UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2023
UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2023
Introduction
Geographical factors such as rivers, coastlines, natural mineral resources, forests have played an important role in the development of Ancient India.
Body
It can be summarized as:
1. Rivers for development of IVC and Mahajan padas:
- rivers are the cradle of human settlements. They Provide fertile soil for grain cultivation, water resources for drinking and irrigation which eventually leads to flourishing of human settlement. E.g. Ganga and its tributaries for Mahajan padas in the plains, Indus for IVC in 2000 bc.
- Also decline of civilization and further expansion from west to east due to shifting of rivers. E.g. Sarasvati river drying up in 1900 b.c leading to decline
2. Forest and animal resources:
- Amplified the warfare and construction abilities of empires. E.g. Elephant unit of Nanda’s and Magadha from the dense forests of east India ensured their dominance in the Mahajan padas.
3. Mineral and metallic resources for the Mahajan padas:
- Discovery of iron and copper facilitated growth of Mahajan padas in north-India after 1000 b.c. The dominance of Magadha and avanti can be attributed to large resources of iron in chotanagpur plateau along with the Ganges for transportation and copper from khetri mines in matsya Mahajan pada.
4. Mountains and plateaus for the cholas:
- The presence of Vindhya’s and dense forest restricted the permanent expanse of cholas to the north. Therefore the only scope left was towards the south-Asian kingdoms and Sri Lanka. This led to trade, cultural and religious connections with south-east Asia. E.g. Buddhist and Hinduism traditions in southeast-Asia coherent with India.( Theravada school).
- Massive structures like the Brihadeesvara temple built with the hauling of large boulders by animals.
- The presence of Vindhya’s and dense forest restricted the permanent expanse of cholas to the north. Therefore the only scope left was towards the south-Asian kingdoms and Sri Lanka. This led to trade, cultural and religious connections with south-east Asia. E.g. Buddhist and Hinduism traditions in southeast-Asia coherent with India.( Theravada school).
- Massive structures like the Brihadeesvara temple built with the hauling of large boulders by animals.
5. Coastline and proximity to sea:
- Indented coastline provided natural ports and harbours facilitating international trade and communication. E.g. Muchiri for cheras and Poompuhar, Arikamedu for the cholas. Ports lead to socio-economic growth in the society along with maintaining diversity in culture as seen in the excavations in coastal states. The opulence and richness of these kingdoms were due to international trade.
6. Human resource as a factor:
- The adeptness in warfare tactics and the prowess in horse-riding, chariot-war led to the intrusion of west-Asian tribes into the subcontinent and subjugation of locals. The naval prowess of cholas ensured their dominance in south-east Asia during 1st millennium A.D.
Conclusion
Therefore it can be inferred that the geographical factors played an important role in the development of ancient India. The diversity and uniqueness in Indian history can be surely attributed to them.
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