Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 15. The Thirteenth Century:

Answer 5

Some absurd/outdated/illogical points: (Don’t use them in the answer)

1. Invaders came from cold mountainous ranges and were hardy people while Indians living in semi-tropical sweltering climate and in the plains were no match for them.
2. Invaders ate non-veg, had more proteins and thus were powerful while Indians were largely vegetarian and thus weaker.
3. Rajputs were follower of Dharmic code of warfare, and used to think of war as chivalrous sport.
4. Indians were pacifist with not much training in military while the invaders were war-like.
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Historiography of the causes
(Points to be used in the answer)

1. Jadunath Sarkar – Turkish people had zeal of new converts which gave them Ghazi spirit in the name of Allah. They had a sense of Islamic brotherhood, and they didn’t drink alcohol. All of this provided strong bond of unity and sense of mission.

2. Muhammad Habib – Hindus were backward, caste-ridden, internally divided, and socially fragmented. It all impaired their military effectiveness. (caste division in 10-11th c – cite Al Beruni). Hindus were insular from the developments in the world at that time.

3. Tactical reasons
a. Turkish military tactics and technology were superior. Eg. Iron-stirrup, crossbow, good breed of horses
b. Greater emphasis on mobility on part of Turks

4. Lack of strategic perspective of Rajputs
a. Not thinking of scientific border of India at Kabul-Kandahar but limiting to Ganga valley or Punjab plains
b. Internal disunity against the foreign invader. No all India common front formed.

5. Satish Chandra – Socio-political system of Rajputs was not upto the mark. Rajputs didn’t lack number or training or weapons or intent but they lacked proper organization and leadership. Feudal irregular and poorly organized levies of Rajputs were no match for centralized and iqta based loyal military organization of Sultans. Also, there was better scope for upward social mobility for talent and merit in Turks (eg slave generals).
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PS
You can add many more scholars like Peter Jackson and Andre Wink. Their viewpoints are really interesting. However, you have to be cautious about the word limit as well. Therefore, try to learn the skill of answer writing. If you are preparing for 2023, write one or two answers everyday till December/January. It helps immensely.

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 15. The Thirteenth Century:

Question 6
If Iltutmish was the first organizer of the Delhi Sultanate, Balban was its real consolidator. Comment. [15 marks]

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 16. The Fourteenth Century:

Question 7
Briefly discuss the impact of Mongol Invasions on Delhi Sultanate. [10 marks]

According to scholars like KA Nizami as well as Pater Hardy, Mongol invasion left a deep impact on polity of Delhi sultanate with larger consequences for society, economy and culture too.

▪️Initial sultans remained occupied with the Mongol question and couldn't undertake agressive imperial policy. Eg, Balban never left Delhi except for Bengal expedition.

▪️ Weak Centralisation: To consolidate the power, initial Delhi sultans didn't take any controlling measures against Muqtis, who started to enjoy wider provincial autonomy.

▪️Need for a strong standing army required huge resources. Thus, Alauddin Khilji took steps for land revenue reforms. (Increased land revenue to 50%, developed direct relation between the state and the peasantry). He also introduced the market control policy so that salary bill of the army comes down with the cheaper supply of essential commodities to soldiers.

▪️Cultural impact: A havoc caused by the Mongol invasions in Islamic world led to flocking of scholars, Sufi saints and adventurous people towards Delhi for a safe haven. Thus, Delhi emerged as a nerve center for Islamic cultural world.


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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 16. The Fourteenth Century

Question 8:
Discuss the theory of kingship of Balban and compare it with that of Alauddin Khilji. (15 marks)

PS: Answer Writing is the most crucial thing for scoring well in the optional. Now students can submit their answers here as a comment (either in text or scanned image/PDF). I would personally give feedback to those students who submit their answers before the next question is posted, generally after one day. (Answers of only the latest questions will get a feedback.)

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 16. The Fourteenth Century

Question 9:
To what extent the term "Rural Revolution" is justifiable for consequences of the land revenue reforms under Alauddin Khalji? (15 marks)

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Answer Writing Practice
Question 9

For Question no 9, students were quite prepared with both facts and analysis. However, some fine-tuning is still required as far as latest historiography is concerned.

I am attaching a photo from a book for reference which will make the topic amply clear. This paragraph amply makes clear the difference and similarity between the father-son on the issue of Rural Revolution.

Also, I suggest more of you should try answer writing on regular basis. Just waiting for better preparation, more revisions, better notes and then starting to write answers is never going to happen.

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 17.Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries:

Question 10:
Evaluate the conditions of industries in India from 1200 to 1500 CE. [UPSC 2013, 20 marks]

Hint: Don't focus only on names/places of various prevalent industries. Question is less factual and more analytical in nature. So, try to bring out analytical perspective. It takes some efforts. Otherwise, the question would be very easy.

PS: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

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Answer Writing Practice
Medieval India

Question 10 feedback comments: Students were able to touch the basic facts well. However, some students mistook analysis of industry for survey of industry. Thus, they gave more space to factual details and geographic locations while neglecting the analytical approach. In this question, generally, analysis is to be done with respect to introduction of new technology, state's role in expanding industry, impact of/on trade/urbanization, geographic spread and connection to society (nobility, labour, gender).

Also, I noticed that some students are not effectively able to cite the primary sources or include relevant historiographical approach easily. It takes practice to think in that way and the only solution is to keep writing more and more.
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Question 11: (on a students demand, this question is included)

"The policy of creating heterogeneous nobility by Muhammad Tughlaq started the process of disintegration of Delhi Sultanate". Explain. [UPSC, 2018, 20 Marks]

PS: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: Medieval India

Question 12:
To what extent was the Caliphate the source and sanction to the legal authority of the Sultans of Delhi? [UPSC 2017, 15 marks]

PS: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: Medieval India

Lets start with 2 questions now.

Question 13:
Describe the idea of the composite culture in India as developed during the era of the Delhi Sultanate. (15 marks)

Question 14:
Identify the different categories of Persian literature which emerged during the Delhi Sultanate. (10 marks, 2021)

PS: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: Medieval India

Question 15:
Examine the causes of Babur's success against Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. (10m, 2021)

Question 16:
Bring out the significance of the reign of Sher Shah in the history of India. (15m)

PS: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

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Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: Medieval India

Question 17:
Do you think that the reign of Krishnadevaraya inaugurated a new epoch in the history of Vijayanagar? Justify. (10 marks)


Question 18:
Amuktamalyada stands out not only for its poetic beauty but also for its unique religious and political themes embedded within it. Discuss. (15 marks)

PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 8th September.
PS2: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZNKAOl5wZk

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https://youtu.be/voezJMIMmh0

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The debate about Science and Technology in Mughal India. It is directly from our syllabus.

Argument:
https://theprint.in/opinion/mughals-failed-india-in-science-just-see-what-europe-did-between-1526-and-1757/1620888/

Rebuttal:
https://theprint.in/opinion/mughals-left-a-scientific-legacy-in-india-ain-i-akbari-to-lucknows-firangi-mahal/1728412/

#mughal #medieval #Scienceandtech

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I had never seen paintings of Baburnama being hanged in a hotel room as a decorative item before...!!

#Mughal #babur #painting #medieval

https://youtu.be/SmTpJ5PyeLw

New episode of BTQ is out. Do watch it for insightful analysis of emerging historiography. We have traced Nur Jahan's assessment through four phases, the final one being the latest Feminist view.

I am sure it will be extremely useful for various other questions in Ancient and Medieval India.

#feminism #Mughal #behindthequestion #pyq #medieval