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Question

At which of the following places was diamond mining carried out during the Delhi Sultanate period?

This question was previously asked in
CDS 2 2024 Maths Question Paper (01-Sep-2024)
The correct answer is

Panna

Delhi Sultanate Period: Economic Activities and Resource Extraction

The period of the Delhi Sultanate (roughly 1206-1526 CE) was a significant era in Indian history, marked by the establishment of a powerful Turkic-Afghan empire. Like many empires, the Sultanate relied on various economic activities to sustain itself, including agriculture, trade, crafts, and the extraction of natural resources. The mining of precious materials, including diamonds, played a role in the economy and royal treasuries. Understanding the geographical centers of these activities is key to comprehending the Sultanate's economic geography.

Diamond Mining Locations: Identifying Historical Sites

The question asks specifically about places where diamond mining was carried out during the Delhi Sultanate period. Let's examine the options provided:

  • Awadh: Located in the present-day Uttar Pradesh, Awadh was an important region during the Sultanate. However, it is not historically recognized as a center for diamond mining. Its significance was primarily in agriculture, administration, and as a cultural hub.
  • Khambhat: Situated in Gujarat, Khambhat (also known as Cambay) was a crucial port city and a major center of trade and commerce during the Sultanate. It flourished due to its maritime links, dealing in textiles, spices, and other goods, but diamond mining was not its primary contribution.
  • Panna: Panna, located in the Bundelkhand region of present-day Madhya Pradesh, has a very long and well-documented history of diamond mining. Archaeological and historical evidence suggests that diamond deposits in this region were known and exploited for centuries, including during the medieval period, which encompasses the Delhi Sultanate period. Panna is renowned for its diamond mines, which were a source of wealth and prestige.
  • Lakhnauti: Lakhnauti, near modern Gaur in West Bengal, served as the capital of the Bengal Sultanate. While Bengal was a prosperous region known for its fertile lands and trade, it was not associated with diamond mining.

Panna's Significance in Historical Diamond Mining

Historical accounts and geological studies confirm that the region around Panna has been a significant source of diamonds for a very long time. The existence of diamond mines in Panna predates the Delhi Sultanate and continued through its rule and beyond. The diamonds extracted from Panna were valued for their quality and were likely traded across the Sultanate and further afield. Therefore, Panna stands out as the most historically accurate location for diamond mining among the choices provided during the specified era.

Conclusion on Diamond Mining Sites

Based on historical records and geographical knowledge, Panna was the prominent center for diamond mining activity during the Delhi Sultanate period. The other locations mentioned, Awadh, Khambhat, and Lakhnauti, were important centers for administration, trade, or culture, but not primarily for diamond extraction.

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