TEST-1 : HISTORY

EDUTERIA
66 MAINS TEST SERIES
th

1. Describe the salient features of Mauryan art. Check the influence of religion and Iranian art on it.
Ans-The systematic development of art in the historical period of India is considered from the Mauryan period itself. Stone
was first used in the field of art in the Mauryan era, which gave stability to the artifacts.
Pillar
Mauryan Art The best specimens of the Mauryan period are the
monolithic pillars of Ashoka, which he established in
different parts of the country for the propagation of
Court Art Popular Art (individual initiative) Dhamma.
Palace (Raj prasad) Caves Features:
Pillar Sculptures ▪ Made of red sandstone
▪ Shiny polish on columns
Stupa Pottery
▪ Made of monolithic stone
Chaitya
▪ Height of columns from 35 to 50 feet
▪ These columns are thick at the base and thin at the top.
▪ The uppermost elements of a pillar or column is known
a capital.
Features of Palace (Raj Prasad) –
▪ The top portion of the pillar was carved with figures like
▪ wooden palace
a bull, lion, elephant, etc.
▪ The palace rests on 80 pillars
▪ All the capital figures (usually animals) are vigorous and
▪ 700 feet wide moat around the palace
carved standing on a square or circular abacus.
▪ Many large rooms
▪ The glowing pillars had gold vines and silver bird. The Lion Capital at Sarnath is one of the finest
▪ 8 rows of 10 columns each from east to west. examples of Mauryan sculpture and was built by Ashoka in
▪ Attractive wooden stage in the assembly. commemoration of ‘Dhammachakrapravartana’ or the
first sermon of Buddha. Such pillars have been obtained
Some scholars have also praised its grandeur in from Lauria Nandangarh, Lauria Areraj, Basadh, Rampurwa
and Sankisa.
relation to Rajprasad -
▪ Chinese Traveller Fa Hien visited the palace after
600 years and was so much impressed with its
grandeour that he called Mauryan palaces as God
gifted.
▪ Greek historian Megasthenes describe the palaces
of the Mauryan Empire as one of the greatest
creations of mankind.
Stupa:- Chaitya:
Stupas were burial mounds prevalent in India from the Chaityas were basically prayer halls and most of them were
vedic period. But with the passage of time the Stupa with stupas. Generally, the hall was rectangular and it had
became an object of veneration and worship. The Stupa a semi-circular rear end. They had horse-shoe shaped
swiftly became an Emblem of Buddha Dharma and and windows. They also had pillars separating the hall from the
important part of Buddhist monasteries. Stupas were two aisles.
constructed over the relics of the Buddha at Rajagriha,
Kapilavastu, Vaishali, Ramagrama, Allakappa, Pava, Sculpture -
Vethadipa, Pippalvina and Kushinagar. Mauryan sculpture characterises the usage of rocks as
Features: building materials. The concept of religious sculpture was
Stupas consist of a semi spherical dome shaped (anda), a also predominant during the Mauryan Empire.
harmika and a chhatra on the top. Sometimes there were Monumental figures of Yakshas and Yakshinis have been
circumambulatory pathways and gateways. In many cases, found in various parts of India thus showing the popularity
additions were added in later centuries. of Yaksha worship.
▪ Anda: hemispherical mound symbolic of the mound of ▪ Two of the most famous sculptures of the Mauryan
dirt used to cover Buddha’s remains (in many stupas period are those of Yaksha and Yakshi. They were
actual relics were used). objects of worship related to all three religions –
▪ Harmika: square railing on top of the mound. Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The earliest mention
▪ Chhatra: central pillar supporting a triple umbrella of yakshni can be found in Silappadikaram, a Tamil
form. text.
▪ The torso of the nude male figure found at Lohanipur at
Patna.
▪ Didarganj Yakshi was found at Didargunj village at
Patna
Features -
▪ All statues are huge in size
▪ The cut is designed to be very attractive
▪ Fabrics and ornaments on body

Pottery:
Caves
Pottery of the Mauryan period is generally referred to as
Ashoka also patronized many rock cut architectures during Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW).
his period. The seven caves (Satgarva) in the Makhdumpur ▪ Mauryan pottery was characterized by black paint and
region of Jehanabad district, Bihar, were created by highly lustrous finish and was generally used as luxury
Mauryan emperor Ashoka for the Ajivika Sect: items.
Barabar Caves (4 caves): Karna Chaupar, Sudama Cave, ▪ Kosambi and Patliputra were the centers of NBPW
Lamarshi (Lomas Rishi) Cave, Vishwamitra (Vishva Zopri) pottery.
Cave
Nagaragunja Caves (3 caves): In Bihar were formed during
the time of Dasharath, grandson of Ashoka, Gopi Cave,
Bahayak Cave and Vedantika Cave.
Features:-
▪ Interior hall of the cave is rectangular
▪ Highly polished finish of the interior walls
▪ Decorative gateways.
▪ Entrance is located on the side wall of the hall.
Effects of religion on Mauryan Art However, historians have also drawn attention to the many
▪ Glimpses of Vedic religion and Buddhism on pillar differences between the Mauryan and the Persian arts:
inscriptions ▪ The pillars of the Kumhrar hall do not have capitals
▪ The construction of stupas governs the influence of whereas those at Persepolis have elaborate ones.
Buddhism ▪ The Persian pillars stand on bases either shaped like a
▪ The events from life of Buddha, the Jataka stories, etc. bell or a plain rectangular or circular block. On the
were depicted on the railings and torans of the stupas. other hand, in the Maurya pillars, the inverted lotus
▪ Construction of Guha Viharas for livelihoods and appears at the top of the shaft.
Buddhists. The influence of Buddhism can be seen here. ▪ The shape and ornamentation of the Maurya Lotus is
▪ A clear glimpse of the influence of Buddhism from different from the Persian ones, the bulge typical of the
Sarnath Pillar former being absent in the later.
▪ A glimpse of the influence of Jainism from the Jain ▪ Most of the Persian pillars have a fluted surface while
Digambar statue the Mauryan pillars are smooth.
Some forms of Mauryan art is secular, while the influence ▪ The Maurya type abacus and independent animals
of religion on some seems obvious. The main reason for the carved in the round Crowing the pillar are absent in the
influence of religion in state art may be the royal Persian context.
patronage or protection given to Buddhism by Emperor ▪ The Achaemenian shaft are built of separate segments
Ashoka. At the same time, animals, birds, Jain Digambar, of stone aggregated one above the other which is the
male idols etc. in folk arts are the drivers of the work of mason. The shaft of the Mauryan pillar is
development of the society and art of the time. Overall, it monolithic which pertains to the character of the work
can be said that religion shows some influence on court art, of a skilled wood-carver or carpenter.
but folk art lacks the influence of religion. ▪ The Achaemenid pillars were generally part of some
larger architectural scheme, composed of much too
Foreign influence on Mauryan art many component parts looking complex and
Some art historians have emphasised foreign influence complicated. While the Ashokan columns were intended
especially Persian (Achaemenian) influence on the court at to produce the effect of an independent freestanding
of the Maurya Empire: monument with simpler specimen, more harmonious
▪ It has been suggested that Ashoka got the idea of in conception and execution and gives the feeling of
inscribing proclamation on pillars from the greater stability, dignity and strength.
achaemenids.
▪ The word Dipi and Lipi occur in the in inscriptions of
Darius as well as Ashoka.
▪ Inscriptions of both kings being in the third person and
then move to the first person.
▪ The foreign influence has been identified in the
polished surface of the Ashokan pillars and the animal
motifs. The stiff heraldic pose of the lions is seen as
further evidence of Western influence.
▪ Maurya columns and Achaemenian pillars, both used
polished stones. Both have certain sculpture motifs such
as the lotus.
Q.2 Describe the role of Bihar in the Quit India movement with special reference to 'Azad Dasta'.
Reasons -
▪ Failure of Cripps mission
▪ Japanese army enters Indian border
▪ August Offer failure
▪ Starvation, famine situation
▪ Involving India in World War-II without the consent of Congress by British rule

Role of Bihar
▪ Arrests of prominent leaders of Bihar on 9 August
▪ Ban on various institutions on August 10. Ban on Sadaqat Ashram, Charkha Sangha, Kisan Sangh
▪ Firing on Secretariat on August 11 (W.C Archer). It spread rapidly in Bihar - Umashankar Singh, Ramanand Singh
▪ Parallel government In Siwan, Chhapra, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Darbhanga (Siyaram Dal - Siyaram Singh), Ballia (led
by Jagannath)

Azaad Dasta
▪ On November 9, Jay Prakash Narayan escaped from Hazaribagh jail and reached jungle.
▪ Surjanarayan Singh (Bihar Provincial Council)
▪ Karthik Prasad Singh
▪ Nityanand Singh (Instructor)
▪ Ram Manohar Lohia

The Azad Dasta had to carry on three-fold activities:

▪ Dislocation of the chief means of communication such as telephone and telegraph lines and installations,
railways, roads and highways, postal services, broadcasting and wireless telegraphy;
▪ Depriving Government treasuries of money by looting of mailbags, looting of post offices and railway stations,
looting of railway train carrying government money, looting of revenue collections before they reached
headquarters, looting of government grainshops and other government stores;
▪ Raid on centres of enemy authority like police stations for disarming and destruction of records, raid on
chowkies, patwari’s office, registration office, chungi office and other small and not-too-well guarded offices and
destruction of the records contained therein and other properties, where possible.
Two types of groups were organised:
▪ One, who dealt secretly,
▪ And another becoming part of the violent mass movement.

→ They channelize and properly harness energy and anger of the youth
→ It was also aimed at capacity building of the revolutionaries so that in future they could counter the repression of the
government effectively.
→ Although Jayaprakash Narayan found little time to implement the scheme in full, Azad Dasta within the short period
of its working achieved a notable success.
→ On the model of ‘Azad Dasta’, some secret organization were also set-up in Bhagalpur and Purnea.
→ There were some limitations as well. Though Jayaprakash Narayan tried to maintain control over the Dastas, but the
letter soon developed links with the professional dacoit gangs of low caste landless peasants and indulged in what has
been described as “social crime”
→ By the end of 1943, Azad Dasta was very active in Bihar but its network was dismantled by the British government in
collaboration with the government of Nepal in 1944.
Q-3.The tribal conflicts gave Birsa a new religious leadership. Do you agree with this view? Elucidate
The Birsa Munda movement has emerged as the most powerful movement and the most widespread movement in the
tribal movement against the colonial rule between the 18th century to the 19th century. Many scholars are of the
opinion that Birsa provided religious leadership to this movement but it can be decided only after discussion of the
following facts.
Background of Munda Rebellion
▪ Bringing the land under private ownership by the British rule and abolishing the mass-owned pebble system.
▪ Cheating by an Anglo-Indian lawyer in a legal battle against forced labour.
▪ No resolutions of problem including land problem even after the assurances of aid by Christian missionaries.
▪ Abolition of Rights over forest land and woods.
Tribal rebellion in Bihar before 1890
▪ 1789–1794 - Tamar
▪ 1771–1800 - Chero
▪ 1831–1833 - Kol
▪ 1832-1853 - Bhumij
▪ 1855-1856 - Santhal
▪ 1860 - Kharwar
There has been a long series of tribal revolts in Bihar. Never before the Munda Rebellion did the leaders give religious
form to it.
Providing religious leadership by Birsa (1895 - 1900)
▪ In 1893–94, participated in the movement for the first time against acquiring village land.
▪ First under the influence of Christian missionaries and later of Vaishnavas
▪ Declared himself as a messenger of God
▪ Advocated the people of Munda society to believe in God.
▪ Advised on organizing prayer meetings and believing in a God Singboga (Sun)
▪ Emphasized the sanctity of moral conduct, self-improvement and monotheism to reform the Munda community
from spiritual and moral education.
▪ Although it began with religious leadership and also got religious form, Birsa later gave it political leadership after
his release from prison in 1897 AD.

Political leadership
▪ In 1895 Birsa Munda was sent to prison for two years on charges of conspiracy. Returning from prison he became a
stauncher rebel. Many night meetings were held in 1898–99.
Main objective - To establish an independent Munda Raj.
▪ In 1899, on the eve of Christmas, Birsa announced a revolt to establish Munda tribe rule with 6000 armed
supporters. Attempts were made to burn churches in 6 police station areas of Ranchi and Singhbhum districts.
Government offices, post offices, police stations were attacked. The revolt was brutally repressed by the
Government. Birsa Munda was arrested in February 1900 where he died.

Overall, it can be said that the Birsa movement, which is prominent among the tribal conflicts, was distinctive among
all other tribal movements, because while other tribes were merely against Lagaan or land eviction, the Birsa
movement was accompanied by the exploitation of the British and outsiders. It was also against the internal, social,
religious, evils of the Mundas and their evils. While the other tribal movements were inspired by the immediate
solution to the problems, the Birsa movement aspired for a permanent solution to the problems of the tribes. Birsa
gave the slogan Let the kingdom of queen be ended and our kingdom(Abua Raj) established.
Q. 4 In what way was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru socialist? Explain this and discuss the ideas related to
his state.
Jawaharlal Nehru himself had accepted the fact that he was a socialist. In the 1936 Presidential speech of the
Lucknow Congress session, he said that I see no other way than socialism to end the poverty, unemployment,
inferiority and subjugation of the people of India.
Although Marx has a clear influence on Nehru, he cannot be called a Marxist. He is influenced by Gandhi, but he
is also not a Gandhian. (Marx believed in violence, while the influence of Gandhism is seen on Nehru in this case.
But he cannot even be called a complete Gandhian because Gandhi speaks of Ramrajya or stateless governance.
Here Nehru disagrees with him.)
In fact, he is a democratic socialist because he believes that socialism without democracy becomes authoritarian
and democracy without socialism becomes Aristocratic.

The main views of his democratic socialism/state were–

1. Social ownership over the means of production
2. Equitable distribution of national resources
3. Economic revolution as part of socialist revolution
4. Social system based on socialist justice
5. Use of science and technology in the process of social change.

After becoming the Prime Minister, Nehru took steps towards socialism and tried to pave the process of development
and social change through the state.

In 1950, the Planning Commission was established under his leadership which became the main institution of
economic development despite some of its shortcomings. Through it he paved the way for national development
through the Five-Year Plans.
Note: Please elaborate according to the demand of the question.
Q. 5 Since independence, relations between India and Pakistan have been strained due to disputes related to Jammu
& Kashmir and terrorism. Discuss and also suggest measures to make relations between the two countries
betterment.
Ans. The India-Pakistan relationship since the creation of both the nations in 1947 has been Rocky, where the nations have
been involved in 4 wars. Kashmir has been the bedrock issue between both the nations and has been an unresolved
boundary dispute.
Terrorism particularly targeting India which is bred on Pak soil is get another major issues which has mired the
relationship. Despite many positive initiatives taken, the India-Pak relationship in recent times has reached an all
time low with some sore issues sticking out. Here we are analyzing the core issue in the India-Pakistan relationship.
India-Pak war of 1947-48
Fought over the princely state of J&K that was under the control of
Maharaja Hari Singh.
- The war resulted in India securing 2/3rd of Kashmir, Including Kashmir
valley, Jammu and Ladakh.
- Pak control roughly 1/3 of the state, referring to it as Azad (free)
Kashmir.

Indo-Pak war of 1965:

Pakistan’s operation Gibraltar was launched to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to hasten insurgency against
India.
- It was due to issue of Kashmir & it tune terrorism insurgency.
- The war ended after the UN-mandated ceasefire was declared following diplomatic intervention by the USSR and
the US, the subsequent issuance of the Tashkent Declaration.
Indo-Pak 1971:
Mainly due to genocides on Bengalis and Political crisis in East Pakistan.
Kargil conflict: - Again due to Kashmir issue
- In winter of 1998-99, Pak Army made use of opportunity more across the line of control and occupied the vacant
posts.
- This led to intense fighting between India and Pakistani forces.
- Pakistan later withdrew from the remaining portion because of the International pressure and high causalities.
Territorial disputes between India and Pakistan
Kashmir: - Due to political difference between the two countries, the territorial claim of Kashmir has been the subject
of wars in 1947, 1965 and limited conflict in 1999 and frequent ceasefire violations and promotion of Rebellion with in
the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.
Siachin glacier: - Before 1984 neither of the two countries has any permanent presence on the glacier.
Under Shimla agreement of 1972, the Siachin was called barren and useless.
Following the 2003, armistice treaty between the 2 countries firing and bombardment here ceased in this area, though
both the sides here stationed their armies in the region.
Sir creek dispute: - The dispute lies in the interpretation of the maritime boundary line between the two countries.
Water disputes: - The waters of the Indus Rivers begin mainly in Tibet and the Jambalaya Mountain in the states of
Himanchal Pradesh and J&K (Indian side)
- For resolving issue, the Indus waster’s treaty is the water distribution treaty signed between India and Pak brokered
by World Bank.
- Recent Modi Govt. had stated that India would no longer allow its share of river water to flow into Pakistan in
response to the Pulwama terror attack.
Cross Boarder terrorism and ceasefire violation
It has been an issue since Independence: -
- Despite 2003 ceasefire agreement Post Kargil conflict, there have been regular ceasefire violations from the Pakistan
side of the border since 2009, leading to death and injury of security forces and civilians on both sides.
- The subsequent incidents of 2016 Pathankot attack and Uri Attack resulted in the ceasing of any effort to
undertake bilateral talks between the 2 countries, with Indian PM declaring that “talks and terrorism cannot go
hand in hand”.
- This was followed by Surgical Strikes by Indian Army across the LoC to target the terror infrastructure in POK.
- India recent stand is that it will not undertake talks until Pakistan tackle cross boarder terrorism.
- Pakistan in contrast is ready for talks but with the inclusion of Kashmir issue.

Past measures to reduce tensions: -

- Since the Partition India and Pakistan have signed many agreements to generate confidence and reduce tensions.
- Perhaps the most notable among them are Liaquat – Nehru Pact (1951), Indus water treaty (1960), Tashkent
Agreement (1966), Rann of Kutch agreement (1969), Shimla Accord (1972), Salal Dam agreement (1978), and the
establishment of the joint commission.

Military CBM (Confidence Building Measure):-

Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against nuclear installations and facilities was signed in 1988 and ratified in
1990.
- Agreement on Advance Notification on military exercises, and Troops movements.
- A communication link between Pakistan maritime security agency and the Indian Cost guard was established in
2005.
- A hotline between Director General of military operation of both the countries have been in effect since 1961.

Nonmilitary CBM:-
Delhi-Lahore Bus Service – during in 1999 and was suspended in the aftermath of 2001 Indian Parliament attack.
Again resumed in 2003 but recently suspended in 2019 in the aftermath of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A of the
Indian constitution.
Samjhouta Express: - Suspended frequently, it was suspended after the revocation of the special status of Kashmir.
Weekly Bus Service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad was initiated in 2005 and still operational India extend
humanitarian aid to Pakistan in the aftermath of 2005 earthquake. Pakistan to earlier provided relief in the
aftermath 2001 Gujrat Earthquake.
What was the progress made in 2019?
1. Early 2019, Pulwama Suicide Bombing was the starting point of the steep decline in relations.
2. Within few days after the incident, India higher sets targeted a Jem tourist camp, in Balakot in Pakistan province
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
3. This incident led a Paradigm shift to the traditional India-Pak tensions.
4. Recent, scrapping Article 35A, the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into 2 UT stemmed Pakistan.
- Pakistan responded by expelling the Indian high commissioner and suspending all trade between the 2 countries.
- Trade has already taken steeply after India withdraw Pakistan most favored nation status and imposed 200%
import duty on Pakistani goods earlier that year post Pulwama.
- Aimed the post 370 breakdown, Pakistan went ahead with the Kartarpur Corridor. Even this move is seen with
mistrust by many due to Pakistan support to the Khalistani movement.
- In the recent situation, the prospects for meaning full engagement between the two nations remain bleak and the
best that can be happen is the diplomatic relations are fully restored, trade is opened up and easing of travel
between the 2 Nations.
 What can be the way forward?
Reforming Pakistan Political Structure: -
- Despite the democratic elections in Pakistan, the military wields the real power in the country. This holds true
especially on matters of defense, national security and foreign policy.
- Pakistan military is the most dominant national political institution.
- Pakistan ISI, consist of armed forces, is often accused of supporting and training separatist militant group
operating in Kashmir and other parts of the country like N-E India.
- Thus, strong political reform in Pakistan one that focuses on the warfare of the Pakistani nationals is vital to
improving its relations with India.
People to people relations: -
Propaganda is currently being used by both sides through the media to justify each other stand on conflicting issues.
- This is created misconception, hatred and subtyping among the people of both countries.
- Step must be taken to facilitate level between the 2 countries, case up via regime, provide security for tourists, set
up student and faculty exchanges, and imcite professionals, intellectuals and artists to events to promote the
bilateral ties.
Promote trade: -
Remove non-tariff barriers and bureaucratic hurdles.
- Cut down duties.
- Improve customs clearance procedures.
- Proportionate trade is beneficial for both sides and is possible through the right government policies.
Promoting soft diplomacy: -
It is the ability of the country to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction towards its political
values, culture, and favorable foreign policy.
Measure that can be taken to promote soft diplomacy include: -
- Use of Indus water treaty to promote hydro diplomacy.
- Culture diplomacy can be used through the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and others cultural aspect to
strengthen bilateral ties, enhance the socio-cultural cooperation and promote the individual national interest.
- Promotion of cricket diplomacy.
- Promotion of valuing and health diplomacy after COVID-19 outbreak.
Cooperation to address common issues: -
- Being neighbors each India Pakistan faces similar problems that are currently plaguing the region.
- For instance, recently Pakistan has sought to import chemical from India to fight the imminent locust attack.
- Thus, such similar problem like climate change and natural disasters can be dealt with through cooperation from
both sides.
- Social issues like child marriage, illiteracy, disease, exploitation, unemployment and poverty are also an issue of
common importance for both the nations, which the countries can use to improve then relations and co-exist
with each other.
Conclusion: -
South Asia has not yet progressed despite it having the potential to ensure fast paced economic growth and
development. This is mostly because of the differences and tensions between India and Pakistan. Improved India
Pakistan relations can ensure the adverting of any threat the sub-continent may face in the future. Cooperation and
coexistence through trust and reviving of SAARC platform can ensure an establishment of peaceful and prosperous
South Asia.
Q. 6 "India's foreign policy has succeeded in strengthening international credibility even in epidemics like
corona virus with various achievements." Discuss
Diplomatic relations and multilateral systems between the countries were hugely affected by the pandemic as
priorities of governments shifted to health care and evacuating their citizens from Covid-19-affected regions. With a
majority of countries turning inward to tackle the pandemic at home, India was one of the few countries which
understood that multilateral collaboration is the need of the hour to come to grips with the mammoth problem
During ECUSOC session 2020, via video conference PM Modi said India had extended help to over 150 countries in
the global fight against the Covid-19 Pandemic.
During WHO press conference India mentioned future of this Pandemic will depend on how India handles it. India
eliminated smallpox and polio and gave a gift to the world. India has tremendous capacities India should lead the way
and show the world again.
How Indian foreign policy has succeeded in epidemics like Corona:-
- India draws up 1 billion rupees COVID-19 medical assistance plan, target 90 countries.
- India also supplied drugs and equipment to various countries on commercial terms.
- India has supplied hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol as well to Region like – South Asia Region, central Asia,
and even remotely located countries like Dominican Republic and Ecuador.
- India had deployed the many, INS Kesari to reach medical terms, medicines and supplies to countries in the Indian
Ocean region such as Maldives, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
- The 2 medical assistance terms on board the warship had deployed in Mauritius and Comoros.
- In India immediate neighborhood, India has committed more than 20 crore of medical aid including essential
antibiotic, COVID-19 protection gear and testing kits.
- Apart from medical aid, India has also sent teams of medical personnel called Rapid Response Teams to Kuwait
and Maldives, is setting up, conducting webinars to train personnel in other countries.
- India is provided 10 million tablets to 67 countries out of which deliveries of 2-8 million have done to 21 countries
like Afghanistan, Nepal, Ukraine, Myanmar including USA and European countries.
- PM Modi said that India has helped other countries amid the Corona Virus Pandemic. India helped its citizen’s stuff
in China during initial days of Corona Virus. Not only Indians but we also repatriated citizens of other countries.
- India had launched “vande Bharat Mission” to repatriate its citizens.
- Honorable PM also made extensive phone calls to keep in touch with world leaders in the absence of in-person
meetings.
- He used telephonic conversations to express condolences to some and assure medical supplies to many. He also
congratulated those who assumed office in the middle of the pandemic
- India pushed for the resurrection of old multilateral forums like SAARC and NAM to coordinate regional
preparation and chart out plans to contain the pandemic
- In May, PM Modi participated in the online Summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group, held to
discuss the response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He also attended several virtual multilateral summits
including G20, India-ASEAN Summit and BRICS. India also hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's
(SCO) Council of heads of government summit in November.
Vaccine Diplomacy:-
• The first batch of humanitarian aid was dispatched to the neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal,
Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius.
• India, known as the pharmacy of the world, commercially supplied Hydroxychloroquine and active pharmaceutical
ingredient of HCQ to 82 countries.
• In October, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that India has supplied medicines to 159 countries
during Covid-19, which will eventually help in strengthening New Delhi's branding as the pharmacy of the world.
• Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had organized a visit of 64 foreign envoys to leading biotech
companies in Hyderabad, Bharat Biotech and Biological E, displays India's vaccine diplomacy and achievements,
besides reach-out efforts to ensure future cooperation on the Covid-19 front
Benefits to India:-
India could provide innovative opportunities to promote India foreign policy and diplomatic relations between nations
is its neighborhood and across the globe.
- Shipment have begun arriving in the Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
- The only exception to India regional vaccine diplomacy would be Pakistan, which has cleared the ‘Astra Zeneca’
vaccine for use, but has neither requested nor discussed any dose from India yet.
Importance over vaccine diplomacy: -(Strategic advantage)
1. Earning long term goodwill.
2. Advantage over Chinese as early shipment from India in these countries could help counter China vaccine and
mask diplomacy In its neighborhood.
3. Leverage over Western Countries – while the offered Western World, notably the US and Europe are focused almost
exclusively on this own problem. India is being appreciated for helping its Neighbors and developing countries, who
could not afford US and European vaccines.
Economic: - Make India global supply center Boost pharma manufacturing in India. Help in reviving the economy
rescue from cold was over vaccine.
Earning moral right to here greater say in international forums.
- Gavi letting global collaboration – India necessaries supply could later greatly to the global collaboration which is
being done through the WHO-backed COVAX facility mechanism.
All the same time the year 2021 presents a bunch of challenges and opportunities in pursuit of fulfilling foreign policy
objectives.
Challenges in front of India
(1) A stronger China: - China is the only country that had posture growth rate at end of 2020 and its economy is posed
to grow even faster in 2021.
- Militarily China has further strengthened itself and now seeks to dominate the Indo-pacific ocean with its
announcement of its 3rd anticraft carrier launch in 2021.
- Growing Russia-China Axis seems to signal recued interest in countries such as India.
- Changing Middle East equations – The US-Brokered Abraham accords, which the region strategic flux, Iran could be
tempted to use it nuclear capability to enhance its position.
- Self-Imposed Isolation of India – Currently India remain isolated from 2 important bodies – NAM, SAARC.
Weakening new with neighbors – This can be scan from instances like China change look diplomacy vis-v-vis Srilanka,
strain a relationship with Bangladesh on NRC issue and recent Border controversies with Nepal due to release of new
map.
Way forward: - Neighborhood first – In this context, as world emerges from the pandemic, India has gain from what
could be vaccine diplomacy with neighbors in 2021 – supply vaccines either free or at affordable costs.
External aid in Adequate measure: -
India should appreciate European entry into Indo-Pacific narrative as already France and Germany have come up with
their Indo-Pacific strategy.
India at UNSC table: - India should refrain from a limited focus on insulating Pakistan, as it would distract from India
aspirations of being a global leader.
Engaging with US: - As the future of QUAD, relies on new US administration, India will need to build on its deepening
strategic and defense there with the US and resolve trade and visa issues.
Conclusion: -
In the light of the changing actualities of the International situation, India must continuously play foreign policy, if it
wants to change as a global rather than an aspirational player.
7.
(A). Angle for sale of clothes in 2019-20 = 55°
1800
Value of 55° = 360
× 55 = 275
Next year, sales of clothes = 275 × 2 = 550 million
As per the question, the total sales for the next year = 1800 + 200 = 2000 million
550
Share of clothing sales = 2000
× 100 = 27.5%

1800
(B). Total sales in Delhi in 2019-20 = 360
× 45 = 225 million
Sales ratio of furniture, mobile, clothes in Delhi
= 5x : 3x : x
= 9x = 225
255
X= = 25
9
Sale of furniture in Delhi = 5x = 5 × 25 = 125 million
1800
Sale of furniture in the country = 360
× 70° = 350 million
125
Percentage of furniture sales in Delhi = × 100 = 35.71%
350

1800
(C). Sale to Steel in 2019-20 = × 65 = 325 million
360
Steel sales in the coming year = 325 × 120% = 390 million
Total sales = 1800 + 200 = 2000 million
Increase in steel sales = 325 × 20% = 65 million

1800
(D) Sale of furniture in 2019-20 = 360
× 70 = 350 million
40
Sale of furniture in Jharkhand = 350 × 100 = 140 million
1800
Sale of all items in Jharkhand = 360
× 80 = 400 million
Hence, sale of other items in Jharkhand
= 400 – 140 = 260 million

8.
 54
(A) Amount spent on steel = 360 × 600000 = 90000

90
(B) Expenditure on wages = × 600000 = 150000
360
72
Expenditure on cement = 360 × 600000 = 120000
Extra Amount spent = 150000 – 120000 = 30000

54+54+36
(C) Expenditure on Brick, Inspection and Wood = 360
× 600000 = 240000
240000
Absolute percentage = × 100 = 40%
600000

54+54
(D) Expenditure on steel and brick = × 600000 =180000
360
54+72
Expenditure on inspection and cement = × 600000 = 210000
360
Absolute difference = 210000 – 180000 = 30000

90
(E) Amount worked on wages = 360
× 600000 = 150000/-
Expenditure on Brick + Steel + Wood
54+54+36
= 360
× 600000 = 240000/-
Absolute difference = 240000 – 150000 = 90000
90000
Percentage of Absolute Reduction = × 100 = 37.5%
240000