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INSIGHTS MISSION 2018

STATIC TEST 3 - SYNOPSIS

1.Compare Mathura and Amaravati Schools of Sculpture.


Answer:
There were three major schools of sculpture in the post Mauryan period which emerged and
were centred at three different regions of India namely:

• Gandhara
• Mathura
• Amaravati

Mathura School of Sculpture Amaravati School of Sculpture


Developed near Yamuna river near Mathura Developed near Krishna river around
and nearby areas Amravati and Nagarjunakonda
It was not influenced by cultures existing It was not influenced by cultures existing
outside India outside India

Use of red sandstone in sculptures Use of white marbles in sculptures


This school used stories and imageries of It was mostly influenced by Buddhism
Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism
Images based on Yaksha images of the There were dynamic images or narrative art
Mauryan period such as Jataka tales (previous lives of
Buddha in human or animal forms)
Use of symbolism in images: There is excessive use of Tribhanga posture
1. Shiva is shown through linga and (body with three bends)
mukhalinga
2. Images of Vishnu and Shiva has been
represented by their Ayudhas
3. Buddha is shown surrounded by two
Bodhisattavas- Padmapani and
Vajrapani
It developed under patronage of Kushana It developed under patronage of Satvahana
rulers rulers
Buddha has a smiling face, muscular body, There is less emphasis given to individual
shaven head and face seated in padmasana. features of Buddha

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Thus, the art of this period reached its peak with each new dynasty introducing some unique
features of their own.

2. Write a short note on Vesara Temple Architecture.


Answer:
Vesara Temple Architecture is a combination of both Nagara and Dravidian school or selective
mixing of northern and southern style. It is a kind of hybridisation of both the styles. It
flourished during the mid 7th century A.D. Also known as Karnataka school of architecture, it
was unique in its own ways:
1. There are intricate carvings on the pillars, doorways and ceilings.
2. Mandapa and vimana of these temples are given much importance.
3. There is open ambulatory passage to the temple.
4. This style reduces the height of the temple towers even though the numbers of tiers
are retained. This is accomplished by reducing the height of individual tiers.
Temples built in the Deccan under the later Chalukyas and Hoysalas are considered examples of
this style. Some examples include:
1. Hoysaleshwara temple (Lord of Hoysalas) at Halebid, Karnataka. Highly original star like
ground plans which is easily distinguishable from other medieval temples can be seen
here.
2. Dodda Basappa temple at Dambal
3. Ladkhan temple at Aihole
4. Temples in Badami, Belur and Somanathapura

3.Jati was an invention to deal with challenges to Varna System. Comment.


Answer:
Jati and Varna were important components of the Indian social system. Ancient Indian society
had a system of classification that was known as Varna vyavastha. This divided the society into
4 classes that were as follows.

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1. Brahmins- priestly class
2. Kshatriyas- warrior class
3. Vaishyas- trader class
4. Shudras- labourer class
Varna system was designed initially to ensure harmony and cooperation among people living in
the society so that they do not interfere in each other’s lives to compete. When the Varna of a
person was decided based on his birth rather than his qualities, the system was degenerated
and developed into the much-maligned caste system seen today. This caste system meant
that a person had no opportunity of upward mobility in the society as he remained in the caste
he was born into.
However, if one was a Brahmin he was important to other Varnas, but in his own Varna, he was
just another individual with no identity. This association of identity within a single Varna led to
the development of Jati system inside the Varna system. There was no Jati system in ancient
India. Chinese Scholar Hsuan Tsang has not mentioned anything about Jati system in his
writings. Jati system developed later in India to reflect the trade or profession of a particular
community.
This system of classification has continued in modern India till recently, and a person’s surname
was used to know all about his profession. But with modern education system and no
discrimination from the state, the Jati system is on the decline.

4.Examine the position of women in Ancient India.


Answer
The position of women has seen several changes over many centuries. Their status declined
from ancient to medieval India and could later rise only by social reforms and rights given to
women.
In Ancient India, during the Vedic period, women enjoyed equal rights with men almost across
all the aspects and their condition was good.

• They were educated and learnt about Vedas through 'Brahmcharya' discilpline. Women
were even sages like Gargi and Maitreyi.
• They married at mature ages and also had the right to select their own husbands like in
Swayamvar. Thus, they enjoyed freedom and were treated as "Ardhanginis".
• They did jobs like spinning and weaving at home and also helped men in agriculture.

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• They participated in religious ceremonies equally with men.
Thus, women had ample rights in social and religious fields and limited rights in economic field
also during Vedic period. But this status, began to decline from around 500 BCE when practises
like child marriage, sati (immolation of widow) and Devadasi (marriage to a deity) were
practised.

5.Indian Civilization is best known for its humanity. Examine the statement
analysing the nature of Society in Ancient India.
Answer:
The customs, beliefs and practices were quite different in the ancient Indian society. Ancient
India saw the evolution of different civilisations. The remains of the Indus Valley Civilization of
Mohenjodaro and Harappa, dating back to the pre-Vedic period are best examples for this
statement.
Occupation of individuals was the basis of classification of a society in the Rig Vedic period so
that they do not interfere in each other’s lives to compete and was divided into four varnas:
o Brahmanas (teacher and priests);
o Kshatriya (rulers and administrators);
o Vaisya (farmers, merchants, and bankers); and
o Sudra (artisan and laborers).
There was complete freedom and mobility for the adoption of a profession and trades and
occupations did not assume a hereditary character in the society.
In the Vedic society, the family was the smallest unit of a society. It was primarily monogamous
and patriarchal; child marriage was not in fashion and there was freedom of choice in
marriage. A widow could marry the younger brother of her deceased husband. The wife was a
partner of the husband in all religious and social ceremonies. The teacher was given great
respect.
Thus, it can be said that the society during the ancient times considered the human aspects and
rules were made keeping in mind the overall welfare of the people.

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6. Critically analyze the recently introduced Citizenship Act Amendment Bill,
2016.
Answer:
The Citizenship Act (1955) provides for acquisition of Indian citizenship (by birth, descent,
registration and naturalization) and also, loss of the citizenship.
The recently introduced Citizenship Act Amendment Bill, 2016 has following features:
1. It provides to make illegal migrants who belong to six communities (Hindus, Sikhs,
Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan,
eligible for citizenship of India by amending the 1955 Act (which prohibits illegal
migrants from acquiring so).
2. The Bill also proposed to relax the requirements of citizenship by naturalization for
them (as it relaxes the 11 years residing criteria to 6 years).
3. It adds one more criteria for cancellation of registration of OCI (Overseas Citizen of
India who are entitled to certain benefits in India), that is, violation of any law in India.
Analysis:
This implies that the person who is a Muslim, Jew, or an atheist will not be eligible for
citizenship under this Act. It can thus be criticized that it violates Article 14 of the Constitution
as it provides differential treatment to illegal migrants on the basis of their religion. The Bill
adds more grounds for cancellation of OCI registration. Thus, violation of even certain minor
laws like parking in a no-parking zone may cause an OCI card holder to leave the country.
The Bill also fails on the tenets of international refugee law. Although India is not a signatory to
the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, granting refuge based on humanitarian considerations is a
norm of customary international law.
Conclusion:
While religious persecution is a reasonable principle for differentiation, it cannot be articulated
in a manner that dilutes the republican and secular foundations of citizenship in India, and goes
against constitutional morality.

7.Discuss the need to ease processes of entry of Indian diaspora into India. Do
you think our current provisions are effective enough?
Answer:

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The global reach of media, transport and communication have created a major change in the
relationship between the diasporas and their country of origin. India needs to have a robust
and flexible policy in order to benefit from the strengths of diaspora and minimize the
possibilities of any negative fallout.
1. Diaspora can play an important role in India’s quest to be a knowledge power and a
developed country.
2. NRI’s are major source of Direct Foreign Investment, market development
(outsourcing), technology transfer, charity, tourism, political contributions and more
substantial flows of knowledge in India.
3. Diaspora has played an important role in promoting India’s interest abroad and act as its
unnamed ambassadors in the fields of culture, education, economic development and
health and arts.
4. NRIs have come forward with several non-governmental organizations in India.
5. Xenophobic attitude, racial discrimination and hate-crimes against Indians leading to
death of innocent people.
The nature of engagement with Diaspora has changed according to the needs of the time.
Because of extraordinary diversity and geographical spread the policy of engagement or
processes of their entry has to be flexible and tailor made to suit each segment of diaspora
such as;
1. Providing similar opportunities within India to reduce emigration to other countries.
For example- The approach towards the workers in the Gulf should be primarily
welfare oriented and remittance centric in India.
2. Making their livelihood more secure.
While promoting emigration might not benefit Indian government much, safeguarding its
diaspora should always be its priority.

8. Do you think the provision of the President referring an internal change to the
respective state government is of namesake purposes? Give reasons for your
views.
Answer:
President of India is the nominal head of the State but not of the Executive. He represents but
does not rule the nation. But there are some examples which prove that the President has
some situational discretion in proposing internal changes to state governments:

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1. In October 1997, the cabinet recommended President K.R. Narayanan to impose
President's rule in Uttar Pradesh. The President returned the matter for reconsideration
of the cabinet which then decided not to move ahead in the matter.
2. In 1998, President KR Narayanan returned a recommendation of the cabinet to impose
President's rule in Bihar. The Cabinet advised the same after a couple of months
following which President's rule was imposed in Bihar in 1999.
Hence it can be observed that:
1. President may return a matter once for reconsideration but the reconsidered advice is
binding given by Council of Ministers in matters of administration of a state.
2. He is generally bound by the advice of council of ministers and cannot do much contrary
to this.
President has a veto power with respect to state legislation. When a bill reserved by governor
is directed to President, the President may:
1. Give his assent to the bill or withhold it
2. He may direct the governer to return the bill for reconsideration of state legislature.
President is not bound to give assent to the bill even after reconsideration. Hence, state
legislatures cannot over-ride the veto power of the President.
The Constitution has not prescribed any time limit within which the President has to take
decision with regard to a bill reserved by governor for his consideration.
A proclamation imposing President's Rule also needs to be approved by both the Houses of
Parliament within two months from the date of its issue. When the state legislature is
suspended, it is the Parliament that delegates the power to make laws for the state to the
President.
Hence, it can be inferred that the President has very little constitutional discretion and can act
on his own only in a few situations.

9. With the advent of globalization, notions of territory have gone beyond


physical boundaries. Comment.
Answer:
Globalization refers to the free movement of goods, capitals, services, people, technology and
information. It is an action for international integration of different countries. But, it has

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increased to a new level today due to advances in the means of transport (ships and jet
engines) and telecommunication (telegraph, mobile and internet) which has enabled:

• Movement of People: Due to improved transport technologies, people easily move


across nations, as tourists as well as immigrants for work.

• Movement of Information: Information is shared easily across the globe by use of


internet by media or across social websites, etc.

• Movement of Goods & Services: Economic integration occurs across states through
relaxations in tariff restrictions on trade. Formation of Free Trade Areas (FTAs) like
NAFTA involve cooperation between countries to reduce trade barriers.

• Cultural exchange occurs by exchange of ideas, beliefs and values across nations and
intensifies social relations.

• Political globalization: It has occurred by organizations like WTO, G8, G20 etc. Also,
some countries provide multiple citizenship.
Thus, physical boundaries are being crossed by various means due to globalization. It has
helped in increasing overall GDP of many nations like India bringing in both positive and
negative outcomes at the same time such as income inequality, boom in services sector, heavy
dependence of majority of population on agriculture, better job opportunities in cities etc.

10) What is single citizenship? Do you think India's provisions regarding the
same are outdated and need to be revised? Give reasons for the same.
Answer
Single citizenship is having citizenship of only one country where the citizens owe allegiance
only to the Union. On the other hand, in dual citizenship a person is concurrently regarded as a
citizen of more than one state under the given laws.
India provides for only a single citizenship (Indian) under which citizens owe allegiance only to
the union (no separate state citizenship like US). Also, Indian citizenship is automatically
terminated (except some conditions), when an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires the citizenship
of another country.
The single citizenship reflects the social and political conditions that prevailed at the time of
partition. During communal riots, large number of Hindus and Muslims migrated to and from
Pakistan. Therefore, it was necessary to respond to situation created by refugees. Many people
who lived abroad applied for Indian Citizenship because they decided to live in newly

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independent country. These factors had made the matter of citizenship very complicated. But,
the Citizenship Act of 1955 is flexible and rigid in its own ways to accommodate the changes are
required to be made in the present day and therefore, a Citizenship Act Amendment Bill was
also introduced in 2016. Enough care has been taken to ensure citizenship to those persons
who are not citizens by birth or descent through naturalization or registration. With various
exceptions, single citizenship also safeguards:
1. Freedom of movement and residence (under Article 19) is subjected to protection of
interests of any scheduled tribe. Right of outsiders to enter, reside or settle in tribal
areas is restricted.
2. A state may offer concession in fees for education to its residents or provide other
special benefits.
3. In Jammu and Kashmir, state legislature is empowered to define the persons who are
permanent residents of the state and confer special rights and privileges to them.
4. Several rights like Right to vote in elections, right to contest for the membership of the
Parliament and the state legislature, eligibility to hold certain public offices, and rights
under Article 15,16, 19, 29 and 30 (related to employment, freedom, cultural and
educational rights) are limited only to Indian citizens. This protects several offices of
government from being used up by foreign citizens and protects Indian sovereignty and
identity.
Despite this, highly diverse nation India has been witnessing the communal riots, class conflicts,
caste wars, etc. Thus, the cherished goal to build an integrated Indian nation is yet to be fully
accomplished with more efforts by the government (bringing better law & order) and
awareness among the citizens.

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