UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies

Question 97: History and Culture

Assertion (A): During the time of Akbar, for every ten cavalrymen, the mansabdars had to maintain twenty horses. Reason (R): Horses had to be rested while on march and replacements were necessary in times of war.

aBoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

bBoth A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A

cA is true, but R is false

dA is false, but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Under Akbar's mansabdari system, a mansabdar had to keep a fixed number of horses and cavalrymen (sawars) for his rank. The dah-bisti rule required 20 horses for every 10 cavalrymen, so that horses could be rested and replaced on a march or in war. So A is true, R is true, and R explains A. Remember: the rule was called dah-bisti, meaning ten and twenty.

A. Mansabdars had to keep twenty horses for every ten cavalrymen.
R. Horses needed rest on a march and replacements in war, which explains the extra horses.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right. Both are true and R explains why extra horses were kept.
(b) Wrong. R does explain A.
(c) Wrong. R is true.
(d) Wrong. A is true.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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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.