History, Art & Culture: June 2022 Current Affairs - UPSC PDF Download

Job Charnock

Recent archaeological excavations in Kolkata have provided further evidence of human habitation in the city from centuries before the time British administrator Job Charnock was said to have founded the city. Charnock worked for the East India Company. 

• He was historically been credited with founding the city in 1690 when the Company was consolidating its trade business in Bengal
• Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the area was under the rule of the Bengal Sultanate of the Mughals

What’s the issue? 

The view about Charnock being the founder was challenged, and in 2003, Calcutta High Court declared that Charnock ought not to be regarded as the founder. 

• It ordered the government to purge his name from all textbooks and official documents containing the history of the city’s founding. 
• The court found that a “highly civilised society” and “an important trading centre” had existed on the site long before Charnock established his settlement. Historical references: The site is mentioned in Bipradas Pipilai’s Manasa Mangala (1495) and Abul Fazl’s Ain-I-Akbari (1596).

Anang Tal, Mehrauli

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Culture has ordered the restoration of Historic Anang Tal lake in South Delhi.

• National Monuments Authority (NMA) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have asked officials to expedite conservation work so the site could be declared a National Monument.

What are the Key Points?

• The lake is situated in Mehrauli, Delhi and is claimed to be created by Tomar King, Anangpal II, in 1,060 AD.
  • He is known to have established and populated Delhi in the 11th century.
• The millennium old Anang Tal signifies the beginning of Delhi.
• Anang Tal has a strong Rajasthan connection as Maharaja Anangpal is known as nana (maternal grandfather) of Prithviraj Chauhan whose fort Rai Pithora is on the list of the ASI.

Who was Anangpal II?

• Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
• He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually became Delhi.
  • Evidence about the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of Masjid Quwaatul Islam, adjacent to Qutub Minar.
• Multiple inscriptions and coins suggest Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of present-day Delhi and Haryana in between the 8th-12th centuries.
  • He had built the city from ruins and under his supervision, Anang Tal Baoli and Lal Kot were constructed.
• Anangpal Tomar II was succeeded by his grandson Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • Delhi Sultanate was established in 1192 after Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat in the Battle of Tarain (present-day Haryana) by the Ghurid forces.

What are the Key Points About the Tomar Dynasty?

• Tomara dynasty is one of the minor early medieval ruling houses of northern India.
• Puranic evidence (writings of the Puranas) gives its early location in the Himalayan region. According to bardic tradition, the dynasty was one of the 36 Rajput tribes.
• The history of the family spans the period between the reign of Anangpal, who founded the city of Delhi in the 11th century CE, and the incorporation of Delhi within the Chauhan (Chahamana) kingdom in 1164.
• Although Delhi subsequently became decisively a part of the Chauhan kingdom, numismatic and comparatively late literary evidence indicates that Tomara kings such as Anangapal and Madanapal continued to rule as feudatories, presumably until the final conquest of Delhi by the Muslims in 1192–93

Since Anang Tal is related to Delhi Sultanate, here's a document to clear your concepts on the same here: The Idea of Kingship & the Nobility: The Delhi Sultanate

Saavira Kambada Basadi (Thousand Pillars Temple)

Context: 

The temple is also known as “Chandranatha Temple” since it honours the Tirthankara Chandraprabha, whose eight-foot idol is worshipped in the shrine. It is the most prominent of the 18 Jain temples in Moodubidiri town, Karnataka. The Basadi was built by the local chieftain, Devaraya Wodeyar in 1430 additions to temples were made in 1962. The shrine has a 50 feet tall monolith manasthambha erected by Karkala Bhairava Queen Nagala Devi.

Introduction

Saavira Kambada Basadi (Thousand Pillars temple) is the most prominent of the 18 Jain temples in Moodubidiri town, Karnataka. The finest of these is the 15th-century Chandranatha Basadi, also known as the Thousand Pillars Basadi. The uniqueness of this basadi, is that no two pillars are identical. Official name is Tribhuvana Thilaka Chudamani temple. Jain tirthankara Chandraprabha is the main deity in the thousand pillars temple. Moodabidri is known as the “Jain Varanasi” of South India. The basadis or Jain temples are found all over Dakshina Kannada district but the basadis here have greater significance and are considered as most ornate. Along with Venur and Dharmastala Moodabidri is one of the main centres of Jain pilgrimage in Dakshina Kannada.

History & Design: The Thousand Pillars Temple was built in the 15th century by local ruler Devaraya Wadiyar. Temple was renovated in 1962. Each of the thousand pillars is dotted with exquisite rock carvings. Interesting fact about the pillars is, it is believed that no two pillars are said to be alike. The perfection of the stone carvings, the symmetry and intrinsic details will leave visitors in awe of this marvelous and detailed architecture. The 50 ft tall monolith Mahasthamba (Giant Pillar), a common feature in all Jain temples, is erected in front of the thousand pillars temple.

Thousand Pillars Temple complex has 3 storeys and Seven Mantapas (porch-like structure). The ground floor is built in stones while the first and second floor are wooden structures. The Garbhagriha (inner sanctum) of the temple features an 8 foot tall idol of the 8th Jain Thirthankara Chandranatha Swamy, which is known to be made of the 5 different elements (Pancha Dhatu).

Places to visit near 1000 Pillars Temple, Moodbidri: Karkala (20 kms), Udupi (52 kms), Mangaluru (35 kms), Dharmasthala (51 kms) are the other major destinations in coastal Karnataka not too far from Moodubidri.

How to reach 1000 Pillars Temple, Moodbidri: Moodubidiri is 351 kms from Bengaluru but just 37kms from Mangaluru which has the nearest airport and railway station. Frequent local buses are available to reach Moodubidri from Mangaluru city.

Places to stay near 1000 Pillars Temple, Moodbidri: Multiple budget and mid range hotels are available in Moodbidri town. Mangaluru town has more luxury options.

Jyotirgamaya

In Context

• On the occasion of World Music Day (21st June), the Union Minister of Culture has inaugurated Jyotirgamaya-A festival showcasing the talent of unsung performers.

Jyotirgamaya Festival

About:

• The Festival is organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. It is a unique festival organised to showcase the talent of rare musical instruments from across the country, including street performers, train entertainers, performers attached to temples, etc.

Aim: 

• To spread awareness about the need to protect the craft of making and the skill of playing rare musical instruments, and to provide a platform to ‘unheard’ artists.

Sangeet Natak Akademi 

• It  was established in 1953 with the objective of preserving and promoting the vast intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and drama.
• It is the apex body in the field of performing arts in the country
• It is an autonomous body working under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.
• The Chairman of this is appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.
• The registered office of the Akademi is at Rabindra Bhavan.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred to artists.

Since Jyotirgamaya is a part of Festivals of India, here's a document to clear your concepts on the same here :  Nitin Singhania: Summary of Fairs & Festivals of India

Weaving Jamdani

Context: Girls from the fishermen community in the villages of Uppada coast in East Godavari district for the past three and a half decades makes the saris with jamdani technique.

• During the 17th century, the Uppada saris were woven by the local handloom weavers with jamdani technique with pure cotton, gold or silver zari, only to be worn by the royal families of Pithapuram, Bobbili, and Venkatagiri in Andhra Pradesh.
• In jamdani technique of handloom weaving, the motif appears same on front and reverse side of the sari and it is woven by hand.
• Uppada saree was registered by the Geographical Indications Registry tag (GI Tag) for the jamdani technique in 2009.

jamdani technique

• In 2013, the traditional art of weaving jamdani was declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Jamdani style of weaving is originated in Bangladesh.
• In 18th Century, It was brought to south and in Uppada village of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India Jamdani style of weaving recreated with a local resonance.
• Though Jamdani has enjoyed immense popularity right from the beginning, the art form bloomed during the Mughal period

Ambubachi Mela

About 

• Ambubachi Mela, is a four-day fair to mark the annual menstruation of the goddess at Kamakhya temple, Assam.
• Kamakhya, atop Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, is one of 51 shaktipeeths or seat of Shakti followers, each representing a body part of Sati, Lord Shiva’s companion. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum houses the yoni — female genital — symbolised by a rock.
• Temple priests said the ritualistic fair celebrating the goddess’ period is one of the reasons why the taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared to other parts of India. 
• The attainment of womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called ‘Tuloni Biya’, meaning small wedding.  

Importance

• Cultural: The ritualistic fair celebrates the Goddess’ period due to which taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared to other parts of India.
  • The attainment of womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called Tuloni Biya, meaning small wedding.
• Social: The fair is also an occasion to promote menstrual hygiene among the visitors through the use of sanitary pads.
• Financial: Assam records a footfall of at least 5 lakh devotees during the fair mainly from West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Foreigners also visit which boost the state tourism and the revenues associated.

Since Ambubachi Mela is a part of Fairs of India , so here's a document to clear your concepts on the same here: Nitin Singhania: Summary of Fairs & Festivals of India