Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Agra.

Key Points

• Salahakul Utsav of Uttar Pradesh
  • Sulh-i Kul was founded to define universal peace, especially for interfaith sensitivity and fair treatment for all, neglectful of religious tenets.
  • This term Sulh-i kul is an Arabic phrase meaning absolute peace.
  • Mughal emperor Akbar introduced this policy in his empire to unite the people of his empire.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, the festival sulahkul a symbol of Hindu Muslim unity is organized in Agra. Hence, Option 3 is correct.

Important Points

• ​Important Fairs & Festivals
  • Taj Mahotsav is organized in Agra.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of the Holi festival, Lattathmar Holi is organized in the barasana.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, the world's largest fair (Kumbh Mela) is organized in Allahabad.
  • Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years and Ardha Kumbh Mela is organized in the intervals of every 6 years.
  • Dadri's Animal Fair is organized on Kartik Purnima, in Ballia.
  • Magh Mela is organized every year in Allahabad.
  • Haridas Jayanti Festival and Dhrupad Mela are held annually in Bhadrapad Shukla paksha in Mathura, in which the best musicians participate.

Vikramshila University was founded by Dharampal.

• Vikramshila was one of the important Buddhist monasteries in India during the Pala Empire.
• It was established by the great Pala emperor, Dharmapala during 8-9 CE.
• It is located in Antichik village of Bhagalpur district Bihar.
• It was built due to the decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda.

Additional Information

• It was excavated by B.P. Sinha and later by Archaeological Survey of India.
• It is a huge monastery with a stupa in the center.
• It was laid upon more than one hundred acres of land.
• It was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193.

• The famous bronze image of Nataraja is an example of Chola art.
• The Chola Dynasty was one of the greatest dynasties in the southern Indian part.
• They defeated the Pallavas to come into power.
• Their dynasty originated in the fertile valley of River Kaveri.
• Society and culture saw great developments during the reign of Cholas.
• Also, during this period Temples were the epicentre of all the social and religious gatherings. Temples and mutts were the centres of learning as well.
• Several Gods and goddesses were worshipped.
• Among these Shiva was the popular source of strength for the faithful ones. Quite a lot of Shiva temples were built along the banks of the river Kaveri.

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• Nataraja (Lord of the Dance), the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer, is represented in metal or stone in many Shaivite temples, particularly in South India.
• It is an important piece of Chola sculpture.
• Some of the features of the Nataraja sculpture are:
  • The upper right-hand holds the drum, which signifies the sound of creation. All creations spring from the great sound of the damru.
  • The upper left-hand holds the eternal fire, which represents destruction. Destruction is the precursor and inevitable counterpart of creation.
  • The lower right hand is raised in the gesture of Abhay mudra signifying benediction and reassuring the devotee to not be afraid.
  • The lower left-hand points towards the upraised foot and indicates the path of salvation.
  • Shiva is dancing on the figure of a small dwarf. The dwarf symbolises ignorance and the ego of an individual.
  • The matted and flowing locks of Shiva represent the flow of the river Ganges.

The correct answer is Baiga.

Key Points

• Baiga
  • It is a sub-tribe of Gond.
  • The Baigas are semi-nomadic Dravidian tribes and are linked to Indo-Australian aboriginal groups. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
  • The largest number of Baigas is found in Southern districts i.e. Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Some important sub-castes of Baiga are Bijhwar, Narotia, Bharotiya, Nahar, Rai Bhaina, Kadh Bhania, etc.
  • It is believed that the ancestors of the Baigas spoke an Austroasiatic language.
  • Now they are speaking in the ‘Baigani’ language which is a variety of Chhattisgarhi influenced by Gondi and Western Hindi used by the Baigas.
  • The Baigas are true inhabitants of forests, retaining customs, traditions, handed by their ancestors.
  • They are fierce protectors and worshippers of the forests and Mother nature.
  • Five panches of Baiga Panchayat are Mukdam, Deewan, Samrath, Kotawar, and Dawari.
  • The Baigas eat coarse grain, Kodo and Kutki, drink pej (made from grounding macca or from the water left from boiling rice).
  • Tattooing all over the body is an integral part of their lifestyles.

 Additional Information

• The women who work as tattooing artists belong to the Ojha, Badni, and dewar tribes of Madhya Pradesh.
• A weekly market is an important event in the lives of the Baiga people.
• Widow remarriage and bride price are prevalent in this tribe.
• Baiga lives in a joint family and endogamy is prohibited among them.
• Their main dance forms are Karma, Saila, Phaag, etc.
• They have great faith in Magic and the Baiga regard themselves as the most powerful Magician. They worship sal trees.
• Their sacred beliefs prohibit them from plowing the land as this is perceived as traumatizing Mother Earth.
• Baiga depends on agriculture. They adopt the slash and burn form of shifting agriculture known as ‘Webar’ as ‘Pondu’.
• They are courageous woodsmen and hunters and it is below the dignity of a Baiga to become a laborer.

The correct answer is Tomb of Sultan Balban.

Key Points

• ​Tomb of Sultan Balban:
  • It is located in Mehrauli, New Delhi.
  • It is considered to be the first structure to have a true dome and an arch.

Additional Information

• Adhai din ka Jhonpra:
  • It is one of the oldest mosques in India and is located in the city of Ajmer, Rajasthan.
  • It is built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
• Quwwat ul Islam Mosque:
  • It is located within the Qutub Minar complex at Mehrauli in Delhi.
  • It was built by the Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
• Alai Darwaza:
  • It is the southern gateway of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
  • It is made up of red sandstone.
  • It was built by Alauddin Khalji in 1311 AD.
  • It is located in the Qutb complex, Mehrauli, Delhi.
• Alai Minar An incomplete Minar ambitiously started by Sultan but was left incomplete.