5
1.13 Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple ....................................................................................................... 5
1.14 The Ayodhya Ram Temple ............................................................................................................. 5
1.15 Dogra Architecture.......................................................................................................................... 6
1.16 Tomb of Balban .............................................................................................................................. 6

2. Art Forms …………………………………………………………………………………………….7-15

2.1 Antiquities and Art Treasures Act (AATA), 1972 ............................................................................ 7

2.2 Dance ................................................................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Music .............................................................................................................................................. 10
2.4 Painting ........................................................................................................................................... 12
2.5 Craft ................................................................................................................................................ 12
2.6 Textiles............................................................................................................................................ 13
2.7 Theaters ........................................................................................................................................... 15
2.8 Longpi Pottery ................................................................................................................................ 15
2.9 Wayang Kulit Puppetry................................................................................................................... 15

3. Awards ……………………………………………………………………………………………...16-19

3.1 Padma Awards ................................................................................................................................ 16

3.2 Jeevan Raksha Padak ...................................................................................................................... 16
3.3 Sangeet Natak Akademi .................................................................................................................. 16
3.4 Sahitya Akademi Awards ............................................................................................................... 17
3.5 Abel Prize........................................................................................................................................ 17
3.6 Pritzker Prize ................................................................................................................................... 17
3.7 Gandhi Peace Prize ......................................................................................................................... 17
3.8 Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award............................................................................... 17
3.9 Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award .................................................................................................. 18
3.10 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar............................................................................................................ 18
 3.11 Dadasaheb Phalke Award ............................................................................................................. 18
3.12 National Sports Awards 2023 ....................................................................................................... 19

4. Personalities in News ………………………………………………………………………………20-26

5. Religion, Pilgrimage and Festivals ……………………………………………………………….27-32

5.1 Nowruz............................................................................................................................................ 27
5.2 Sammed Shikharji ........................................................................................................................... 27
5.3 Sankranti ......................................................................................................................................... 28
5.4 Attukal Pongala ............................................................................................................................... 28
5.5 Pushkaralu Festival ......................................................................................................................... 28
5.6 Hemis and Thiksey Monasteries ..................................................................................................... 28
5.7 Jallikattu .......................................................................................................................................... 29
5.8 Traditional New Year Celebrations ................................................................................................ 29
5.9 Thrissur Pooram Festival ................................................................................................................ 29
5.10 Mithuna Sankranti ......................................................................................................................... 30
5.11 Dharma Chakra Pravartan Day ..................................................................................................... 30
5.12 Mylara Cult ................................................................................................................................... 30
5.13 Aadi Perukku ................................................................................................................................ 30
5.14 Mysuru Dussehra .......................................................................................................................... 31
5.15 Samakka Sarakka Jathara .............................................................................................................. 31
5.16 Jehovah’s Witness ......................................................................................................................... 31
5.17 Jain Sculptures .............................................................................................................................. 31
5.18 Hajj................................................................................................................................................ 31
5.19 Kalaram Temple............................................................................................................................ 32

6. UNESCO Heritage Sites ……………………………………………………………………………... 33

6.1 Santiniketan..................................................................................................................................... 33
6.2 Charaideo Moidams ........................................................................................................................ 33

7. Ancient-Medieval Texts in News ………………………………………………………………… 34-35

7.1 Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas........................................................................................... 34

7.2 Vedic Heritage Portal ...................................................................................................................... 34
7.3 Yeats Ten Principal Upanishads ..................................................................................................... 34

8. Archaeology ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 36-40

8.1 Keeladi Excavation ......................................................................................................................... 36

8.2 Sisupalgarh ...................................................................................................................................... 36
8.3 Uttaramerur Inscription ................................................................................................................... 36
8.4 Indus Civilization ............................................................................................................................ 37
8.5 Mesolithic- Era Rock Painting ........................................................................................................ 38
8.6 Homo Naledi ................................................................................................................................... 38
8.7 Neolithic Era Celt ........................................................................................................................... 38
8.8 Menhir and Megalithic Sites ........................................................................................................... 38
8.9 Tam Pa Ling Cave .......................................................................................................................... 39
8.10 Tamil Gnanamuyarchi .................................................................................................................. 39
 8.11 Kadamba Inscriptions ................................................................................................................... 39
8.12 Alupa Dynasty .............................................................................................................................. 40

9. Tribes and Communities i n News ………………………………………………………………..41-44

9.1 Kattunayakan Tribe ......................................................................................................................... 41

9.2 Idu Mishmis .................................................................................................................................... 41
9.3 Banjara Community ........................................................................................................................ 41
9.4 Hul Diwas ....................................................................................................................................... 42
9.5 Matua Maha Mela ........................................................................................................................... 42
9.6 Sarna Code ...................................................................................................................................... 42
9.7 Tribes and Communities in News ................................................................................................... 43

10. Events and Places in News ……………………………………………………………………… 45-46

10.1 Vaikom Satyagraha ......................................................................................................................45

10.2 Vadnagar ......................................................................................................................................45
10.3 Bastille Day .................................................................................................................................45

11. GI Tag ……………………………………………………………………………………………... 47-49

12 Miscellaneous ……………………………………………………………………………………... 50-54

12.1 Languages ..................................................................................................................................... 50

12.2 Kingdoms in News ........................................................................................................................ 51
12.3 Sagol Kangjei ................................................................................................................................ 51
12.4 Parakaram Diwas .......................................................................................................................... 52
12.5 Sharada Peeth ................................................................................................................................ 52
12.6 Mission To Map Rural India’s Cultural Assets............................................................................. 52
12.7 Sarbat Khalsa ................................................................................................................................ 52
12.8 Women Contributors to the Constitution ...................................................................................... 53
12.9 UNESCO Creative Cities Network ............................................................................................... 53
12.10 Kashi Tamil Sangam ................................................................................................................... 53
12.11 Vajra Mushti Kalaga ................................................................................................................... 53
 1
1.1 Monuments of National
Importance
About Legal Protection to Monuments of
National Importance (MNI):
• The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological
Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act), 1958
(amended in 2010) provides for the
declaration and conservation of ancient and
historical monuments and archaeological sites
and remains of national importance.
• The National Monuments Authority (NMA),
established in 2010 under AMASR Act (2010
amendment), assists the Central Government
in grading and classifying monuments of
national importance.
• However, the act lacks definition and criteria
for designating monuments of national
importance, missing a clear identification
process.
Criteria for declaring a monument as of
national importance (UNOFFICIAL):
• Age of at least 100 years.
• Significant historical, archaeological, or artistic
value.
• No objection from the interested public.
Archaeological Survey of India(ASI)
• The ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the
premier organization for the archaeological
research and protection of the cultural
heritage of the nation.
• It regulates archaeological activities as per the
provisions of the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.
• It also regulates the Antiquities and Art
Treasure Act 1972.
• Alexander Cunningham was the first
Archaeological Surveyor and in 1928, Rai
Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni was appointed as
the first Indian Director General.
• India has 3695 Monuments of National
Importance under the protection of the
Archaeological Survey of India.
1
Architecture
ASI's New Heritage Initiatives
• Adopt a Heritage 2.0 Program: Upgraded
version of the 'Adopt a Heritage' program in
collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism
which encourages corporate stakeholders to
use CSR funds for enhancing 1000 historically
important monuments.
• Indian Heritage App: The app provides
details, images, on-site facilities, and geo-
tagged locations. to ASI-monitored
monuments.
• E-Permission Portal: Simplifies and expedites
the approval process for photography,
filming, and developmental projects related to
heritage monuments.
1.2 Jagannath Temple
About Jagannath Temple:
• The Jagannath Temple is one of the four
dhams (char dham of Adi Shankaracharya)
where Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu,
is worshipped along with Lord Balabhadra
and Devi Subhadra.
• Other three dhams are Dwarika, Badrinath,
and Rameswar.
• Only Hindus are allowed inside the shrine to
offer prayers to the sibling deities
• The Main temple is constructed in Kalinga
architecture (Nagara Style) with a curvilinear
shape and vertical offset projection called
Ratha.
• Meghananda Pacheri and Kurma Bheda are
the names of the walls surrounding the
temple.
About Ratna Bhandar:
• The Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath
Temple houses precious ornaments donated
by devotees and erstwhile kings.
• It comprises two chambers, the Bhitar
Bhandar(inner chamber) and Bahara
Bhandar(outer chamber), of which the bahara
bhandar is opened regularly, while the bhitar
bhandar has been closed for many years.
About Jagannath Rath Yatra:
• The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a yearly Hindu
festival that commemorates the pilgrimage of
Lord Jagannath, elder brother Lord
Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra to his
birthplace.
• The Rath Yatra takes place on the second day
of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi
(bright fortnight) every year to commemorate
this journey.
• The idols are taken to the Gundicha Temple,
where they stay till the ‘Bahuda Yatra’
(returning car festival).
• The wheels of the chariots of Jagannath Rath
Yatra are made from phasi tree logs.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Chota Char Dham Yatra: It is a collective term
used for the religious circuit covering the Holy
Hindu pilgrimage centers of Badrinath,
Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri located
in the Garhwal Himalayan Ranges
(Uttarakhand).
Features of Kalinga style of architecture:
• Resembles Nagara style with a distinctive
regional variation, confined to the Kalinga
region or present day Odisha.
• The kalinga style consists of three distinct
types of temples: Rekha Deula (like Puri
Jagannath), Pidha Deula(Sari-deul temple)
and Khakhara Deula(Vaital-deul temple).
• The temples consist of sanctum sanctorum
called Deul, prayer hall called Jagmohan,
nata-mandap(dance hall) and bhoga-
mandap (kitchen).
2
1.3 Al-Hakim Mosque
Context: Indian PM’s visit to the Al-Hakim
Mosque in Cairo, Egypt
About Al-Hakim Mosque:
• The Imam al-Hakim bi Amr Allah Mosque is a
1000-year-old Mosque built in the 11th
Century and named after the 16th Fatimid
caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah.
• It is also a site where Egyptian and Indian
cultures mingle and is an important cultural
site for the Dawoodi Bohra Community in
Cairo.
Dawoodi Bohra Community:
• The Dawoodi Bohra Muslims are a sect of
followers of Islam who adhere to the Fatimi
Ismaili Tayyibi school of thought.
• This sect is known to have originated from
Egypt, later shifting to Yemen.
• They settled in India in the 11th century, and
the seat of the sect was moved from Yemen to
Sidhpur (Patan district Gujarat) in 1539.
• They are spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra,
and Madhya Pradesh and consider Surat
(Gujarat) as their base.
1.4 Thirunelli Temple
Context: Conservation of 600-year-old
‘Vilakkumadom’ at the Sree Mahavishnu
Temple at Thirunelli, Kerala.
About Vilakkumadom:
• The 600-year-old Vilakkumadom structure,
made of exquisite granite, is located at the
Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Thirunelly,
Wayanad district.
About Thirunelli Temple:
• Located at the foot of Brahmagiri hills, the
temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is
also known as Sahyamala Kshetram.
• The temple's architecture follows the
traditional Kerala style, which uses teakwood,
rosewood, brick, and laterite stones and has
sloping roofs, intricate carvings, and an open
courtyard.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
About Indian National Trust For Art And
Cultural Heritage (INTACH):
• The INTACH was founded in 1984 in New
Delhi as a non-profit charitable organization
under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
• It was established with the vision to
spearhead heritage awareness and
conservation in India.
1.5 Thukkachi Abathsahayeswarar
Temple
Context: Restoration of the Thukkachi
Abathsahayeswarar temple.
About the temple:
• It is a temple dedicated to lord Shiva in
Thukkachi village in Kumbakonam district of
Tamil Nadu.
• It is a 12th-century temple built by Rajendra
Chola I and expanded by Kulottunga Chola
and Vikrama Chola.
• The temple resembled the Angkor Temple of
Cambodia before its destruction.
1.6 New Parliament Building
Features of the New Parliament Building:
• It has a built-up area of about 65,000 sq m,
with its triangular shape ensuring the
optimum utilisation of space.
• Loksabha (based on a peacock theme) will
have a seating capacity of 888 seats (upto 1272
for joint sitting), and Rajya Sabha (based on
lotus theme) will have a seating capacity of
348 seats.
• Constitutional Hall, where the journey of
India’s democracy will be documented.
• The new complex is a “platinum-rated green
building” with rainwater harvesting and
water recycling systems.
• Construction materials like sandstone,
granite, Bhadohi carpets, etc have been
sourced from various places.
• National symbols like the 9,500 kg - 6.5 m tall
National emblem, Ashok Chakra, etc, adorn
the building.
• Foucault pendulum and Sengol are also a
part of the new building.
1.7 Tungnath Temple
Context: Report by Archaeological Survey of
India showed the tilting of Rudraprayag’s
Tungnath Temple by 5-10°.
About Tungnath temple:
• Located in Rudraprayag, at an altitude of
12,800 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, the
temple is the world’s highest Shiva shrine.
• It is the third temple (Tritiya Kedar) in the 5
temple cluster of Shiva temples (Panch
Kedar), which also includes Kedarnath,
Madhmeshwar, Rudranath and Kalpnath.
3
1.8 Khooni Darwaza
About the monument:
• Situated near the Delhi Gate, Khooni
Darwaza is a 50 feet high gate built during the
reign of Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century.
• Earlier called Lal Darwaza, Khooni Darwaza
got its name after Bahadur Shah Zafar’s sons
and grandson were shot dead there by Lt.
Hodson in 1857 when British forces had
recaptured Delhi, and the Last Emperor had
taken refuge in Humayun’s Tomb.
• The architecture is a blend of Mughal and
Afghan styles and is a 3 storeyed structure
made of quartzite stone with 3 arched
entrances, the central one being the largest.
1.9 Karnataka’s Sacred Ensembles of
Hoysalas
Context: The Sacred ensembles of the Hoysalas,
which includes three temples (temples of
Halebid, Belur, and Somnathapura) in
Karnataka, will be India’s 42nd UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
About Hoysalas:
• The Hoysalas held power in Karnataka from
the 10th century to the 14th century.
• The dynasty began as provincial governors
under the Western Chalukyas, but as the two
dominant empires of the South, the Western
Chalukyas and the Cholas, crumbled, the
Hoysalas established themselves as rulers.
About Hoysala Architecture:
• The Hoysala temples in Hassan district,
Karnataka, are architectural masterpieces
built in the 12th-13th centuries.
• The temples have a basic Dravidian form but
show strong influences of the Bhumija,
Nagara, and Karnataka Dravida styles.
• The Hoysala temples are known for their
intricate carvings and sculptures, geometric
pillars, and star-shaped ceilings built using
soapstone.
Hoysaleswara Temple (Halebid):
• Located on the banks of Dwarasamudra tank,
this Shiva temple was built in the 12th
century by Ketamalla during the reign of
King Vishnuvardhan.
• The temple is situated on a lawn with a star-
shaped base and consists of twin shrines.
• The outer walls feature imagery from Indian
epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha, and
 Bhagavad Gita, along with highly ornate • It lies at the heart of Jerusalem's Old City on
temple doorways. Temple Mount (Har ha-Bayit).
Chennakeshava temple or Vijaya Narayana • Muslims regard the site as the third holiest in
temple: Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
• The main temple, constructed by King • To the southwest of the Temple Mount is the
Vishnuvardhan in the 12th Century to Western Wall, a remnant of the Second
commemorate his victory over the Cholas, is Temple and the holiest site in Judaism.
located at Belur (Hassan district, Karnataka). • The Al-Aqsa compound has long been a
• There are more than 80 Madanika sculptures flashpoint for violence over matters of
in the temple, dancing, hunting, and standing sovereignty and religion in Jerusalem.
under canopies of trees.
• The Garbhagriha is stellar in shape, and its 1.11 Konark Sun Temple
zigzag walls make the figures of 24 forms of
Vishnu look different at different times of the About the temple:
day due to light. • The temple is situated in Odisha, 35
Keshava Temple: kilometers away from Puri.
• The temple built by Somanatha(a general of • Built by King Narasimha Deva I in the 12th
Hoysalas) in 1268 AD during the reign of century and paying tribute to the Sun God, it
Hoysala King Narashima III is located in has a huge framework, symmetry, precision,
Somanathapura village in Mysore district. and detailed artwork and stands 277 feet tall
• It has 3 sanctums on the West, South, and near the coast.
North dedicated to Keshava, Venugopala, • The spectacular Jagamohana (Entrance Hall)
and Janardhana. with the sanctum sanctorum and the Natya
• The temple itself occupies the middle of the mandap, however, are the only structures still
rectangular courtyard surrounded by 64 cells, standing today, though in ruins.
each with pillars in front, forming an • The temple was fashioned like the Sun God’s
appropriate cloistered setting. chariot, which was drawn by seven horses
and had twenty-four
exquisitely carved
wheels.
• The wheels are
designed in such a way
that one can gauge the
time of the day by
looking at the shadow
cast on the spokes of
the wheels by the sun.
• The carvings of the 24
spokes and axes denote
the activities that one
normally does at that
time of the day.
• The wheel’s circular
motion represents time,
or the Kalachakra, as
well as development
1.10 Al-Aqsa Mosque and ongoing change in
About the Al- Aqsa Mosque: the cosmos.
• Due to the perception of the temple’s roof
• Al-Aqsa is the name given to the whole
being dark, the European sailors called the
compound and is home to two Muslim holy
temple “Black Pagoda.”
places, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-
• It acted as a crucial signpost for sailors back
Aqsa Mosque, also known as the Qibli
then who were sailing the Bay of Bengal.
Mosque, built in the 8th century AD.

4
1.12 Chausath Yogini Temple
Context: The Old Parliament building was
inspired by the Chausath Yogini temple in
Mitaoli, Madhya Pradesh
About the temple:
• The temple stands atop a hillock in Mitaoli,
Morena district of Madhya Pradesh.
• It was built around 1323 by King Devapala of
the Kachchhapaghata dynasty.
• The temple is dedicated to the 64 (chausath in
Hindi) yoginis, who are believed to be
powerful warriors and sorceresses.
• The Mitaoli temple is circular with a diameter
of 125 feet, with 64 chambers dedicated to the
64 yoginis and a central shrine dedicated to
Shiva.
• While most Hindu temples have a shikhara or
projecting dome, the Chausath Yogini temple
is hypaethral or without a roof.
1.13 Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple
Context: Construction of a 250-meter-long
underground tunnel is being carried out at
Mahakal Temple in Ujjain.
About Ancient City of Ujjain
• Ujjain, a 5,000 year old city, is described as the
best city in Adi Brahma Purana and it is
called mokshda and bhukti-mukti in Agni
Purana and Garuda Purana.
• This city hosts one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and
is known as a city providing salvation (sapta
moksha puri).
• The city also houses Gadhkalika and
Harsiddhi, two shakti peethas.
• The city also hosts the sacred kumbh mela
(other cities being Prayagraj, Haridwar and
Nashik).
• Ujjain is geographically located at a spot
where the zero meridian of longitude
(Madhyarekha) and Tropic of Cancer
(Karkavrutta) intersect.
About Mahakaleshwar Temple:
• Mahakaleshwar, which means the Lord of
Time, refers to Lord Shiva(Maheshwara) the
one among the trinity of Hinduism, i.e.
Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.
• The temple is located on the banks of Shipra
river.
• The temple complex comes with a spacious
courtyard that is adorned with finest
sculptures that are believed to be influenced
5
by Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija styles of
structural design.
About Sapta Moksha Puri:
• It includes the 7 Liberation destinations,
namely Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya
(Haridwar), Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchi
Avantika (Ujjain), Puri (Odisha) and
Dwaravati (Dwaraka, Gujarat).
• These places have been chosen considering
the fact that renouncing the body in these
places is akin to attain liberation from the
cycle of birth-death-rebirth.
1.14 The Ayodhya Ram Temple
Context: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir
inaugurated on January 22.
About Shri Ram Mandir:
• The temple has been built using makrana
marble, pink sandstone, granite stone and
coloured marble, and the idol of Ram Lalla
was sculpted using black shaligram stone.
• The Temple is built over three 20-foot high
floors each with a total of 392 pillars and 44
doors in the complex.
• Iron has not been used anywhere in the
construction.
• The architecture of the temple is based on
Nagara style with a sanctum sanctorum,
prarthana mandap, nritya mandap, sabha
mandap, rang mandap and kirtan mandap.
• The walkways and columns in the parikrama
path have been engraved with 100 events
from Valmiki’s Ramayana.
• The 4 corners of the temple hosts temples for
Surya, Bhagavati, Ganesh and Shiva, and the
northern and southern arms will have
Annapurna and Hanuman temples
respectively.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Nagara Style of Temple Architecture:
• First developed in North India during the
Gupta period in the 5th century AD, this
style is popular in Northern, Western and
Eastern India (except the Bengal region),
especially in the regions around Malwa,
Rajputana and Kalinga.
• It is built on a simple stone platform with
steps leading up to the temple.
• The garbhagriha is always located directly
below the highest tower called Shikhara.
• A Kalash or Amalaka is installed atop the
shikhara.
• There are different types of shikhara namely
Rekha-Prasad or Latina (The Sri Jagannath
Temple of Odisha), Shekari (The Khajuraho
Kandariya Mahadev Temple), Valabhi (Teli
ka Mandir), Phamsana (The Jagmohan of
Konark Temple).
• Absence of boundary walls or gateways,
unlike Dravida school, is a prominent feature.
• Sub schools of Nagara style include Orissa
school, Chandel school and Solanki school.
1.15 Dogra Architecture
Context: Restoration of Srinagar’s Maharaja
Gunj market, belonging to Dogra architecture.
Features of the architectural form:
• Dogra architecture denotes buildings and
structures built during the rule of Dogra kings
of Jammu (1846-1947).
• The architectural style uses local materials
including stone, wood and bricks.
• Symmetrical layouts and ornate detailing of
structures are prominent features.
• The style incorporates wooden carvings,
frescoes and stucco work in the interiors,
symbolizing a mix of Mughal and Rajput
style of architecture.
6
• Intricately carved wooden balconies, sloping
roofs and courtyards are characteristic
features.
1.16 Tomb of Balban
Context: Restoration of the tomb of Balban, as a
part of Mehrauli Archaeological Park renovation.
About the tomb:
• The tomb, also called Dar-ul-Amaan or Haven
of Safety, was built by the Sultan himself.
• It was the earliest structure bearing true
arches having keystone placed at the center of
the arch.
• The structure, built using rubble masonry,
displays a fusion of Hindu and Islamic art.
About Balban:
• Ghiyas-ud-din Balban, a sultan of the
Mamluk or Slave Dynasty, ruled Delhi
between 1266 to 1287 AD.
• He was a member of the Chahalgani or group
of 40 nobles of the Dynasty and after the reign
of Razia Sultan, rose to become the sultan.
• He introduced the Persian festival of Nowruz
and enforced systems like Paibos and Sijda in
the court.
 2
Art Forms
2.1 Antiquities and Art Treasures Act Salient Provisions:
(AATA), 1972 • Only the Central Government is authorized
to export antiquities and art treasures.
About Antiquities and Art Treasures Act • Antiquity sales require a license from the
(AATA), 1972: Archaeological Survey of India.
• Antiquity includes artworks and crafts like • Post-1976 AATA enactment, the government
coins, paintings, epigraphs, etc, that have mandated traders to declare their antiquity
been in existence for not less than 100 years. holdings.
• Manuscripts and records of significance • Owners must register their antiquities and
must be at least 75 years old to be declared as secure a certificate.
Antiquity. • 'Provenance' refers to the ownership history
Art Treasure: An art treasure is a human work of of an antiquity since its creation.
art, other than antiquity, declared to be a treasure • Before Independence, the Antiquities (Export
by the Centre for its artistic value after the Control) Act of 1947 ensured that no
artist’s death. For example, Chola Bronzes. antiquity could be exported without a
license.
2.2 Dance
2.2.1 Thullal:
About Ottanthullal:
• Ottanthullal (or Thullal) is a recite-and-dance art form of Kerala that
is famous for its humor and social satire.
• It was introduced in the 18th century by legendary poet Kunchan
Nambiar.
• Thullal is more simple in contrast to Kathakali and Koodiyattam with
respect to the dance technique and language used.
• Thullal performer is supported by a singer who repeats the verses
and is accompanied by an orchestra of mridangam or
thoppimaddalam (percussions) and cymbals. It has evolved into
three separate versions based on the performers’ costumes and style
of rendering:
○ Ottan Thullal
○ Seethankan Thullal
○ Parayan Thullal.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Kunchan Nambiar
• He is a renowned poet of the 18th century (1705-1770) from Palakkad District of Kerala.
• He forms a part of Kerala’s Poetic Trio, including Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan and Cherusseri
Namboothiri.
• He was also the court poet of Travancore King Martanda Varma and his successor Dharma Raja.
• Through Ottan Thullal, he ridiculed all the prevalent socio-political equations and prejudices of
society.

7
2.2.2 Dance forms
Karakattam

• Ancient folk dance of Tamil Nadu, which involves colorful

sari-clad performers balancing multiple pots on the head
and dancing to honor rain Goddess Mariamman.
• Proponent: V Durga Devi

Perini Natyam/Thandavam
• Ancient dance form of Telangana which gained popularity
during Kakatiya dynasty rule.
• It is performed in honour of Lord Shiva, and in ancient times
this was performed before the soldiers set to war.
• Raj Kumar Nayak, Nataraja Ramakrishna are some of the
proponents of this dance.

Dhamaal
• Dhamaal is a mix of Sufi and East African traditions in the
spiritual music and dance of Siddis of Gujarat.
• Dhamaals honor spiritual leaders like Bava Gor, Mai, Misra,
etc.
• These are performed as Dance Dhamaals (sitting and
dancing) and Baithaaki Dhamaals (sitting only).

Bihu
• It marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the
spring season.
• It celebrates the harvesting of crops.
• The three types of Bihu celebrated in Assam are Rongali or
Bohag Bihu, Kati or Kongali Bihu, and Bhogali or Magh
Bihu.

8
Thirra/Theyyam Thirra
• It is a ritualistic dance performed in the Kaavu (Groves)
and temples in the Malabar region of Kerala.
• Clan deities like Bhagavati and Shiva are worshipped in
this dance form.
• It is a subset of Theyyam but is different in the sense that
in Theyyam, the performer is considered God, while in
Thirra, the performer is said to be possessed by God.

Cham Lama Dance

• It is a Masked dance performed by Tibetan Buddhist
monks to celebrate the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava
(Guru Rinpoche).
• The dance enacts the arrival of the 8 reincarnations of Guru
Padmasambhava.

Lavani
• Lavani is a folk dance performed by women in 9-yard-long
colorful sarees(Nauvari) and ghungroos to dholak
rhythms before an audience, which gained prominence
during the 18th-century Peshwa period.
• The most popular Lavani sub-genre is Shringarik,
characterized by its teasing lyrics and sensual dance moves
that express erotic themes.

Yakshagana
• Originating between 11th to 16th C in Karnataka, it is a
group dance drama based on Hindu epics.
• It has 2 forms, Moodalopaya and Puduvlopaya, practiced
in eastern and western parts of Karnataka respectively.
• The dance form combines dance, songs and dialogues.
• Performers wear large headgears, have coloured faces,
elaborate costumes and put musical beads(Gejje) on their
legs.

Kolkali
• Also known as Thattinmelkali, it is a traditional folk art
performed in Malabar region of Kerala.
• Involves dancers moving in a circle, striking small sticks.
• Also called Kolattam and Kolamu in Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh respectively.
• Also draws elements from the martial dance form
Kalaripayattu.

9
2.2.3 Garba Dance
Context: Garba has been declared as an
Intangible Heritage by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO).
About Garba Dance:
• It is a "ritualistic and devotional dance" that
is performed on the occasion of the festival of
Navratri.
• The dance takes place around a perforated
earthenware pot lit with an oil lamp or an
image of the mother goddess Amba.
• The dancers wearing colourful dresses move
around the center in a counterclockwise
circle.
• The dance begins with slow circular
movements to let the tempo slowly build up
to a frenzied whirling.
About Intangible Cultural Heritage:
• Intangible cultural heritage is the practices,
expressions, knowledge and skills that
communities, groups and sometimes
individuals recognise as part of their cultural
heritage.
• It should be recognized by communities,
groups and, in some cases, individuals as part
of their cultural heritage
• It should be transmitted from generation to
generation
• It should provide a sense of identity and
continuity, thus promoting respect for
cultural diversity and human creativity.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi is the nodal
organization which files nominations of
intangible cultural entities from India, for
UNESCO.

2.3 Music
2.3.1 Musical Instruments
Sursingar
• An older stringed instrument akin to the sarod, made of wood with a
gourd and metal fingerboard, produces deep notes and is played
with a metal pick on its four brass or bronze strings.
• Proponents: Joydeep Mukherjee.

Mandolin
• A stringed instrument typically featuring eight strings that are
strummed using a plectrum.
• Proponents: Uppalapu Nagamani, Sajjad Hussain, Mandolin
Srinivas.

Bobbili Veena
• The Bobbili Veena, or Saraswati Veena, is a Carnatic music
instrument from Bobbili, Andhra Pradesh.
• Originated in the 17th Century with royal patronage, it received a GI
tag in 2012.
• The veena, tracing back to 1000 BCE, evolved from the ancient yazh
and is linked to Bharat's Natya Shastra, which discusses musical
theory.

10
 Mridangam
• Also known as Deva-Vaadyam, this percussion instrument is used as
an accompaniment in Carnatic Music.
• Its modified version, Pakhawaj, is the primary percussion
instrument in Dhrupad style of Hindustani Music.
• It is a double-sided drum made out of a single piece of Jackfruit
wood.

Chhattisgarh Wind Flute

• The ‘Sulur’ bamboo wind flute is curated by the Gond Tribe of
Bastar in Chhattisgarh
• Unlike traditional flutes, it produces melodies through a one-handed
twirl.
• The surface is etched with fish emblems, geometric lines, and
triangles.
• It is used to ward off animals and guide cattle through jungles.

2.3.2 Khayal Music

About Khayal Music:
• Khayal is a form of Hindustani music whose
early form emerged in the late 16th century
when Sufi musicians based in the region
between Delhi and Jaunpur adapted the
cutkula form to devotional forms such as the
Persian qaul and tarana sung in Sufi
communities from Amir Khusro’s tradition.
• The earliest version of khayal evolved into
today’s drut bandish/chhota khayal, which is
meant to be sung in a lively tempo.
• In the early 17th century, khayal travelled
from the Sufi communities to the qawwals of
Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi
• Niyamat Khan “Sadarang” (1670-1748), a
famous dhrupad singer and player at the
court of the Mughal emperor Muhammad
Shah “Rangila,” created khayal compositions
with some melodic movements from dhrupad,
setting in a slow tempo. This version became
the vilambit bandish/bada khayal or slow
composition.
• Post the revolt of 1857, important singers of
khayal went to Gwalior and other places,
where they founded today’s khayal gharanas.
• Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Kumar
Gandharva, Jasraj, Mallikarjun Mansur,
Shubha Mudgal, Khadim Hussain Khan, etc
are some of the proponents of khayal music.
Gharanas of khayal music are Delhi, Agra,
Gwalior, Indore, Atrauli-Jaipur, Kirana and
Patiala.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Kalawant:
It is the term used for a singer from a hereditary
lineage of musicians attached to the Mughal
Court. Niyamat Khan Sadarang was a
kalawant.
Gharana:
It is the place where the musical ideology
originated.
2.3.3 Tamilisai Moovar of Sirkazhi
About the legends:
• Tamilisai Moovar of Sirkazhi refers to 3
personalities, hailing from Sirkazhi in present
day Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu,
who contributed to Carnatic music.
• The Tamilisai moovar include
Muthuthandavar (16th Century), Marimutha
Pillai (1712-1787) and Arunachala Kavirayar
(1711-1779).
• They composed conventional kritis
(compositions) in Tamil before Tyagaraja,
Muthuswami Dikshithar and Shyama Shastri
(the Trinity of Carnatic Music).
• Arunachala Kavirayar first set the stage for
operas (musical dramas) in Tamil through the
Rama Natakam and he composed 258 kritis
by simplifying the verses of Kamba
Ramayanam.
• Marimutha Pillai composed Ninda Stuti
Kritis in which the divine was praised
through questions and criticisms with love.

11
• Muthuthandavar composed numerous songs
on the cosmic dance of lord Nataraja called
Tandava Kritis.

2.4 Painting
2.4.1 Gond Painting
Context: GI tag for Madhya Pradesh’s Gond
Painting
About Gond Painting:
• Gond Painting is a traditional art mainly done
in Patangarh village of Dindori District of
Madhya Pradesh and belongs to the Gond
tribe.
• Natural colors are used to paint the walls and
floors of homes depicting nature, moon, sun,
rivers, Gods and Goddesses, everyday life of
the tribals, tantra tradition, etc.
• The present-day Gond paintings have evolved
from Digna (traditional geometric pattern)
and Bhittichitra (pictures of animals, plants,
and trees).
2.4.2 Warli Painting
About the paintings:
• Warli is the art form of the Warli tribes of
Maharashtra and Gujarat, and is traditionally
practiced by women.
• The Warli paintings depict nature, daily life
and activities of the tribe, customs and
traditions of the tribe.
• The paintings are usually created on the
inside walls of village huts, made of cow
dung, earth, branches and red brick.
• Bamboo-stick paint brushes are used to carve
the art lines using white paint.
• These rudimentary paintings are made using a
set of geometric shapes- a circle, a triangle,
and a square, symbolizing different elements
of nature.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Warli Tribe:
• They are an indigenous community
primarily residing in western India's
mountainous and coastal regions,
stretching across Maharashtra and
Gujarat.
• They believe in animism and worship
nature spirits and ancestors.
2.5 Craft
2.5.1 Etikoppaka Toy Craft
Context: An Andhra Pradesh artist was honored
with the Padma Shri for his role in the GI-tagged
Etikoppaka wooden toy craft.
About Etikoppaka Toy Craft:
• The traditional Etikoppaka toy-making art is
also called “turned wood lacquer craft.”
• These unique toys are crafted from wood and
adorned with natural dyes.
• The wood, sourced from the 'Ankudi Karra'
tree (Wrightia tinctoria), is soft, and natural
dyes are derived from seeds, lacquer, bark,
roots, and leaves.
• Andhra Pradesh boasts several GI products,
including Kondapalli toys, Tirupati laddu,
Bobbili Veena, Srikalahasthi Kalamkari,
Uppada Jamdani sarees, and Shadow
puppets.

12
2.5.2 Channapatna Toy Craft
About the toys:
• Channapatna toys, a unique type of wooden
toys and dolls, are made in the town of
Channapatna/Gombegala Ooru(toy-town) in
Karnataka, also known as Gombegala Ooru
(toy-town).
• Most of these toys are handmade, crafted in
ivory wood, sandalwood, and mango wood,
and painted in organic colours, making them
100% chemical-free.
• Their shapes are mostly round and cubes with
blunt edges, so they are completely safe for
kids.
• They received the Geographical Indication
(GI) tag in 2005.
2.5.3 Nataraja Sculpture
Context: 22 feet tall Nataraja sculpture made of
ashtadhatu (8 metals) displayed at G20 summit
Lost Wax Technique:
• Sculptors first make a wax model and encase
it in clay.
• After drying, the whole mass is heated to
drain away the melted wax.
13
• The space left by the melted wax is filled with
molten bronze.
• After allowing it to cool, the mold is broken,
and the statue is chiseled to perfection.
2.5.4 Bidriware
About the handicraft:
• Bidri art is a metal handicraft exclusive to
Bidar, Karnataka, developed during the rule
of Bahamani Sultans of 14th Century.
• Bidriware is a combination of blackened alloy
of zinc & copper and inlaid with thin sheets
of pure silver.
• The soil from Bidar fort when mixed with
ammonium chloride and water, produces a
very special paste which is rubbed onto the
heated Bidri article which gives it a black
colour.
2.6 Textiles
2.6.1 Kashmiri Pashmina Shawls
Context: Recently, a French artist, Maximilien
Pellet, exhibited Kashmiri pashmina shawls
with intricate paisley patterns in Paris.
About Pashmina Shawls:
• Pashmina comes from an animal fibre,
“Cashmere," derived from the Changthangi
goat (Ladakh), reared majorly by the
Changpa tribes of Ladakh.
• It is well known for its warmth, lightweight,
and softness, in addition to its characteristic
dye-absorbing properties.
• Shikargah, Lahariya, Buta- buti, Khat-rast,
Cypress, etc. are some famous motifs (designs
& patterns) used.
• Sozni, Papier Mache, and Tilla are some of
the most used embroideries.
• Pashmina is a Geographical Indication (GI)
certified wool of J & K.
2.6.2 “VIRAASAT” The Sari Festival
Context:
The Ministry of Textiles is hosting the second
phase of the "VIRAASAT" Sari Festival.
14
2.6.3 Telangana Gongadi Shawl
Context: Gongadi woollen shawls being
refashioned into shoes for farmers
About Gongadi Shawl:
• Gongadi or Kambali shawl is made of rough
wool sourced from the Deccani sheep (Nalla
Gorrae) by the Kuruma and Kuruba pastoral
communities (spread in Deccan plateau).
• The pure wool material possesses natural
insulation properties, effectively retaining
body heat and preventing cold air from
seeping through.
• The coarse woollen blanket is famous for its
durability and versatility.
• The traditional gongadi is produced
organically, without using any dyes, either
natural or synthetic.
2.6.4 Namda Art
About Namda Art:
• Namda are felted rugs that are made by
enmeshing wool fibers with water, soap, and
pressure and then embroidering the resultant
fabric.
• Low-quality wool mixed with a small quantity
of cotton is used to manufacture namdas.
• These are extensively used in Kashmiri
households as an effective and inexpensive
floor covering and mattress.
• The cottage industry for namda
manufacturing is concentrated in Anantnag,
Rainawari and Baramulla.
2.7 Theaters
2.7.1 Shumang Leela
About the play:
• Shumang Kumhei or Shumang Leela, which
translates to play of open courtyard, is a
Meitei traditional form of theatre, usually
performed in Manipur.
• It began as a comic genre for royal and noble
audiences, where the roles of women are
played by men, called Nupi Shabis, and vice
versa in a female theatre group.
• It serves as a medium of mass education,
addresses issues of moral integrity and unity,
and promotes humanism, brotherhood, and
tolerance.
• Noted artist Shougrakpam Hemanta was
conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award in recognition of his contribution to
Shumang Leela.
2.7.2 Seethakali
About Seethakali:
• Seethakali is a dance drama that was a part of
Onam festivities of Kerala in the past.
15
• It’s a Dravidian dance form portraying the
portions from Vanayatra (exile to the forest) to
Sita’s andardhanam (descend into the earth).
• It’s a blend of songs, storytelling, and fast
movements where ganjira, manikatta, chiratta,
and kaimani are among the accompaniments.
• Seethakali songs were orally passed on from
one generation to the next.
• Most of the artists belonged to
underprivileged communities like Veda and
Pulaya communities.
2.8 Longpi Pottery
Context: This TRIFED artisanal treasure was
recently presented in the G20 summit.
About Longpi pottery:
• Named after the village of Longpi in
Manipur, the Tangkhul Naga tribes practise
this exceptional pottery style.
• Unlike most pottery, Longpi does not resort to
the potter’s wheel; all shaping is done with
the hand and with the help of moulds.
• The characteristic gray-black cooking pots, the
stout kettles, quaint bowls, mugs, and nut
trays, at times with a handle of fine cane, are
trademarks of Longpi.
2.9 Wayang Kulit Puppetry
About Wayang Kulit:
• It is a style of shadow puppetry from the
Indonesian island of Java.
• These puppets are used for the retelling of
Ramayana, which is accompanied by music.
• These types of puppets are cut out of buffalo
skin and then decorated with paint.
• Hundreds of puppets are controlled by the
Dalang (puppeteer), who moves them in
front of a lamp to create shadows on a screen.
 3
3.1 Padma Awards
Context: Recently, the government announced
the Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day.
About Padma Awards:
• Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 and
are announced every year except for brief
interruptions during the years 1978, 1979, and
1993 to 1997.
• These awards are presented by the President
of India, where the awardees are presented a
Sanad (certificate) signed by the President
and a medallion.
• Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian
honours of India, given in three categories:
○ Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and
distinguished service).
○ Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of
higher order).
○ Padma Shri (distinguished service).
• The awards are given in certain select
categories, which include Art, Social Work,
Public Affairs, Science & Engineering, Trade
& Industry, Medicine, Literature &
Education, Civil Service, and Sports.
• The Padma Awards are conferred on the
recommendations made by the Padma
Awards Committee, which is constituted by
the Prime Minister every year.
• The nomination process is open to the public,
including self-nomination.
• Foreign dignitaries are also conferred with
Padma Awards.
• Government servants (including those
working with PSUs, except doctors and
scientists) ARE NOT considered for the
Padma award.
• A higher category of Padma award can be
conferred on a person only where a period of
at least five years has elapsed since the
conferment of the earlier Padma award.
• The total number of awards to be given in a
year (excluding posthumous awards and to
NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more
than 120.
16
Awards
• The award does not amount to a title and
cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the
awardees’ name.
3.2 Jeevan Raksha Padak
Context: The President of India has approved
the conferment of the Jeevan Raksha Padak
Series of Awards.
About Jeevan Raksha Awards:
• It is an offshoot of the Ashoka Chakra series
of Gallantry awards, instituted in the year
1961.
• The award is given for a meritorious act of
humane nature in saving the life of a person
in cases like drowning in water, accidents, fire
incidents, etc.
• It is given in three categories: Sarvottam
Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha
Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak
• The award can also be conferred
posthumously.
• The awards are considered by the Awards
Committee within a period of two calendar
years from the date of performance of the act.
• The award is presented in the form of a
medallion, a certificate signed by the Union
Home Minister, and a lump-sum monetary
allowance.
3.3 Sangeet Natak Akademi
Context: The President awarded Sangeet Natak
Akademi awards and fellowships for 2019, 2020,
and 2021.
About Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards:
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the
highest national recognition conferred on
practising artists (music, dance, and drama).
• The Akademi also confers Fellowships on
eminent artists and scholars of music, dance,
and drama.
• In 2006, it instituted Ustad Bismillah Khan
Yuva Puraskar for young artists.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi confers classical
status on 9 Indian dance forms namely
Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali,
 Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi,
Sattriya and Chau.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous
body of the Ministry of Culture, was set up in
1953.
• The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed
by the President of India for a term of five
years.
3.4 Sahitya Akademi Awards
Context: Annual Sahitya Akademi Award 2023
in 24 languages announced.
About the award:
• The Sahitya Akademi award, first given in
1955, is presented for literary works in 24
languages (22 languages in 8th schedule and
English and Rajasthani)
• The award includes a casket containing an
engraved copper-plaque, a shawl, and
₹1,00,000.
• The award is presented to books published
during the five years immediately preceding
the year of award, that is between January
2017 and December 31, 2021.
About Sahitya Akademi:
• Sahitya Akademi (India's National Academy
of Letters) was founded in 1954 as an
autonomous body under the Union Culture
Ministry and is dedicated to the promotion of
literature in Indian languages.
• It is the central institution for literary
dialogue, publication and promotion in the
country and the only institution that
undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian
languages.
• It was registered as a society in 1956, under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
3.5 Abel Prize
Context: Luis Caffarelli has won the 2023 Abel
Prize “for his seminal contributions to regularity
theory and the Monge-Ampère equation.
About Abel Prize:
• First awarded in 2003, the Abel prize
“recognises pioneering scientific achievements
in mathematics.”
• The prize was established by the Norwegian
Parliament (Stortinget) in 2002, marking the
200th birth anniversary of mathematician
Niels Henrick Abel.
• It is often considered an equivalent of the
Nobel Prize, which does not have a category
for mathematics.
17
3.6 Pritzker Prize
Context: Sir David Chipperfield has been
named the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize
Laureate.
About Pritzker Prize:
• Pritzker Prize is an annual award established
by the Pritzker family of Chicago in 1979.
• It honors architects with $100,000 and a
bronze medallion.
• In 2018, it was awarded to Indian architect
Balkrishna Doshi.
3.7 Gandhi Peace Prize
Context: Gita Press conferred the Gandhi Peace
Prize, 2021.
About Gandhi Peace Prize:
• The annual Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted
in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• It is an annual award presented to individuals
and institutions for their noteworthy
contributions to social, economic, and
political transformation through non-
violence and Gandhian methods.
• The award is open to individuals and
organizations regardless of nationality, race,
creed, or gender
• It includes a prize amount of 1 crore rupees, a
plaque, and a citation.
• ISRO, Ramakrishna Mission, Grameen Bank
of Bangladesh, etc are some of the award
winners.
About Gita Press:
• Based in Gorakhpur, it is one of the world’s
largest publishers, having published 41.7 crore
books in 14 languages, including 16.21 crore
Bhagavad Gita.
• It completes 100 years of its establishment in
2023.
3.8 Govind Swarup Lifetime
Achievement Award
Context: Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar gets the
first Astronomical Society of India Govind
Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award in Pune
About the award:
• The Astronomical Society of India (ASI)
instituted the Govind Swarup Lifetime
Achievement award in 2022 to recognise
eminent Indian astronomers for the
 contributions they have made to the field of • The awards will be announced annually on
Astronomy and Astrophysics in India. National Technology Day and will be
• The award is named in honour of Prof. awarded on National Space Day.
Govind Swarup [founder of Indian Radio • The awards will be open to Persons of Indian
Astronomy, Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) and Origin (PIOs), with a maximum of one PIO
the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope eligible for the Vigyan Ratna award and three
(GMRT)] PIOs each eligible for the Vigyan Shri and VY-
• The award carries a citation and plaque, and a SSB awards.
cash prize. • It will also allow candidates to nominate
themselves.
3.9 Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award • The awards will be conferred by the President
of India or the Vice President, and the
Context: The Council of Scientific and Industrial awardees will receive a certificate and
Research (CSIR) recently published the list of medallion.
awardees for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar
Awards Fields
(SSB) awards for 2022.
About the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Vigyan Ratna It will recognize the
awards: lifetime achievements of
scientists.
• The award is named after Shanti Swarup
Bhatnagar, the first director general of CSIR. Vigyan Shri It will recognize
• It is given every year in seven scientific distinguished
disciplines — biology, chemistry, contributions to a field.
mathematics, physics, medicine, engineering Vigyan Yuva It will encourage young
and earth, atmosphere, ocean, and planetary Shanti Swarup scientists who have
sciences — to outstanding researchers under Bhatnagar made exceptional
the age of 45. contributions in their
• The award carries a cash component of Rs 5 field.
lakh. Vigyan Team It will recognize teams
About Council of Scientific and Industrial of three or more.
Research (CSIR):
• It is an Indian research and development
(R&D) organisation headquartered in Delhi. KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
• It was established as an autonomous body by National Space Day: August 23rd is
the Government of India in 1942 to promote proclaimed as "National Space Day" from 2023
scientific knowledge and boost to commemorate successful landing of
industrialization and economic growth. Chandrayaan-3's lander and rover on the
Moon.
3.10 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar National Technology Day: It is celebrated
annually on May 11 to commemorate the
Context: New Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar was successful nuclear detonation tests in 1998.
introduced as the highest recognition in science,
technology, and innovation by the Department
of Science and Technology commencing in 2024. 3.11 Dadasaheb Phalke Award
About the Puraskar:
Context: Waheeda Rehman awarded Dadasaheb
● There will be a total of 56 RVP awards, Phalke award 2023.
comprising 3 Vigyan Ratna awards, 25
About the award:
Vigyan Shri awards, 25 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti
Swarup Bhatnagar awards, and 3 Vigyan • It was introduced in 1969 to commemorate
Team awards. Dadasaheb Phalke's contribution to Indian
● A Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee cinema who directed India's first full-
(RVPC), constituted by the Science minister, length feature film, Raja Harishchandra in
and chaired by the Principal Scientific 1913.
Advisor to the government, will recommend • The award comprises a Swarna Kamal
names for the award from the nominations (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a
placed before it. cash prize of ₹10 lakh.

18
3.12 National Sports Awards 2023
Context: The Ministry of Youth Affairs &
Sports announced the National Sports Awards
2023.
About National Sports Awards:
• Considered the pinnacle of sporting honours
in India, the National Sports Awards are
given annually to recognize and reward
excellence in sports by the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports.
• They are a collection of six different awards
given out to sportspersons, coaches or
organisations for their achievements and
contribution towards the growth of Indian
sports.
○ Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: It
is the highest sporting honour, given for
outstanding performance in the field of
sports by a sportsperson over the period of
the previous four years.
○ Dronacharya Award: It is given to coaches
for doing outstanding and meritorious
work.
19
○ Arjuna Awards: It is the second highest
honour given for good performance over a
period of the previous four years and for
showing qualities of leadership,
sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
○ Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime
Achievement in Sports and Game: It is
given to honour sportspersons who have
contributed to sports by their performance
and who continue to contribute to
promotion of sports events after their
retirement.
○ Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA)
Trophy 2023: It is given to honour the
overall top performing university in inter-
university tournaments.
○ Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar
(National Sports Incentive Award):
Awarded to organisations and individuals
for playing a role in the area of sports
promotion and development over the last
three years.
 4
Personalities In The News
4.1 Sir CV Raman
Context: The theme of this year’s National
Science Day edition is “Global Science for
Global Wellbeing” in light of India’s G20
presidency.
About Sir CV Raman (1888-1970):
• Sir CV Raman is known for his work in the
field of light scattering.
• He held positions at Calcutta University and
the Indian Institute of Science and founded
the Raman Research Institute (Bengaluru).
• Sir CV Raman won the Nobel Prize (Physics)
in 1930 for his discovery of the Raman Effect
(inelastic scattering of light by matter,
resulting in a shift in the frequency of the
scattered light).
• The Raman effect forms the basis for Raman
spectroscopy used by chemists and physicists
to gain information about materials.
• Government of India designated February 28
as National Science Day to commemorate the
announcement of the discovery of the “Raman
Effect” in 1986.
• Sir CV Raman was awarded Bharat Ratna in
1954.
4.2 Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati
Context:The Prime Minister recently paid tribute
to Dayanand Saraswati on his 200th birth
anniversary.
About Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883):
• Dayananda Sarasvati, originally named Mula
Sankara, was born in 1824, in Tankara,
Gujarat.
• A believer in the supreme authority of the
Vedas, he established the Arya Samaj in 1875,
leading a reform movement within Hinduism.
• He opposed child marriage and advocated
widow remarriages.
• Through Arya Samaj he opposed idol
worship, animal sacrifice, basing caste upon
birth rather than upon merit, untouchability,
and temple offerings.He upheld the
infallibility of the Vedas, the doctrines of
20
karma, and samsara (the process of death and
rebirth).
• His magnum opus, Satyarth Prakash (1875),
emphasised the “return to Vedic principles.”
• He supported the idea of shuddhi, to bring
back Islamic or Christian converts to
Hinduism.
• Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second
President, called Dayanand Saraswati “a
maker of modern India.”
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Arya Samaj
• A monotheistic Hindu order founded in
1875 in erstwhile Bombay that rejected the
ritualistic excesses and social dogmas of
orthodox Hinduism.
• It promoted a united Hindu society based
on Vedic teachings.
4.3 Thiruvalluvar Day
About Thiruvalluvar:
• Thiruvalluvar, also known as Valluvar, was a
Tamil poet-saint who composed the
Tirukkural.
• The Tirukkural is divided into three books,
namely Aram (virtue), Porul (government and
society), and Kamam (love).
• It contains a total of 133 sections where each
section consists of 10 couplets and each
couplet consisting of 7 words.
• Tirukkural is considered part of the Sangam
literature.
4.4 Guru Tegh Bahadur
Context: The Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh
Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, was
celebrated on April 11, 2023.
About Guru Tegh Bahadur(1621-1675):
• Guru Tegh Bahadur, also called Tyag Mal,
the 9th guru, was born in Amritsar in 1621 to
Mata Nanki and Guru Hargobind (6th guru,
who raised an army against the Mughals and
introduced the concept of warrior saints).
• He distinguished himself in the Battle of
Kartarpur against the Mughals, earning him
the name of Tegh (sword) Bahadur. He also
founded the city of Anandpur Sahib (Punjab).
• He questioned the practice of worshipping the
graves of pirs and faquirs.
• He urged his followers to be ‘nirbhau’
(fearless) and ‘nirvair’ (without envy) against
forces that tried to forcibly convert them.
• His sermons were delivered in a mix of
Sadukhri and Braj languages, and his hymns
are a part of Guru Granth Sahib.
• In 1675, Mughal King Aurangzeb ordered his
public execution after his refusal to embrace
Islam. Gurudwara Sis Ganj, at Delhi, was
established to commemorate his martyrdom
site, and Gurudwara Rakab Ganj is the site
where he was cremated.
4.5 Poetess Shilabhattarika
Context: Copperplate evidence of poetess
Shilabhattarika obtained by the Bhandarkar
Oriental Research Institute.
About Shilabhattarika:
• Shilabhattarika was a Chalukyan princess,
possibly the daughter of
Satyashraya/Pulakeshin II, who ruled from
610--642 CE and had defeated Harshavardhan
of Kanauj in a battle near the banks of the
Narmada river in 618 CE.
• She was the celebrated Sanskrit poetess of
ancient India whose works were in Panchali
Style (where words are balanced with
meaning).
• The decoding of the copper plates placed
Shilabhattarika as having lived in the 7th
century CE which is in contrast to the current
theory placing her as the wife of the 8th
Century Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva.
About the Copper Plates:
• The copper plates were dated to the time of
Badami Chalukyan ruler Vijayaditya (696-
733 CE).
• They contain the Varaha (Boar) seal, which is
the trademark of the Chalukyan Kingdom.
• The plates also contain a Sanskrit text of 65
lines inscribed in late Brahmi script.
• The plates mention the donation of the village
Chigateri/Sikkateru in Karnataka by king
Vijayaditya to a scholar, Vishnu Sharma, on
the recommendation of Mahendraverma, the
son of Shilabhattarika and Dadiga (of Ganga
lineage).
21
4.6 Rani Durgavati
Context: Recently, the Government in Madhya
Pradesh launched the six-day Rani Durgavati
Gaurav Yatra.
About Rani Durgavati:
• She was born in 1524 in Mahoba’s Chandela
dynasty and was married to Dalpat Shah, the
son of the Gond King Sangram Shah of the
kingdom of Garha-Katanga.
• She became the de facto ruler of the Gond
Kingdom after the death of Dalpat Shah and
fought with Baz Bahadur, the sultan of the
neighbouring Malwa, who was eventually
defeated by Akbar.
• Her forces went against the Mughals in the
Battle of Garh-Katanga (1564-67), in which
she eventually died; 24th of June is celebrated
as Balidan Divas every year.
• Abul Fazl, the court historian of Akbar who
wrote Akbarnama, described Durgavati as a
combination of beauty, grace and manlike
courage and bravery.
• She constructed reservoirs like Ranital,
Cherital and Adhartal.
• She was a patron of learning, and allowed
Acharya Bitthalnath to establish a seat of the
Pushtimarg Cult at Garha.
4.7 Ahilyabai Holkar
Context: Ahmednagar to be renamed
Ahilyanagar.
History of Ahmednagar:
• The region was ruled over by the Rashtrakuta
Dynasty, the Western Chalukyas, and then the
Delhi Sultanate.
• Ahmednagar/Nizamshahi was founded in
1497 and was one of the 5 kingdoms to
emerge from the Deccan Bahmani kingdom
after its break up under the leadership of
Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah.
About Ahilyabai Holkar?
• Ahilyabai was born in Chondi village of
Ahmednagar and was married to the son of
Malhar Rao Holkar, the army commander to
Peshwa Bajirao.
• After her husband’s death in the Battle of
Kumbher in 1754, Ahilyabai took control of
Malwa.
• Her role in the restoration of Hindu temples is
often talked about. The ancient Somnath
temple was built by Holkar in 1783.

4.8 Raja Ravi Varma
Context: 175th birth anniversary celebration of
Raja Ravi Varma.
About Raja Ravi Varma:
• Also known as the father of modern Indian
art, Raja Ravi Varma combined the Indian
and Western styles of painting.
• He was patronised by the ruler of Travancore,
Ayilyam Thirunal, in whose court he came in
contact with a Dutch artist Theodore Jensen,
whom he observed and learned.
• He incorporated the technique of Chiaroscuro
in his paintings, which he used for pictorial
realism.
• He was a proponent of Lithography
(producing art on a flat stone or metal plate).
• In 1893, he represented India at the World’s
Columbian Exposition in Chicago, held in
conjunction with the World Parliament of
Religions (attended by Swami Vivekananda).
• He was awarded with the Kaiser-i-Hind
medal for public service.
• His works spanned from studio-styled
portraits of aristocrats and maharajas to
deities and include depictions of the story of
Dushyanta and Shakuntala, Nala-
Damayanti, Lord Krishna and Yashoda, etc.
4.9 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Context: 132nd birth anniversary of Babasaheb
Ambedkar.
22
About Babasaheb Ambedkar(1891-1956):
• Known as the Father of the Indian
Constitution, he has been variously described
as a scholar visionary who stood for women
empowerment and upliftment of the Dalits
and as a leader who inspired India to be a
modern nation.
• He was a participant in all three round table
conferences that ultimately led to the
formulation of the Government of India Act
1935.
• He was a critic of Mahatma Gandhi, with
whom he signed the Poona Pact of 1932, and
advocated socio-economic empowerment of
the Dalits.
• He was the First Law Minister of independent
India.
• He was the founder of Bahishkrit Hitkarini
Sabha, All India Scheduled Caste Federation,
and Indian Labour Party, and his works
include Annihilation of Caste, Mooknayak,
Bahishkrit Bharat, Problem of Rupee, etc.
• In 1956, along with lakhs of supporters, he
converted to Buddhism.
• His death anniversary on December 6th is
commemorated as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Parinirvana represents a fundamental concept
in Buddhism, signifying the attainment of
nirvana or liberation during one's lifetime and
even after death.
4.10 Basavanna
About Basavanna(1131-1196):
• Basaveshwara, or Basavanna, the founder of
Lingayatism (Ishtalinga worship), was a
12th-century philosopher and social reformer.
• He founded the Anubhava Mandapam as the
Chief Minister of Kalachuri Kingdom, used
for discussion of various issues such as socio-
political, economic, and even personal, and
was open to all classes of people.
• He vouched for a casteless society and even
organized some inter-caste marriages.
• He developed a devotional movement called
Veerashaivism and advocated for the use of
Kannada in spiritual discourses.
• He formulated the Vachana Sahityam,
rhythmic Kannada prose, on social issues and
devotion.
4.11 Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Context: Commemoration of birth anniversary of
Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
About Gopal Krishna Gokhale(1866-1915):
• He was an Indian social reformer and political
leader who held the rungs of the Indian
National Congress in its initial phase. He was
the President of INC in the 1905 Benaras
session.
• He was a moderate leader and a member of
the Bombay Legislative Council (1899-1902)
and Imperial Legislative Council (1902-1915).
• He played a key role in the formulation of the
Morley-Minto Reforms, which was passed
eventually as Indian Councils Act 1909.
• He founded the Servants of India Society in
1905, Ranade Institute of Economics, and
started the newspapers Sudharak and
Hitavada.
4.12 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Context: 350th anniversary of coronation of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
About Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680):
• He was a Maratha ruler from the Bhonsle clan
and was coronated as the Chhatrapati in 1674
at Raigadh fort.
• Maharashtra was under the rule of
Nizamshah of Ahmadnagar and Adilshah of
Bijapur during the 1630s.
• He carved out an independent kingdom
during the declining phase of Adilshahi rule.
• His military forces expanded the Maratha
sphere of influence through both alliances and
hostilities with Mughals, Bijapur kingdom,
and European forces.
About Wagh-Nakh:
• Literally ‘tiger claws’, the wagh nakh is a
medieval claw-like dagger used across the
Indian subcontinent.
• It was used for personal defense or stealth
attack, and could easily slice through skin and
flesh.
4.13 J. Robert Oppenheimer
About J. Robert Oppenheimer:
• He was an American theoretical physicist and
science administrator best known for serving
as the director of the Institute for Advanced
Studies and the director of the Los Alamos
Laboratory (1943–45).
23
• He led the Manhattan Project at the Los
Alamos Laboratory to develop the atomic
bomb during World War II, which earned
him the tag of Father of the atomic bomb.
4.14 Alluri Sitarama Raju
About the freedom fighter:
• Born on July 4, 1897, in present-day Andhra
Pradesh, he is also referred to as Manyam
Veerudu (Jungle Warrior), who rallied
thousands of poor Adviasis and kindled the
spirit of freedom among them.
• He engaged in guerilla campaigns against the
British forces across the border regions of
present-day Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
• He fought against the oppressive Madras
Forest Act, 1882, which restricted tribal
movement into the forest land and traditional
podu/shifting cultivation practice, and he led
the Rampa Rebellion(1922-1924).
• Rama Raju was caught and martyred by
Britishers on May 7, 1924. His remains are
buried at Krishnadevi Peta in
Visakhapatnam.
4.15 Subramania Bharati
About Subramania Bharati (1882-1921):
• A multifaceted personality, he was a
renowned poet, a freedom fighter, and a
social reformer.
• He was bestowed the title "Bharathi" for his
excellence in poetry.
• He fought for the emancipation of women,
against child marriage, vehemently opposed
the caste system, and stood for reforming
society and religion.
• His important works include Kaṇṇan pattu,
Panchali sabatham, Kuyil pattu, Puthiya
Russia, Sudesa Geethangal and Gnanaratham,
Chinnanchiru kiliye, etc.
4.16 Nawab Wajid Ali Shah
About the King:
• He was the eleventh and last King of
Awadh(1847-1856).
• He is said to have composed many new ragas
and named them Jogi, Juhi, Shah-Pasand, etc,
and he used the pseudonym "Akhtarpiya" for
his musical compositions.
• The light classical form, thumri, was created
by Wajid Ali Shah.
• The collections Diwan-i-Akhtar and Husn-i-
Akhtar contain his ghazals.
• He introduced Kathak, a major form of
classical Indian dance, as a court dance after
the decline of Mughals for recreation activity.
• He introduced the Jogia Jashan, a magnificent
theatrical form featuring Rahas (dance
dramas).
• He wrote extensively in Persian language and
Urdu under the name of “Akhtar,” and his
notable works include Sawat-ul-Qalub, Bani,
Huzn-i-Akhtar, etc.
4.17 Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay
About the visionary:
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay was born on
25th of September, 1916, at Nagla
Chandrabhan village in Mathura district.
• From 1942, he became a full-time member of
the RSS.
• He was a journalist in Rashtra Dharma daily,
worked as an editor for ‘Panchjanya’ and
wrote a column named ‘Political Diary’ for
the weekly ‘The Organiser.’
• His literary contributions include Samrat
Chandragupta, Jagatguru Shankaracharya,
Political Diary, Integral Humanism, Ekatma
Manavvad.
• His philosophy of Integral Humanism
contains visions organized around two
themes: Morality in politics and Swadeshi,
small-scale industrialization in
economies(akin to Gandhian Socialism).
• His main ideas may be seen in his
conceptualization of Bharatiyata, Dharma,
Dharmarajya, and Antyodaya(welfare of the
poorest).
4.18 Matangini Hazara and Kanaklata
Barua
Context: Honoring women freedom fighters.
About Matangini Hazara:
• She hailed from a village near Tamluk district
in Bengal and became a social worker at the
age of 18 after her husband’s death.
• She became a Gandhian and led a freedom
march to the Governor’s palace, after which
she was sentenced to 6 years of prison.
• At the age of 61, she was arrested for taking
part in the Civil Disobedience Movement in
1930 and the Salt March led by Gandhiji.
24
• During the Quit India Movement launched
by Gandhiji in August 1942, she led a
procession to take over Tamluk police station,
consisting of 6000 protestors, mostly women.
• She was martyred in the police firing during
the protest.
About Kanaklata Barua
• Barua, then 17, led the Mrityu Bahini, a
procession of freedom fighters, to unfurl the
Tricolour at Gohpur police station, Assam,
on September 20, 1942.
• When police did not let them move forward,
an altercation led to firing, killing Barua at the
head of the procession.
• She was one of the youngest martyrs of the
Quit India Movement.
4.19 Shri Ramalinga Swamy
Context: PM addresses on the occasion of the
200th birth anniversary of Shri Ramalinga
Swamy.
About the Swamigal:
• Also known as Vallalar or Ramalinga Adigal,
he belonged to a line of Tamil saints known as
‘gnana siddhars’ (gnana meaning higher
wisdom).
• Vallalar endeavoured to eliminate the caste
system through the notion of Suddha
Sanmarga Sangam (pure path of absolute
truth).
• According to Suddha Sanmarga, the prime
aspects of human life should be love,
connected with charity and divine practice,
leading to pure knowledge.
4.20 Tansen Festival
Context: The Guinness world record for Largest
tabla ensemble set in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh,
during the Tansen festival.
Tansen Music Festival or the Tansen Sangeet
Sammelan:
• It is a unique four-five day festival, dedicated
to Tansen, held every year at his tomb in
Behat village, Gwalior.
• Rashtriya Tansen Samman is an award of the
highest honour in the Indian classical music
industry, presented to an individual who has
made a considerable contribution to classical
music.
About Mian Tansen:
• Tansen or Ramtanu Pandey was a vocalist,
instrumentalist and music composer credited
as the founder of Hindustani classical music.
• He was one of the Navratnas (Nine gems) in
Emperor Akbar's court.
• He was titled Tansen by Raja Vikramjit of
Gwalior and Emperor Akbar gave him the
title of Mian
• He composed Ragas such as Bhairav,
DarbariTodi, DarbariKanada, Malhar,
Deepak, Sarang and Rageshwari.
4.21 Savitribai Phule
About Savitribai Phule (1831-1897):
• Born on January 3, 1831 in Naigaon Village of
Maharashtra, she rose to become a social
reformer, poet, and powerful voice who
played a crucial role in India's social reform
movement during the 19th century.
• She founded the first school for girls at Bhide
Wada, Pune in 1848 and went on to establish
Native Female School and Society for
Promoting the Education of downtrodden
castes.
• She advocated for the rights of widows and
oppressed classes, and fought against
untouchability.
• She and her husband Jyotirao Phule founded
the Satyashodhak Samaj, a social reform
organisation to challenge the caste system.
• In 1863, she and her husband began Balhatya
Pratibandhak Griha, India's first home
prohibiting infanticide, helping pregnant
Brahmin widows and rape victims.
• She also started Mahila Seva Mandal to
educate women about their rights and other
oppressive social customs such as dowry.
• Her literary contributions include Kavya
Phule, Go Get Education and Bhavan Kashi
Subodh.
4.22 Rani Velu Nachiyar
About the Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730 – 1796):
• She was the princess of Ramanathapuram
belonging to the Sethupathi dynasty and is
known by Tamils as Veeramangai.
• She was trained in war match weapons usage,
martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting
using sticks), horse riding and archery.
• She had proficiency with languages like
French, English and Urdu.
• When her husband Muthuvaduganathaperiya
Udaiyathevar, the king of Sivagangai, was
killed by British soldiers and the son of the
Nawab of Arcot, she succeeded him in 1780.
25
4.23 Lachit Divas
About Lachit Borphukan:
• Lachit Borphukan was a legendary Assamese
general and folk hero who led his troops to
victory in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 and
died a year after from an illness.
• He was a military commander who was
chosen as one of the five councillors of the
Ahom kingdom by king Chakradhwaja
Singha, and given administrative, judicial, and
military responsibilities.
• He used guerrilla tactics in warfare which
provided an edge to the smaller, but fast
moving and capable forces.
About the Ahom Kingdom:
• The Ahom kings ruled large parts of present
day Assam, spread across the Brahmaputra
valley from the early 13th century to the early
19th century.
• The Ahoms engaged in a series of conflicts
with the Mughals from 1615-1682, starting
from the reign of Jahangir till the reign of
Aurangzeb.
• One of the major early military conflicts was
in 1662, where the Mughals conquered parts
of Assam and briefly occupied Garhgaon, the
Ahom capital.
• Post this, in a naval battle of Saraighat in
1671, the Ahoms, led by the king Swargadeo
Chakradhwaja Singha, defeated the Mughals.
4.24 Allah Baksh
About Allah Baksh:
• He was a 17th century artist in the court of
Raja Jai Singh of Udaipur, known for the
Mewari Miniature Style of paintings.
• His retelling of the epic Mahabharata(Persian
translation of Mahabharata is called
Razmnamah, by Faizi) through miniature
paintings became famous.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Other Rajasthani Miniature schools of
paintings include Jaipur, Malwa, Bundi,
Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner and Kishangarh schools
of paintings.
4.25 Baba Farid
Context: Baba Farid’s lodge/Sarai (Zawiya Al-
Hindiya) in Jerusalem as a rest stop for Indian
Hajj travelers.

About Baba Farid:
• Baba Farid, born in 1173 CE in the village of
Kothewal near Multan, hailed from a family
that had migrated from Kabul to Punjab.
• He followed the Chishti order and was one of
the first Sufi saints to write his verses in
Punjabi.
• Many of these verses are enshrined in the
Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs.
• During his travels in Punjab and beyond, he
visited Jerusalem, where he prayed at the Al-
Aqsa mosque and composed verses.
• His disciple Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
(1238-1325) made Delhi an important center
of Chishti Silsilah.
4.26 Meera Bai
Context: 525th birth anniversary of Meera Bai.
About the saint(1498-1548):
• Saint Meera Bai is one of the most important
Hindu mystic poets of the 16th century and a
great devotee of Lord Krishna.
• Also known as Yashodha, Meera Bai was born
into a royal family in Kudki, present day Pali
district of Rajasthan, where she received royal
education including music, dance, and
instruction in polity and administration.
26
• She was married to Rana Bhoj Raj, the prince
of Mewar.
• Following his death in 1521, Meera Bai left
Mewar and pursued her devotional journey
towards Lord Krishna, as a Bhakti saint.
• She composed many hymns and songs in Braj
language, considering Lord Krishna as her
divine lover, including Raag Govind, Narsi Ji
Ka Mayara, Geet Govind ki Tika, Meera Bai
ki Malhar, Raag Vihaag and Garba Geet.
• Bhaktmal, a poetry collection, is a biography
of Meera Bai, written by Guru Nabha Dass ji
in 1585 CE in Braj language.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Bhakti Movement:
• The Bhakti Movement probably began in the
Tamil region around the 6th and 7th century
AD and received popularity through the
poems of Alvar and Nayanar saints.
• Hailing from both high and low castes,
Bhakti poets created a formidable body of
literature that firmly established itself in the
popular canon.
• Famous Bhakti movement poets include
Appar, Sundarar, Tukaram, Kabir, Surdas,
Guru Nanak, etc.
 5
Religion, Pilgrimage and Festivals
5.1 Nowruz
About the festival:
• Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is
celebrated on the day of the astronomical
vernal equinox, which usually occurs on 21
March.
• However, the Parsi community in India
celebrates Nowruz almost 200 days after the
rest of the world(in July or August) since they
follow the Shahenshahi calendar.
• The festival is rooted in Zoroastrianism, a
religion practiced in ancient Persia that
predates Christianity and Islam.
• The United Nations General Assembly
proclaimed the International Day of Nowruz
in 2010.
• The festival was also listed as an Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
5.2 Sammed Shikharji
Context: The Jain community has been protesting
over demands related to Sammed Shikhar on
Parasnath Hill (Jharkhand).
About Sammed Shikharji:
• Sammed Sikharji is located on Parasnath Hill,
named after Parshvanatha, the 23rd Jain
Tirthankara, who attained moksha here, in
the Giridih district of Jharkhand.
• It is considered to be the biggest pilgrimage
site by both the Digambaras and the
Svetambaras.
• It is believed that 20 of the 24 Jain
Tirthankaras (Jain spiritual leaders) attained
moksha (salvation) after meditating here.
• In 1768 CE, Jagat Seth rebuilt the temples at
Shikharji to their present configuration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
About Jainism:
• Jainism came to prominence in the 6th century
B.C. when Lord Mahavira propagated the
religion.
• There were 24 Tirthankara (great teachers),
the last of whom was Lord Mahavira.
27
• Holds belief that all living things are
animated by an immortal soul caught in the
cycle of rebirth and death caused by karmic
matter.
• Jain literature is called the Agamas, while the
teaching of Tirthankars before Mahavir is
called Purvas.
• Other scriptures not accepted by all Jains
include Upangas, Chedasutras, Mulasutras
Prakinasutras, and Culikasutras.
About Vardhamana Mahavira:
• Vardhamana Mahavira or Nigantha
Nataputta (in Buddhist texts) was born in 540
BC in Kundagrama near Vaishali, North
Bihar.
• His father, Siddhartha, was the chief of the
Jnatrika clan, and his mother, Trishala, was a
Lichchavi princess connected with the royal
family of Magadha, Anga, and Videha.
• At the age of 42, Vardhamana attained
enlightenment or Kaivalya
• Mahavira propagated Jainism for 30 years,
travelling to regions like Kosala, Magadha,
Mithila, and Champa.
• He died at the age of 72 in 468 BC at Pavapuri,
near Rajgir.
About Paryushan Festival:
• It is a 10-day festival observed by both
Digambar and Shwetambar sects, in the
monsoon season, for introspection, reflection,
and purification.
• During this time, Jains do 12 kinds of
austerities, reflect on shortcomings, seek
forgiveness, and vow to minimize mistakes.
Parasnath Hills
• Parasnath Hills are a range of hills located in
Giridih district of Jharkhand.
• Named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara,
it is one of the most important pilgrimage
centers for Jains.
• It is the highest mountain peak of Jharkhand
(1365m).
• The Santhals call it Marang Buru, the hill of
the deity.
• They celebrate a hunting festival on the full
moon day in Baisakh.
Shetrunjay Hill: 5.4 Attukal Pongala
• Situated on the banks of the Shetrunji River.
• It houses 865 Jain Temples. About the festival:
• It is a sacred site for Shwetambara Jains. • The Attukal Pongala held in Attukal Temple,
Thiruvananthapuram, is the world's largest
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
congregation of women for a festival.
Svetambara Pancha Tirth (five principal
• Pongala means 'to boil over’, where women
pilgrimage shrines)
prepare sweet payasam (rice-jaggery-coconut
● Ashtapad (Mt. Kailash) pudding) and offer it to the Goddess or
● Girnar (Gujarat) ‘Bhagavathy.’
● Dilwara Temple (Mount Abu, Rajasthan) • The ten-day-long celebration commences in
● Sammed Shikarji (Jharkhand) the Malayalam month of Makaram-
● Shatrunjaya (Gujarat) Kumbham (Feb-March) on the Karthika star.

5.3 Sankranti 5.5 Pushkaralu Festival

About Makar Sankranti: It marks the first day of
the sun's transit into the Makara (Capricorn).
About Makaravilakku festival:
• Makaravilakku is an annual festival of great
importance, held every year during Makar
Sankranti in Kerala at the Sabarimala Temple
(Pathanamthitta district).
• Devotees of Lord Ayyappa gather at the
temple to see Makaravilakku (light or flame)
and appear thrice on the Ponnambalamedu
hill, 4 km away from the temple.
About Gangasagar Mela: Gangasagar Mela is
organised every year in the month of January
around Makar Sankranti, at Sagar Island (West
Bengal).
Context: The Pushkaralu festival of Telugu-
speaking people began on April 22 in Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh.
About Pushkaralu Festival:
• The legend behind Pushkaralu involves the
devotee Pushkara being blessed by Lord
Shiva to live in water and purify holy rivers.
• On a request from Bṛihaspati (Jupiter),
Pushkara decided to enter one of the 12 sacred
rivers — Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna,
Kaveri, Bhima, Tapti, Narmada, Saraswati,
Tungbhadra, Sindhu, and Pranhita.
• Each river has its zodiac sign. The river for
each year’s festival is decided in accordance
with Brihaspati’s transition from one zodiac
sign to another.

5.6 Hemis and Thiksey Monasteries

Context: Delegates from 30 countries visited
Hemis and Thiksey monasteries as a part of the
pre-G20 meeting.

Hemis Monastery Thiksey Monastery

• It is a Buddhist • It is located in
monastery located Thiksey at Ladakh.
in Ladakh. • The monastery is
• It is situated on affiliated with the
the western banks Gelugpa sect or
of the Indus Yellow Hat sect of
River. Tibetan Buddhism
• It belongs to the • The monastery is
Red Hat Sect or notable for its
Drukpa(branch of resemblance to the
Kagyu school) Potala palace in
lineage of Lhasa, Tibet, and its
Buddhism. annual Gustor
• The monastery is Festival.

28
 Kambala
famous for its 2- • The Maitreya
day religious Temple, housing the • It is a folk sport practised in coastal Karnataka
ceremony known Maitreya Tulu-speaking districts
as the Hemis Buddha(Future • It is a race driven by a pair of buffalo in sludge
Festival. Buddha) statue, is fields in the days after paddy harvesting.
one of the most • Many communities participate, especially the
popular attractions in Bunt Community, which grooms the
the monastery. buffaloes year round, especially for the event.

5.8 Traditional New Year Celebrations

KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Tibetan Buddhism: Name Of The Festival State(s) And Region
• Tibetan Buddhism evolved as a form of
Mahayana Buddhism incorporating many Puthandu/Varsha Tamil Nadu
elements of Vajrayana Buddhism of the early Pirappu
Medieval period.
• It is practiced in Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia and Vishu Kerala
Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in
India. Vaishakhi Punjab
• It has 4 major schools, namely, Nyingma,
Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug. Bohag Bihu/Rongali Assam
Bihu/Xaat Bihu

5.7 Jallikattu Naba Barsha/Pohela West Bengal

Boishakh
Context: The Supreme Court upheld the
amendments by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and
Karnataka to The Prevention of Cruelty to Jurshital Bihar and Nepal
Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, allowing jallikattu,
kambala, and bullock-cart races. Bikhoti Uttarakhand
About Jallikattu:
Ugadi Andhra Pradesh,
• Jallikattu/Eruthazhuvuthal, is a bull-taming
Telangana, Karnataka
sport traditionally played in Tamil Nadu as
and parts of Goa
part of the Pongal harvest festival.
• The Pongal festival is a celebration of nature,
Gudi Padwa Maharashtra, Goa
and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, of
which cattle-worship is part.
Ashadhi Bij Kutch
• In this sport, men compete against each other
to hold on to the humps of agitated bulls that
Cheti Chand Sindh
are released into an open arena.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Sajibu Cheiraoba Manipur
Constitutional articles related to Jallikattu:
• Article 29(1): Any section of the citizens Nowruz Zoroastrians
having a distinct language, script or culture of
its own shall have the right to conserve the
same. 5.9 Thrissur Pooram Festival
• Articles 51-A (g) and 51-A (h): Fundamental
duty to protect the environment and develop a About the festival:
scientific temper, humanism, spirit of • Celebrated in the Malayalam month of
inquiry, and reform, respectively. Medam (April-May) on the day of the lunar
• Article 48: State should endeavor to organise star sign Pooram, Thrissur Pooram signifies
agriculture and animal husbandry on modern the symbolic meeting of 10 temples in and
and scientific lines. around Thrissur.

29
• The festival is confined to the temples of
Devis (Bhagavathy) and Sasthas and is held
at the Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple.
5.10 Mithuna Sankranti
About Mithuna Sankranti:
• Also called Raja Parba, Mithuna Sankranti is a
3-day festival in the mid June, celebrated in
Odisha to honour womanhood and
menstruation (Raja word from Rajaswala
meaning menstruating woman).
• The second day of the festival signifies the
sun's transition to the Mithuna month, the
beginning of monsoon.
• It is believed that Goddess Earth, the consort
of Lord Vishnu, undergoes menstruation
during 3 days of the festival and prepares
herself for the arrival of monsoon for carrying
out agricultural activities.
• It is similar to Ambubachi Mela.
Ambubachi Mela:
• It is a 4-day annual fair held at the Kamakhya
temple (on Nilachal Hills in Guwahati,
Assam), one of the 52 Shakti Peeth, to honour
and celebrate the menstruation of Goddess
Kamakhya.
• It is held during monsoon, in the Assamese
month of Ahaar (mid-June), when the sun
transits to the Mithuna zodiac.
• The festival is also known as Ameti or the
Tantric fertility festival.
Kharchi Puja:
• Also known as the Festival of 14 Gods, it is
celebrated annually in Tripura to worship the
Chaturdasha Devata or 14 Gods and Mother
Earth.
• It is believed that the presiding deity of
Tripura, Goddess Tripura Sundari,
menstruates during the Ambubachi time
(June). Hence this festival, held in the month
of Ashada(July or August), symbolises
cleansing of the Earth and washing off of the
sins of people.
5.11 Dharma Chakra Pravartan Day
Context: Dharma Chakra Pravartan Day is
celebrated by the International Buddhist
Confederation under the aegis of the Ministry of
Culture.
30
About Dharma Chakra Pravartan:
• Dharma Chakra Pravartan, or setting the
wheel of Dharma in motion, marks the day of
Gautama Buddha’s first teaching, after
attaining enlightenment, to the first 5
disciples (panchavargiya) at the Deer Park,
Risipatana Mrigadaya at Sarnath.
• The day falls on the full moon day of
Ashadha, as per the lunar calendar, and is
also known as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and
Asanha Bucha in Thailand.
• This day is also the beginning of the Rainy
Season retreat (Varsha Vassa) for the Monks
and Nuns, lasting for three lunar months
from July to October, during which they
remain in a single place, generally in their
temples, dedicated to intensive meditation.
• The day is also observed as Guru Purnima by
both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark
reverence to their Gurus.
5.12 Mylara Cult
Context: Stone idol and sculpture of
Mylareshwar found in Udupi.
About Mylara Cult:
• Mylareshwar is known as Khandoba in
Maharashtra and North Karnataka region.
• The Mylareshwar Cult, an ancient spiritual
phenomenon, commanded considerable
reverence across the Deccan and Coastal
Karnataka.
• A temple dedicated to Mylareshwara,
worshipped in the form of a linga, stands in
Kundapur, Udupi, and an epigraphical
reference to Mylareshwar worship was also
found in Basrur, Udupi.
5.13 Aadi Perukku
About the Festival:
• Celebrated by Tamils everywhere, the Aadi
Perukku, or Pathinettam Perukku, falls on the
18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi (mid-
July to mid-August ), which is the beginning
of monsoon season in Tamil Nadu.
• On this day, women carry pots of germinated
navadhanya on their head and move in a
procession towards water bodies, where they
offer prayers and seek divine blessings for
their crops by way of abundant monsoon.
• River goddess is worshipped variously as
Amman, Parvati, and Cauvery herself on this
occasion.
5.14 Mysuru Dussehra
About the Festival:
• Mysuru Dasara also known as 'Nada Habba'
(Karnataka's State Festival), is a grand
celebration honouring Goddess
Chamundeshwari, the revered deity of the
Mysuru Wodeyar royal family.
• The 10-day festivities culminates with the
'Jumbo Savari' procession, where the
Goddess's idol is paraded atop a golden
pedestal mounted on an elephant.
5.15 Samakka Sarakka Jathara
Context: Union Cabinet approval for Sarakka
Central Tribal University in Mulugu district,
Telangana.
About Samakka Sarakka Jathara:
• The Sammakka Sarakka Jathara is a famous
tribal festival, which is often referred to as the
Kumbh Mela of the tribals.
• The event commemorates the battle of the
13th-century mother-daughter duo against
the local rulers in protest against imposing
taxes on the Koya people of Andhra Pradesh.
5.16 Jehovah’s Witness
Context: Blast at Jehova’s Witness convention
centre in Kochi, Kerala.
About Jehovah's Witness:
• Jehovah’s Witness is a Christian sect that
originated in the 1870s by the American
Pastor Charles Taze Russell. They have been
in India since 1905, and established an office
in Mumbai in 1926.
• It has beliefs, which rejects the Holy Trinity
and believes in Jehovah as the “the one true
and Almighty God, the Creator”, who is “the
God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus”.
• They see Jesus as the King of God's Kingdom
in heaven, but not as the Almighty God.
• They base their faith solely on the Bible and
avoid celebrating holidays like Christmas and
Easter due to their pagan origins.
• Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their
evangelism(spreading of Christian gospel by
public preaching or personal witness).
31
5.17 Jain Sculptures
Context: Three Jain sculptures dated around
11th century CE were discovered in Varuna
village in Mysuru district in Karnataka.
Jain Tirthankara Sculptures in India:
• Most sculptures of the 24 Jain Tirthankars are
represented either in the seated lotus position
or Khadgasana posture.
• Some of the famous Jain sculptures include
Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola,
Jain sculptures in Halebidu, sculptures in
Dilwara temples near Mount Abu, etc.
Spread of Jainism in Karnataka:
• In the 3rd century BC, Acharya Bhadrabahu
led Jain Sangha, including Chandragupta
Maurya, migrated to the south due to a
famine, where they spread the religion.
• Acharya Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta
Maurya undertook sallekhana at Chandragiri
Hills, Shravanabelagola.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Khadgasana: Khadgasana refers to standing
posture(asana) with feet at a distance of about
two inches from each other, the hands resting
naturally by the sides, but not so as to touch
the body
Sallekhana refers to the religious voluntary
practice of fasting to death by reducing the
quantity of diet.
5.18 Hajj
About Hajj:
• Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the
sacred city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the
holiest city for Muslims.
• The rites of pilgrimage are performed over
five to six days, extending from the 8th to the
12th or 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month
of the Islamic calendar.
• It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, alongside
Shahadah (oath that one believes there is no
god but Allah), Salat (prayer), Zakat
(almsgiving) and Sawm (fasting of Ramadan).
• Hajj is a mandatory religious duty that must
be carried out at least once in their lifetime by
all adult Muslims who are physically and
financially capable of undertaking the journey.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Haj Committee of India: It is a statutory body
under the Ministry of Minority Affairs set up
 under the provisions of the Haj Committee Act,
2002 for making arrangements for the
pilgrimage of Muslims for Haj and for matters
connected therewith.
5.19 Kalaram Temple
About the temple:
• The Kalaram temple, built in 1792 by Sardar
Rangarao Odheka, derives its name from a
black statue of Lord Rama.
• It is situated on the banks of Godavari in the
Panchavati area of the city.
32
• The main temple has 14 steps, representing
the 14 years of Lord Rama's exile.
• The 84 pillars in the temples represent the
cycle of 84 lakh species that one has to
complete to be born as a human.
Historical Importance of the Temple:
• As per an account of the Satyagraha for
Temple Entry in Dhananjay Keer’s book, Dr
Ambedkar: Life and Mission, Dr BR
Ambedkar and social activist Pandurang
Sadashiv Sane, led a satyagraha at the
Kalaram temple on March 3, 1930, demanding
entry for Dalits into the sacred space.
 6
UNESCO Heritage Sites

6.1 Santiniketan
Context: Santiniketan, associated with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has been included in
UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
About Santiniketan:
• Santiniketan(abode of peace in Bengali), located in Birbhum district of West Bengal, was originally a
Brahmachary ashram built by Debendranath Tagore and later transformed into a university town by
Rabindranath Tagore.
• A ‘world university’ was established at Santiniketan in 1921, recognising the unity of humanity or
“Visva Bharati.”
• Santiniketan includes the entire Visva-Bharati University Campus, the core ashram area, and the
Uttarayan complex.
About Rabindranath Tagore:
• He was a visionary from Bengal, proficient in various fields such as poetry, writing, playwriting, etc.
• His major works include Gitanjali Chokher Bali, Maanbhajan, Aparichita, etc.

KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
About ICOMOS: The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)is a France-based
NGO that provides the World Heritage Committee with evaluations of properties with cultural
values that are proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List. It also conducts comparative
studies, provides technical assistance, and reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties.

6.2 Charaideo Moidams

Context: Proposal of Assam's Charaideo Moidams burial sites for inclusion in UNESCO's World
Heritage Sites List for 2023-24.
About Charaideo Moidams:
• Known as the 'Pyramids of Assam,' it served as the first capital of the Ahom Kings and houses the
sacred burial grounds of Ahom royalty and the ancestral Gods of the Ahoms.
• A Moidam is a tumulus or grave mound.
• It was built by Chaolung Sukhapa, the founder of the Ahom dynasty, around 1253 CE.
• It is situated around Sivasagar town in Assam, at the base of Nagaland's foothills.
• Charaideo Moidam includes a large underground vault with one or more domed chambers covered
by earthen mounds, giving it an external appearance of a hemispherical mound.
• The Changrung Phukan (canonical text developed by the Ahoms) provides details about the different
aspects of the Moidams.

33
 7
Ancient-Medieval Texts in News
7.1 Ramcharitmanas of Goswami
Tulsidas
About the Ramcharitmanas:
• Composed in the 16th century in Awadhi
dialect.
• Consists of seven chapters (Kand) narrating
Lord Ram's life from his birth to becoming
king of Ayodhya.
• Derived from sage Valmiki's epic, the
Ramayana.
About Goswami Tulsidas:
• Tulsidas, originally named Ram Bola
Dubey.
• Composed Ramcharitmanas on the banks of
River Ganga in Varanasi.
• He was the contemporary of Emperor Akbar.
• Tulsidas popularized Lord Ram's story
using a regional dialect.
• Other texts by Tulsidas include Kavitawali,
Tulsi Granthawali, Vinay Patrika, Dohavali,
etc.
7.2 Vedic Heritage Portal
Context: Launch of the Vedic Heritage Portal
and the virtual museum Kala Vaibhav to
preserve India's ancient texts and manuscripts
using technology for future generations.
About Vedic Heritage Portal:
• The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the
Arts (IGNCA) developed the Vedic Heritage
Portal under the Ministry of Culture and is
headquartered in New Delhi.
• It aims to preserve ancient scriptures
digitally for posterity.
• Kala Vaibhav, encompassing 64 arts, exhibits
India's cultural art forms like architecture and
music.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Agama Shastras
• The “Agama Shastra” serves as the guideline for all of the details related to religious practice and
may be thought of as a collection or compendium that goes beyond doctrine.
• It is a manual for worship, temple building, rituals, etc, within the traditions of Hinduism,
Buddhism, and Jainism.
34
7.3 Yeats Ten Principal Upanishads
Context: ‘Yeats’- Ten Principal Upanishads were
gifted to the US President by the Indian Prime
Minister.
About Ten Principal Upanishads:
• ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads’ are
translations of the original late-Vedic texts by
Shri Purohit Swami and Irish poet WB Yeats.
About Upanishads:
• Upanishads are the subcategory of Vedas
(among others such as Samhitas, Aranyakas,
and Brahmanas), which serve as foundational
texts in many traditions of Hindus.
• Dated to roughly 800-500 BC, the Upanishads
discuss concepts such as transmigration.
• Adi Shankaracharya’s interpretations of the
Upanishads are synthesized into Advaita
Vedanta tradition.
• Dara Shikoh’s translation of Upanishads is
titled Sirr-e-Akbar.
About Hindu scriptures:
• They are categorised into Shruti and Smriti.
Shruti:
• Shruti means that which is heard.
• It is considered to be the most authoritative
canon and consists of the four Vedas (Rig,
Yajur, Sama, and Atharva), Brahmanas (ritual
texts), Aranyakas (forest or wilderness texts),
and Upanishads (philosophical texts).
• They have been referred to as
Apurusheya(not created by humans) and
were transmitted orally across generations.
Smriti:
• Smriti means that which is remembered and
is usually attributed to an author.
• These include the great epics of Ramayana
and Mahabharata, Dharmashastras, Puranas,
and all other post-Vedic scriptures.
Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 AD):
• Born in Kalady village of Kerala, he was a devotee of Shiva, philosopher and theologian, and the
most renowned exponent of the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy.
• He wrote commentaries on the Brahma-sutra (the principal Upanishads) and the Bhagavadgita and
Gayatri Mantra, among others.
• He established four Mathas in the four cardinal directions of Bharat to spread his teachings-
Joshimath, Uttarakhand; Sringeri, Karnataka; Puri, Odisha; Dwaraka, Gujarat.

35
 8
8.1 Keeladi Excavation
Context: The excavations at Keeladi hamlet in
the Sivaganga district in south Tamil Nadu
prove that an urban civilisation existed during
the Sangam age on the banks of the Vaigai river.
About Keeladi excavation:
• Keeladi in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu
is a Sangam period settlement where a large-
scale excavation is being carried out by the
Archaeological Survey of India.
• It lies near Vaigai River (Source: Varusanadu
Hills. Mouth: Palk Bay).
• It provides an understanding of the missing
links of the Iron Age to the Early Historic
Period.
• It reflects all the characteristics of an urban
civilisation, with brick structures, luxury
items, and proof of internal and external
trade.
• Excavations have also unearthed crystal
quartz (weighing unit), black and red ware,
red slipped ware, and an earthen snake
figurine.
• The antiquities, taken together, suggest that
the prime occupation of the Keeladi people
was agriculture, supplemented by the iron
industry, carpentry, pottery-making, and
weaving.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Adichanallur:
• It is the largest well-preserved urn burial site
in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu,
situated on the banks of Thamirabarani river.
• In 1903-04, British archaeologist Alexander
Rea unearthed a treasure of 9000 objects in
this Iron Age cemetery.
• The site contains many megalithic burial
remains.
• Anthropological study of the remains in
Adichanallur revealed that the people were of
medium height and strong build. The people
had a settled life, and rice and green gram
were cultivated.
• The port city Korkai, of the Pandyan
dynasty, lies on a mound close to
Adichanallur.
36
Archaeology
8.2 Sisupalgarh
Context: Recently, land mafias have damaged a
portion of the wall of the fortified ancient city of
Sisupalgarh.
About Sisupalgarh:
• Located near Bhubaneswar, it was built
around the 7th to 6th century BCE and served
as the capital of the Kalinga kingdom.
• The fortification was carried out in the 4th to
3rd century BCE when King Kharavela took
up the repair of the city 2,100 years ago.
• It was designed and constructed in a complete
square shape that was surrounded by
defensive walls.
• It was an important center of trade and
commerce during ancient times.
• It was declared a Centrally Protected
Monument under the provisions of the
Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904.
8.3 Uttaramerur Inscription
Context: Recently, The Prime Minister referred to
the Uttaramerur inscription in Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu, while discussing India’s democratic
history.
About Uttaramerur Inscription:
• The inscription dates to the reign of Chola
king Parantaka I (907-953 AD) and was found
on the walls of Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
(built by Pallava ruler Nandivarman).
• It provides a detailed description of the
village’s self-governance, including the
functioning of the village sabha, which was
an assembly exclusively of Brahmans.
• The inscription gives details of how members
were selected, the required qualifications,
their roles and responsibilities, and even the
circumstances in which they could be
removed.
Uttaramerur: It lies in the present-day
Kanchipuram district (situated on the banks of
Vegavathi river, tributary of Palar river) of Tamil
Nadu and is known for temples built by the
Pallava and Chola rulers.
8.4 Indus Valley Civilization
Context: A study based on evidence from a
Himalayan cave showed that climate change led
to the collapse of the Indus Civilization.
Findings of the Report:
• The researchers analyzed Stalagmites in a
cave near Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, to assess
the seasonal rainfall over thousands of years,
using high precision Uranium dating.
• The study revealed 3 drought periods of 25-90
years each in the 200 dry years.
• Drought period coincided with the time when
civilization was building cities.
About the Harappan Civilisation:
• The Indus Valley Civilization, or the
Harappan Culture, appeared in the
northwestern part of India and Pakistan and
represents the first phase of urbanisation in
India.

Stage of Harappan Time period Important sites

Civilisation

Pre-Urban Harappan phase 5,000 BC to 2,600 BC Harappa, Kot Diji, Amri

Urban Harappan phase 2,600 BC and 1,900 BC Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Kalibangan,

Dholavira

Post-Urban Harappan phase 1,900 BC to 1,000 BC Cemetery at Harappa, Siswal, Rojdi,

Rangpur

37
8.5 Mesolithic- Era Rock Painting
Context: A Mesolithic period rock painting has
been found in Rudragiri Hillock in Orvakallu
village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
Mesolithic- Era:
• The Mesolithic Age, also known as the Middle
Stone Age, spanned from 9,000 B.C. to 4,000
B.C. in India as a transitional phase between
the Paleolithic and the Neolithic age.
• This age is characterised by the appearance of
Microliths (small-bladed stone tools).
• The people of this age lived on hunting,
fishing, and food gathering; later on, they
also domesticated animals.
• The paintings depicted birds, animals, and
human beings. A considerable number of
painted rock shelters have been found in
Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh.
• It was spread across Rajasthan, south of the
river Krishna, central and eastern parts of
India, and also in southern Uttar Pradesh.
8.6 Homo Naledi
Context: Oldest known burial site in the world
containing specimens of Homo Naledi unearthed
in the Cradle of Humankind, near
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Homo Naledi:
• It is a primitive tree-climbing, stone-age
species at the crossroads between apes and
modern humans.
• It had a brain size of 450 to 600 cubic
centimeters (Human Brain capacity is 1300cc)
and stood about 1.5 meters tall.
• It had curved fingers and toes and tool-
wielding hands and feet made for walking.
• Its shoulders were built for climbing, and its
teeth were shaped like that of older primates.
• Homo Naledi was capable of complex
emotional and cognitive behavior.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Cradle of Humankind
• It is a paleoanthropological UNESCO
Heritage site located near Johannesburg,
South Africa.
• The site is home to the largest concentration of
human ancestral remains in the world.
• The Sterkfontein cave sites, where the
remains of Australopithecus africanus (Mrs.
Ples) were found, are a part of the cradle of
humankind.
38
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Mrs Ples: It is a 2.5 million-year-old complete
skull of a female Australopithecus africanus,
found at Sterkfontein by Robert Broom.
8.7 Neolithic Era Celt
Context: A celt belonging to the Neolithic period
was discovered in Poothinatham village in
Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu.
About Neolithic Age:
• The time span of the Neolithic Age in India
was around 7,000 B.C. to 1,000 B.C.
• This Age is mainly characterised by the
development of settled agriculture and the
use of tools and weapons made of polished
stones like celts (including axes and adzes),
chisels, saddle quern, and microlithic blades.
• Ragi, horse gram, cotton, rice, wheat, and
barley were the major crops grown.
• Pottery first appeared in this age and included
grey ware, black burnished ware, and mat-
impressed ware.
• Both hand-made and wheel-made pottery
were found.
• The oldest Neolithic settlement in the Indian
Subcontinent was Mehrgarh.
Neolithic settlements: Mehrgarh (in Balochistan,
Pakistan), Burzahom (Kashmir), Gufkral
(Kashmir), Chirand (Bihar), Utnur (Andhra
Pradesh), Sanganakallu (Karnataka), etc.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Stone Age
● Paleolithic Age- 5,00,000 BC to 10,000 BC.
● Mesolithic Age- 9,000 BC to 4,000 BC.
● Neolithic Age- 7,000 BC to 1,000 BC.
8.8 Menhir and Megalithic Sites
Context:
• Menhir (single stone) and megalithic burial
sites at Kodumanal in Erode district declared
as protected monuments by Tamil Nadu
Department of Archaeology.
• Megalithic hat stones were found during
salvage excavation by the Kerala Archaeology
Department at Nagaparamba in Kuttippuram
village, near Thirunavaya in Malappuram
District of Kerala.
About Menhir:
• Menhirs are commemorative stone pillars
with heights ranging from 2 to 14 feet planted
vertically in the ground (Menhir in Kerala
found to be 20 feet tall).
• Menhirs are known by various names like
Nilskal, Nintikal, Anekallu, Rakkasakal,
Garbinikal, and so on in South India.
• They are mentioned in ancient Tamil
literature as Nadukal.
About Hat Stones:
• Hat stones, or Hood stones, or Toppikal are
dome-shaped polished stones placed on top
of circular pits that are dug into a rock.
• These circular pits have a stairway, and inside
the pits, funerary urns and other grave
furnishings are kept.
About Megaliths:
• Megaliths are commemorative burial
structures dating to Neolithic, Chalcolithic,
Bronze Age, and Iron Age and are found
across India, especially in the Peninsular
region.
• In the Northeast India and Nilgiri regions,
they exist as living legends.
• There are various types of megaliths- Rock
Cut caves, Hood Stones/Toppikal, Menhirs,
Dolmenoid cist, Cairn circles, Sarcophagus,
Pyriform or Urn burials, etc.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Salvage excavation: Salvage excavation, also
known as rescue archaeology or emergency
archaeology, is conducted in response to a
situation where archaeological remains are
threatened by construction, development, or
other activities.
8.9 Tam Pa Ling Cave
Context: Study on human remains of the Tam Pa
Ling Caves in Laos.
Findings of the study:
• The recent study dated the arrival of modern
humans (Homo Sapiens) on mainland Asia
between 68,000 to 86,000 years ago according
to the findings from the cave in Laos.
• This contrasted with the earlier evidence,
which dated the fossils to 46,000 years ago.
Archaeological dating methods:
• Luminescence dating method - Quantifies the
recent exposure of crystalline materials to
sunlight or heat using quartz and feldspar.
39
• Uranium series dating works by measuring
uranium and the elements into which it
transforms via radioactive decay
• Electron spin resonance dating relies on
measuring the number of electrons in tooth
enamel.
• Micromorphology is a technique that
examines sediments under a microscope to
establish the integrity of the layers that buried
the fossils.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Denisovans
• They are an extinct species of archaic humans
that ranged across Asia through the Lower
and Middle Paleolithic.
• They are known from limited physical
remains and DNA evidence from Siberia and
Tibet.
• Evidence of a 1,50,000-year-old Denisovan
tooth was found in Cobra Cave in Laos.
8.10 Tamil Gnanamuyarchi
Context: Palm manuscripts from the 18th
Century titled Gnanamuyarchi have been
discovered in an Armenian monastery in
Northern Italy.
About the manuscripts found
• It could be a copy of the first translation of
Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercise in Tamil.
• This translation is most likely by Michele
Bertoldi, known in Tamil as
Gnanaprakasasamy.
• This is a prose text from the early 18th
Century (likely the 1720s) and has been
printed several times in the 19th Century by
the Mission Press in Puducherry
• The manuscripts were categorised as Indian
Papyrus Lamulic Language–XIII Century.
• The Armenian monastery opined that the
Armenians in Chennai could have brought the
manuscripts to Italy.
8.11 Kadamba Inscriptions
Context: An inscription in Kannada and Nagari
characters of 10th Century AD, belonging to
Kadamba dynasty period, discovered in
Mahadeva temple in southern Goa.
About Kadambas of Goa (10th-14th century):
• The Kadambas of Goa are descendants of
Mayurasharma (founder of the Kadamba
Kingdom of Banavasi, 345-365 CE)
• They were the feudatory/subordinates of the
Chalukyas of Kalyana.
• Kadamba Shasthadeva was appointed the
Mahamandaleshwar of Goa by the Chalukya
king, Tailapa II as a reward for his help
against the Rashtrakutas.
• Kadamba Shashthadeva later conquered the
city of Chandrapur from the Shilaharas and
established the Goan Kadamba dynasty in 960
CE.
• Chandor, formerly known as Chandrapur,
was the capital of this dynasty, and an
important port.
• King Shashthadeva made the port city of
Gopakpattana as his subsidiary capital after
annexing Goa, Port Gopakapattana and
Kapardikadvipa and a large part of South
Konkan to his kingdom.
8.12 Alupa Dynasty
Context: Inscription connected to the Alupa
dynasty found at Someshwara near Mangaluru.
40
About the inscription:
• The inscription was the first record of the
Alupas that announced the death of the king
Kulashekara I of the Alupa dynasty.
• The inscription also mentioned terms related
to the Siri cult (patron deity of Tulu people)
such as Siri, Dalya and Chattara.
About Kulashekara Alupendra I:
• He was a famous ruler of the Alupas of South
Canara who ruled from both the capitals,
Mangaluru and Barkuru, from 1156 - 1215
AD.
• He laid down strict rules and regulations for
temple administration, which are followed in
all temples of South Canara.
• He was the first ruler to give royal patronage
to Tulu language and culture.
• He also established the Someshwara temple,
in the honor of Soma (form of Shiva) and
adorned with Nava Durga.
 9
Tribes and Communities in News
9.1 Kattunayakan Tribe
Context: The Oscar award for the documentary
"Elephant Whisperers" honours the enduring
heritage of environmental preservation upheld
by the Kattunayakan tribe.
About the tribe:
• Among 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
Groups (PVTGs) of India.
• Reside in parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala
(Nilgiris and surrounding region).
• They speak a mixture of all Dravidian
languages.
• Their spiritual customs are deeply integrated
into their cultural fabric, venerating animals,
birds, trees, stones, snakes, and virtually all
aspects of the natural world.
9.2 Idu Mishmis
Context: The announcement to notify Dibang
Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh as a
tiger reserve caused discontent among the Idu
Mishmi tribe.
About Idu Mishmis:
• The Idu Mishmi is a sub-tribe of the larger
Mishmi group (the other two Mishmi groups
are Digaru and Miju) in Arunachal Pradesh,
known for their weaving and craftsmanship
skills.
• They primarily live in Mishmi Hills,
bordering Tibet.
• Their language (also called Idu Mishmi) is
considered endangered by UNESCO.
• Traditionally animists, the tribe has strong
ties with the region’s rich flora and fauna.
• Tigers are especially important to the Idu
Mishmis — according to Idu mythology, they
were born to the same mother, and thus, tigers
are their “elder brothers.”
• The Idu Mishmis also follow a strict belief
system of myths and taboos — ‘iyu-ena’ —
that restrict them from hunting many animals,
including a complete prohibition on killing
tigers.
41
9.3 Banjara Community
About the Community:
• The Banjara (also known as Lambadi, Gour
Rajput, Labana) are a historically nomadic
trading tribe who may have origins in
Rajasthan.
• The word ‘banjara’ is derived from vanaj,
meaning to trade, and jara, meaning to travel.
• They speak Gor Boli, also called Lambadi,
which belongs to the Indo-Aryan Group of
Languages.
• They celebrate Teej during Shravanam (in the
month of August).
• Fire dance and Chari are the traditional dance
forms of the Banjara people.
• Banjaras have been classified as Denotified
Tribe, Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Castes,
and Other Backward Castes in different parts
of India.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Lambani Embroidery:
• It is an intricate form of textile embellishment
characterized by colourful threads, mirror-
work, cowrie, old coins, etc., using different
types of stitch patterns practiced in several
villages of Karnataka.
• It involves stitching together small pieces of
discarded fabric to create a geometrical grid-
like pattern amalgamating into a beautiful
fabric.
Sant Sevalal Maharaj
• The religious and spiritual leader of Banjaras
was born at Surgondankoppa in Shivamogga
district of Karnataka.
• He traveled across the country with his
Ladeniya Troup to serve especially the forest
dwellers and nomadic tribes.
• His knowledge and expertise in Ayurveda
and Naturopathy aided in eradicating the
tribal superstitions and myths.
• Because of his efforts Banjara community
abandoned the nomadic way of life and
started living in settled communities called
Tandas.
• The Samadhi Sthal of Sant Sevalal Maharaj is
situated in Manora Taluka of Washim District
of Maharashtra at Pohradevi (Banjara Kashi).
9.4 Hul Diwas
Context: Jharkhand celebrates June 30 as ‘Hul
Diwas,’ commemorating the sacrifice of Adivasis
in their fight against British colonial authorities.
About Hul Diwas:
• The meaning of ‘Hul’ is a revolution that
began in 1855 in the Damin-i-Koh region
(Jharkhand) and was led by 2 Santhali
brothers, Sido and Kanhu
• It was an organised war against colonialism
led by the Santhals, standing against the
oppression by the British and their
collaborators such as Zamindars, the police.
Who were the Santhals?
• The Santal people migrated from the Birbhum
and Manbhum regions (present-day Bengal)
in the aftermath of 1770 Bengal famine and
settled in the forested Damin-i-Koh region
under the British East India Company’s
direction.
• With the enactment of the Permanent
Settlement Act of 1790, the East India
Company was desperate to bring an ever-
increasing area in its control under settled
agriculture, and thus, they chose Damin-i-Koh
for the Santals.
• They are mostly distributed in Jharkhand,
Odisha, and West Bengal.
• They are nature worshippers and are seen
paying obeisance at Jaher (sacred groves).
• Their homes, called Olah, have a particular
three-colour pattern on the outer walls.
• Their tribal language is Santhali (recognized
as one of the 8th scheduled languages), which
is written in a script called Ol chiki and
developed by Santhal scholar Pandit
Raghunath Murmu.
42
9.5 Matua Maha Mela
Context: Organisation of the Matua Dharma
Maha Mela at Shreedham Thakurnagar,
Thakurbari, West Bengal
About Matua Community:
• Matua is an Avarna Hindu
community/Namasudra peasant community
belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
• Their religious reformation movement was led
by Harichand Thakur in 1860 in present-day
Bangladesh.
• The community believes in Swayam Diksiti
or Self-realisation by chanting the holy name
of God Hari.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
About Harichand Thakur:
• He belonged to the Namsudra peasant
community and worked for the upliftment of
the untouchable people of Bengal, thereby
establishing the Matua Mahasangha.
• Reforming Vaishnava devotionalism, he
established the Matua sect of Hinduism, whose
basic principles are Truth, Love, and Sanity.
9.6 Sarna Code
Context: Demand for recognition of Sarna code
as a distinct religious code.
About Sarna Code:
• Followers of Sarna faith worship Jal (water),
Jungle (forest), and Zameen (land) and pray
to the trees and hills while believing in
protecting the forest areas.
• Believers of Sarna faith do not practice idol
worship, nor do they adhere to the concept of
the Varna system, heaven-hell, etc.
• The followers are largely concentrated in the
tribal belt states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar,
West Bengal, and Assam.
• Over 50 lakh tribal people in the entire
country put their religion as ‘Sarna’ in the
2011 census, although it was not a code.
9.7 Tribes and Communities in News

TRIBES/COMMUNITIES STATES DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Idu Mishmi, Digaru Mishmi, Arunachal Pradesh Follow Animism.

Miju Mishmi

Kudmi West Bengal, Jharkhand, Peasants of Chotanagpur Plateau.

Odisha

Kurmi West Bengal, Odisha,

Jharkhand

Hakki Pikki Karnataka Nomadic bird catchers and hunters;

Language spoken- Vaghri (Indo-Aryan
language group).

Seng Khasi Tribe Kongthong Village, The Whistling Village; Jingrwai Lawbei
Meghalaya Tradition (Song of the clan’s first
woman) followed.

Tiwa Assam Celebrate Yangli festival, a traditional

harvest festival, once in 5 years.

Kondh Odisha Largest tribe of Odisha, speaks Kui/Kuvi

language of the Dravidian language
family.

Meiteis Manipur Manipur ethnic community residing in

Imphal Valley; Meira Paibis/Mothers of
Manipur represent an important moral
force.

Paddari, Pahari Kabeela, Koli, Jammu and Kashmir

Gadda Brahman

Zo ethnic group Manipur, Mizoram (also Include the tribes of Chin-Kuki-Mizo

in Myanmar and group and sub-tribes like Chin, Kuki,
Bangladesh) Mizo, Lushei, Zomi, Paitei, Hmar, Ralte,
Pawi, Lai, Mara, Gangte, Thadou, etc.;
speak languages belonging to Tibeto
Burman group.

Gutti Koya Andhra Pradesh- Bury the bodies of their physician, priest,
Chhattisgarh border and village leader only and erect stone
memorial; cremate the body of others.

Hattee Himachal Pradesh Close knit community selling home

grown crops and vegetables, wool, meat,
etc in “haats”.

43
 Madiga Telangana, Andhra Schedule caste community, who were
Pradesh, Karnataka and traditional leather workers
Tamil Nadu

Ao Naga Nagaland Belong to Mokokchung District and first

to embrace Christianity; celebrate
Moatsu and Tsungremong festival.

Sumi Naga Nagaland Majorly Christian; few people still

practice animism.

Koya Andhra Pradesh Reside in Papikonda hills; make

About Status of Scheduled Tribes in India:
• pulation: According to the 2011 Census, the
Scheduled Tribes account for 104 million
representing 8.6% of the country’s population.
• Constitutional Status:
○ Article 342(1): It allows the President, after
consulting with the Governor of the state (if
applicable), to specify tribes or tribal
traditional flute using Bison horns
communities as STs through a public
notification.
○ Fifth Schedule: It lays out provisions for
the administration and control of
Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in
States other than Assam, Meghalaya,
Tripura, and Mizoram.

44
 10
Events and Places in News
10.1 Vaikom Satyagraha
Context: 2024 marks the joint centenary
celebration of the Vaikom Satyagraha by Kerala
and Tamil Nadu.
About Vaikom Satyagraha:
• Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement against
caste discrimination where lower castes like
the Ezhavas and Pulayas, which were
considered polluting, protested for their rights
under the leadership of ‘Periyar’ E.V.
Ramaswamy.
• T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon, and
educationist K. Kelappan (also known as
Kerala Gandhi) are considered the pioneers of
the Vaikom Satyagraha movement.
• T.K. Madhavan first raised the issue of temple
entry in a 1917 editorial in his paper
Deshabhimani.
• Portuguese traveller Duarte Barbosa
documented caste pollution, which worked
not only on the basis of touch but also sight.
• In 1923, at the Kakinada session of the Indian
National Congress (INC), KPCC adopted a
resolution to take up anti-untouchability as a
key issue.
• George Joseph briefly led the agitation and
also wrote to ‘Periyar’ to lead the campaign.
• Mahatma Gandhi arrived at Vaikom in 1925
and held a series of discussions with leaders of
various caste groups and met Queen
Sethulakshmi Bai (Maharani Regent) of
Travancore.
10.2 Vadnagar
Context: 2,800 year old settlement discovered in a
joint study by IIT Kharagpur, ASI.
Findings of the study:
• The study shows that Vadnagar had the
presence of 7 cultural stages including
Mauryan, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian or
Shaka, Solanki, Mughal, Gaekwad and British.
• Evidence of human settlement dating to 800
BC, contemporary of late Vedic/pre Buddhist
Mahajanapadas, has been found.
45
• Artefacts like pottery, copper, gold, silver and
iron objects, along with coin moulds of Greek
King Apollodatus, during the Indo Greek
rule, have also been found.
• Study also highlighted climate change behind
the rise and fall of kingdoms.
• One of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries was
also unearthed in the excavation.
Vadnagar's history:
• Also known as Anartapura, Anandapur,
Chamatkarpur, etc, Vadnagar is one of the
living cities like Varanasi, showcasing
architecture of different cultural periods,
extensive water management, and evolving
urban landscape.
• Vadnagar was an important centre of
Sammitya Buddhists, a sect which Chinese
traveller Hieun Tsang also supported.
• Abul Fazl’s Ain-e-Akbari from the 16th
century makes a note of Vadnagar or
Barnagar, as a “large and ancient city
containing 3,000 pagodas, near each of which
is a tank” and “chiefly inhabited by
Brahmans.”
• It is also known for its early historic fortified
settlement, hinterland port, centre for
industries of shells and beads, religious
centre/temple town, a significant junction on
trade routes, and mercantile town.
10.3 Bastille Day
Context: Indian PM’s visit to France on the
occasion of French National Day
About Bastille Day:
• This was the day(July 14th) on which
ordinary people stormed Bastille, a 14th-
century fortress-prison in Paris that was used
to incarcerate political prisoners based on the
King’s order, without trial.
• Before the storming of the Bastille, both
economic and social tensions had been
building up in Paris for a long time because of
the profligate spending by King Louis XVI
and Queen Marie Antoinette, crop failure and
famine.
• Under pressure, Louis XVI summoned the
Estates-General consisting of the clergy (First
Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the
commoners (Third Estate), in which the
commoners formed the majority in numbers
but not in influence.
• After their calls for greater say for commoners
were ignored, one faction broke away and
established a new body called the National
Assembly.
• On June 20, 1789, this body took the Tennis
Court Oath, to unitedly write a new
Constitution for France. Louis XVI,
meanwhile, started moving more troops into
Paris, and on July 11, he dismissed Jacques
46
Necker, his popular and only non-high-born
minister triggering violent protests.
• Then on July 14, a huge, armed mob began
marching towards Bastille and stormed it with
the help of French Guards.
• Bastille Day set in motion the French
Revolution, which altered French political
and social life and influenced the
foundational ideas of democracy across the
world, popularising the slogan of Liberty,
Equality, and Fraternity.
• The French monarchy continued long after
this, but Bastille Day had shown what an
angry and determined group of common
people was capable of.
 11
GI TAG

PRODUCT PLACE FEATURES

Gond Painting Dindori district (Madhya Natural colours used to paint on walls
Pradesh) and floors by women.

Amroha Dholak Uttar Pradesh Wood carved by Sheesham and

Mango trees is used, and goat skin is
fitted to create the instrument.

Mainpuri Tarkashi Uttar Pradesh Inlay works in wood done by brass,

copper, and silver wires; used as
decorative items.

Sambhal Horn Craft Uttar Pradesh Decorative horn-bone craft.

Kalpi Handmade Paper Uttar Pradesh Handmade paper of different sizes

and thickness is made using
traditional techniques.

Jalesar Dhatu Shilp Etah district, Uttar Pradesh Metal art, including bells, anklets,
made by Thatheras community living
in locality called Hathuras

Bobbili Veena Andhra Pradesh Carved from a single piece of

jackfruit wood.

Kondapalli Toys Andhra Pradesh Made from softwood found in

Kondapalli hills; wood pieces joined
using tamarind seed powder and
sawdust and later coloured with
water colors or vegetable dyes.

Uppada Jamdani sarees Andhra Pradesh 300-year-old saree weaving technique

brought from Bangladesh

Tholu Bommalata (Leather Andhra Pradesh Shadow puppetry tradition dating to

Shadow Puppetry) 3rd century BC used by wandering
performers

Manamadurai Pottery Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu Clay sourced from different water
bodies in the district and mixed with
lead and graphite.

Cumbam Grapes Theni District, Tamil Nadu Also known as “Paneer thirachai”, it
can be grown throughout the year.

47
 Udangudi Panangkarupatti Tamil Nadu Type of palm jaggery prepared using
traditional methods and without
chemical additives

Gamosa Assam White cotton (sometimes pat silk)

cloth woven with red thread in the
border.

Basohli Painting Kathua district, Jammu and Belongs to the Pahari School of
Kashmir painting, painted on wood or cloth
using natural dyes.

Udhampur Kalari Jammu and Kashmir Dense cheese prepared as a street

food by the Dogras

Kari Ishad Mango Ankola taluk of Uttara Known for aroma, unique taste, high
Kannada, Karnataka amount of pulp, shape, and size

Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft Udaipur, Rajasthan Damascening or inlaying intricate

patterns using gold and silver wire in
iron weapons

Bikaner Kashidakari Bikaner, Rajasthan Intricate hand embroidery using

Embroidery vibrant coloured threads and mirror
work; traditionally done by the
Meghwal community.

Bikaner Usta Kala Craft Bikaner, Rajasthan Gold emboss works on walls,
ceilings, glass, wood, marble, and
camel leather.

Jodhpur Bandhej Craft Jodhpur, Rajasthan Bandhej or Bandhani is a unique tie

and dye technique

Goan Bebinca Goa Layer of cake of Indo-Portuguese

origin

Goan Cashew Kernel Goa Native to Brazil, introduced by the

Portuguese.

Onattukara Sesame Kerala Contain vitamin E, antioxidants,

linoleic acid, oleic acid, etc, which
help in maintaining good health

Simlipal Kai chutney/Red Ant
Chutney
Mayurbhanj, Odisha Chutney is made by red weaver ants
and contains proteins, calcium,
vitamin B12 and other immunity
boosting nutrients. It is also used as
medicinal oil to cure rheumatism,
gout and ringworm infection.

Kapdaganda shawl Odisha Made by Dongaria kondh tribal

women; it is made using off-white
coarse cloth with red, yellow and

48
 green threads.

Lanjia Saura Painting Odisha Made by the Lanjia Saura

community, these paintings are
exterior murals

Odisha Khajuri Guda Gajapati district, Odisha Natural sweetener obtained from date
palm

Dhenkanal Magji Odisha Sweet made from buffalo milk cheese

Yak Churpi Arunachal Pradesh Cheese prepared from Yak milk by

Brokpa pastoralist community

Tangsa Textile Arunachal Pradesh Textile produced by Tangsa

community of Changlang district

Wooden Ramman Mask Chamoli district, Part of the Ramman festival and
Uttarakhand ritual theater of Garhwal based on
Ramayana

Uttarakhand Likhai Uttarakhand Wooden carvings found in buildings

and temple architecture, in the form of
folk, religious and tantric motifs

Sea Buckthorn Fruit Ladakh Scientific name Hippophae

rhamnoides; found in dry cold desert
of the Himalayas, above tree line

Larnai pottery Meghalaya Artisanal black pottery from Jaintia

hills

About GI Tag:
• Geographical indication is given primarily to agricultural, natural or manufactured products,
handicrafts, and industrial goods originating from a definite geographical territory.
• In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of
Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.
• GI tag is valid for a period of 10 years, following which it can be renewed.

49
 12
12.1 Languages
12.1.1 International Mother Language Day
Context: International Mother Language Day
was observed globally on February 21.
About International Mother Language Day:
• UNESCO designated February 21 as
International Mother Language Day in 1999 to
address global language endangerment.
• The UN General Assembly formally
recognized it in its resolution of 2002.
• Bangladesh put forward the idea of
celebrating the mother language to promote
linguistic and cultural diversity.
• Theme for 2023: “Multilingual education – a
necessity to transform education."
12.1.2 Technical and Scientific
Terminology of Languages
Context: Commission for Scientific and Technical
Terminology, under the Ministry of Education, is
creating technical and scientific terminology of 10
under-represented languages.
About the Programme:
• The languages include Bodo, Santhali,
Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani, Nepali,
Manipuri, Sindhi, Maithili, and Sanskrit.
• The CSTT will bring out fundamental (basic)
dictionaries with 5,000 words per language
in digital, searchable format, and free of cost.
National Testing Agency:
• It is a premier, specialist, autonomous, and
self-sustained testing organization established
to conduct entrance examinations for
admission/fellowship in higher educational
institutions.
• It conducts national examinations, Common
University Entrance Test (CUET), Joint
Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, and
University Grants Commission (UGC)-
National Eligibility Test (NET) to aid in the
preparation of content.
Schedule VIII languages:
• When created in 1950, the list had 14
languages.
50
Miscellaneous
• Sindhi was added in 1967 (21st Amendment
Act).
• Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali in 1992 (71st
Amendment Act).
• Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali in 2004
(92nd Amendment Act).
• There are 22 languages in the list at present.
Commission for Scientific and Technical
Terminology:
• CSTT was established on October 01, 1961,
under Article 344, to evolve technical
terminology in all Indian Languages.
• The main function of the Commission is to
evolve standard terminology, propagate its
use and distribute it widely.
• Under Article 344, the President shall, by
order constitute a Commission which shall
consist of a Chairman and such other
members representing the different languages
specified in the Eighth Schedule as the
President may appoint.
12.1.3 Toto Language
Context: Toto language is set to receive its
dictionary
About Toto language:
• It is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by tribal
Toto people residing in Totopara village of
West Bengal adjacent to Bhutan.
• It is listed as a critically endangered language
by UNESCO, with around 1,000 speakers left.
12.1.4 Languages in 8th Schedule
Context: Recommendation by Odisha
government to include Mundari, Kui, Saora,
Sambalpuri, and Ho in the 8th schedule.
About the said languages:
• More than 6 lakh people belonging to the
Munda and Mundari communities speak the
Mundari language belonging to the
Austroasiatic language family. The script
Mundari Bani was invented by Rohidas
Singh Nag.
• The Kui language is spoken by the Kondh
tribe in Odisha and belongs to the Dravidian
language family. It is written in the Odia
script.
• Saora language is spoken by around 5 lakh
people, and this language has its own script
called Sorang Sompeng, created by Mangei
Gomango in 1936.
• Sambalpuri/Kosali is spoken by more than 75
lakh people of West Odisha and is written in
the Odia script.
• Ho language is spoken by the Ho, Munda,
Kol, and Kolha tribes living in Odisha,
Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal
and Assam. It belongs to the Munda group of
the Austroasiatic language family and is
written with the Warang Citi script.
12.1.5 Kokborok language
Context: Demand for Roman script for Kokborok
language
About the language:
• Kokborok or Tripuri is the lingua franca of a
majority of the 19 tribal communities of
Tripura.
• It belongs to the Bodo-Garo group of
languages in the Tibeto Burman language
family and is spoken in Tripura and
neighbouring regions of Bangladesh.
• It does not have a script of its own and
Bengali or Roman script has been used to
write the language.
• The language was first recognised as the
official state language of Tripura in 1979.
12.2 Kingdoms in News
12.2.1 Vijayanagara Empire
Context: Recently, Salman Rushdie published a
novel, "Victor City," a story of Vijayanagara.
Additional Information:
• Traveller Abd al-Razzaq Samarqandi
chronicled how the ports of Mangalore,
Honavar, Bhatkal, Barkur, Cochin,
Cannanore, Machilipatnam, and Dharmadam
saw traders from Africa, Arabia, Aden, the
Red sea, China and Bengal and also served as
shipbuilding centres.
• The empire’s principal exports were pepper,
ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, myrobalan,
tamarind timber, anafistula, precious and
semi-precious stones, pearls, musk,
ambergris, rhubarb, aloe, cotton cloth and
porcelain.
• Razzaq also reported about the high degree of
monetization in the Vijayanagara kingdom.
• In his classic History of South India, K.A.
Nilakanta Sastri wrote that coins were
minted by the state as well as by merchant
51
guilds using gold, silver, copper, and brass,
and their value depended on material weight.
12.2.2 Sengol
Context: The Prime Minister established the
sacred Sengol, presented by the head of
Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, in the new
Parliament House.
About Sengol:
• The name Sengol is derived from the Tamil
word “Semmai”, meaning Righteousness.
• It is a sceptre that was given by the British to
India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal
Nehru, to represent the transfer of power in
1947.
• Sengol was originally used to mark the
handing over of power from one king to
another during the Chola dynasty in Tamil
Nadu.
• The sceptre measures five feet in length and
has a ‘Nandi’ bull on top, symbolizing justice.
12.3 Sagol Kangjei
Context: Recently, the Union Home Minister
inaugurated a 122-foot-tall statue of a polo player
astride a Manipur Pony in Imphal.
About Sagol Kangjei:
• Modern polo is said to have originated from
Sagol Kangjei, a sport indigenous to
Manipur, in which players ride horses,
specifically the Manipur Ponies.
• These horses are referenced in records dating
back to the 14th century, associated with
ancient manuscripts like Kangjeirol.
• Festivals in Manipur, such as the Lai Haraoba
festival, show a play sequence in which Maibi
(priestess) with a polo stick in hand goes out
in search of a bride.
• There are no goalposts in traditional form, as
the players score a point by hitting the ball out
of the field.
About Lai Haraoba Festival
• Celebrated by the Meitei community
(Manipur) to pay respect and honour to the
local traditional deities and ancestors in the
months of April and May.
• People worship Sanamahi, Pkhangba,
Nongpok Nimgthou, Leimarel, and around
364 Umang Lais (jungle deities).
• The local people dance in front of the idols as
a part of custom.
12.4 Parakaram Diwas
Context: The Prime Minister named 21 islands in
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param
Vir Chakra awardees to mark Parakaram Diwas.
About Parakaram Diwas:
• It is celebrated to commemorate the birth
anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
• It was celebrated as Parakram Divas for the
first time in 2021.
About Param Vir Chakra:
• The Param Vir Chakra, instituted on 26
January 1950 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, is
India's highest military decoration, awarded
for displaying distinguished acts of valour
during wartime.
• Medal cast in bronze translates as the "Wheel
of the Ultimate Brave."
• In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state
emblem, surrounded by four replicas of
Indra's Vajra, flanked by the sword of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
12.5 Sharada Peeth
Context: Efforts to open a corridor to the Sharda
Peeth in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have
been initiated by the government.
About Sharda Peeth:
• It is a revered site for the Hindu community
located in the Neelum Valley (PoK) along the
Line of Control (LoC) in the Kupwara district
of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The remnants of Sharda Peeth lie in a village
known as Shardi or Sardi, where the river
Neelam (Kishanganga) converges with the
Madhumati and Sargun streams.
• It is also one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas
and is considered to be the abode of the
Hindu Goddess Saraswati.
• The temple was also once regarded as the
foremost centre of higher learning in the
Indian subcontinent.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Kartarpur Corridor:
• The Kartarpur Corridor connects the Darbar
Sahib Gurdwara in Narowal district of
Pakistan with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine
in Gurdaspur district in India’s Punjab
province.
• The corridor was built to commemorate the
550th birth anniversary celebrations of
Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism, on
12th November 2019.
52
• Kartarpur Gurudwara is the revered shrine
about 4 km across the border where Guru
Nanak Dev spent the last 18 years of his life.
12.6 Mission To Map Rural India’s
Cultural Assets
Context: The government has identified and
documented unique cultural features of over
100,000 villages in rural India to tap into their
cultural heritage.
About Cultural Asset Mapping:
• The exercise has been carried out under the
aegis of Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (My
Village My Heritage) programme of the
National Mission for Cultural Mapping
(NMCM) under the Ministry of Culture.
• Villages have been categorized into seven-
eight groups based on various factors like
ecological (Bishnoi Village, Rajasthan and
Uttarakhand’s Raini Village), developmental
(Modhera, Gujarat), and scholastic
importance (Sukheti, Himachal Pradesh and
Pandrethan, Jammu and Kashmir).
About National Mission for Cultural Mapping:
• It was launched by the Ministry of Culture in
2017 to develop a comprehensive database of
art forms, artists, and other resources across
the country.
• The program is implemented by the Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
(IGNCA), an autonomous institute
established in 1987 under the Ministry of
Culture.
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar
• It is a survey-based programme conducted by
the Ministry of Culture through the Common
Services Centres under the Ministry of
Electronics and IT.
• The survey involves citizens sharing what
makes their village, block, or district unique.
12.7 Sarbat Khalsa
About Sarbat khalsa:
• It is an assembly of all factions of Sikhs
(Khalsa) which dates back to the 18th century.
• Following the death of the tenth Guru, Guru
Gobind Singh, the Sikh misls (military units)
began to convene the Sarbat Khalsa to discuss
political, social, and religious issues in the
midst of the Sikh struggle against the
Mughals.
• These gatherings, called twice a year on the
occasion of Baisakhi and Diwali, had the
power to issue directions to all Sikhs.
• It was conducted in a democratic manner and
was also used to appoint the Sikh leader after
the death of Banda Singh Bahadur.
• The establishment of the Sikh kingdom by
Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1799 ended the era
of the Sikh misls, and the need for the
institution of the Sarbat Khalsa.
• In the 20th century, the formation of the
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak
Committee (SGPC) further reduced the need
for Sarbat Khalsa.
12.8 Women Contributors to the
Constitution
About the contribution:
• 11 women members of the Constituent
Assembly were G Durgabai, Ammu
Swaminathan, Amrit Kaur, Dakshayani
Velayudhan, Hansa Mehta, Renuka Ray,
Sucheta Kripalani, Purnima Banerjee, Begum
Qudsiya Aizaz Rasul, Kamala Chaudhri and
Annie Mascarene.
• Hansa Mehta- was in Fundamental Rights
Sub Committee in the Advisory Committee
• Amrit Kaur- in both sub-committees of the
Advisory Committee (chaired by Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel), namely Fundamental
Rights and Minorities Sub Committee.
• G Durgabai- was in 2 committees on
procedural affairs- The Steering Committee
and the Rules Committee.
• Dakshayani Velayudhan was the only
woman member from the Scheduled Castes
communities.
12.9 UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Context: On World Cities Day (October 31), 55
cities, including Gwalior and Kozhikode, joined
the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
About Creative Cities:
• The UCCN was created in 2004 to promote
cooperation with and among cities that have
identified creativity as a strategic factor for
sustainable urban development.
• The Network covers seven creative fields:
Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts, Film,
Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music.
• From India, Gwalior was recognized in the
'Music' category, while Kozhikode in the
'Literature' category.
53
• Other Indian cities included in UCCN Jaipur-
Crafts and Folk Arts (2015), Varanasi-
Creative City of Music (2015), Chennai-
Creative City of Music (2017), Mumbai- Film
(2019), Hyderabad- Gastronomy (2019) and
Srinagar- Crafts and Folk Arts (2021).
12.10 Kashi Tamil Sangam
Context: Recently, the Prime Minister
inaugurated the second edition of the Kashi
Tamil Sangamam at Namo Ghat, Varanasi.
About Kashi Tamil Sangamam:
• The programme aims to celebrate the many
aspects of the historical and civilisational
connection between India’s North and South.
• It encompasses lectures covering literature,
ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music,
dance, drama, yoga, and Ayurveda.
• It is part of the government's 'Ek Bharat
Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam programme.'
• The Ministry of Education, in collaboration
with other ministries like Culture, Textiles,
Railways, Tourism, Food Processing, I&B, etc,
and the Govt of Uttar Pradesh, is the Nodal
agency.
• IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University
are the implementing agencies.
• The first phase of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam
was organised from 16th November to 16th
December 2022.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Initiative:
• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme aims
to enhance interaction & promote mutual
understanding between people of different
states/UTs through the concept of state/UT
pairing.
• The states carry out activities to promote a
sustained and structured cultural
connection in the areas of language learning,
culture, traditions & music, etc.
12.11 Vajra Mushti Kalaga
Context: The traditional sport was held at
Mysuru palace to mark Vijayadashmi of the
Wodeyars.
About the sport:
• It is a form of wrestling, different from the
conventional grappling, and entails two jettys
(fighters) taking a swipe at each other’s head
with a knuckleduster (a weapon).
• The player first to draw blood from the
opponent’s head is declared the winner.
• Though this form of wrestling was popular
during the period of the Vijayanagar rulers, it
has gone extinct and takes place only during
Dasara celebrations.
54
• The first record of this wrestling form is found
in Manasollasa, a manual of wrestling,
written by King Someshwara III of the
Chalukyan dynasty.
• Medieval Portuguese traveler, Fernando
Nuniz, wrote about this wrestling form.
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