AP

ANKITA PATILAIR 140· 2025

Question Q.1GS1GS1

Why has public bathing been a recurring practice across cultures and societies? Discuss with examples.

Open scan (p.3)

Introduction

Public bathing has been a cultural tradition reproduced across generations from ancient to modern times.

15 words

Main Body

Reasons for recurring practice of public bathing:

1Public bathing is considered as a ritual purification in societies.
2Public baths → Great Baths present in Mohenjodaro.
3Physical cleanliness is drawn to ritual purity in societies (Purity and pollution prehistory) [André Béitelle]
4It is considered as a communique prerequisite practice in spiritual places & unwary practice in temple worships.
5Step wells and tanks present in temple premises with surrounding subsidiary shrines.
6Suratkunds in Solancki style–simple to Madhera Sun temples.
7Public bathing considered a means to purify one self:

a) Means to get rid of bad Karma, repent for sins

b) Means to eternal salvation (Moksha)

8Kashi → Ganga Ghats
9Customs associated with pre-marriage ritual → Hindu marriages
10Form of worship to Gods → Worship to the Sun God → Egyptian culture
139 words2 paragraphs

Conclusion

Public bathing is a unique practice that transcended time and space and it practiced across generations.

16 words

Diagram

Fig: great Baths in Indus Valley Civilization

  • Good use of examples from different civilizations
  • Structured explanation with numbered points
  • Incorporates scholar perspective (André Béitelle)
  • Links cultural and spiritual dimensions

Topper

ANKITA PATIL

AIR 1402025

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Pre Vedic

Architecture

Writing Stats

170

Total words

2

Paragraphs