SPPMMC TEAM - Quizzes (S/P) - Part 4

Dantidurga, also known as Dantivarman II, is recognized as the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire. In the mid-8th century CE (around 753 CE), he led a successful revolt against the Badami Chalukyas, who were his erstwhile overlords, and established the independent Rashtrakuta kingdom with its capital initially in the Gulbarga region of Karnataka. His decisive victory over Chalukya Kirtivarman II marked the beginning of the Rashtrakuta ascendancy, ushering in a significant period of their rule in South and parts of Central India.

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Dantidurga, also known as Dantivarman II, is recognized as the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire. In the mid-8th century CE (around 753 CE), he led a successful revolt against the Badami Chalukyas, who were his erstwhile overlords, and established the independent Rashtrakuta kingdom with its capital initially in the Gulbarga region of Karnataka. His decisive victory over Chalukya Kirtivarman II marked the beginning of the Rashtrakuta ascendancy, ushering in a significant period of their rule in South and parts of Central India.

The ancient Indian text "Rasaratnakara" (meaning "Ocean of Mercury" or "Jewel Mine of Mercury"), which delves into the intricacies of alchemy, metallurgy, and chemistry, is widely attributed to the Indian metallurgist and chemist Nagarjuna. This work is significant for detailing processes like the extraction of various metals including gold, silver, tin, and copper. While there can be some historical ambiguity due to multiple individuals bearing the name Nagarjuna and other texts with similar titles (like a 13th-century work by Nityanatha Siddha), the most prominent "Rasaratnakara" in the context of ancient Indian chemistry is associated with Nagarjuna, often placed around the 8th century AD.

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The ancient Indian text "Rasaratnakara" (meaning "Ocean of Mercury" or "Jewel Mine of Mercury"), which delves into the intricacies of alchemy, metallurgy, and chemistry, is widely attributed to the Indian metallurgist and chemist Nagarjuna. This work is significant for detailing processes like the extraction of various metals including gold, silver, tin, and copper. While there can be some historical ambiguity due to multiple individuals bearing the name Nagarjuna and other texts with similar titles (like a 13th-century work by Nityanatha Siddha), the most prominent "Rasaratnakara" in the context of ancient Indian chemistry is associated with Nagarjuna, often placed around the 8th century AD.

Simhavishnu was a significant king of the Pallava dynasty, reigning in South India during the late 6th century CE (approximately 575-600 CE). He is widely credited with the revival and expansion of the Pallava power, establishing their dominance in the region and laying the foundation for what is often referred to as the "Greater Pallavas." His title "Avanisimha," meaning "Lion of the Earth," signifies his military prowess and his role in consolidating the Pallava kingdom by defeating various contemporary powers like the Kalabhras and extending his rule south of Kanchipuram up to the Kaveri River. He was also a patron of arts and literature, and his reign marked the beginning of a significant period in Pallava history.

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Simhavishnu was a significant king of the Pallava dynasty, reigning in South India during the late 6th century CE (approximately 575-600 CE). He is widely credited with the revival and expansion of the Pallava power, establishing their dominance in the region and laying the foundation for what is often referred to as the "Greater Pallavas." His title "Avanisimha," meaning "Lion of the Earth," signifies his military prowess and his role in consolidating the Pallava kingdom by defeating various contemporary powers like the Kalabhras and extending his rule south of Kanchipuram up to the Kaveri River. He was also a patron of arts and literature, and his reign marked the beginning of a significant period in Pallava history.

Banawali, an archaeological site located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, India, is a significant Indus Valley Civilization settlement. Among its numerous findings, a terracotta model of a plough (which creates furrows) stands out as crucial evidence for understanding the agricultural practices of the Harappan people. While a ploughed field with furrows has been discovered at Kalibangan, the actual clay model of the plough itself was found at Banawali, providing direct insight into the tools used for tilling the land during that ancient period.

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Banawali, an archaeological site located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, India, is a significant Indus Valley Civilization settlement. Among its numerous findings, a terracotta model of a plough (which creates furrows) stands out as crucial evidence for understanding the agricultural practices of the Harappan people. While a ploughed field with furrows has been discovered at Kalibangan, the actual clay model of the plough itself was found at Banawali, providing direct insight into the tools used for tilling the land during that ancient period.

Arundhati Roy made history as the first Indian woman to be awarded the Man Booker Prize. She received this esteemed literary award in 1997 for her powerful and acclaimed debut novel, "The God of Small Things." Her work brought significant international recognition to Indian English literature.

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Arundhati Roy made history as the first Indian woman to be awarded the Man Booker Prize. She received this esteemed literary award in 1997 for her powerful and acclaimed debut novel, "The God of Small Things." Her work brought significant international recognition to Indian English literature.

The vibrant yellow color of a ripe papaya is primarily attributed to the presence of carotenoid (caricaxanthin) pigments. As the fruit ripens, the green chlorophyll, which is dominant in unripe fruits, breaks down. Simultaneously, specialized cell organelles called chromoplasts synthesize and accumulate these yellow and orange carotenoids, such as caricaxanthin and beta-carotene. These pigments are responsible for a wide range of yellow, orange, and red hues found in many fruits and vegetables.

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The vibrant yellow color of a ripe papaya is primarily attributed to the presence of carotenoid (caricaxanthin) pigments. As the fruit ripens, the green chlorophyll, which is dominant in unripe fruits, breaks down. Simultaneously, specialized cell organelles called chromoplasts synthesize and accumulate these yellow and orange carotenoids, such as caricaxanthin and beta-carotene. These pigments are responsible for a wide range of yellow, orange, and red hues found in many fruits and vegetables.

Astronomy is a natural science that involves the scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, galaxies, and nebulae), the universe as a whole, and the phenomena that originate beyond Earth's atmosphere. It uses principles of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to understand their origin, evolution, physical and chemical properties, and behavior. While cosmology is a branch of astronomy that focuses on the universe's origin, evolution, and large-scale structure, astronomy encompasses the broader study of all extraterrestrial objects and phenomena.

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Astronomy is a natural science that involves the scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, galaxies, and nebulae), the universe as a whole, and the phenomena that originate beyond Earth's atmosphere. It uses principles of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to understand their origin, evolution, physical and chemical properties, and behavior. While cosmology is a branch of astronomy that focuses on the universe's origin, evolution, and large-scale structure, astronomy encompasses the broader study of all extraterrestrial objects and phenomena.

The Equator is the unique imaginary line on Earth where days and nights are of nearly equal length (approximately 12 hours each) every single day of the year. This phenomenon occurs because the Equator is always positioned perpendicular to the Sun's rays, regardless of Earth's tilt on its axis as it orbits the Sun. The line that divides the illuminated half of the Earth from the dark half (the terminator) consistently bisects the Equator almost perfectly, ensuring a consistent balance between daylight and darkness. This contrasts sharply with other latitudes, especially those closer to the poles, where day and night lengths vary significantly with the seasons.

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The Equator is the unique imaginary line on Earth where days and nights are of nearly equal length (approximately 12 hours each) every single day of the year. This phenomenon occurs because the Equator is always positioned perpendicular to the Sun's rays, regardless of Earth's tilt on its axis as it orbits the Sun. The line that divides the illuminated half of the Earth from the dark half (the terminator) consistently bisects the Equator almost perfectly, ensuring a consistent balance between daylight and darkness. This contrasts sharply with other latitudes, especially those closer to the poles, where day and night lengths vary significantly with the seasons.

Indian Railways is widely regarded as the largest public sector undertaking (PSU) in India. Its distinction comes not just from its significant contribution to the economy but primarily from its vast operational network, which spans across the entire country, and its status as one of the world's largest employers (with over 1.2 million employees). It is the backbone of India's transport infrastructure, facilitating both passenger and freight movement on a massive scale. While other PSUs might lead in terms of revenue (like IOCL or ONGC) or market capitalization (like SBI), Indian Railways' sheer scale of operations and human resource base makes it the single largest public sector entity.

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Indian Railways is widely regarded as the largest public sector undertaking (PSU) in India. Its distinction comes not just from its significant contribution to the economy but primarily from its vast operational network, which spans across the entire country, and its status as one of the world's largest employers (with over 1.2 million employees). It is the backbone of India's transport infrastructure, facilitating both passenger and freight movement on a massive scale. While other PSUs might lead in terms of revenue (like IOCL or ONGC) or market capitalization (like SBI), Indian Railways' sheer scale of operations and human resource base makes it the single largest public sector entity.

Sericulture is the cultivation of silkworms for the production of silk. The most widely practiced form of sericulture, known as mulberry sericulture, relies entirely on the Mulberry plant (Morus spp.). The silkworm species Bombyx mori, responsible for producing the majority of commercial silk, feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves. The quality and abundance of mulberry leaves are crucial factors directly influencing the health of the silkworms and, consequently, the yield and quality of the silk cocoons. While other plants like Castor, Oak, and Som are food sources for different, less common types of silkworms (Eri, Tasar, and Muga silk, respectively), Mulberry is the key plant for the predominant silk industry.

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Sericulture is the cultivation of silkworms for the production of silk. The most widely practiced form of sericulture, known as mulberry sericulture, relies entirely on the Mulberry plant (Morus spp.). The silkworm species Bombyx mori, responsible for producing the majority of commercial silk, feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves. The quality and abundance of mulberry leaves are crucial factors directly influencing the health of the silkworms and, consequently, the yield and quality of the silk cocoons. While other plants like Castor, Oak, and Som are food sources for different, less common types of silkworms (Eri, Tasar, and Muga silk, respectively), Mulberry is the key plant for the predominant silk industry.