Group-I Polity Mains Previous year paper Questions

Salient Features of Indian Constitution:-

Q) The Indian Constitution provides for a democratic system in India. In this backdrop, briefly analyse the constitutional provisions with regard to tyranny of majority and appeasement of minority? — 2017, Group-I

Q) The basic structure of the Constitution in effect limits the amending power of the Parliament, Discuss? — 2011,G-I

Federalism:-

Q) “In spite of unitary features of the Constitution, federalism survived in India.” Comment. — 2017, Group-I

Q) “The indian constitution is federal in form but unitary in spirit” —Discuss. — 2016,G-I

Q) What is the concept of cooperative federalism? Does it exist in Indian Polity? — 2016, G-I

Q) Is india Federation? —2008,G-I

Parliament & State Legislature:- 

Q) What is office of profit ? Critically analyse the developments in India on this issue.  — 2017,Group-I

Q) What is the relative position of the Rajya sabha as compared to loksabha in our political system? — 2016, G-I

Q) Explain the conflict resolution mechanism in case of deadlock between the two houses of a State legislature on a piece of legislation? — 2011,G-I

Q) There is no constitutional basis to claim absolute immunity from parliamentary proceedings. Explain with reference to leading cases? — 2011,G-I

Q) Comment on the declining trend of legislative debates? — 2008,G-I

Amendment:-

Q) Describe the procedure for amending the constitution? What is the criticism against it? — 2016, G-I

Q) Analyse the constitutional amendments made sofar in relation to the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under the Part-III of indian constitution? — 2016,G-I

Q) Bring out the politics of Women Reservation Bill? —2008,G-I

Emergency:-

Q) Write a critical note on the emergency powers under the constitution and their misuse, if any? —2012, G-I

Q) Article 356 is more “misused than used”, Comment? — 2008,G-I

Judiciary:-

Q) Distinguish between Judicial Review and Judicial Activism and also cite the important decisions of the Supreme Court on the two subjects?  — 2017, Group-I

Q) What according to Supreme Court constitutes the basic structures of our constitution? Please name a couple of important judgements of Supreme Court on this issue? — 2016, Group-I

Q) What is meant by “Judicial Activism”? What is its impact on Indian Polity? — 2016, G-I

Q) Discuss the grounds on which administrative action may be reviewed by the judiciary and the various modes of such judicial review? — 2012, G-I

Q) Explain the privileges and immunities of legislature under the constitution of India. How far can the judiciary interfere with such privileges and immunities? — 2012, G-I

Q) What are the principle adopted by the courts in an irreconcilable conflict between a law made by the parliament and a law made by the state legislature? — 2011, G-I

Q) What are the novel trends of Judicial Review? — 2008,G-I

74rd and 74th amendment Acts:-

Q) Briefly describe the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission with regard to devolution of funds to rural local bodies (Panchayati Raj Institutions). What measures have been implemented by the Government of India for monitoring and audit of the finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions ?  —2017, Group-I

Q) Panchayat Raj is a “God that failed” — Comment? — 2008,G-I

Centre-State Relations:-

Q) Describe the formation and functions of Inter-State Council. State some of the important decisions taken by the Inter-State Council in the last 3 years? — 2017, Group-I

Q) Comment briefly on the financial relations between the union and the states in India. What are the irritant generally encountered?— 2016, G-I

Q) Discuss the administrative relations between the union and the states. How are the inter-state water disputes resolved in India? — 2012,G-I

Q) Give instances wherein the Constitution provides control of the Union over the States? — 2011,G-I

Q) Do you agree with the view that function are given to the states while resources are with the centre? — 2008,G-I

Constitutional Bodies:-

Q) What is the difference between a National party and a Regional party, in case of parties recognised by the Election Commission of India ? Explain the features of the Indian party system? — 2017, Group-I

Q) Mention the important events in usage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections in India. Analyse the recent allegations on tampering of EVMs and suggest solutions? — 2017, Group-I

Q) What are the functions of the National Commission for Women ?  — 2017,Group-I

Q) Describe the various special provisions in the constitution relating to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes and anglo-Indians? — 2016, Group-I

Q) Analyse the aims and objectives of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes(Prevention of atrocities)Act, 1989. Explain whether such objectives have been achieved? — 2012, G-I

Q) What are the constitutional guarantees given to women? Explain the role of national commission for women in protecting the rights of the women? — 2012,G-I

Q) Discuss the powers and functions of the election commission of India and explain its role in protection of representative democracy in India? — 2012, G-I

Q) Explain the powers and functions of the Human Rights Commission? — 2011,G-I

Q) Examine the classification of Scheduled Castes within the constitutional scheme? — 2011,G-I

Q) Analyse the functions and functioning of National Commission for Scheduled Castes? — 2008,G-I

Q) The CAG of India is a friend, philosopher and guide of “Public Account Committee”, Discuss —2008,G-I

Governance:-

Q) “The Right to Information Act is meant only for providing information but not grievance redressal.” Comment. —2017, Group-I

Preamble:-

Q) The constitution postulates in its Preamble that India shall be a Secular Republic. What are the constitutional provisions consistent this declaration? —2011,G-I

Q) Preamble is a part of Indian Constitution,Comment? — 2008, G-I

Q) Discuss the each adjective attached to the word “ Republic” in the preamble. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?

FR:- 

Q) Explain the concept of minorities with reference to the indian constitution and safeguards available for protection of their rights?

 — 2016, Group-I

Q) Analyse the constitutional amendments made sofar in relations to FRs guaranteed under Part-III of Indian Constitution? — 2012,G-I

Q) Explain the Right to equality guaranteed under the constitution of India in the light of doctrine of reasonable classification?  — 2012,G-I

Q) Explain the Constitutional guarantee to the Right to property in the light of the 44th Amendment Act? — 2011,G-I

DPSP:-

Q) Analyse the effectiveness of implementation of DPSP and Suggest ways to improve it? — 2016, G-I

Q) Analyse the concept and importance of DPSP. Explain the relationship and difference between FRs and DPSPs? — 2012,G-I

Q) Trace the genesis and development of Uniform Civil code in India. Cite authoritative judgments on this issue? — 2011,G-I

What is Vishalandhra Movement?

Visalandhra Movement Andhras hoped that their dream of Visalandra would be realised since the people of Hyderabad state were Unanimous for the trifurcation of their state. Further Andhras thought that all the out lying Telugu areas in Mysore, Orissa, Tamilnadu and Madhya pradesh would be incorporated in Visalandhra. In fact this movement was not formed after the formation of Andhra State. It started as early as the beginning of the 20th century The Communists propagated the idea of ‘Visalandhra’ from 1946. A daily news paper called ‘Visalandra’ was started by the Communists in June 1952. Communist leader Puchchalapalli Sundaraiah wrote a book called ‘Visalandhralo Prajarajyam’.  

Visalandhra Mahasabha (1949) 

After the completion of police action in Hyderabad state, the demand for Visalandhra gained ground in circar districts. In November 1949, A. Kaleswara Rao formed the Visalandhra Mahasabha at Vijayawada. Slowly the demand for Visalandhra gained acceptance in Telangana also. After the appointment of SRC, the demand for Visalandhra received a big boost. The protagonists of separate Telangana also intensified their efforts. K.V. Ranga Reddy and his nephew M. Chenna Reddy, though originally favoured Visalandhra, changed their stand and became very articulate in their support for separate Telangana. 

The SRC submitted its report on 30 September 1955. It recommended the disintegration of Hyderabad state and formation of a Visalandhra sate including Telangana. It also favoured the formation of a separate Telangana state meanwhile. In 1950 and in 1954 two conferences of the Visalandhra Mahasabha were held at Warangal and Hyderabad respectively and demanded the formation of Visalandhra state with Hyderabad as its capital. 

In the 1950 meeting of Hyderabad state Congress and 1953 conference of AICC, resolutions were moved for the disintegration of the Hyderabad state and the merger of Telugu, Kannada and Maharashtra districts into their respective provinces. This strengthened the demand for Visalandhra. In the 1952 elections, though Communists won more seats in Telangana, the Congress had gotten majority and Burgula Ramakrishna Rao became the chief minister. The SRC report favouring the creation of Telangana led to intensive lobbying by both the advocates of Telangana and Visalandhra.  But a majority of the Congress legislators from Telangana and 7 out of ten district Congress committees supported Visalandhra. In the Hyderabad legislative assembly, the issue was raised. In the 174 member house, 147 members expressed their views. Of this 103 members supported Visalandhra and only 29 wanted a separate Telangana and 15 remained neutral. In Andhra almost all leaders favoured Visalandhra. The recommendations of the SRC were not well received by the public of India. Finally the congress High command accepted the demand for Visalandhra. The hardcore Telangana protagonists like K.V. Ranga Reddy and Marri chennareddy however stuck to their demand for a separate Telangana.

 Gentlemen’s Agreement

 In order to prevent misunderstandings between the two regions of Andhra and Telangana, the Congress high command arranged a meeting of the leaders of the regions at Delhi on 20 February, 1956. Andhra was represented by B. Gopalareddy (CM of Andhra state), N. Sanjeevareddy, G. Lachchanna, A. Sathanarayana Raju (President of AICC). Telangana was represented by Burgula Ramakrishna Rao (CM of Hyderabad state), K.V. Rangareddy, Marri Chenna Reddy and J.V. Narasingarao. The meeting resulted in an agreement over the formation of Visalandhra by providing certain safeguards to Telangana. All the eight participants signed an accord. This agreement is popularly known as the Gentlemen Agreement . 

Terms of the agreement:

 1. The expenditure on the administration of the state should be borne proportionately by the regions and the balance of income from Telangana should be reserved for the development of the region. The arrangement will be reviewed after 5 years and can be continued. 

2. Existing educational facilities in Telangana should be secured to the students of Telangana and further improved. Admission in technical institutions in Telangana to be restricted to Telangana students or they should have l/3rd seats in the whole of state, which ever is more favourable to Telangana. 

3. Retrenchment in services should be proportionate from both regions if it became inevitable due to integration. 

4. Some kind of domicile rules, eg: residence for 12 years should be provided in order to assure the prescribed proportion to recruitment of services from Telangana areas. (This is called as the Mulki). 

5. The position of Urdu in the administration and Judicial structure existing in Telangana may continue for 5 years when the Regional council will review the position. 

6. Sale of agricultural land in Telangana area to be controlled by the Regional council. A Regional council, with 20 members (9 members from MLAs, one each of each district, 6 members of the Assembly or Parliament from Telangana and members from outside) to be set up for Telangana for its all round development. 

7. The Regional council will be a statutory body empowered to deal with and decide about  matters of planning and development of Telangana area. Unless revised, this agreement will be reviewed at the end of 10 years. 

8. Cabinet ministers should be in proportion to 60: 40. Out of Telangana ministers one will be a Muslim.

 9. If the chief minister is from Andhra, Deputy chief minister should be from Telangana and vice versa.

10. Two out of the following five portfolios should go to Telangana 1. Home, 2. Finance, 3. Revenue, 4. Planning and Development and 5. Commerce and Industry.

 From the above agreement, it will be seen that the Andhra leaders went more than half way to meet the genuine demands of Telangana people. The government of India gave statutory support to the provisions of the Agreement and the draft bill named the new state as ’Andhra Telangana. When objections arose, it was amended as ’Andhra Pradesh’. On November 1, 1956, the new state was inaugurated by Nehru. Neelam Sanjeevareddy became the first chief minister, K.V. Ranga reddy the first deputy chief minister and C.M.Trivedi the first governor.

Who is Alluri Sitarama Raju?

Sri Alluri Seetarama Raju is brave son of India who laid down his life to free mother India from the oppression of the British. He was born on 4th July 1897. While pursuing his studies at Kakinada, Sri Alluri Seetarama Raju came in contact with a notable freedom fighter, Sri Madduri Annapurnayya, and Rallapalli Atchuta Ramayya, a scholar of high repute. For his further studies he went to Visakhapatnam at the age of 15. Though he didn’t have much interest in studies, he was very keen to know more about the political condition of India at that time.

Methods of Raju:-

In the tribal areas, the poor and illiterate tribal people were exploited and oppressed blatantly by the Britishers. Since the tribals were not united against the Britishers they took advantage of it and deprived the tribals of their rights. Sri Alluri Seetarama Raju inspired and united the different tribes of the area, trained them in skills of guerrilla warfare and proved to be a terror in the hearts of the Britishers.

As he organised the tribals to defend their rights on the produce, he gained tremendous understanding of the terrain that had helped him in great deal in his future guerrilla war against the British forces. He would appear at one place this moment and disappear in moment to appear somewhere else in no time, giving sleepless nights to the British forces.

Legends on his attacks and exploits on the police stations in the region have become part of the folklore of the region. He built a strong team of followers from the area, and a formidable guerrilla army sporting traditional weapons like bow-and-arrow and spears and achieved number of successes against the British forces.

He learnt from the Adivasis, the time-tested methods of war and added his own tactics to put up a fight against the British. For example, his team used whistles and beatings of the drums to exchange messages amongst the revolutionaries. He soon realised that the traditional weaponry would be of no use against the heavily armed the British forces. He thought the best way is to snatch them from the enemy and launched attacks on police stations with lightning speed.

Rampa Rebellion of 1922

After the passing of the 1882 Madras Forest Act, its restrictions on the free movement of tribal peoples in the forest prevented them from engaging in their traditional "Podu" agricultural system, which involved shifting cultivation.

Raju organised a protest movement in the border areas of the East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh.

On 22nd August 1922, his tribal army initiated their struggle by raiding three police stations Chintapalli Police Station, Krishnadevipeta Police Station, and Rajavommangi on three consecutive days. After the raids they captured a huge number of guns, bayonets and cartridges and swords. They even freed Veerayya Dora from jail who was a revolutionary.

Later, he became victorious in may battles like Ongeri Ghat, Dhamana palli ghat and rampachodavaram police station seize and other battles. 

The British Army was alerted by his actions and platoons of Police and Army were ordered to arrest Sri Alluri Seetarama Raju. He again attacked the British Army at Peddavalasa and defeated them as a result of which they had to bear heavy casualties and finally retreated.

Nearly for two years(1922 to 1924) he terrorised the British Army and became the ruler of the vast area. 

To capture Alluri, British appointed T.G.Rutherford, Deputy Collector and Major Goodall of Assam Rifles.

The 7th May proved to be a historic event in the history of the agency rebellion and a fatal day for the heroic Raju, That morning an intelligence patrol of the East Coast Special Police led by sub-inspector Alwari Naidu and Jamadar Kunchu Menon happened to observe a fair bearded man passing by and guessing that he might be Raju, captured him. After capturing Raju, They brought Raju before Major Goodal of Assam Rifles. It was alleged that Raju was shot dead while trying to escape But in reality, he was tied to nearby tamarind tree and shot dead without any thought. 

Alluri Sitaram Raju was first to use guerrilla warfare with modern weapons even before the che guevara of south america. Though he was 26 at the age his death, he inspired many with his heroic actions. He fought for the rights of tribals and dared to go against the british. 

Who is Darsi Chenchaiah?

Darsi Chenchaiah

First political detenu in South India, born December 28, 1890 in Kanigiri village of Prakasam district. As he was influenced by Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu since childhood, he opposed superstitions for early years of his age. He did Matriculation in Ongole & BA in Chennai. As he had keen interest in agricultural science, he wen USA to pursue further studies. In 1912, He completed his BSc from Logos College. While studying there, he was also working as a founding member of the Ghadar Revolutionary Party. At the age of Twenty-Five, He carried bombs to Canda from USA. While He was travelling along the shores of the Philippines, Bangkok and Japan, he was captured by british and underwent severe torture in their hands.


British investigated him in different jails such as Delhi, Kolkata, Lahore, Kannanur, Aligarh, Coimbatore etc. However, there is no evidence in any conspiracy case. Thatswhy, He was released in 1949. After Independence, He didnt stoop for the political posts and became a Lifelong social reformer.  Darsi Chenchaiah strived for the empowerment of women Especially for women education and eradication of prostitution. He also established ashrams for widows and promoted widow-remarriage.  He also strived for the welfare of Labour and their right.  Wife of Darsi Chenchaiah was Subhadramma, a social worker, philosopher and Philanthropist. They were the perfect & ideal family dedicated their life for the cause of the country. Darsi Chenchaiah died on 30-12-1964. 

Eventhough, Darsi Chenchaiah sacrificed alot for the cause of country, no main stream media or books don't recognise his sacrifice adequately. 

From The Hindu: Adam Smith on Education

Why Adam Smith favoured public education

Contrary to popular opinion, he was not a free market apologist

The authority of Adam Smith is frequently invoked by supporters of the free market, who argue for extending the market forces to all conceivable goods and services and eliminating any kind of government intervention in markets. However, Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations make it clear that he was not a laissez faire or free market capitalism apologist.

Favouring liberal capitalism

Smith favoured liberal capitalism over the extant socio-economic arrangement (elements of feudalism and mercantilism). While feudalism was characterised by the rule of the nobility/landowners, mercantilism was characterised by state monopoly over trade. The East India Company was an example of the latter. It is in this historical context that Smith called for the state to withdraw its monopolistic interventions in both external and internal commerce.

Contrary to public opinion, Smith presupposed the government provision of legal infrastructure, defence, transport infrastructure and education for the proper functioning of liberal capitalism. For him, the responsibility of providing institutions “for promoting the instruction of the people” is one of the chief duties of the state. The state, he said, must undertake this responsibility just as it accepts responsibility “for protecting society from the violence and invasion of other independent societies”.

The appropriators of Smith also forget his telling commentary on the role of power in society. One aspect of this relates to the power employers have over workers. The second aspect relates to the inequality of power, expressed in the form of status and ranks.

Modern appropriators of Smith also make abundant use of the “invisible hand” metaphor. But Smith used this metaphor only once in Wealth of Nations, and twice in his other writings in different contexts.

The self-interested individual in the Wealth of Nations is embedded, as it were, in the society Smith described in The Theory of Moral Sentiments, which is characterised by good moral sentiments: “All the members of human society stand in need of each other’s assistance, and are likewise exposed to mutual injuries. Where the necessary assistance is reciprocally afforded from love, from gratitude, from friendship, and esteem, the society flourishes and is happy.” Indeed, the Wealth of Nations and The Theory of Moral Sentiments are complementary texts.

Education is not a commodity

Smith conceived of education in a broad manner. Education for him not only includes the “study of wisdom” but also the learning of good moral sentiments such as virtue, sympathy, gratitude and benevolence. Since Smith considered education as central to a flourishing society, he did not treat it as a commodity. He argued that the costs of education should be such that “even a common labourer may afford it”. In the Wealth of Nations, he said: “For a very small expence the publick can facilitate, can encourage, and can even impose upon almost the whole body of the people, the necessity of acquiring those most essential parts of education.” This dispels the myth of him being a champion of private education.

Almost all popular commentaries on Smith’s economics highlight the role of division of labour or technological progress in the growth of an economy. The growth enhancing effects of division of labour via increasing labour productivity are an important part of Smith’s growth account. But Smith understood the central consequence of division of labour on the workers: repetitive work numbs their minds and negatively influences their capacity to make prudent decisions. Therefore, the “education of the common people requires, perhaps, in a civilized and commercial society, the attention of the publick.”

Smith advocated accessible education for the entire class of workers, which constitutes the majority of the population. In fact, he advocated compulsory education for them so that it offsets part of the debilitating effects from the division of labour. Smith also believed that education would empower the citizens to make wise decisions which contribute to the “safety of the government”. Yet another reason is that education positively affects customary wages, which over time, would increase workers’ real wages.

It would therefore be wise to take heed of Smith’s views on education, which comprise both the learning of “wisdom” and “moral sentiments”, and not only strengthen but also expand India’s public education system.

Alex M. Thomas teaches economics at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru

Determinants of Ethics

Q) What are the determinants of Ethics, Discuss?

A)

Ethics is shared norms or standards of right and wrong that are used in decision making. Ethics is developed over a period of time. 

Determinants:

There are several factors that determine Ethics, which can be clubbed together in the following way:

Source of Ethics

Characteristics of Individual

Impediments of Action and 

Consequences of Action

Source of Ethics:-

Ethics is inculcated and nurtured through a period of time by many factors such as:

i. Family: Family is first and foremost important source of ethics. If a mother and father democratic in nature that means they allow the children to develop rationally and to take decision by themselves, they develop democratic values such as Respecting elders, Honesty, value of time & money, Objectivity, Impartiality, Tolerance, Selflessness, e.t.c., If either mother is unsecular or father is autocratic, who tries to impose their will over the Children, They may develop the values like Selfishness, Intolerance, Apathy, Impatience, Timidness due to over powering parents/Over protection of parents, e.t.c.,

ii. Education and Its Institution: Education is one of the important source of ethics. From Teachers, a child may develop Impartiality, Honesty, Objectivity, Intelligence, Value of time, Perseverance, Tolerance and many other, which can be exhibited by teachers in their functionings.

From peers, a child can learn the values like Tolerance, Solidarity, Camaraderieship, Competitive Spirit and many other values. 

iii. Religion: It imparts the values like Empathy, Compassion, Selflessness, Leadership, Kindness and many other values.

Apart from these main institutions, a man can learn from many other sources like Caste, Mass Media, Society, Political institutions, e.t.c.,

Characteristics of individual:-

There are several factors that determines the characteristics of an individual. Such as Character, Conduct, will, e.t.c.,

* Character:- It is individual’s desires not in bits and pieces but in a system held together by certain morals and ideals. 

* Conduct:- Habitual mode of action accompanied by Character. 

* Will:- It is an expression of character.

Conduct is mainly determined by both Character and Circumstances. 

Impediments to Action:-

These are several impediments, which blocks the action of an individual. Those are:

* Fear: It is a emotional or mental reaction arises due to recognition of impending danger. 

* Passion: There are sever factors like Fear, Lust, Pride, Arrogance and others arises the passion and distracts the individual. 

* Ignorance: It is a state of absence of Knowledge of Subject, which shall be mastered by Subject. 

* Temperament: It is natural propensities of a man acting against the acquired characteristics of a man. 

Violence and Pathological States are two other factors that cause the impediments to the Action of a person. 

Consequence of the Action:- 

Consequence of the Human action also determines the Ethics. Consequence of any human action can be either Good or Bad or Indifferent. 

* Bad:- Any actions, whose Purpose or Object(End or means respectively) are bad, The consequence of that Action would also be bad irrespective of circumstances. Ex:- A lie is bad irrespective of circumstances.

* Good:- Any consequences of action, which are good, can become bad with changed circumstances. 

* Indifferent:- An action, which is indifferent, could be either good or bad with circumstances.  Ex:- Playing PubG game is indifferent. But, in prolonged addiction may cause bad results. 

These are different determinants, which moulds the Ethics in an Individual, who could able to use these determinants as a benchmark while taking decision in day-to-day life. 

Ethics Syllabus in Group-1

i. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human actions: dimensions of Ethics: Ethics in Private and Public relationships, Ethics-integrity and Accountability in Public Service.

ii.  Human values: Understanding the Harmony in existence Human relationships in the society and in the Nature. Gender Equability in the relationships Role of family, society and Educational Institutions in imparting values to citizens, lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrations. 

iii. Attitude: Content, Functions, its influence and relation with thought and behaviour, Moral and Political attitudes, role of Social influence and persuasion. Emotional intelligence Concepts and their utilities and application in Administration and Governance. 

iv. Concept of Public Service, "Philosophical basis of Governance professional Ethics in the light of right understanding and Vision for Holistic Technologies, Codes of Ethics, codes of Conduct, RTI, Public Service Act, Leadership Ethics, Work culture, Ethical principles with in an Organizational content. - Ethical and moral values in governance, Ethical issues in international relations, corruption, Lokpal, Lokayukta 

Ethics and its Essence

Q) What is the Ethics and Discuss the Importance of the Ethics?

A) 

Ethics is the shared Standards or Norms of Right and Wrong, which are used in decision making process. 

Ethics are developed by a society over a period of time. 

Why Ethics is Important?:-

Ethics is important because of its following features:

* Negative Entropy:  In this world, any creation of man is subjected to entropy. If we take Indus valley Civilisation, it underwent the Entropy. Thatswhy, we seek Negative Entropy to sustain the society and civilisation. Ethics, which brings the order in the society counters the entropy. 

Ex:- Chinese and Indian Civilisations, which are continuing since more than 3 millennium years. Indians are so compassionate that Bishnoi people even extended their breast milk for the Deer.

* Brings the Order into Society: For sustainable progression of the society, it requires chaotic free society, which can be established by practicing the Ethics. 

Ex:- Ethics brings standard of conduct, which overtime becomes the tradition and when it is codified, it becomes the Law. 

* Identity to the Country: Ethics not only regulates but also gives identity to particular society or country. 

Ex:- India is regarded as peace loving country because of its maintenance of ethical standards at domestic affairs and international engagements. 

* Shaping individuals: It broadens the vision of the individual by showing the distinction between right and wrong. It provides good character and Habits, which enabled the person to go great heights in any stream of pursuit.

Ex:- i. Ethical individuals like Ashok Khemka are able to distinguish between right and wrong and continuously upholding the righteousness. 

ii. Bill gates, who is one of the world’s richest man is able to serve all over the world through charity. It is because of his moral standards and ethical values. 

*  Cultivation of value System: It inculcate the values in people and nourish them in long run. 

Ex:- Courage, Justice, Freedom, Liberty, Secularism and many other values are inculcated for the progress of individual as well as society whole. 

*  Solidarity: Societies and civilisations sustain because of the solidarity between people, groups and countries. Such solidarity not only accumulate the people but make them Progressive. Such solidarity is upheld by Ethics. 

Ex:- i. Climate Justice, International Peace, Good Samaritans in case of accidents and others are results of Ethics in one’s actions. 

ii. Sonam Wangchuk has been striving for the progress of Ladakh because of his ethical values, which emanated from his concern towards his society. 

iii. Bachpan Bachao Andolan, which safeguarded more than 3 lakh children from child labour, is sustaining on ethical values. 

In this way, we can say Ethics is important tool for broadening the vision of the individual. Literally, we can say Ethics makes a man into a social human being. 

Cultural Contributions of Satavahanas

Q) Discuss the cultural contributions of Satavahanas? 

A)

Satavahanas ruled for 400 years, during which they contributed alot interms of Art, Architecture, Literature, Religion and other cultural Spheres. 

Amaravati School:- During satavahanas’s period, world’s renowned Art, Amaravati school of art and architecture is developed. This art used Costly marble and depicted the motifs in refined manner, which clearly depicted the emotional aspects of scenes. Thats why, it is also called Living Art. This art heavily concentrated on the life and Jataka stories(his previous births) of Buddha.

Padmapani

Paintings:- During this time, buddhists, who made ajanta caves as their Viharas and Chaityas, painted the Jataka tales on walls and ceilings of the Ajanta in the form of Mural frescoes. The most important caves of this period are VIII, IX and XII.  

Other Architectures:- Apart form these, Satavahanas contributed to many viharas, chaityas and Stupas of Buddhism. For example, Amaravati Stupa was one of the world famous stupa with intricate art designs at its Circumambulatory Path. Sri Vijaya University with more than 1500 rooms was constructed at Nagarjunakonda with contributions of Yajnasri Satakarni. 

Literature:- 

Hala’s Gāthā Saptaśatī in paisachic Prakrit contains anthology of 700 poems. Apart from this, Vastayana’s Kamasutra, which contains story of Kuntala Satakarni, Gunadya’s Brihatkatha and Leelavathi Parinyam were not only classics but also reveals the social, political, economical and cultural conditions of that time. 

Hala’s Gatha Saptasati reveals that people of their kingdom practiced various entertainments such as dicing, fishing, animal fighting, group dances, Ballet Dances, Brundagana, e.t.c., 

In this way, Satavahanas contributed alot interms of Culture. Architecture of their times inspired many in succeeding dynasties. Ikshavakus’s who are pioneers of temple architecture in Andhra were vassals of Satavahanas. They continued and made progress in the art and architecture of Satavahanas. 

Comparison between Vedic and IVC

Q) Bring out the salient features of the Indus and Vedic Civilizations in a comparative perspective?     — 2011 G-I

A) The comparison between IVC(Indus Valley Civilisation) and Vedic Civilisation is anachronic in nature as they happed in different set of time periods. The mature IVC happened in between B.C 2,500-1,900 and the Early vedic civilisation happened in 1,500-1,000B.C and Later vedic civilisation happened in B.C 1,000-600. 

Social Sphere:-

Social Hierarchy:- During the IVC there are no question of Varna or caste, which are emerged in vedic times. IVC believed to have social hierarchy between different classes such as Ruling class, Bureaucratic ones and Normal Citizens. 

Language:- Unique Language of the IVC is yet deciphered as it is the pictographic language. But, Vedic civilisation developed Sanskrit language, which is a subset of indo-european languages. 

Religion:- Religion of IVC is based on belief system rather than ritual based. They worshipped Pashupati, Mother Goddess and based on evidence from seals, Scholars believes that they were also worshipping the Nature. 

Whereas the religion of vedic civilisation is based on Rigveda, according to which this world is result of great sacrifice, “Hiranyagarbha”. The world contains three spheres, Celestial, Aerial and Terrestrial Spheres.  The god of Celestial sphere is Indra, for whom rigveda contains 250 hymns, Varun, God of Aerial Sphere, on whom, there are 200 hymns in rigveda. God of terrestrial sphere is Agni. The women goddess of early vedic was Saraswati. But, these gods are replaced by Bramha, Vishnu and maheswara by the late vedic. Goddess Saraswati lost her relevance in this age. 

Women:- IVC is matriarchal in Nature whereas the vedic is patriarchal in Nature. Eventhough, women are given qual status at early vedic times, their position is degraded and are not allowed to samiti and many evil practices such as Sati, Child Marriages cropped up against the Women. 

Polity:- IVC is ruled by ruling class assisted by priests or bureaucracy. But, Early vedic civilisation is based on Tribal State. The state is called Jana headed by Rajan, under whom, there is visyapati, heading the vs, which is a group of Grama, which is headed by Gramani. In the Grama, there are Kulas, which is headed by Kulapati. 

Sabha, Samiti, Vidatha and other assemblies were so important and they wielded significant power over the Rajan.

Tax was voluntary contribution, which is known as the Bhaga. 

Whereas in Later vedic times, Position of Rajan became divine. The sabha and samiti lost heir significance. Rajan had huge standing army headed by Senani. Rajan assisted by bureaucracy and Mantris and levy compulsory taxation, which is collected by Bhagadhuga.  

Economy:- IVC’s economy is based on barter system. As they are world’s first cotton producers, they exported textiles to other countries and imported, Lapis Lazuli from Mongolia, Perfumes form Greece, Gold and silver from Mesopotamia and Pearl from Southern India. 

Whereas the economy of Early Vedics was pastoral. Even though they have knowledge of Vrihi(rice), Godhuma(wheat), Barley, e.t.c., they produced very little.

But by late vedic times, Krishan Ayan, Iron came into existence. It revolutionised agriculture in Ganga-Yamuna Doab. High Production made the Janas(Congregation of people) into Janapadas(significance given to Territory), which later transformed into 16 Mahajanapadas. 

Due to high production, Traders formed associations called Srenis. By end of late vedic civilisation, Punch marked coins also came into existence. 

Pottery:- At the times of IVC, Black and Red and Black pottery was in use. Whereas in Vedic times, Painted Grey Ware (PGW) came into existence.

In this way, Vedic civilisation is so different from IVC in social, political and economic spheres. The difference is so contrast especially with respect to Buildings, Town Planning of IVC, which is an unparalleled advancement.