60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019- History and Current Affairs (Day 32)

• Digha Nikaya – Comprises the long discourses.
• Majjihima Nikaya – Comprises discourses of the middle path.
• Anguttara Nikaya – Comprises numerical discourses.
• Samyutta Nikaya – Comprises the connected discourses.
• Khuddaka Nikaya – Comprises minor discourses

• The meaning of Dipavamsa is “Chronicle of Island”.
• It is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been compiled around 3rd or 4th century BC somewhere in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka during the reign of King Dhatusena of Sri Lanka, the first Mauryan King of Sri Lanka.
• The Avukana Buddha statue was erected by King Dhatusena in Sri Lanka.
• Dipavamsa is one of the most important works in Pali Literature.
• It details the tooth relic and Bodhi Tree’s arrival in Sri Lanka. It also deals with the arrival of Buddha’s teaching and preachers in Sri Lanka.
• It mentions that Buddha visited Kelaniya and Dighavapi in Sri Lanka.

• Conducted under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka of Maurya dynasty.
• It was held in 250 BC at Pataliputra.
• The council was presided over by Mogaliputta Tissa.
• Main objective was to purify Buddhism from opportunistic factions and corruption in the Sangha.
• The Abhidhamma Pitaka was composed here making the almost completion of the modern Pali Tipitaka.
• Buddhist missionaries were sent to other countries.
• Buddhism preached by Emperor Ashoka was Hinayana.

• Conducted under the patronage of King Kanishka of Kushan dynasty.
• It was held in the 1st century AD at Kundalvana in Kashmir.
• Vasumitra and Ashvaghosha presided over this council
• All deliberations were conducted in Sanskrit.
• Here, Abhidhamma texts were translated from Prakrit to Sanskrit.
• This council resulted in the division of Buddhism into two sects namely, Mahayana (the Greater Vehicle) and Hinayana (the Lesser Vehicle).
• Mahayana sect believed in idol worship, rituals and Boddhisattvas. They regarded the Buddha as God. Hinayana continued the original teachings and practices of the Buddha. They adhere to the scriptures written in Pali while the Mahayana includes Sanskrit scriptures as well.

• Nagarjuna founded the Madhyamika school of Mahayan Buddhism.
• He was contemporary of Satavahana King Gautamiputra.
• He was born in a Brahmin family in Nagarjunkonda in modern Andhra Pradesh.
• Due to his birth in Brahmin family and later conversion in Buddhism.
• It can be justified that his early work was in Sanskrit and not in Pali or Hybrid Sanskrit.
• Most important work is Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, which means Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way. His theory is also known as Shunyavad “emptiness”.

• This sect of Buddhism believes in the heavenliness of Buddha and believes in Idol Worship.
• Mahayan sect spread from India to several other nations such as China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Mangolia.
• Mahayana believes in Mantras. Its main principles were based on the possibility of universal liberation from suffering for all beings. That’ why, this sect is called Mahayana (The Great Vehicle).
• Its principles are also based on the existence of Buddha’s and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha nature.
• It allows salvation through having faith and committing oneself to Buddha.

• Avalokitesvara – He is described as holding a lotus flower. He is known as Guanshiyin Pusa in China.
• Manjusri – He is described as a male Bodhisattva wielding a flaming sword in his right hand. He is known as Wenshu in China and Jampelyang in Tibet.
• Samantabhadra – It means Universal Worthy and he is associated with meditation. He is manifested through action and he is a major figure in Flower Garland Sutra.
• Ksitigarbha – He is described as a Buddhist monk in the Orient/ East Asia. It means Earth Womb. He is revered as the guardian of children and patron deity of deceased children. He carries a staff.
• Maitreya – He is also known as Ajita Boddhisattva. It is believed that he will arrive when oceans will decrease in size. He keeps a Kumbha or phililal in his hand and is destined to rule Varanasi (Pure Land).
• Vajrapani – He is described as one of the 3 protective deities around Buddha, other are Manjusri and Avlokiteshwara. Vajrapani manifests Buddha’s power while Buddha’s wisdom is manifested Buddha’s wisdom and Avlokiteshwara manifests Buddha’s compassion.
• Sadaparibhuta – He is a Bodhisattva which manifests never disparaging spirit.
• Akasagarbha – He is boundless as space. He was the twin brother of Ksitigarbha. He manifests wisdom.

• The mark of a bodhisattva in the Mahayana is that he/she has taken the bodhisattva vow.
• The bodhisattva vow is solemnly made before one’s master in a special ritual, and involves four pledges:
• To save all beings from difficulties.
• To destroy all evil passions.
• To learn the truth and teach others.
• To lead all beings to Buddha hood.

• Jains celebrate five major events in the life of a Tirthankar. They are called Kalyanak (auspicious events). They are:
• Chyavana Kalyanak – This is the event when the Tirthankar’s soul departs from its last life, and is conceived in the mother’s womb.
• Janma Kalyanak – This is the event when the Tirthankar’s soul is born.
• Diksha Kalyanak – This is the event when the Tirthankar’s soul gives up all his/her worldly possessions and becames a monk/nun. (Digambar sect does not believe that women can become Tirthankar or be liberated.)
• Kevaljnana Kalyanak – This is event when Tirthankar’s soul destroys the four ghati karmas completely and attains the Kevaljnana (absolute knowledge). Celestial angels set Samavsaran for Tirthankars from where he/she delivers the first sermon. This is the most important event for the entire Jain order as the Tirthankar reinstates Jain Sangh and preaches the Jain path of purification and liberation.
• Nirvana Kalyanak – This event is when a Tirthankar’s soul is liberated from this worldly physical existence forever and becomes a Siddha. On this day, the Tirthankar’s soul destroys the four Aghati karmas completely, and attains salvation, the state of eternal bliss.

• Kshatriya reacted strongly against the ritualistic dominion of Brahamanas & varna based on birth.
• Verdhaman Mahavira & Gautama Buddha both belonged to Kshatriya clan & disputed the authority of Brahamanas.
• Real reason was rise of new agriculture economy in north India which was based on iron ploughshare
• Required the use of bullocks & cattle’s & could not flourish without animal husbandry.
• But Vedic practices of killing cattle’s in sacrifice led to decimation of cattle wealth, against which both Jainism & Buddhism spoke & propagated the idea of ahimsa.
• Preferred simple, puritan & ascetic living & asked people to forgo all good things in life
• Were not allowed to touch gold & silver & were to accept as much to keep their body & soul together.

• Through Sangha, Mahavira spread his teaching that consists of Women & Men in the organized sangha
• Under the patronage of Chandragupta Maurya, Kharaveli of Kalinga and the royal dynasties of south India such as  the Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrkutas.
• There are two sect of Jainism- Svetambar (White Clad) and Digambar (Sky clad or Naked).
• First Jain Council was convened at Patliputra presided by Sthalabahu who was the leader of Digambar during 3rd century BC.
• Second Jain Council was held at Valabhi in 5th century AD. In this council the ‘Twelve Angas’ was compiled.

• The important cause of the decline and fall of Buddhism was the decline of Buddhist Sanghas.
• The Sanghas became centres of corruption.
• The discipline of vinay pitaka was violated.
• The viharas were dominated by ease-loving people.
• The monks and nuns began to lead lives of pleasure and ease.
• The Mahayanist and Hinayanist quarreled with each other.
• Internal conflict proved to be the ruin of Buddhism.

• During the Sangam period hereditary monarchy was the form of government. Each of the dynasties of Sangam age had a royal emblem – tiger for the Cholas, carp for the Pandyas, and bow for the Cheras.
• The king was assisted by a wide body of officials who were categorized into five councils.
• They were ministers (amaichar), priests (anthanar), envoys (thuthar), military commanders (senapathi), and spies (otrar).
• The military administration was efficiently organized with each ruler a regular army was associated.
• The chief source of state’s income was Land revenue while a custom duty was also imposed on foreign trade.
• Major source of fulfilling the royal treasury was the booty captured in wars.
• The roads and highways were maintained and guarded to prevent robbery and smuggling.

• Agriculture was the chief occupation where rice was the most common crop.
• The handicraft included weaving, metal works and carpentry, ship building and making of ornaments using beads, stones and ivory.
• These were in great demand of all above products in the internal and external trade as this was at its peak during the Sangam period.
• A high expertise was attained in spinning and weaving of cotton and silk clothes. Various poems mention of cotton clothes as thin as a cloud of steam or like a slough of snake. These were in great demand in the western world especially for the cotton clothes woven at Uraiyur.
• The port city of Puhar became an important place of foreign trade, as big ships entered this port containing precious goods.
• Other significant ports of commercial activity were Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu and Marakkanam.
• Many gold and silver coins that were issued by the Roman Emperors like Augustus, Tiberius and Nero have been found in all parts of Tamil Nadu indicating flourishing trade.
• Major exports of the Sangam age were cotton fabrics and spices like pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and turmeric along with ivory products, pearls and precious stones.
• Major imports for the traders were horses, gold, and sweet wine.

• According to the Tamil legends, there were three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) held in the ancient South India popularly called Muchchangam. These Sangams flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
• The First Sangam is believed to be held at Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages. No literary work of this Sangam is available.
• The Second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram, only Tolkappiyam survives from this.
• The Third Sangam at Madurai was founded by Mudathirumaran. A few of these Tamil literary works have survived and are useful sources to reconstruct the history of the Sangam period.

• Kabir was the most famous disciple of Ramananda.
• He was brought up by a Muslim family who were weavers by profession.
• He had a curious mind in learning new things and he learnt much about Hinduism in Benares.
• Kabir’s aim was to reunite Hindus and Muslims and form harmony between them.
• He is regarded as the greatest of the mystic saints.
• His followers are called Kabirpanthis. 
• In the 14th and 15th centuries, Ramananda, Kabir and Nanak remained the great apostles of the Bhakti cult.
• They aided the common people to shed age-old superstitions and attain salvation through Bhakti or pure devotion.
• Criticized all forms of worship of idols. 

• The Alvars and Nayanars led some of the earliest bhakti movements (c. sixth century).
• Alvars – those who are “immersed” in devotion to Vishnu
• Nayanars – leaders who were devotees of Shiva
• They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil praising their gods.
• The Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas or at least attempted to reform the system. This is supported by the fact that bhaktas or disciples hailed from diverse social backgrounds ranging from Brahmanas to artisans and cultivators and even from castes considered “untouchable”
• The Nalayira Divyaprabandham (“Four Thousand Sacred Compositions”) – one of the major anthologies of compositions of the 12 Alvars compiled by the 10th Century
• It was frequently described as the Tamil Veda, thus claiming that the text was as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit that were cherished by the Brahmanas.
• From a composition of an Alvar named Tondaradippodi a Brahmana mentions Chaturvedins – Are strangers and without faithfulness to your service.
• Tevaram – a collection of compiled and classified in the 10th century on the basis of the music of the songs of Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar.

• The people were prosperous and content with their lives. Public morality was high. Mostly the people were vegetarians and avoided meat and onions in their meals.
• They did not use alcohol and other intoxicants.
• Only Chandalas (Untouchables), who lived outside cities, engaged in hunting and fishing and were meat eaters.
• The rich people vied with each other in practice of benevolence and righteousness.
• They established houses for dispensing charity and medicine and gave large donations to temples, monasteries, Sanghas etc.
• All this suggests that the people were prosperous, happy, liberal and simple in morals.

• Megasthenes appointed as the ambassador of the Mauryan court by Governor Selucus Nicator of Greece.
• He describes the social and administrative conditions under Mauryans in the name of Megasthenes Indica.
• In Indica, it is found that the royal palace of Magadha made of wood.
• Also mentioned about the seven type of caste system which prevalent in India

• Ashvaghosa – Buddhacharitra (a biography of Buddha), Saundarananda
• Banabhatt – Kadambari, Harsha Charita
• Bharavi – Kiratarjuniyam (about Kirat and Arjun)
• Bhavabhuti – Malatimadhava, Mahaviracharita
• Dandin – Dasakumaracarita, Kavyadarsa
• Harisena – Prayag Prashasti on Allahabad Pillar inscription
• Jayadev – Geet Govinda (Krishna and Radha)
• Jinasena – Harivamshapurana
• Kalidasa – Kumarasambhava, Raghuvamsa, Meghdoota, Ritusambara. His plays are Abhijan Shakuntalam, Vikramorvashi, and Malvikaganimithram.
• Magha – Sishupalavadha (about the killing of Shishupal)
• Rajashekhar – Kavyamimamsa and Karpuramanjari (written to please his wife in Sauraseni Prakrit).
• Ravikirti – Aihole inscription
• Shudraka – Mrichchha Katikam
• Thiruvalluvar – Thirukkural (Tamil epic)
• Vishakhadutta – Mudra Rakshas and Devichandraguptam

The Sandbox policy will allow companies to test products in a closed environment, a particular geography or among a set of users, before they are allowed roll out commercially meeting all regulations.

The concept is also being used in the digital economy arena, to refer to regulatory sandboxes: testing grounds for new business models that are not protected by current regulation, or supervised by regulatory institutions.

These testing grounds are especially relevant in the fintech world, where there is a growing need to develop regulatory frameworks for emerging business models. The purpose of the sandbox is to adapt compliance with strict financial regulations to the growth and pace of the most innovative companies, in a way that doesn’t smother the fintech sector with rules, but also doesn’t diminish consumer protection.

SEBI has also set up a committee to look into the concept of a regulatory sandbox in the country.

Diamond Triangle in Odisha consists of The 3 places Udaygiri, Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri. These excavated sites have Buddhist heritage and relics.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/pm-to-open-buddhist-site-museum-at-lalitgiri-in-odisha/article25814287.ece

Miramshah – North Waziristan

Wanna – South Waziristan

Hebron – Palestine

Katas Raj

• Katas Raj, also known as Qila Katas, is a Hindu pilgrimage site comprising several temples linked to one another by walkways.
• The pond is named Katas (Raj temple) after Kataksha, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘tearful eyes’.
• It is a complex of ancient temples that is among the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres in Pakistan.
• The Katas Raj temple in Chakwal district of Punjab province is one of the Hindu community’s most well-known places of worship.
• According to a legend, the pond was formed as Lord Shiva wept upon the death of wife Satti.
• The temple complex consisting of seven shrines, is located around the Katas lake, considered sacred by pilgrims of multiple faiths.
• Apart from the temples, the area is renowned for its Buddhist remains and architecture.

Partners’ Forum

News: India in association with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) is hosting the fourth Partners’ Forum

About

• It is a global health partnership launched in September 2005 to accelerate efforts to reduce child and maternal mortality, improve adolescent, child, newborn and maternal health.
• This partnership is an alliance of more than 1,000 plus members, across 10 constituencies in 92 countries: academic, research and teaching institutions; donors and foundations; health care professionals; multilateral agencies; non-governmental organizations; partner countries; global financing mechanisms and the private sector.
• The invited countries have been selected from across all regions and income levels and include countries that are currently chairing key global and regional bodies (e.g. G7, G20, BRICS, etc.).
• The previous chapters were held in Johannesburg, South Africa (2014), New Delhi, India (2010) and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2007). This is the second time India is hosting the Partners’ Forum.
• This is the fourth in a series of global high-level multi-country, multi-stakeholder events aimed at sustaining global momentum for issues related to health of women, children and adolescents.
• PMNCH’s mission is to support the global health community to work successfully towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the health related SDGs as articulated in the Strategy for Women’s Children’s and Adolescents’ Health in support of ‘Every Woman Every Child’ (EWEC) movement.
• From India, Intensified Mission Indradhanush has been selected as one of the case studies under Quality, Equity and Dignity (QED) in Services theme.

Ajrak is the name of a block printed cloth with deep crimson red and indigo blue background, bearing symmetrical patterns with interspersed unprinted sparkling white motifs. An ancient craft, the history of the Ajrak can be traced back to the civilizations of the Indus Valley that existed around 2500 BC-1500 BC.

The highly valued Ajrak has also been made in Kutch (Gujarat) for the Maldharis or cattle herders’ communities since the time Khatris migrated from Sindh in the 16th century.

‘Talari’ is a large hat made of bamboo or cane that protects agricultural labourers from the sun and rain when they work in the fields. It is used in the villages of Odisha during rainy season. It is very convenient to use and keeps both the hands free.

The traditional outfit for both males and females in Kashmir is the phiran or pheran

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/what-is-the-row-over-the-kashmiri-pheran-5500109/

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/a-modern-makeover-for-the-traditional-hat/article25705094.ece

Situated close to the banks of the Imphal River, the Kangla Fort or Kangla Palace is a symbol of Manipur’s glory.

Kangla was where the royal seat was established by Pakhangba in 33 AD. After that the place functioned as the capital for several Manipuri kings.

https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/these-hills-reverberated-with-valour/article25680181.ece

All the statements are correct

https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/khusraus-rich-legacy/article25763031.ece

Golconda is a citadel and fort in Southern India and was the capital of the medieval sultanate of the Qutb Shahi dynasty (c.1512–1687), is situated 11 km (6.8 mi) west of Hyderabad. It is also a tehsil of Hyderabad district, Telangana, India. The region is known for the mines that have produced some of the world’s most famous gems, including the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope Diamond, Nassak Diamond and the Noor-ul-Ain.

Golkonda is renowned for the diamonds found on the south-east at Kollur Mine near Kollur, Guntur district, Paritala and Atkur in Krishna district and cut in the city during the Kakatiya reign.

By the 1880s, “Golkonda” was being used generically by English speakers to refer to any particularly rich mine, and later to any source of great wealth.

During the Renaissance and the early modern eras, the name “Golkonda” acquired a legendary aura and became synonymous for vast wealth. The mines brought riches to the Qutb Shahis of Hyderabad State, who ruled Golkonda up to 1687, then to the Nizam of Hyderabad, who ruled after the independence from the Mughal Empire in 1724 until 1948, when the Indian integration of Hyderabad occurred.

https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/rebuilding-the-glory-of-golconda-fort/article25809449.ece

Parani (Tamil literature genre) Parani is one of the 96 minor literary genres collectively known as ‘Sittrilakkiyam’ in Tamil. The earliest examples of Parani Ilakkiyam (grammar) are traced to the 11th century A.D

https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/of-chola-literature-and-inscriptions/article25840970.ece