OPTIMA (Mains) 2020 – Day 1

OPTIMA (Mains) 2020

30 Days Revision and Writing Plan

DAY 1

Topic: Art and Culture

Total Marks 100 marks

Time allotted: 1:30 minutes(90 minutes)

1. a) What do you understand by the Aryan Invasion theory? How does Rakhigarhi DNA study debunks the Aryan Invasion Theory? 10 marks

b) Why did it take almost 100 years after its initial discovery in 1921 to conclude DNA study of harappan sites? 5 marks

2. Discuss the economy and trade of Harappan civilization. Is this the reason it became the largest and led itself to become the largest and most accomplished ancient. Civilization. 10 marks

3. How were Rajput paintings different from the Mughal paintings? 10 marks

4. Discuss the distinctive features of Mughal Chronicles. 15 marks

5. Thirukkural is a treatise par excellence on the art of living. Comment. (10 marks )

6. How Sikhism became a political force. Discuss relevance of Sikhism in solving today’s problems 15 marks

7. Bhakti movement laid the foundations of a liberal and composite Indian society. Elaborate (10 marks )

8. a) Brihadeshvara temple is a splendid example of Chola Architecture. Elaborate. (5 marks)

b) Discuss the development of temple architecture under the Pallavas. (5 marks)

9. Why Gupta age is called golden age? Was it really golden? (10 marks )

10. Why did Maratha failed to establish an all India empire?  (10 marks )

11. Both the Indus Valley residents and the Keeladians (Keeladi excavation-Sangam Age) were masters at water management. 10 marks