UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies
Question 39: History and Culture
Consider the following statements: Ahadis were those troopers who I. Offered their services singly. II. Did not attach themselves to any chief. III. Had the emperor as their immediate colonel. IV. Attached themselves to Mirzas. Of these statements:
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Ahadis were gentlemen troopers of the Mughal army, recruited singly (ahad means one) and not through a noble's contingent. They were not attached to any chief but served directly under the emperor, who was in effect their commander, and under Akbar they had their own diwan and bakhshi. They were not attached to Mirzas. Remember: Ahadi means single, imperial.
- I. They offered their services singly.
- II. They were not attached to any chief or noble.
- III. The emperor was in effect their immediate commander.
- IV. They were not attached to Mirzas.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) IV is wrong: Ahadis were not attached to Mirzas.
- (b) Right: I, II and III describe the Ahadis.
- (c) Leaves out I, which is correct.
- (d) IV is wrong, and it leaves out II and III.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.