All questions of Additional Topics: Nitin Singhania for UPSC CSE Exam

D

Answer:

Introduction:
India is known for its rich culture, traditions, and diversity. Along with that, India has also been the land of circuses for centuries. Many circuses have come and gone, but the Jumbo Circus has remained the pride of India for many years.

The Jumbo Circus:
The Jumbo Circus is also known as the Pride of India. It is one of the oldest and most popular circuses in India. The circus was founded in 1977 by Mr. K. H. Rahman. The circus is famous for its amazing performances, talented artists, and trained animals.

Performances and Artists:
The Jumbo Circus has a variety of performances that include acrobatics, juggling, trapeze acts, and many more. The circus has a team of talented artists who are trained in these performances. They practice tirelessly to put up a spectacular show every time.

Trained Animals:
The Jumbo Circus is also known for its trained animals. The circus has a team of elephants, horses, and dogs that perform various tricks and stunts. These animals are trained with care and love, and they are an integral part of the circus.

Conclusion:
The Jumbo Circus is a symbol of India's rich culture and traditions. It has entertained people for decades and continues to do so. The circus is a source of pride for the country and is loved by people of all ages.

A) 1 only
they presently broadcasting in 23 languages.

Kerala

These awards are also given by the Sahitya Akademi. Every year the Akademi chooses writers who have made significant contribution to Indian languages other than the 24 maior languages covered by the Sahitya Akademi award, and also for contribution to classical and medieval literature. The Bhasha Samman comprises a plaque and a cash prize of one lakh twenty thousand rupees. The first Bhasha Sammans were awarded to Sri Dharikshan Mishra for Bhojpuri, Sri Chandra Kanta Mura Singh for Kokborok, Sri Bansi Ram Sharma and Sri M.R. Thakur for Pahari (Himachali), Sri K. Jathappa Rai and Sri Mandara Keshava Bhat for Tulu for their contribution to the development of their respective languages.

The Nalanda Mahavihara established in the 5th century AD, was one of the greatest achievements of India in the field of Education. Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese Buddhist traveller, studied at Nalanda for two years under the guidance of Shilabhadra. He was given an Indian name Mokshadeva here. I-Tsing, a Chinese Buddhist traveller stayed at Nalanda for 10 years. Shantarakshita, who pioneered the propagation of Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century, was a scholar of Nalanda. Other scholars associated with Nalanda Mahavihara included Aryabhatta, Atisha, Dignaga, Dharmapala and Nagarjuna.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'A' - Statement 1 and 2 are correct.

Here is the explanation for each statement:

Statement 1: Bengali language is also the official language of Bangladesh
- This statement is correct. Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh. It is also known as Bangla and is spoken by the majority of the population in Bangladesh. It is recognized as the national language and is used for official and educational purposes in the country.

Statement 2: Tamil language is also the official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore
- This statement is correct. Tamil is one of the official languages of Sri Lanka and Singapore. In Sri Lanka, Tamil holds official language status along with Sinhala, and it is widely spoken by the Tamil community. In Singapore, Tamil is one of the four official languages, along with English, Malay, and Mandarin. It is mainly spoken by the Tamil community in the country.

Statement 3: Sanskrit was also the official language of Japan
- This statement is incorrect. Sanskrit was not the official language of Japan. The official language of Japan is Japanese, which is spoken by the majority of the population. Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan language and was primarily used in religious and philosophical texts in ancient India. It did not have official language status in Japan or any other country.

To summarize, Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh, Tamil is the official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore, but Sanskrit was not the official language of Japan. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' - 1 and 2 only.

Jnanpith Award: It is also known as the Gyanpeeth Award (Seat of Knowledge) and is given for outstanding literary achievement. It was instituted in 1961 by the Bharitya Jnanpith, a trust run by the Jain family famous for founding the newspaper The Times of India. It is given to those Indian citizens who compose literature in one of the 22 languages listed in the Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution and English. Apart from a plaque and a cash prize of 11 lakh rupees, the winner is also given a bronze statue of Goddess Saraswati.

It is directly under the aegis of the Ministry of culture and it is the foremost institution for archaeological researches conducted across India. It has been charged with preservation of the cultural heritage of our nation. Its focus is on the preservation of physical and tangible heritage that is accumulated in the ancient monuments and archaeological sites. The provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, guide ASI. Another major legislation that directs the working of the ASI, is the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972. This Act directs ASI to prevent the illegal export of Indian antiquities from our nation. Although the ASI is charged with the control over all heritage sites across the nation, for the smooth functioning, the entire country has been divided into 24 Circles, which concentrate on preservation of monuments under their jurisdiction.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'D' - All of them.

Explanation:

Let's analyze each statement to determine its correctness:

1. The puppets are generally 8-9 inch miniature figures chiselled out of wood: This statement is correct. It states that the puppets are made from wood and are generally 8-9 inches in size. This implies that the puppets are small in size and are crafted from wood through the process of chiseling.

2. Small wooden pipes are created with the body to form the limbs. The body is then covered with a colourful miniature dress and stitched: This statement is correct. It describes the process of creating the limbs of the puppets. Small wooden pipes are used to form the limbs, and then the body is covered with a colorful miniature dress, which is stitched onto the body. This implies that the puppets have movable limbs made from small wooden pipes and are dressed in colorful miniature dresses.

3. Miniature pieces of jewellery and other accessories are attached to give a realistic feel: This statement is correct. It mentions that miniature pieces of jewelry and other accessories are attached to the puppets to enhance their appearance and give them a realistic feel. This implies that the puppets are adorned with small decorative items to make them more visually appealing and lifelike.

Therefore, all the given statements are correct and provide accurate information about the features of string puppets.

Centre for cultural Resources and Training (CCRT)

The correct answer is option 'A' - 1 only.

Explanation:

The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) is an autonomous body that aims to link education with culture. It was established by the Ministry of Culture, not the Ministry of Human Resource Development as mentioned in statement 2.

1. It is an autonomous body and has its headquarters in New Delhi.
This statement is correct. The CCRT is indeed an autonomous body, meaning it functions independently, and it is headquartered in New Delhi. The CCRT was established in 1979 as an autonomous organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Its headquarters are located in New Delhi.

2. It was instituted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for linking education with culture.
This statement is incorrect. The CCRT was instituted by the Ministry of Culture, not the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Its primary objective is to link education with culture by promoting cultural education in schools, training teachers, and organizing various cultural events, workshops, and exhibitions.

In conclusion, statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' - 1 only.

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is under the aegis of the Ministry Culture and was established to conduct programmes that promote Indian culture international platform. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who firmly believed in prom cultural exchanges with other countries and cultures, established it in 1950. ICCR focuses on the formulation and implementation of the programmes and policies that are deeply rooted in the external cultural relations between India and other nations. With globalisation, the platforms of cultural exchanges among nations have taken various forms. ICCR funds various programmes relating to visual and performing arts that are international in their appeal. They provide grants in support of programmes like the Jazz Festival in New Indian Council for Cultural Relations Delhi, the North-East Music Festival in Guwahati, etc. Directorate of film festivals has also been given the additional charge to organised in National Film Award Function.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage or INTACH is a non-profit NGO, which was founded in 1984 in New Delhi. The primary purpose of the organisation was to spearhead awareness regarding our heritage and to take steps to conserve it. The organization has various branches that are called 'Chapters'. Currently, they have Chapters in about 170 Indian cities and several international ones too. The first governing council of the INTACH consisted of noted people like the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, M.G.K Menon, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Madhavrao Scindia etc.

String puppet: Kathputli Kundhei Gombeyaata Bommalattam

Statement 1: King Ashoka made great efforts to propagate Buddhism outside India.
This statement is correct. King Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism outside India. After the Kalinga War, which caused immense suffering and loss of life, Ashoka converted to Buddhism and became a devoted follower of the religion. He embarked on a mission to spread the teachings of Buddhism to neighboring regions and beyond. Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to various parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma, and even as far as Greece and Egypt. His efforts greatly contributed to the global dissemination of Buddhism.

Statement 2: Thonmi Sambhota, a Greek minister, was a student at Nalanda.
This statement is incorrect. Thonmi Sambhota was not a Greek minister but a Tibetan scholar and minister. He is known for his role in the development of the Tibetan script and his contributions to the translation of Buddhist texts into Tibetan. Nalanda, on the other hand, was a renowned ancient center of learning in India, but there is no evidence to suggest that Thonmi Sambhota was a student there.

Statement 3: Sundo was the first Buddhist monk who entered Korea carrying a Buddha image.
This statement is correct. Sundo, also known as Marananta, was a Buddhist monk from India who is believed to be the first to introduce Buddhism to Korea. According to historical records, Sundo arrived in Korea in the 4th century CE carrying a small Buddha image and introduced the teachings of Buddhism to the people. His arrival marked the beginning of Buddhism's influence in Korea, which eventually became one of the major centers of Buddhist practice in East Asia.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C) - 1 and 3 only.

Zero was invented by Aryabhatta. Indians, as early as 500 BCE, had devised a system of 500 BCE, had devised a system of different symbols for every number from one to nine. This notation system was adopted by the Arabs called it the numerals. Moreover, the maritime traders took the decimal system to Arabia. The Arabs acknowledged their debt to India by calling mathematics "hindisat' (pertaining to India). The concepts were later adopted by the western world from there. The binary number system was first described by the Vedic scholar Pingala, in his book Chhanda Shastra which is the earliest known Sanskrit treatise on prosody (the study of poetic metres and verse) in the 3rd/2nd century BC.

1

Explanation:

Overview:
The Dada Saheb Phalke Award is a prestigious award in the Indian film industry. Let's analyze the statements provided in the question.

Statement 1:
The statement that the Dada Saheb Phalke award is awarded by the Sahitya Academy is incorrect. The Sahitya Academy is primarily focused on promoting Indian literature and is not associated with the Dada Saheb Phalke award.

Statement 2:
The statement that the Dada Saheb Phalke award is India's highest award in cinema is correct. The Dada Saheb Phalke award is indeed considered the highest honor in Indian cinema and is conferred by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B) 2 only.

Padma Awards: These awards were introduced in 1954 and are being given to deserving individuals for their exceptional services in their chosen fields like Sports, Art, Social work, Civil Service, Literature and Education, Public Affairs, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, etc. The names of the awardees are announced every year on Republic Day. There are several rules concerning the Padma awards, for example, if someone is a recipient of a lesser degree of the Padma awards, they can be awarded a higher degree of award only after five or more years since the last conferment. Secondly, the awards are rarely given posthumously, but exceptions can be made, if the case highly deserves. Thirdly, there ought to be an element of public service in the achievements of the person to be selected. It should not be merely on the basis of excellence in any field, but it should be based on excellence plus. Fourthly, Government servants including those were doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these awards.

This is one of the oldest institutions that was created by the British to keep the administrative records pertaining to the Indian state. The idea of its establishment is attributed to the British Civil Auditor, Sandeman, who wanted a 'Grand Central Archive' to protect all the valuable records in 1860. The archive or the 'Imperial Records Department (IRD) was first established in 1891 in the old British capital- Calcutta under the auspices of Prof. G.W. Forrest.

The title Bharat Ratna literally means 'Jewel of India' and it is the highest civilian award bestowed by the Republic of India. Bharat Ratna is awarded to exceptional individuals who have performed in the highest order. It was first given in 1954. Although this award was originally given to those artists who had outstanding achievements in art, science, literature and public service, but in December 2011, the criteria was expanded to include 'any field of human endeavour'. The Prime Minister of India makes the recommendations to the President of India who chooses not more than three people in a particular year for the award. Although no money is given to the awardees, those who are chosen are given a peepal-leaf shaped medal and a certificate (sanad). According to the Indian Order of Precedence, those who are given Bharat Ratna are ranked seventh. The award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipients name, in terms of Article 18(1) of the Constitution.

Crafts Council of India: The Council of India or CCI is a non-profit organisation that promotes activities serve and develop handicraft industry in India. Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay who wanted to help the craft persons to get regular work and recognition for their craft, established the CCI in 1976. Although their headquarter is located in Chennai, they have over ten State Councils that are affiliated to the parent organisation. They achieved a global platform after being affiliated to the World Crafts Council. Their main objective is to safeguard the interests of crafts personnel and to preserve craft traditions. Over the years they have established a series of shops that display the arts and crafts patronised by the Crafts Council. This shop has been named 'Kamala' after the founder of the CCI. One of their current objectives is to find innovative ways to blend ancient handicraft techniques with contemporary ideas and demands. The Craft Fair Council is the main body behind organising the All India Craft Fair. The Department of Culture and the Zonal Cultural Centres are responsible for organising craft fairs in their respective areas. They are also responsible for organising cultural events during the Republic Day celebrations every year. Their responsibility is to ensure that the unique artistic traditions of various parts of India are represented in globally recognized platforms.

Yampuri - The Traditional Puppet of Bihar

Introduction:
Yampuri is a traditional puppet of Bihar, India. It is a wooden puppet which is used for storytelling and entertainment purposes. The puppet is made of wood and is painted in bright colours. The puppetry art of Yampuri is known as Yampuri Nautanki.

Origin:
The origin of Yampuri puppetry can be traced back to the Mughal era. During this period, puppetry was a popular form of entertainment in the royal courts. The art of Yampuri puppetry was developed by a group of puppeteers who belonged to the Yadav community.

Features:
Yampuri puppets are made of light-weight wood and are about 2-3 feet tall. They are painted in bright colours and have movable arms and legs. The puppets are operated using strings attached to a wooden handle. The puppeteer sits behind a screen and manipulates the puppets using the strings.

Themes:
The themes of Yampuri puppetry are usually based on mythology, folklore and social issues. The stories are narrated in a humorous and entertaining manner. The puppeteers use music, dance and dialogues to keep the audience engaged.

Significance:
Yampuri puppetry is an important part of Bihar's cultural heritage. It is not only a form of entertainment but also a means of preserving the state's traditional art and culture. The art of Yampuri puppetry has been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Yampuri puppetry is a unique form of entertainment that has been passed down through generations in Bihar. It is an art form that has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular form of entertainment even today.

India has a long tradition of street performers and artists who would go from town to town. However, circus in the modern sense of the term is fairly a new industry. According to Philin Astley, an English circus master, the first Indian circus was born around 1880.

Saraswati Samman: The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any of the 22 Indian languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. It is named after an Indian goddess of learning and is consdidered to be among the highest literary awards in India.

Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

Establishment and Purpose:
- The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) was established in 1972 under the Societies Registration Act.
- Its main purpose is to promote and preserve the history of India.

Autonomy and Funding:
- The ICHR is an autonomous organization.
- It draws funds from the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Correctness of Statements:
- Statement 1 is correct.
- Statement 2 is correct.
- Statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option D, which states that none of the statements are incorrect, is the correct answer.

India was actively contributing to the field of science and technology centuries long before modern laboratories were set up. Many theories and techniques discovered by the ancient Indians have created and strengthened the fundamentals of modern science and technology. Indian scientist Bhaskaracharya (5th century) contributed to world by rightly calculating the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. His calculation was - Time taken by earth to orbit the sun is 365.258756484 days. Kanad devised the atomic theory centuries before John Dalton was born. He speculated the existence of Anu or a small indestructible particles, much like an atom.

Both personalities are related to the Circus.

Circuses are under the Ambit of sports and youth affairs, Ministry of sports and youth affairs.

First Recipient of Sahitya Academy Award

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was the first recipient of the Sahitya Academy Award.

About Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar (23 September 1908 – 24 April 1974) was an Indian Hindi poet, essayist, patriot and academic, who is considered as one of the most important modern Hindi poets. He was born in Simariya village in Bihar. Dinkar's works are mostly of a patriotic flavour. He wrote several books, including Rashmirathi, Kurukshetra, and Parashuram Ki Prateeksha.

About Sahitya Academy Award

The Sahitya Academy Award is a literary honour in India, which is given annually by the Sahitya Academy, India's National Academy of Letters. It was established in 1954 and is considered as one of the most prestigious literary awards in India. The award is given to writers for their outstanding contribution to Indian literature in any of the 24 languages recognized by the Sahitya Academy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was the first recipient of the Sahitya Academy Award. Dinkar was a renowned Hindi poet and patriot who contributed significantly to Indian literature. The Sahitya Academy Award is a prestigious literary honour in India that recognizes outstanding writers in any of the 24 languages recognized by the Sahitya Academy.

Ancient Indians developed Wootz Steel which was used to make Damascus swords of yore that could cleave a free-falling silk scarf of wood with the same ease. It was known by different names such Hindwani and Seric Iron. The first iron-cased rockets were developed in the 1780s by Tipu Sultan of Mysore who successfully used these rockets against the larger forces of the British East India Company during the Anglo-Mysore Wars. Shampoo originated from India.

The Archaeological Survey of India and the National Archives of India hade number of manuscripts that are the repositories of the ancient and medieval heritage of India. It is on their recommendation that the Government of India has ordered for the establishment of the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM). The foremost task of the NMM was to create the 'National Electronic Database'. This database has about one million manuscripts, which makes it the largest database of Indian manuscripts in the world. Another major task of the NMM was to conserve the manuscripts using indigenous and modern methods so as to preserve documents while retaining its ancient heritage.

The naval trade with various countries during the ancient and medieval times platrole in the spread of Indian culture abroad. The detailed account of the India can be found from the books Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Geographia. During Mauryan rule, the Navadyaksha, i.e., Superintendent of Shipping used to look after the shipping administration. The coins of the last Satavahana king Yajna Sri Satakarni contained the figure of ships, probably indicating the naval strength of the dynasty.

Puhar - Tamil Nadu

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) was built in 1929-30 as part of the Lutyens' designs for the imperial capital. Its building was called the Teen Murti House and it was the official residence of the last British Commander-in-Chief. After the British left India, it became the residence of the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He lived in this house for 16 years and after he passed away in 1964, the government made Teen Murti House a museum and library in his honour. Although the library was set up in 1964, there was a great amount of data collected that needed to be housed in the library and an exclusive library was built in 1974. The Museum was established with the express purpose of creating a space to exhibit personalia, memorabilia, mementos and any other object related to Pt. Nehru's life and India's freedom struggle.