Match the following rulers and their regional states formed during 18th Century:

(A) Hyderabad - (i) Murshid Kuli Khan
(B) Awadh - (ii) Kilich Khan
(C) Ruhelkhand - (iii) Sadat Khan
(D) Bengal - (iv) Muhammad Khan

Question

Match the following rulers and their regional states formed during 18th Century:

(A) Hyderabad - (i) Murshid Kuli Khan 
(B) Awadh - (ii) Kilich Khan 
(C) Ruhelkhand -  (iii) Sadat Khan  
(D) Bengal -  (iv) Muhammad Khan

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
During the 18th century, as the Mughal Empire declined, several regional states emerged under powerful governors who asserted their independence. The correct match highlights the founders of these states. Hyderabad (A) was founded by Kilich Khan (ii), also known as Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I, who established the Asaf Jahi dynasty around 1724. Awadh (B) was founded by Saadat Khan (iii), also known as Burhan-ul-Mulk, who became the independent ruler around 1722. Ruhelkhand (C) was established by the Rohilla chiefs, primarily Ali Muhammad Khan (iv) in the fertile plains of the Ganga river. Bengal (D) achieved virtual independence under Murshid Quli Khan (i), who started as the Mughal *Diwan* and reorganized the administration before his successors formalized the independent state. Thus, the correct combination is A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i.

The incorrect option is 1:
This option incorrectly matches Hyderabad with Murshid Kuli Khan (founder of Bengal), Awadh with Muhammad Khan (a Rohilla chief of Ruhelkhand), Ruhelkhand with Sadat Khan (founder of Awadh), and Bengal with Kilich Khan (founder of Hyderabad).

The incorrect option is 3:
This option incorrectly matches Hyderabad with Murshid Kuli Khan (founder of Bengal), Awadh with Kilich Khan (founder of Hyderabad), Ruhelkhand with Sadat Khan (founder of Awadh), and Bengal with Muhammad Khan (a Rohilla chief of Ruhelkhand).

The incorrect option is 4:
This option incorrectly matches Hyderabad with Sadat Khan (founder of Awadh) and Awadh with Murshid Kuli Khan (founder of Bengal). While C and D are correctly matched in this option (C-ii, D-iv), the primary matches for Hyderabad and Awadh are fundamentally wrong.