With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State. 2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire. 3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 1 is wrong: the Carnatic (Arcot) Nawabship did not emerge out of Hyderabad State. Saadatullah Khan was appointed Nawab of the Carnatic by the Mughal emperor in 1710, before Nizam-ul-Mulk founded Hyderabad as a practically independent state in 1724; the Nizam's later claim of overlordship over Arcot was nominal.
• Statement 2 is correct: the Wodeyars of Mysore were feudatories of the Vijayanagara empire and became independent after its decline following the battle of Talikota (1565).
• Statement 3 is wrong: Rohilkhand was carved out by Afghan Rohilla chiefs, led by Ali Muhammad Khan, from Mughal territory in the 1720s–40s — not out of territory occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
• Hence 2 only, option (b) — the official UPSC answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong: Arcot's Nawabship was a Mughal appointment (1710) that predates Hyderabad State (1724).
- (c) 2 and 3
- Statement 3 is wrong: Rohilkhand was carved out of Mughal territory by the Rohillas, not out of Durrani's conquests.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong, and statement 2 is correct.
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.