Medieval and Modern Indian History

In the Mughal administrative system, the pargana was the basic unit for land revenue assessment. A pargana consisted of several villages and was headed by a shiqdar or amil. The revenue demand was calculated and collected at the pargana level.

Alauddin Khalji introduced the system of land revenue assessment based on measurement of land (called zabita) rather than crop sharing or arbitrary assessment. This reform ensured more predictable revenue collection and reduced the power of intermediate rural chiefs. His revenue minister took detailed measurements of cultivable land to determine fixed demands.

The Battle of Hydaspes was fought in 326 BC on the banks of the Jhelum River (called Vitasta in ancient times) between Alexander the Great and King Porus. Alexander defeated Porus but was so impressed by his bravery that he allowed him to continue ruling his kingdom. The Sutlej, Ravi, and other rivers were not the site of this famous battle.

The Treaty of Masulipatam (1766) was signed between the British East India Company and the Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah II. Under this treaty, the Nizam accepted British ascendancy and provided military support in exchange for protection against other powers. This agreement was a significant step in British expansion in southern India.

Bahlul Lodi, the founder of the Lodi dynasty, annexed the Jaunpur kingdom in 1484-85 AD after defeating its ruler Hussain Shah Sharqi. This was a significant expansion that consolidated Lodi power in northern India. Jaunpur had been an independent kingdom since 1394.

Statement 2 is correct: Aurangzeb did leave a will to partition the empire among his three surviving sons (Azam, Muazzam, and Kam Baksh), which led to the war of succession. Statement 3 is also correct: Nizam-ul Mulk initially supported Muhammad Shah (1719-1748) in his succession. Statement 1 is incorrect: Farrukhsiyar owed his elevation to the Saiyid brothers Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali Khan, not Zulfiqar Khan.

During the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799), General Harris commanded the main English Army that fought against Tipu Sultan. Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) was present and played a crucial role in the war, particularly in the storming of Srirangapatnam, but he commanded a division of the army, not the main army itself. Tipu Sultan was killed during the final assault on Srirangapatnam on May 4, 1799.

The correct chronological order is: Battle of Ghagra (1529), Battle of Chanderi (1528), Battle of Chausa (1539), Battle of Dourah (1757). Option A shows an incorrect sequence with Chanderi before Ghagra, making it the 'not correct chronological sequence' as asked in the question.

Statement 3 alone is correct - Shahjahan did visit Kabul with a large military escort to subdue rebellious Afghan tribes. Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect: Fateh Khan's Bijapur invasion failed, and Shahjahan did continue Bundela campaigns after 1634.

Under the Mahalwari system, revenue settlement was made with the village community as a whole, not with individuals or zamindars. The village collectively responsible for revenue payment, making it distinct from both Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari systems.

Lord Dalhousie annexed Oudh (Awadh) in 1856 using the Doctrine of Lapse, which allowed the British to annex any princely state where the ruler died without a natural male heir. Dalhousie claimed Oudh was being mismanaged (mal-administered) as a pretext, but the legal mechanism used was the Doctrine of Lapse, not subsidiary alliance or direct warfare.

Alexander (Greek, 326 B.C.E.); Sakas (90 B.C.E.); Kushanas (45 C.E.)

'Playing off one community against the other' means 'using one community in opposition to the other'. And this is how the British continued their rule in  India. Hence, (2) is the correct answer.

Emperor Harsha's southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by Pulakesin-II, the Chalukya king of Vatapi in northern Mysore.

The First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769) was fought between Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and the British East India Company. It ended with the Treaty of Madras.