Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Gautam.

Key Points

• Nyaya philosophy is the base on which the higher philosophies of India have been built.
• The founder of this school philosophy is Akshpaad Gautam, who composed the Nyaya sutras.
• It says that all our sufferings are dues to our ignorance, therefore to overcome them acquiring the right knowledge is very important.
• The Nyaya philosophy recognizes sixteen categories and the first category is known as ‘pramāna’ which focuses on the logical and epistemological character of the Nyāya system.
• It professes that there are four independent pramānas (sources of valid knowledge). These are- perception, inference, comparison, and verbal testimony or sabda.
• According to Nyāyikas, perception is the direct and immediate cognition produced by the interaction between the object and sense-organs.
• For perceptual cognition, four elements are necessary. These are- the self, mind, sense organs, and objects.

The correct answer is Jamui.

• Bihar CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated Bihar’s first state bird festival ‘Kalrav’ on 16 January 2021.
• It was held at the Nagi bird sanctuary in Jamui district, about 200 km south-east from Patna.
• Spread in an area of 2.1 square kilometres, Nagi bird sanctuary is home to over 133 bird species.
• The festival was organized with an aim to create awareness among people about migratory birds.
• Bihar:
  • Lok Sabha seats - 40.
  • Rajya Sabha seats - 16.
  • State Animal - Gaur.
  • State Bird - House sparrow.

The correct answer is Tamil.

• The epics 'Silappadikaram' and 'Manimekalai' of the Sangam period were written in the Tamil language.

Key Points

• The Sangam Age:
  • It is a period between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D. in South India.
  • The period is named after the Sangam academies which were held during that period and flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
  • The Sangam Age was ruled by three dynasties namely the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas.
  • Silappathikaram was written by Elango Adigal.
  • Manimekalai was written by Sittalai Sattanar.

The Sculpture of Mathura school were influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Key Points

Mathura School of Art:

• Mathura was a great centre of art and culture during the period of the Kushans.
• In Gandhara art the Greco- Roman influence is strongly present.
• In Mathura art, the important religions of India, such as Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism are represented. It is believed that the first Buddha images were carved at Mathura at the same time as in the Gandhara School.
• Mathura has produced Buddha images of various dimensions. The Mathura style evolved with native spirit and elements.
• There are quite a number of female figures on the railings of the stupas, and these are beautifully attired according to Indian taste.
• The spirit of Mathura sculpture displays the peaceful atmosphere. The features are naturalistic rather than realistic.
• The Indian elements derived from the ideal yogi type, namely the lotus feet and the meditative gaze.
• Mathura artists rejected the Greco- Roman realistic features and chose naturalistic features to create the sculptures. The entire figure clothed with refinement. 

 Additional InformationAmaravati School of Sculpture: 

• During the Satavahana period, an aesthetic movement of greater magnitude developed in Andhra Pradesh.
• Several stupas with refined sculptures of exceptional beauty are the contributions of this period.
• The sculptures belonging to Amaravati school are found in the valley of Krishna on the sites and museums of Jaggayyapetta, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. 
• The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated. The sculptured panels of Amaravati are characterised by delicacy of forms, and linear grace.
• Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs displaying joy of life. The sculptural remains of Amaravati, known as the 'marbles' are created by using white limestone. It creates the illusion of marble and is as fresh as when it was carved.
• It reflects narratives theme based on life of Buddha and Jataka stories Buddha is depicted both in human as well as in animal form
• Both religious and secular images were present in this style.

Gandhara School 

• It was based on Greco-Roman norms encapsulating foreign techniques and an alien spirit.
• The foreign influence is evident from the sculptures of Buddha in which they bear resemblance to the Greek sculptures.
• Grey sandstone (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is used in Gandhara School of Art.
• The Gandharan Buddha image was inspired by Hellenistic realism, influenced by Persian, Scythian, and Parthian models. 
• In this art, Buddha’s curls were altered into wavy hair.
• The head of the Buddha matched very much with Greek God Apollo.
• Gandharan sculptures show strong Greek influences in the depiction of a ‘man-god’ and of wavy hair, sandals and extensive drapery.
• The depiction of Buddha as a ‘man-god’ in Gandharan sculpture is believed to be inspired from Greek mythology.
• Some examples of Gandharan art depict both Buddha and the Greek god, Hercules.

The correct answer is a-1, b-3, c-2.

Key Points

• ​Basically, there are 3 kinds of temple architecture:
  1. Vesara Style
  2. Nagara Style
  3. Dravida Style
• Nagara Style:
  • ​The Nagara style is associated with the land between the Himalayas and Vindhyas and developed regionally in the Northern parts of India.
  • The structure comprises two buildings, the main taller shrine and an adjoining mandapa which is short.
  • The foremost difference between these two buildings is the shape of the shikhara.
  • In the main shrine, a bell-shaped structure is added.
  • Originally in Nagara style, there were no pillars.
  • Example: Dashavatara Vishnu Temple, Deogarh, UP, Khajuraho Temples (MP), Konark Sun Temple.
  • 
• ​Dravida Style:
  • Dravida style advanced in the South, throughout the Chola Empire, between 9th–12th Century AD.
  • It is seen in the region between the Krishna and Kaveri rivers.
  • In Dravida, style temple is situated within an ambulatory hall.
  • There are multiple stories called Vimana, built above the Garbhagriha.
  • Mandapa is a pillared hall.
  • Gopuram is the high gate in this courtyard.
  • Example: Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Brihadiswara Temple, Tanjore.
  • 
• Vesara Style: 
  • ​Vesara style is at times related to the region between the Krishna River and Vindhyas that emerged during the early medieval period.
  • Many temples in Central India and Deccan have used the Vesara style with regional modifications.
  • It is a fusion style of both Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture.
  • In this style structures are finely finished, figures are much decorated and well-polished.
  • Example: The Hoysalas temples at Belur.
  •