Shikhar Mains Day 1 Model Answer English

Updated : 6th Jun 2023

Q1. प्राचीन भारत में स्तूप स्थापत्य कला अपना विशिष्ट स्थान रखता है। इस कथन के आलोक में स्तूप स्थापत्य के विकास का संक्षेप में वर्णन कीजिये।

Stupa architecture holds its own special place in ancient India. In the light of this statement Briefly describe the development of stupa architecture.

Approach:

In introduction Give information about Stupa architecture and its development.
Describe the development of stupa architecture in the main part.
Lastly, conclude the answer by explaining its importance as a great heritage.

Answer -

Stupa architecture has an important place in the context of the study of ancient Indian architecture. Stupas are hemispherical structures built on Buddha's bodily remains and used objects, they are believed to be the symbol of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. The box made on top of the hemispherical structure is called Harmika, it has an umbrella. Harmika is considered a holy place as it houses the relics of Buddha. The base of the Stupa is called Medhi, on which the Stupa is built. The entrance of the Stupa is called Torana while the four walls built around the Stupa are called Vedika. The circumambulatory path is built around it.

Stupas can be classified into four types, viz., Saririka Stupa, these are built on the physical remains of Buddha; Paribogika stupas are built on objects used by Buddha while Uddeshika stupas are built on important places related to life and Pujarthak/Sankalpit stupas are built for the purpose of worship by the followers of Buddhism. The development of stupa architecture in India has been gradual.

Stupa architecture in Mauryan period

After the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha, 8 stupas were built on his physical remains, although archaeological evidence is not available.
It is known from Buddhist texts that Ashoka had built 84 thousand stupas, although it is considered a legend,
Nevertheless, evidence of some stupas of Mauryan period has been found from Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Taxila, Sanchi Gaya, etc.
All the features related to the stupa architecture are visible in the Ashoka stupas, wood was used in the pylons and altars, and bricks were used in the construction of the Mauryan stupas.
The construction of a large number of stupas not only testifies to the popularity of Buddhism in contemporary society but also to state patronage.

Stupa architecture in the post-Mauryan period

Construction of new stupas at places like Sanchi, Sarnath, Bharhut etc. under the patronage of Sunga rulers, despite being the patrons of Brahmin religion in the post-Mauryan period and also the revival of some Ashoka period stupas;
In contrast to the stupa architecture of the Maurya era, more and more stones were used in place of wood in the archways and railings of Shunga stupas.
The events of Buddha's life were explained through symbols (no statues of Buddha were made here) on the Shunga stupas,
Huge stupas were built by the Kushan rulers in Peshawar, Taxila and Charsadda, etc.
In Kushan period stupas have been given great emphasis on ornamentation.
Evidence of statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva along with symbols on Kushan period stupas adjacent to Shunga stupas are also found.
Similarly, the Satavahana rulers built stupas at Amaravati, Nagarjunikonda.
The use of marble in the construction of the Satavahana era stupas is also a major feature of this period;
The influence of both Hinayana and Mahayana is visible on the stupa architecture of the Satavahana era.

Gupta Stupa Architecture

The tradition of building stupas continued even during the Gupta rulers. Evidence of Gupta stupas is found in Sarnath and Rajgraha. However, the number of stupas is comparatively less visible in this period.
Signs of decline are also visible in the construction style of stupas, such as reduced height of platforms, use of pucca bricks, etc. Evidence of the development of stupa architecture after the Guptas is not often found.
In fact, due to the rise of Brahmin religion, emphasis was being laid on temple architecture from the Gupta period, so the stupa architecture development halted.

Thus it is clear that there was a gradual development of stupa architecture in India. The climax of stupa architecture is visible in the post-Mauryan period. Being the heritage of ancient Indian culture, the place of stupas is important in the study of Indian architecture.

Q2: क्रांतिकारी गतिविधियाँ कभी स्थिर नहीं रहीं बल्कि कुछ चरणों के दौरान चरम पर रहीं। इस संदर्भ में, क्रांतिकारी गतिविधियों में वृद्धि के कारण सहित इन चरणों पर प्रकाश डालिए। (12 Marks)

Revolutionary activities were never constant but peaked during certain phases. In this context, throw light on these phases along with the reasons for the rise in revolutionary activities. (12 Marks)

Approach:

Give a brief background of the beginning of revolutionary activities in the Indian freedom struggle.
List the various stages of revolutionary activities as well as the reasons for it's rise.
Conclude the answer by highlighting the contribution of the revolutionaries in the Indian freedom struggle.

Answer:

The beginning of revolutionary activities in the Indian independence movement is considered to be from Maharashtra. Where in 1896-97 the first revolutionary organization was established in Poona by the Chapekar brothers. Two British officers named Rand and Amherst were murdered by them. The goal of political change and independence was to be achieved by the revolutionaries through violent activities such as bombs and pistols, killing of foreign officials, attacks on armories and robbery, etc.

The first phase of revolutionary activities. (1905–1917) was the result of the moderates' disillusionment with the liberal struggle strategy and the Bengal Partition Movement, while the second phase of the revolutionary movement (1920s) resulted from the withdrawal of the non-cooperation movement during the 1920s.

The rise of revolutionary activities in the first phase (1905–1917) was due to the following reasons:

Recognition of Colonial Character - To suppress the nationalist movement by the government in 1907 and 1908, several repressive laws were passed and restrictions on the press, gatherings, and processions were banned. Also, the economic difficulties and famines of the year 1890 exposed the exploitative nature of British rule.
Increase in self-esteem and self-confidence- The concept of self-power gained strength during the Swadeshi movement. Young and vigorous Indian nationalists like Bipin Chandra Pal, Tilak, and Aurobindo relied on the potential of the Indian people.
Development of Education- The development of education created awareness among the masses and gave birth to a section of outspoken youth. The development of education also highlighted the issues of unemployment and underemployment among educated Indians and drew attention to poverty and exploitation.
Dissatisfaction with Moderate Strategies – The youth of the political movement were fiercely critical of the approach adopted by the Moderates. His approach to resistance was a peaceful constitutional movement popularly known as prayer, petition, and protest.
Suppression of extremist leaders - During the Swadeshi movement, various extremist leaders were arrested by the government. As Tilak was arrested and sent to jail in 1908, Arvind Ghosh retired after the Alipore conspiracy, and Lala Lajpat Rai went abroad.

The rise of revolutionary activities in the second phase (1920s) was due to the following reasons:

During the First World War, the revolutionaries had to face severe repression at the hands of the British. Many revolutionaries were released before the Mont-ford Reformation in the early 1920s, which provided much-needed energy to start revolutionary activities.
During the non-cooperation movement, many revolutionaries under the leadership of Gandhi suspended their activities and joined the movement. But the sudden disintegration of the non-cooperation movement disillusioned the revolutionary.
Moreover, the revolutionaries were not attracted to the constitutional and parliamentary methods of the Swarajists.

Conclusion:

The heroic activities done by the revolutionaries and their ideology gave rise to the spirit of self-sacrifice among the masses. The rising popularity of many revolutionary leaders like Bhagat Singh, Surya Sen, Pritilata Wadekar etc. inspired the nation for self-sacrifice and laid the groundwork for the collective participation of the common man.