Consider the following:Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2012 UPSC Prelims History paper.

Q: How can I prepare for UPSC Prelims History?

To prepare for UPSC Prelims History, practice previous year questions (PYQs), understand concepts thoroughly, and solve mock tests regularly. This 2012 question covers Mughal Empire – Rulers, Administration & Economy topic.

Q: What is the difficulty level of this question?

This UPSC Prelims 2012 History question has a hard difficulty level and is marked as an important question.

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Question

Consider the following:Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops.Use of mobile cannons in warfare.Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies.Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — NoneSolution:This is a tricky question that tests whether students know that some things commonly associated with British India were actually introduced much earlier by other agencies:Statement 1 — Land revenue assessment based on soil and crop quality: This was NOT introduced by the English. Such scientific land assessment was a well-developed practice in Mughal India — Akbar's revenue minister Todar Mal introduced the Zabti/Bandobast system which involved detailed measurement and quality assessment of land (soil type, cropping pattern) to fix revenue. The Ain-i-Akbari provides extensive documentation of this system. The British later built upon and modified this — they did not originate it. ✗Statement 2 — Use of mobile cannons in warfare: Mobile artillery (cannons mounted on wheeled carriages for battlefield mobility) was NOT introduced by the English. It was introduced into India by Babur — the founder of the Mughal Empire. Babur's use of mobile field artillery at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) was the decisive factor defeating Ibrahim Lodi. Babur's Afghan gunners were the pioneers of mobile cannon warfare in India. ✗Statement 3 — Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies: These were NOT introduced by the English. Both crops were introduced to India by the Portuguese. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was brought from the Americas via Portugal in the late 16th/early 17th century. Red chillies (Capsicum) were similarly introduced from the Americas through Portuguese trade routes in the 15th-16th centuries. The Portuguese arrived in India in 1498 (Vasco da Gama) — well before the English established significant presence. ✗Key Concept: The Portuguese introduced to India: tobacco, tomato, potato, chilli peppers, cashew nut, pineapple, guava, and various other New World crops (Columbian Exchange). Babur introduced: mobile artillery, organised use of gunpowder weapons in field battles, Mughal garden design. The Mughals developed: land revenue systems, administrative structures, architectural traditions. The British introduced: railways, telegraph, modern universities, the printing press on large scale, codified laws, and modern bureaucracy. Distinguishing which outside influence introduced which element to India is a recurring theme in medieval and modern history questions.

Consider the following:Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops.Use of mobile cannons in warfare.Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies.Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?

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Consider the following:Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops.Use of mobile cannons in warfare.Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies.Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?

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