Who is credited with creating the Grand Trunk Road?

KGMU 2023

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: KGMU 2023

Explanation

Sher Shah Suri, the 16th-century ruler of the Suri Empire, is credited with systematically rebuilding and upgrading the ancient Maurya-era route into the Grand Trunk Road.
He established a vast network of 'sarais' (inns), wells, and planted trees to facilitate safe travel for traders and the general public.
The road, which he called 'Sadak-i-Azam', was a strategic artery for administering his empire and allowing for the swift movement of troops.
He also built 'Kos Minars' (milestones) at regular intervals along the road to mark distances, a feature that greatly improved travel and communication.

Option B: Humayun was the Mughal emperor whom Sher Shah Suri defeated. His reign was unstable and interrupted, and he did not undertake major infrastructure projects like the GT Road.
Option C: Akbar, a later Mughal emperor, consolidated the empire and improved its administration, but the foundational work on the GT Road was done by his predecessor, Sher Shah Suri.
Option D: Alauddin Khilji was a Sultan of Delhi from the Khilji dynasty, ruling much earlier (1296–1316). He is known for his military campaigns and economic reforms, not for building this road.

Visual 1: Map - A map illustrating the historical route of the Grand Trunk Road, stretching from Afghanistan to Bangladesh, to show its vast scale.
Visual 2: Photograph - A picture of a 'Kos Minar', one of the medieval milestones built by Sher Shah Suri along the road, to illustrate the infrastructure he developed.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of the Indian Subcontinent: The Grand Trunk Road as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The Grand Trunk Road is one of Asia's oldest and longest major roads, demonstrating advanced administrative and engineering capabilities in medieval India.
It served as a vital corridor for trade, pilgrimage, and military movements for centuries, connecting diverse regions and cultures.
The infrastructure, such as inns and wells, shows an early form of state-sponsored public works aimed at promoting economic activity and the welfare of travelers.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key historical landmark in the question: 'Grand Trunk Road'.
Second, analyze the historical periods of the rulers listed in the options. Sher Shah Suri (Suri dynasty, 16th century), Humayun and Akbar (Mughals, 16th-17th century), and Alauddin Khilji (Delhi Sultanate, 13th-14th century).
Third, associate the landmark with the correct historical figure. The renovation and formalization of the GT Road is a well-known achievement of Sher Shah Suri's short but impactful reign.
Finally, eliminate the other options based on their timelines and their own major achievements, which do not include the creation of the GT Road.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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