Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

1. Agile 

2. dismay 

3. coincidence 

4. eavesdrop 

5. falsify 

6. despair 

7. vile 

8. muster

1. for a long time. 

2. raining very heavily. 

3. very delighted. 

4. a lot of money.

5. the same difficult situation 

6. never.

Young Italy was founded by Mazzini in 1831.

1. one who knows many languages. 

2. without any clear shape or form 

3. regard as worthless 

4. extremely happy. 

5. people who walk in their sleep

Keys are contrasting pair of characters (couplet), it represents the choice made between two opposite options. This results in acceptance of only one and rejection of the other. Each statement in the key is called a lead. Separate taxonomic keys are required for each taxonomic category such as family, genus, and species for identification purpose.

The Last Supper, Mona Lisa, Virgin of the Rocks, Adoration of the Magi.

(i) Phylum:

phylum is the next higher category after the kingdom. Classification is done based on broad features of animals or plants.

For example, Chordates are classified due to the presence of a notochord and dorsal hollow neural system.

(ii) Class:

This is the next highest category after phylum. The class includes related orders. Class focused on more detailed features than broad architecture,

for example, Mammalia consists of order primates comprising monkey, gorilla, gibbon and the order Carnivora including tiger, cat and dog, and other orders, which implies all animals having mammary glands and hairy body are grouped together.

(iii) Family:

Family is a group of related genera with still less number of similarities as compared to genus and species. Families are characterised on the basis of both vegetative and reproductive features of plant species. For example, three different genera Solanum, Petunia, and Datura are placed in the family Solanaceae. Among animals genus Panther, genus Felis is placed in family Felidae.

(iv) Order:

Order and other higher categories are identified based on the aggregate of characters whereas categories like genus, species and families were based on a number of similar characters. For example the families Canidae and Felidae which have many similarities and dissimilarities are classified into order Carnivora, similarly plant families like Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae are included in the order polemoniales.

(v) Genus:

Genus comparison is a group of related species which has more characters in common in comparison to species of other genera. We can say that genera are aggregates of closely related species.

For example, potato and brinjal are two different species but all belong to the genus Solanum. Lion, leopard, and tiger with several common features, are all species of the genus Panthera, This genus differs from another genus Felis which includes cats.

Leaves of some aquatic plants are thin and slender like a ribbon because this shape helps them to withstand fast currents of water.

1. A hierarchy is formed in the classification that starts with kingdom Animalia or Kingdom Plantae, further groups and sub-groups are formed depending upon basic similarities and differences. 

2. This is called the ‘hierarchy of classification’.

1. Plants which are able to produce their own food with the help of the process of photosynthesis are called autotrophic plants eg. All green plants.

2. Plants which are not able to produce their own food but depend upon other plants for their nutrition are called parasitic plants They are leafless and non green in colour eg. Dodder (cuscuta). They have haustorial (sucking) roots for absorbing nutrients from the host plant.

The theories of Charles Darwin are Theory of natural selection and theory of survival of the fittest.

Another name for Kamrup is "Pragjyotish"

Correct option is: (c) rule

• Kanishka’s Empire extended from Kabul in the west to Varanasi in the east. 
• Gold and copper coins minted by him have been found in North India.
• The fourth Buddhist council was held in Kashmir during his reign.
• He established the city of Kanishkapur in Kashmir.

"Kanishkapur" established by Kanishka in Kashmir.

The Kushana tribe established their rule in the northwestern region and in Kashmir in the first century C.E.

The Kushana kings

(c) Elephanta caves – Ashoka

(b) Simhavishnuj

b. Vatsyaya – Bharathavenba

(d) all the three

The Kushana kings started a custom of putting the images of Gautam Buddha and different Indian deities on the coins.

The three gems of Kannada literature were Pampa, Sri Ponna and Raima.

1. Pulakesin II 

2. Narasimhavarma 

3. Ravikirti 

4. Paranjothi 

5. Kudumianmalai, Thirumayam temples

1. True

2. False 

3. True 

4. False 

5. True

Arjunas’ Penance : 

1. This magnificent relief, carved in the midseventh century, measures approximately 30m long and 15m high. 

2. Its huge size and scale is difficult to imagine from photographs. 

3. A person, standing on the ground in front of it, could barely touch the elephants’ feet. 

4. The subject is either Arjuna’s penance or the Descent of the Ganges.

5. The composition of the relief includes the main elements of the story and the scenes of the natural and celestial worlds.

6. Arjuna stands on one leg, his arms upraised in a Yoga posture.

(b)  II only

(a) Thondaimandalam

The fourth Buddhist council was held in Kashmir during Kanishka’s reign.

Mahendravarma I : 

1. Mahendravarma I (600-630 CE) was a Pallava king. 

2. He was the son of Simhavishnu. 

3. During his reign the Chalukya king Pulakesin II attacked the Pallava kingdom. He was succeeded by his son Narasimavarma I.

4. He was a great patron of art and literature amongst the Pallavas. 

5. In the inscription at the Mandagapattu rock cut temple hails him as Vichitrachitta. 

6. It is claimed that the temple was built without wood, brick, mortar or metal 

7. He authorsed the play Mattavilasa Prahasana 

8. He was initially a patron of Jain faith but converted to Saiva faith under the influence of Saiva Saint Appar.

Pulakesin – II: 

1. Pulakesin II (610-642 CE) was the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi (present day Badami in Karnataka). 

2. During his reign, the Chalukya kingdom expanded to cover most of the Deccan region in Peninsular India.

3. He was the son of the Chalukya king Kirttivarman-I. 

4. The most notable military achievement of Pulakesin was his victory over Harshavardhana. 

5. He got defeated by Narasimha varma I, who attained the title “Vatapikondan’. 

6. Pulakesin was a Vaishnavite, but was tolerant to other faiths including Shaivism, Buddhism and Jainism. 

7. He patronised several scholars including Ravikirtti, who composed his Aihole inscription.

1. c 

2. d 

3. a 

4. b

1. Rock – cut temples

2. Mahendravarman style 

3. Monolithic Rathas and sculptural Mandapas – Mamallan Style 

4. Structural Temples – Rajasimhan style and Nandivarman style

1. Gatika means monastery or Centre of learning.

2. It was popular during the Pallava times at Kanchi.

3. It attracted students from all parts of India and abroad.

4. Vatsyaya who wrote Nyaya Bhashya was a teacher at kanchi (Gatika). Panchapandavar rathas are monolithic rathas. Explain.

(c) Both the statements are correct

(b) Nandivarma II

Western Chalukyas of Kalyani: 

1. They were the descendants of Badami Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani (modem day Basavakalyan).

2. In 973, Tailapa II, a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta mling from Bijapur region, defeated Parmara of Malwa. 

3. Tailapa II occupied Kalyani and his dynasty quickly grew into an empire under Someswara I. 

4. Someswara I moved the capital from Manyakheta to Kalyani. 

5. For over a century, both the Chalukyas and the Cholas fought many fierce battles to control the fertile region of Vengi. 

6. In the late 11th century, under Vikramaditya VI, vast areas between the Narmada river in the north and Kaveri river in the South came under Chalukya control.

7. The Kasi Vishwesvara Temple at Lakkundi, the Mallikaijuna temple at Kuruvatti, the Kalleshwara temple at Bagali and the Mahadeva temple at Itagi represent well known examples of the architecture of Western Chalukyas of Kalyani.

Rajaraja (AD 985-1012) was a brilliant general and attacked the kingdoms of Pandyas and Cheras and parts of Mysore. This area was the main region of activities of Arabian traders. In order to strengthen his power along the coast of South India, he took out a naval expedition and attacked both Ceylon and Maldives islands.

1. The five rathas (chorits), Popularly called panchapandavar rathes, signify five different style of temple architecture.

2. Each rather has been carved out of a single rock.

3. So they are called monolithic.

1. Pallava period is known for architectural splendour. 2. Pallava’s architecture can be classified as 

2. Rock-cut temples – Mahendravarman style.

3. Monlithic Rathas and Sculptural Mandapas – Mamallan style. 

4. Structural Temples – Rajasimhan style and Nandivarman style.

1. Mahendravarman Style: The best example of MahendraVarma style monuments are cave temples at Mandagapattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirapalli, Vallam, Tirukazhukkundram and Siyamangalam.

2. Mamalla Style:

1. The five rathas (chariots), popularly called Panchapandavar rathas, signify five different style of temple architecture.

2. Each ratha has been carved out of a single rock. 3. So they are called monolithic. 

4. The popular mandapams they built are Mahishasuramardhini mandapam, Thirumoorthi mandapam and Varaha mandapam.

5. The most important among the Mamalla style of architecture is the open art gallery.

3. Rajasimha Style and Nandivarma Style : 

1. Narasimhavarma II, also known as Rajasimha, constructed structural temples using stone blocks.

2. The best example of the structural temple is Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. 3. This temple was built by using sand stones. 

4. Kailasanatha temple is called Rajasimheswaram.

5. The last stage of the Pallava architecture is also represented by structural temples built by the later Pallavas.

6. The best example is Vaikunda Perumal temple at Kanchipuram.

Elephanta island: 

1. Elephanta is an island near Mumbai. It is originally known as Sripuri and the local people called Gharapuri. 

2. The Portuguese named it as Elephanta after seeing the image. 

3. The Trimurthi Siva icon and the images of dwarapalakas are seen in the cave temple. 

Kailasanatha temple at Ellora: 

1. Krishna I built Kailasanatha temple. It was one of the 30 temples carved out at Ellora.

2. The temple covers an area of over 60,000 sq.feet and vimanam rises to a height of 90 feet.

3. It portrays typical Dravidian features and has a resemblance of the shore temple at Mamllapuram.

1. Rajaraja I (AD 985-1012) 

2. Raj endra Chola (AD 1012-1044) 

3. Rajadhiraj Chola (AD 1044-1052)

1. Krishna III was the last able ruler of Rashtrakuta dynasty,

2. He defeated the Cholas in the battle of Takkolam (presently in Vellore Dt) and captured Thanjavur.

Amarakosha  .

1. He defeated Mahipala, king of Bengal and adopted the title of Gangaikonda. 

2. With a huge navy he defeated Shrivijaya king and solved the problem of Indian merchants who were in trouble by the merchants of Shrivijaya.

Vagbhata of the Gupta times prepared a summary of the famous work ‘Charaka Samhita’, known as ‘Ashtangahridayasamhita’. This is an authoritative work on Ayurveda and is being followed even today. Surgery was also practised in ancient India. Surgeons of those days had the knowledge of 127 surgicai instruments, they were able to remove iron and stones pieces from the human body. The credit for using mercury as a medicine for the first time, goes to doctors of India.

Abhijnana Shakuntala.

Buddha Charita.

Nalanda University.