2001 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 61: History and Culture
Who among the following Indian rulers established embassies in foreign countries on modern lines?
aHaider Ali
bMir Qasim
cShah Alam II
dTipu Sultan
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Tipu Sultan of Mysore sent embassies to France and Turkey in the 1780s and 1790s, seeking allies against the English, and he is the Indian ruler remembered for setting up diplomatic missions on modern lines. Haider Ali, Mir Qasim and Shah Alam II did not keep such a network. Remember Tipu as a ruler who modernised: new coinage, a navy board and state trading.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Haider Ali fought the English but did not set up embassies as Tipu did.
- (b) Mir Qasim was the Nawab of Bengal who fought at Buxar.
- (c) Shah Alam II was the Mughal emperor, with little real power.
- (d) Right: Tipu Sultan.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
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.