UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies
Question 38: History and Culture
Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List – I ( Finding / Invention / Calculation ) A. Time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun B. Calculation of the value of ‘pi’ C. Invention of the digit zero D. The game of snakes and ladders List – II ( Ancient Indian Scholar ) 1. Aryabhatta 2. Bhaskaracharya 3. Budhayana 4. Gyandev Code:
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Following the question's usual attributions, the length of the Earth's year is linked to Bhaskaracharya, an early value of pi to Baudhayana's Sulbasutra, the digit zero to Aryabhatta, and the game of snakes and ladders to the Maharashtra saint Gyandev (Dnyaneshwar). That gives A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4, which is code (b).
- A. Time of the Earth's orbit goes with Bhaskaracharya (2).
- B. The value of pi goes with Budhayana/Baudhayana (3).
- C. Invention of zero goes with Aryabhatta (1) in the question.
- D. Snakes and ladders goes with Gyandev (4).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Gets the Earth's orbit and zero right but swaps Baudhayana and Gyandev for pi and snakes and ladders.
- (b) Correct: A-Bhaskaracharya, B-Baudhayana, C-Aryabhatta, D-Gyandev.
- (c) Gets pi and the game right but swaps Aryabhatta and Bhaskaracharya for the orbit and zero.
- (d) Every pair is wrong.
Worth knowing: The attribution of zero to Aryabhatta follows textbook convention; historians credit Brahmagupta with the first rules for arithmetic with zero.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.