UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 89: History and Culture
With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs :
| Institution | Founder | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sanskrit College at Benaras | William Jones |
| 2. | Calcutta Madarsa | Warren Hastings |
| 3. | Fort William College | Arthur Wellesley |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Calcutta Madrasa was founded by Warren Hastings in 1781. The Sanskrit College at Benaras was founded by Jonathan Duncan in 1791, not William Jones, who started the Asiatic Society in 1784. Fort William College (1800) was founded by Lord Wellesley (Richard Wellesley, the Governor-General), not Arthur Wellesley, who was his brother and later the Duke of Wellington.
- 1. Jonathan Duncan founded the Benaras Sanskrit College.
- 2. Warren Hastings founded the Calcutta Madrasa in 1781.
- 3. Fort William College was founded by Lord (Richard) Wellesley.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: the Sanskrit College founder was Jonathan Duncan.
- (b) Right: only the Calcutta Madarsa pair is correct.
- (c) Wrong: pairs 1 and 3 are mismatched.
- (d) Wrong: Fort William College was Richard Wellesley's.
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.