Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Other courses

Growth of Cantonments in India

Establishment and Purpose

For the defense of their Empire, the British Government established cantonments at strategic locations. They also built cantonments on the borders of important native states to control disturbances and monitor rulers' activities.

Initiation and Expansion

In 1765, Lord Robert Clive initiated the policy of building cantonments to keep British troops"cantone" in one place, enforcing discipline and military lifestyle while maintaining a sanitized environment. During that time, there were 62 cantonments in India.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, significant cantonments were established in Lahore, Peshawar, Ferozpur, Agra, Bareilly, Jalandhar, Jhansi, Nagpur, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Delhi.... Continue reading "Cantonments in India and Colonial Architectural Styles in Bombay" »

Advantages and Disadvantages of Agricultural Enclosures within Vijayanagara City

Enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the Vijayanagara empire offered both advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• Protected agricultural land from enemy attacks and wild animals.
• Allowed for the storage of large quantities of grain in granaries within fortified areas, ensuring food security during sieges.

Disadvantages:

• Increased the cost and complexity of defending the city.
• Made it more difficult for farmers to access their fields during times of peace.

Significance of the Rituals Associated with the Mahanavami Dibba

The Mahanavami dibba, a massive platform located on one of the highest points in Vijayanagara, was the site of important rituals during... Continue reading "Vijayanagara Empire: Agricultural Enclosures, Mahanavami Dibba Rituals, and Ordinary Life" »

1. What does Bhakti movement mean? Ans. A series of Hindu saints & reformers started religious reform movements which adopted the method of devotion (Bhakti) to achieve salvation. Their method of expression of devotion ranged from the routine worship of deities within temples to singing & chanting of devotional compositions.

5. What were Attitude of the Nayanars & Alavars sects towards the cast? Ans. Some historians are of the view that Alvars & Nayanaras started a movement of protest against the caste system & the dominance of Brahmans or at least made efforts to reform them. This view is supported by the fact that these Bhakti reformers came from diverse social backgrounds; some of them belonged to lower classes such as... Continue reading "Bhakti Movement and Sufi Traditions: A Comparative Study" »

Into how many categories the religious sects that originated during the 6th century B.C. can be divided? Ans.

The religious sects of the 6th century B.C. can be divided into two categories:

1. The faiths which were openly against Vedic religion
2. The faiths which did not oppose Vedic religion openly but propagated new principles venerating one or the other old divinity.

What do you mean by “Dharma Chakra Pravartana”? Ans.

Dharma Chakra Pravartana means ‘sitting in motion the wheel of Dharma’. The first religious discourse or sermon delivered by Mahatma Buddha after attaining enlightenment at Mrig dav or Deer Park of Sarnath near Varanasi, is known as ‘Maha chakra Pravartana’

Mention the various incarnations of Vishnu according to Vaishnavism.

Examine the Notions of Kingship Mentioned in the Gandatindu Jataka

Answer: Popular Perceptions of Kings - The Gandatindu Jataka describes the plight of the subjects of a wicked king.

1. When the king went in disguise to find out what his subjects thought about him, each one of them cursed him for their miseries, complaining that they were attacked by robbers at night and by tax collectors during the day.
2. To escape from this situation, people abandoned their villages and went to live in the forest.
3. As this story indicates, the relationship between a king and his subjects, especially the rural population, could often be strained – kings frequently tried to fill their coffers by demanding high taxes, and peasants, in particular, found such demands

1. Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society. Ans: Some archaeologists are of the opinion that Harappan society had no rulers and that everybody enjoyed equal status. Others feel there was no single ruler but several.
There are indications of extraordinary uniformity of Harappan artifacts, as evident in pottery, seals, weights, and bricks. Notably, bricks, though obviously not produced in any single center, were of a uniform ratio throughout the region, from Jammu to Gujarat.
Under the guidance and supervision of the rulers, plans and layouts of the city were prepared. Big buildings, palaces, forts, tanks, wells, canals, and granaries were constructed.
Roads, lanes, and drains were also constructed, and... Continue reading "Understanding the Role of Rulers in Harappan Society" »

Genetics: Key Concepts

Vocabulary Terms:

• Chromosome: A structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
• Gene: A unit of heredity transferred from parent to offspring, determining some of the offspring's characteristics.
• Homologous Pairs: Chromosomes containing genes for the same traits but potentially different alleles. These are usually paired during mitosis.
• Allele: One of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same location on a chromosome.
• Sister Chromatid: Identical copies of a chromosome formed by DNA replication, joined by a common centromere. It's essentially half of a duplicated chromosome.
• Nucleotide: A compound

Q.1:- Why does the author feel 'spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless'? Discuss.

A.1:- Deprived of the warmth and freedom of the home, the author finds herself shackled by strict discipline and dictatorial regimentation of the school authorities. Her spirit wants to break loose the barriers and win back her freedom, but unfortunately she is helpless. Thus she feels that she is deprived of freedom.

Q.2:- What are the views of the author about the dress code in the school?

A.2:- The author condemns the rigid school dress code. The Indian girls wore stiff squeaking shoes and 'closely clinging dress'. The small girls donned sleeved aprons and shingled hair. According to the author, the girls were immodestly dressed.... Continue reading "Struggle for Freedom and Dignity: A Tale of Oppression and Hope" »

1. Why was Franz reluctant to go to school?

Ans. His French teacher said that he would ask questions on participles. He had not prepared and learnt the rules about participles.

2. Why had M. Hamel put on his fine Sunday Clothes?

Ans. After the order from Berlin had come, that only German would be taught in schools and not French M. Hamel knew that it was his last French lesson. It was honor of the last lesson that he had put on his fine Sunday clothes which he put on inspection and Prize Distribution Day.

3. Why were the villagers sitting there in the back of the classroom?

Ans. The villagers - Old Houser, postmaster and several others were there in the classroom because it was their way of showing respect for their country and thanking M. Hamel... Continue reading "Regret, Language, and Irony: Lessons Learned" »