UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 123: History and Culture

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

aAli Mardan Khan introduced the system of revenue farming in Bengal

bMaharaja Ranjit Singh set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore

cSawai Jai Singh of Amber had Euclid’s ‘Elements of Geometry’ translated into Sanskrit

dSultan Tipu of Mysore gave money for the construction of the idol of Goddess Sarda in the Sringeri temple

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Revenue farming (ijara) in Bengal was introduced by Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Bengal in the early 18th century, not by Ali Mardan Khan, so (a) is the incorrect statement. The other three are true: Ranjit Singh used European officers to set up modern foundries and artillery at Lahore, Sawai Jai Singh had Euclid's Elements translated into Sanskrit, and Tipu Sultan gave money for the Sarada idol at Sringeri after the Maratha raid of 1791.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) The incorrect statement, so the answer: revenue farming in Bengal is linked with Murshid Quli Khan.
(b) True: Ranjit Singh set up modern foundries at Lahore.
(c) True: Jai Singh had Euclid's Elements put into Sanskrit.
(d) True: Tipu gave money for the Sarada idol at Sringeri.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.