Question 1 · 10 marks · 828 words written
Opening
Political & economic history of ancient India is deciphered from sources like architecture, literature and art forms which include numismatic evidences.
Body · points and prose
Role of Numismatic evidences.
Political History
a) Symbol of authority usually depicted on coins eg) Indo-Greek first to issue coins → shows first wave of immigration of foreign rulers.
b) shows centralised administration → with uniformity of issues eg) Kushan empire issued gold coins which was found in most of their ruled areas.
c) Interaction with outside Political entity → presence of coins issued in particular kingdom found in other civilizations & kingdoms both domestically & Internationally
Economic History
(1) level of economic development showcased through type of coins issued
(eg) Gupta period golden age coincide with largest amount of gold coin issued whereas, their decline coincided with silver & copper coin
(2) Level of trade & trading of specific goods & services → for eg. agriculture was mostly traded based on barter system whereas ores precious metals on coins.
(3) Number of coins issued & purity also showcased richness & wealth of kingdom
(eg) Kushan empire believed to issued most pure gold coins.
Numismatic evidences thus provide idea of economic & political history along with society, culture & International relations of these ancient times.
At the heights of cold war between NATO Allies and USSR, the newly Independent nation chose the policy of non-alignment.
Non-Alignment reflected aspirations
- Focus on addressing critical challenges of poverty, mass illiteracy, etc.
- Nascent stage of democracy thus focussed on sustaining it rather than getting involved in external affairs.
- Wanted to derive benefits from both side eg. Egypt after suez war.
- Threat of losing freedom as past wars fought on basis of imperialism
- Wanted to create new world order, of multi polar world where voice of global south was heard.
India has gradually shifted from policy of non-alignment to multi-alignment in era of cold war 2.0 to protect its aspirations and interest.
India is the largest producer of sugar in world surpassing Brazil. However, the production is regionally concentrated in mainly North India and Peninsular (western & southern India).
Primary Factors for Regional Disparities
- Climate factors such as temperature & precipitation
- southern belt → tropical climate & thus longer growing season
- High sucrose content in peninsular belt
② Market factor → both domestic & export market due to easy access to ports → eg. JNPT & Mangalore port to export to Africa & Middle east.
③ Cooperative culture → success of cooperatives in southern & western India → economies of scale.
④ Irrigation infrastructure → Western Eastern UP & Bihar → rainfed, whereas Marathwada & K-G basin → canals & lift irrigation eg. Polavaram project.
⑤ Forward linkages → large number of sugar processing centers and food processing industry in peninsular states, whereas old mills in UP belt.
Measures to Reduce surplus Production
① Reduce Fair & Remunerative price for sugar procurement
② Market Inteligence support to farmers with the help of AI & web based portal.
③ Ethanol blending of petrol & disel ↳ India import 80% of its fuel needs.
④ Alchol, cosmetic Industry → diversion of sugar for diversifying of sectors → Non-farm employment in rural areas.
⑤ Promotion of mixed farming → dry regions of interior peninsula suitable for multicropping along with livestock thus increased income of farmers.
⑥ Promotion of food processing Industries for value addition and exports.
⑦ Export focus → India is still not the largest exporter of sugar despite largest producer.
There is need for introducing conservation agriculture in sugar regions as it is prone to threats of climate change (droughts) as it is very water intensive crop.
According to World Economic forum India has dropped 28 places in Global Gender gap report whose root cause lies in manifestation of patriarchal values.
Role of Patriarchal values in gender based violence
Gender stereotyping → such as dressing choice of: women seen as provocative & non-provocative. eg. Increasing rape violence according to NCRB report where 99% cases are unreported.
Burden of Household work → women are seen as responsible for unpaid work & thus lack of work on women saftey outside home. ↳ FLFPR only 23% (global average >37%)
(3) Marital rape & Domestic violence → women seen as property of men after marriage → 33% women aged 19-49 reported case of marital rape atleast once
(4) Cyber bullying → women's opinion is mocked on serious matter online eg. Palki sharma case.
(5) Honour killing → women seen as responsibility of men → Khap panchayat, bride burning, etc.
Role of law in women empowerment
Way forward
Societal changes → through awareness & Education programs (eg. Balika Vadhu, Pink movie
Encouragement to SHGS → who raises gender issues in rural areas
Review of existing legislations: Juvenile Justice Act, Rape laws, etc.
Close · a way forward
PM Modi on 15th August 2023 advocated for women led development where we need to first focus on violence less society for women.