UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I
Question 51: History and Culture
Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Motupalli, on the Andhra coast, was the important seaport of the Kakatiya kingdom, especially under Ganapatideva, and was a hub of overseas trade; Marco Polo, who passed by in the late 13th century, described it. Kakinada and Machilipatnam rose to importance later, in the period of the Qutb Shahis and the European companies, and Nelluru (Nellore) was not the Kakatiyas' port of overseas trade. Remember: Kakatiyas = Motupalli.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: Kakinada became a significant port much later.
- (b) Right: Motupalli was the Kakatiyas' principal seaport.
- (c) Wrong: Machilipatnam flourished under the Qutb Shahis and the European trading companies.
- (d) Wrong: Nelluru was not the Kakatiya overseas trade port.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.