UPSC Prelims 2013 Analysis

Explanation

Tribhanga or Tribunga is a (tri-bent pose) standing body position or stance used in traditional Indian sculpture, art, and Indian classical dance forms like Odissi.

As compared with the contrapposto pose, Tribhanga, literally meaning three parts break, consists of three bends in the body; at the neck, waist, and knee, hence the body is oppositely curved at the waist and neck which gives it a gentle "S" shape and is considered the most graceful and sensual of the Odissi positions.

It has been closely associated with the Hindu deity Krishna who is often portrayed in this posture.

Explanation

1. Limboo (Limbu) Limbu, the second most numerous tribe of the indigenous people called Kiranti, live in Nepal, on the easternmost section of the Himalayas east of the Arun River, and in northern India, mostly in the states of Sikkim, West Bengal, and Assam.

2. Karbi Karbi people live in Assam and Meghalaya, not Himachal Pradesh.

3. Dongaria This one is correct. The Dongaria Kondh tribe is indigenous to Odisha.

4. Bonda The Bonda tribe resides in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, not Tamil Nadu.

Explanation

The founder of the Sankya School of Philosophy was Maharishi Kapil.

There are some distinct features of this philosophy There are only two realities viz. Purusha and Prakriti. The above three points lead to the conclusion that this school does not believe in the existence of God.

Sankhya School of Philosophy, dualism consists of the fundamental differences between consciousness and matter. It is different from dualism in the West because that dualism differentiates between mind and body. According to this philosophy, the knowledge that leads to Liberation i.e Viveka Jnana (knowledge through discrimination). Hence statement 2 is correct.

Sankhya accepts the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul. Hence statement 1 is not correct.

Explanation

Mural, is a painting applied to and made integral with the surface of a wall or ceiling.

The term may properly include painting on fired tiles but ordinarily does not refer to mosaic decoration unless the mosaic forms part of the overall scheme of the painting.

It is well known that the Ajanta caves have mural paintings. These paintings have Buddhist religious themes and depict the Jatakales.

The Lepakshi temple also has mural paintings of Vijayanagara kings.

The Sanchi stupa, on the other hand, does not have mural paintings.

Explanation

The oldest caves in India are the Barabar rock-cut caves and not the Badami, so statement one is incorrect. The Barabar caves were built during the 3rd Century BC and belong to the period of Ashoka and his son Dasaratha. Those caves were used by the ascetics of the Ajivika sect. Thus, statement 2 is also incorrect.

Statement 3 is correct. The caves at Ellora depict Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

On the other hand, the caves at Ajanta are mostly Buddhist.

Explanation

Nirvana (Sanskrit for "becoming extinguished" or "blowing out") is a central concept in Indian religious thought, particularly within Buddhism.

It represents the ultimate goal sought by practitioners of certain meditation disciplines, signifying the extinction of desire, hatred, and ignorance.

In Buddhism, Nirvana holds the distinction of being the oldest and most prevalent designation for the ultimate objective on the Buddhist path. This state of liberation is believed to lead to the cessation of suffering and rebirth.

Explanation

Jainismis, Indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence (ahimsa, literally noninjury) to all living creatures.

The annihilation (nirjara) of karma comes about through penance.

Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of entities such as stones, rocks, running water, and many other natural objects not looked upon as living by other sects.

The Jaina holds that every living and non-living being is gifted with souls. They are obstructed by karma, just as the natural light of the sun is hindered by clouds. By removing the karma, a soul can remove bondage and regain its natural perfections.

Explanation

A chaitya is a Buddhist shrine or prayer hall with a stupa at one end. In modern texts on Indian architecture, the term chaitya-griha is often used to denote an assembly or prayer hall that houses a stupa.

Vihara generally refers to a monastery for Buddhist renunciates. The concept is ancient and in early Sanskrit and Pali texts, it meant any arrangement of space or facilities for pleasure and entertainment.

The term evolved into an architectural concept wherein it refers to living quarters for monks with an open shared space or courtyard, particularly in Buddhism. The term is also found in Ajivika, Hindu, and Jain monastic literature, usually referring to the temporary refuge for wandering monks or nuns during the annual Indian monsoons.

In modern Jainism, the monks continue to wander from town to town except during the rainy season (Chaturmas), the term "vihara" refers to their wanderings. Vihara or vihara hall has a more specific meaning in the architecture of India, especially ancient Indian rock-cut architecture. Here it means a central hall, with small cells connected to it, sometimes with beds carved from stone.

Explanation

Babur took over in 1526, Dadu Dayal lived between 1544-1603 and Tyagaraja between 1767-1847, thus statements one and three are definitely incorrect.

Guru Nanak lived between 1469 and 1539 and was preaching in 1526 when the Lodi Dynasty fell and Babur took over.