Category: Selfstudyhistory.com

Q. “Hoysala temple architecture represents a unique and innovative chapter in the development of South Indian art and architecture.” Explain with suitable examples.[20 Marks] NOTE: All those enrolled can send their answers for evaluation in PDF format after scanning (you can use any app) on selfstudyhistory@gmail.com Name your file as your name and day. For […]

Q. “Hoysala temple architecture marks a distinctive and innovative phase in the evolution of South Indian art and architecture.” Illustrate with examples. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: The Hoysalas (around 1006–1346) ruled southern Karnataka from Belur and later Dorasamudra (Halebidu), and built more than 100 temples. Their style grew out of the Western (Kalyani) Chalukya tradition. They […]

Q. “Royal patronage and religious institutions significantly contributed to the development of Nalanda, Vikramashila and Vallabhi into prominent centres of learning.” Elucidate. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: Nalanda, Vikramashila and Vallabhi were the leading centres of learning in early medieval India, between the 5th and 12th centuries CE. All three grew out of Buddhist monasteries (mahaviharas). Their […]

Q. “The Iranian and Macedonian invasions reshaped ancient India through administrative influence, political transformation and cultural interaction.” Review. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: North-western India came into close contact with the West twice before the Mauryas. The first was the Achaemenid (Iranian) conquest of the 6th–5th centuries BCE. The second was Alexander’s Macedonian invasion of 327–325 BCE. […]

Q. From the Portuguese merchant Domingo Paes’ description of Krishnadevaraya’s reign, assess the socio-economic and cultural uniqueness of the Vijayanagara Empire. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: Domingo Paes was a Portuguese horse-trader who visited Vijayanagara around 1520–22, at the height of Krishnadevaraya’s reign (1509–1529). His chronicle survives in Robert Sewell’s A Forgotten Empire (1900) and is one […]

Q. Critically examine the theories on the origin of the Rajputs. How do the indigenous evidences contradict the European theorists? [UPSC- 2026] Ans: The Rajputs emerged as the dominant ruling groups of north and western India from about the 7th–8th centuries, and by the 10th–12th centuries clans such as the Pratiharas, Chahamanas (Chauhans), Paramaras, Chaulukyas […]

Q. “Harappan architecture reflects an integrated vision of environmental adaptation, technological rationality and urban aesthetics, going beyond functionality.” Examine the statement. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: The Harappan (Indus) Civilisation, in its mature phase (c. 2600–1900 BCE), built some of the world’s earliest planned cities, including Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi and Banawali. Their architecture was […]

Q. “Harappan architecture went beyond practical utility, embodying a harmonious synthesis of adaptation to the natural environment, technological ingenuity and aesthetic sensibility.” Examine. [15 Marks] Ans: The Harappan (Indus) Civilisation, in its mature phase (c. 2600–1900 BCE), built some of the world’s earliest planned cities, including Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi and Banawali. Their […]

Q. “Harappan architecture went beyond practical utility, embodying a harmonious synthesis of adaptation to the natural environment, technological ingenuity and aesthetic sensibility.” Examine. [15 Marks] NOTE: All those enrolled can send their answers for evaluation in PDF format after scanning (you can use any app) on selfstudyhistory@gmail.com Name your file as your name and day. […]

Q. “The Sufis created a climate in which people belonging to different sects and religions could live in peace and harmony.” Discuss. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: Sufism, the mystical tradition within Islam, reached India from the 11th century, beginning with figures such as Ali Hujwiri (Data Ganj Bakhsh) of Lahore, author of Kashf-ul-Mahjub. From the late […]