GK Express of 23/02/2026

🚆 GK Express 2.0

Discipline • Clarity • Competitive Preparation

TODAY’S FOCUS → INDIAN HISTORY, HERITAGE AND CULTURE

🧠 Thought of the Day

“Monuments are the grappling-irons that bind one generation to another.”

— Joseph Joubert

📰 Current Affairs

1. Food Grain ATMs: The Bihar government recently approved the installation of ‘grain ATM’ machines in Patna to make PDS grain distribution faster, more transparent, and less prone to corruption.
   A grain ATM or Annapurti (Provider of grain) is an automated machine that dispenses food grains. It can release 50 kg of grain in five minutes. It can work 24×7 like ATMs, and can be powered through solar energy.
2. Project 'Udbhav': Launched by the Indian Army in collaboration with the United Service Institution of India (USI), this project aims to rediscover and integrate ancient Indian strategic thinking and statecraft (from texts like Arthashastra and Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural) into modern military pedagogy.
3. Bharath Taxi: Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform.

📘 Concept of the Day

Subject: Ancient History

Concept: The Philosophy of Jainism

Jainism, prominent in ancient India alongside Buddhism, revolves around the core principle of non-violence (Ahimsa) and the purification of the soul.

• Triratnas (Three Jewels): The path to liberation (Moksha) involves Right Faith (Samyak Darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana), and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).
• Anekantavada: The philosophy of "many-sidedness" or pluralism. It teaches that truth and reality are complex and have multiple aspects, promoting tolerance of different viewpoints (Syadvada).
• Sects: Later divided into Digambaras (sky-clad, orthodox, believing women cannot achieve salvation directly) and Shvetambaras (white-clad, liberal).

🤔 Think About This (Mains Focus)

Tap a question to reveal the answer

1. Assess the contribution of the Chola Dynasty to temple architecture and local self-government.

Answer:
Architecture: The Cholas perfected the Dravidian style. The Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur (built by Rajaraja I) is a masterpiece, featuring a massive Vimana and intricate bronze sculptures (like the Nataraja).

Local Self-Government: The Uttaramerur Inscription provides a detailed account of their highly decentralized administration. Villages had assemblies (Sabha/Ur) functioning through elected committees (Variyams) for tank maintenance, justice, and taxation, showcasing early democratic principles.

2. "The Revolt of 1857 was the culmination of multiple grievances against the British." Analyze the socio-religious causes of the revolt.

Answer:
The 1857 uprising was not just a sepoy mutiny but deeply rooted in societal anger.

Socio-Religious Causes:
1. Interference in Customs: The abolition of Sati (1829) and the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act (1856) were viewed by orthodox sections as an attack on Hinduism.
2. Fear of Conversion: The activities of Christian missionaries, openly supported by the state, created widespread paranoia about mass conversions.
3. Religious Disabilities Act (1850): It modified Hindu customs by allowing a convert to Christianity to inherit ancestral property, deeply offending traditional sensibilities.

📝 Let’s Write an Exam (PYQs)

Q.1 (UPSC 2021) With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because Mitakshara and Dayabhaga were not caste-based laws; they were regional. Mitakshara applied to most of India, while Dayabhaga was prevalent in Bengal and Assam. Statement 2 is correct regarding the inheritance rights of sons.

Q.2 (UPSC 2018) Regarding Wood's Dispatch (Magna Carta of English Education in India), which of the following statements are true?
1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
2. Establishment of universities was recommended.
3. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Known as the 'Magna Carta of English Education in India' (1854), Wood's Dispatch recommended universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, and introduced the Grants-in-Aid system (Statements 1 and 2 are correct). However, Statement 3 is incorrect because it recommended Vernacular languages at the primary level and English only at higher levels.

✍️ Answer These Questions

1. Who founded the 'Ramakrishna Mission'?

2. The ancient city of Hampi was the capital of which famous empire?

GK Express @ Juniors Hostel
Curated with discipline by Nikhil Dasari