05 February 2024

MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

Q1. Analyse the development of Indian architecture under the Vijayanagara Empire, emphasising the period’s unique characteristics and influence on the nation’s architectural legacy.

GS I – History-related issues

Introduction:

• The architectural history of Southern India was greatly influenced by the Vijayanagara Empire, which flourished there from the 14th to the 17th century. The Vijayanagara Empire’s architectural development may be seen in several periods, each with its own unique characteristics and styles.

Earliest era (1336–1446):

Temples:

• Hampi: The Vijayanagara Empire’s capital city of Hampi developed into a hub for the construction of colossal temples. One of the best examples of this era is the Lord Shiva-focused Virupaksha Temple, which combines Chalukya and Hoysala architectural elements.
• Achyutaraya Temple: This temple, well-known for its magnificent pillared hall, features finely carved columns in an early Vijayanagara style.
• Urban Design:
• Urban Design: City planning was a major theme in early Vijayanagara architecture. The arrangement of Hampi’s buildings reveals a well-planned city with sections set aside for homes, marketplaces, and places of worship.

Age of Maturity (1446–1565):

Monuments and Temples:

• Vitthala Temple: The temple represents the height of Vijayanagara architecture and is well-known for its distinctive stone chariot and musical pillars. Its majesty is enhanced by the elaborate sculptures and the Raya Gopuram.
• Krishna Temple: This temple honours Lord Krishna and features a stepped pyramidal structure with elaborate carvings that highlight the growing Dravidian architecture.

The Royal Enclosures:

• Lotus Mahal: This remarkable example of secular building from this era combines Islamic and Hindu architectural features. It has arches and a dome designed like a lotus.

Military architecture and forts:

• Krishna Deva Raya’s Fort Wall: An essential component of Vijayanagara construction was fortifying defensive fortifications. For protection, the fortifications—such as those constructed by Krishna Deva Raya—were essential.

Late Period, 1646–1565:

Sacred Architecture:

• Built in the latter part of the Vijayanagara era, the Virabhadra Temple exhibits a combination of Vijayanagara and Nayaka architectural styles. The elaborate workmanship tradition is carried on by the columns and statues.

Reduction and Effects:

• Sack of Hampi (1565): Following the Battle of Talikota (1565), the empire began to deteriorate, which resulted in the destruction of Hampi. Even with its decline, Vijayanagara architecture remained influential on later regional kingdoms like the Madurai and Tanjore Nayakas.

Effect on the History of Architecture:

• Innovation in Temple building: By bringing in fresh components and architectural motifs, the Vijayanagara Empire advanced Dravidian temple building.
• City Planning: Hampi’s well-planned layout served as a template for other urban developments in the area, influencing later city planning efforts.
• Blend of Styles: The architecture of Vijayanagara is distinguished by the harmonious blending of several regional styles, exhibiting a wide range of artistic and cultural influences.
• Military Architecture: The Deccan region’s later kingdoms were impacted by the focus placed on fortified buildings and military architecture.
• The Vijayanagara Empire declined, but its architectural heritage persisted and continued to influence Southern India’s cultural and historical landscape. The monuments that have survived serve as reminders of the empire’s magnificence and artistic accomplishments.

Q2. Examine how the Boycott and Swadeshi Movements affected early nationalists and the role of revolutionaries in India’s fight for independence.

GS I – Modern Indian History

Introduction:

• India’s fight for independence was greatly aided by the early 20th-century start of the Boycott and Swadeshi Movement. This movement was a reaction to the British colonial authorities’ 1905 division of Bengal.
• Early nationalists were greatly motivated by the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement, which also encouraged Indian resistance and unity:

Financial Independence (Swadeshi):

• Encouragement of Indigenous items: The Swadeshi Movement sought to encourage the use of Indian-made items and to abstain from purchasing British-made goods. This was viewed as a tactic to promote economic independence and revitalise native industry.
• Nationalist awareness: The campaign cultivated a sense of nationalist awareness among the Indian populace by promoting the usage of Swadeshi goods. It evolved into a representation of opposition to British economic exploitation.
• Prominent People: The Swadeshi movement was aggressively supported and spread by leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. They highlighted the necessity of self-sufficiency and the economic component of nationalism.

Banned British Products:

• Symbol of Protest: One effective way to oppose repressive colonial policies was to boycott British products. Indians rejected British authority symbolically by refusing to use and purchase British-made goods.
• Widespread Participation: The movement attracted a large number of participants, including urban middle-class people, farmers, and students, transforming the boycott of foreign products into a cross-sectional mass movement.
• Effect on British Economy: There was a noticeable effect of the boycott on the country’s economy. As a result, sales of British goods in India decreased, which compelled the colonial authorities to notice the rising dissatisfaction among the Indian populace.

Influence on the First Nationalists:

• Nationalists united: The Boycott and Swadeshi Movements were significant in uniting disparate political factions and individuals under a shared cause. It signalled the start of a cohesive nationalist movement.
• Political Awakening: The movement played a part in the general public’s political awakening. People started taking an active part in politics, and the call for self-governance intensified.
• Civil Disobedience Seeds: Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience activities and other campaigns benefited from the non-violent resistance and non-cooperation tactics used during the Swadeshi movement.

Revolutionaries’ role:

• Although the movement’s initial focus was on nonviolent resistance, it also gave some nationalist movement factions fuel for a more radical and revolutionary urge.
• More militant revolutionary groups, including the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar, emerged as a result of the anger with the seeming failure of nonviolent protests and promoted armed resistance against the British.
• A turning point in India’s struggle for independence was the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement, which promoted economic independence and shaped political consciousness. It brought people together and prepared the groundwork for the broader nationalist movement, which culminated in India’s independence in 1947.