1996 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 44: History and Culture
Nastaliq was
aa Persian script used in medieval India
ba raga composed by Tansen
ca cess levied by the Mughal rulers
da manual of code of conduct for the Ulemas
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Nastaliq is a Persian calligraphic script, a flowing, slanting style that was used in medieval India for Persian writing and later for Urdu. It is not a raga, a cess or a code of conduct for scholars. Remember: nastaliq - a script, along with naskh and thuluth, which are Arabic scripts.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: a Persian script used in medieval India.
- (b) Not a raga; nastaliq is a script.
- (c) It is not a tax or cess levied by the Mughals.
- (d) It is not a manual of conduct for the ulema.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.