Which of the following statements about the economy of Assam in the medieval period is/are correct ?
- 1. Ahoms cast excellent matchlocks and made first rate gunpowder and artillery pieces
- 2. Assam adopted new crafts of brass-casting and making granu-lated sugar during this period
- 3. Sarthebari village (in Kamrup) was known for its skill in metal casting
Select the answer using the code given below:
3, 4 and 5
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 4
1, 3 and 4
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
1. Ahoms cast excellent matchlocks and made first rate gunpowder and artillery pieces: This is correct. The Ahom kingdom had significant indigenous capabilities in metallurgy and military technology. They were known to manufacture firearms, including matchlocks and cannons, and produce gunpowder locally. Historical accounts, including Mughal observations, mention their proficiency in these areas, which contributed to their military success in defending their territory.
2. Assam adopted new crafts of brass-casting and making granulated sugar during this period: This statement is likely incorrect or misleading. Brass casting was an ancient craft in Assam (e.g., Sarthebari tradition). While crafts evolve, it wasn’t necessarily a *new adoption* during the Ahom period. Granulated sugar production on a large scale using methods similar to those developed elsewhere (e.g., crystallization) was not a defining feature or a “new craft adopted” widely in medieval Assam; traditional sweeteners like jaggery were more common.
3. Sarthebari village (in Kamrup) was known for its skill in metal casting: This is correct. Sarthebari, located in the Kamrup district, has a long-standing and famous tradition of brass and bell metal craft (*Kah Shilpa*). Artisans from Sarthebari were renowned for their skill in casting utensils and other items from these metals throughout the medieval period and continue to be known for it today.
Based on the analysis, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is likely incorrect. The options refer to subsets of statements 1, 2, and 3.