[Solved] Sher Shah Suri and the Sadak-e-Azam (GT Road)

Who constructed a road from East Bengal to Peshawar called Sadak-e-Azam?

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Infrastructure was the key to imperial survival. A road connecting the far eastern and western frontiers allowed for rapid troop movement, efficient trade, and a reliable postal system.

Authentic Source Evidence

Sher Shah Suri constructed the Sadak-e-Azam (The Great Road), which we now know as the Grand Trunk Road. It stretched approximately 2,400 km, connecting Sonargaon in East Bengal to Peshawar in the northwest. He also built over 1,700 'sarais' (inns) and planted trees along the route for travelers.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Sher Shah revived an ancient route known as the Uttarapath and turned it into a modern, safe highway for commerce.

Logic 2: This road remained the backbone of Indian logistics through the Mughal, Maratha, and British periods, and is still in use today as part of the NH network.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was the purpose of the 'Sarais' built by Sher Shah?"

They were combined rest houses and postal stations where travelers could rest and fresh horses were kept for the state's news messengers.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Sher Shah's road was not just a path; it was a 'Network State' that unified the diverse regions of the Indo-Gangetic plain for the first time in centuries."

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