UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 Questions on Volcano and Buddhism (Week 46)

QUESTION 2

The practice of lower castes converting to Buddhism has become prevalent across the country. Discuss.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

QUESTION 1: What are volcanic vortex rings? Highlight the different types of volcanoes.

Introduction:

— Vortex rings are generated when gas, predominantly water vapour, is released rapidly through a vent in the crater.

— A scientific paper published on volcanic vortex rings in February 2023 noted that the phenomenon was first observed at Etna and Vesuvius in Italy in 1724.

— In more recent times, volcanic vortex rings have been observed at volcanoes such as Redoubt in Alaska, Tungurahua in Ecuador, Pacaya in Guatemala, Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla in Iceland, Stromboli in Italy, Aso and Sakurajima in Japan, Yasur in Vanuatu, Whakaari in New Zealand, and Momotombo in Nicaragua.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Major types of volcanoes are as follows:

Shield Volcanoes

— Shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth. For example, the Hawaiian volcanoes.

— These volcanoes are largely composed of basalt, a kind of lava that is extremely fluid when erupting. As a result, these volcanoes are rather flat.

— They become explosive if water enters the vent; otherwise, they have low explosive properties.

Composite Volcanoes

— These volcanoes produce cooler, more viscous lavas than basalt. These volcanoes frequently produce explosive eruptions.

— Along with the lava, vast amounts of pyroclastic debris and ashes make their way to the ground. This debris collects near vent entrances, forming layers that give the mountains the appearance of composite volcanoes.

Caldera

— These are the earth’s most explosive volcanoes. They are typically so explosive that when they erupt, they collapse on themselves rather than erect any lofty structures.

— The collapsed depressions are known as calderas.

Flood Basalt Provinces

— These volcanoes emit highly fluid lava that flows over large distances.

— There may be a sequence of flows, some of which reach thicknesses of more than 50 metres.

— The Deccan Traps of India, which currently encompass much of the Maharashtra plateau, are a much larger flood basalt province.

Mid-Ocean Ridge Volcanoes

— These volcanoes occur in the oceanic areas.

— All of the ocean basins are connected by a series of mid-ocean ridges that is almost 70,000 kilometres long. The central portion of this ridge has frequent eruptions.

(Source: A Sicilian volcano is blowing smoke rings in the sky. What are volcanic vortex rings?, ncert.nic.in)

Points to Ponder

Various volcanoes in news

Volcanoes of Iceland

Barren Island

Related Previous Year Questions

Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on regional environment. (2021)

Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes. (2014)

QUESTION 2: The practice of lower castes converting to Buddhism has become prevalent across the country. Discuss.

Introduction:

— Buddhism emerged in the fifth century BCE, out of the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (c. 6th-5th century BCE).

— According to Buddhist tradition, Gautama, son of the chief of the Sakya dynasty in modern-day Nepal, became a wandering monk after becoming disillusioned with his surroundings. He began preaching a revolutionary doctrine, and after his death, his disciples formed a congregation to pass forward their teacher’s words — thus, a new religion emerged.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— Buddhism began as a non-ritualistic religion that eschewed the complex animal sacrifices of the Vedic religion while being more accessible to the public.

— The Buddhist sangha (monastic order), which arose shortly after The Buddha’s death, welcomed people from all walks of life, including the so-called “untouchables”.

Conversion for emancipation

— Buddhism rejected the institution of caste that formed the backbone of Vedic society.

— Buddhism finally collapsed in India (while flourishing in East and South-East Asia), and caste structure ruled for another couple of millennia.

— However, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, radical intellectuals from downtrodden castes returned to Buddhism in an attempt to challenge Brahmanical power.

— In the early decades of the 20th century, as India saw various social reform movements, the threat of conversion played an important role in negotiations for rights such as temple entry, right of way, anti-untouchability legislation, and the promotion of inter-dining and inter-caste marriages.

Conclusion:

— After decades of studying Buddhism and developing his own profoundly anti-caste, rationalist version, Ambedkar converted to Buddhism on October 14, 1956, alongside nearly 3.6 lakh followers.

— Since then, the habit of lower castes turning to Buddhism has spread throughout the country.

(Source: The path Ambedkar showed: Why lower castes embrace Buddhism by Arjun Sengupta)

Points to Ponder

Places in India related to Buddhism

Dr B R Ambedkar

Viharas and Stupas in India

Related Previous Year Questions

Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion. (2022)

Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste. (2015)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 45)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 44)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 45)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 44)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 45)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 46)

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