UPSC Prelims 2012 Q81: Modern History – Advent Of Europeans & British Expansion
Consider the following :
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies
Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) None
Answer: (d) None
Explanation
Were these introduced into India by the English?
| Item | Introduced by the English? | Who brought it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops | No | Sher Shah and then Akbar's minister Todar Mal (the zabti system) did this long before |
| 2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare | No | Babur used field artillery at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) |
| 3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies | No | The Portuguese brought both from the Americas |
Crops the Portuguese brought:
| Crop | Note |
|---|---|
| Tobacco | Reached Akbar's court; Jahangir tried to ban smoking |
| Chillies, potato, tomato | From the New World |
| Cashew, pineapple, papaya | Now common on the west coast |
None of the three was introduced by the English.
Answer: (d) None.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Soil-based assessment of land revenue existed under Sher Shah and Akbar.
- (b) Incorrect. Mobile cannons came with Babur, not the English.
- (c) Incorrect. Tobacco and red chillies were brought by the Portuguese.
- (d) CORRECT. None of the three was introduced into India by the English.
Key point
Todar Mal's zabti: revenue by soil and crop. Babur: field artillery at Panipat, 1526. Portuguese: tobacco, chillies, potato, cashew, pineapple.
Remember
Soil-based revenue: Todar Mal. Cannons: Babur. Chillies: Portuguese.
Common mistakes
- Crediting the English with scientific land revenue assessment.
- Forgetting that Babur brought gunpowder artillery to North India.
- Mixing up the Portuguese and the English in the story of new crops.
Exam tip
Check who came first. Mughals and the Portuguese were in India well before English rule.
Sources
- Satish Chandra — History of Medieval India, Chs on Sher Shah and on Akbar's administration
- Irfan Habib — The Agrarian System of Mughal India, 1556-1707