Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.Sharaf Qai was a minister of Allauddin Khalji
- B.Under Giyasuddin Tughluq Muqtis were warned not to ill-treat any of their officials for small amounts taken over and above their salaries
- C.The Arabic work Masalik-i-Absar gives description of the functioning of Iqta system under Muhammad bin Tughluq
- D.Marco Polo has not mentioned about Pearl Fishery of Tuticorin in South India
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D. Marco Polo did describe the pearl fishery of the Tuticorin coast, so the statement that he did not is wrong.
The Venetian traveller visited the Coromandel coast, which he called Maabar, in the late 13th century. He described in detail how divers went down in the gulf between India and Sri Lanka (the Gulf of Mannar) to bring up pearl oysters, and how the Pandya ruler took a share of the catch. Tuticorin lies on this coast and remained the centre of the pearl fishery for centuries.
A is wrong as a choice: Sharaf Qai (Sharaf Qaini) served Alauddin Khalji as naib wazir and handled his land-revenue measures, so the statement is correct.
B is wrong as a choice: Barani records that Ghiyasuddin Tughluq told the muqtis not to harass their staff over small sums taken beyond their pay.
C is wrong as a choice: Masalik-ul-Absar, written by the Arab scholar Shihabuddin al-Umari, does describe how the iqta system worked under Muhammad bin Tughluq.
Exam tip: Marco Polo = Maabar (Coromandel) and its pearl fishery; Masalik-ul-Absar = al-Umari on Muhammad bin Tughluq's India.
Practice Questions
View allWhich of the following is/are important markers for the archaeologists to identify an archaeological site as a 'center of craft production'? 1. Evidence of raw materials such as stone nodules, whole shells, etc. 2. Geographical expanse of the site 3. Evidence of unfinished objects, rejects and waste material 4. Evidence of variety of pottery Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 4 only
- D.3 only
Show answer
Craft centres are recognised by raw material and by the leftovers of making things. Archaeologists studying Harappan sites look for raw materials such as stone nodules, whole shells and copper ore, for tools, and for unfinished objects, rejects and waste.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following was known as 'Lokhitwadi'?
- A.Keshub Chandra Sen
- B.Gopal Hari Deshmukh
- C.M.G. Ranade
- D.Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
Show answer
He wrote under the pen name 'Lokhitwadi', meaning one who speaks for the welfare of the people. Gopal Hari Deshmukh (1823–1892) was a Maharashtrian social reformer and writer.
Read the full explanation →With reference to the history of India, the 'Katapayadi system', the 'Parahita system' and the 'Drigganita system' are associated with
- A.astronomy
- B.surgery
- C.chemistry
- D.music and dance
Show answer
All three come from the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics. Katapayadi is a way of writing numbers with letters, each consonant standing for a digit, so long astronomical tables could be memorised as verses.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Satavahanas ruled over parts of western India and the Deccan 2. The Satavahanas repaired and rebuilt Sudarshana Lake Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
The Satavahanas ruled the Deccan and parts of western India, but the Sudarshana Lake was repaired by others.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following commissions was not associated with public services in India?
- A.Aitchison Commission
- B.Islington Commission
- C.Lee Commission
- D.Radhakrishnan Commission
Show answer
It dealt with university education, not with the public services. The University Education Commission was set up in 1948 under Dr S. Radhakrishnan, who later became the second President of India.
Read the full explanation →