2023 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I
Question 44: History and Culture
Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
aKings employing women bodyguards
bLearned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
cYoung girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
dA king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Vattakirutal, found in Sangam poems, was the practice in which a defeated king sat facing north and starved himself to death, seeking an honourable end rather than live with shame. Women bodyguards, assemblies of scholars at royal courts and girls guarding millet fields (a theme of love poetry) are other features of Sangam literature but are not vattakirutal.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Women bodyguards are a separate feature of royal courts.
- (b) Scholars' assemblies refer to court literary gatherings, not this practice.
- (c) Girls guarding fields is a theme of Sangam love poems.
- (d) Correct: a defeated king fasting to death is vattakirutal.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.