2020 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I

Question 21: History and Culture

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs :

1.AurangIn-charge of treasury of the State
2.BanianIndian agent of the East India Company
3.MirasidarDesignated revenue payer to the State

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

a1 and 2 only
b2 and 3 only
c3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

A banian was the Indian broker or agent through whom the East India Company bought goods and dealt with local traders. A mirasidar held hereditary land rights in the Tamil country and was the recognised revenue payer to the State. Aurang is a Persian word for a warehouse or workshop where goods were made or collected; it does not mean the officer in charge of the treasury.

  • 1. Aurang is a Persian term for a warehouse or workshop, not the treasury officer.
  • 2. Banian: Indian agent or broker of the East India Company.
  • 3. Mirasidar: hereditary landholder in the Tamil country and designated revenue payer.
Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: pair 1 is mismatched; aurang means a workshop or warehouse.
  • (b) Right: banian and mirasidar are matched correctly.
  • (c) Wrong: omits pair 2, which is correct.
  • (d) Wrong: includes pair 1, which is incorrect.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.