With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs : 1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the State 2. Banian — Indian agent of the East India Company 3. Mirasidar — Designated revenue payer to the State Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• Pair 1 is wrong: 'aurang' is a Persian term for a warehouse or depot where goods were collected before export; treasury officers were called khazanchi/diwan.
• Pair 2 is correct: the banian was an Indian broker-agent who handled trade and money matters for the East India Company and its officials in Bengal.
• Pair 3 is correct: mirasidars in the Madras Presidency held hereditary rights (miras) in village land and were designated to pay revenue directly to the State.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Pair 1 is wrong: aurang means warehouse, not treasury.
- (c) 3 only
- Pair 2 is also correct: banians were Company agents.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Pair 1 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.