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UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress.
The Vijayanagara Empire represents a distinct and influential period in Indian architectural history. Discuss.
Ground water is an annual replenishable resource, but its distribution is uneven in space and time. Discuss the implications of ground water depletion.
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.
QUESTION 1: The Vijayanagara Empire represents a distinct and influential period in Indian architectural history. Discuss.
Introduction:
— The Vijayanagara Empire was founded by Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty. The kingdom existed from 1336 to 1646.
— The kingdom reached its peak under Krishna Deva Raya (reign 1509-1529), a period in which it enjoyed military superiority to its rival kingdoms such as the Bahmani Sultanate, the Golconda Sultanate and the Gajapatis of Odisha.
— At its height, the kingdom extended from Goa on the Konkan coast to parts of southern Odisha in the east and all the way to the subcontinent’s southernmost tip in the south.
Body:
— The Vijayanagar’s contributions to culture and architecture were very significant. This period witnessed poetry, writing styles and literature in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Sanskrit also flourished.
— The most striking feature about the location of Vijayanagara is the natural basin formed by the river Tungabhadra which flows in a north-easterly direction.
— According to Abdur Razzaq, an ambassador sent by the ruler of Persia to Calicut in the fifteenth century, the fortifications impressed him so much that he mentioned seven lines of fortifications. These surrounded not only the city but also its agricultural hinterland and forests, with the outermost wall connecting the hills that surrounded it.
— The fort was entered through well-guarded gates, which linked the city to the major roads. Gateways were distinctive architectural features that often defined the structures to which they regulated access.
— Mahanavami Dibba is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11,000 sq. ft to a height of 40 ft.
— Temple construction in the region dates back to dynasties such as the Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, and Cholas. Temples served as educational institutions. Scenes from the Ramayana can be found on the walls of the Hazara Rama Temple.
Virupaksha temple
— The hall in front of the main shrine was built by Krishnadeva Raya to mark his accession.
— The halls in the temple were used for a variety of purposes. Some were spaces in which the images of gods were placed to witness special programmes of music, dance, drama, etc.
Vitthala Temple
— A characteristic feature of the temple complexes is the chariot streets that extended from the temple gopuram in a straight line.
Conclusion:
— Vijayanagara’s capital Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today, known for its sophisticated fortifications as well as innumerable temples and other architectural marvels.
— In 1976, Hampi was recognised as a site of national importance. Then, in the early 1980s, a major initiative was begun to meticulously document the material remains at Vijayanagara by broad and rigorous surveys employing a range of recording techniques.
(Source:‘Victory City’: A brief history of the kingdom of Vijayanagara, in which Salman Rushdie’s latest novel is situated by Arjun Sengupta, ncert.nic.in)
Points to Ponder
Temples and Rulers of Vijayanagara Empire
Related Previous Year Question
Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss. (2016)
QUESTION 2: Ground water is an annual replenishable resource, but its distribution is uneven in space and time. Discuss the implications of ground water depletion.
Introduction:
— Ground water has emerged as the backbone of India’s agriculture and drinking water security.
— The contribution of ground water is nearly 62 per cent in irrigation, 85 per cent in rural water supply and 50 per cent in the urban water supply.
— The availability of groundwater resources in a given area is determined by several factors such as:
(i) Rainfall intensity and duration
(ii) Geological strata of the area
(iii) Number of existing recharge structures
(iv) Extraction by consumers for a variety of purposes such as industrial applications, drinking/domestic purposes, irrigation, and so on.
Body:
Consequences of the depletion of the ground water
— The government’s support for the “green revolution” to ensure food security has increased the demand for groundwater for agriculture.
— The depletion of ground water resources will demand the extraction of water from deeper inside the Earth.
— The depletion of water resources will reduces the water bodies, lakes and will restrict the biodiversity
— The depletion of water resources will lead to salt contamination of the ground water.
— According to the Central Groundwater Board of India, approximately 17% of groundwater blocks are overexploited (meaning that the rate of water withdrawal exceeds the rate at which the aquifer can recharge), while 5% and 14% are in critical and semi-critical phases, respectively.
— The excessive extraction of groundwater for drinking and irrigation has shifted the Earth’s axis of rotation, according to the journal “Drift of Earth’s Pole Confirms Groundwater Depletion as a Significant Contributor to Global Sea Level Rise 1993-2010” published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Conclusion:
— The sustainable use of ground water resources necessitates a realistic quantitative assessment of ground water availability in this zone based on scientific principles that are reasonably valid.
— The National Water Policy of 2012 emphasised the scientific assessment of ground water resources on a regular basis.
— Groundwater management is being improved through schemes such as the Atal Bhujal Yojna.
(Source: Groundwater extraction shifted the Earth’s axis: What a new study says by Alind Chauhan, pib.gov.in, cgwb.gov.in, Concerned over depleting groundwater level, Haryana plans awareness campaign, blogs.worldbank.org by John Roome)
Points to Ponder
Scheme related to ground water
Related Previous Year Question
“The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system”. How can it be made effective in urban areas? (2018)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 28)
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UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 27)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 28)
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