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

Sharafuddin Yahya Maneri (Bihar) lived in the 13th-14th centuries and was among the earliest Sufi saints in the given list. Muhammad Shah Alam (Gujarat) followed, active in the 14th-15th centuries. Sheikh Abdul Kuddas Gangohi (Uttar Pradesh) was a 15th-16th century saint associated with the Chishti order. Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi (Haryana), also known as Mujaddid Alf Sani, was a 16th-17th century Sufi reformer.

Humayun's Tomb (1565-1572) was the earliest structure built during the Mughal period among these options. Fatehpur Sikri (1571-1585), the imperial city of Akbar, was the next significant construction. Moti Masjid in Lahore (built during Shah Jahan's reign) followed. Finally, Moti Masjid in Delhi, constructed by Aurangzeb in the late 17th century, was the most recent.

Bhamaha (7th century) was an early Sanskrit literary theorist. Dandin (8th century) followed and is known for Dashakumaracharita. Udbhata (8th9th century) contributed to poetics. Abhinavagupta (10th-11th century) was а great Kashmiri Shaivite philosopher and literary critic.

Shankardeva, a saint-poet from Assam, composed literature in Assamese. Vidyapati was a Maithili poet known for his devotional works. Mirabai wrote in Rajasthani and Braj Bhasha. Saraladas was an important poet of Oriya literature.

Kashf-ul-Mahjub was written by Ali Bin Usman Hujviri, a famous Sufi text explaining mystical teachings. Favaid-alFuwad was authored by Amir Hasan Sijzi Dehlavi, a disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya. Maktubat-e-Imam Rabbani consists of letters written by Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi, a Sufi reformer. Akhbar-ul-Akhyar was compiled by Abdul-Haq Muhaddis Dehlavi.

Hyderabad was founded by Nizam-ulMulk (Asaf Jah I) in 1724. Mysore became an independent state under Haider Ali in the 18th century. Awadh was founded by Saadat Khan in 1722. Bengal was established as an independent province by Murshid Quli Khan in the early 18th century.

Dadabhai Naoroji was associated with the Rahnumai Mazdayasan Sabha, an organization for Parsi social reform. Madame Blavatsky co-founded the Theosophical Society in India. Lala Hansraj was an important leader of the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. R.G. Bhandarkar was associated with the Prarthana Samaj, which aimed at religious and social reform.

Karsondas Mulji started the newspaper Satya Prakash in Gujarati in 1852 to promote widow remarriage and social reforms. Hе was an influential reformist and played a key role in advocating for women's rights in 19th-century India.

Under the leadership of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the first legal Hindu widow remarriage among upper castes was celebrated in Calcutta on December 7, 1856. This marked a significant milestone in the social reform movements of the 19th century.

Dholavira, an Indus Valley Civilization site in present-day Gujarat, is known for its sophisticated water management system, including reservoirs, channels, and step wells. It demonstrates advanced urban planning and engineering skills, making it one of the most remarkable sites of ancient water conservation.