Which of the following medieval towns was famous for the printed cotton cloth known as “Chinth”?

Question

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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.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) 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 was the historic capital associated with the Paramara dynasty (Raja Bhoj) and is known for the Bhojshala monument, not for chintz production.  (d) Raisen is known chiefly for its hill fort (Raisen Fort), not as a textile-printing centre.

Concept: 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.

State PCS 2021 Q67 — Madhya Pradesh GK PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2021 Q67 — Madhya Pradesh GK PYQ with Answer