CDS 2020 (I)

Modern Indian Historiography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The work Siyar-ul-Mutakherin, which describes the Battle of Plassey, 1757, was written by:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept The 18th century was a period of transition in India, documented by Persian-language historians who witnessed the decline of the Mughals and the rise of the East India Company.

Explanation Ghulam Husain Khan Tabatabai authored the Siyar-ul-Mutakherin (Review of Modern Times) in 1781. He was an eyewitness to many of the events he described in Bengal.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C is correct. The text is divided into volumes, with the second volume focusing on the history of Bengal, including the Battle of Plassey.
Logic 2: It provides a critical contemporary view of the English administration and the plight of the Nawabs of Bengal.

Active Recall

Question

What makes Siyar-ul-Mutakherin a unique historical source?

Answer

It combines traditional Persian chronicle style with a critical analysis of the early British administrative system in India.

Core Insight

Ghulam Husain's work serves as a bridge between the medieval 'Tarikh' tradition and modern critical history.