With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as "Kulah-Daran"?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Sayyids
UPSC's key is Sayyids, the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. We could not confirm the meaning of the term Kulah-Daran from an official source, so we do not explain it here.
- ✓ (d) UPSC's official key gives the Sayyids; we could not confirm the term from an official source, so we do not explain it here.
- ✗ (b) Qalandars were wandering Sufi mendicants who scorned the khanqah and defied the shari'a; they were known by that name.
- ✗ (a) Arab merchants were traders on the coasts and are not associated with this title.
- ✗ (c) Persian calligraphists were court scribes and artists; the term did not denote them.
Remember · Qalandars = wandering ascetic Sufis who defied the shari'a. UPSC's key for Kulah-Daran: Sayyids.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part II, Ch 2 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 · Themes in Indian History, Part II, Chapter 2 “They were known by different names – Qalandars, Madaris, Malangs, Haidaris, etc. Because of their deliberate defiance of the shari'a they were often referred to as be-shari'a”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2022, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·