2014 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 93: History and Culture
Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
athe mosque for the use of Royal Family
bAkbar's private prayer chamber
cthe hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
dthe room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The Ibadat Khana, built by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575, was a hall for religious discussion where he held debates with scholars. At first only Muslim theologians were invited, but from 1578 Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Christians took part, which led to Akbar's interest in a more inclusive approach to religion. It was not a mosque, a private prayer chamber or a gathering room for nobles.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. It was a debating hall, not a mosque for the royal family.
- (b) Wrong. It was a hall for discussions with scholars, not a private prayer room.
- (c) Right. It was the hall where Akbar held discussions with religious scholars.
- (d) Wrong. It was for Akbar's debates with scholars, not for nobles' discussions.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.