Question 84 from UPSC CSE 2020 - ART & CULTURE

Question

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
1. Bhilsa - Madhya Pradesh
2. Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra
3. Girinagar - Gujarat
4. Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 and 3 only

Strategy: - Identify Bhilsa (ancient Vidisha) in Madhya Pradesh.
- Confirm Girinagar (Girnar) in Gujarat, making Pair 3 correct.
- Note Dwarasamudra (Halebidu) is in Karnataka, not Maharashtra, making Pair 2 incorrect.
- Recognize Sthanesvara (Thanesar) in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh, making Pair 4 incorrect.
- Based on these facts, select the option where only Pairs 1 and 3 are correct.

Key Info: ## Bhilsa
Also known as Besnagar or ancient Vidisha, this city is located in Madhya Pradesh. Vidisha was an important center during the Mauryan and Shunga periods, featuring archaeological remains such as the Heliodorus Pillar and Udayagiri caves. Referred to as Bhelsa or Bhilsa in medieval literature, it is noted for its association with Emperor Ashoka and the Shunga dynasty court.

## Dwarasamudra
This is the medieval name for present-day Halebidu, located in Karnataka. It served as the capital of the Hoysala dynasty from the 11th to the 14th centuries CE. The site is famous for the Hoysaleswara temple and other architectural remains. It was never located in Maharashtra.

## Girinagar
This refers to Girnar, a group of mountains near Junagadh in Gujarat. The area is a major pilgrimage site with Jain and Hindu temples, historically significant as 'Girinagar' or 'city on the hill'. Girnar hills find mention in ancient Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu texts.

## Sthanesvara
Also spelled as Sthaneshwar or Thanesar, this is the ancient name for a city in modern Haryana. It is a prominent pilgrimage center and was the capital of Harsha's kingdom in the 7th century. It is not situated in Uttar Pradesh.

Understanding the historical names and geography of Indian towns is crucial for Prelims, as many ancient sites have changed names over centuries and rulers.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 1 and 4 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 2 and 4 only

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Bhilsa - Madhya Pradesh Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra Girinagar - Gujarat Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Bhilsa - Madhya Pradesh

Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra

Girinagar - Gujarat

Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?