Modern Indian Historiography

Siyar-ul-Mutakherin: Account of Plassey and Bengal

The 'Siyar-ul-Mutakherin', which includes an account of the Battle of Plassey (1757), was written by the 18th-century historian Ghulam Husain Khan Tabatabai.

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

[CDS 2020 (I)]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

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.

Authentic Source Evidence


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.

Analytical Breakdown


  • 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.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

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

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

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

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

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