Question

Which of the following statements regarding Colonel Colin Mackenzie are correct? Choose the correct option:
I.\hspace{0.3cm}The ruins of Hampi were brought to light in 1800 by him.
II.\hspace{0.3cm}He was an official of East India Company.
III.\hspace{0.3cm}He prepared the first survey maps of the site.
IV.\hspace{0.3cm}He received information of Vijayanagara empire from the Duarte Barbosa.

• A. I, II and III
• B. II, III and IV
• C. I, III and IV
• D. I, II and IV

Hint:

When asked about Colin Mackenzie, remember: 1800, East India Company, and first surveys of Hampi. Statements linking him to Portuguese sources are historically inaccurate.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Colonel Colin Mackenzie was a British army officer and surveyor who served under the East India Company. He is credited with being the first Surveyor General of India.
Statement I is correct: In 1800, Mackenzie visited Hampi and played a pivotal role in bringing its ruins to scholarly attention.
Statement II is also correct: He was indeed an official of the East India Company and conducted surveys on their behalf.
Statement III is correct: Mackenzie and his team created the first detailed survey maps and drawings of the Hampi site, contributing greatly to the documentation of its historical significance.
Statement IV is incorrect: Although Mackenzie did gather information from a variety of sources including local scholars and inscriptions, there is no evidence that he received information specifically from Duarte Barbosa, who was a Portuguese traveler from an earlier century.
Thus, the correct answer is Option (A).