2022 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I

Question 57: History and Culture

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :

  1. 1.The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
  2. 2.During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
  3. 3.Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 and 2
b2 only
c1 and 3
d3 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Ala-ud-din Khalji faced several Mongol invasions; in 1303 the Mongol army under Targhi reached Delhi and besieged it, so statement 2 is true. The first Mongol incursion towards India came much earlier, in 1221 when Chingiz Khan reached the Indus, in Iltutmish's time, not under Jalal-ud-din Khalji. Mongol raids occurred in Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's reign too, but the claim that he lost north-western territory to them is not accepted.

  • 1. The first Mongol approach to India came in 1221, long before Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
  • 2. In 1303 a Mongol army besieged Delhi in Ala-ud-din's reign.
  • 3. Not accepted: the claim that he lost north-western territory to the Mongols is incorrect.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: The first Mongol approach to India came in 1221, long before Jalal-ud-din Khalji.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: In 1303 a Mongol army besieged Delhi in Ala-ud-din's reign.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.

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. The first Mongol invasion did not occur under Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
  • (b) Correct. Only the siege of Delhi in Ala-ud-din's reign is right.
  • (c) Wrong. Both statements 1 and 3 are not accepted.
  • (d) Wrong. Statement 3 is not accepted and statement 2 is missing.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.