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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 1999
Medieval Trade & Economy
Question No. 38Interactive Test Mode
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+2-0.66

Q38. One consistent feature found in the history of southern India was the growth of small regional kingdoms rather than large empires because of:

One consistent feature found in the history of southern India was the growth of small regional kingdoms rather than large empires because of:

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
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Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 1999 • Medieval History

Correct Answer: Option (C) — Absence of vast areas of fertile land

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified
  • South Indian geography is fragmented by the Deccan plateau, Eastern and Western Ghats, and river valleys (Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri) separated by arid scrublands and hills.
  • The absence of vast, continuous stretches of fertile alluvial plains (unlike the Indo-Gangetic plain) limited agricultural surplus aggregation needed to sustain massive, highly centralized pan-Indian empires, encouraging regional nucleated kingdoms instead.
Elimination Heuristic & Exam Approach

Geographical determinism: The vast Indo-Gangetic plains enabled giant empires; the fragmented river valleys and plateaus of the South favored regional kingdoms.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 1999 (Q38)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicMedieval History → Medieval Trade & Economy
Official Answer KeyOption (C) — Absence of vast areas of fertile land

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 1999 Q38

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 1999 GS Paper I Question 38 (Medieval History)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 1999 Medieval History (Medieval Trade & Economy) question is Option (C): "Absence of vast areas of fertile land". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 1999 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Medieval History" and micro-topic "Medieval Trade & Economy". You can explore all repeated questions from Medieval Trade & Economy in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Medieval Trade & Economy UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

Geographical determinism: The vast IndoGangetic plains enabled giant empires; the fragmented river valleys and plateaus of the South favored regional kingdoms.

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