UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 81 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Innovations Before British Rule
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicAdvent of Europeans in India
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
Consider the following:
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops.
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare.
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies.
Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
Show answer
Answer: D. None
Verdict
Correct Answer: None
Analysis
None of the given innovations were introduced in India by the English.
They were introduced or developed by earlier Indian rulers, the Mughals, or the Portuguese.
Statement by statement
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of soil and quality of crops — Incorrect
This was not introduced by the English.
A more systematic land revenue assessment was introduced by Sher Shah Suri and later refined under Akbar by Raja Todar Mal through the Zabt or Dahsala system.
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare — Incorrect
Mobile artillery was not introduced by the English.
Babur used mobile cannons effectively in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 against Ibrahim Lodi.
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies — Incorrect
Tobacco and red chillies were not introduced by the English.
They were New World crops brought to India by the Portuguese through maritime trade routes.
Extra UPSC info
* Sher Shah Suri introduced important revenue reforms, later refined by Akbar’s administration.
* Raja Todar Mal is associated with the Dahsala or Zabt revenue system.
* Babur’s use of artillery was a major reason for his victory in the First Battle of Panipat.
* Portuguese introduced crops like tobacco, red chillies, potato, tomato, pineapple and cashew.
* The English introduced or expanded modern institutions like railways, telegraph, modern postal system and civil services.
* Do not confuse British land revenue settlements with the earlier idea of soil-based revenue assessment.
How to crack it
None of the three were introduced by the English; land revenue assessment predates them, mobile artillery came with Babur, and tobacco and chillies came through the Portuguese.