2003 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 16: History and Culture
How did the Mughal Emperor Jahandar Shah’s reign come to an early end?
aHe was deposed by his wazir
bHe died due to a slip while climbing down steps
cHe was defeated by his nephew in a battle
dHe died of sickness due to too much consumption of wine
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Jahandar Shah (1712-13) was defeated in January 1713 near Agra by his nephew Farrukhsiyar, son of Azim-us-Shan, who was backed by the Sayyid brothers, Abdullah Khan and Husain Ali Khan. Jahandar Shah was captured and put to death. He had won the throne in the succession war against his brothers with the help of Zulfiqar Khan, and his reign lasted less than a year.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) His wazir Zulfiqar Khan backed him; the wazir did not depose him.
- (b) He did not die by accident; he was captured and killed after losing the battle.
- (c) Correct: Farrukhsiyar defeated him in battle near Agra.
- (d) His reign ended in defeat and execution, not illness.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
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.