MPPSC 2021 Prelims Paper-I · Question 67 of 100

Correct — B, Sironj. Sironj (in present-day Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh) was a leading medieval and Mughal-era centre of textile production, particularly famed for 'chintz' (chhint/chhint) — cotton cloth block-printed or painted with floral and figural patterns. Contemporary Mughal-era accounts note Sironj's fine muslin and printed cotton, which travelled through Gujarat's ports and was traded onward, including to Europe.

• (a)Mandu — Mandu (in Dhar district) was the fortified capital of the Malwa Sultanate, celebrated for its architecture — Jahaz Mahal, Hoshang Shah's tomb, Rani Roopmati's pavilion — not for textile printing.
• (c)Dhar — Dhar was the historic capital associated with the Paramara dynasty (Raja Bhoj) and is known for the Bhojshala monument, not for chintz production.
• (d)Raisen — Raisen is known chiefly for its hill fort (Raisen Fort), not as a textile-printing centre.

Medieval and Mughal India had specific towns famed for particular textile crafts and exports — e.g. Sironj and Chanderi (both in present Madhya Pradesh) for fine muslin and printed chintz, Burhanpur for muslin. 'Chintz' (from Hindi 'chhint') denotes cotton cloth with painted or block-printed patterns, historically prized enough to be exported to Europe via Gujarat's ports.

The question tests whether a student can attach the right craft/product to the right medieval Malwa town among several that all sound equally historic — the trap is picking a town famous for something else (architecture, forts) instead of this specific textile.

• Chintz/'Chinth' = painted or block-printed cotton cloth
• Sironj (Vidisha district, MP) was a renowned medieval/Mughal-era centre for chintz and fine muslin
• Sironj's textiles were traded onward through Gujarat, reaching wider markets including Europe
• Mandu and Dhar are known instead for Malwa Sultanate/Paramara architecture, and Raisen for its fort — not for textiles

• Confusing Sironj (famous for chintz/textiles) with Mandu or Dhar (famous for architecture/forts)
• Assuming any 'medieval Malwa town' question defaults to the Sultanate capital (Mandu/Dhar)

MPPSC likes 'which MP town was famous for X craft/product' questions pairing a town with its specific historical specialty — Sironj–chintz is a recurring pairing.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Chanderi, a town in Madhya Pradesh, is historically famous for which craft?

  • (a)Fine muslin and handwoven sarees
  • (b)Stone carving
  • (c)Metal casting
  • (d)Leather work

  Answer(a) Fine muslin and handwoven sarees — Chanderi is renowned for its lightweight, sheer fabric.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The term 'chintz' refers to a cotton cloth that is:

  • (a)Painted or block-printed with patterns
  • (b)Woven with gold thread only
  • (c)Made purely of silk
  • (d)Dyed a single plain colour

  Answer(a) Painted or block-printed with patterns — the defining feature of chintz.