What are Agamas in Hinduism?

Agamas are a collection of Hindu scriptures that deal with temple construction, idol creation, temple rituals, modes of worship, iconography, and priestly qualifications. Agama Shastras provide detailed procedural guidance on consecration, temple architecture, daily worship practices, and religious ceremonies. They are especially influential in South Indian temple traditions.

Why were Agamas recently in the news in India?

Agamas were in the news due to debates over temple administration, priest appointments, and state control of Hindu temples, especially during Supreme Court hearings related to Sabarimala and Article 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution. The issue concerns whether priest appointments based on Agama qualifications can be regulated by the state.

What is Gangaikonda Cholapuram and who built it?

Gangaikonda Cholapuram was built by Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century CE after his successful military expedition to the Ganga River. It became the Chola capital and symbolized South India’s rising imperial power. The city includes a grand temple and a massive water tank called Cholagangam.

What was the significance of the Cholagangam tank?

Cholagangam was a massive ceremonial tank built by Rajendra Chola I. It symbolized his victory over the Pala kingdom of Bengal and was described as a 'Ganga-jalamayam jayasthambham' or 'liquid pillar of victory'. It represented the sacred waters of the Ganga brought to South India.

Which Indian manuscripts are inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register?

The Gilgit Manuscripts, Manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita, and Manuscripts of Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra are inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The Gilgit Manuscripts are among the oldest surviving Buddhist texts, dating to the 5th–6th centuries CE.

What are the Gilgit Manuscripts?

The Gilgit Manuscripts are ancient Buddhist texts discovered in 1931 in Gilgit along the Silk Route. Written on birch bark in Gupta and post-Gupta Brahmi scripts, they date to the 5th–6th centuries CE and contain material on Mahayana Buddhism, medicine, and folklore.

Who was C. Sankaran Nair?

Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was a prominent Indian lawyer, social reformer, and former president of the Indian National Congress. He resigned from the Viceroy’s Council after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and authored the book 'Gandhi and Anarchy' in 1922. He also faced a defamation case filed by Michael O’Dwyer in England.

What was the Gandhi and Anarchy controversy?

'Gandhi and Anarchy' was a 1922 book written by C. Sankaran Nair criticizing Mahatma Gandhi’s methods of non-violence and civil disobedience. In it, Nair accused Michael O’Dwyer of responsibility for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, leading to a historic defamation trial in London.

Which Indian organization won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2025?

Educate Girls (Foundation to Educate Girls Globally) won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2025. The organization was honored for empowering girls through education, community mobilization, and efforts to overcome cultural barriers and illiteracy.

Why is the Ramon Magsaysay Award important?

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is one of Asia’s highest honors recognizing leadership, integrity, and public service. Often called Asia’s Nobel Prize, it celebrates transformative contributions in governance, education, social reform, and humanitarian service.

Daily UPSC Prelims MCQs - History & Culture - 18th April 2026

Devesh
4 hours ago
1 min read

Test your UPSC CSE 2026 preparation with today’s Indian History & Culture (Every Saturday) Quiz — covering Agamas, history of Cholas, manuscripts, Ramon Magsaysay Award and more.

Previous UPSC History & Culture Quiz

11 April 2026	Click Here
04 April 2026	Click Here
28 March 2026	Click Here
21 March 2026	Click Here
14 March 2026	Click Here
07 March 2026	Click Here

Daily Current Affairs Summary

Science, Technology & Environment MCQs Jan - Dec 2025

₹110.00₹55.00

Buy Now

The PRESS Pad

Daily UPSC Prelims MCQs - History & Culture - 18th April 2026

Previous UPSC History & Culture Quiz

Recent Posts

Comments