2021 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I

Question 48: History and Culture

With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. 1.The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.
  2. 2.The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire.
  3. 3.Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a1 and 2
b2 only
c2 and 3
d3 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The Mysore kingdom was ruled by the Wodeyars, who were feudatories of the Vijayanagara Empire and became independent as Vijayanagara weakened after its defeat at Talikota in 1565, so statement 2 is right. The Nawabs of Arcot (the Carnatic) emerged from the Mughal Deccan, not out of Hyderabad State. Rohilkhand was carved out by Rohilla Afghan chiefs as Mughal power declined, not out of territory occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

  • 1. The Carnatic Nawabs emerged from the Mughal Deccan, not from Hyderabad State.
  • 2. Mysore's Wodeyars were Vijayanagara feudatories who became independent as it declined.
  • 3. Rohilla Afghan chiefs set up Rohilkhand as Mughal power declined, not out of Durrani-held territory.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 1.

    What you needed to know: The Carnatic Nawabs emerged from the Mughal Deccan, not from Hyderabad State.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.

    What you needed to know: Rohilla Afghan chiefs set up Rohilkhand as Mughal power declined, not out of Durrani-held territory.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: statement 1 fails, since the Carnatic Nawabs emerged from the Mughal Deccan, not Hyderabad State.
  • (b) Right: only the emergence of Mysore from Vijayanagara is correct.
  • (c) Wrong: Rohilkhand was not formed out of Durrani territory.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 3 is false.

Worth knowing: Statement 1 is arguable because the Nawabs of Arcot began as Mughal deputies under the Nizam's authority, but UPSC treats it as incorrect.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.