Q. Consider the following: - The arrival of Babur into India led to the introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent
- Introduction of the arch and dome in the region's architecture
- Establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (UPSC Prelims 2015)
Answer:
3 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[B] 3 only.
- Introduction of Gunpowder (Statement 1 – Incorrect): This is a common misconception. While Babur’s effective use of artillery (cannons) and muskets (tufang) was a decisive factor in the First Battle of Panipat, gunpowder was not new to India. It had been introduced to the subcontinent via the Mongols and through trade routes much earlier, around the mid-14th century. Evidence shows that the Bahmani and Vijayanagara kingdoms in the Deccan, as well as the Sultans of Gujarat, were already using gunpowder in warfare. Babur's contribution was the introduction of advanced gunpowder technology (artillery and matchlocks) and the Rumi (Ottoman) method of deployment.
- Introduction of the Arch and Dome (Statement 2 – Incorrect): The arch and dome were characteristic features of Indo-Islamic architecture, but they were introduced by the Delhi Sultanate (beginning with the Slave Dynasty) starting in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Famous examples like the Alai Darwaza (built by Alauddin Khalji) and the Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq's Tomb showcased the true arch and dome long before Babur arrived. Babur and his successors later refined these styles into the "Mughal style."
- Establishment of Timurid Dynasty (Statement 3 – Correct): Babur was a direct descendant of Timur (Tamerlane) on his father's side and Genghis Khan on his mother's side. By establishing the Mughal Empire in India, he effectively founded the Timurid dynasty in the region. The Mughals actually preferred to be called "Timurids" as they took great pride in their lineage from the Central Asian conqueror.
Summary of Historical "Firsts" by Babur:
- Tulughma System: A specialized flanking military tactic.
- Charbagh Gardens: The introduction of the four-quartered garden style (e.g., Ram Bagh in Agra).
- Autobiographical Literature: Writing the Baburnama in Chaghatai Turkic, which provided a detailed account of the flora, fauna, and society of India.