Consider the following : The arrival of Babur into India led to the 1. introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent 2. introduction of the arch and dome in the region's architecture 3. establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• Babur, a descendant of Timur, founded the Mughal (Timurid) dynasty in India after Panipat (1526) — statement 3 is correct.
• Statement 1 is wrong: gunpowder and cannon were already known in India (used by the Bahmanis, Vijayanagara and Lodis); Babur's innovation was their effective tactical use with the tulughma formation.
• Statement 2 is wrong: the true arch and dome had been introduced by the Delhi Sultanate from the 13th century (Alai Darwaza, 1311).
• Hence 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statements 1 and 2 are wrong: both predate Babur.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: gunpowder was already in India.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statements 1 and 2 are wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.