UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on role of Savitribai Phule in advancing women’s education and earthquakes (Week 122)

QUESTION 1

Discuss the role of Savitribai Phule in advancing women’s education and driving social transformation in nineteenth-century India.

QUESTION 2

What are deep-focus earthquakes, and how do they differ from shallow-focus earthquakes in terms of impact and origin?

General points on the structure of the answers for UPSC Mains

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the role of Savitribai Phule in advancing women’s education and driving social transformation in nineteenth-century India.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Savitribai Phule, who came from a backward society and is regarded as an iconic female social reformer, hailing her as a pioneer in education and social change.

— Savitribai Phule also fought for inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and the abolition of child marriage, sati, and dowry systems, among other social causes. The Phules also adopted Yashwantrao, the widow’s child, and educated him to become a doctor.

Body:

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

— The Phules established more such schools for girls, Shudras, and Ati-Shudras (backward castes and Dalits, respectively) in Pune, inciting resentment among Indian nationalists such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak. They opposed the establishment of schools for girls and non-Brahmins, alleging a “loss of nationality” and fearing that not adhering to caste rules would result in the loss of nationality itself.

— Savitribai herself encountered strong opposition from the upper castes, including cases of physical violence.

— Along with Jyotirao, Savitribai established the Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha (‘Home for the Prevention of Infanticide’) for pregnant widows who face discrimination. This was inspired by a sequence of events in which a young Brahmin widow was condemned to life in jail in the Andaman Islands for killing her newborn kid.

— In 1873, the Phules founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (‘Truth-seekers’ Society), a platform open to all, regardless of caste, religion, or class hierarchy, with the sole goal of achieving social fairness. As an extension, they established ‘Satyashodhak Marriage’, a rejection of Brahmanical ceremonies in which the married couple pledges to promote knowledge and equality.

— The pair also established ‘Balyata Pratibandak Gruha’, a childcare institution dedicated to the protection of pregnant widows and rape victims. Savitribai urged women to sit together at her gatherings in an effort to break down caste barriers.

Conclusion:

— Savitribai set an amazing example of compassion, service, and courage by being involved in relief work during the Maharashtra famine of 1896 and the Bubonic plague of 1897.

— She acquired the sickness while transporting a sick kid to the hospital, and died on March 10, 1897.

Points to Ponder

Read more about Jyotirao Phule

Hindu Widow’s Remarriage Act, 1856

Related Previous Year Question

The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period? (2017)

QUESTION 2: What are deep-focus earthquakes, and how do they differ from shallow-focus earthquakes in terms of impact and origin?

(AP Photo)

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— An earthquake is a phenomenon that strikes unexpectedly and causes tremendous shaking of the ground and everything on it. It comes from the release of accumulated stress from moving lithospheric or crustal plates.

— Earthquakes are tectonic in origin, which means that shifting plates cause strong shakings. An earthquake in a densely populated area can result in multiple casualties, injuries, and substantial property damage.

Body:

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

Deep-focus earthquakes and shallow-focus earthquakes

— Shallow earthquakes range in depth from 0 to 70 km, intermediate earthquakes from 70 to 300 km, and deep earthquakes from 300 to 700 km. In general, the term “deep-focus earthquakes” refers to earthquakes that occur deeper than 70 km. All earthquakes deeper than 70 km occur within large slabs of lithosphere that sink into the Earth’s mantle.

— The strength of shaking from an earthquake decreases with increasing distance from its source, hence the strength of shaking at the surface from a 500 km deep earthquake is significantly less than if the same earthquake occurred at a depth of 20 km.

— Furthermore, earthquake depths provide valuable information on the Earth’s structure and the tectonic setting in which the earthquakes occur. The most visible example of this is at subduction zones, where plates collide and one is subducted beneath another.

Conclusion:

— The Himalayan region has been seeing the subduction of the Indian tectonic plate beneath the Eurasian plate — one pushing against the other — resulting in significant tension buildup.
Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder

Recent examples of earthquake

Earthquake prone region in India

What is the difference between P and S waves

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. (2021)

The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects. (2015)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 122)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 121)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 120)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 121)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 121)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 120)

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