Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. **Aurang:** In-charge of treasury of the State 2. **Banian:** Indian agent of the East India Company 3. **Mirasidar:** Designated payer to the State Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Understanding the economic vocabulary of Medieval and Early Modern India is crucial to grasping the transition from local trade to the colonial economy. These terms represent various roles in trade, storage, and land ownership.Explanation
An Aurang is a Persian term for a warehouse where goods are stored before sale. Banians were influential Indian merchants who served as intermediaries or agents for European trading companies. Mirasidars were recognized as hereditary landowners and designated revenue payers under systems like Ryotwari.Logical Breakup
Logic 1 (Pair 1): Incorrect. An 'Aurang' is a place (warehouse/workshop), not a person or treasury official.
Logic 2 (Pair 2): Correct. Banians were critical 'middle-men' who understood local markets and helped the East India Company conduct business.
Logic 3 (Pair 3): Correct. Mirasidars held hereditary rights to land and were the primary contact point for the state to collect land revenue.