The road to reach the largest Harappan city is still very difficult..

Rural Haryana.... it could very well be a photo from 5000 years ago and it would look the same....

Nikhil and Vishal sir resting at a farm in Rakhigarhi after exploration of Harappan era mounds...

Only thing missing now is a tall brass glass of lassi.

Both sides are very partial here.

One side wants to include Geeta in the syllabus for "liberation" which is a spiritual notion.

The other side wants to also include criticism by Ambedkar and EVR which is from social side.

The main point is, this is a political science department. Neither religious studies nor sociology. How about teaching political theories? Students are coming to this course for political science. There are enough of those even based on Geeta and commentary on it by various scholars.

If you cannot find out, I can help you...;)

This appeared in today's Indian Express.

I am speechless, to say the least. Such non sense is thrown around all the time. Beware.

This is a very important initiative in making the preparation more scientific...

It was conducted with the help of JPCEC recently. We ar hopeful that by the time it is complete, the entire batch of students will have received a very useful and actionable feedback.

https://youtu.be/B--rpYqHfTQ

Back in the winter of 2013, I was trying to read the Urdu inscription at the tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi in Panipat. He was killed by Babur on the field during the first battle of Panipat in 1526.

Bahaj village in Deeg distric, Rajasthan: ASI finds 4,500-year-old civilisation in Deeg; statues, utensils, metal weapons from Mahabharata, Maurya eras discovered -

India Today https://share.google/iE7SvdS0ynwMTE4pt

What kind of an aspirant are you??

I would be awaiting your feedback in comment section. Let me know.

Nikhil

https://youtu.be/Q5VDTgm9Kxs

India's Heritage Diplomacy

In the last decade alone, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has invested in at least 20 heritage projects across eleven countries.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/old-horizons-and-india-s-new-heritage-diplomacy-101751294706381.html

This question was asked in today's UP PSC paper of GS3.

I am simply speechless.

Santosh sir ne sapne me bhi ye socha nahi hoga...!!

I think the question maker must have seen that movie about Shivkar Bapuji Talpade claiming 1895 flight... (hawaaizada)

I am only hopeful that UPSC will still continue to maintain its high standard.

- Nikhil

The most appropriate answer here is to talk about Samarangan Sutradhar by Raja Bhoj.

I teach about it in class. But, although its a fascinsting book, I don't get more than 2 mins to speak about it. And remember, I already take about 90-100 hours to teach Ancient Medieval Culture comprehensively (40 lectures). Even then, barely 2 mins of knowledge about it I can impart at most about this book.

And I don't expect that students would remember it at the right moment in the exam hall. Students would have written only about Pushpak viman of Ramayana or mercury fuel.

Aur kya hi padhenge wo? This is too advanced question for us. Or dare I say, too backward looking?

- Nikhil

UPPSC Mains GS 1 (2025)
History and Culture questions

Introduce the literary sources for the study of Ancient Indian History. (8)

Give an account of the challenges faced by India immediately after Independence. (8)

“Nepolian was the son of the Revolution.” – Explain. (8)

Describe the main characteristics of Indian culture. (8)

The French Revolution was a great result of enlightenment period.” – Comment. (12)

Outline the development of revolutionary movement in Bengal. (12)

What are the main features of Sangam Period Culture ? (12)

Indian society is known for its uniqueness and cultural diversity. Discuss. (12)

Buddhism