upscools
UPSC CSE Pre 2015

Historical Geography of India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Consider the following pairs: **Medieval Indian State** **Present Region** 1. Champaka Central India 2. Durgara Jammu 3. Kuluta Malabar Which of the above pairs is / are correctly matched?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept During the 9th and 10th centuries, several small but culturally rich states emerged in the Himalayan foothills. These states were protected by their geography and often maintained independence from the empires of the plains.

Explanation Durgara is the ancient name for Jammu. Champaka refers to the modern-day Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh (not Central India). Kuluta is the historical name for the Kulu valley in Himachal Pradesh (not Malabar).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Champaka (Chamba) and Kuluta (Kulu) are both located in the northern hills, while Malabar is on the southwestern coast and Central India refers to the heartland around Madhya Pradesh.
Logic 2: Only Pair 2 (Durgara-Jammu) is correctly matched based on historical geography.

Active Recall

Question

What led to the emergence of these hill states?

Answer

The decline of larger North Indian empires allowed local hill chieftains to assert autonomy and build fortified kingdoms in the accessible valleys.

Core Insight

The continuity of names like Chamba and Kulu over a millennium highlights the cultural resilience of these isolated mountain communities.

Practice Navigation