Which statements about Bernier's description of the Mughal peasantry are correct?
(A) Bernier was taking part in contemporary debates in Europe concerning the nature of state and society.
(B) He meant his description to serve as a warning to those who did not recognise the merits of private property.
(C) He was taking part in contemporary debates at the Mughal court concerning the nature of land revenue.
(D) He wrote his description to persuade the Mughal emperor to give up crown ownership of land.
(E) He described peasants who, driven to despair by tyranny, abandoned the country.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → A, B and E only
(A) Bernier was taking part in contemporary debates in Europe concerning the nature of state and society. — Correct. Bernier wrote for readers in Europe, where the nature of state and society was being debated.
(B) He meant his description to serve as a warning to those who did not recognise the merits of private property. — Correct. He wanted Mughal India to stand as a warning to Europeans who did not value private property.
(C) He was taking part in contemporary debates at the Mughal court concerning the nature of land revenue. — Incorrect. The debates he joined were in Europe; only the place is changed here.
(D) He wrote his description to persuade the Mughal emperor to give up crown ownership of land. — Incorrect. His audience was European; he wrote to warn readers at home who doubted private property.
(E) He described peasants who, driven to despair by tyranny, abandoned the country. — Correct. His excerpt ends with peasants, driven to despair by tyranny, leaving the country.
NCERT (2026-27): “6.1 The question of landownership … “In this instance, Bernier was participating in contemporary debates in Europe concerning the nature of state and society, and intended that his description of Mughal India would serve as a warning to those who did not recognise the “merits” of private property.” |