UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies

Question 85: History and Culture

Assertion (A): The Aham and Puram poems of the Padinen Kilukanakku group formed a continuation of the Sangam composition. Reason (R): They were included under the Post-Sangam works as against the Sangam works proper.

aBoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

bBoth A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A

cA is true, but R is false

dA is false, but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (a).

The Padinenkilkanakku, the eighteen minor works that include the Tirukkural, belong to the period after the Sangam anthologies (Ettuthogai) and the ten idylls (Pattuppattu), and are classed as Post-Sangam. The question treats their Aham (love) and Puram (heroic and public) themes as carrying on the Sangam tradition, and the Post-Sangam label in R is why they are called a continuation of the Sangam composition.

A. The Padinenkilkanakku poems are taken as continuing the Sangam composition.
R. They are classed as Post-Sangam works, as against the Sangam works proper, which explains A.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: both are true, and R explains why the works are called a continuation.
(b) R does give the reason for A, so it is a correct explanation.
(c) R is true, so it cannot be called false.
(d) A is true, so it cannot be called false.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.