Forwarded from History Optional (UPSC)
A recently purchased book.
History of formation of Khalsa panth is extremely interesting. I have read it earlier in the two volume book series by Khushwant Singh.
JS Grewal is a well know academic whose writing I wanted to read for long time. I have his some other books as well, one on Ranjit Singh, one by Cambridge on entire history of Sikhs etc. But this one is a dedicated book on Guru Gobind Singh by OUP.
Eager to read now but lectures se fursat mile to na....
Nikhil
#bookreview
History of formation of Khalsa panth is extremely interesting. I have read it earlier in the two volume book series by Khushwant Singh.
JS Grewal is a well know academic whose writing I wanted to read for long time. I have his some other books as well, one on Ranjit Singh, one by Cambridge on entire history of Sikhs etc. But this one is a dedicated book on Guru Gobind Singh by OUP.
Eager to read now but lectures se fursat mile to na....
Nikhil
#bookreview
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Telegram initiative of Daily MCQ Practice in History, Art and Culture
This is the schedule of Topics for Week 9.
For attempting daily questions, join @nikhilhistoryculture
#MCQ
This is the schedule of Topics for Week 9.
For attempting daily questions, join @nikhilhistoryculture
#MCQ
Week 8 compilation.pdf
809.7 KB
This is Week 8 Compilation of practice MCQs of Daily Questions.
For earlier compilations of 2025, click on the following links:
1. Week 1 Ancient India
2. Week 2 Ancient India
3. Week 3 Medieval India
4. Week 4 Medieval India
5. Week 5 Religion and Philosophy
6. Week 6 Art and Culture
7. Week 7 Art and Culture
8. Week 8 Modern India
From tomorrow, we will start with Week 9. The schedule for Week 9 is also shared.
For practicing Daily MCQs of History and Culture, join and stay tuned @nikhilhistoryculture
All the best,
Nikhil
#MCQ
For earlier compilations of 2025, click on the following links:
1. Week 1 Ancient India
2. Week 2 Ancient India
3. Week 3 Medieval India
4. Week 4 Medieval India
5. Week 5 Religion and Philosophy
6. Week 6 Art and Culture
7. Week 7 Art and Culture
8. Week 8 Modern India
From tomorrow, we will start with Week 9. The schedule for Week 9 is also shared.
For practicing Daily MCQs of History and Culture, join and stay tuned @nikhilhistoryculture
All the best,
Nikhil
#MCQ
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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/over-250-years-old-mughal-document-throws-light-on-tax-waiver-for-pilgrims-at-allahabad/article69439862.ece
They have discovered a new firman by Mughals. It was issued in 1773 by Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. It directs the officers not to charge pilgrims who come for the holy dip at Allahabad. It also says that a large number of pilgrims going to Allahabad were ‘Gujaratis’ and ‘Marathas’.
The news item discusses the details and the context of the firman very well. Only one thing is omitted. That in 1773, it was the Marathas who controlled Delhi and kept the Mughal badshah as a puppet on throne. He was first in British control. Mahadji Scindia picked him up in 1772 and took him to Delhi and installed him on throne. It was Mahadji Scindia who was ruling over large part of north India as the real power behind the Mughal throne.
I think The Hindu may have thought that it was a very minor fact. It could have slipped out of mind while writing the context of the firman. The beauty of Mughal seal, their calligraphy, shape of the emblem etc are more important things which need to be discussed.
Nikhil
They have discovered a new firman by Mughals. It was issued in 1773 by Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. It directs the officers not to charge pilgrims who come for the holy dip at Allahabad. It also says that a large number of pilgrims going to Allahabad were ‘Gujaratis’ and ‘Marathas’.
The news item discusses the details and the context of the firman very well. Only one thing is omitted. That in 1773, it was the Marathas who controlled Delhi and kept the Mughal badshah as a puppet on throne. He was first in British control. Mahadji Scindia picked him up in 1772 and took him to Delhi and installed him on throne. It was Mahadji Scindia who was ruling over large part of north India as the real power behind the Mughal throne.
I think The Hindu may have thought that it was a very minor fact. It could have slipped out of mind while writing the context of the firman. The beauty of Mughal seal, their calligraphy, shape of the emblem etc are more important things which need to be discussed.
Nikhil
The Hindu
Over 250-years-old Mughal document throws light on tax waiver for pilgrims at Allahabad
Discover a 250-year-old firman from Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granting religious autonomy to Ganga pilgrims.
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Q1961. Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
2%
(a) 1 and 2 only
11%
(b) 2 and 3 only
7%
(c) 1 and 3 only
80%
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q1962. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Anonymous Quiz
69%
(a) Both Statements are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
21%
(b) Both Statements are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
6%
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
3%
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Q1963. How many of the above given statements is/are NOT correct?
Anonymous Quiz
31%
(a) Only one
63%
(b) Only two
5%
(c) All three
1%
(d) None
Q1965. How many of the above given statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
22%
(a) Only one
59%
(b) Only two
18%
(c) Only three
1%
(d) All four
Since 2013-14, UPSC started asking a lot of questions on themes related to Art and Culture. After 2013, this trend picked up rapidly.
Look at this question from yesterday's NDA exam. It is conducted by the same UPSC. Here some terms are asked. Sharanga is a bow of Vishnu, Kodanda is a bow of Rama, and Karmuk is a term used for bow in some ancient texts like Dhanurveda. (the answer is B. The word Kunta means javelin or bow.)
UPSC is going beyond art and culture now. This is the domain of religious mythology. I used to sing bhajans in childhood where Rama was called Kodandapani and Vishnu as Sharangapani.
For someone like me, these are easy to solve but I dont think most of you come from such childhood context... Should this question in NDA exam be taken as a hint of what is going to come in CSE also in future? If it is true, I think I will start a separate course on mythology. That would be a really interesting subject to teach...:)
Nikhil
Look at this question from yesterday's NDA exam. It is conducted by the same UPSC. Here some terms are asked. Sharanga is a bow of Vishnu, Kodanda is a bow of Rama, and Karmuk is a term used for bow in some ancient texts like Dhanurveda. (the answer is B. The word Kunta means javelin or bow.)
UPSC is going beyond art and culture now. This is the domain of religious mythology. I used to sing bhajans in childhood where Rama was called Kodandapani and Vishnu as Sharangapani.
For someone like me, these are easy to solve but I dont think most of you come from such childhood context... Should this question in NDA exam be taken as a hint of what is going to come in CSE also in future? If it is true, I think I will start a separate course on mythology. That would be a really interesting subject to teach...:)
Nikhil
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