UPSC Prelims 2004 Q134: Modern History – Advent Of Europeans & British Expansion
Consider the following statements:
1. In the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Ibrahim Lodi.
2. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Third Anglo - Mysore War.
3. Mir Jafar entered in a conspiracy with the English for the defeat of Nawab Siraj - ud - daulah in
the Battle of Plassey.
Which of these statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) None
Answer: (b) 3 only
Explanation
Battles and events of Indian history
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 1. Third Battle of Panipat: Abdali defeated Ibrahim Lodi | False: Abdali defeated the Marathas in 1761; Ibrahim Lodi lost to Babur in 1526 |
| 2. Tipu Sultan killed in the Third Anglo-Mysore War | False: he died in the Fourth war, in 1799 |
| 3. Mir Jafar conspired with the English against Siraj-ud-daulah | True |
Only statement 3 is correct.
Answer: (b) 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 2 are false.
- (b) CORRECT. Only statement 3 is correct.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 is correct.
Key point
Panipat: 1526 Babur, 1556 Akbar, 1761 Abdali vs Marathas.
Remember
Mir Jafar's conspiracy helped the English win at Plassey.
Common mistakes
- Mixing the First and Third Battles of Panipat.
- Dating Tipu's death to 1792 or 1792-93.
- Forgetting Mir Jafar's role before Plassey.
Exam tip
Tipu: died at Seringapatam in 1799, Fourth Mysore War.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — Modern India
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals, Part Two (battles of Panipat)