General Studies 1

Gupta Age Coins The Gupta coins were mainly made of gold, although they issued silver and copper coins too. On one side of these coins, the king can be found standing and making oblations before an altar, playing the veena, … Continue reading →

Satavahanas Coins The Satavahana kings mostly used lead as a material for their coins and silver coins were rare. They used an alloy of silver and copper called ‘potin’. On one side, most of the Satavahana coins had the figure … Continue reading →

Indo-Greeks introduced the fashion of showing the bustor head of the ruler on the coins.  The legends on their Indian coins were mentioned in two languages—in Greek on one of the side and in Kharosthi on the other side of … Continue reading →

Basics The earliest account of issuing coins dates back to the 7th-6th Century BCE.  These coins were ‘punched-mark’ coins made in silver.  They were initially issued by merchant guilds. The earliest coins were casted coins and were die-struck only on … Continue reading →

Festival  State Features Saga Dawa Sikkim Celebrated by the Tibetan community The festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) of Buddha. Losoong Festival Sikkim It is the celebration of the harvest season by the farmers. Traditionally, … Continue reading →

The Harvest Festival States in which it is celebrated Makar Sakranti Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Himachal, West Bengal, and Punjab Baisakhi/ Vaisakhi Punjab and Haryana Ladakh Harvest Festival Ladakh, Zanskar and Kargil Lohri Punjab Bohag Bihu Assam Wangala Meghalaya … Continue reading →

Name of Festival Features Chaliho Sahib It is a 40 day fast observed by the Sindhis in the months of July-August. Cheti Chand This is the occasion of Sindhi New Year. It is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra.

Name of Festival Features Buddha Purnima Birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Ploughing Festival This festival is celebrated as Buddha’s first moment of enlightenment. Hemis Gompa The festival is held at the Hemis Gompa Monastery in Ladakh to celebrate the birth … Continue reading →

Name of Festival Features Mahavir Jayanti It is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira who was the 24th Tirthankara. Paryushana It is celebrated for eight days in the month of Bhadrapada (August/September) by the Svetambara sect.  The … Continue reading →

Name of Festivals Features Gurpurab Although Gurpurabs are celebrated for the birth anniversaries of all the 10 Sikh gurus, the most important are Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. Other important Gurpurabs are to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Arjan … Continue reading →