UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 5: History and Culture
“The king was freed from his people and they from their king”. On whose death did Badauni comment thus?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Badauni, the historian at Akbar's court, wrote this in his Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh about the death of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq in 1351, while the Sultan was chasing a rebel in Sind. It sums up how unpopular his reign had become after his schemes (the shift of the capital to Daulatabad, token currency, heavy taxation in the Doab) failed and revolts spread. Remember: the comment is the usual summary of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's troubled rule.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Balban's death in 1287 is not the one Badauni's remark is attached to.
- (b) Wrong. Ala-ud-din Khalji died in 1316; the remark is not about him.
- (c) Right. Badauni wrote this on Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's death, after a reign of failed schemes and rebellions.
- (d) Wrong. Feroze Shah Tughlaq was seen as a mild and popular ruler, so the remark does not suit him.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.