BRICS

BRIC is the newly established group of four emerging economies of the world. With the admission of South Africa in 2010, it has now become BRICS. BRICS brings together five major emerging economies i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, comprising 43 per cent of the world population, having 17 per cent share in the world trade. The acronym BRIC was first used in 2001 by Goldman Sachs in their Global Economics Paper, "The World Needs Better Economic BRICS" on the basis of econometric analyses projecting that the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China would individually and collectively occupy far greater economic space and would be amongst the world's largest economies in the next 50 years or so. 

                                The basic idea of this group is that its members have the potential for economic growth to the extent that it would surpass the present leading economies of the US and other Western countries. The countries in the group have taken kin steps to increase their political cooperation, mainly as a way of influencing the United States position on major global issues. The group appears to challenge the economic hegemony of the US in the management of global economic order. Though, initially BRIC was concerned with economic issues related to mutual cooperation and management of global financial affairs, yet later its deliberations have extended to cover political issues also. 

Ancient History- a few objective questions with answers & explanation

Test No.1/ Series (Ancient History)

Question No-1


The Religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of:

(a) Bhakti  (b)  image worship and Yajnas  (c)  worship of nature and Yajnas  (d) worship of nature and bhakti.
                                           

                                                                                                                            Ans:- (c)

Explanation:  The early Vedic Aryans worshipped different forms of nature such as Indra and Five God and performed yajnas to impress them. They used to worship Indra, the God of rain, Varuna the God of truth and wind, Usha the Goddess of dawn, Prithivi the Goddess of grain and procreation. 


Question No-2
Regarding the Indus Vallie Civilization, consider the following statements:
(a) It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
(b) During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(i) a    (ii)  b   (iii) a and b   (iv) Neither a nor b.

                                                                                            Answer: (iii) 
Explanation: Both the statements about Indus Civilization are true. First, the Harappans, though had their own religious beliefs as evident from archaeological evidence, did not allow religion to dominate the public life. Second, they were probably the first in the world to produce cotton. 

Question No-3
Which of the following animals was not represented on the seal and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?
(a) Cow   (b)  Elephant  (c) Rhinoceros   (d)  Tiger 
                                                                                           Answer: (a) 
Explanation:  The chief male deity in Harappan Period was the Pashupati Mahadeva (Proto-Siva), represented in seals as sitting in a yogic posture on a low throne and having three faces and two horns. He is surrounded by four animals:- elephant, tiger, rhino and buffalo, each facing a different direction, and two deer appearing at his feet. 

Question No-4
Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located?
(a) Indus and Jhelum   (b)  Jhelum and Chenab  (c) Chenab and Ravi  (d) Ravi and Beas

                                                                                          Answer:- (a) 
Explanation:  Takshasila is located in Western Pubjab, 20 kms north-west of Rawalpindi and was a centre of education in ancient India. Science of Medicine and Surgery were taught at Taxila University. 

Question No.5
Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three?
(a) Bimbsara  (b) Gautam Buddha  (c)  Milinda   (d) Prasenjit 
                                                                                        Answer: (c)
Explanation: Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya who was a feudal lord who killed the son of Pulik and enthroned Bimbisara in 545 BC. Bimbisara was, in his early life, a Commander-in-Chief. He started Haryanka dynasty. 

Ancient History- a few objective questions with answers & explanation

Test No.1/ Series (Ancient History)

Question No-1


The Religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of:

(a) Bhakti  (b)  image worship and Yajnas  (c)  worship of nature and Yajnas  (d) worship of nature and bhakti.
                                           

                                                                                                                            Ans:- (c)

Explanation:  The early Vedic Aryans worshipped different forms of nature such as Indra and Five God and performed yajnas to impress them. They used to worship Indra, the God of rain, Varuna the God of truth and wind, Usha the Goddess of dawn, Prithivi the Goddess of grain and procreation. 


Question No-2
Regarding the Indus Vallie Civilization, consider the following statements:
(a) It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
(b) During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(i) a    (ii)  b   (iii) a and b   (iv) Neither a nor b.

                                                                                            Answer: (iii) 
Explanation: Both the statements about Indus Civilization are true. First, the Harappans, though had their own religious beliefs as evident from archaeological evidence, did not allow religion to dominate the public life. Second, they were probably the first in the world to produce cotton. 

Question No-3
Which of the following animals was not represented on the seal and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?
(a) Cow   (b)  Elephant  (c) Rhinoceros   (d)  Tiger 
                                                                                           Answer: (a) 
Explanation:  The chief male deity in Harappan Period was the Pashupati Mahadeva (Proto-Siva), represented in seals as sitting in a yogic posture on a low throne and having three faces and two horns. He is surrounded by four animals:- elephant, tiger, rhino and buffalo, each facing a different direction, and two deer appearing at his feet. 

Question No-4
Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located?
(a) Indus and Jhelum   (b)  Jhelum and Chenab  (c) Chenab and Ravi  (d) Ravi and Beas

                                                                                          Answer:- (a) 
Explanation:  Takshasila is located in Western Pubjab, 20 kms north-west of Rawalpindi and was a centre of education in ancient India. Science of Medicine and Surgery were taught at Taxila University. 

Question No.5
Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three?
(a) Bimbsara  (b) Gautam Buddha  (c)  Milinda   (d) Prasenjit 
                                                                                        Answer: (c)
Explanation: Bimbisara was the son of Bhattiya who was a feudal lord who killed the son of Pulik and enthroned Bimbisara in 545 BC. Bimbisara was, in his early life, a Commander-in-Chief. He started Haryanka dynasty. 

Indus Valley Civilisation

The Indus Valley Civilization occurred in between 3000-17500 B.C. Its effect was extended in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent. The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as Harappan Civilization. To be clear enough, let me tell you that this civilization was discovered in 1921 by Sir John Marshal at the modern site of Harappa. 

Harappa is located on the bank of Ravi River in central Punjab Province in Pakistan. Another important city like Harappa is Mohenjodaro and it is situated on the west of Indus River. The evidences, so far gathered through excavation, indicate that the people of Indus Valley worshiped Mother Goddess, Animals, Stones and Shiva Pashupati. Town planning and architecture was brilliant. The houses were made of burnt bricks and looked well as it was scientifically laid out. 

The drainage system was super and perfect. The home-drains are connected with the street drains which ultimately connected the main carnal. The wastage came from houses to the street drain which very easily swept the dirty water to the main carnal carrying the wastage out of the town. 

Evidences also testify that the people of the valley established a good trade relationship with the Western Countries of Asia and Sumeria. People of this valley were associated with agriculture. The cultivated barley, rice, wheat and cotton. They also knew reading and writing. They used pictorial writings consisting of human and animal forms. Several seals have been discovered with engraved inscriptions on them and such inscriptions could not yet been deciphered till today.   

Status of Women In Modern India

Women have a big role in the Indian Society. Once there was time (dark age) when women were neglected and disrespected in the society. They were considered nothing without man. There was no freedom to them. A woman could never be a decision maker. In the ancient age, women had to undergo various problems for instance Child Marriage, Sati, Dowry, Infanticide and so on. At that period, they could not raise their voice against any misdeed in the society. Despite women have been obeying their duties like a mother, a care taker, a sister and family organizer since the time immemorial. 

In fact, after a prolonged struggle they have achieved their social and economical status in the society. In a few decades, a change has sprung among the people, national leaders and the government. The importance of a woman, it be socially, economically or legally, has been recognized that the successive governments have opened various schemes for the welfare of women. Today a large number of women are coming forward to participate in any field. In the long run, they have gained their social and political status, voting rights, fundamental rights and to stand against the malpractices prevailing in the society. Women have been appearing successful in achieving their goals. They are now educator, engineer, pilot, teacher, and even in forces. It proves that to be successful the gender does not work, it is all your intention, passion and aspiration fixing a goal to reach it. In the early age discrimination dominated the society and in this process women were victims. Until and unless women are educated a nation can never develop socially and economically. 

Today numerous women welfare organizations (government & non-government) have sprung up and women are showing great interest in joining those organizations.