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

Anthropology is concerned with the evolution, growth, and development of humankind. It is the scientific and sociological study of human genetics, culture, and society. It encompasses the study of various aspects of humanity's past and present society. Social Anthropology and Cultural Anthropology describe the norms and values of a society.

The Battle of Talikota was fought in January 1565. This war is also known as the Battle of Rakshasa Tangadi or the Battle of Bannihatti. The anti-Vijayanagara confederacy in this war included Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Golconda, and Bidar. Berar was not included in this war. Sadasiva Raya was the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire at the time of this battle. Sadasiva Raya's minister, Rama Raya, was killed in this battle. The Vijayanagara army was defeated in this war.

Immediately after the downfall of Bairam Khan, Akbar appointed Munim Khan to the post of Vakil (Prime Minister) in 1560. Akbar conferred upon him the title of Khan-e-Khana (Khan of Khans). In 1564, Munim Khan was made the Subedar (Governor) of Jaunpur. Munim Khan was a Persian Turk whose ancestors originally belonged to the city of Andijan in present-day Uzbekistan. His father's name was Miran Beg Andijani, and Mirza Askari was his foster brother.

In 1728 AD, Peshwa Baji Rao I defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk, the Nizam of Hyderabad, in the Battle of Palkhed. Following this, the Treaty of Mungi-Shivgaon was signed on March 6, 1728, in which the Nizam agreed to pay the Marathas Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. This treaty established the supremacy of the Marathas in the Deccan.

The establishment of Hindu colonies outside India was the result of the efforts of rulers such as the Mauryan rulers, Chola rulers, Pallava rulers, and Vijayanagara rulers, among others. Mauryan Period: Trade took place with neighboring countries like China, Lanka (Sri Lanka), Nepal, and also with Syria, Egypt, the Persian Gulf, Aden, and Western countries.
Chola Period: Trade occurred with foreign commercial centers like Burma, Sumatra (Southeast Asia), and Sri Lanka. Pallava Period: Trade extended deep into the South (Southeast Asia). Vijayanagara: Foreign trade was conducted with countries like Malaya, Burma, China, Arabia, and Persia (Iran).

The Kalamukha sect was associated with Shaivism (Shiva worship). Followers of the Kalamukha sect performed acts such as eating food from a human skull, consuming human flesh, and smearing the ash of the cremation ground on their bodies. This sect was active in the Karnataka region between the 11th and 14th centuries. The Kedareshwara Temple in Belgavi (ShimogaKarnataka) was its main center.

From the early period, India relied on agriculture-based industries, which was due to the growth in agricultural produce, cottage industries, metallurgy (iron) industry, and others based on the needs of individuals.
The ancient Indian agricultural system was a crucial resource for the livelihood and economic source of the people at that time. Kalidasa mentioned that agriculture and animal husbandry were very important for the economic development of the state. The metal industry (iron industry) significantly contributed to the expansion of agriculture.
Note : Options N and D had the same answer, so the NTA (or relevant body) considered the answer to this question to be option (M/L) in its final answer key.

The pattern of human settlement came into existence only during the Neolithic period because it is probable that humans did not consider settling in one place during the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods. Palaeolithic people depended on hunting and lived a nomadic life. In this period, humans were only consumers of food, not producers. Agriculture started for the first time in the Neolithic period, and humans began to reside permanently in one place. Thus, both A (Assertion) and R (Reason) are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.

The Mughal ruler Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur mentioned the name of only one painter, Bihzad, in his book Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama). Bihzad was a famous painter from Persia and was known as the 'Raphael of the East'. Abul Hasan and Mansur were prominent painters during Jahangir's reign. Farrukh Beg, Daswant, Basawan, etc., were important painters during Akbar's reign.

The most outstanding work among the artifacts of the Indus Valley is the bronze statue of a Dancing Girl (Nartaki), which is approximately four inches high. This statue, found at Mohenjo-daro, is an excellent example of the casting art of that time.
This statue is an example of contemporary metallurgy, an example of beauty, and is associated with the Copper Age (Chalcolithic Period). In the context of the Palaeolithic period, a similar artifact, the Venus of Willendorf (found near the Austrian town of Krems), is known.
This statue has large drooping breasts, an extended abdomen, and exaggerated buttocks. Similarly, the oldest known example of prehistoric plastic art is the Venus of Monpazier from France, commonly known as the Steatite Venus figurine, which depicts enlarged buttocks, abdomen, and vulva.