2018 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 68: History and Culture
The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18^th century were
aRaw cotton, oil-seeds and opium
bSugar, salt, zinc and lead
cCopper, silver, gold, spices and tea
dCotton, silk, saltpetre and opium
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
In the middle of the 18th century, after Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764), the Company exported Bengal's cotton textiles, silk, saltpetre (used for gunpowder) and opium, which were in demand in Europe and China. Tea, spices, gold and silver were not Bengal's staples for the Company, while raw cotton and oilseeds became important exports only later, in the 19th century.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Raw cotton and oilseeds became major exports later.
- (b) Sugar, salt, zinc and lead were not the main exports.
- (c) Gold, silver, spices and tea were not Bengal's staples then.
- (d) Right: cotton goods, silk, saltpetre and opium.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.