Consider the following statements : 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince. 2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus. 3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 2 and 3
Why the answer is (a)
• Statement 1 is correct: in 1221 Chengiz Khan chased the Khwarezm prince Jalal-ud-din Mangbarni to the Indus; Iltutmish (r. 1211–36) wisely refused him shelter and the Mongols withdrew.
• Statement 2 is wrong: Timur invaded in 1398 during the reign of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Tughluq, not Muhammad bin Tughluq (d. 1351).
• Statement 3 is wrong: Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut in 1498, during the reign of Vijayanagara's Saluva/early Tuluva phase (Narasimha rulers), not Deva Raya II (r. 1424–46).
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong: Timur came in 1398 under Nasir-ud-din Mahmud.
- (c) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: Deva Raya II died decades before 1498.
- (d) 2 and 3
- Statements 2 and 3 are both wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.