UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 23)

QUESTION 2

Three Hoysala-era temples in Karnataka recently made it to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Discuss the architecture and the characteristics of the Hoysala-era temples.

General points on the structure of the answers

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.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: Discuss how trade between India and Romans through the Red Sea flourished during 1st and 2nd century CE.

Body:

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

— The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced at the G20 Summit harkens to an ancient trade route between the subcontinent and the Roman Empire.

— Muziris Papyrus — a document taken out by an Alexandria-based Egypto-Roman financier for the purchase of goods from an Indian merchant based in far-away Muziris on the coast of Kerala.

— According to the Muziris Papyrus, the import tax paid on the cargo of almost nine million sesterces was over two million sesterces.

— By the first century CE, Indian imports into Egypt were worth probably over a billion sesterces per annum, from which the tax authorities of the Roman Empire were creaming off no less than 270 million.

— If the numbers on the Muziris Papyrus are accurate, which they seem to be, then customs duties collected on trade passing through the Red Sea alone would have provided nearly one-third of the total revenue needed by the Roman Empire to manage its conquests throughout the world and sustain its enormous legions, from lowland Scotland to the borders of Persia and from the Sahara to the banks of the Rhine and Danube.

Locations, names and routes of the ‘Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’ (1st century CE). The Periplus was a Roman-period guide to trade and navigation on the Indian Ocean. (Wikimedia Commons)

What was being traded on this route?

From India

(i) The cinnamon-like plant called malabathrum, whose leaves were pressed to create perfume.

(ii) Ivory (A famous ivory figure of a voluptuously pouting yakshi fertility spirit, found in the ruins of Pompeii, can be dated to this period.)

(iii) Pearls

(iv) Precious gemstones

(v) Spices (Maximum was pepper)

From Rome

(i) Gold

(ii) Roman Wine

— There was also some trade in olive oil and Garum, an ancient Roman fermented fish paste, like the Tabasco or garam masala of the day, evidence of which has been found in Arikamedu and the sites in Kerala.

(Source: The ancient history behind the maritime trade route between India and Europe by William Dalrymple)

Points to Ponder

How organised was the trade?

What roles did Indians have in this trade?

How does this route compare with the Silk Road?

Related Previous Year Question

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment. (2015)

QUESTION 2: Three Hoysala-era temples in Karnataka recently made it to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Discuss the architecture and the characteristics of the Hoysala-era temples.

Introduction:

— Hoysala temples are known for the rare beauty and finesse of their wall sculptures, and have been described as “art which applies to stone the technique of the ivory worker or the goldsmith”.

— The three temples chosen for the UNESCO list were built in the 12th and 13th centuries and are significant not only for demonstrating the superior skill of their builders, but also for narrating the story of the politics that shaped them.

— The three temples include the Chennakeshava temple in Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and the Keshava Temple in Somanathapura.

Body:

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

Hoysala Architecture

— The use of soapstone, a malleable stone that is easy to carve, is a distinguishing feature of Hoysala architecture. This is one of the reasons behind the abundance of intricate sculptures one can see on the temple walls.

— The sculptures include animals, scenes of daily life, as well as depictions from the epics and the Puranas.

— Another special feature of Hoysala architecture is the unique confluence of styles.

— Historian Prithvi Datta Chandra Shobhi, who works at Krea University in Andhra Pradesh’s Sri City, said “Hoysala architecture is an amalgamation of three distinctive styles— the mainstream Dravidian architecture as represented in the Pallava and Chola temples; the Vesara style, the variant of the Dravida style that emerged in the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta temples; and then the North Indian Nagara style. The political dimension to this is the various military expeditions that the Hoysalas undertook, which led them to different regions from where they brought back masons, sculptors, architects who could visualise and actualise such temples.”

The Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

— The temples are generally built on stellate (star-shaped) platforms, and have several structures inside the complex.

— The walls and pillars are covered in beautiful sculptures that have “rich narrative and descriptive dimensions”.

— A unique feature of Hoysala temples is that they are’signed’ — the sculptors and masons leave their names and sometimes a few additional details.

— Additionally, these Shaivya and Vaishnava shrines were constructed during the period when Jainism was prevalent in the area, signifying a shift towards Hinduism.

Conclusion:

— While hundreds of big and small Hoysala-era temples still survive, these three are believed to be among the finest surviving examples of Hoysala art.

— The announcement was made by UNESCO on September 18, during the World Heritage Committee’s 45th session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. India submitted the nomination dossier for the temples in January 2022.

(Source: Hoysala temples on UNESCO heritage list: What sets the ‘Sacred Ensembles’ apart, what stories they tell by Yashee)

Points to Ponder

Who were the Hoysalas?

What makes the three temples on UNESCO list special?

Which temple is built in the shape of a 16-point star?

Related Previous Year Questions

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (2016)

(a) Discuss the ‘Tandava’ dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (2013)

(b) Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (2013)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 22)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 21)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 23)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 22)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 23)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 22)

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