Spectrum Test: India On The Eve Of British Conquest - UPSC MCQ

All the statements are historically accurate:
1. The Sayyid brothers, Abdulla Khan and Hussain Ali, were instrumental in helping Farrukhsiyar ascend to the throne in 1713.
2. During Muhammad Shah's reign (1719-1748), Nizam-ul-Mulk founded the independent state of Hyderabad in 1724.
3. Bahadur Shah Zafar was indeed the last Mughal emperor, reigning until 1857 when the British captured him and sent him to Rangoon.
Thus, all the statements (1, 2, and 3) are correct.

• Maharashtra, the Andhra region, and Bengal were the leaders in shipbuilding. Indian shipping also flourished on the Kerala coast at Calicut and Quilon. 

• The Zamorin of Calicut used the Muslim Kunjali Maraikkars (who were well known for their seafaring ability) for his navy. Shivaji Bhonsle's navy put up a good defense on the west coast against the Portuguese.

1. Kilich Khan, known as Nizam-ul-Mulk, was indeed the founder of the Asaf-Jah dynasty of Hyderabad.

2. Safdar Jang was not the founder of Awadh; Saadat Khan was the founder, and Safdar Jang succeeded him.

3. Suraj Mal was indeed the leader of the Jats at their zenith.

4. Ranjit Singh was indeed the founder of a strong Sikh kingdom in Punjab.

Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched.

All three statements provided are correct:
1. Alamgir II's reign (1754-1758) did indeed witness the Battle of Plassey in June 1757.
2. Farrukhsiyar issued a farman in 1717 AD, granting the British the right to reside and trade in Bengal.
3. Akbar II conferred the title of Raja to Ram Mohan Rai during his reign from 1806 to 1837.
Therefore, all the statements (1, 2, and 3) are correct.

1. Guru Gobind Singh indeed transformed the Sikhs into a militant sect.

2. Haider Ali did indeed rule Mysore.

3. Bahadur Shah I did indeed march against Ajit Singh.

4. Alivardi Khan was not the founder of Bengal; Murshid Kuli Khan was the founder. Alivardi Khan later became a significant ruler of Bengal after killing Sarfaraz Khan.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched.

1. Saadat Khan was the founder of Awadh, not Hyderabad.

2. Murshid Kuli Khan was indeed the founder of Bengal.

3. Martanda Varma was indeed the founder of the independent state of Kerala with Travancore as its capital.

4. Churaman was indeed one of the founders of the Jat state of Bharatpur, succeeded in setting up the Jat state along with Badan Singh.

Thus, pairs 2,3 and 4 are correctly matched.

Statement II:
The states of Rohilakhand and the kingdom of the Bangash Pathans were a fallout of the Afghan migration into India.

• This statement is also correct. Rohilakhand was established by Rohillas, who were Afghan migrants, and the kingdom of the Bangash Pathans was another result of Afghan migration into India during the decline of Mughal power.

However, Statement II does not explain Statement I. They are about different historical contexts: the expansion of Maratha power and the establishment of Afghan states, respectively.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

   3. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I

All three statements are accurate based on the historical context provided:
1. Jahandar Shah indeed abolished Jaziya during his brief reign from March 1712 to February 1713.
2. Nadir Shah defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Karnal in 1739 during Muhammad Shah's reign (1719-1748).
3. The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764 during the reign of Shah Alam II (1759-1806).
Thus, all the statements (1, 2, and 3) are correct.

Statement I accurately highlights the significance of the Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kerala for its architecture and mural paintings. Statement II correctly identifies Kanchan Nambiar as a noted Malayalam poet. Moreover, Statement II further explains the cultural significance of Kanchan Nambiar in Malayalam literature. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I.

Statement I accurately states that the 3rd Battle of Panipat involved the Maratha and Afghan armies. Statement II correctly attributes the construction of the pink city of Jaipur and the astronomical observatories to Sawai Jai Singh. Furthermore, Statement II explains the historical actions of Sawai Jai Singh, which is building the pink city of Jaipur and the observatories. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement II does not explains Statement I.