Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Consider the following statements: **Assertion (A):** Alauddin Khalji introduced price control in Delhi. **Reason (R):** He wanted to pay lower wages to the artisans building his palaces in Delhi. Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
Alauddin Khalji’s market reforms were a masterpiece of military logistics. By fixing prices, he could maintain a massive permanent standing army on modest salaries without causing economic distress.Explanation
Satish Chandra explains that the primary objective was ensuring a large army could be maintained against the Mongols. He established specific markets like Mandi (grain) and Sera-i Adl (manufactured goods) with state-regulated pricing.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Assertion (A) is true. Price regulation was strictly enforced in and around Delhi through the *Shahna-i-Mandi*.
Logic 2: Reason (R) is false. The goal was military sustainability and preventing inflation; there is no historical evidence that it was specifically designed to underpay artisans for palace building.