UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, INDIAN CULTURE, AUGUST-2024

Atmiya Sabha, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1815, was a socio-religious organization that later evolved into the Brahmo Samaj in 1828. Atmiya Sabha aimed at discussing and reforming social and religious issues, focusing on monotheism, opposition to idol worship, and social evils like Sati. Brahmo Samaj carried forward these ideas and became a significant reform movement in 19th-century India.

Aryabhatta-I (476 СЕ) was one of the earliest Indian astronomers and mathematicians who made significant contributions, including the concept of zero and the approximation of pi. Varahamihira (505 CE) followed, known for his work Brihat Samhita. Brahmagupta (598 CE) advanced astronomical calculations and negative numbers. Manjula (10th century CE) worked on trigonometry, and Sripati (11th century CE) was a noted astronomer and astrologer.

The Greeks (Yavanas) were the first foreign invaders in India, arriving in the 4th century BCE with Alexander's invasion. The Seythians (Shakas) followed in the 1st century BCE, settling in western and northern India. The Kushanas came in the 1st century CE and established a strong empire in the north. The Hunas were the last, invading in the 5th-6th century CЕ and causing significant destruction.

Ramanuja (1017-1137 CE) was an early proponent of Vishishtadvaita philosophy. Madhavacharya (1238-1317 CE) was the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. Ramananda (14th century) was a pioneer of the Bhakti movement in North India. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534 CE) was a saint who popularized Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

The first Indian woman to edit a Bengali magazine (Bharti) was Swarnakumari Devi (1880s). The first Indian woman to address a public meeting in English was Ramabai Saraswati. Chandramukhi Bose was the first woman to pass the M.A. examination in 1884. Anandibai Joshi became the first Indian woman to earn a medical degree from a foreign country in 1886.

The Paramhansa Mandali was founded in Bombay in 1849 as one of the earliest socioreligious reform groups. The Muhammadan Literary Society was established in Calcutta in 1863 to promote modern education among Muslims. The Theosophical Society, associated with spiritualism and reform, was founded at Adyar in 1882. Annie Besant arrived in India in 1893 and later led the Home Rule Movement. The Gurukul system was revived in Haridwar in 1902.

Kural was written by Tiruvalluvar, a Tamil poet-saint. Shilappadikaram, an epic, was composed by Ilango Adigal. Manimekhalle, a sequel to Shilappadikaram, was authored by Sattanar. Tolkappiyam, an early Tamil grammar text, was written by Tolkappiyar.

Uttarapath (North India) had Taxila as its capital. Dakshinapath (South India) had Suvarnagiri as an important city. Prachya (Eastern India) was centered around Pataliputra. Avantirastra (Western India) had Ujjayani as its main city.

Astang Hridaya was written by Vagbhata, an important text in Ayurveda. Vrihajjatak was written by Varahamihira, an astrological text. Mahabhaskarya was authored by Bhaskara I, a mathematical and astronomical treatise. Prakaran Aryavacha was attributed to Asanga.

The eastern gate of Vikramshila University was under Acharya Ratnakar Shanti. The western gate was guarded by Vagishwar Kirti (Varanaseya). The northern gate was supervised by Narop. The southern gate was managed by Pragyakarmati. These scholars played an essential role in maintaining the academic integrity of Vikramshila University, a major Buddhist learning center.