History, Art and Culture: November 2024 Current Affairs | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

American Civil War (1861-1865)

Why in News?

Recently, the Presidential candidate of the Republican Party became president of the United States (US) defeating the Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. 

• The US Civil War was driven by tensions over slavery, economic differences, and states' rights, with the Republican Party opposing slavery and the Democratic Party initially supporting it.

How did Slavery Evolve Through Human History? 

Origins & Early Development: 

• Slavery emerged around thousands of years ago with agricultural settlements when victorious tribes enslaved defeated populations instead of killing them. 
• Ancient civilisations including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome developed complex slave-based economic systems. 
• Various forms of slavery emerged, including debt bondage, the enslavement of conquered peoples, child labour and generational bondage.

Global Expansion & Trade: 

• Arab slave trade dominated the Indian Ocean routes from 7th-19th centuries, connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 
• The trans-Saharan slave trade transported millions from Sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa and the Middle East. 
• The transatlantic slave trade (16th-19th centuries) forcibly moved approximately 12 million Africans to various parts of the world. 
• European colonial powers established systematic slave trading networks across continents.

Slavery in India: 

• Early Sanskrit texts like Arthashastra and Manusmriti recognised and regulated slavery. 
• Buddhist and Jain texts also mention slavery while advocating compassionate treatment. 
• Islamic rulers introduced military slavery and domestic servitude systems. 
• The Mughal period saw extensive slave trading networks across South Asia. 
• The Girmitiya system was a form of indentured labour introduced in British colonies to address labour shortages on sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery in 1833. 
• Indian Slavery Act of 1843 technically abolished slavery under British rule. 
• Post-independence India banned bonded labour through Article 23 of the Constitution and subsequently through the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976.

What were the Causes and Course of the US Civil War? 

Causes of the US Civil War: 

• Slavery and Sectional Divides: The US Civil War was primarily driven by the conflict over slavery.  
• The northern United States (US) had a diversified economy with both industry and farming, relying on free labour.  
• In contrast, the southern United States depended heavily on slave labour for its agricultural economy, particularly cotton.  
• This economic difference led to deep disagreements on the issue of slavery, with many Northerners seeking to prohibit slavery in new western states, while Southerners wanted laws that would protect it.  
• As the US expanded westward, the issue of slavery became a major point of contention, especially for northern states.  
• They feared that allowing slavery in new territories would give the South greater political power in Congress.  
• This growing divide over slavery contributed to political tensions, eventually leading southern states to seek secession from the Union. 
• The debate also centred on states' rights versus federal authority, with Southern politicians arguing that states had the right to leave the Union, while most Northerners believed the Union was permanent under the Constitution. 

Ideological Divide Between North vs. South: 

• The ideological differences between the North and the South were stark, with the North advocating for a diversified economy and free labour, while the South's economy was built on slave labour.  
• The conflict was not only about slavery but also about the nature of democracy, as both sides sought to shape the future of the nation according to their values and way of life.

Course of the Civil War: 

• Anti-Slavery Protest: The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide on the legality of slavery in their territories through popular sovereignty, intensifying sectional tensions in the US. 
• In response to the passage of the Nebraska Bill, anti-slavery activists organised and came together to create a new political party, which was named the Republican Party. 
• In February 1856, anti-slavery activists gathered in Pittsburgh to formalise the Republican Party, with Abraham Lincoln among those present. 
• Secession and Outbreak of War: The conflict reached a climax in 1860 when Lincoln was elected president. His opposition to the spread of slavery led to the secession of Southern states, which formed the Confederate States of America.  
• In April 1861, Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina, marking the start of the war. Lincoln ordered the army to bring the rebel states back into the Union. 
• Though the South had superior military leadership, the North's larger population, industrial capacity, and infrastructure eventually in April 1865 South surrendered. 
• Emancipation Proclamation: In 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in the Confederate states were free. 
• This move also had international significance, discouraging European nations from supporting the Confederacy. 
• However, Lincoln declared that the war was being fought to preserve the Union, not to abolish slavery. 
• Thirteenth Amendment and Abolition of Slavery: In the aftermath of the war, the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed in 1865, abolishing slavery.

What were the Challenges and Impacts of the US Civil War? 

Reconstruction and Post-War Challenges in the US: 

• Reconstruction and Southern Resistance: The Reconstruction era (1865-1877) sought to reintegrate the Southern states and enforce civil rights for African Americans.  
• The 14th and 15th Amendments granted citizenship and voting rights to African Americans, altering the social and political landscape of the US. 
• Economic Changes and Industrialisation: The war accelerated industrialisation in the US. By 1914, the US became a leading industrial power, partly due to the need for mass production during the war.  
• Immigration played a significant role in fueling industrial growth, with nearly 20 million immigrants arriving between 1870 and 1914.  
• The development of the railroad system, particularly the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, helped facilitate trade and industrial growth, linking the eastern US with the West and promoting the movement of goods. 
• Postwar Economic Expansion: The war also spurred the growth of railroads, which linked farming communities to industrial cities.  
• Steel became a crucial resource as railways expanded, and the movement of goods, such as corn, wheat, and cattle, helped position the US as a world leader in agriculture and industry by the 20th century.

Global Impact on the Cotton Trade and its Influence on India:  

• Disruption of Cotton Exports: The Civil War caused a major disruption in the global cotton trade as the South, a primary supplier of cotton to Britain, could no longer export it.  
• British textile manufacturers turned to India as an alternative source, leading to a significant increase in cotton demand from Indian growers. 
• The Cotton Boom in India: As a result, India became a key supplier of cotton to British industries during the war.  
• This demand drove Indian merchants to encourage farmers in regions like Gujarat and Maharashtra to plant more cotton, resulting in an economic boom, though it often led to exploitation.  
• Long-Term Economic Consequences for India: While India benefited from increased cotton exports, it was primarily British industries that profited.  
• This cotton boom also caused food shortages in some regions, as farmers were encouraged to grow cotton instead of food crops, leading to famines and economic distress for Indian farmers.  
• The British colonial system continued to extract wealth from India while leaving its farmers in debt and poverty.

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

Why in News?

Recently, The Prime Minister paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (15th November).

Key Points

About Janjatiya Gaurav Divas:

• It is celebrated every year to recognize the efforts of the tribals in the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of national pride, valour, and hospitality.
• Tribals held several tribal movements across different regions of India against the British colonial rule. These tribal communities include Tamars, Santhals, Khasis, Bhils, Mizos, and Kols to name a few.

Birsa Munda:

• Birsa Munda born on 15th November 1875 was a member of the Munda Tribe of the Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
• He was an Indian freedom fighter, religious leader, and folk hero.
• He spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement during British rule in the late 19th century across the tribal belt of modern-day Jharkhand and Bihar.
• Birsa was a close observer of the Sardari Larai movement in the region in the 1880s, which sought to restore tribal rights through nonviolent means such as petitioning the British government.
• These demands, however, were ignored by the harsh colonial authority.
• The tribals were quickly demoted from landowners to labourers under the zamindari system, which resulted in Birsa taking up the cause of the Adivasis.
• Birsa Munda went on to form Birsait, a new religion.
• The religion preached the belief in a single God and urged people to return to their old religious convictions.
• People began to refer to him as a cost-effective religious healer, a miracle worker, and a preacher.
• People from Oraon and Munda became convinced Birsaites, and many began calling him 'Dharti Abba', meaning Father of the Earth.
• He brought a fresh perspective to the religious realm.
• Birsa Munda led the rebellion that came to be known as Ulgulan (revolt) or the Munda rebellion against the British government-imposed feudal state system.
• He awakened the masses and sowed the seeds of revolt in them against the landlords as well as the Britishers.
• His struggle against the exploitation and discrimination against tribals led to the passing of the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act in 1908 which restricted the passing of land from the tribal people to non-tribals.

Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 149th birth anniversary and participated in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

• Since 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, has been celebrated every year on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. 
• It serves as a reminder of his efforts to unite the diverse princely states into a single nation and fosters a spirit of solidarity among the people of the country.

Early Life of Sardar Patel

• Born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat, he was a barrister, an activist, a freedom fighter, and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India.
• In the initial years, he was indifferent to Indian politics. But, later, he started getting influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, and by 1917 he embraced Gandhi’s principle of Satyagraha (Non-violence).
• From 1917 to 1924 Patel served as the first Indian municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad and was its elected municipal president from 1924 to 1928. 

Contributions in India’s Freedom Struggle

• Kheda Satyagraha, 1917: As a prominent local leader in the Kheda district of Gujarat, Patel supported Mahatma Gandhi in organising the Satyagraha against unjust land revenue taxes imposed by the British.
• Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-22: Patel significantly impacted the Non-Cooperation Movement, recruiting approximately 300,000 members and raising 1.5 million rupees.
• He advocated the boycott of British goods and use of Khadi as a symbol of economic and cultural self-sufficiency.
• Bardoli Satyagraha, 1928: During the Bardoli Satyagraha, Patel supported the local population suffering from famine and increased land taxes.
• Civil Disobedience Movement 1930-34: He actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha, a nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly. 
• Quit India Movement, 1942: He organised protests and strikes against British rule, and delivered compelling and electrifying speeches throughout India, inspiring and mobilising people to join mass protests, engage in acts of civil disobedience, boycott tax payments, and stage civil service shutdowns. 

Contributions in Unification of India

• Political Integration of India: He played a pivotal role during the political integration of India and the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947.
• Integration of Princely States: He had successfully accomplished the task of integrating 565 Princely States into the Union of India within a remarkably short span of time- a feat unprecedented in history.
• Administrative Reforms: Another illustrious contribution made by Sardar Patel was the creation of All India Services. He had envisioned these services as the ‘Steel frame of India’ that would further safeguard the country’s unity and integrity.
• Promotion of National Integration: He promoted the ‘Idea of India’ as a single nation, and emphasized that despite its diversity, the country must stand united. 

Other Contributions 

• Constitutional Role: He headed various Constitutional Committees, such as Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Committee on Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas, Provincial Constitution Committee. 
• He also served as the first Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the first Home Minister of independent India.

Honours and Recognitions

• Iron Man of India: He earned the reputation of ‘Iron Man’ because of the manner in which he brought about and maintained internal stability as Home Minister in the wake of the partition of the country.
• Bharat Ratna: He was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country in 1991.
• The Statue of Unity: It is the tallest statue in the world which was unveiled on October 31, 2018 in Kevadia, Gujarat on the occasion of his 143rd birth anniversary.

Conclusion

• Sardar Patel’s legacy goes beyond politics; he epitomized unity, resilience, and commitment to the nation’s welfare.
• His life remains a testament to the power of leadership, dedication, and an unwavering love for his country, helping to shape India into a more stronger, unified nation.

Konark Wheels at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Why in News?

Recently, four sandstone replicas of the iconic Konark wheels from the Konark Temple have been installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan. This initiative is among various efforts to incorporate traditional cultural and historical elements into Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

• Konark temple was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984. It is built in odisha school of temple architecture.

What is are Key Facts and Significance of the Konark Sun Temple? 

• The 13th-century Konark Sun Temple, near Puri in Odisha, was built by King Narasimhadeva I (1238–1264 AD). Its grand scale and intricate design symbolise the strength and cultural values of the Eastern Ganga Empire.
• The Eastern Ganga dynasty also known as Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas.
• It was a major Indian royal dynasty that ruled Kalinga from the 5th to early 15th century.

Key Features of Temple

• The vimana (principal sanctuary) was surmounted by a high tower with a shikhara (crowning cap) also known as Rekha deul, which was razed in the 19th century.
• To the east, the jahamogana (audience hall or Mandap) dominates the ruins with its pyramidal mass.
• Farther to the east, the natmandir (dance hall), today unroofed, rises on a high platform.

Architectural Significance: 

• Chariot Design: Temple is shaped as a colossal chariot with 7 horses symbolising the days of the week and 24 wheels representing 24 hours in a day. 
• Wheel Construction: Each wheel, 9 feet 9 inches in diameter, has 8 thick and 8 thin spokes, serving as ancient sundials.  
• The intricate carvings include circular medallions, animals, and foliage on the rims, as well as luxury scenes within the medallions. 
• Symbolic Elements: The 12 pairs of wheels signify the months of the year, while some interpretations relate the wheel to the ‘Wheel of Life’—the cycle of creation, preservation, and realization.

Cultural Heritage: 

• Dharma and Karma: The Konark Wheel is akin to the Buddhist Dharmachakra, symbolising the cosmic cycle of Dharma (righteousness) and Karma (action). 
• Zodiac Representation: Another interpretation suggests the 12 wheels represent the zodiac signs, linking it to astrological and cosmic principles.

Sundial Functionality:  

• Time Measurement: Two of the wheels can determine the time from sunrise to sunset. 
• Spoke Arrangement: Wider spokes denote 3-hour intervals, thinner spokes represent 1.5-hour periods, and beads between spokes mark 3-minute increments. 
• Midnight Mark: The top center wider spoke symbolizes midnight, with the dial moving anti-clockwise to display time.

1st Asian Buddhist Summit

Why in News?

Recently, the first Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) was organised by India’s Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in New Delhi, India.

What are the Key Highlights of the 1st ABS?

About: It's a significant international gathering aimed at fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and addressing contemporary challenges in the Buddhist community across Asia.

Theme: “Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia” which emphasises Asia's collective, inclusive, and spiritual development.

Key Themes of the Summit:

• Buddhist Art, Architecture, and Heritage: Highlights the rich cultural legacy of Buddhist landmarks like Sanchi Stupa and Ajanta caves.
• Buddha Cārikā and Dissemination of Buddha Dhamma: Focuses on Buddha’s travels (Buddha Cārikā) and his role in spreading teachings across India.
• Role of Buddhist Relics and its Relevance in Society: Buddha relics inspire devotion and mindfulness, support local economies through pilgrimage tourism, and promote peace and compassion.
• Role of Buddhist Literature and Philosophy in the 21st Century: Demonstrates Buddhism’s enduring relevance in modern philosophical discourse.
• Buddha Dhamma in Scientific Research and Well-being: Integrates Buddhist principles with scientific research to enhance mental and physical health.
• Exhibition: A special exhibition titled "India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) connecting Asia" highlighted India's role in spreading Buddhism across Asia.
• Significance for India: The summit supports India’s Act East Policy and Neighborhood First Policy, focusing on collective, inclusive, and spiritual development in Asia.