UPSC Prelims 2003 Q112: Modern History – Advent Of Europeans & British Expansion
- (a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b) Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- (c) A is true but R is false
- (d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (b) Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
Explanation
> Note for students: Some answer keys give (a), but Shah Alam II stayed away mainly out of fear of his wazir and the Marathas, so the reason does not fully explain the assertion; the answer by facts is (b).
Shah Alam II away from his capital
| Part | Verdict |
|---|---|
| A. Shah Alam II spent the initial years as an Emperor far away from the capital | True — he was in Bihar and Awadh, not Delhi |
| R. There was always a lurking danger of foreign invasion from the north-west frontier | True in general, but not the main reason: he feared the wazir Imad-ul-Mulk and the Marathas |
Both statements are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A, since Shah Alam II stayed away mainly because of the threat from his wazir Imad-ul-Mulk and the Marathas.
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. R is true but is not the main reason for his absence.
- (b) CORRECT. A is true and R is true, but he stayed away mainly out of fear of his wazir.
- (c) Incorrect. R is also a true statement, so this code is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. A is true, so this code is wrong.
Key point
Shah Alam II (1759-1806): Buxar 1764, Allahabad 1765, returned to Delhi in 1771 under the Marathas.
Remember
Shah Alam II stayed away from Delhi mainly out of fear of his wazir.
Common mistakes
- Taking the north-west invasion as the only reason.
- Forgetting Imad-ul-Mulk, who had murdered Alamgir II.
- Mixing his absence with Muhammad Shah's reign.
Exam tip
Shah Alam II was an emperor in exile for years.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — Modern India
- Percival Spear — Twilight of the Mughuls (Cambridge University Press, 1951)