Zenith Point RAS class notes Archives - Page 21 of 92

RAS Pre Exam solved Paper 1996

1. British were able to supress the uprising of 1875 in rajaput state because: A. The local Rajput rulars did not support revolutionary. B. The educated middle class support the british C. The soldiers in contonments were not prepared to accept leadership of revolutionary from outside rajasthan D. News papers coul not project the true … Read more RAS Pre Exam solved Paper 1996

Daily current affair 11 October 2015

Qutub Minar UNESCO World Heritage site is 72.5 metre hiegh constructed with red and buff sandstone it was constructed by qutubuddin Aibak in 1199 for the use of muazzin (crier to give call for prayers)and his Sun En-law samsuddin added 3 more storeys Begging bowl Presently in Afghanistan is believed to have been used … Read more Daily current affair 11 October 2015

current electricity

Current Electricity Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge through a conducting medium with respect to time. It is caused by drift of free electrons through a conductor to a particular direction.Charges in motion constitute an electric current. Such currents occur naturally in many situations. Lightning is one such phenomenon in which … Read more current electricity

Main centers for Handicraft

THEWA ART The art of setting gold on glass is known as Thewa Art. Thewa is a rare and distinct skill of RajasthaniRajsonia of Pratapgarh. Necklace sets,pillboxes,photoframes,pendent,earings are main products. SANDAL WOOD CARVING Based on ivory crafts shifted to sandalwood items. Beautiful carved work and wonderful finishing makesd this craft worldwide … Read more Main centers for Handicraft

Rajasthan : History of Mevar

Mewar primarily covers the south Western region of Rajasthan, bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Consisting of the districts of Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh and Udaipur, it is flanked by the Aravallis in the North West, and the southern region is mostly hilly, dotted with forests. The region’s rather rugged landscape could have played a role … Read more Rajasthan : History of Mevar

Structure, relief and physiographic divisions Three Geological divisions: 1. The peninsular block 2. The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains 3. Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain • Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: 1. The Northern and North-eastern Mountains 2. The Northern Plain 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of the Great Himalayan range: 2500 KM. Width: 160-400 KM Impact of Himalayas on the climate of India? It can be divided into five sub-divisions: 1. Kashmir (or Northwestern) Himalayas 2. Himachal and Uttaranchal Himalayas 3. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas 4. Arunachal Himalayas 5. Eastern Hills and Mountains Kashmir Himalayas • Ranges: Karakoram, Ladhakh, Zaskar, Pir Pinjal • Glaciers: Baltoro, Siachen • Passes: Zoji La (Great Himalayas), Banihal (Pir Pinjal), Photu La (Zaskar) and Khardung La (Ladakh) • Lakes: (freshwater) Dal and Wular; (saltwater) Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri • Pilgrimage: Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Cave, Charar-e-Sharif • They are also famous for Karewa formations which are useful for the cultivation of Zafran (a local variety of Saffron). Karewas are the thick deposits of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. • Kashmir is located on the banks of Jhelum river. • Meanders is a typical feature associated with the rivers in this region. • In South, there are longitudinal valleys called duns; Jammu dun and Pathankot dun Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas • Lies between rivers Ravi and Kali • Drained by two major river systems: Indus and Ganga • Northernmost part is an extension of the Ladakh desert, lies in Spiti. • Ranges: Great Himalayan Range, Lesser Himalayas (Dhaoladhar in HP and Nagtibha in Uttarakhand), Shivalik range • Pilgrimage: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and the five famous prayags (Refer to Panch Prayag) • Famous for hill stations: Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Shimla, Kaosani; Cantt.: Kasauli, Almora, Lansdowne, Ranikhet • The important distinguishing features of this area are the ‘Shivalik’ and ‘Dun formations’. • Important duns: Chandigarh-Kalka, Nalagarh, Dehra, Harike, Kota • Dehradun is the largest of all duns: Length – 35-45 KM, Width: 22-25 KM • Inhabited with the Bhotia They migrate to higher reaches (Bugyals) in summer and return to the valleys during winters. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas • Between Nepal Himalayas and Bhutan Himalayas. • Fast flowing rivers such as Tista • Peaks: Kanchenjunga • Tribe: Lepcha • Has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. • Importance: Due to the moderate slope, it is best suited for tea plantations. • Duar formations are peculiar to this region. Arunachal Himalayas • From Bhutan Himalayas to Diphu pass in the east. • Direction: Southwest to Northeast • Peaks: Kangtu and Namya Barwa • Rivers: Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang, Dibang and Lohit. • These rivers are perennial and have the highest hydro-electric power potential in the country. • Tribes: Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and Nagas • These communities practice shifting cultivation known as Jhumming. Eastern Hills and Mountains • Direction: North to South • Ranges: Patkai Bum, Naga hills, Manipur hills, Mizo or Lushai hills • These are low hills • Tribes practice Jhum cultivation • Rivers: Barak. Most of the Nagaland rivers form a tributary of Brahmaputra. Rivers in eastern Manipur are the tributaries of Chindwin, which in turn is a tributary of the Irrawady of Myanmar. • Lake: Loktak • Loktak Lake: is an important lake in Manipur which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Also called the only Floating Lake in the world due to floating masses of organic matter on it. It serves as a source for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. • Keibul Kamjao National Park located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur is the only floating park in the world and is an integral part of the Loktak Lake. Home to the endangered Manipur Eld’s Deer or Brow-antlered Deer or Sangai or Dancing Deer. • Mizoram is also known as the ‘Molassis basin’ which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits. The Northern Plains • Formed by the alluvial deposits of rivers – Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. • Length: 3200 KM; Width: 150-300 KM Three main zones: 1. Bhabar 2. Tarai 3. Alluvial Plains (Khadar and Bangar) Bhabar • Narrow belt. 8-10 KM wide. • Paralllel to Shivalik at the break-up of the slope. Hence, streams and rivers deposit heavy rocks (and at times disappear) in this zone. Tarai • South of Bhabar. 10-20 KM wide. • Rivers re-emerge and create marshy and swampy conditions known as Tarai. Alluvial Belt • South of Tarai. • Features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, ox-bow lakes and braided channels. Riverine islands in Brahmaputra. • Brahmaputra takes a turn an almost 90 degree turn at Dhubri (Assam) before entering Bangladesh. Peninsular Plateau • Bounded by the Delhi ridge, Rajmahal Hills, Gir range and Cardamom hills. • Made up of a series of patland plateaus: Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore, Karnataka etc. • One of the oldest and most stable landmass of India. • Physiographic Features: Tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, hummocky hills and quartzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage. • Black soil in western and northwestern parts. • Bhima fault in this region has frequent seismic activity (Lathur earthquake) • NW part also has ravines and gorges: Chambal, Bhind and Morena. Three broad regions: 1. Deccan Plateau 2. Central Highlands 3. Northwestern Plateau Deccan Plateau • Bordered by Eastern Ghats, Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills • Important ranges: WG: Sahyadri, Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Caradamom hills; EG: Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala Hills, Mahendragiri hills • EG and WG meet at Nilgiri hills. • Highest peak: Anaimudi (2695 m) on Anaimalai hills; Dodabetta (2637 m) on Nilgiri hills. • Rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc. Central Highlands • Bounded by the Aravali and Satpura range. • Relic mountains, highly denuded and form discontinuous ranges. • Near Jaisalmer it is covered by the longitudinal sand ridges and crescent-shaped sand dunes called barchans. • Elevation: 700-1000 m • Banas, a tributary of Chambal, originates in the Aravalli. Other tributaries of Yamuna originate from the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges. • Minerals in Chotanagpur plateau. Northeastern Plateau • Extension of the main Peninsular plateau. • Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateau. • Megahalaya plateau: Garo hills, Khasi hills and Jaintia hills (named after the tribals inhabiting the region) • Rich in minerals like coal, iron, sillimanite, limestone and uranium. • Receives maximum rainfall from SW monsoon. Hence, Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapuni and Myswarnam. Indian Desert • Aka Marusthali • Northwest of the Aravali hills • Dotted with longitudinal dunes and barchans. • Low rainfall: >150 mm per year Low vegetation cover • Evidence that this area was under the sea during the Mesozoic era. • Features: mushroom rocks, shifting dunes and oasis. • Rivers are ephemeral: Luni. Brackish lakes. Inland drainage. Coastal Plains Two divisions: 1. Western coastal plains 2. Eastern Coastal Plains Western Coastal Plains • Submerged coastal plain. Hence, a narrow belt. Narrow in middle and broader towards north and south. • Ports: Provides natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours due to submergence. Kandla, Mazagaon (Mumbai), JLN port Navha Sheva, Maramagao, Mangalore, Cochin etc. • Mumbai has the world’s largest natural harbour. • May be divided into: Kachchh and Kathiawar coast in Gujarat, Konkan coast, Goan coast and Malabar coast. • Rivers don’t form delta. • Kayals (Backwaters): Found in the Malabar coast. Used for fishing and inland navigation. Every year Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala. Eastern Coastal Plains • Broader • Emergent coast. Hence, less number of ports and harbours. Chennai, Vizag, Paradwip, Haldia. • Delta formation The Islands Two major Divisions: 1. Andaman and Nicobar 2. Lakshwadeep & Minicoy Andaman and Nicobar • Two major island groups: Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth island. • The group is divided into: Andaman in the North and Nicobar in the South. • Andaman and Nicobar separated by the Ten Degree channel. • Barren Island • Peaks: Saddle Peak (N.Andaman – 738 m), Mt. Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mt. Koyob (S Andaman – 460 m) and Mt. Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m) • Coral deposits found • Convectional rainfalls and equatorial type of vegetation. Lakshadweep and Minicoy • Entire group built of coral deposits. • Total of 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. • Smallest UT • Minicoy is the largest island • Separated by the 9 Degree Channel, north of which is the Amini Island and to the south Canannore island. • These islands have storm beaches consisting of unconsolidated pebbles, shingles, cobbles and boulders.

Three Geological divisions: The peninsular block The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: The Northern and North-eastern Mountains The Northern Plain The Peninsular Plateau The Indian Desert The Coastal Plains The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of … Read more Structure, relief and physiographic divisions Three Geological divisions: 1. The peninsular block 2. The Himalayas and other Peninsular Mountains 3. Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain • Peninsualar block is made of gneisses (metamorphic) and granites (igneous). Six physiographic divisions: 1. The Northern and North-eastern Mountains 2. The Northern Plain 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands Northern and North-Eastern Mountains Approximate length of the Great Himalayan range: 2500 KM. Width: 160-400 KM Impact of Himalayas on the climate of India? It can be divided into five sub-divisions: 1. Kashmir (or Northwestern) Himalayas 2. Himachal and Uttaranchal Himalayas 3. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas 4. Arunachal Himalayas 5. Eastern Hills and Mountains Kashmir Himalayas • Ranges: Karakoram, Ladhakh, Zaskar, Pir Pinjal • Glaciers: Baltoro, Siachen • Passes: Zoji La (Great Himalayas), Banihal (Pir Pinjal), Photu La (Zaskar) and Khardung La (Ladakh) • Lakes: (freshwater) Dal and Wular; (saltwater) Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri • Pilgrimage: Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Cave, Charar-e-Sharif • They are also famous for Karewa formations which are useful for the cultivation of Zafran (a local variety of Saffron). Karewas are the thick deposits of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. • Kashmir is located on the banks of Jhelum river. • Meanders is a typical feature associated with the rivers in this region. • In South, there are longitudinal valleys called duns; Jammu dun and Pathankot dun Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas • Lies between rivers Ravi and Kali • Drained by two major river systems: Indus and Ganga • Northernmost part is an extension of the Ladakh desert, lies in Spiti. • Ranges: Great Himalayan Range, Lesser Himalayas (Dhaoladhar in HP and Nagtibha in Uttarakhand), Shivalik range • Pilgrimage: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and the five famous prayags (Refer to Panch Prayag) • Famous for hill stations: Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Shimla, Kaosani; Cantt.: Kasauli, Almora, Lansdowne, Ranikhet • The important distinguishing features of this area are the ‘Shivalik’ and ‘Dun formations’. • Important duns: Chandigarh-Kalka, Nalagarh, Dehra, Harike, Kota • Dehradun is the largest of all duns: Length – 35-45 KM, Width: 22-25 KM • Inhabited with the Bhotia They migrate to higher reaches (Bugyals) in summer and return to the valleys during winters. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas • Between Nepal Himalayas and Bhutan Himalayas. • Fast flowing rivers such as Tista • Peaks: Kanchenjunga • Tribe: Lepcha • Has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. • Importance: Due to the moderate slope, it is best suited for tea plantations. • Duar formations are peculiar to this region. Arunachal Himalayas • From Bhutan Himalayas to Diphu pass in the east. • Direction: Southwest to Northeast • Peaks: Kangtu and Namya Barwa • Rivers: Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang, Dibang and Lohit. • These rivers are perennial and have the highest hydro-electric power potential in the country. • Tribes: Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and Nagas • These communities practice shifting cultivation known as Jhumming. Eastern Hills and Mountains • Direction: North to South • Ranges: Patkai Bum, Naga hills, Manipur hills, Mizo or Lushai hills • These are low hills • Tribes practice Jhum cultivation • Rivers: Barak. Most of the Nagaland rivers form a tributary of Brahmaputra. Rivers in eastern Manipur are the tributaries of Chindwin, which in turn is a tributary of the Irrawady of Myanmar. • Lake: Loktak • Loktak Lake: is an important lake in Manipur which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Also called the only Floating Lake in the world due to floating masses of organic matter on it. It serves as a source for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. • Keibul Kamjao National Park located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur is the only floating park in the world and is an integral part of the Loktak Lake. Home to the endangered Manipur Eld’s Deer or Brow-antlered Deer or Sangai or Dancing Deer. • Mizoram is also known as the ‘Molassis basin’ which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits. The Northern Plains • Formed by the alluvial deposits of rivers – Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. • Length: 3200 KM; Width: 150-300 KM Three main zones: 1. Bhabar 2. Tarai 3. Alluvial Plains (Khadar and Bangar) Bhabar • Narrow belt. 8-10 KM wide. • Paralllel to Shivalik at the break-up of the slope. Hence, streams and rivers deposit heavy rocks (and at times disappear) in this zone. Tarai • South of Bhabar. 10-20 KM wide. • Rivers re-emerge and create marshy and swampy conditions known as Tarai. Alluvial Belt • South of Tarai. • Features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, ox-bow lakes and braided channels. Riverine islands in Brahmaputra. • Brahmaputra takes a turn an almost 90 degree turn at Dhubri (Assam) before entering Bangladesh. Peninsular Plateau • Bounded by the Delhi ridge, Rajmahal Hills, Gir range and Cardamom hills. • Made up of a series of patland plateaus: Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore, Karnataka etc. • One of the oldest and most stable landmass of India. • Physiographic Features: Tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, hummocky hills and quartzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage. • Black soil in western and northwestern parts. • Bhima fault in this region has frequent seismic activity (Lathur earthquake) • NW part also has ravines and gorges: Chambal, Bhind and Morena. Three broad regions: 1. Deccan Plateau 2. Central Highlands 3. Northwestern Plateau Deccan Plateau • Bordered by Eastern Ghats, Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills • Important ranges: WG: Sahyadri, Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Caradamom hills; EG: Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala Hills, Mahendragiri hills • EG and WG meet at Nilgiri hills. • Highest peak: Anaimudi (2695 m) on Anaimalai hills; Dodabetta (2637 m) on Nilgiri hills. • Rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc. Central Highlands • Bounded by the Aravali and Satpura range. • Relic mountains, highly denuded and form discontinuous ranges. • Near Jaisalmer it is covered by the longitudinal sand ridges and crescent-shaped sand dunes called barchans. • Elevation: 700-1000 m • Banas, a tributary of Chambal, originates in the Aravalli. Other tributaries of Yamuna originate from the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges. • Minerals in Chotanagpur plateau. Northeastern Plateau • Extension of the main Peninsular plateau. • Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateau. • Megahalaya plateau: Garo hills, Khasi hills and Jaintia hills (named after the tribals inhabiting the region) • Rich in minerals like coal, iron, sillimanite, limestone and uranium. • Receives maximum rainfall from SW monsoon. Hence, Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapuni and Myswarnam. Indian Desert • Aka Marusthali • Northwest of the Aravali hills • Dotted with longitudinal dunes and barchans. • Low rainfall: >150 mm per year Low vegetation cover • Evidence that this area was under the sea during the Mesozoic era. • Features: mushroom rocks, shifting dunes and oasis. • Rivers are ephemeral: Luni. Brackish lakes. Inland drainage. Coastal Plains Two divisions: 1. Western coastal plains 2. Eastern Coastal Plains Western Coastal Plains • Submerged coastal plain. Hence, a narrow belt. Narrow in middle and broader towards north and south. • Ports: Provides natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours due to submergence. Kandla, Mazagaon (Mumbai), JLN port Navha Sheva, Maramagao, Mangalore, Cochin etc. • Mumbai has the world’s largest natural harbour. • May be divided into: Kachchh and Kathiawar coast in Gujarat, Konkan coast, Goan coast and Malabar coast. • Rivers don’t form delta. • Kayals (Backwaters): Found in the Malabar coast. Used for fishing and inland navigation. Every year Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala. Eastern Coastal Plains • Broader • Emergent coast. Hence, less number of ports and harbours. Chennai, Vizag, Paradwip, Haldia. • Delta formation The Islands Two major Divisions: 1. Andaman and Nicobar 2. Lakshwadeep & Minicoy Andaman and Nicobar • Two major island groups: Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth island. • The group is divided into: Andaman in the North and Nicobar in the South. • Andaman and Nicobar separated by the Ten Degree channel. • Barren Island • Peaks: Saddle Peak (N.Andaman – 738 m), Mt. Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mt. Koyob (S Andaman – 460 m) and Mt. Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m) • Coral deposits found • Convectional rainfalls and equatorial type of vegetation. Lakshadweep and Minicoy • Entire group built of coral deposits. • Total of 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. • Smallest UT • Minicoy is the largest island • Separated by the 9 Degree Channel, north of which is the Amini Island and to the south Canannore island. • These islands have storm beaches consisting of unconsolidated pebbles, shingles, cobbles and boulders.

Religious Movements, Saints& Lok devtas of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan is blessed with multi-religious society and all the religions found in the country are practiced in Rajasthan in Harmony to each other. Vedic Religion has been practiced in the state since ancient times and worship of sun has been center of religious practice for several communities. Religious movements in Hinduism:- Ancient vedic religion was … Read more Religious Movements, Saints& Lok devtas of Rajasthan.

Noise Pollution

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). An increase of about 10 dB is approximately double the increase in loudness. A person’s hearing can be damaged if exposed to noise levels over 75 dB over a prolonged period of time. The World Health Organization recommends that the sound level indoors should be less than 30 … Read more Noise Pollution

Sanskritization

Sanskritization Sanskritization or Sanskritisation is a particular form of social change found in India. It denotes the process by which castes placed lower in the caste hierarchy seek upward mobility by emulating the rituals and practices of the upper or dominant castes. It is a process by which a low caste or a tribe or … Read more Sanskritization

The Guptas : Extent of empire; development of language and Literature, art St architecture during the Gupta period.

The Gupta Empire stretched across northern, central and parts of southern India between c. 320 and 550 CE. The period is noted for its achievements in the arts, architecture, sciences, religion, and philosophy. Chandragupta I (320 – 335 CE) started a rapid expansion of the Gupta Empire and soon established himself as the first sovereign ruler of the empire. It marked the end of 500 hundred … Read more The Guptas : Extent of empire; development of language and Literature, art St architecture during the Gupta period.