U.P.P.C.S. Pre 2001

Cultural Influence of the Turks

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The game of Polo was introduced in India by-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Cultural imports from Central Asia included not only language and architecture but also sports. Polo was a favorite pastime of the Turko-Afghan elite.

Explanation The Turks introduced the game, known as Chaugan, to India in the 13th century. It was a high-speed equestrian sport that served as both a leisure activity and a military training exercise.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi, famously died in 1210 after a fall while playing Chaugan in Lahore.
Logic 2: While the British later formalized the modern rules, the sport itself had been rooted in India's court culture since the arrival of the Turks.

Active Recall

Question

What happened to Qutbuddin Aibak while playing Chaugan?

Answer

He died instantly after falling from his horse, with the saddle's pommel fatally piercing his chest.

Core Insight

Chaugan was more than a game; it was a symbol of the Turkish military culture's reliance on elite horsemanship.