With reference to the history of India, the 'Katapayadi system', the 'Parahita system' and the 'Drigganita system' are associated with
- A.astronomy
- B.surgery
- C.chemistry
- D.music and dance
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, astronomy. All three come from the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics.
Katapayadi is a way of writing numbers with letters, each consonant standing for a digit, so long astronomical tables could be memorised as verses. Parahita is a system of astronomical calculation introduced by Haridatta in Kerala around the 7th century to correct the figures inherited from Aryabhata. Drigganita, meaning 'calculation that agrees with observation', was devised by Vatasseri Parameshvara in the 15th century after decades of watching eclipses and planets, because the older Parahita values had drifted from what was seen in the sky.
B is wrong: Indian surgery is linked with Sushruta and the Sushruta Samhita, not with these systems.
C is wrong: ancient Indian chemistry (rasashastra) is linked with names like Nagarjuna, not these terms.
D is wrong: Katapayadi was later used to number the melakarta ragas, but the three systems together belong to astronomy, not to music and dance.
Exam tip: Kerala school = Haridatta (Parahita), Parameshvara (Drigganita), Madhava and Nilakantha; Katapayadi = letters as numbers.
Practice Questions
View allWhich of the following is/are important markers for the archaeologists to identify an archaeological site as a 'center of craft production'? 1. Evidence of raw materials such as stone nodules, whole shells, etc. 2. Geographical expanse of the site 3. Evidence of unfinished objects, rejects and waste material 4. Evidence of variety of pottery Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 4 only
- D.3 only
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Craft centres are recognised by raw material and by the leftovers of making things. Archaeologists studying Harappan sites look for raw materials such as stone nodules, whole shells and copper ore, for tools, and for unfinished objects, rejects and waste.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.Sharaf Qai was a minister of Allauddin Khalji
- B.Under Giyasuddin Tughluq Muqtis were warned not to ill-treat any of their officials for small amounts taken over and above their salaries
- C.The Arabic work Masalik-i-Absar gives description of the functioning of Iqta system under Muhammad bin Tughluq
- D.Marco Polo has not mentioned about Pearl Fishery of Tuticorin in South India
Show answer
Marco Polo did describe the pearl fishery of the Tuticorin coast, so the statement that he did not is wrong.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following was known as 'Lokhitwadi'?
- A.Keshub Chandra Sen
- B.Gopal Hari Deshmukh
- C.M.G. Ranade
- D.Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
Show answer
He wrote under the pen name 'Lokhitwadi', meaning one who speaks for the welfare of the people. Gopal Hari Deshmukh (1823–1892) was a Maharashtrian social reformer and writer.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Satavahanas ruled over parts of western India and the Deccan 2. The Satavahanas repaired and rebuilt Sudarshana Lake Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
The Satavahanas ruled the Deccan and parts of western India, but the Sudarshana Lake was repaired by others.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following commissions was not associated with public services in India?
- A.Aitchison Commission
- B.Islington Commission
- C.Lee Commission
- D.Radhakrishnan Commission
Show answer
It dealt with university education, not with the public services. The University Education Commission was set up in 1948 under Dr S. Radhakrishnan, who later became the second President of India.
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