INSPIRO KAS MAINS NOTES - General paper 1- Section 1- History & Cultural Heritage of India Part 1 with Previous year Topic wise Mains Questions, Detailed analysis of syllabus and explaining every topic based on the demand of the ever-changing kas exam pattern along with current affairs. So here we come with a comprehensive booklet to address the issues faced by aspirants in securing top marks in General Studies Paper-1, History & Cultural Heritage of India

Cultural Heritage of India
(i) Indus Civilization – Distinction between Indus Civilization and Vedic Civilization– Evolution of Varna,Jathi/caste system – Religious condition – emergence of religious movements.

(ii) Literature: Sanskrit Literature (Ancient) : Vedic Literature, the epics and the Puranas: their impact on the life and culture of the Indian People; Prose works on polity, ethics (neeti), popular stories and Pancha Tantra (only important works); Mughal contributions to literature.

(iii) Science and Technology: Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Physiology and Medicine (including Surgery), Ship-building, Mining and Metallurgy, Engineering and Architecture.
(iv) Arts (Excluding Karnataka): The Maurya and Gupta periods; The Khajuraho temples; Jain temples at Mount Abu and the Odishyan temples; Pallava, Chola and Pandyan contributions. The Mughal architecture; Cathedral architecture: Bom Jesus-Old Goa, St. Paul’s- Kolkata and St. Thomas- Chennai. Painting : Ajanta frescoes; Mughal and Rajput schools of painting. Dance and Music: Classical music and dance; Mughal contributions to music. Folk arts of India.
(v) India’s cultural contributions to the outside world: Central Asia, China, Japan, South-East Asia and Sri Lanka.
(vi) Religions of India-
(i) Hindu Dharma: General characteristics and some common beliefs – Purusharthas– rituals and ethics – festivals and sacred days – pilgrimage and fairs. Hindu sects: Hinduism as a federation of various sects – Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta. Philosophy of the Upanishad and the Bhagava- Gita – Yoga Philosophy of Pathanjali.
(ii) Jainism: Principles – Ratnatraya, code of morals, Equality (samana), Ahimsa,. Sects: Digambara and Swethambara.
(iii) Buddhism: Principles – Four noble truths, The Eight – fold path, Nirvana, Moral doctrines. Sects:Hinayana and Mahayana.
(iv) Christianity: Teachings of Jesus Christ. Christian doctrines and theology. Groups in Christianity –The Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern orthodox churches and the Protestants churches.Missionary activities in India.(v) Islam: Principles and practices – God, Confession of Faith, Five “Pillars of Islam”, sacred places and days, the family system and the shariah, Sufis of Karnataka, Sects: Shia and Sunni.
(vi) Sikhism: Principles and practices and its Evolution.