Daily Quiz #27 UPSC Prelims Marathon – December 2, 2019

Explanation: The word ‘Veda’ signifies knowledge and the texts are actually about providing humans about knowledge to conduct their entire life on earth and beyond. It is written in highly stylised poetic style and the language is full of symbols and myths. The Vedas were initially handed down orally by generations of Brahmin families but it is estimated by historians that they were compiled around 1500 BC-1000 BC.

Explanation: The Arayankas are also texts attached to the Vedas and they describe the rituals and sacrifices involved in the Vedas from various perspectives. They are said to be compilations of ritualistic information on the birth and death cycles as well as the complexity of the soul. It is argued that holy and learned men, called Munis, who preferred to dwell within the limits of the forests, taught them.

Explanation: Zoroastrianism refers to the religion developed from the teachings of the Persian prophet Zoroaster or Zarathushtra. Zoroastrianism was influential on the history, culture, and art of Persia, as well as on the development of other religions. According to scholars, Zoroastrianism was the first religion to believe in angels, a day of judgment, a Demonic figure, and a battle between forces of good and evil.

Explanation: The viceroy, Lord Minto, and the Secretary of State for India, John Morley, agreed that some reforms were due so as toplacate the Moderates as well as the Muslims. They worked
out a set of measures that came to be known as the Morley- Minto (or Minto-Morley) Reforms that translated into the Indian Councils Act of 1909.
● The elective principle was recognised for the nonofficial membership of the councils in India. Indians were allowed to participate in the election of various legislative councils, though on the basis of class and community.
● For the first time, separate electorates for Muslims for election to the central council was established—a most detrimental step for India.
● The number of elected members in the Imperial Legislative Council and the Provincial Legislative Councils was increased. In the provincial councils, non-official majority was introduced, but since some of these non-officials were nominated and not elected, the overall non-elected majority remained.
● One Indian was to be appointed to the viceroy’s executive council

Explanation: Savarkar and his brother organised Mitra Mela, a secret society, in 1899 which merged with Abhinav Bharat (after Mazzinni’s ‘Young Italy’) in 1904. Soon Nasik, Poona and Bombay emerged as centres of bomb manufacture. In 1909, A.M.T. Jackson, the Collector of Nasik, who was also a well-known indologist, was killed by Anant Lakshman Kanhere, a member of Abhinav Bharat.