2001 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies

Question 26: History and Culture

Assertion (A): The Battle of Khanua was certainly more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat. Reason (R): Rana Sanga, the Rajput hero, was certainly a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi.

aBoth A and R are individually true, and R is the correct explanation of A
bBoth A and R are individually 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 (d).

The key treats the Assertion as false and the Reason as true. The First Battle of Panipat (1526) ended Lodi rule and began Mughal rule in Delhi and Agra, and is usually counted as the more decisive battle. Khanua (1527) then broke the Rajput threat led by Rana Sanga of Mewar. Sanga was a stronger opponent than Ibrahim Lodi, so R is true, but that does not make A true.

  • A. Panipat is usually seen as more decisive, as it destroyed Lodi power and founded Mughal rule.
  • R. Rana Sanga led a strong Rajput confederacy and was a more formidable foe than Ibrahim Lodi.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, only (d) is left: every other option says it is correct.

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) A is false, so R cannot explain it.
  • (b) A is false in the key's view, so this does not apply.
  • (c) A is false and R is true, the reverse of this option.
  • (d) Right: A false, R true.

Worth knowing: Historians differ on which battle was more decisive; the given answer treats the Assertion as false.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.