Mock Test-2 (Paper-1) (Question 1-50)

On the site of Indus Valley Civilization, the famous Bull-seal was found in Harappa. The figure has been made well, a proof of the fine artistic skills acquired by the people of that time. Seals are mainly in square or rectangular shape. This bull-seal dates to around 2450-2200 BC.

Including other seals, the seal of Rhinoceros was found in Mohenjodaro.

The people of Lothal worshipped a fire god, that could behorned deity depicted on ancient seals.

Nageshwar is argued to be the first Harappan shell-working site in India. The surface survey of the site has revealed several concentrations of shell material and the excavations have also revealed shell bangle pieces. Chanhudaro is also stated to be associated with shell-working and bangles and ladles are supposed to have been made there.

The site Kuntasi has revealed four structural phases, one of which is believed to be a craft centre, associated with bead making, due to the evidence of long carnelian beads, beads of faience, lapis lazuli, steatite, along with bangles of shank and ivory. Harappa is supposed to be associated with copper working.

Sixteen copper furnaces have been found there, along with a hoard consisting of a pot, full of copper tools and weapons (such as axes, daggers, arrowheads and spearheads). Rahman Dheri has given evidences of numerous terracotta figurines. Huge quantities of unworked shells, stored shells and heaps of waste attest to the presence of shell related production in Balakot.

Amaravati School of Art: In Amaravati, situated in the eastern Deccan, Andhra Pradesh, a different type of art form evolved and flourished for nearly six centuries commencing from 200-100 BC. Patronized first by the Satavahanas and later by the Ikshvakus and also by other groups

• The lotus and the purnakumbha motifs are typical of Amaravati Art expressing auspiciousness and abundance.
• White Marble was used in this art and the themes were Buddha's life and Jatakas tales.
• The curly hair of Buddha is a feature that is influenced by the Greeks
• The Palaces of Kings, Princes, etc. have got prominence

Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora and the Shore temple at Mamallapuram were built around the same time Both are Gupta period temples.
Kailasanatha Temple - Features

• The temple's construction began during the reign of Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga (735-757 AD).
• The temple's major construction was completed by King Dantidurga's successor, Krishna | (757-773 AD), though work continued for more than a century under many successive kings.
• Itis situated in the Maharashtra town of Ellora.
• The carving of the temple began at the mountain's summit, but a pit was later dug around the temple on the sloping side of the hill.
• Aside from the gopura, the main temple has a sabha griha (hall), vestibules, and a Nandi mandap that leads to the garba griha (sanctum) with the Shiv linga, all of which are intricately carved and have Dravidian shikharas (towers).
• The Nandi mandap is linked to Gopuram by a bridge.

About Shore Temple:

• It is a historic temple complex located in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), Tamil Nadu
• It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
• It was built probably in the reign of Narasimhavarman I, also known as Rajasimha (Pallava ruler) who reigned from 700 to 728 CE.
• Shore Temple is one among a number of Hindu monuments at Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu.
• It is one of the oldest structural excellence (rock-cut) stone temples of the South India.
• The Mamallapuram monuments and temples, including the Shore Temple complex, were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.

• Kalidasa (active late 4th-early 5th century) was a brilliant poet and playwright in classical India.
• He unveiled the essence of a whole civilization by demonstrating the expressive and provocative heights to which the Sanskrit language is capable.
• Kalidasa was a major literary figure in the first half of the seventh century, clearly after the great Buddhist poet Asvaghosha (1st century) (the Aihole inscription, 634).
• Outside of India, scholars agree that Kalidasa thrived under the reign of Chandragupta Il.
• According to Hindu mythology, he embellished Vikramaditya's court in the first century B.C.
• Kalidasa was a court poet of a king named Vikramaditya, according to several ancient and medieval sources.
• Around the first century BCE, a mythological monarch named Vikramditya is claimed to have ruled from Ujjain.
• According to some researchers, the mythical Vikramaditya is not a historical character at all.
• Other monarchs who reigned from Ujjain and used the title Vikramditya the most famous of whom are Chandragupta Il and Yasodharman.
• The most widely held belief is that Kalidsa flourished during the reign of Chandragupta Il, and thus lived in the 4th to 5th centuries CE

• Andhra Pradesh state Govt. website says Arasavalli in Srikakulam district has sun temple. So, 1 is right.
• Sri Omkareshwar temple in Mysore is for Lord Shiva and it's not a Sun Temple.
• Amarakantak in Madhya Pradesh has temples, but not any Sun temple. So #3 is wrong. Hence, by elimination, answer "a" only 1.

• Muhammad Bin Tughlag (1290-1351), the 18th Sultan of Delhi, ascended to the throne in 1325 following the death of his father, Ghiyasuddin Tughlag, marking the continuation of the Tughlag dynasty. His reign marked the peak of the Delhi Sultanate's territorial expansion, covering regions like Warangal, Ma'abar, Madurai, and parts of Karnataka, which were divided into 23 provinces.
• Social Integration: Muhammad Bin Tughlag promoted social integration within his empire, appointing Hindus and lower castes to high-ranking positions. He also worked to abolish the practice of Sati, a social injustice he aimed to address within his empire.
• Self-Perception and Authority: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq considered himself equivalent to the Caliph and adopted the title Amir-ul-Mominin, reflecting his elevated self-perception and authority.
• Architectural Development: He built the city of Jahanpanah, the fourth city of Delhi, and also constructed the Fort of Adilabad during his reign.
• Decline and Death: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq's health deteriorated, and he died in 1351 CE while campaigning against Taghi in Sindh.
• Historians like Badayuni noted that his death relieved both him and his people, marking the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate’s decline.

Ibn Battuta visited India during the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. Ibn Battuta (1333-1347) was a Moroccan Scholar and traveller who visited India during the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. His book titled 'Rehala' throws a lot of light on Muhammad Tughlaq's reign.

Muftis were exponder of law. Barid were Agents of intelligence. Kotwal were the head of city administration. Arz-i-mamalik were the minister of incharge of Army. The barid-i-mumalik was the head of the central office, and his agents sent in reports from all over the country.

This system was of great importance in controlling local governments. Kotwals often controlled the fort of a major town or an area of smaller towns on behalf of another ruler. It was similar in function to a British India Zaildar. During his time the army was directly recruited by the army minister (ariz- mamalik). It was paid in cash form the royal treasury.

It appears that the Sultan wanted to make Deogir second capital so that he might be able to control south India better. Deogir was named Daulatabad.

However, after a couple of years, Muhammad Tughlaq decided to abandon Daulatabad largely because he soon found that just as he could not control south India from Delhi, he could not control North from Daulatabad.