UPSC Static Quiz – History : 12 June 2026

Solution: A

• Statement I is Correct: Numismatic evidence confirms that Pallava coins (primarily lead, copper, and bronze) frequently carried the emblem of the Bull on the obverse and sometimes the Lion. The Bull (Vrishabha) was the official crest (Lanchana) of the Pallavas, appearing on their copper plate seals as well.
• Statement II is Correct: The Pallavas, particularly from Mahendravarman I onwards, were ardent Shaivites (though tolerant of Vaishnavism). They styled themselves as Dharma-Maharajas (Keepers of the Sacred Law). Nandi (the Bull) is not only the vahana of Shiva but also the symbol of Dharma itself.
• The religious orientation of ancient Indian dynasties was almost always reflected in their state symbols and coinage to legitimize their rule. The adoption of the Bull on coins is a direct consequence of their Shaivite faith and their desire to project themselves as protectors of Dharma. Thus, Statement II correctly explains why the Bull appeared on their coins.

Solution: A

• Battle of Surajgarh (1534):This early victory against the Bengal Sultanate and Lohani rebels established Sher Khan as the master of Bihar.
• Assumption of title ‘Sher Shah’ (1539):After the decisive victory at the Battle of Chausa, where Humayun was defeated, Sher Khan assumed the royal title of Sher Shah and struck coins.
• Battle of Kannauj/Bilgram (1540):This final battle forced Humayun to flee India and allowed Sher Shah to capture Delhi and Agra, establishing the Sur Empire.
• Conquest of Malwa (1542):After consolidating power in the north and Punjab, Sher Shah marched south to conquer Malwa and secure the trade routes.

Solution: B

The Maratha revenue system, particularly the collection of Chauth (25% tax on territories outside the Maratha domain), had a complex distribution structure that is frequently tested.

• The total collection of Chauth was divided into four specific shares:
  • Babti:25% of the Chauth was reserved for the Chhatrapati (King).
  • Sahotra:6% was assigned to the Pant Sachiv (Royal Secretary).
  • Nadgaunda:3% was a discretionary grant assigned by the King to various persons.
• Mokasa: The remaining 66% was the share of the Maratha Sardars (generals) to maintain their troops for the state.

Solution: C

• The correct answer is the Great Firm Theory, which interprets the Mughal Empire as functioning much like a large, integrated commercial enterprise rather than merely a traditional agrarian state. According to this perspective, the Mughal imperial system depended heavily on a mutually beneficial alliance between the ruling elite and powerful indigenous banking and merchant families such as the jagat seths, shroffs, and sarrafs. These groups provided essential financial services including revenue remittance, credit to the state, currency circulation, and long-distance trade facilitation, which allowed the empire to sustain its vast military and administrative apparatus.
• The theory argues that Mughal decline was triggered not simply by military defeats or agrarian distress, but by the fracturing of this state–merchant alliance. As imperial authority weakened in the eighteenth century, regional powers, warfare, and fiscal instability disrupted trade routes and financial networks. Merchant capital gradually shifted allegiance toward emerging regional states and European trading companies, eroding the fiscal foundations of the empire.
• The Jagirdari Crisis Theory emphasizes administrative and revenue assignments; the Agrarian Crisis Theory highlights peasant distress and overextraction; and the Region-centric Theory stresses the rise of autonomous regional powers. None of these place the central role of merchant–state relations at the core of Mughal decline, which is the distinctive contribution of the Great Firm Theory.

Solution: B

• Bargir:These were the “Royal Cavalry” or the standing army. They were provided with horses, weapons, and equipment directly by the State (from the Khas Paga or royal stables). They were paid regular salaries and were under direct state control.
• Silahdar:These were “loose auxiliaries” or irregular cavalry. They were expected to bring their own horses and equipment. In return, they received a higher share of the loot or a higher salary to cover their maintenance costs. However, they were less directly controlled by the central state.