Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon (History, Art & Culture) – April 27, 2020

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891) was as one of the pillars of Bengal renaissance who managed to continue the social reforms movement that was started by Raja Rammohan Roy in the early 1800s. He brought about a revolution in the Bengali education system and refined the way Bengali language was written and taught. His book, ‘Borno Porichoy’ (Introduction to the letter), is still used as the introductory text to learn Bengali alphabets. The title ‘Vidyasagar’ (ocean of knowledge) was given to him due to his vast knowledge in several subjects. Poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta while writing about Ishwar Chandra said: “The genius and wisdom of an ancient sage, the energy of an Englishman and the heart of a Bengali mother”.

Of all the Acts passed by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company, the Charter Act of 1833 stands out as the most comprehensive and far reaching in effect. A new Presidency was created under the Act, namely, the Presidency of Agra.

Both statements are incorrect.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Vittala Temple was built in the 15th century during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422- 1446 A.D.) of the Vijayanagara Empire. Several sections of the temple were expanded and renovated during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509- 1529 A.D.), the illustrious ruler of the Vijayanagara dynasty.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Vittala Temple is dedicated to Lord Vitthala, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. An idol of Vitthala-Vishnu was enshrined in the temple but lost in ravages of time. Legends narrate that the temple was built as a residence for Lord Vishnu in his Vitthala form. However, the Lord had found the temple to be too ostentatious and returned to live in his own modest home.

Famous travellers who visited India during reign of different rulers of Vijayanagar Empire:

• Abu Abdullah/lbn Batuta: He was from Morocco, who travel thirty years of his life from North Africa, West Africa, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe in the West, to the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and East China. He left an account of Harihara I’s reign in his book Rehla (Tuhfat-un- Nuzzar fi Gharaib UL-Amsar WA Ajaib-UL-Assar).
• Nicolo de Conti: He was Italian merchant, scholar, and a traveller who visited the Vijaynagar Kingdom during the time of Dev Raya II. He left an account in the Travels of Nicolo Conti.
• Abdur Razzaq: He was a Persian, Timurid chronicler and a scholar who visited the Vijaynagar Kingdom at the time of Dev Raya II as an ambassador of Shah Rukh, the Timurid dynasty ruler of Persia. He gives an account of the reign of Devaraya II in his Matla as Sadain Wa Majma ul Bahrain.
• Athanasius Nikitin: He was a first Russian traveller and merchant who visited India. He described the conditions of the Bahamani kingdom under Muhammad III in his Voyage to India.

A follower of Gokhale, Narayan Malhar Joshi founded the Social Service League in Bombay with an aim to secure for the masses better and reasonable conditions of life and work. They organised many schools, libraries, reading rooms, day nurseries and cooperative societies. Their activities also included police court agents’ work, legal aid and advice to the poor and illiterate, excursions for slum dwellers, facilities for gymnasia and theatrical performances, sanitary work, medical relief and boys’ clubs and scout corps.