Question Discussion & Solution

Bhimbetka caves in Madhya Pradesh are the finest example of pre-historic cave paintings and murals. This archaeological site of central India is situated near Bhopal and spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. Few paintings at the Bhimbetka rock shelters are about 3,000 years old.

The correct answer is Kushinagar.

Key Points

•  Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar (In present-day Uttar Pradesh).

Additional Information

• Mahaparinirvana usually means the ultimate state of Nirvana (everlasting, highest peace and happiness) attained by an Awakened Being.
  • Kushinagar is the final resting place of Gautam Buddha.
  • It is a Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Important Points

• Gautam Buddha achieved Nirvana (Enlightenment) on the banks of river Niranjana in Bodh Gaya.
  • He was known as Gautama Buddha and Tathagata (he who has attained the truth) after this.
• Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath.
  • It is called Dharma Chakra Pravartana or the Turning of the Wheel of Law.
• Lumbini in Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha.
• Buddha left his home at the age of 29 years to live a life of an ascetic which is known as Mahabhinishkramana (the great departure).  

The correct answer is Fine variety of barley.

Key Points

• Lothal is situated near the village of Saragwala in the Dholka Taluka of Ahmedabad district, Gujarat.
• Lothal was a port town during the Harappan civilization located along the Bhogava river.
• It was discovered by S.R. Rao in 1953.
• Major Findings from Lothal:
  • Dockyard
  • Double burial
  • Rice husk
  • Fire altars
  • Painted jars
  • Modern-day Chess
  • Terracotta figure of the ship
  • Instruments for measuring 45, 90, and 180-degree angles

Additional Information

• The Indus Valley Civilization was spread from present-day North-East Afghanistan to Pakistan and North-West India.
• The civilization flourished in the river basins of the Ghaggar-Hakra river and the Indus.
• Indus valley civilization is one of the four oldest civilizations in the world.
• It is also known as Harappan Civilization and is well-known for its organized planning based on the grid system.
• There are seven important cities in the Indus valley civilization:
  • Mohanjodaro
  • Harappa
  • Kalibangan
  • Lothal
  • Chanhudaru
  • Dholavira
  • Banawali

The correct answer is Ashoka.

Sanchi Stupa:

• It is a Buddhist complex i.e. situated in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh.
• It is considered the oldest stone structure in India.
• It was designed by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka within the 3rd century BCE.
• It is also the UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Sanchi Stupa motif is a feature that can be seen in the new Rs. 200 note.
  • ​It was also known as Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota and Bota-Sriparvata in ancient times.

​Key Points

• Ashoka was the Emperor of the Muryan Dynasty from 268 -232 BCE.
• He promoted Buddhism religion in Asia.
• During his rule, Patliputra was the capital. 

​Important Points

• UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
  • All those sites that have cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance are considered as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
  • There are a total of 40 World Heritage Sites in India.
  • In 2019, Pink City (Jaipur) was added as the World Heritage Site of India.
  • In July 2021, Dholavira, Gujarat, and Ramappa Temple, Telangana has been added to the list. 

The correct answer is the Jaisinghpura massacre 

Key Points

• Jaisinghpura massacre-
  •  On 21 June 1934 AD, Thakur Ishwar Singh of Dundlod opened fire on people working on the fields in Jaisinghpura village, In which 20-25 people were injured.
  • Ishwar Singh was tried in the princely state of Jaipur and sentenced to 1.5 years.
  • This was the first farmer massacre of Rajasthan in which the killers were punished.
  • British officer W.T. Web was appointed to prevent violence in this region.

Additional Information

• The Kudan massacre took place in Sikar due to the robbery of Captain Webb and the operation firing on the farmers.
• Chandraval massacre took place in Marwar where 6 farmers were killed on 29 March 1942 AD.
• The Dabla massacre took place on 13 March 1947 in Nagaur, this was the last incident related to the peasant movement in Rajasthan.