4.Culture 41T Flashcards
- HISTORICAL EVENTS
8. 1. HISTORY OF INDIAN NAVY
Why in news
In the recent Mann ki baat, Prime Minister talked
about the greatness of navy of Chola kingdom.
About Chola Navy
• Sangam literature has numerous references
of voyages and expeditions of the Chola navy.
• Chola Navy was considered one of the
strongest navies and played a big role in the
expansion of the Chola rule to Sri-Lanka and
Malay Peninsula
• They possessed a very rich and sound
knowledge of ship building.
• Some of the important ports cities of Cholas
were Poompuhar/ Kaveripattinam (capital),
Arikamedu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam
etc.
• A large number of women played leading
roles in Chola navy and actively took part in
battles.
Fact about Chola Kingdom
• Administration: was marked by well-established
local self-government in villages
• Status of women: The practice of ‘sati’ was
prevalent among the royal families. The devadasi
system emerged during their period.
• Development of Tamil literature reached its peak
during the Chola period.
• Examples of Dravidian style of art and
architecture: Brihadeshwara Temple (now a
UNESCO World Heritage Site), Nagaeshwvara,
Airavateshwara temples
• Bronze statues of Nataraja or dancing Siva is
master piece of the Chola period.
8.2. PAIKA REBELLION
Why in news?
Recently the Minister of Human Resource
Development announced that Paika Rebellion will
be renamed as “First War of Independence”.
History of Paika Bidroha
• The Paika rebellion took place in 1817 in
Khurda, Odisha.
• Paikas were the peasant militias of the
Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered
military service to the king during times of
war while taking up cultivation during times
of peace.
• The armies of the East India Company
overran Odisha in 1803 after establishing
their sway over Bengal Province and Madras
Province. The Raja of Khurda lost his primacy
and the power and prestige of the Paikas
went on a decline.
• But in 1817 Paikas rebelled against the British
under the leadership of Baxi Jagandhu
Bidyadhara, hereditary chief of militia army
to throw off the British yoke.
• It ended with the surrender of Jagandbandhu
in 1825.
• Chronologically not the first - Even before the
Paika rebellion of 1817 there had been
Sanyasi revolt in Bengal in early 18th century,
Chuar uprisings of Bengal and Bihar from
1766, rebellion by Dewan Velu Thampi of
Travancore in 1805 and rebellion of
Taluqdars of Aligarh in 1814 to name a few.
8.3. CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAH
Why in news?
• An exhibition titled “Swachhagraha – Bapu Ko
Karyanjali – Ek Abhiyan, Ek Pradarshani” was
held in Delhi to mark the 100 years of
Satyagraha in Champaran.
About the Champaran Satyagrah
• The Champaran Satyagarh of 1917 was
Mahatma Gandhi’s first satyagarh and this
satyagarh along with Kheda Satyagarh of 1918
put Gandhiji as one of the frontrunners of
Indian National Movement.
• Gandhiji was invited by Rajkumar Shukla to
look into the problems of the indigo planters
of Champaran (Bihar).
• The peasants were forced to grow indigo on
3/20 of their land under the tinkathia system
for their landlords.
• The price fixed for indigo was too less and was
calculated on the basis of cultivated area
rather than the crop produced. The peasants
were offered to be relived of the contracts but
the compensation to be paid was too much.
• Upon arriving in Champaran, Gandhiji was
asked to leave the district at once by the
British authorities. Gandhiji defied the orders
and maintained resistance.
• His satyagarh resulted in the government
setting up a committee to look into the issue
and he was offered a seat in it as well.
• Gandhiji was able to convince the authorities
that the tinkathia should be done away with
and the farmers should be compensated
8.4. SABARMATI ASHRAM
Why in News?
• The Prime Minister attended the centenary
year celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in
Gujarat.
Sabarmati Ashram
• Build by Jivanlal Deshai in 1915, Gandhi ji
shifted the ashram on bank of Sabramati in
1917.
• Idea of Ashram emanate from Tolstoy Farm
(Phoenix Farm) of South Africa.
• On Gandhiji’s return from South Africa, his
first Ashram in India was established in the
Kochrab area of Ahmedabad in 1915. The
Ashram was shifted on the banks of river
Sabarmati in 1917.
• The Sabarmati Ashram was also known as
Harijan Ashram or Satyagrah Ashram
• When Gandhi started his padayatra (foot
march) in 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram to
Dandi for the Salt Satyagraha, he had decided
not to return to Sabarmati till independence
for India was attained.
• In April 1936, Gandhiji established his
residence in the village Shegaon which he
renamed as Sevagram, which means ‘village
of service’.
• Gandhiji lived in this Sevagram ashram till
1946 till he left for Naokhali.
8.5. BENGALI NEWSPAPERS
Why in news?
Governor of West Bengal released a
commemorative volume on the two hundred
years of Bengali Newspapers.
More about news
• The first newspaper of the country, ‘Hicky’s
Bengal Gazette’ was published from Kolkata
in 1780. The paper ceased publication on
March 23, 1782. It was published just for two
years.
• Till the 80s of the nineteenth century Bengal
was the hub of newspaper publication. A
survey of the Indian Language Press by Sir
George Campbell in 1876 showed that half of
the total number of 38 newspapers was
published from Kolkata.
• Samachar Darpan was the first newspaper in
Bengali language. It was published by
Serampore Mission press on May 23, 1818.
• In 1821, a remarkable Bengali
journal Sambad Kaumadi was published
under the patronage of Rammohan Roy.
• Sambad Pravakar was the first Bengali daily
newspaper published in 1839, patronized by
Iswar Chandra Gupta.
• The early Bengali papers took up the cause of
the oppressed workers in the indigo
plantation, and of the peasants. Notable
among them were the Som Prakash,
the Grambartha Prakashika and the Amrita
Bazar Patrika (before it became an English
weekly).
• Other important newspapers include
Bengalee (S.N. Banerjee), Hitabadi
(Dwijendranath Tagore) and Sanjibani (K.K.
Mitra).
8.6. QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT
Why in news?
The nation celebrated 75th Anniversary of the
Quit India Movement. Theme of this year’s
celebration was “Sankalp se Sidhi” urging the
people to take a pledge to fight poverty and
malnutrition.
Quit India Movement
• In July 1942, Congress Working Committee at
Wardha passed a resolution to end British
Rule in India. It also declared that free India
will be against the aggression of Nazism,
Fascism and Imperialism.
• Reasons behind the launch of Quit India
Movement:
o Failure of Cripps Mission due to lack of
British will to address Indian demands.
o Public discontent due to increased
wartime disparities such as price rise,
shortage of food items etc.
o Reversals faced by British in South-East
Asia enhanced popular willingness to
overthrow British rule from India.
o Britishers’ discriminatory behavior
against Indian refugees in south-east Asia
• On August 8, 1942, Quit India Movement was
launched from Gowalia Tank, Bombay.
However, all the leader including Mahatma
Gandhi, J.L. Nehru, Patel, Azad etc. were
arrested.
• The movement saw massive public upsurge
and attack on symbols of authority especially
in Eastern UP, Bihar and Bengal.
• During the movement
o Underground activities provided line of
command.
o Parallel government was carried on in
Balia, Tamluk and Satara.
o Participation of youth, women, workers,
peasants etc. was seen.
8.7. BATTLE OF KOREGAON
Why in news?
Recently, on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of
Koregaon clashes broke out in Maharashtra.
Battle of Koregaon
• It was the last of the Anglo-Maratha battle
that took place on 1 January 1818 in Bhima,
Koregaon between the troops of Maratha
Ruler Baji Rao Peshwa II and the British East
India Company (EIC).
• In the battle the EIC represented by majority
of Mahar soldiers successfully resisted
Peshwa troops in which Peshwa lost 600 of
his soldiers after which he withdrew and gave
up plans to attack Pune.
• British constructed a tower to commemorate
victory with an inscription stating,
“Accomplished one of the proudest triumphs
of the British Army in the East.”
• The Mahars celebrate this day as the day
when they regained their former status of
military glory.
• Mahars are a caste cluster living mainly in
Maharashtra and adjoining states.
• The Mahars, though untouchables, had been
valued for their military skills for centuries and
formed a significant portion of Shivaji’s army.
• However, under the Peshwas they were ill-treated
and lost their military glory.
• The Mahar were unified by B R Ambedkar, who
urged them to militant political consciousness and
to great educational improvement.
More about Anglo-Maratha wars
• First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) The
first Anglo-Maratha war took place due the
British retaliation of the Maratha violation of
Treaty of Purandhar, 1776. It culminated
with The Treaty of Salbai (1782) which
granted the possession of Salsette to the
British while the rest of the territory
conquered since Treaty of Purandhar was
returned to the Marathas
• Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805) –
Internal dispute among the Marathas gave
yet another opportunity to the British.
Bajirao II signed the Treaty of Bassein (1802)
with the British which gave them strategical
benefit. It gave British troops the opportunity
to keep English troops permanently Maratha
territory
• Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1819) –
British took various actions against the
Pindaris (mercenaries in the Maratha army).
This united the Maratha confederacy against
the British. The Marathas were defeated by
the British and various treaties were signed
which resulted in dissolution of Maratha
confederacy
- PERSONALITIES
9. 1. BASAVESHWARA
Why in news?
• Basavanna Jayanti or Basava Jayanti which
marks the 884th birth anniversary of 12th
century social reformer Basaveshwara was
recently celebrated in Karnataka.
About Basaveshwara
• He is considered to be the founder of
Lingayatism or Lingayat Sect or
Veerashaivism.
• He stood for the upliftment of the
downtrodden and fought the evils that had
crept into the Brahmanical Vedic tradition.
• He scripted his practical experiences in a
novel form of literature called – Vachana
(poetry). The main aim of Vachana (poetry)
movement propagated welfare for all.
• He heralded the establishment of ‘Kalyana
Rajya’ (Welfare state)
• He gave two important and innovative
concepts called “Sthavara’’ and “Jangama’’,
the meaning of which is “Static’’ and
‘’Dynamic’’ which are the main foundation
stones of the revolutionary ideology of
Basavanna
9.2. SAINT TYAGRAJA
Why in news?
• Recently the 250th birth anniversary of Saint
Tyagraja was celebrated.
About Saint Tyagraja
• Saint Tyagraja is one of the principal
composers of the Carnatic trinity along with
along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama
Sastri.
• Tyagaraja was born in the Thanjavur district
of Tamil Nadu.
• With the influence of Ramayana, he became
an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. He
composed about 24000 songs in his life
devoted to Lord Ram.
• Tyagaraja Aradhana, a music festival
conducted in honour of Tyagraja is organized
in Thiruvaiyaru between the months of
January and February every year.
Related News
Lingayats want to be categorised as a religious group
separate from Hindus.
Though Lingayats worship Shiva, they say the concept
of “Ishta Linga” (personal god) and rules of conduct
prescribed by Basaveshwara cannot be equated to the
Hindu way of life.
Lingayats comprising 10-17% of the State population
and are listed in the Other Backward Classes category
9.3. RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY
Why in news?
Recently, the 245th birth anniversary of Raja Ram
Mohan Roy was celebrated.
About Raja Ram Mohan Roy
• Prominent figure behind the socio-cultural
awakening of India in the 19th century.
• He is also known as “Maker of Modern
India”, “Father of Modern India” and
“Father of the Bengal Renaissance”.
• The title “Raja” was given to him by the
Mughal emperor Akbar Shah II.
• He fought against sati, child marriage and
the prohibition of widow remarriage.
• In August 1828, he founded the Brahmo
Sabha which later came to be known as
Brahmo Samaj. It was the culmination of his
earlier Atmiya Sabha of 1814.
• The Brahmo Samaj championed the worship
of one god and brotherhood and
interdependence.
• He wanted to combine the goodness of
western ideals and the Indian culture.
• He setup the Hindu College in Calcutta in
1822.
• He published in different languages, like -
Sambad Kaumudi and Mirat-ul-Akbar
9.4. SRI RAMANUJACHARYA
Why in news?
• The 1000th birth anniversary of Sri
Ramanujacharya was observed on May 1,
2017 in Srirangam and Kanchipuram
Vedanta
The Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy is based on
the Vedanta (end of Vedas) or Upanishads.
Other schools of Vedanta Philosophy (apart from
Vishishta Advaita) are:
• Dvaita: main exponent is Madhavacharya. It is the
dualistic school, according to which universe is
divided into two – swatantra (independent being)
and partantra (dependent being)
• Bheda Abheda or Dvaita Advaita: the founder is
Nimbarka. It believed in dualism monism, i.e.,
supreme being transforms himself into the souls of
world. Thus, soul is different from supreme being
and yet cannot exist independently without
support.
• Shudh Advaita: the founder is Vallabha. It believed
in pure monism, i.e., god is shudh in himself
• Advaita: The founder is Adi Sankaracharya. It
believed in monism, i.e., doctrine of oneness of
individual soul and supreme god
About Sri Ramanujacharya
• Sri Ramanujacharya was a Hindu Vaishnava
theologian and philosopher who reinvented
and revitalised Hinduism.
• He was born in a Tamil Brahmin Family in the
village of Sri Perumbudur village, Tamil Nadu.
• He preached the philosophy known as
Vishishtadvaita or qualified non-dualism.
• The Visishtadvaita is so called because it
inculcates the Advaita or oneness of God,
with Visesha or attributes. It is, therefore,
qualified monism.
• The Visishtadvaita system is an ancient one
was originally expounded by Bodhayana in
400 B.C.
• Sri Ramanujacharya wrote a total of 9
philosophical texts in Sanskrit known as
Navagranthas. Some of them are: Vedanta
Sangraha (commentaries on Vedas), Sri
Bhasya (commentaries on Brahma sutras),
Bhagavad Gita Bhasya (commentaries on
Bhagavad Gita).
• Ramanuja provided an intellectual basis for
the practice of Bhakti.
Bhakti Movement
• Bhakti movement refers to the religious
movement during the medieval period which
emphasized single-minded devotion to god.
• It originated in South India between 7th and 12th
century. It then moved northwards.
• It achieved a great deal of popularity through the
poems of the Alvars and Nayanars, the Vaishnavite
and Shaivite poets
• It condemned rituals, ceremonies and blind faith.
• It preached open-mindedness about deciding
religious matters. It challenged the caste
distinction.
• Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, Surdas and Tulsi Das,
Chaitanya are great exponents of Bhakti
movement.
Famous Literary Works of Bhakti Proponents
• Alvars – Alvars (12saints) were devoted to
Vishnu. One of the major anthologies of
compositions by the Alvars was Nalayira
Divyaprabandham (Four Thousand Scared
Compositions). It is also described as Tamil
Veda.
• Nayanars – They were 63 saints who were
devoted to Shiva. The compilation of their
p[oetry (tamil literature) into 12 volumes was
known as Tirumurai. The first seven volumes
compile the works of Appar, Sampandhar and
Sundara as Tevaram.
• Kabirdas – He is 15th century poet whose
writings influenced the Bhakti movements.
His verses are also found in the Guru Granth
Sahib. Some of his famous works are
compiled in: Kabir Bijak, Sakhi Granth, Kabir
Granthawali and Anurag Sagar
• Nanak – The hymns composed by Nanak
along with the works of other religious poets
like Baba Farid, Ravidas (also known as
Raidas) and Kabir were compiled by Guru
Arjan Dev under Adi Granth Sahib.
• Mirabai – She is known for her bhajans and
poems written in praises of Lord Krishna.
• Tulsidas – Famous works include
Ramcharitmanas, Vinaya Patrika and
Hanuman Chalisa
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – He composed the
Siksastakam (eight devotional prayers) in
Sanskrit.
9.5. BABA FARID
Why in news?
• The five-day festival in the memory of Sufi
saint Baba Sheikh Farid Ji was celebrated in
Faridkot.
Who was Baba Farid?
• Chisti sufi saint Farid-ud-din Ganj-i-Shakar was
popularly known as Baba Farid.
• Baba Farid composed verses in Punjabi which
were later incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib
About the Sufi Movement
• Sufism is an English word coined in the 19th
century. The word used for Sufism in Islamic
texts is “tasawwuf”. Some scholars believe
that it is derived from “suf” meaning wool,
referring to the coarse woollen clothes worn
by sufis. Others believe that it is derived from
safa meaning purity.
• Sufis were a group of religious-minded
people who turned to asceticism and
mysticism. They laid emphasis on seeking
salvation through intense devotion and love
for God. Sufi saints were also known as faqirs
or dervishes.
• Sufism thrived in India from 10th to 14th
century AD. By 11th century, it evolved into
well-developed movement with a body of
literature on Quranic studies and Sufi
practices.
• Sufi communities were known as Khanqahs
which was controlled by a Shaikh (pir or
murshid). Sufi Silsilas (lineages) began to
appear in 12th century in various parts of the
world.
• When a Shaikh died, his tomb shrine
(dargah) became the centre of devotion for
his follower. This encouraged the practice of
ziyarat (pilgrimage) for seeking the sufi’s
spiritual grace (barakat).
• Different sufi orders (Silsilas) that existed in
India were Chisti Silsila, Suharwadi Silsila,
Naqsbandi and Qadiri Silsila.
• Chisti Silsila
o It was established by Khwaja Muinuddin
Chisti whose dargah is located in Ajmer.
o A major feature of Chisti tradition was
austerity, including maintaining distance
from worldly power. The chisti silsilah
conversed in language of the people.
o Music and dance was used including
mystical chants performed by musicians
or qawwals to evoke divine ecstasy.
o Poets like Amir Khusrau and Malik
Mohammed Jayasi wrote poems in praise
of sufi principles.
o Some of the famous teachers of Chisti
Silsilah (along with their dargah) are
Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
(Delhi), Shaikh Nizammuddin Auliya
(Delhi) and Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i
Delhi (Delhi).
o Sultan Iltutmish built the Qutub Minar as
a dedication to his saint, Kawaka
Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
• Suharwadi Silsilah
o The founder of this Silsilah was Sheikh
Shihabuddin Suharwadi. However, it was
propagated in India by Sheikh Bahauddin
Zakariya.
o Unlike the Chisti saints, the Suharwadi
lived a life of wealth and even held
important posts under the Delhi
Sultanate.
• Qadiri Silsila: It was founded by Sheikh
Nayamatullah Qadri. One the followers of this
Silsila was Daro shikho (the eldest son of
Shah Jahan.
• Naqshbandi Silsila: It flourished during the
Mughal period, especially propounded by
Baqi Billah. One of the main proponents was
Sheikh Ahmad Sihindi who self titled as
“Mujeddid Ali Saffani” (reformer of the
millennium)
9.6. SARDAR VALLABHBHAI
PATEL
Why in news?
• Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was observed on the
birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
on 31st October. It is being observed so since
2014.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a key role in
the freedom movement.
• He was deeply influenced by Gandhiji’s
ideology and joined the freedom struggle in
1917 after meeting Gandhiji.
• He got the title of “Sardar” after he led a
massive “No Tax Campaign” in 1918 in
Gujarat that forced the British authorities to
return the land taken away from the farmers.
• Nagpur Flag Satyagraha- When Gandhi was
in prison, Patel was asked by Members of
Congress to lead the Satyagraha in Nagpur in
1923 against a law banning the raising of the
Indian flag.
• Borsad Punitive Tax Satyagraha- Satyagraha
under leadership of Gandhiji to protest
against unfair increment in the land revenues
imposed on the people by settlementrevision officers. Sardar Patel took part in this
Satayagraha.
• He also led Bardoli Satyagraha against ‘taxhike’ in 1928.
• After independence, he was crucial in
integration of over 500 princely states into
the Indian Union.
• He is also referred to as the “Iron Man” for
his uncompromising resolve of consolidation
of India
9.7. BIRSA MUNDA
Why in news?
• Birsa Munda Jayanti is celebrated on the birth
anniversary of the tribal leader.
About Birsa Munda (popularly known as Dharti
Abba)
• Born on November 15, 1875, he belonged to
the Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur
Plateau.
• Birsa Munda was a young freedom fighter
and tribal leader who spearheaded the
Millenarian Movement. His spirit of activism
in the late 19th century is remembered to be
a strong mark of protest against British Rule
in India.
• He converted to Christianity but upon
realising the efforts of the missionaries to
convert tribals to Christianity, Birsa started
the faith of ‘Birsait’. He was rendered as God
by the people.
• Members of the Oraon and Munda
community started joining the Birsait sect
challenging the British conversion activities.
• He also helped the tribal community uproot
superstition, stop animal sacrifice and avoid
alcoholism.
• Despite having a short life, Birsa is known to
have mobilized the tribal community against
the land settlement system imposed by the
British. It forced the British to introduce
Chotanagpur Tenancy Act protecting the
land rights of the tribals eight years after his
death.
• He is the only tribal leader whose portrait
hangs in the Parliament’s Central Hall
9.8. ANASUYA SARABHAI
Why in news?
• Google celebrated the 132nd birth anniversary
of Anasuya Sarabhai with a doodle.
About Anansuya Sarabhai
• She is known as India’s first female union
leader. She founded India’s oldest union of
textile workers the Ahmedabad Textile
Labour Association (Majadoor Mahajan
Sangh) in 1920.
• She was born in a wealthy family of
Ahmedabad. She was orphaned at a young
age and was forced to marry at just 12.
However, she escaped and went on study at
the London School of Economics.
• In London, she was influenced by the Fabian
Society and new ideas concerning equality
and got involved with the protests of women
demanding right to vote.
• Upon returning to India, she got involved
with plight of mill workers, against the 36-
hour shifts. In 1914, she helped the weavers
organise their first strike for huge wages.
• She was also involved in the formation of
Self-Employed Women’s Association of India
in 1972.
Other Prominent Women Involved in India’s
Freedom Struggle
• Rani Lakshmi Bai – She was one of the
leading warriors of India’s first war of
Independence (1857). She protested against
the “Doctrine of Lapse” and refused to give
up Jhansi.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal – Also known as the
Begum of Awadh, she played a major role in
the rebellion of 1857.
• Savitribhai Phule – She played an important
role in improving women’s rights during
British rule. She along with her husband
founded the first women’s school at
BhideWadai in Pune in 1848. Apart from
women’s rights, she also worked against the
abolition of caste-based discrimination.
• Sarojini Naidu – She was the first woman
President of Indian National Congress and
also the first woman governor of an Indian
state (United Province). She played a pivotal
role in India’s Civil Disobedience Movement.
She is also known for her literary works.
• Aruna Asaf Ali – She is remembered for
unfurling the Indian National Congress flag at
the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay at the
scheduled time, thus initiating the
commencement of the Quit India Movement.
She is popularly known as Grand Old Lady of
Independence. • Madam Bhikaji Cama – She has the unique
distinction of unfurling the first Indian
National Flag designed by her in Stuttgart,
Germany in 1907. She is regarded as the
“Mother of Indian Revolution”. She also
started the journal “Bande Mataram” to
spread her revolutionary thought. She served
as private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji
• Annie Besant – She established the Home
Rule League in 1916 and she is also one of
the founders of Banaras Hindu University.
She also started newspapers New India &
Commonweal and created tremendous
enthusiasm among the people through her
speeches and writings.
• Usha Mehta – She was one of the youngest
freedom fighters of Indian freedom
movement. She participated in “Simon Go
Back” at the young age of 8. She is also
credited with the Secret Congress Radio
which was underground radio operative
during Quit India Movement.
