GPSC Prelims Paper 1 Mock Test - 2 Free Online Test 2026

• Silambam is a popular variant of martial arts which is performed with the aid of some specific weapons, primarily bamboo sticks. It is widely performed in the regions of Tamil Nadu (India) which is also the birthplace of the game. The Tamil Sangam literature has the early records of Silambam. Hence pair 1 is correctly matched.
  • The primary focus of the fighters is to use the bamboo stick as a weapon to defeat the opponents. The length of the weapon stick depends on the height of the fighters. In the battle, the fighter holds the weapon by stretching the arms around 3-quarters full.
  • In the era of 1760-1799, during Pulidevan's and Veera Pandiya Kattabomman's time, the art was reformed to fight against the Britishers. Post that, Silambam went popular throughout the country and its native state. But being a furious act, the Britishers banned the sport. The ban was lifted in India after independence.
• Gatka is a traditional form of martial arts, which is historically associated with Sikh Gurus and is popular among the masses as a Sikh martial art.
  • It is a style of stick fighting between two or more practitioners, with wooden sticks intended to simulate swords. Hence pair 2 is correctly matched.
  • It was one of the basic techniques of self-defense for Sikh warriors during the martial period of the great Sikh Gurus.
  • Creating an amalgamation between acrobatics and swords fight, Gatka was introduced as a means of warfare when the Sikhs were fighting the Mughal Empire during the late 17th century.
• Thoda is a martial art form of Himachal Pradesh that relies on one's archery prowess. This martial art has its origin in Kullu. Hence pair 3 is not correctly matched.
• Thoda, the name is derived, from the round piece of wood fixed to the head of the arrow, which is used to blunt its wounding potential.
• The equipment required for Thoda are bows and arrows. Wooden bows measuring 1.5m to 2m, to suit the height of the archer and wooden arrows in proportion to the length of the bow, are prepared by skilled and traditional artisans.

• Akbar used different kinds of land revenue and land measurement systems to improvise the older systems and enhance the revenue without hurting the peasants.
• In 1580, Akbar instituted a new land revenue system called dahsala. Under this system, the average produce of different crops as well as average prices prevailing over the last ten (dah) years were calculated. One- third of the average share was state's share.
• Akbar also followed the old batai or ghalla-bakshi system. In this system, the produce was divided between peasants and the state in a fixed proportion. The crop was divided after it has been thrashed, or when it has been cut and tied in stacks, or while it was standing in the field.
• A third system used under Akbar's reign was nasaq. It meant a rough calculation of the amount payable by the peasant on the basis of what he has been paying in the past.
• Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

• In the south, Dantidurga was the founder of the dynasty called, the Rashtrakuta dynasty (8th AD).
• The capital of the Rastrakutas was Manyakheta or Malkhed near Sholapur.
• It was under the king Dhruva that the Rashtrakutas turned towards north India in a bid to control Kannauj, then the imperial city and it led to the beginning of the ‘Tripartite struggle’.
• One of the important kings of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was Krishna I. He built the famous Kailasha temple at Ellora (near Aurangabad, Maharastra). It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is monolithic i.e. made of one single piece of rock. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Arab accounts inform us that the Rashtrakutas were quite friendly with the Arab traders who visited their empire. These traders were allowed to build mosques and follow their religion without any hindrance. It testifies to the liberal attitude of the Rashtrakuta kings and also to their desire to draw economic benefit from the growing sea trade conducted by the Arabs at that time. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • The Rashtrakuta kings presented an excellent example of religious tolerance and gave patronage to all the faiths such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Islam. They did not kill anyone for his or her religious beliefs. Toleration was also shown between the members of the different sects. The hope that religious charity will earn divine favour became a funding source to religious and socio-religious activities.

• Philosophy in Medieval India
  • The major religious movements were brought about by the mystics. They contributed to the religious ideas and beliefs. Bhakti saints like Vallabhacharya, Ramanuja, Nimbaraka brought about new philosophical thinking which had its origin in Shankaracharya’s advaita (non-dualism) philosophy.
  • Vishistadvaita of Ramanujacharya: Vïshistadvaita means modified monism. The ultimate reality according to this philosophy is Brahman (God) and matter and soul are his qualities.
  • Sivadvaita of Srikanthacharya: According to this philosophy, the ultimate Brahman is Shiva, endowed with Shakti. Shiva exists in this world as well as beyond it.
  • Dvaita of Madhavacharya: The literal meaning of dvaita is the dualism that stands in opposition to the non-dualism and monism of Shankaracharya. He believed that the world is not an illusion (maya) but a reality full of differences. Hence pair 3 is correctly matched.
  • Dvaitadvaita of Nimbaraka: Dvaitadvaita means dualistic monism. According to this philosophy, God transformed himself into the world and soul. This world and soul are different from God (Brahman). They could survive with the support of God only. They are separate but dependent. Hence pair 1 is correctly matched
  • Suddhadvaita of Vallabhacharya: Vallabhacharya wrote commentaries on Vedanta Sutra and Bhagavad Gita. For him. Brahman (God) was Sri Krishna who manifested himself as souls and matter. God and soul are not distinct, but one. The stress was on pure non-dualism. His philosophy came to be known as Pushtimarga (the path of grace) and the school was called Rudrasampradaya. Hence pair 2 is not correctly matched

• Remnants of rock paintings have been found on the walls of the caves situated in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar.
• Some paintings have been reported from the Kumaon hills in Uttarakhand also. The rock shelters on banks of the River Suyal at Lakhudiyar, about twenty kilometres on the Almora– Barechina road, bear these prehistoric paintings.
  • Lakhudiyar literally means one lakh caves.
  • The paintings here can be divided into three categories: man, animal and geometric patterns in white, black and red ochre.
  • Humans are represented in stick-like forms.
  • A long-snouted animal, a fox and a multiple legged lizard are the main animal motifs.
  • Wavy lines, rectangle-filled geometric designs, and groups of dots can also be seen here.
  • One of the interesting scenes depicted here is of hand-linked dancing human figures.
  • There is some superimposition of paintings. The earliest are in black; over these are red ochre paintings and the last group comprises white paintings.
• Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

• Malik Ambar was brought as an enslaved person from Ethiopia to India; Malik Ambar changed several hands before landing at the hands of the Prime Minister of Ahmad nagar named, Chengiz Khan. Malik Ambar learned about statecraft, military and administrative affairs from Chengiz Khan. After the death of Chengiz Khan, his wife set Malik Ambar free. In the Deccan, Muslims and Marathas had united to resist Mughal hegemony to preserve their distinct regional and political identity. In 1608 Ahmad Nagar in the Deccan had declared independence under Malik Ambar. So, Statement 1 is correct.
• Jahangir's reign witnessed the visit of two Englishmen – William Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe. While the former could not get the consent of the Emperor to establish an English factory in India, the latter, sent as ambassador by King James I, succeeded in securing permission to establish a British factory in 1963 at Surat. The British East India Company came to India for trade in spices, an important commodity in Europe back then and as it was used to preserve meat. By this concession, the English established factories at Surat, Agra, Ahmedabad and Broach within the next four years. So, Statement 2 is correct.
• In January 1687, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb led his large Mughal army and defeated Abul Hasan Qutb Shah, the eighth and final king of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. He won due to the betrayal of Sarandaz Khan, a military official in the Qutb Shahi dynasty's army. Thus, the Mughals defeated Abul Hasan Qutb Shah during the reign of Aurangzeb, not in Jahangir's reign. So, Statement 3 is not correct.

Mughal architecture reached its zenith during the reign of Shahjahan. He was the most magnificent builder among the Mughals. Architecture seems to have reached into his blood. Hence he could build wonderful buildings. He made extensive use of white marble in his buildings. He had made use of the skills of the jeweler and the painter in making his buildings, and hence they come out to be the best specimens of architecture. Aurangzeb’s reign witnessed the construction of Badshahi mosque in Lahore and the marble tomb of Rabia ud daurani, known as Bibi-ka-maqbara (Tomb of the Lady) at Aurangabad. This tomb, built in 1678, is the most well-known building in the city. It was built by Prince Azam Shah in memory of Rabia Durani, wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (reign. 1658-1707). It was designed by the architect Ata Aula as an imitation on a reduced scale of the Taj Mahal at Agra. So, Option (d) is correct.

• Mughal Empire’s territorial divisions are well expressed in Ain-i Akbari also reflect how the Mughal empire was divided into subas/sarkars/parganas. The Parganas had a varying number of villages. In the Mughal administration, the basic unit was the village headed by muqaddam or chaudhri (privileged village headman). Panch (Muqaddam) formed a collective body known as panchayat. The Panch was responsible for collecting and maintaining accounts at the village level. The Panch allotted the unoccupied lands of the village to artisans, menials and servants for their service to the village. So, Pair 1 is correct.
• Madad-i-Mash (or) Suyurghal is a type of land grant given to many classes of people- including officials, artists, scholars, theologians, etc. Especially the scholars and religious divines etc., from the Mughal emperor, local rulers and zamindars during the Mughal period. A separate department under the charge of the sadr-us-sudur looked after these grants. If the aid was given in cash, it was known as wazifa. There were certain categories of people who were qualified to receive madad-i-maash. These grants did not invest the grantee with any right over land but were entitled to the prescribed revenue from its produce. Akbar put the ceiling of such land grants to 100 bighas per person. So, Pair 2 is not correct.
• Under the Surs and the Mughals, the village was the smallest unit of administration. A group of villages constituted a pargana and a few Parganas a shiqq which was equivalent to a Mughal Sarkar. The village-head was known as Muqaddam who was the sole link between the government and the village. Though he was not a government servant, he was responsible for maintaining law and order in his village. Patwari is a village record-keeper and he maintains and updates it. The Patwari usually has ways of measuring agricultural fields. The Patwari was also responsible for organizing the collection of land revenue from the farmers and providing information to the government about the crops grown in his area. So, Pair 3 is not correct.

Although there may have been several different systems of medicine in ancient India, the texts and traditions of only the Ayurveda system have survived for posterity. Ayurveda literally means ‘knowledge for longevity.’ The notable creations on medicine include Charaka Samhitaa and Sushruta Samhitaa. The Hastyayurveda by Maharshi Palakapya is the first systematic and meticulous exposition of veterinary science, consisting of 160 chapters written in Sanskrit language. It extensively deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the major diseases of elephants through medication and surgery. So, Option (a) is correct.

The city of Mandu is located sixty miles from Indore, at an elevation of over 2000 feet and overlooks the Malwa Plateau to the north and the Narmada valley to the south. The city Mandu's natural defence encouraged consistent habitations by Parmara Rajputs, Afghans and Mughals. Mandu is the capital city of the Ghauri Dynasty (1401–1561), founded by Hoshang Shah. Mandu is a typical representation of the medieval provincial style of art and architecture. It was a complex mix of official and residential-cum-pleasure palaces, pavilions, mosques, artificial reservoirs, baolis, and embattlements. The size or monumentality and the structure of the mandu were very close to nature, designed in the style of arched pavilions, light and airy so that these buildings did not retain heat, and it is a fine example of architectural adaptation to the environment. Hindola Mahal means a swing palace due to its sloping side walls. The Jama Masjid, Hindola Mahal and Jahaz Mahal in the city of Mandu were built. The Hindola Mahal looks like a railway viaduct bridge with its disproportionately large buttresses supporting the walls. This was Sultan's audience hall and the place where he showed himself to his subjects. The batter was used effectively to give an impression of swinging (Hindola) walls. So, Option (a) is correct.

• Though agriculture was the mainstay of the economy during the Gupta period, there were other occupations as well such as commerce and the production of crafts. Different social groups were engaged in these occupations.
• Certain changes were witnessed in the agrarian society at this time. The land system became more complex. Grants of land were being made to religious and ritual specialists or to officers. In those cases when the land granted to Brahmanas was a wetland or forest, the donees took on the role of a pioneer in introducing agriculture. The Brahmanas became proficient in supervising agrarian activities, helped by manuals on agriculture, such as Krishiparashara, which may be dated to this or the subsequent period. In the Gupta period, land taxes increased in number, and those on trade and commerce decreased. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
• Probably the king collected taxes varying from one-fourth to one-sixth of the produce. In addition, whenever the royal army passed through the countryside, the local people had to feed it. The peasants had also to supply animals, food grains, furniture, etc., for the maintenance of royal officers on duty in rural areas. In central and western India, the villagers were also subjected to forced labour called vishti by the royal army and officials. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• For the smooth function of transactions in the economy, various types of coins were issued by different rulers. In ancient India, the Guptas were known for issuing a good number of gold coins, which were called dinars in their inscriptions. However, in gold content, the Gupta coins are not as pure as the Kushana ones and most probably not used by ordinary peoples in their daily transactions. Daily transactions mostly were done in copper coins or other modes of currency. But in contrast to those of the Kushanas, the Gupta copper coins are very few. Thus, it seems that commercial activities in this period were not as flourishing as they were in the Kushana period. Hence statement 3 is not correct.

• Mahayana Buddhism:
  • It means the greater vehicle.
  • The school is more liberal and believes in the heavenliness of Buddha and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The ultimate goal under Mahayana is “spiritual upliftment”. The Mahayana followers believe in idol or image worship of Buddha. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • The concept of Bodhisattva is the result of Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana is also called “Bodhisattvayana”, or the “Bodhisattva Vehicle. That is to say, the followers believe in Bodhisattva concept of the salvation of all conscious individual. In other words, they believe in universal liberation from the suffering of all beings.
  • A bodhisattva seeks complete enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. A bodhisattva who has accomplished this goal is called a Samyaksaṃbuddha.
  • Prominent Mahayana texts include Lotus Sutra, Mahavamsa, etc.
  • As per Lotus Sutra, the Mahayana school believes in six perfections (or paramitas) to be followed by an individual:
    • Dana (generosity)
    • Sila (virtue, morality, discipline and proper conduct)
    • Kṣanti (patience, tolerance, acceptance)
    • Virya (energy, diligence, vigor, effort)
    • Dhyana (one-pointed concentration)
    • Prajna (wisdom and insight)
  • As per scholars, one of the sub-sects of Mahayana being developed in the later periods was Vajrayana.
  • The Mahayana scholars predominantly used Sanskrit as a language. Hence statement 3 is not correct.
  • Emperor Kaniska convened the fourth great Buddhist council in Kashmir, which marked the beginnings of Mahayana Buddhism (as Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism diverged after this council). He patronized the new Mahayana sect of Buddhism which led to its popularity. Hence statement 4 is correct.
  • Presently, the majority of the Buddhist followers in the world belong to Mahayana sect. (around 53.2% as per 2010 report) o Other countries following it includes Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mongolia, China, Bhutan, Tibet, etc.

• Babur introduced a new warfare method known as the Tulguma system, in the first battle of Panipat. Tulughma meant dividing the whole army into various units, viz. the Left, the Right, and the Centre.
  • The Left and Right divisions were further subdivided into forwarding and Rear divisions. The Centre Forward division was then provided with carts (araba) which were placed in rows facing the enemy and tied to each other with animal hide ropes.
  • Behind them were placed cannons protected and supported by mantelets which could be used to easily maneuver the canons.
• This introduction of a new mode of warfare led to the popularization of gunpowder, cavalry, and artillery in India. However, gunpowder was known earlier in India, but its use for artillery became common in north India with the advent of Babur. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
• Facts about the other three battles:
  • Battle of Samugarh (1658): The battle of Samugarh was fought between Shahjahan's sons Dara Shikoh (the eldest son and heir apparent) and his two younger brothers Aurangzeb and Murad Baksh (third and fourth sons of Shah Jahan) to decide who will be the heir of the throne after their father.
  • Battle of Haldighati (1576): The Battle of Haldighati was a battle fought on 18 June 1576 between the Mewar forces led by Maharana Pratap and the Mughal forces led by Man Singh I of Amber. Akbar was the Mughal Emperor at the time.
  • Sultana Chand Bibi: Sultana Chand Bibi (1550–1599 CE) was an Indian ruler and warrior. She acted as the Regent of Bijapur Sultanate during the minority of Ibrahim Adil Shah II in 1580-1590, and regent of Ahmednagar Sultanate during the minority of her great nephew Bahadur Shah in 1595-1600. Chand Bibi is best known for defending Ahmednagar against the Mughal forces of Emperor Akbar in 1595.

• The Marathas played a major role in the decline of Mughal power under the dynamic leadership of Shivaji, and they posed a strong challenge to Mughal power during the 1670s. In Maratha administration, Shivaji was a great warrior and a good administrator, and he had an advisory council to assist him in his day-to-day administration. The Maratha administration was divided into eight departments headed by ministers, sometimes called Ashta Pradhan and functions were advisory. The Walkia-Nawis or Mantri maintained the records of the king's activities and the proceedings in the court. So, Statement 1 is correct.
• Summant (or) Dabir (or) Foreign secretary, was to advise the king on all matters of war and peace and to receive ambassadors and envoys from other countries. Nyayadhish, or chief justice, was responsible for civil and military justice. Therefore, Summant was not responsible for civil and military justice. So, Statement 2 is not correct.
• Pandit Rao, Danadhyaksha, Sadar, and Muhtasib or ecclesiastical head, was in charge of religion, ceremonies, and charities. He was the judge of canon law and censor of public morals. Sari Naubat, commander-in-chief, was in charge of the Army's recruitment, organization and discipline. Therefore, Sari Naubatwas not in charge of religion, ceremonies and charities. So, Statement 3 is not correct.

Farrukhsiyar (1713-1719)

• After killing Jahandar Shah with the help of Sayyid brothers—Abdulla Khan and Hussain Ali (known as 'King Makers'), Farrukhsiyar became the new emperor. He followed a policy of religious tolerance by abolishing Jaziya and the pilgrimage tax. In 1717, he gave farmans to the British. In 1719, the Sayyid brothers, with the help of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, dethroned Farrukhsiyar. Later, he was blinded and killed. It was the first time in Mughal history that an emperor was killed by his nobles.

Ahmad Shah (1748-1754)

• Ahmad Shah was an incompetent ruler who left state affairs in the hands of Udham Bai, the 'Queen Mother.' Udham Bai, given the title of Qibla-i-Alam, was a lady of poor intellect who ruled with the help of her paramour, Javid Khan.

Alamgir II (1754-1758)

• Alamgir II was a grandson of Jahandar Shah. Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Iranian invader, reached Delhi in January 1757. During his reign, the Battle of Plassey was fought in June 1757.

Shah Alam II (1759-1806)

• His reign saw two decisive battles—the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) and the Battle of Buxar (1764). In 1765, according to the terms of the Treaty of Allahabad (August 1765), he was taken under the East India Company's protection and resided at Allahabad. He also issued a farman granting to the Company in perpetuity the Diwani (the right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. In 1772, the Marathas took him to Delhi, where he lived till 1803. In 1803, he again accepted the protection of the English after the defeat of Daulat Rao Scindia by the English. Afterward, the Mughal emperors became the pensioners of the English. So, Option (b) is correct.

• Pair one is Tikuli Painting and Bihar. This is correctly matched because Tikuli painting is a traditional folk art from Bihar.
• Pair two is Kangra Painting and Assam. This is not correctly matched because Kangra painting actually belongs to Himachal Pradesh, not Assam.
• Pair three is Thangka Painting and Sikkim. This is correctly matched because Thangka painting is a traditional Buddhist art form found in Sikkim and some other Himalayan regions.

So, out of the three pairs, two are correctly matched.

The correct answer is option b, Only two pairs.

• Thang Ta--"The Art of the Sword and Spear"- is the traditional martial art of Manipur in Northeast India. It integrates various external weapons - the sword, spear, dagger, etc. - with the internal practice of physical control through soft movements coordinated with the rhythms of breathing. It is part of the great heroic tradition of Manipur. So, Statement 1 is not correct.
• Bhoota Aradhana, or spirit worship, is a religion-cultural ritual practiced in Udupi and South Canara districts on the west coast of Karnataka. The ritual is prevalent mainly among the Tulu-speaking people of this state. The bhootas are considered to be benevolent Gods or guardian spirits by the people. A small pedestal is set up for these spirit gods inside houses. In public spaces, shrines are dedicated to these gods, known as bhoota staanas. The bhoota may be represented by a stone, a mask, metal objects or finely sculpted wooden or metal idols. The bhootas can also be manifestations of animals like the five-faced Nandigona, the bull spirit or the mother goddess-like Ullalthi. So, Statement 2 is correct.
• Singhi Chham Folk Dance is also known as Kanchendzonga Dance. It is a folk dance native to Sikkim Region. The word 'Singhi Dance' means the 'Lion Dance'. This masked dance is performed during the worship of the snowy range of Kanchenjunga. And People use this majestic dance as a way to display their cultural symbol. Singhi Chham is performed exclusively by men. The dancers wear esoteric masks, flashing silks, opulent brocades and embroidered boots. Performed exclusively by the citizens of the state, it is held in the month of September. So, Statement 3 is not correct.

• Abdur Razzaq was a Persian, Timurid chronicler and scholar who visited the Vijayanagara Kingdom during the period of Deva Raya II (1422–1446 CE). He gave an account of the reign of Deva Raya II. He came to the court of King Zamorin of Calicut as an ambassador of King Shahrukh (the Timurid Dynasty Ruler of Persia) in 1442. He wrote a 45-page narrative of this mission to India. It appears as a chapter in his book Matla- us-Sadain-wa-Majma-ul-Bahrain. So, Pair (1) is not correct.
• Domingo Paes was a Portuguese merchant, writer and explorer who visited India between 1520– 1522AD and gave the most detailed account among all other historical descriptions of the ancient city of Hampi under the reign of King Krishnadeva Raya of Tuluva Dynasty under the Vijayanagara Empire. He recorded his journey in his book named "Chronica dos reis de Bisnaga", where he provided in- depth information about Vijayanagara Empire. So, Pair (2) is correct.
• Fernao Nuniz, a Portuguese horse trader, composed his account around 1536-37. He was in the capital during the reign of Achyutaraya and may have been present at earlier battles fought by Krishnadevaraya. This visitor was particularly interested in the history of Vijayanagara, especially the city's foundation, the subsequent careers of three dynasties of rulers, and the battles they fought with the Deccan sultans and Odishan Rayas. Nunez also gives details of the Mahanavami festival, noting admiringly the extravagant jewels worn by the courtly women and the thousands of women in the king's service. So, Pair (3) is correct.

The Indo-Greek coins circulated to the south of the Hindu Kush were made of silver and copper and were often square. They had bilingual inscriptions in Greek and Kharoshthi (more rarely, Brahmi) and followed an Indian weight standard. Royal portraits occur on the obverse, but the motifs on the reverse include religious symbols that were Indian rather than Greek in inspiration. An interesting coin series was that of king Agathocles, which depicted the god Samkarshana Balarama on the obverse and Vasudeva Krishna on the reverse. So, Statements 1, 2, & 3 are correct.

• Under the reign of Kanishka, the Kushana empire reached its maximum territorial limits. The empire extended from Central Asia to northern India, including Varanasi, Kaushambi and Sravasti in the Uttar Pradesh region. It expanded further east into the Ganga valley and southwards into the Malwa region. Kushana influence was felt in western and central India as well, where the Shaka kshatrapas acknowledged the overlordship of their Kushana overlords. Buddhist sources record that he conquered Magadha, Kashmir, and Khotan in Sinkiang. So, Statement 1 is correct.
• Kanishka was an ardent follower of Buddhism and hosted the fourth Buddhist maha sangha or council at Kundalvana, Kashmir (72 AD) (the third council had been held in Pataliputra during Ashoka's reign). By now, Mahayana Buddhism had become the dominant sect, and Kanishka supported the missions sent to China to preach Buddhism. So, Statement 2 is not correct.
• Kanishka is said to have patronized Buddhist scholars such as Ashvaghosha and Vasumitra. Ashvaghosha wrote the Buddhacharitra, which is the biography of the Buddha. He also wrote Saundarananda, which is a fine example of Sanskrit poetry. The philosopher rose to the position of spiritual counselor in Kanishka's court at Peshawar. A brilliant orator, Ashvaghosha spoke at length on Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) Buddhist doctrine at the fourth Buddhist council, which he helped organize. So, Statement 3 is correct.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: There is scope for improvisations and variations in Hindustani music. Whereas in Carnatic music, it is not present.

• Statement 2 is correct: Hindustani music is influenced by Arab, Persian and Afghan music. Carnatic music is indigenous.

• Statement 3 is incorrect: Vocal music and instruments are equally important in Hindustani music. In Carnatic music, more emphasis is given on vocal music in comparison to instruments. Hindustani classical music is an Indian classical music tradition. It originated in North India around the 13th and 14th centuries. In contrast to Carnatic music, the other main Indian classical music tradition from South India, Hindustani classical music was not only influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions and Vedic philosophy but also by the Persian elements. Hindustani classical music is the most popular stream of Indian music. Hindustani music is based on the raga system.

• The Raga is a melodic scale, comprising of notes from the basic seven- Sa, Re, Ga, Ma Pa, Dha and Ni. On the basis of notes included in it, each raga attains a different character. The form of the raga is also determined by the particular pattern of ascent and descent of the notes, which may not be strictly linear. Hindustani classical music is primarily vocal-centric. The major vocal forms associated with Hindustani classical music are the khayal, Ghazal, dhrupad, dhammar, tarana and thumri. Dhrupad style of singing is traditionally performed by men with a tanpura and pakhawaj. The lyrics sung in Dhrupad are in a medieval form of Hindi and typically heroic in theme, or in praise of a particular deity.

• A more adorned form is called dhamar. The place of dhrupad has been taken by somewhat less austere and more free-form khayal. Khayal consists of about 4-8 lines of lyrics set to a tune. The performer uses these few lines as the base for improvisation. The Khayal form of Hindustani classical music is ascribed to Hussain Shah Sharqui, the 15th century ruler of the Sharqi dynasty. It was made popular by the 18th century rule of Mohammed Shah. Some of the modern day vocalists are Bhimsen Joshi, Nagraj Havaldar, Kishori Amonkar, Ulhas Kashalkar, Ajoy Chakraborty, Prabakar Karekar, Pandit Jasraj, Rashid Khan, Aslam Khan, Shruti Sadolikar, Chandrasekhar Swami and Mashkoor Ali Khan. Another vocal form of Hindustani music is Tarana.

• Tarana are songs that are used to convey a feeling of joy and are usually performed towards the end of a concert. Thumri is an informal vocal form of Hindustani classical music and is said to have begun with the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the Nawab of Oudh. Originally, a Persian form of vocal music, Ghazal is an important part of Hindustani Classical music. Ghazal exists in multiple variations, including folk and pop forms. Some notable Ghazal performers include Ghulam Ali, Jagjit Singh, Mehndi Hassan and Pankaj Udhas. The themes of Ghazals range from love, joy and piety.

• Statement 1 is correct: Chandragupta II adopted the title of Vikramaditya, which had been first used by an Ujjain ruler in 58–57 BC as a mark of victory over the Shaka Kshatrapas of western India. This Ujjain ruler is traditionally called Shakari or the enemy of the Shakas. Vikrama samvat or era was started in 58– 57 BC by Shakari. However, Chandragupta II proved to be a greater Shakari and Vikramaditya.

• Statement 2 is correct: The court of Chandragupta II at Ujjain was adorned by numerous scholars including Kalidasa and Amarasimha.

• Statement 3 is correct: It was during Chandragupta’s reign that the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hsien (AD 399–414) visited India and wrote an elaborate account of the life of its people.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: A local ruler expelled Sakas from Ujjain and called himself ‘Vikramaditya'. He also stated Vikrama era in 57 BC.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: Saka ruler Rudradaman l undertook repairs of Sudarshan lake in Kathiawar region. He didn’t constructed Sudarshan lake.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Gandhara art was influenced by Graeco-Roman style while Mathura Art was indigenous art. But Mathura art was influenced by Gandhara School.

• Statement 2 is correct: Mathura school produces images of both Buddha and Mahavira.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO):

About:

• It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation of Eurasian Nations with a secretariat in Beijing.

Origin: Journey from Shanghai Five to SCO

• Shanghai Five emerged in 1996 from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks between 4 former USSR republics and China.

• Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.

• With the accession of Uzbekistan to the group in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.

• The SCO Charter was signed in 2002 and entered into force in 2003.

Inclusion of India & Pakistan:

• India and Pakistan both were initially observer states.

• Both were given full membership in 2017.

Members:

• Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.

• Milinda Panho is a book dedicated to questions asked by Menander to Nagasena who converted him to Buddhism. Questions asked by him is recorded in book Milinda Panho.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Satavahanas called themselves only Brahmana who defeated Sakas and Kshatriya rulers. Gautamiputra Satakarni crushed down the pride and conceit of the Kshatriyas; who destroyed the Sakas, Yavanas and Palhavas; who never levied nor employed taxes but in conformity to justice; alien to hurting life even towards an offending enemy; the furtherer of the homesteads of the low as well as of the twice-born; who rooted out the Khakharata race; who restored the glory of the Satavahana family; whose feet were saluted by all provinces; who stopped the contamination of the four varnas; who conquered multitudes of enemies in many battles; whose victorious banner was unvanquished; whose capital was unassailable to his foes.

• Statement 2 is correct: Satavahanas promoted Buddhism by granting them land. Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati become important Mahayana sites during Satavahana and their successors Ikshvakus.

Option (a) is the correct answer.

• Statement 1 is correct: Asokan inscriptions mention States of Chola, Chera and Pandya but their Kingdoms lay outside the territories of Mauryan Empire.

• Statement 2 is correct: Wealth of these states was mainly from overseas trade of cotton and spices. Ports like Kaveripattnam facilitated such trade.

• Statement 3 is incorrect: Only Pandyan rulers patronized Sangam literature.

• On the history of Cholas there is very little authentic written evidence available. Historians during the past 150 years have gleaned a lot of knowledge on the subject from a variety of sources such as ancient Tamil Sangam literature, oral traditions, religious texts, temple and copperplate inscriptions. The main source for the available information of the early Cholas is the early Tamil literature of the Sangam Period. There are also brief notices on the Chola country and its towns, ports and commerce furnished by the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (Periplus Maris Erythraei). Periplus is a work by an anonymous Alexandrian merchant and contains very little information of the Chola country. Writing half a century later, the geographer Ptolemy gives more detail about the Chola country, its port and its inland cities. Mahavamsa, a Buddhist text, recounts a number of conflicts between the inhabitants of Ceylon and the Tamil immigrants. Cholas are mentioned in the Pillars of Ashoka (inscribed 273 BC – 232 BC) inscriptions, where they are mentioned among the kingdoms which, though not subject to Ashoka, were on friendly terms with him.

• Rajaraja and Rajendra I marked their victories by erecting a number of Shiva and Vishnu temples at various places. The Chola rulers adopted the practice of having long inscriptions written on the walls of the temples they built, giving a historical narrative of their victories. That is why we know a great deal more about the Cholas than their predecessors.

• During the imperial Chola period the Prabhanda became the dominant form of poetry. The religious canons of Saiva and Vaishnava sects were beginning to be systematically collected and categorised.

• While there is little reliable information on the Cholas during the period between the early Cholas and Vijayalaya dynasties, there is an abundance of materials from diverse sources on the Vijayalaya and the Chalukya Chola dynasties. A large number of stone inscriptions by the Cholas themselves and by their rival kings, Pandyas and Chalukyas, and copper-plate grants, have been instrumental in constructing the history of Cholas of that period.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Madhubani painting (Mithila painting) was traditionally created by the women of various communities in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, painting was one of the skills that were passed down from generation to generation in the families of the Mithila Region, mainly by women.

• Statement 2 is correct: The paintings were traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Madhubani paintings are made from the paste of powdered rice.

• Statement 3 is correct: These paintings are 2 dimensional.

About Madhubani Paintings

• Madhubani art (or Mithila painting) is practiced in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. This painting is done with a variety of tools, including fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks and using natural dyes and pigments. It is characterized by its eye-catching geometrical patterns.