UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 142: History and Culture

Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi, and, for two years lived in a camp called Swarga-dwari. Reason (R): At that time, Delhi was ravaged by a form of plague and many people died.

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 (a).

Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi and camped for about two years at Swargadwari, on the Ganga near Kannauj, so A is true. The given answer takes R as true and as the reason for the move: the capital was stricken by a plague-like epidemic and famine, which emptied it. Remember Swargadwari as the Sultan's retreat from a stricken capital.

A. The Sultan left Delhi and lived in the camp at Swargadwari for two years.
R. Delhi was ravaged by disease, and this is accepted as the reason for leaving.

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 as given: both true, and R explains A.
(b) R is accepted as the cause of the move, not a side fact.
(c) R is accepted as true.
(d) A is true.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.