1997 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 69: History and Culture
The medieval Indian writer who refers to the discovery of America is
aMalik Muhammad Jayasi
bAmir Khusrau
cRaskhan
dAbul Fazl
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The key names Abul Fazl, Akbar's court historian, as the medieval Indian writer who shows knowledge of the discovery of America. His time at Akbar's court overlapped with Jesuit missions from Goa and other European contacts. Amir Khusrau died in 1325, long before Columbus reached the Americas in 1492, so he could not have written of it.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Jayasi, author of the Padmavat, wrote a poetic romance and is not known for mentioning America.
- (b) Amir Khusrau died in 1325, long before 1492.
- (c) Raskhan was a Krishna-devotional poet, not a chronicler.
- (d) Right: Abul Fazl.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.