History, Art & Culture: May 2023 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

Sengol to be installed in new parliament building

Why in News?

On May 28th 2023, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.

• One of the highlights of the event will be the installation of a historic golden sceptre, called Sengol, near the Speaker’s seat.
• The Sengol is a symbol of India’s independence and sovereignty, as well as its cultural heritage and diversity.

What is the Historical Significance of Sengol?

• The Sengol is profound in meaning, derived from the Tamil word “Semmai”, it means “Righteousness”. It was made of gold or silver and was often decorated with precious stones.
  • A Sengol sceptre was carried by emperors on ceremonial occasions, and used to represent their authority.
• It is associated with the Chola Empire, one of the longest-ruling and most influential dynasties in South India.
  • The Cholas ruled over parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Sri Lanka from the 9th to 13th century CE.
  • They were known for their military prowess, maritime trade, administrative efficiency, cultural patronage, and temple architecture.
• The Cholas had a tradition of handing over the Sengol sceptre from one king to another as a mark of succession and legitimacy.
  • The ceremony was usually performed by a high priest or a guru who blessed the new king and conferred him with the Sengol.

How did Sengol Become a Part of India’s Independence?

• Before independence from the British rule in 1947, the then Viceroy - Lord Mountbatten posed a question to the to-be Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru: “What is the ceremony that should be followed to symbolise the transfer of power from British to Indian hands?”
  • PM Nehru then consulted C. Rajagopalachari, commonly known as Rajaji, who went on to become the last Governor-General of India.
    • Rajaji suggested that the Chola model of handing over the Sengol sceptre could be adopted as a suitable ceremony for India’s independence.
    • He said that it would reflect India’s ancient civilisation and culture, as well as its unity in diversity.
  • The Sengol sceptre was presented to PM Nehru by Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam (a 500-year-old Saivaite monastery) on August 14, 1947.
• A golden sceptre was crafted by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a famous jeweller in Madras (now Chennai).
  • The Nandi, with its unyielding gaze as the beholder of “Nyaya”, is hand-carved at the top.

Where is Sengol Now and Why is it Being Installed in the New Parliament Building?

• After receiving the Sengol sceptre in 1947, Nehru kept it at his residence in Delhi for some time.
  • He then decided to donate it to Anand Bhavan Museum in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), his ancestral home.
    • The museum was established by his father Motilal Nehru in 1930 to preserve the history and legacy of India’s freedom movement.
  • The Sengol sceptre remained at Anand Bhavan Museum for over seven decades.
• In 2021-22, when the Central Vista redevelopment project was underway, the government decided to revive this historical event and install the Sengol sceptre in the new Parliament building.
  • It will be placed near the Speaker’s seat in the new Parliament building and will be accompanied by a plaque that will explain its history and meaning.
• The installation of Sengol in the new Parliament building is not just a symbolic gesture but also a meaningful message.
  • It signifies that India’s democracy is rooted in its ancient traditions and values and that it is inclusive and respectful of its diversity and plurality.

Dancing Girl Figurine

Why in News?

A “contemporised” version of Dancing Girl figurine of Mohenjodaro, was used as a mascot for the International Museum Expo 2023 in Delhi. The traditional craft of Channapatna toys, also protected by a GI (geographical indication) tag, was used to create this mascot.

• However, it has recently sparked controversy due to distortion from the original form.
• The Ministry of Culture defended it as an inspired craft work and a contemporary representation of dwarpals or Door Guardian.

What is the Significance of the Dancing Girl Figurine?

• About
  • The Dancing Girl figurine is one of the most famous and iconic artefacts of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization.
  • It was discovered in 1926 by archaeologist Ernest Mackay at Mohenjodaro, one of the largest and most advanced urban settlements of the ancient world.
  • The figurine is made of bronze and was sculpted using the lost wax technique.
• Significance of the Dancing Girl:
  • The existence of the figurine indicates the presence of high art in Harappan society, reflecting their artistic sophistication.
    • The meticulous craftsmanship and symbolic aesthetic of the Dancing Girl suggest that it was not created for utilitarian purposes but as a symbol of cultural significance.
  • The figurine also shows a remarkable sense of realism and naturalism, capturing the subtle details of the girl’s anatomy, expression and posture. Historian AL Basham also praised her lively pertness, distinguishing her from other ancient civilisations' works.
• Current Location of Dancing Girl:
  • Despite Mohenjodaro and Harappa becoming part of Pakistan after the Partition, the Dancing Girl remained in India as part of an agreement.
  • Today, the bronze figurine is housed in the National Museum of India, captivating visitors in the museum's Indus Civilisation gallery as its "star object."

Revolt of 1857

The Revolt Of 1857 was a major uprising in India between 1857–58 against the unjust rule of the British East India Company. The revolt served as the British Crown's sovereign power. The revolt of 1857 started on May 10, 1857, at Meerut as a sepoy mutiny. Sepoys initiated it in the Bengal Presidency against British officers. The British East India company's rule came to an end as a result of this Independence struggle. This revolt was, however, largely confined to parts of Northern and Central India. The revolt of 1857 was the result of discontent among the people due to the expansionist policies, administrative innovations and economic exploitations of the British East India Company in India.
The Revolt Of 1857 is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Modern History subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

Immediate Cause for Revolt of 1857

• The immediate cause for the Revolt of 1857 was when the 'Enfield' rifle was introduced. This infuriated soldiers
• Before this, soldiers had to carry gunpowder & bullets along with their rifles. As there was a rumour that aroused that the cartridge was greased with pig & cow fat.
• As the pig is taboo in Muslims & the cow is sacred in the Hindu religion, soldiers refused to use the cartridge.
• Company officers became aware of the rumours through reports of an altercation between a high-caste sepoy and a low-caste labourer.
• There were also rumours that the British sought to destroy the religions of the Indian people and force the soldiers to break their religious beliefs. However, this was not the only reason, as there were multiple other causes i.e., Religious, Political, Economic, and Social Causes, which contributed to the Revolt of 1857.

Causes of The Revolt of 1857

All sections of the society, right from rulers to peasants and traders, were affected adversely by the expansionist and imperialist policies put forth by the British East India Company. The cause for the revolt of 1857 was not confined to a particular policy or event; rather, it involved various political, economic, administrative and socio-religious factors. These causes are discussed briefly below:

Economic Causes

• Under the land revenue policies introduced by the British East India Company, heavy taxes were collected from the peasants. They obtained loans from moneylenders and traders with higher interests. In case of non-payment, the money lenders confiscated their lands, depriving them of their source of livelihood.
• Since the Britishers annexed several Indian states, the rulers could no longer be the patrons of the artisans and craftworkers, leading them to misery.
• The economic policies of the British East India Company destroyed the Indian industries and handicrafts. By imposing high tariffs on Indian goods, they brought down the export of cotton and silk, which ended completely by the mid-nineteenth century.

Administrative Causes

• The British East India Company administration could have been more efficient and insufficient. Despite the recommendations tabled by Sir Thomas Munro regarding the employment of Indians, no steps were taken by the British on that front.
• There was rampant corruption in the company's administration.

Political Causes

• In the late 1840s, Lord Dalhousie imposed the Doctrine of Lapse.
• Under the Doctrine of Lapse policy introduced by the British East India Company, the adopted children of the rulers were refused to be accepted as legal heirs, and they decided their right to succession. This aroused rulers such as Nana Sahib and Rani Lakshmibai against the unjust policies of the British.
• They introduced aggressive policies such as Subsidiary alliance and effective control, and gradually they began to intervene in the state's internal affairs, which caused discontent in the minds of the rulers.
• Post the death of the Mughal ruler, Faqir-ud-Din, Lord Canning announced that the prince in succession should renounce the regal titles and the ancestral properties of the Mughal empire. This affected the sentiments of Indian Muslims.

Socio-Religious Causes

• The socio-religious reforms brought about by the British such as the abolition of the Sati system, support for widow remarriage etc., were not accepted by a large section of the society.
• By introducing the Religious Disabilities Act, they attempted to modify Hindu customs.
• Further, they denounced idolatry worship, ridiculed Hindu gods and goddesses and were against superstitious beliefs and practices.

Military Causes

• The Indian sepoys were restricted from wearing any caste or sectarian marks.
• There was resentment when Canning's Government passed the General Service Enlistment Act, which stated that the future recruits of the Bengal Army should be prepared to serve anywhere as demanded by the British Government.
• The cartridges of the Enfield rifle introduced by the British were greased with beef and pig fat. This affected the religious sentiments of both Hindus as well as Muslims. This was dubbed to be the immediate military cause of the revolt of 1857.

Course of Revolt Of 1857 in Chronological Order

The simmering discontent among the Indian sepoys against the British East India Company was further fuelled by the order to use those greased cartridges. Sepoys refused to use the greased cartridges. This was considered an insubordination by the British officials, who began to impose harsh punishments for sepoys. Thus began the revolt of 1857.

Let us discuss the course of the revolt of 1857 briefly.

Centres And Suppression of Revolt of 1857

In the following table, the storm centres of the revolt of 1857, the leaders who led the revolt at those centres and the British generals who suppressed the revolt are listed.

Reasons For Failure of Revolt of 1857

The causes for the failure of the revolt of 1857 are as follows,

• The revolt was localized and lacked the participation of masses across the country. It was largely confined to North India, while the south, east and west parts of the country did not participate.
• There was no central leadership. Though the revolt leaders were brave enough, they could not match the experience and organizing ability of the British officials.
• The British had far superior weapons and equipment, such as Enfield rifles, whereas the Indian sepoys mostly fought with swords and spears.
• Several Indian rulers, such as Sindhia of Gwalior, Maharaja of Kashmir, Holkar of Indore etc refused to join the revolt of 1857. Along with them, most of the zamindars and educated Indians also did not participate.
• Except for the anti-foreign sentiments, the Indian sepoys had no unified ideology or forward-looking programme.

Impact of Revolt of 1857

• Under the Government of India Act of 1858, dualism (Crown and Company) in the control of Indian affairs came to an end, and the administrative control over India was transferred from the British East India Company to the Crown.
• British officials were appointed to hold key positions in military and civil administration.
• Since the Indian army was the backbone of the mutiny, the British reorganized them based on the policy of divide and counterpoise. The strength of British troops in India increased greatly, whereas the number of Indian troops was reduced.
• Britishers deliberately began to pursue the divide-and-rule policy in order to strengthen their position in India.
• The Queen's proclamation declared that the rights, dignity and honour of the native princes would be respected as their own by the British. In addition, Indians were promised that they would be admitted to the office of British service without any partiality, provided they met the desired qualification. In order to implement this, the Indian Civil Service Act of 1861 was passed. However, the higher posts were held only by English officials.

The Revolt of 1857, an anti-colonial movement which fought against the imperialist policies of the British East India Company, is an important event that took place in Indian history. Though the revolt was suppressed later, it shook the foundation of British rule in India. With the end of the revolt of 1857, the era of territorial aggrandizement also ended. However, it paved the way for India's economic exploitation era.

India's Climate and Weather Trends

Why in News?

Although India has received some rain recently, experts predict that the year 2023 will be hotter and drier.

• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a normal monsoon, but the development of El Nino could lead to a reduction in monsoon rainfall.
• Additionally, the IMD has released data on fatalities caused by extreme weather events, marking the first time they have done so.

What is the Current Situation in India?

• Uneven Rainfall Distribution:
  • Despite the recent showers, the entire country has received ample rainfall, except for the northeastern states, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
  • Some areas in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have experienced up to 15 times more rainfall than expected due to various local weather phenomena.
• El Nino and Global Warming:
  • The IMD has predicted normal monsoon, but the development of El Nino could suppress rainfall over India.
  • Globally, 2023 is expected to be one of the top four warmest years on record due to the rapid development of the El Nino event, which has an overall warming impact on the planet.
• India's Warming Trend:
  • India's warming trend is slightly lower than the global average, with the year 2022 being 1.15 degree Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times.
  • The warming over India is not uniform across regions. Some states like Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Kerala have become much hotter than others, while eastern states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha have experienced the least warming.
  • Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Indian Ocean have risen by almost one degree Celsius between 1950 and 2015.

Which Weather Event Causes the Most Fatalities?

• Lightning strikes caused more deaths than any other weather event in India.
  • In 2022, lightning strikes were responsible for 60% of weather event-related deaths in India (1,608 out of 2,657 recorded deaths).
• Floods and extreme rainfall events claimed 937 lives.
• The actual number of casualties could be higher, as IMD and state governments relied on media reports to compile the list.

What are India's Climate Change Mitigation Initiatives?

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):
  • Launched in 2008 to address climate change challenges in India.
  • Aims to achieve low-carbon and climate-resilient development for India.
  • There are 8 national missions forming the core of the NAPCC which represent multi-pronged, long term and integrated strategies for achieving key goals in climate change. These are-
    • National Solar Mission
    • National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
    • National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
    • National Water Mission
    • National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
    • National Mission for A Green India
    • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
    • National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC):
  • India's commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
  • Pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels and generate 50% of electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
  • Pledged to create additional carbon sink and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
• National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC):
  • Established in 2015 to provide financial assistance to state governments for implementing adaptation projects in various sectors.
• State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC):
  • Encourages all states and union territories to prepare their own SAPCCs based on their specific needs and priorities.
  • SAPCCs outline strategies and actions for addressing climate change at the sub-national level.
  • Aligned with the objectives of the NAPCC and the NDC.

Buddha Purnima

Context

Buddha Purnima 2023 is celebrated on May 5th to commemorate the 2585th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, also known as Mahatma Buddha.

Details

• Buddha Purnima is also known as Buddha Jayanti.
• Buddha Purnima falls on full moon day in the month of Vaishakh. In the year 2023, it is going to be celebrated on May 5, 2023.
• The exact date of his birth and death is unknown, but it is believed he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya and taught Dharma at Sarnath.
• Buddhists visit these pilgrimage sites, especially Bodh Gaya, to offer prayers.

The Story

• Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha but he was always around with full of luxuries and materialistic pleasures.
• The head of the Shakya clan, Suddhodana, was his father, while his mother Maya was a Koliyan princess.
• Once, he came across an old man, a sick man and a corpse.
• He wanted to search the reasons of the sufferings.
• He left his home at the age of 29 to find the answers of all the sufferings.
• After then he investigated teachings and later he went to deep meditation and woke up at the age of 35 with all the answers and then became the Mahatma Buddha. He preached all the people how to lead their life spiritually. He encouraged them to walk on a path of spirituality.
• According to Buddhist text, it is believed that Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BCE in Lumbini, which is situated in Nepal and he died at the age of 80 at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh in 483 BCE.
• This day is also celebrated as Vesak and this was the day when he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, he first taught the Dharma at Sarnath and in Khushinagar he left his body so there are three major pilgrimage sites of Lord Buddha.
• For Buddhists, the most important pilgrimage site related to the life of Gautama Buddha is Bodh Gaya.

Teachings of Buddha

• Lord Buddha, the epitome of compassion has shown us the path of enlightenment, tolerance and virtue.
• His simple and effective preaching inspires us to follow the path of love, truth and non-violence.
• The life of Mahatma Buddha is the best example of self-control and discipline.

Mridangam

Context 

Karaikudi R Rani, also known as Karaikudi Mani, a legendary mridangam vidwan, who dominated the Carnatic music scene for half a century passed away recently.

About the Mridangam

Comparison of Carnatic music and Hindustani music on the basis of instruments used

Samarth Ramdas

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s remarks that Samarth Ramdas was the ‘guru’ of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has stirred controversy in the state.

About

• Samarth Ramdas (1608 – 1681 AD), also known as Sant (saint) Ramdas or Ramdas Swami or simply Ramdas was an Indian Marathi Hindu saint, philosopher, poet, writer and spiritual master.
• He was a devotee of the Hindu deities Rama and Hanuman.
• Ramdas initiated the Samarth sect to revive spirituality in the society.
• Unlike the Warkari saints, Ramdas is not deemed a pacifist and his writings include strong expressions encouraging nationalism means to counter the aggressive invaders.
• Dāsbodh, loosely meaning "advice to the disciple" in Marathi, is a 17th-century bhakti (devotion) and jnana (insight) spiritual text. It was orally narrated by the saint Samarth Ramdas to his disciple, Kalyan Swami.

Links with Shivaji and Sambhaji

• The first Maratha ruler, Chatrapati Shivaji Bhonsle I was a contemporary of Ramdas.
• Historians have proposed that the two met each other around 1672 when Shivaji provided grant for the math (Hindu Monastery) of Ramdas at Chaphal.
• After Shivaji's death, Ramdas wrote a letter to his elder son Sambhaji Bhonsle I, advising him on the future course of action after Shivaji's death.