2003 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 2: History and Culture
The battle of Dharmat was fought between
aMuhammad Gori and Jai Chand
bBabar and the Afghans
cAurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
dAhmad Shah Durrani and the Marathas
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The battle of Dharmat (April 1658), near Ujjain, was fought between Aurangzeb with Murad Bakhsh and the imperial army sent in support of Dara Shikoh under Jaswant Singh of Marwar and Qasim Khan. Aurangzeb won, which opened his road to Samugarh and Agra. It was the first major clash in the war of succession among Shah Jahan's sons. Remember the order: Dharmat (1658), Samugarh (1658), Deorai (1659).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Muhammad Ghori fought Jai Chand at Chandawar in 1194, not at Dharmat.
- (b) Babur fought the Afghans at Panipat (1526) and Ghaghra (1529).
- (c) Correct: Aurangzeb defeated the army fighting for Dara Shikoh at Dharmat in 1658.
- (d) Ahmad Shah Durrani fought the Marathas at Panipat in 1761.
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.