UGC NTA NET/JRF EXAM, December 2023 (HISTORY)

The Alvars were a group of twelve Vaishnava (devotees of Lord Vishnu) saint-poets. Their compositions mainly centered on their deep devotion to Lord Vishnu and emphasized the concept of surrender (Prapatti) to God for achieving liberation (moksha). The Nayanars were a group of sixty-three Shaiva (devotees of Lord Shiva) saint-poets. They were completely dedicated to Lord Shiva and composed hymns and poetry in his praise. Information about the religion of ancient Indians is first found in the Vedic literature-the Vedas, Brahmaņa Granthas, Āranyakas, and Upanişads. Vaishnavism developed from the Bhāgavata Dharma.

During the time of Warren Hastings (1773- 1785), a major problem in India was that Brāhmaņa Pandits would give different interpretations of local laws according to different branches of Dharmasastra. To eliminate this difference and bring uniformity, eleven Pandits were entrusted with the task of preparing a compilation of Indian laws in 1775. N. B. Halhed translated this compilation into English. This helped European judges and reduced their dependence on native translators. A new Supreme Court was established under the Regulating Act of 1773. This helped the British understand the Indians in a legal sense within a historical perspective. The appellate court the Sadar Nizamat Adalat was also established in Calcutta.

Numismatics explains the economy of the eras. the value of the coin, the metal used, and the images of the rulers. James Prinsep was the Father of Indian Numismatics. Every coin has two sides: the side with the main inscription is called the Obverse Chit), which bears the ruler's name, title, and image. The other side, the Reverse (Patt), generally bears the images of various gods and goddesses. The study of the measurement system (size-weight) of coins is called Metrology. Through this, the period and value of the currencies are determined by their metal, craftsmanship, and symbols.

The 25th (1971) and 42nd (1976) Constitutional Amendments are precedents for the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). The DPSPs were taken from Ireland in the Indian Constitution. The 25th Amendment curtailed the fundamental right to property. It also stipulated that any law made to give effect to the Directive Principles mentioned in Article 39(b) or (c) cannot be challenged on the ground that it violates the guarantee provided in the context of Fundamental Rights by Articles 14, 19, and 31. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) was done on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee. It had 59 provisions, and the words Secular, Socialist, and Integrity were added to the Preamble of the Constitution.

The Company School of Painting was also known as the Patna School. It is a mixed art, a fusion of Indian and European art, called the Company style. During the British era, Patna became their main center of administration and trade, making it strong and important in every respect. Dependent artists here painted in the Anglo-Indian style, creating pictures of animals, birds, nature scenes, miniature paintings, the life of Indian servitude, and portraits of the family members of the British, Company traders, and wealthy people. Sevak Ram (1770–1830), a painter from here, sold many paintings to Lord Minto.

Making of the Constitution and Government of India Acts. The correct statements regarding the making of the Constitution of India are as follows-Dyarchy was re-established in the provinces by the Government of India Act of 1919. Lionel Curtis was the originator of Dyarchy.
He described Dyarchy in his book, 'Dyarchy'. Annie Besant did not consider the Government of India Act of 1919 worthy of being given by England and accepted by India. The Indian National Congress called the Indian Council Act of 1919 inadequate, unsatisfactory, and disappointing, and in December 1921, it launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, which included the boycott of Central and Provincial Legislatures.
The Government of India Act of 1935 abolished Dyarchy in the provinces and implemented Dyarchy at the Centre. Provincial Autonomy was reestablished by the 1935 Act itself. Therefore, statements C, D, and E are correct (based on the context of the original text, which identifies the correct options as B, C, D and E).

Babu Kuńwar Singh, a leader of the Revolt of 1857, was described by a British magistrate as the "only enemy worthy of the British rule." He led the revolt from Jagadispur (Ara, Bihar) and was called the Lion of Bihar. Colonel G. B. Malleson, in his book 'The Indian Mutiny of 1857,' wrote that "This great warrior not only took revenge for the insult done to him by the British, as he understood it, but also put them to flight."

The chronological order of the above events is as follows:
i. Alexander defeated Darius (Darius III) and burned his capital Persepolis. - 331 BC
ii. Conflict between Alexander and Porus. - 326 BC
iii. Coronation of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. - 269 BC
iv. Assassination of the last Mauryan ruler (Emperor Brhadratha) by Puşyamitra. – 184 BC
v. The Yu-chi tribe was defeated and expelled from Chinese Turkistan. - 165 BC