Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

(a) Aurangzeb was not able to succeed his campaign against the Marathas.

(b) Therefore he suspended the campaign and turned his aim towards Adilshahi and Kutubshahi states.

Correct option is: (b) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

(a) 30 – October – 1947

(i) The Mughal empire was founded by Babur in 1526 A.D. (C.E.) after he defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat.

(ii) The first six Mughal emperors are referred to as the ‘Great Mughals’. Aurangzeb was the last of the great Mughals.

(iii) Akbar consolidated the Mughal empire through conquests and through a policy of conciliation with the Religious based kingdoms of Rajasthan.

(iv) The Mughal empire through began to disintegrate after Aurangzeb, continued to exist nominally till 1857 A.D. (C.E.) when the British finally ended the virtually non-existent empire.

(v) A new power centre rose in Maharashtra in the seventeenth century, and the Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji seriously undermined the authority of the Mughals in western India.

(vi) At its height, the empire stretched over most of the Indian sub-continent.

(vii) Only the south-western region of Kerala and southern Tamilnadu were not directly under Mughal rule.

1. IMR – International Monetary Fund 

2. IBRD – International Bank of Reconstruction and Development 

3. SAARC – South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Kulase khara Alwar

Makothai capital of Perumals.

(i) The voters have strong attachment to political parties which is often stronger than their attachment to their caste or community.

(ii) People within the same community have different interests depending on their economic status. Rich and poor, men and women from the same caste often vote very differently.

(iii) People’s own assessment of the performance of the government vis-a-vis the performance of the candidate for the development of his own constituency are often decisive factors in elections.

Kacha was the Code of Conduct of the Perumals.

It is not certain when people began to live in Kerala. It is believed that right from the Stone Age period, people lived here. In the Palaeolithic period, people were hunters and collectors of food. In the Mesolithic period, they made their living by catching sh. In short, prior to the Neolithic period, people made their living by hunting, collecting food and fishing.

In the Neolithic period, agriculture started all over the world. This brought revolutionary changes in the life of people. Although agriculture started in Kerala at this time, people continued hunting and fishing.

Answer is Yogam

The Portuguese

The surplus agricultural production here helped both internal and external trade. Things for daily use were exchanged in the local markets. These included rice, corn, vegetables, coconut oil, banana, and such things. There were daily markets, weekly markets, night markets and village markets for such exchanges. In the Unni Chiruthevi Charitram, there is a description of a practical exchange center at Ayanarchira in the region of Valluvanad. Similarly, in “Unnunili Sandesam”, there is a description of a daily market in Karianad near Thiruvalla.

Napoleon Bonaparte changed the map of Europe by establishing the absolute rule of France over the entire continent. He made many important reforms in France. He formulated a code of law. He absolished all irrelevant and outdated laws and made laws that suited the French system. While making these laws, importance was given to equality, religion, tolerance, morality, discipline, patriotism, joint family system and individual right to property. All were accorded equality before the law. The was no social, political or religious discrimination in his law code. This code, based on common sense and experience is considered to be a great contribution of Napoleon. Justivian had also made similar reforms. That is why Napoleon is called ‘Second Justivian’.

1. Major plates 

2. Minor plates

The arrival of Europeans had a great effect on the original inhabitants of America. When the natives came into contact with the Europeans, it proved quite harmful to them. The Europeans not only displaced the natives from their territories but also destroyed their culture, lifestyle, cuisine, thoughts and behaviour, religious faith etc. The Europeans brought with them many diseases like chicken pox, small pox, influenza, bubonic plague etc. which infected the nativ 2 population and their numbers declined rapidly. Wars, violence, exploitation, killings;, displacement, disintegration and massacres left the natives in a minority. The natives were forced to live in a very small territory. The Europeans separated the natives from the whitte settlements. In this way, due to the mental and physical cruelties perpetrated by the Europeans, the natives of America reached the verge of extinction.

One of the important steps he took was “Thnppadidanam”. On 3 January 1750, he dedicated the native state of Travan core as a donation to Sri Padmanabhan. By this Sri, Padmanabhan Swami became the owner and the king became his servant. With this Thrippadidanam, any mutiny and criticism against the king would be considered an anti religious act.

Marthada Varma divided the country into many Revenue Units. The lowest unit was a village. The responsibility of the village administration was given to ‘pravarthiar’.

A collection of villages was called “Mandapathu Vatikkal” It was under a manager, similar to a future tehsildar. Travancore was divided into 20 Mandapathu Vatikkals.

Marthanda Varma brought the system of presenting a yearly budget. It was called ‘Pathivu Kanakku’ (Regular accounts).

He organized a regular army. Soldiers were recruited from ordinary farmers. The farmers who served as soldiers were given tax exemption during their service period. This was known as ‘Irayili’. After retirement, soldiers were given a pension. It was called ‘Irayili aduthur’. To train the Travancore army, he got the assistance of a Dutch captain named De Lannoy.

Due to difference in density between the plates along a convergent margin, the denser plate will submerge under the lighter one. These zones are called subduction zones.

• Earthquakes are comparatively frequent in certain parts of the earth.
• Volcanoes are more common in certain specific places.
• There are some peculiarities in the distribution of mountains.
• Earthquake zones and distribution of mountains on the earth’s surface more or less coincide.

• The lithospheric plates are situated above the asthenosphere which is in a semi-plastic state.
• Magma, which is a part of the mantle, remains molten due to the high temperature at the earth’s interior and undergoes continuous convection.
• The plates move due to convection. As a result of this, new ocean floors and subduction zones are formed.

Correct option is (A) Hindi

Influence of Malayalam is more evident in the works after the 12^th century. By the 14 century, books were written in Manipravalam. Bhakti literature was present in the 17^th century. District art forms developed during the period. During the medieval period, there was progress in the fields of Ayurveda, Mathematics, Astrology, and Architecture.

Correct option is: (a) Shrigupta

Correctly matched column:

Correct option is: (b) picture

Down: 

1. Fa-Hien 

2. Milind 

3. Banabhatta 

4. Malwa

Across:

5. Panhai 

6. Menander 

7. Coin 

8. Nalanda

Correct option is: (c) Milinda

Correct option is: (c) Nagasena

Wu Ti was a famous Ruler of the Han dynasty. He divided the Empire into 13 provinces and centralised the Administration. 

Silk, Tea, Paper, Brushes for painting and writing, Abacus, Acupuncture, Rudder, Gun-powder, Glass, Pottery, Porcelain, Rockets, Spoon, Forks, Umbrella, etc.

The major characteristics of a civilization are: 

1. Group of people having a specific livelihood and specific settlement patterns. 

2. Group of people having a specific pattern of administration. 

3. Group of people having a specific social pattern and unique cultural traits. 

4. During different ages, humans invented various metals and learnt their uses. 

5. The growth of civilization necessitated the need for internal and external security. 

6. It gave rise to complex administrative systems with bureaucracy and accounting which necessitated writing. 

7. It developed complex economic systems such as ownership of land, distribution of production, personal possession, taxation, barter system, and monetary system. 

Chinese developed the art of casting bronze statues of animals and monsters. This art developed during Shang and Chou Dynasties. Buddhism influenced their sculpture and the statues of Bodhisatwa carved in stone are found in large numbers.

Most of the civilizations in the world developed on the banks of rivers. The places where humans settled first were naturally those parts of the world where the soil was rich and water was available for drinking and irrigation, wide and flat lands through which those rivers ran and the climate was warm. Humans appeared about 5.6 million years ago but started civilized life only 7000 years ago.

Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, etc were the first sites of human settlements. In these regions, they first formed groups to live together. Valleys of the rivers like Nile, Euphrates, and Tigris, Indus, Hwang- Ho and Yangtse – Sikiyang, etc. have helped great civilizations to flourish. Hence the river valleys are called, the Cradles of Civilizations.

Many inventions such as use of fire, rearing of animals for milk and meat, new weapons, tools, utensils, fishing nets, clay pots, discovery of weaving and building of huts and houses, new means and methods of transport, such as animals and carts etc. have brought revolutionary changes and given rise to new arts, crafts and occupations.

Most of the civilizations in the world developed on the banks of the rivers. The places where humans settled first were naturally those parts of the world where the soil was rich and water available for drinking and irrigation, wide and flat lands through which great rivers ran and had a warm climate. Humans appeared about 5.6 million years ago but started civilized life only 7000 years ago.

Around 6000 B.C.E humans made the most important discovery i.e. the ‘Discovery of the cultivation of land Agriculture’ which brought a great change in the way of their living. Agriculture bound humans to the soil assured them food throughout the year and fodder for their animals. 

1. The quotation “Moving wheels made the Civilizations”: Is noteworthy. The invention of moving wheel by humans brought major changes in the profession of potters, carpenters, blacksmiths, rope makers and transport system. It also increased the pace of growth of civilizations. Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, etc were the first sites of human settlements. In these regions, humans first formed groups to live together, Valleys of the rivers like the Nile, Euphrates, and Tigris, Indus, Huwang-Ho, and Yangtse-Sikiang, etc., have helped the great civilizations to flourish. Hence the river valleys are called the Cradles of Civilizations.

The factors that helped the growth of Civilizations are as follows:

1. Deposition of fertile alluvial soil caused by the river floods. 

2. Continuous and uninterrupted supply of water for irrigation and domestic purposes. 

3. Favorable climate generally found on the river valleys. 

4. Plenty of food, fruits, and vegetables for the humans and fodder for their animals. 

5. River valleys helped fishing. 

6. They helped the growth of trade and communication by providing means of transport.

The above factors reduced the burden on the humans in wandering for food and the risk of life. They started to settle down at one place and formed groups and communities, which later evolved into villages, towns, and cities. They started to become civilized. The leisure gave them the opportunity to discover metals, make tools and weapons, start building their homes, etc.

The characteristics of a civilization are as given below:

1. Group of people having a specific livelihood and specific settlement patterns. 

2. Group of people having a specific pattern of administration. 

3. Group of people having a specific social pattern and unique cultural traits. 

4. Humans during different ages invented various metals and learnt their uses. 

5. The growth of civilization necessitated the need for internal and external security. 

6. It gave rise to a complex administrative system with bureaucracy and accounting which necessitated writing.

Isis was the Goddess of motherhood for the ancient Egyptians.

It was a great civilization which began 7000 years ago. It continued for more than 3000 years. We have a variety of archaeological and literary sources. They help us to reconstruct the history of those times. Important among them are the pyramids, the temples, the innumerable sculptural images like the sculpture of Sphinx, host of paintings, and the various implements, tools, jewellery etc. kept in the Pyramids. The Hieroglyphic writing on the papyrus, the Rosetta stone inscription, etc. are also sources of this civilization. Between 1789-1802, Napoleon invaded Egypt and after that, the study of Egyptian Civilization gained momentum.

The word civilization is derived from the Latin word ‘civils’ meaning City or City-States. It stands for a more matured and refined life. The differences between Culture and Civilization are as follows. 

Culture:

1. Culture is more of an internal nature. 

2. It includes art, literature, religion, philosophy, food and dress, thoughts and beliefs, customs and traditions. 

3. It has no standards of measurement. 

4. It is the way we believe, behave think and act. 

5. It cannot be said to be always advancing. 

6. Culture comes first. 

7. There can be a culture without civilization.

Civilization: 

1. It is of external nature. 

2. It includes towns, cities, villages, buildings, bridges, transport, technology, etc. 

3. It has standards of measurement.

4. It is the material attainments, gains, and facilities used to make the life more comfortable.

5. It is always advancing. 

6. Civilization grows later. 

7. There cannot be a civilization without culture.

The Terracotta army assembled in the tomb of the first Kin Emperor consists of life-size images of more than 8000 warriors and horses.

Many inventions such as the use of fire, rearing of animals for milk and meat, new weapons, tools, utensils, fishing nets, clay pots, discovery of weaving and building of huts and houses, new means and methods of transport, such as animals and carts etc., have brought revolutionary changes and given rise to new arts, crafts and occupations.

The quotation “Moving wheels made the Civilizations” is noteworthy. The invention of the moving wheel by humans brought major changes in the profession of potter, carpenter, blacksmith, rope maker, and transport system. It also increased the pace of growth of civilizations. Around 6000 B.C.E. a very important discovery i.e. the “Discovery of the cultivation of land. Agriculture” was made which brought a great change in the way of their living. Agriculture bound them to the soil, assured them food throughout the year and fodder for their animals. 

Egyptians developed pictographic writing. It is one of the earliest forms of writing. Egyptian writing is called Hieroglyphics. Glyph means a sign. Hieroglyphics contains hundreds of signs. Some of them stand for complete words while others represent sounds. Papyrus was used for writing. ‘The Books of Dead’, ‘Coffin Text’, ‘The Story of Ship wrecked Sailor’, ‘The tales of Anupu and Bitiu’, etc. were the important books of that era.

Egyptians had a fair knowledge of Medicine, Geometry, Calendars, Astronomy, and Mathematics. Most of the scholars of ancient Egypt belonged to the priestly class. The construction of huge pyramids proves beyond doubt that Egyptians had sound knowledge of Geometry and Arithmetic. They were the first to develop the fraction system.

They made a clear distinction between stars and planets. Their calendar was based on sun and known as a solar calendar. They developed the calendar of 3 65 days with 12 months in a year and 30 days in a month. They divided the year into three seasons of four months each. About 1500 B.C.E, they invented the Shadow Clock to mark the times of a day. A specimen of such an Egyptian shadow clock is preserved in the Berlin Museum. 

Every human activity and accomplishment, with whatever high degree of perfection it might achieve, ends up in decay and disintegration as was the case with the Egyptian Civilization also. Many reasons are attributed to it. In brief, some of them are as given below.

1. The Rulers failed to bring a perfect and workable political system. 

2. The weak Rulers were unable to maintain their authority and the feudal Lords gained control resulting in decay and disorder. 

3. The ruthless exploitation of lower class and religious intolerance resulted in disharmony and disunity in the society. 

4. Internal quarrels among the Rulers led to disunity and disorder. 

5. Invasions by uncivilized invaders from Africa and Assyria resulted in the demolition of . their temples and halt in the advancement. The invaders were more efficient in the art of warfare. 

6. The material welfare and contented life discouraged independent thinking, resulting in decline.

Greeks were originally called as ‘Hellenes’.

The political history of China is classified into two major eras: 

1. Ancient era-2100-221 B.C.E 

2. Imperial era-221 B.C.E-1911 C.E.

Chinese had developed the art of writing during the Shang period. Their script was standardized during the Chin rule. They have no alphabets and parts of speech. It consists of characters which are more than 40,000. Chinese writing started as pictographs, which was later developed into Logograms Chinese characters constitute the oldest continuously used systems of writing in the world.

Their writing played an important role in cultural unification. Chinese script also influenced Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese scripts. It is written from top to bottom. The inventions of paper, silk, and ink for writing helped the growth of writing and literature. The practice of writing history was also popular in China. Chinese literature comprised prose, poetry, philosophy, and history.

During the Han and Tang dynasties, Chinese poetry reached great heights. The Imperial Library of Han dynasty included 3123 volumes of classics, 2705 volumes on philosophy, 868 works on medicine,1318 volumes of poetry, 2568 volumes of mathematics and 790 volumes on war aspects. Tai-Li-Po the greatest of Chinese poets wrote 30 volumes of verse. Tu-Fu was also a great poet. Chinese had developed Geography, Geometry, Arithmetic, Calendars Astronomy and predicted eclipses.

Mencius, Confucius, and Lao-tse were the important philosophers of ancient China.

Buddhism spread to China from India during Kanishka’s period in the 1^st century. The Buddhist monks and traders from India popularized Buddhism in China.

Euripides was a Greek dramatist who specialised in tragic plays. 

Plato wrote the book ‘The Republic’.

In  753  BCE.

River Tiber.