9. 5. Write short notes on any two of the following:
(1) The Deccan Plateau.
(2) Written sources of history.
(3) Vedic ideas regarding religion.
(4) King Ajatshatru.
following
Answers
Answer:
(1) The Deccan Plateau:
The Deccan Plateau is one of the broad divisions of the Peninsular Plateau. The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass that lies to the south of the river Narmada. The Satpura range flanks its broad base in the north while the Mahadev, the Kaimur hills and the Maikal range form its eastern extensions. The Deccan Plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwardsan extension of the plateau is also visible in the northeast - locally known as the Meghalaya, Karbi Anglong Plateau and North Cachar Hills. It is separated by a fault from the Chhotanagpur Plateau. Three prominent hill ranges from the west to east are the Garo, the Khasi and the Jaintia hills. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats mark the western and the eastern edges of the Deccan Plateau respectively.
(2) Written sources of history:
Written sources are those which are in the form of written text. They are used by historians to reconstruct ancient, medieval and modern history. Some examples of written sources that give us information about history are Government are newspapers, Gazettes, diaries, reference books and official correspondences.
(3) Vedic ideas regarding religion:
The historical Vedic religion (also known as Vedism or (anachronistically) ancient Hinduism), and subsequent Brahmanism, constituted the religious ideas and practices among some of the Indo-Aryan peoples of northwest India and the western Ganges plain of ancient India during the Vedic period (1500–500 BC). These ideas and practices are found in the Vedic texts.
The Vedic religion developed during the early Vedic period (1500–1100 BCE), but has roots in the Eurasian steppe Sintashta culture (2200–1800 BCE) and the subsequent Central Asian Andronovo culture (2000–900 BCE), and possibly also the Indus Valley Civilisation (2600–1900 BCE). It was a composite of the religion of the Central Asian Indo-Aryans, itself "a syncretic mixture of old Central Asian and new Indo-European elements", which borrowed "distinctive religious beliefs and practices" from the Bactria–Margiana culture; and the remnants of the Harappan culture of the Indus Valley.
During the late Vedic period (1100–500 BCE) Brahmanism, also called Brahminism, developed out of the Vedic religion, as an ideology of the Kuru-Pancala realm which expanded into a wider area after the demise of the Kuru-Pancala realm. Brahmanism was one of the major influences that shaped contemporary Hinduism, when it was synthesized with the non-Vedic Indo-Aryan religious heritage of the eastern Ganges plain (which also gave rise to Buddhism and Jainism), and with local religious traditions.
Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include, among others: the Soma rituals; Fire rituals involving oblations (havir); and the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) The rites of grave burials as well as cremation are seen since the Rigvedic period. Deities emphasized in the Vedic religion include Indra, Agni and Varuna. Important ethical concepts are satya and ṛta.
(4) King Ajatashatru:
Ajatashatru (Sanskrit: Ajātaśatru, Pāli: Ajātasattu; 492 to 460 BCE or early 5th century BCE) was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in East India. He was the son of King Bimbisara and was a contemporary of both Mahavira (Nigantha Nataputta) and Gautama Buddha. He forcefully took over the kingdom of Magadha from his father and imprisoned him. He fought a war against Vajji, ruled by the Lichchhavis, and conquered the republic of Vesali.
Ajatashatru followed policies of conquest and expansion. He defeated his neighbours including the king of Kosala; his brothers, when at odds with him, went to Kashi, which had been given to Bimbisara as dowry. This led to a war between Magadha and Kosala. Ajatashatru occupied Kashi and captured the smaller kingdoms. Magadha under Ajatashatru became the most powerful kingdom in North India.
He is the inventor of two weapons used in war called rathamusala (Scythed chariot) and mahashilakantaka (engine for ejecting big stones).
Explanation:
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