Culture
thus refers to a human-made environment which includes all the material and
nonmaterial products of group life that are transmitted from one generation to
the next. Culture has two distinctive components, namely, material and
non-material. Material culture consists of objects that are related to the
material aspect of our life such as our dress, food, and household goods.
Non-material culture refers to ideas, ideals, thoughts and belief.
This book
explains the culture of India in lucid manner.
The index
is as follows:
1.
Culture: An
Introduction
2.
Indian
Culture
3.
Ancient
India
4.
Medieval
India
5.
Modern
India
6.
Indian languages
and literature -I
7.
Indian
languages and literature -II
8.
Religion
and Philosophy in Ancient India
9.
Religion
and Philosophy in Medieval India
10. Religious Reform Movements in Modern India
11. Indian Painting
12. Performing Arts: Music, Dance and Drama
13. Indian Architecture
14. Science and Technology in India
15. Spread of Indian Culture Abroad
This book
also contains few chapters about famous scientists of India. These chapters are
as follows:
1.
Scientists
of Ancient India
2.
Science and
Scientists of Medieval India
3.
Scientists of
Modern India
They are
useful for the GS Mains syllabus of Indian culture (Paper 1) as well as Science
and Technology (Paper 3).
UPSC
questions from the book are:
UPSC 2014: Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six
systems of Indian Philosophy?
(a) Mimamsa and Vedanta
(b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika
(c) Lokayata and Kapalika
(d) Sankhya and Yoga
Ans: c
UPSC 2013: Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana
in Buddhism?
(a) The extinction of the flame of
(b) The complete annihilation of self
(c) A state of bliss and
rest
(d) A mental stage beyond
all comprehension desire
Ans: a
UPSC 2013: With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India,
consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:
1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of
soul.
2. Sankhya holds that it is the self knowledge that leads to
liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1
nor 2
Ans: b
UPSC 2012: With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which
of the statements given below are correct?
1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common
use by 1st century AD.
2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the
beginning of 3rd century AD.
3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: d
UPSC 2011: The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained
by
(a) Universal Law
(b) Universal Truth
(c) Universal Faith
(d) Universal Soul
Ans: a