Friday, February 18, 2011

History - 6th standard - Kalabhras

They were the post Sangam rulers (300 AD to end of 600 AD)

Sangam age ended in mid 300 AD

Buddhism and Jainism spread in North India

Social ethics declined

DARK AGE

Post Sangam Literature:

  • Silapathikaram
  • Manimegalai
  • Pathinenkilkanakku
  • Thirukkural
  • Inna narpathu
  • Iniyavai narpathu
  • Naaladiyaar

History - 6th standard - Kalabhras

They were the post Sangam rulers (300 AD to end of 600 AD)

Sangam age ended in mid 300 AD

Buddhism and Jainism spread in North India

Social ethics declined

DARK AGE

Post Sangam Literature:

  • Silapathikaram
  • Manimegalai
  • Pathinenkilkanakku
  • Thirukkural
  • Inna narpathu
  • Iniyavai narpathu
  • Naaladiyaar

Thursday, February 17, 2011

History–6th Standard Greeks and Romans

Sangam literature refers Greeks and Romans as Yavanas

Greek & Roman writers referring to trade with South India in 100-200 AD:

  • Pliny
  • Ptolemy
  • Plutarch
  • Author of Periplus

Archeological Sources:

Arikamedu (near Pondicherry) excavations – Greek and Roman trade evidence

  • Greeks refer Arikamedu as PODUKE
  • Roman factory at Arikamedu – Coins, Porcelain jugs, tubs for dying clothes
  • Roman coins and Pottery 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Geography – 9th Standard (Standard IX) – Lesson 1 highlights

My apologies for not having posted for long. This is my post on 9th Standard Geography. I have covered the major points that have potential to appear in TNPSC Question paper. So I would say reading this as much equivalent to reading the social text book.

Lesson 1: The World we live in

  • Geographical area of world: 148 million sq kms (57 million sq miles)
  • Total countries : 193
  • Biggest Russia (17.08 million sq km or 6.593 million sq miles)
  • Smallest Vatican (0.44 sq kms)
  • Population – biggest : China (1.273 billion); 2nd largest India (1.03 billion)
  • Population – least : Vatican (890 people)

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Saidai Duraiswamy manidha neyam entrance exam 2011 answers key – Questions 51-100

Download the PDF of this model paper set 2 : acrobat_reader_50x50
1. Namdapha wildlife sanctuary is in
a) Arunachal Pradesh     b) Jharkhand     c) Madhya Pradesh    d) Uttar Pradesh
2. Pincode was introduced in
a) 1962      b) 1972     c) 1982        d) 1976
3. Which part of human body is not affected by cancer
a) Eye      b) Heart     c) Lungs      d) Brain
4. World’s hottest place
a) Alzeria   b) Azizyah   c) Jalta      d) Assal
5. Which bank introduced Credit card in India
a) ICICI      b) SBI        c) Indian Bank       d) Central Bank of India

TNPSC - Group II Advertisement

TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission) Group 1 Services application last date was 28-01-2011. I went to the office at Greams Road office to drop my application. There was an enormous amount of applications that have reached the office.  And as usual there was also this last minute rush to fill and drop the application forms.

So I thought I will write about the details of TNPSC Group II or CSSE I (Combined Subordinate Services Examination I) – details like the last date of application, the enclosures to be attached with the application are as below. Please see the notification advertisement attached here acrobat_reader_50x50

  • Last date to submit the application: 11-02-2011
  • DD amount : Rs.100

List of enclosures to be attached with the application:

Please note that only XEROX copies are to be sent along with the application.

  • 10th Marksheet (or any proof of age)
  • Community Certificate
  • All marksheets (10th, 12th, Diploma, UG, PG)
  • Evidence to show education in tamil language (12th certificate if tamil was second language)
  • Conduct certificate from Group A or B officer (who is not a relative) in this format – Conduct certificate format from a Group A or Group B officer icon_word071
  • Conduct certificate from last studied institution
  • Certificate of Fitness from a medical officer above the rank of Assistant Surgeon in Government medical Institution

All these certificates can either be self attested or to be on the safer side get them attested by a Group A or Group B officer.

Do send the forms in early if you are sending them by post!!! Best of Luck

Friday, January 28, 2011

Constitutional Amendments–Downloadable PDF

 

Here is the list of constitutional Amendments in a downloadable PDF format   

Do let me know if you would like to get any of the other materials in PDF Format. I’ll be happy to share them with you!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Saidai Duraiswamy manidha neyam entrance exam 2011 answers key – Questions 1-50

First 50 Questions
You can download this model paper in PDF format also –>
1. Sankaracharya was contemporary of which ruler:
a) Nandivarman b) Narasimha varman c) Raja Simhan d) None of these
2. Kosalainadu conqured by Rajendra Chola was located on banks of
a) Ganga b) Sind c)Sarayu d) Brahmaputra
3.Which queen was called Protector of temple
a) Ganga Devi b) Vanavan Devi c)Rani Managaiammal d) None of these
                      Ans for this: Kundavai and Sembian Mahadevi
4. Chennai Port trust was started in
a)1880 b)1881 c) 1885 d) 1901
5. Telungu Ganga scheme was started in the year
a) 1977 b) 1980 c) 1982 d) 1983
                                   This project was initiated in 1977 but was signed in 1983. I am not sure what the key makers will decide
6.Kambarasam was written by
a) Ma.Po.Ci b) Ki.Va.Ja c) Thiru.Vi.Ka d) Anna

Monday, January 24, 2011

Pandiya Kingdom

Kings also called Maran, Valudhi, Chezhian

Kingdom:

  • Capital: Madurai
  • Port : Korkai
  • Flag: Fish
  • present madurai, tirunelveli, ramanathapuram districts

Important Kings:

  • Mudhukudumi peruvaludhi – title: Palyagasalai
  • Boothapandian – wife Perungoppendu – poetess
  • Ariyappadaikadantha nedunchezhian – king referred in silapathigaram
  • Thalaiyalanganathu Nedunchezhian – patronized poet Mangudi Maruthanar

Local Chieftains : Velirs

  • Kadaiyelu vallalgal – Pari, Ori, Malayan, Elini, Pegan, Aay, Nalli
  • Patronized poets: Kapilar, Avvaiyar (Adhiyaman), Nallathanar, Perunchitiranaar

Administration :

  • MONARCH
  • King: Vendan, Ko, Irai
  • Chieftains – Velirs
  • 2 councils:
    • Iymperunkuzhu (council of 5)
    • Enperayam (council of 8)

Army:

  • Infantry, Cavalry, elephants, chariots
  • Swords, spears, bow & arroes
  • Fort protected by moats & trenches

Local Administration:

  • Mandram
  • Naadu
  • Valanadu
  • Kuttram
  • Council of elders for village administration
    • podiyil
    • Manram
    • Avai
    • Ambalam

Chola Kingdom

King referred as Killi, Valavan, Senni

Area of rule also referred as

  • Chonaadu
  • Kaverinaadu
  • Kaaverisoozhnaadu
  • Neernaadu
  • Punal naadu

Kingdom:

  • Capital: Uraiyur
  • 2nd Capital : Kaveripoompattina, or puhar
  • Chief port: Kaveripoompattinam or puhar
  • Flag: Tiger
  • Present Tanjore and Trichy districts

Most famous:

Karikaalan (kirumi konda cholan)

  • Has defeated chera and pandya kings at Venni
  • Built Kallanai
  • Fortified kaveripoompattinam

Literary Sources:

  • Porunar aatru padai
  • Pattinappalai

Successors:

  • Nalamkilli
  • Killivalavan
  • Koperunchozhan
  • kochengan – Last chola king

5 Landscapes - Iyinthinai

Landscapes :

Thinais: 5

KURINJI: Hilly region

  • people: Vettuvar, Kuravar
  • occup: Hunting, Honey collection, Cultivating fruits n veg
  • God: Murugan or Seyon

MULLAI: Forest with green pastures

  • people: Kovalar, Aayar
  • occup: Shepards, domesticating animals, dairy products
  • God: Thirumaal or Mayon

MARUTHAM:Fertile cultivable land

  • people: Vellalars
  • occup: Agriculture with irrigation: Paddy, sugarcane, mango, banana, jackfruit
  • God: Indra or Rain God

NEITHAL: Coastal region

  • people: Parathavar, meenavar
  • occup: fishing, sailing, salt prep (Umanars)
  • God: Varunan or God of Sea

PAALAI: Desert – Drought affected area

  • people: Kalvar, Maravar
  • occup: Robbery
  • God: Kaali or Kottravai

Important Constitutional Amendments - with years and major points

Important Amendments to Indian Constitution – year and major points
1. 1st Amendment
  • 1951
  • Added Ninth Schedule.
2. 7th Amendment
  • 1956
  • Result of Reorganization of States on a linguistic basis.
3. 8th Amendment
  • 1959
  • Extended special provisions for reservations of seats for SCs, STs and Anglo – Indians in Lok Sabha and Leg.
Assemblies for a period of 10 years from 1960 to 1970.
4. 9th Amendment
  • 1960
  • Transfer of certain territories to Pak following the 1958 Indo – Pak agreement.
5. 10th Amendment
  • 1961
  • Dadra & Nagar Haveli recognized as a UT.
6. 12th Amendment
  • 1962 
  • Goa, Daman & Diu recognized as a UT.
7. 13th Amendment
  • 1962
  • Created Nagaland as a State.
8. 14th Amendment
  • 1963
  • Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, the former French territories - included in the schedule as UT of Pondicherry.
9. 18th Amendment
  • 1966
  • Reorganized Punjab into Punjab, Haryana and UT of Chandigarh.
10. 21st Amendment
  • 1967
  • Included Sindhi as the Fifteenth Regional language.
11. 22nd Amendment
  • 1969
  • sub – state of Meghalaya created within Assam.
12. 23rd Amendment
  • 1969
  • Extension of the reservation of seats for SC / ST and nomination of Anglo – Indians for a further period of 10 years (till 1980).
13. 26th Amendment
  • 1971
  • Abolishment of the titles and special privileges of former rulers of princely states.
14. 27th Amendment
  • 1971
  • Established Manipur and Tripura as States and Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh as UTs.
15. 31st Amendment
  • 1973
  • Increased the elective strength of LS from 525 to 545.
  • The upper limit of representatives of States went up from 500 to 525.
16. 36th Amendments
  • 1975
  • Sikkim a new State.
17. 38th Amendment
  • 1975
  • President can make a declaration of emergency, and the promulgation of ordinances by the President, Governors and the Administrative Heads of UTs would be final and could not be challenged in any court.
  • Authorized the President to declare different kinds of emergencies.
18. 39th Amendment
  • 1975
  • Placed beyond challenge in courts, the election to Parliament of a person holding the office of PM or Speaker and election of the President and Prime Minister.
19. 42nd Amendment
  • 1976
  • Provided supremacy of Parliament and gave primacy to Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights. It also added 10 Fundamental Duties.
  • New words – Socialist, Secular and Unity and Integrity of the Nation, were added in the preamble.
20. 44th Amendment
  • 1978
  • The Right to Property deleted from Part III.
  • Article 352 amended to provide ‘Armed Rebellion’ as one of the circumstances for declaration of emergency.
21. 45th Amendment
  • 1985
  • Extended reservation for SC / ST by another 10 years (till 1990).
22. 52nd Amendment
  • 1985
  • Added the Tenth Schedule (regarding anti – defection).
23. 53rd Amendment
  • 1986
  • Mizoram was made a state.
24. 55th Amendment
  • 1986
  •  Conferred statehood to Arunachal Pradesh.
25. 56th Amendment
  • 1987
  •  Hindi version of the Constitution of India was accepted for all purposes.
  • The UT of Goa, Daman and Diu was divided and Goa was made a State. Daman and Diu remained as a UT.
26. 61st Amendment
  • 1989
  • Reduced the voting age from 21 to 1 8 years for the LS as well as Assemblies.
27. 61st Amendment
  • 1989
  • Also extended reservation of seats for SC / ST till 2000 AD.
28. 71st Amendment
  • 1992
  • Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were included in the VIII Schedule.
29. 73rd Amendment
  • 1993
  • Panchayat Raj Bill - Provided among other things
    • Gram Sabha in Villages,
    • constitution of panchayats at the village and other levels,
    • direct elections to all seats in panchayats and
    • reservation of seats for the SC and ST and fixing of tenure of 5 years for panchayats.
30. 74th Amendment
  • 1993
  • Nagarpalika Bill - Provides for, among other things, constitution of three types of municipalities, reservation of seats in every municipality for the SC and ST, women and the backward classes.
31. 82nd Amendment
  • 2000 
  • Reinstalled the provision of reservation of SC and STs in matters related to promotion.
  • Besides, the qualifying marks for passing an examination for them have also been lowered.
32. 84th Amendment
  • 2001 
  • Extended freeze on Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats till 2026.
33. 86th Amendment
  • 2002
  • Education a fundamental right for children in the age group of 6 – 14 years.
34. 87th Amendment
  • 2003
  • Made the 2001 census the basis for delimitation of constituencies of the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and State assemblies (Vidhan Sabhas).
35. 91st Amendment
  • 2003
  • Amended the Anti – Defection Law and
  • made a provision that the number of ministers in the Central & State Govts, cannot be more than 15% of the strength of Lok Sabha & respected Vidhan Sabha.
36. 92nd Amendment
  • 2003
  • Bodo, Maithili, Santhali and Dogri added into the VIII Schedule.
37. 93rd Amendment
  • 2005
  • To reserve seats for socially and educationally backward classes, besides the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, in private unaided institutions other than those run by minorities

Averages and percentages

Maths

  • Group 1 –> 10 – 18 Questions
  • Group 2 –> 8-10 Questions

Average:

                           clip_image002

Rule of allegation:

image

Avg2-CA : Avg1-CA = Total1 : Total2

Percentage:

Salary increases by I%, then decreases by D% –> final effect =

               clip_image002[4]

Salary increases by I1% and then by I2% –> final effect =

                   clip_image002[6]

Salary Decreases by D1% then D2% –> final effect =

                   clip_image002[8]

Value increases/decreases from V1 to V2 –> % increase/decrease =

                     clip_image002[12]

Cheran Kingdom

Also called as Vanavar, Villavar, Malaiyar

2 important line:

  • Odiyan Cheralathan
  • Irumporai

Kingdom

  • Capital : Vanji
  • Port: Thondi
  • Flag: Bow & Arrow

Literary Sources:

  • Pathitrupatthu: Cheran Senguttuvan, Cheralathan, Peruncheral irumporai, Kanaikkal irumporai
  • Ahanaanooru : Cheran Senguttuvan
  • Silapathigaram – by Sengutuvan’s brother Ilangoadigal

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sangam Age - Introduction

Age of muvendar – Cheran, Cholan, Pandiyan

Historical Sources:


  • Literary Source
  • Archaeological Source
  • Foreign Accounts

Literary source:

  • Tolkappiyam – earliest of all tamil literature
  • Ettuthogai
  • Pathuppaatu
  • Pathinenkilkanaku
  • Silapathikaram          Post Sangam Literature
  • Manimegalai

Archaeological Sources:

  • EPIGRAPHY

    Source What it Shows
    Asokan Edicts Chera, Chola, Pandiya kindom
    Hathikumba Inscription of Kalinga king Karuvela  3 tamil kingdom
    Kazhugumalai Inscription Tamil Script Brahmi
    Thirukovilur Inscription Local chieftains and tragic end of kapilar
    Tiruparangundram inscription Gift of cavebeds to Jain monks
    Arnattar hills inscription First Century A.D Cheran Kings

  • EXCAVATION
    Robert Brute @ Adhichanallur Iron, bronze, gold articles
    Dubereuil & Martimer Wheeler @ Arikkamedu (near pondy) Roman pottery, Glass bowls. gems and coins
    Kilayur near kaveripumpattinam Buddhist vihara – post sangam period
  • COINS – Study of coins: “NUMISMATIC”
    Roman coins made of gold and sever in the country,

Foreign Accounts:

  • Megasthenes – Book Indica – refers tp 3 tamil kingdom
  • Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy – sangam age
  • Ceylonese books : Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa – to fix date of sangam age.

Pre-historic Age – With reference to Tamil Nadu

  • Old Stone Age
  • New Stone Age
  • Metal Age
  • Megalithic Age

Old Stone Age:

  • Lasted up to 10000 B.C
  • Quartz(hard rock) for hunting animals
  • ROBERT BRUTE FORCE discovered at Pallavaram, then at Kancheepuram dist, vellore, Thiruvallur
  • Simple hand axe – found at Koratalayar, Chennai & Vada madurai
  • Life style
    • Nomadic – cave dwelling
    • Food gatherers
    • NO cultivation, NO pottery, NO dress
    • Fire – YES – to scare animals and roast flesh
    • Paintings of hunting
    • NO God

New Stone Age:

  • Trap rock – polished & sharpened rock
  • Lifestyle
    • Sheltered living – clay huts, thatched house
    • Agriculture – rice, millets – FOOD PRODUCERS
    • DISCOVERED WHEEL – pottery – Tirunelveli, Salem, pudukkotai, trichy (Burial urns, water pots, vessels)
    • Weaving – cotton clothes, dyed clothes
    • Worshipped the dead – Burial urns found with food

Metal Age:

  • COPPER – first known
  • North India – Copper age, South India – Iron Age
  • Agriculture improved, paddy cultivated with irrigation

Megalithic Age:

  • Megalith means Burial monuments – Circular Tombs - dead body in black & red pot along with tools
  • Dist of kanchipuram, vellore, tiruvannamalai, cuddalore, trichy, pudukottai
  • Urn burial without circular tomb  - Adhichanallur, Tirunelveli – Bronze and iron tools in tomb
  • Vel, Alagu and Trident found – indicative of LORD MURUGA worship