literature and society essay upsc

The Sangam Age: Literature, Polity, and Society in Ancient South India | Sociology UPSC | Triumph IAS

Table of Contents

The Sangam Age

(relevant for historical section of general   studies paper prelims/mains).

The period roughly between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D. in South India (the area lying to the south of river Krishna and Tungabhadra) is known as Sangam Period. It has been named after the Sangam academies held during that period that flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.

As per Tamil legends, the ancient South India witnessed three Sangam (Academies of Tamil poets) collectively known as Muchchangam:

• The First Sangam , traditionally said to have taken place in Madurai, was attended by gods and legendary sages. Unfortunately, no literary works from this Sangam have survived to this day.
• The Second Sangam convened at Kapadapuram, and from it, only Tolkappiyam has endured as a literary work.
• The Third Sangam, also held in Madurai, left behind a few Tamil literary compositions that serve as valuable sources for understanding the historical context of the Sangam period.
• These academies were instrumental in compiling Sangam literature, which includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and two epic poems known as Silappathikaram and Manimegalai . These literary treasures offer insights into the socio-political landscape of the era.

Sangam Polity and Administration:

• The form of government during the Sangam period was hereditary monarchy.
• Each dynasty in the Sangam age had its own royal emblem, such as the tiger for the Cholas, carp or fish for the Pandyas, and bow for the Cheras.
• The king was supported by various officials organized into five councils: ministers (amaichar), priests (anthanar), envoys (thuthar), military commanders (senapathi), and spies (orrar) .
• Military administration was well-structured, with each ruler having a regular army at their disposal.
• The primary source of state revenue was land revenue, supplemented by custom duties on foreign trade.
• The royal treasury was also enriched through the capture of spoils during wars.
• Roads and highways were maintained and protected to prevent robbery and smuggling.

Sangam Society:

• Tolkappiyam categorized the land into five divisions: Kurinji (hilly tracks), Mullai (pastoral), Marudam (agricultural), Neydal (coastal), and Palai (desert).
• The society comprised four main castes: arasar (Ruling Class), anthanar, vanigar (engaged in trade and commerce), and vellalar (Agriculturists).
• The Sangam period was home to ancient primitive tribes like Thodas, Irulas, Nagas, and Vedars.

Position of Women during Sangam Age:

• Women enjoyed respect and were permitted to engage in intellectual pursuits. Notable women poets like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkaipadiniyar thrived during this era and made significant contributions to Tamil literature.
• Women were allowed to choose their life partners, although the lives of widows were often difficult.

The Sangam period slowly witnessed its decline towards the end of the 3rd century A.D. The Kalabhras occupied the Tamil country post-sangam period between 300 AD to 600 AD, whose period was called an interregnum or ‘dark age’ by earlier historians.

Sample Question for UPSC Sociology Optional Paper:

Question 1: What insights do Sangam literature offer about the social hierarchy in the Sangam Period? Answer: Sangam literature such as Tolkappiyam reveal a society comprising four main castes—arasar (Ruling Class), anthanar, vanigar (engaged in trade and commerce), and vellalar (Agriculturists).

Question 2: What was the role of women in Sangam Age? Answer: Women enjoyed considerable respect and were permitted to engage in intellectual pursuits. Notable women poets like Avvaiyar made significant contributions to Tamil literature.

Question 3: How did the governance structure function during the Sangam Age? Answer: The Sangam Age featured a hereditary monarchy supported by five councils of ministers, priests, envoys, military commanders, and spies.

Question 4: What were the sources of state revenue during the Sangam Age? Answer: The primary source of state revenue was land revenue, supplemented by custom duties on foreign trade and the capture of spoils during wars.

Question 5: What led to the decline of the Sangam period? Answer: The Sangam period witnessed its decline towards the end of the 3rd century A.D., followed by the Kalabhras’ occupation, which was termed as the ‘dark age’ by historians.

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Sangam Age, Tamil Literature, Pandya Kings, Sangam Academies, Ancient South India, Tolkappiyam, Silappathikaram, Manimegalai, Social Structure, Political Governance, Position of Women, Ancient Tribes, Sangam Society

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Ancient Indian Literature

Last updated on December 17, 2022 by ClearIAS Team

The apex of Indian culture has been ancient literature, which demonstrates the masters’ wide range of aptitude and expertise. Do you know the history of ancient literature? What are the main topics discussed by them? What is their classification? What is the importance of Ancient literary works? Read the article to know more about Ancient Indian Literature.

Perhaps no other region in the world has created such a substantial amount of literature about knowledge and wisdom than India. For more than 300 years, Sanskrit—first in its Vedic form, then in its classical form—dominated India’s literary tradition

Table of Contents

The oldest known piece of Indian literature is known as the Rig Veda, which consists of 1028 hymns written in Vedic Sanskrit. Although the majority of the ancient Indian literary works that have survived are religious texts, it is erroneous to characterise ancient Indian literature exclusively in terms of religion.

Indian literature spans a variety of literary forms, including epics, songs, dramatic and didactic poetry, narrative and scientific writing, as well as oral poetry and music. Two ancient Indian epics are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Prior to the Gupta dynasty , a lot of secular literary works were produced. During this time, poetry and drama were in their prime.

The principal topics of these works included political events, allegories, comedies, romances, and philosophical issues. In Southern India, ancient Indian writings were written in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, four Dravidian languages that also established their own literature and script.

The earliest of these, with literature from the first decades of the Christian era, is Tamil. Three Sangams (meetings of poets and writers) held at separate eras resulted in this development. Sangam literature frequently explores the topics of politics, love, and war.

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 Vedic Literature

• Between the end of the Indus Valley Civilization and the start of the second urbanisation in the central Indo-Gangetic Plain in 600 BCE, India’s history is known as the Vedic period, or Vedic age (c. 1500–c. 500 BCE).
• When the Vedic literature, which includes the Vedas, was written in the northern Indian subcontinent (1300-900 BCE).
• The Vedas are vast collections of religious writings from ancient India that were written in Vedic Sanskrit.
• They are the earliest texts in both Sanskrit literature and Hinduism.
• It is said that the Vedas were transmitted orally from one generation to the next.
• They are frequently referred to as Shruti as a result. The four Vedas are Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, and Rig Veda .
• The mantra text of each Veda is known as a Samhita.

There are two types of Vedic literature:

•   Shruti Literature
•   Smriti Literature

Shruti literature – The term “Shruti Literature” refers to the sacred texts, which include the Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads and is derived from the word “Shruti,” which means “to hear.”Since it is canonical, contains revelation, and contains unquestionable truth, shruti literature is regarded as eternal.

Smriti literature – The word “Smiriti,” which refers to supplementary information that could change over time, literally means “to be remembered.”Vedanga, Shad Darshana, Puranas, Itihasa, Upveda, Tantras, Agamas, and Upangas are all part of the Smriti literature.

Ramayana And Mahabharata

• Two ancient Indian epics are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
• These have been in their current form for millennia and represent the ethnic memory of the Indian people.
• They were transmitted orally over the years by singers and storytellers, and they were probably first recorded in the second century BCE.
• Generally credited to Maharishi Valmiki is the epic Ramayana.
• The 24000 verses that make up the Ramayana are organised into seven Khandas, or volumes.
• It’s written in a poetic style with both entertainment and education in mind. It is Rama’s story, and it describes how to achieve the four Purusharthas of human existence: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
• With one million lines, The Mahabharata is the longest poem ever written.
• The Itihasa Purana, or Mythical History, is what it is called (because this history is not merely the depiction of events that happened, but these are the events that will always happen and repeat).
• It was written by Vyasa and recounts the succession struggle between the Pandavas and the Kauravs for the crown, weaving together numerous incidents to create one epic.
• In addition to the main story of the fight, a later addendum to the Bhagavad Gita also includes an integrated view of Dharma (performance of righteous duty in the selfless way of Nishkama Karma).

They helped Hinduism develop from the ancient Vedic faith. In Sanskrit, the word “Purana” literally translates as “to resurrect the old.”Most likely during the third and eleventh centuries AD, the Puranas were written.

The literature of the Puranas is broad and addresses a variety of subjects, including but not limited to:

• Genealogy/Medicine
• Goddesses and Gods

They were written in order to show the populace the veracity of the Vedas. The Puranas impart philosophical and theological principles via well-known folklore and mythological tales.

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The Puranas contain numerous tales and anecdotes from India’s religious, social, and cultural past when paired with the Ithihas (Ramayana and Mahabharata).

Based on the writings of Lomaharshana (a Ved Vyasa), the 18 Upa Puranas

Earlier Buddhist writings

• The Buddha’s teachings were rehearsed and approved in the First Council in 483 BC, and then they were divided into the Three Pitakas.
• His instructions were recorded in Pali somewhere around 25 BCE.
• The earliest Buddhist literature is in Pali. The Sutta Pitaka is a collection of conversations between the Buddha and his followers.
• A compendium of rules for monastic organisations is known as the Vinaya Pitaka.
• The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a systematised philosophical analysis of monks’ academic and teaching output.
• The Divyavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, and Milind Panha, among others, are important Buddhist texts.
• The Milindapanho is a compilation of conversations between the Indo-Greek king Menander and the Buddhist Nagasena.
• The Jatakas are an important part of early Buddhist literature and are a collection of tales that have been incorporated into many sculptures.
• Ashvaghosha is the author of the Sanskrit book Buddhacharita, which details the Buddha’s life.

Important Indian ancient Sanskrit literary works

Some of the ancient Indian literary works include the following:

Mudrarakshasa

• Time period-4th century to the 8th century CE
• Author – Visakhadatta
• Vishakadatta’s political intrigue Mudrarakshasa, which was written in the sixth century CE, is set in an intriguing era of Indian history. At the beginning of the play, Chanakya tries to persuade Rakshasa to join his cause so that Chandragupta can have a capable minister on his side. The name Mudrarakshasa alludes to Rakshasa’s signet ring. It was taken by a spy for Chanakya.

Arthashastra

• Time period-2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE
• Author-Kautilya
• An ancient Indian text written in Sanskrit on statecraft, political science, economics, and military strategy is known as the Arthashastra. The Arthashastra is a text on politics, economics, military strategy, governmental function, and social organisation that is attributed to the philosopher and prime minister Kautilya (also known as Chanakya).

Malavikagnimitram

• Time period-5th century
• Author-Kalidasa
• Kalidasa wrote the Sanskrit play Malavikagnimitram.It is his first play, and it is based on a number of incidents that took place under Pushyamitra Shunga. The tale of Agnimitra, the Shunga Emperor in Vidisha, and his love for the lovely handmaiden of his chief queen is told in Malavikagnimitram.

Vikramorvasiyam

• Time period-5th century CE
• In the fifth century CE, Kalidasa wrote the play Vikramorvasiyam.The plot centres on a human who develops feelings for a celestial girl. The piece is renowned for a “crazy scene” in which the bereaved monarch wanders through a beautiful forest while apostrophizing different flowers and trees as if they were his love. One interpretation states that the term “Vikrama” in the title refers to Vikramaditya, the patron king of Kalidasa.
• The great poet Kalidasa created the literary masterpiece Raghuvamsa. The drama’s creator, Raghuvamsa Kalidasa, is honoured. The drama centres on Lord Rama’s ancestors, descendants, and the legendary warrior Raghu. The heroism and power of the legendary warrior Raghu are major themes of Raghuvamsam. It chronicles the lives of some of India’s greatest military rulers. Lord Rama is without a doubt the most well-known of them all, as his life’s story was preserved in the ancient epic Ramayana.

Mricchakatika

• Time period – 5th century CE
• Author-Sudraka
• Mricchakatika is a drama that takes place during the rule of King Plaka of the Pradyota dynasty in the historic city of Ujjayanai, India. Vasantasena is a wealthy courtesan or nagarvadhu who falls in love with Charudatta, a noble but poor young Brahmin. The play stands out among the existing Sanskrit plays for concentrating on a hypothetical situation rather than a classic tale or legend.

Kiratarjuniya

• Time period-6th century
• Author-Bharavi
• The epic poem Kiratarjuniya by Bharavi is regarded as the most potent piece of Sanskrit literature. In eighteen cantos, Lord Shiva’s battle with Arjuna (who took the form of a kirata, or “mountain-dwelling hunter”) at Indrakeeladri Hills near Vijayawada is described. It is one of the three main Sanskrit mahakavyas, or great epics, together with the Naisadhacarita and the Shishupala Vadha.

Sisupalavadha

• Time period- 7th or 8th century
• Author- Magha
• Magha created the Shishupala Vadha, a masterwork of classical Sanskrit poetry, in the 7th or 8th century (kavya). This Sanskrit poem, or kavya, is based on one of the epics, specifically the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna is enraged by Shishupala, the king of the Chedis in central India after he insults him repeatedly in an assembly. Shishupala is then killed.
• Time period-400 BCE to 300 CE
• Author-Vatsyayana
• The Kamasutra stands out among Sanskrit literature for having a nearly complete disregard for caste and class (varna) (jati). The writing style combines prose with poetry in the anustubh metre. The literature makes reference to the Purusharthas, or acceptable life goals, which are defined as desire, sexuality, and emotional fulfilment. The chapters of the book cover a variety of topics, including courtship, finding a partner, flirting, and maintaining authority in marriage.

Sangam Literature

• Around the third century B.C. to the third century A.D., South India (the region south of the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers) saw the Sangam Period.
• Four Dravidian languages—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—evolved their own literature and script and were used to transcribe ancient Indian manuscripts in Southern India.
• The best work was published in anthologies, which were censored by distinguished thinkers who congregated at the sangams.
• These literary works served as the earliest illustrations of Dravidian literature.
• The earliest of them, Tamil, has literature that dates back to the very beginning of the Christian era.
• This developed throughout the period of three Sangams, which were gatherings of poets and scribes that took place at various times.
• Politics, love, and war are all common themes in Sangam literature.
• Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, and Tolkappiyam are two significant works from the era.
• The most well-known author of our time is Thiruvalluvar, who wrote Kural, a book that touches on many facets of life and religion.
• Elango Adigal penned Silappathikaram, and Sittalai Sattanar wrote Manimegalai, the two sagas.
• Additionally, they provide insightful information on Sangam politics and society.

Importance of Ancient literary works

• There is a great deal more to understand and absorb from ancient Indian literature than only the Vedas and epics.
• Ancient literature also explains the Dharmashastras, which define a person’s obligations and describe how a person should develop as a character. Shastras encompassed mathematics and science.
• Kautilya’s book Arthashastra, written in Sanskrit, discusses economic and governmental policy.
• The popularity of Buddhist literature written in the Pali language also increased. It includes works of Buddhist literature like poetry, philosophy, and some grammar.
• Ancient Indian literature is both beautiful and challenging to read and understand.
• The formation of a person’s character and the quest for happiness are both facilitated by the Vedas, Shastras, and Upanishads.
• The primary subjects of old Sanskrit poets included love, nature, panegyric, moralising, and narrative.
• The ancient poets spoke passionately of physical love when it came to love; they saw nature in connection to man rather than for its own sake.
• The Sanskrit Kavya reaches a level of quality and perfection unmatched in Kalidasa’s literature.

In its broadest sense, Indian literature encompasses both religious and commonplace writing, epic and lyric poetry, dramatic and didactic poetry, narrative and academic prose, as well as oral poetry and music. There is perhaps no other region of the world that has produced such a vast array of knowledge and wisdom books. Indian literature from the past is both beautiful and challenging to read and comprehend.

Article Written By: Atheena Fathima Riyas

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UPSC Essay Topic wise Question Papers of last 31 years (1993-2023) for Civil Services IAS/IPS Exam Free Download

In the UPSC mains examination, essay paper is worth 250 marks and three hours. Here is the topic wise questions from the earlier years for the benefit of civil service IAS IPS aspirants.

1.1 India Since Independence

1.2 federalism, decentralization, 1.3 administration, 1.4 judiciary, 1.5 poverty, social justice, 1.6 indian society, culture and values, 1.7 media, tv & cinema, literature, 2.1 growth vs development, 2.2 environment vs development, 2.4 sectors of economy, 3.1 values in education, 3.2 scheme implementation, 3.3 higher education, 4.1 character, honesty, ethics, 4.2 knowledge, 4.3 compassion, 4.4 truth and reality, 4.5 youth, discipline, 4.6 towards excellence, 5.1 @national politics, 5.2 @world / quote type, 5.3 empowerment overall, 5.4 compared to men, 6.1 globalization, 6.2 international org./ bilateral, 6.3 security, 6.4 history, 7.1 science and religion, 7.2 science and education, 7.3 computer and internet, 7.4 sci-tech: others, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2023, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2022, appendix: model answer pe free lecture & powerpoint, appendix: syllabus of essay paper in upsc, 1 india: democracy, administration, society, culture.

• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013
• In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy -2012
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
• Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
• Whither Indian democracy? -1995
• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
• My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
• Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
• Cooperative federalism : Myth or reality. -2016
• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication -2011
• Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
• Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
• There are better practices to “best practices”. -2021
• How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
• Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
• The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
• Need for transparency in public administration -1996
• The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
• Justice must reach the poor -2005
• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
• Judicial activism. -1997
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।) – 2023
• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless (बिना आर्थिक समृद्धि के सामाजिक न्याय नहीं हो सकता, किन्तु बिना सामाजिक न्याय के आर्थिक समृद्धि निरर्थक है ) -2020
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
• Food security for sustainable national development -2005
• Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have (जो हम है, वह संस्कार; जो हमारे पास है, वह सभ्यता ) -2020
• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
• The composite culture of India. -1998
• The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy. -2019
• Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
• Role of media in good governance -2008
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
• Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
• The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (कवि संसार के अनधिकृत रूप से विधायक होते हैं) – 2022

2 Economy, Development

• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. -2016
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
• Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
• Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993
• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence (आर्थिक समृद्धि हासिल करने के मामले में वन सर्वोत्तम प्रतिमान होते हैं।) – 2022
• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
• Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
• Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
• Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
• Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
• Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified ?-2012
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India. -2017
• BPO boom in India. -2007
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009

3 Education

• Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in – school. (- शिक्षा वह है जो विद्यालय में विधालय में सीखी गई बातों को भूल जाने के बाद भी शेष रह जाती है।)
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil-2015
• Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
• Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
• Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
• What is real education? -2005
• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
• Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995
• Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
• Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges -2011

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities (हर असमंजस के लिए मुस्कराहट ही चुनिन्दा साधन है) – 2022
• Philosophy of wantlessness is a Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. -2021
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. -2021
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (सरलता चरम परिष्करण है ) -2020
• Ships don’t sink because of water around them ships sink because of water that gets into them (जहाज अपने चारों तरफ के पानी के वजह से नहीं डूबा करते, जहाज पानी के अंदर समां जाने की वजह से डूबता हैं ) -2020
• Life is a long journey between being human and being humane.  (मनुष्य होने और मानव बनने के बीच का लम्बा सफर ही जीवन है)-2020
• Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be -2019
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society -2019
• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success -2019
• Wisdom finds truth -2019
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. -2018
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
• With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
• Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
• He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993
• Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।) – 2023
• Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।) – 2023
• The real is rational and the rational is real. -2021
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self (विचारपरक संकल्प स्वयं के शांतचित्त रहने का उत्प्रेरक है )-2020
• ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. -2018
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017
• Compassion is the basic of all morality of the world -1993
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
• Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
• Truth is lived, not taught -1996
• When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining (छप्पर मरम्मत करने का समय तभी होता है, जब धूप खिली हुई हो) – 2022
• You cannot step twice in the same river (आप उसी नदी में दोबारा नहीं उतर सकते) – 2022
• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994
• If youth knew, if age could. -2002
• Youth culture today. -1999
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।) – 2023
• Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।) – 2023
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है) – 2023
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) – 2022
• Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
• Useless life is an early death. -1994
• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
• The pursuit of excellence. -2001

5 Women empowerment

• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
• Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. -2021
• If women ruled the world -2005
• The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality (पितृ-सत्ता की व्यवस्था नजर मैं बहुत काम आने के बावजूद सामाजिक विषमता की सबसे प्रभावी संरचना है) -2020
• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
• Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
• Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
• Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
• Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
• Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012

6 International issues, Internal Security, History

• South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities. -2019
• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
• ‘globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
• National identity and patriotism -2008
• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
• The masks of new imperialism. -2003
• As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
• The implications of globalization for India. -2000
• My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
• India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
• The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी) -2020
• Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
• The global order: political and economic -1993
• India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004
• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006
• Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018
• In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
• Are we a ‘soft’ state ? -2009
• Good fences make good neighbours -2009
• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
• Terrorism and world peace -2005
• True religion cannot be misused. -1997
• History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. -2021
• Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010

7 Science-Technology

• Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
• Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
• What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! -2021
• Modern technological education and human values. -2002
• Value-based science and education. -1999
• The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. -2021
• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling. -2019
• ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
• Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
• Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993
• Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
• The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
• The lure of space. -2004

Section-A (write any one)

• Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।)
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।)
• Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।)
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है)

Section-B (write any one)

• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines. (-लड़कियां बंदिशों के तथा लड़के अपेक्षा के बोझ तले दबे हुए होते हैं दोनों ही समान रूप से हानिकारक व्यवस्थाएं हैं।)
• Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।)
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।)

Answer one-one essay from each section in 1000-1200 words

• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man (इतिहास वैज्ञानिक मनुष्य के रूमानी मनुष्य पर विजय हासिल करने का एक सिलसिला है।) – 2022
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) & 2022
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022

Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

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UPSC Essay Notes – Interesting Movies & Literature – Ardh

The intersection of literature and cinema has long been a fertile ground for exploration, offering rich narratives and thought-provoking themes that captivate audiences worldwide. In the realm of the UPSC essay notes, the correlation between interesting movies and literature serves as a compelling topic, shedding light on the dynamic interplay between these two mediums and their profound impact on society. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, both literature and cinema have the power to inspire, provoke critical thinking, and spark meaningful discourse on diverse aspects of the human experience. This essay will delve into the intricate relationship between interesting movies and literature, examining how they influence each other and shape our understanding of culture, identity, and the world at large.

Ardh is an Indian Hindi-language drama film written and directed by Palash Muchhal. It stars Rajpal Yadav and Rubina Dilaik. The film premiered on ZEE5 on 10 June 2022.

In the movie, Rajpal Yadav is a junior artist who is struggling to establish a name in the film industry. He, however, comes to terms with the bleakness of the silver screen. Time and again he is criticized for his appearance which overshadows his talent for acting. Most of the time he is not permitted to audition because of his short height. But he does not give up and continues to work in a small theatre. Along with that he takes up many odd jobs right from working as a daily wage earner to delivering different items while working for a grocery store. Most importantly he is seen working as a disguised transgender who manages to get some money at the mercy of people. Then, life takes a turn when theatres shut because of the opening of cinema houses. As a result, he loses his hope of being a film star one day. Despite that his wife supports his dream of becoming a star and takes up a job of domestic help. Once at the signal, he gets a chance to meet a prominent movie director who invites him to a studio. However, he realizes that he was dreaming about it and the movie ends there.

Table of Contents

• Family is always there for you through thick and thin
• Your dreams should not let you sleep
• Every person is struggling; therefore, living is better than dying
• Hope keeps you alive; never give up on hope
• To make ends meet, one must work hard

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: what is the significance of incorporating movies and literature into upsc essay notes.

A: Integrating movies and literature into UPSC essay notes enriches candidates’ understanding of diverse perspectives, societal issues, and cultural nuances. It broadens their outlook and enhances their ability to critically analyze situations, which is crucial for essay writing and general comprehension.

Q: How can movies contribute to essay preparation for the UPSC exam?

A: Movies offer a visual medium to comprehend complex themes, historical events, and social dynamics. They evoke emotions and stimulate critical thinking, providing candidates with a holistic understanding of various topics such as governance, societal challenges, and cultural diversity, which can be reflected in their essays.

Q: In what ways does literature aid in UPSC essay writing?

A: Literature exposes candidates to diverse narratives, ideologies, and literary techniques, fostering analytical and creative thinking essential for effective essay writing. Literary works delve into human experiences, societal structures, and moral dilemmas, offering candidates a rich pool of content to draw upon in their essays.

Q: How can candidates effectively incorporate insights from movies and literature into their essays?

A: Candidates should identify relevant themes, characters, and plotlines from movies and literature that resonate with the essay topic. They can analyze the underlying messages, conflicts, and resolutions portrayed in these mediums and draw parallels to real-world scenarios, enriching their arguments with nuanced perspectives.

Q: Are there any specific recommendations for movies and literature that candidates should include in their UPSC essay notes?

A: While recommendations may vary based on individual interests and essay topics, candidates can explore a diverse range of movies and literary works spanning different genres, cultures, and time periods. Classics such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and contemporary films like “The Social Network” directed by David Fincher offer valuable insights into various societal issues and human experiences that can enrich UPSC essays.

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Society, Economy & Religion During the Mauryan Era

Quest for upsc cse panels.

Sub-Categories:

GS-I: Ancient History

Society and Religion during Mauryans

Agrarian society, economy during mauryans, reasons for the decline of the mauryan empire.

Prelims : History of India

Mains :  Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

• These occupations were hereditary and
• Intermarriage between groups was not allowed.  
• They were considered public benefactors, making prophecies and were exempted from paying taxes.
• Religion: Chandragupta took recourse to Jainism in his later years, and Bindusara favoured the Ajivikas . Asoka adopted Buddhism in his personal life, though he never imposed Buddhism on his subjects. 

The bulk of the population was engaged in agriculture. All accounts speak of the profusion and diversity of crops achieved due to the profitable combination of highly fertile soil, rivers, and plentiful rainfall. 

• Non-agrarian activities such as the herding of animals were practised even within villages.
• Kautilya even listed animals among the items that were assessed and taxed.
• They were permitted to divorce or remarry.
• According to Megasthenes, there was no concept of slavery in India. 
• But some other sources mentioned situations that led to enslavement – a person could be a slave either by birth, by voluntarily selling themselves, by being captured in war, or as a result of judicial punishment. Kautilya also described different kinds of slaves.
• Ashokan Major Rock Edict V: Concerns about the policy towards slaves. He mentions in this rock edict, "Every Human is my child".
• Religion: Chandragupta took recourse to Jainism in his later years, and Bindusara favoured the Ajivikas . Asoka adopted Buddhism in his personal life, though he never imposed Buddhism on his subjects.
• These settlements ensured a sound and stable resource base for the State to extract taxes, and the land tax formed the bulk of it. This process of settlement was called janapadanivesa.
• Agriculture in other areas of the Mauryan State, known as janapada territories, was, in all probability, carried on privately.
• Sitadhyaksa, or superintendent of agriculture, supervised the cultivation works here.

Land Revenue

Mauryan rule constitutes a landmark in the history of the improvement of the system of taxation in ancient India.

• Samaharta : Collector general of revenue for the Mauryan Empire. He had control over the expenditure part also.
• Sannidhata: Officer-in-charge of the treasury and store.
• Bhaga (land tax): 1/4th of the produce paid by the peasants.
• The peasants paid a tax called pindakara paid by husbandsmen, which was assessed on groups of villages.
• Other taxes were Bali and Hiranaya (paid in cash).

The Jataka stories frequently refer to caravan traders carrying large quantities of goods to different parts of the country. 

• Megasthenes also talks of a land route connecting the North West with Pataliputra.
• In the south, it was connected to Central India and in the South-east to Kalinga. This eastern route turned southwards to reach Andhra and Karnataka finally . 
• The overland route to countries of the West went via Taxila (near Islamabad).
• Internal trade was considerably beneficial because river transport improved once the forests around the Valleys had been cleared under State initiative. 
• The State employed some artisans like armourers, shipbuilders, and stone builders. They were exempt from payment of taxes because they rendered compulsory labour services to the State. Other artisans who worked for the State were taxed, like spinners, weavers, miners, etc.
• The State's policy, particularly under Bindusara and Ashoka , to have peaceful and friendly relations with the Greeks also gave a fillip to foreign trade. 
• Panyadhyaksha : Superintendent of commerce whose duty was to fix prices of goods.
• Samsthadhyaksa: look after the markets and check the unfair practices of the traders. 
• Pautavadbyaksa : superintendent of weights and measures
• Navadhyaksha: facilitated state boats for transport and helped regulate river transport and collect ferry charges. 
• Sulkadhyaksa: superintendent of tolls.
• Rajapanya: different goods produced by states.
• Akaradhyaksa: Superintendent of mines

The imperial authority of the Mauryas began to weaken with the death of Ashoka (232 BCE) and finally collapsed in 180 BCE.

• After Ashoka, the empire got fragmented, and there was a quick succession of rulers . This weakened the imperial control over the administration.
• The quick succession of kings made this difficult, as none of the rulers needed help to settle down and control things. 
• These rulers ruled only for a short period and, therefore, could not formulate either new governance policies or maintain the old ones.
• Dhamma-mahamattas (large body of officials of State) had become very powerful and oppressive during the latter half of Ashoka’s reign. 
• Once the centre became weak, the provinces, too, started breaking away.
• Weak rulers for a short duration resulted in an overwhelming number of new officials constantly emerging and owing only personal loyalty to their respective kings rather than to the State.
• The complex system of spies under the later Mauryas collapsed, which led to corruption.
• Gradually, the State monopoly of metals was being lost. The demands on iron, so crucial for the expanding agrarian economy, could no longer be met by Magadha alone. 
• Expansion in cultivation, extensive use of forest wood and deforestation, in general, may have led to floods and famines. There is, in fact, evidence of a big famine in north Bengal during the Mauryan period.
• In a centralised administrative system , the problem of not having enough revenues created many other acute difficulties. To enhance the revenues, the Arthashastra suggested that taxes should be imposed even on actors, prostitutes and so on.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

2012:  

Q) With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State, and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.

2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.

3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) who were the dhamma mahamattas.

Ashoka instituted a body of officials known as the dhamma-mahamattas, who served the dual function of propagating the dhamma and keeping the emperor in touch with public opinion.

Q) How was the life of tribes during the Mauryan period?

The Arthasastra and the inscriptions of Asoka tell us about the tribes (atavikas, aranyacafas) that inhabited the various parts of the empire. They often separated the more developed areas from the less developed areas. Asoka's attitude towards the tribes was paternalistic, but he too warned them that in case they failed to conform or disobeyed orders of the Maharnatras, stern action would be taken against them. 

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Insights Weekly Essay Challenges 2024 – Week 178 – A right is not what someone gives you; it’s what no one can take from you.

Insights weekly essay challenges 2024 – week 178.

05 May 2024

Write an essay on the following topic in not more than 1000-1200 words:

“A right is not what someone gives you; it’s what no one can take from you.”

Essay synopsis.

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