2022:

Question: How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the
social life of those days? [10 Marks]

Answer:

Introduction:

The medieval Indian temple sculptures offer a vivid representation of the various aspects of socio-
cultural life during that period. These sculptures provide a valuable insight into the lives of people
from different strata of society.

Body:

1. Scenes of everyday life: The sculptures depict the intricacies of daily life, including
agricultural activities, women engaged in household chores, and people cooking and eating.
• Eg: The Mukteshvara temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, which is adorned with beautiful
female sculptures.
2. Depiction of various Occupations: like potters, blacksmiths, and weavers, illustrating
the importance of these professions in medieval India
• Eg: The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha
3. Diverse representation: The people depicted in these sculptures come from all walks of
life, from noblemen and warriors to commoners, showcasing the social diversity of the time.
4. Significance of Political power: contains intricate carvings of rulers and warriors,
underlining the significance of political power and martial prowess.
• Eg: The Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, Karnataka,
5. The Role of Women: Sculptures depicting women as dancers and musicians highlight their
involvement in cultural activities and their importance in medieval Indian society.
• Eg: Khajuraho Temples' sculptures of women participating in music and
dance
6. Erotic sentiment: reflects the importance of shringara rasa (the sentiment of erotic love)
in ancient Indian literature and fine arts.
• Eg: Khajuraho & Konark Temples
7. Practice of Nature worship: Ramappa temple in Telangana depicts more than five
hundred elephants with unique style.
8. Sacred representation of Animals and Plants: Apart from the celestials there are
sculptures of hunters, sages, disciples and wild animals like the lion, tiger, elephant and bear
9. Social Evils: The sculptures depicted social lives of Devadasi, where small kids were made
to sacrifice their whole life to perform dance for the deity.

Conclusion:

Indian approach towards religion is not only metaphysical. It is not disconnected from social reality
but true reflection of society itself.

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IAS Exam Congress
Question: Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian
heritage and culture. [15 Marks]

Answer:

Introduction:

The Gupta period (320-550 CE) and the Chola period (9th-13th centuries CE) are two of the most
significant eras in Indian history. Both periods saw significant advances in art, architecture,
literature, science, and mathematics

Body:

Contributions of Guptas:

Architecture:
• Temple architecture reached its climax during this period.
• Stupas and Viharas: They are evident from Buddhist sites of Sarnath, Nalanda, Rajgir, Jaulian
and Mohra Maradu (both near Taxila in Pakistan)
• They also pioneered the Nagara style of architecture, characterized by beehive-shaped
towers (Shikharas) and intricate carvings.
o Eg: Dashavatara Temple and the Parvati Temple.
Sculpture:
• A new school of sculpture developed around Sarnath: The sculptures of this school were
immaculately dressed and lacked any form of nakedness
o Eg: Sultanganj Buddha
• Prime contribution of this age lies in the development of perfect images – both Brahmanical
and Buddhist as well as Jainas Tirthankars.
• A large sculpture of Varaaha (boar incarnation of Vishnu) was found in Eran.
Literature:
• Sanskrit literature flourished during this era
o Kalidasa's works (Abhijnanasakuntalam, Meghaduta)
o Vishnu Sharma's Panchatantra
• Vatsyayana wrote
o Nyaya Sutra Bhasya (Ist Commentary on Gautam’s Nyay Sutra)
o Kamasutra (Secular text dealing with eroticism)
Science & Mathematics:
• Aryabhata wrote Aryabhattiya and discusses about sine, cosine etc.
• The concept of zero and the decimal system were developed during this time.
• Varamihira writings cover various subjects, including astronomy, mathematics, and
astrology
Education:
• The ancient universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila emerged as centres of learning,
attracting scholars from across Asia

Contributions of Cholas:

Architecture:
• The Dravidian style of art and architecture reached its perfection under the Cholas. The chief
feature of the Chola temple is the vimana.

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 o Eg: The Living Chola Temples in Brihadeshwara in Thanjavur & Gangaikonda
Cholapuram
Sculpture:
• The earliest known Nataraja sculpture, which has been excavated at Ravana phadi cave at
Aihole, was made during the early Chalukya rule, the sculpture reached its peak under the
Cholas.
• The walls of the Chola temples such as the Tanjore and Gangaikondacholapuram temples
contain numerous icons of large size with fine execution.
Literature:
• The development of Tamil literature reached its peak during the Chola period.
o Sivakasintamani written by Thiruthakkadevar and Kundalakesi
• Famous Trinity of Kannada Poetry: Pampa-Ponna & Ranna
• Works of Kamban (Ramavataram) and the compilation of the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar
Science & Mathematics:
• Apart from the Vedas and Epics, subjects like mathematics and medicine were taught in these
institutions.
Education:
• The temples and mathas in the chola period serve as educational centres.
• Besides them several educational institutions also flourished.
• The inscription at Ennayiram, Thirumukkudal and Thirubhuvanai provide details of the
colleges existed in these places

Conclusion:

The Gupta and Chola periods were both times of great cultural and intellectual achievement in India.
Their contributions to Indian heritage and culture are still celebrated today.

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IAS Exam Congress
Question: Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art
and architecture. [10 Marks]

Answer:

Introduction:

The lion and bull are two of the most important animals in Indian mythology, art, and architecture.
They are both associated with power, strength, and fertility, and they are often depicted as symbols
of the divine.

Body:

Significance of Lion Significance of Bull

Mythology • In Hindu mythology, the lion is the
mount of the goddess Durga, who is
a fierce warrior goddess and
Narsimha (Half lion & Half human)
is avatar of Vishnu
• In Buddhist mythology, the lion is
often depicted as a guardian figure.
The lion is also a symbol of the
Buddha's teachings
• In Jain mythology, the lion is the
symbol of the lord Mahavira
Art & • Lion Capital – National
Architecture Emblem: The Sarnath lion capital
now constitute the official emblem
of the government of India.
• Red Fort in Delhi features
several lion sculptures on its walls
and gateways
• Numismatics: Lions have been
represented in the coins of the
Samudragupta, Western Chalukya
and Satvahna Dynasty.
• Paintings: Lion as a symbol can be
seen in the paintings of the ancient
Bhimbetka arts in M.P.
• Nandi is associated with Lord Shiva
• In vedic Period, The bull
represented masculinity, virility,
strength, aggression, and fighting
power.
• In Buddhism 'Bull' is related to
Janma (Birth) incident of Buddha's
life Birth
• In Jain mythology, the bull is the
symbol of the Adinath
• In Prehistoric Rock Paintings: In
prehistoric rock paintings of
Bhimnbetka (MP
• Indus Valley Civilization: Images of
bulls were found in seals.
• During Ashoka’s time:
1. Rampurva Capital
2. The abacus of Sarnath’s lion
capital contains bull.
3. Bull sculptures are found in
Lomas Rishi and Barabar caves.
• Bulls have been represented as
symbols in emblems of many
kingdoms like Rashtrakutas and
Pallavas etc.

Conclusion:

The Indian tradition teaches people to respect all the animals as spiritual beings and part of God's
creation, whose existence and services are vital to the order and regularity of the worlds

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