GK Express of 16/02/2026
🚆 GK Express 2.0
Discipline • Clarity • Competitive Preparation
TODAY’S FOCUS →
INDIAN HISTORY, HERITAGE AND CULTURE
🧠 Thought of the Day
“A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia.”
📰 Current Affairs
- Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex: The Ministry of Ports is rapidly developing the NMHC at Lothal, Gujarat. This world-class facility will showcase India's rich maritime history dating back to the Harappan era.
- Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026: Known as the 'Kumbh Mela of the Tribals', this biennial festival celebrated in Medaram, Telangana, honors the fight of a mother and daughter against an unjust law. It is Asia's largest tribal fair.
📘 Concept of the Day
Subject: Ancient Indian Architecture
Concept: Rock-Cut Caves (Ajanta vs Ellora)
Rock-cut architecture is a hallmark of ancient Indian art. The most famous examples are located in Maharashtra:
- 1. Ajanta Caves: Carved between 2nd Century BCE and 5th Century CE under Satavahana and Vakataka rulers. They are purely Buddhist, featuring magnificent fresco paintings (like the Padmapani Bodhisattva) and Chaityas.
- 2. Ellora Caves: Carved later, between 6th and 11th Century CE under Rashtrakuta and Yadava dynasties. They are unique because they feature monuments of three religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
- 3. Key Difference: Ajanta is famous for its intricate paintings, whereas Ellora is renowned for its incredible sculptures and monolithic carving (e.g., the Kailasanatha Temple carved out of a single rock).
🤔 Think About This
Tap a question to reveal the answer
1. Trace the evolution of the Sufi Movement in India and its impact on socio-cultural life.
Answer:
The Sufi Movement, marked by silsilas like Chisti and Suhrawardi, reached its peak in the 12th-13th centuries.
Socio-Cultural Impact:
1. Communal Harmony: Sufi saints (like Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti) preached love and universal brotherhood, acting as a bridge between Hindus and Muslims.
2. Language: They preached in local dialects, significantly contributing to the evolution of Urdu and Hindawi.
3. Music and Arts: They popularized devotional music formats like Qawwali, enriching India's composite culture.
The Sufi Movement, marked by silsilas like Chisti and Suhrawardi, reached its peak in the 12th-13th centuries.
Socio-Cultural Impact:
1. Communal Harmony: Sufi saints (like Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti) preached love and universal brotherhood, acting as a bridge between Hindus and Muslims.
2. Language: They preached in local dialects, significantly contributing to the evolution of Urdu and Hindawi.
3. Music and Arts: They popularized devotional music formats like Qawwali, enriching India's composite culture.
2. Discuss the historical and cultural significance of the seals discovered from the Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer:
Over 2000 seals, mostly made of steatite (soft stone), have been excavated from Harappan sites.
Significance:
1. Commercial Use: They were primarily used as trade authentications and amulets.
2. Religious Insights: Seals like the 'Pashupati Seal' (proto-Shiva) and 'Unicorn Seal' provide a window into their religious beliefs and animal worship.
3. Script: The seals carry the pictographic Indus script, which remains undeciphered but points to a highly literate urban society.
Over 2000 seals, mostly made of steatite (soft stone), have been excavated from Harappan sites.
Significance:
1. Commercial Use: They were primarily used as trade authentications and amulets.
2. Religious Insights: Seals like the 'Pashupati Seal' (proto-Shiva) and 'Unicorn Seal' provide a window into their religious beliefs and animal worship.
3. Script: The seals carry the pictographic Indus script, which remains undeciphered but points to a highly literate urban society.
📝 Let’s Write an Exam (PYQs)
Q.1 (UPSC 2014) Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was:
A. The mosque for the use of Royal Family
B. Akbar's private prayer chamber
C. The hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
D. The room in which nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss affairs of state
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1575 at Fatehpur Sikri. It was a meeting house where he invited spiritual leaders of different religious grounds (Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism) to conduct philosophical and theological debates.
Explanation: The Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1575 at Fatehpur Sikri. It was a meeting house where he invited spiritual leaders of different religious grounds (Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism) to conduct philosophical and theological debates.
Q.2 (UPSC 2017) Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?
1. Arasavalli
2. Amarakantak
3. Omkareshwar
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct 
Answer: A
Explanation: Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its ancient Sun Temple built by the Kalinga rulers. Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh) is famous for the origin of the Narmada River and its Shiva temples. Omkareshwar is renowned for being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (Shiva shrines).
Explanation: Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its ancient Sun Temple built by the Kalinga rulers. Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh) is famous for the origin of the Narmada River and its Shiva temples. Omkareshwar is renowned for being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (Shiva shrines).
✍️ Answer These Questions
1. Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?
2. In which modern-day state are the famous Khajuraho group of monuments located?
.jpeg)
Comments
Post a Comment
Hii Juniors, Post your doubts here regarding this GK Express..........