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Rating

19 July 2026

Miscellaneous Sunday Magazine features

The content provides useful context on tribal rights, social activism, and architectural trends that can enrich answers in GS1 and GS2, though it lacks the direct policy or legislative focus required for a higher rating.

1 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • Mahasweta Devi (1926-2016) was a prominent Bengali writer and activist known for her work with Adivasis, particularly the Kheria Sabars of Purulia, West Bengal.
  • The Kheria Sabars were historically branded under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, leading to systemic marginalization and custodial violence.
  • Mahasweta Devi's literary works, such as 'Aranyer Adhikar' (Right to the Forest) and 'Chotti Munda Ebong Tar Teer', highlight tribal dispossession, state violence, and resistance.
  • Her activism included legal interventions, such as seeking a second post-mortem in the custodial death of Budhan Sabar, which eventually led to a conviction in 2023.
  • She co-founded the Budhan Theatre in 1998 with Ganesh Devy to highlight the discrimination faced by denotified tribes.
  • Her literary contributions include over 100 books and 350 short stories, earning her the Jnanpith Award (1996) and Magsaysay Award (1997).
  • The 'Jaipur style' of marble temple architecture, characterized by white marble and mountain-like peaks (Shikhara-baddha), has become a dominant vocabulary for modern Hindu temples, often replacing traditional regional materials like granite or sandstone.

Questions

  1. Discuss the role of literature as a tool for social activism and the empowerment of marginalized communities in India, with reference to the works of Mahasweta Devi. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Analyze the evolution of Hindu temple architecture in India, specifically the shift towards the 'Jaipur style' of marble construction. How does this architectural trend reflect broader socio-political shifts in contemporary Indian society? 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. The Kheria Sabar community, often highlighted in the works of Mahasweta Devi, belongs to which category of tribes?

  2. Which of the following literary works is authored by Mahasweta Devi?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-19/miscellaneous-sunday-magazine-features