Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q37 (IAS/2018) Geography › Maps & Locations › Conflict and strategic regions Official Key

Consider the following pairs : Towns sometimes mentioned in news Country 1. Aleppo - Syria 2. Kirkuk - Yemen 3. Mosul - Palestine 4. Mazar-i-sharif - Afghanistan Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is option B (1 and 4).

Aleppo is indeed located in Syria[2], as evidenced by references to Aleppo's Old Bazaar and residents providing testimony about the Syrian city. Pair 1 is correctly matched.

Pair 2 is incorrect because Kirkuk is an Iraqi city, not a Yemeni city[3]. The documents mention attacks on Kirkuk and military operations in Iraq involving this city.

Pair 3 is also incorrect as Mosul is located in Iraq, not Palestine[6]. Multiple references describe the Iraqi government's campaign to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State and Iraqi forces taking control of eastern and western parts of the city.

Pair 4 is correctly matched - Mazar-i-Sharif is indeed located in Afghanistan, making it the second correct pairing along with Aleppo-Syria.

Therefore, only pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched, making option B the right answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.icrc.org/en/document/broken-cities-virtual-journey
  2. [2] https://www.icrc.org/en/document/iraq-syria-and-yemen-five-times-more-civilians-die-city-offensives-new-report-finds
  3. [3] https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state
  4. [4] https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state
  5. [5] https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state
  6. [6] https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
75%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following pairs : Towns sometimes mentioned in news Country 1. Aleppo - Syria 2. Kirkuk - Yemen 3. Mosul - Palestine 4…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 7.5/10

This question rewards the 'International Page' reader. These weren't obscure villages; they were the epicenters of the global war on terror (ISIS) in 2017-18. If a city is bombed daily on BBC/Al Jazeera, it must go on your wall map immediately.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Aleppo located in Syria?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"***Aleppo Old Bazaar, Syria: A city's identity buried in the ruins of an historic market.***"
Why this source?
  • The passage explicitly names Aleppo and attaches 'Syria' to it.
  • It describes a specific Aleppo landmark ('Aleppo Old Bazaar') and labels it 'Syria', directly locating the city.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The report includes testimony from residents in Syria's Aleppo, Iraq's Mosul and Yemen's Taiz,"
Why this source?
  • The report text refers to 'Syria's Aleppo', directly indicating Aleppo is in Syria.
  • It groups Aleppo with other locations in the context of conflicts in Syria, reinforcing the location.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"ICRC staff in Aleppo with a woman sitting on the ground ### [ICRC in Syria: Year in Review 2024]"
Why this source?
  • An image caption refers to 'ICRC staff in Aleppo' alongside a link titled 'ICRC in Syria', associating Aleppo with Syria.
  • The passage ties Aleppo-related content directly to Syria-focused reporting.

Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Writing and City Life > A Trading Town in a Pastoral Zone > p. 24
Strength: 5/5
“The kings of Mari, however, had to be vigilant; herders of various tribes were allowed to move in the kingdom, but they were watched. The camps of herders are mentioned frequently in letters between kings and officials. In one letter, an officer writes to the king that he has been seeing frequent fire signals at night - sent by one camp to another - and he suspects that a raid or an attack is being planned. Located on the Euphrates in a prime position for trade - in wood, copper, tin, oil, wine, and various other goods that were carried in boats along the Euphrates - between the south and the mineral-rich uplands of Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, Mari is a good example of an urban centre prospering on trade.”
Why relevant

This snippet lists 'Turkey, Syria and Lebanon' as upland regions connected by the Euphrates and notes towns located on the Euphrates prosper through trade.

How to extend

A student could check a map to see whether Aleppo lies on or near the Euphrates corridor and inside Syria's borders.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 313
Strength: 4/5
“The site of a town is its topographical location in the immediate neighbourhood. Kuala Lumpur is sited at the confluence of the Sungai Kelang and its tributary the Gombak. Its position is its locational situation in relation to the rest of the region. Kuala Lumpur is situated in the 'rubber and tin belt' in central Peninsular Malaysia. Fig. 31.3 shows the site of Kuala Lumpur and Fig. 31.4 the position of Kuala Lumpur The following are some of the more favrourable combinations of site and situation which have led to the establishment and growth of settlements. l. Fertile alluvial plain.”
Why relevant

Defines 'site' and 'situation' of towns and gives river-confluence location (Kuala Lumpur) as a clear example of how towns are sited.

How to extend

Use the site/situation rule plus a map to determine Aleppo's topographical location and whether that location places it within Syria.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Ouestions and Exercises > p. 323
Strength: 3/5
“1. Either: Distinguish the differences between dispersed and nucleated settlements, giving examples wherever you can. Or: State the difference between site and situation by drawing sketch maps of towns that you know. • 2. With the aid of sketch maps show specific examples of the following types of towns: (a) nodal town; • (b) confluence town;• (c) gap town;• • (d) satellite town.• 3.”
Why relevant

Exercise asks students to draw sketch maps and show specific town types (e.g., confluence town, nodal town), encouraging use of maps to classify towns geographically.

How to extend

A student could draw/consult a map to classify Aleppo (e.g., riverine, nodal on trade routes) and thereby confirm which country contains it.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > 6.1 New cities > p. 42
Strength: 3/5
“Let us retrace our steps back to the urban centres that emerged in several parts of the subcontinent from c. sixth century BCE. As we have seen, many of these were capitals of mahajanapadas. Virtually all major towns were located along routes of communication. Some such as Pataliputra were on riverine routes. Others, such as Ujjayini, were along land routes, and yet others, such as Puhar, were near the coast, from where sea routes began. Many cities like Mathura were bustling centres of commercial, cultural and political activity.”
Why relevant

States that major towns historically emerged along routes of communication (riverine, land, sea) as a general pattern for town locations.

How to extend

Apply this pattern by checking historical/commercial route maps of the Middle East to see if Aleppo is positioned on such routes within Syrian territory.

Statement 2
Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Kirkuk located in Yemen?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"an attack on the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, killing 18 security force members and power station workers."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies Kirkuk as an Iraqi city.
  • Describes attacks and control of the oil-producing city in the context of Iraq.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"pushed Kurdish Peshmerga fighters back from land they took during the fight against IS around Kirkuk."
Why this source?
  • Mentions fighting around Kirkuk in the same discussion of violence in Iraq.
  • Places Kirkuk within the Iraq conflict context (Kurdish Peshmerga and IS fighting).
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"Iraqi forces [launch] an offensive on Hawija, one of the last territories under Islamic State."
Why this source?
  • Refers to Iraqi forces launching an offensive on a region described relative to Kirkuk.
  • Connects military operations to the area near the oil city Kirkuk in an Iraq-focused timeline.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 315
Strength: 4/5
“to reach Tokyo itself, though the large ocean liners and tramps prefer to call at its outport, Yokohama, 32 km (20 miles) away. 4. A natural focus of routes. These are the nodal towns. By virtue of their geographical location in relation to the region, many towns assume prominence as centres of road, rail or water communication. People congregate to provide commercial and social services that passing travelers can make use of. Examples of such nodal towns include Bidor whose function is more as an intermediate route junction between two state capitals, Ipoh in the north, and Kuala Lumpur in the south 5.”
Why relevant

Gives the pattern that major towns/cities are identified by precise geographic relations (e.g., Tokyo and its outport Yokohama with distance).

How to extend

A student could apply this pattern by checking a map or atlas to find the precise national location and neighboring places for 'Kirkuk' to test if it lies in Yemen.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Functions of Settlements > p. 319
Strength: 4/5
“6. Cultural and educational towns. These are towns in which are found world renowned universities, e.g. Oxford, Cambridge and London in U.K., Heidelberg in the Netherlands. 7. Ecclesiastical towns. The towns under this category are very special. They are historical and religious centres and are frequented by pilgrims from all parts of the globe. Such ecclesiastical towns include Jerusalem, (Judaism, Christianity), Mecca (Islam), Varanasi (Hinduism). There are other smaller ones which have religious associations of some kind or have important shrines. e.g. Canterbury (U.K.), Lourdes (France). 8. Royal towns. These are the traditional residences of monarchs, kings and queens, sultans and their consorts.”
Why relevant

Shows examples of world-famous towns linked to specific countries/regions (e.g., Mecca, Jerusalem), illustrating that towns are typically associated with particular nations.

How to extend

Use this rule to look up which country is conventionally associated with the town name 'Kirkuk' in gazetteers or maps.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 29: El Nino, La Nina & El Nino Modoki > Impact of IOD On Cyclogenesis In Northern Indian Ocean > p. 416
Strength: 3/5
“• Positive IOD (the Arabian Sea is warmer than the Bay of Bengal) results in more cyclones than usual in the Arabian Sea.• Negative IOD results in stronger than usual cyclogenesis in the Bay of Bengal. Cyclogenesis in the Arabian Sea is suppressed. [UPSC Prelims 2017] With reference to 'Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)' sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting the Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2017-I] 1. IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.”
Why relevant

Discusses large regional geography (Arabian Sea vs Bay of Bengal), implicitly outlining maritime regions that help place countries along the Arabian Sea coast.

How to extend

A student could use a world map to see that Yemen lies on the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula (Arabian Sea/Red Sea), then compare Kirkuk's position to that coastline to judge whether Kirkuk could be in Yemen.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > 6.1 New cities > p. 42
Strength: 3/5
“Let us retrace our steps back to the urban centres that emerged in several parts of the subcontinent from c. sixth century BCE. As we have seen, many of these were capitals of mahajanapadas. Virtually all major towns were located along routes of communication. Some such as Pataliputra were on riverine routes. Others, such as Ujjayini, were along land routes, and yet others, such as Puhar, were near the coast, from where sea routes began. Many cities like Mathura were bustling centres of commercial, cultural and political activity.”
Why relevant

Notes that many historical towns are tied to well-defined regional routes (riverine, land, sea), implying towns have characteristic geographic settings that map to particular countries or regions.

How to extend

Check Kirkuk's geographic setting (inland, near particular routes or features) on a map to see whether that setting matches Yemen's geography.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 14: Settlements > S.M. Rafiullah's Technique: > p. 36
Strength: 2/5
“In fact, such towns are characterised with cantonments, barracks, military training centres, garrisons, air-force bases, air-fields, harbours, strategic locations, and naval headquarters. Adampur, Ambala, Halwara, Jalandhar, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Khadakwasla, MOHO, Pathankot, Udhampur, Vishakhapatnam, etc., are some of the examples of defence towns.• 3. Cultural Cities: These cities perform either religious, educational or recreational functions. The cities of Allahabad, Amritsar, Ajmer, Bodh-Gaya, Dharamshala, Gangotri, Hardwar, Kushipur, Nashik, Peerankalyar (Uttarakhand), Pushkar, Varanasi, etc., are the religious centres in which the religious rituals are performed, and the markets are full of religious books and accessories required for the religious rituals. The educational cities like Aligarh, Gurukul, Kharagpur, Pantnagar, Shantiniketan, etc. are some of the examples of educational cultural centres. • 4.”
Why relevant

Provides examples of towns grouped by national/regional context (lists of Indian defence and cultural towns), reinforcing that town names are tied to national lists.

How to extend

Consult country-specific lists or atlases to determine if 'Kirkuk' appears under Yemen or another country.

Statement 3
Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Mosul located in Palestine?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"**March 15:** Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi [says](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-abadi/mosul-battle-reaching-final-stages-abadi-idUSKBN16M0M6) the Iraqi government’s campaign to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State is in its final stages."
Why this source?
  • Names Iraq explicitly in connection with Mosul (shows Mosul is an Iraqi city).
  • Refers to the Iraqi government’s campaign to recapture Mosul from ISIS, tying the city to Iraq.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"**Jan. 22:** The Islamic State [blows up](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-hotel/islamic-state-blows-up-mosul-hotel-to-prevent-iraqi-forces-using-it-idUSKBN1560HG) the landmark Mosul Hotel in western Mosul to prevent Iraqi forces from using it as a base in their advance to capture the city. **Jan. 23-24:** Iraqi officials [say](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-mosul/iraqi-forces-claim-recapture-of-eastern-mosul-after-100-days-of-fighting-idUSKBN157231) government forces have taken complete control over eastern Mosul from the Islamic State, 100 days after the start of the campaign."
Why this source?
  • Mentions Iraqi officials and Iraqi forces taking control of parts of Mosul, linking Mosul to Iraq.
  • Describes landmarks (Mosul Hotel) in western Mosul being targeted to prevent use by Iraqi forces, reinforcing location context.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"**March 1:** U.S.-backed Iraqi forces [take control](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-mosul-road/iraqi-army-controls-main-roads-out-of-mosul-trapping-islamic-state-idUSKBN1683H8) of the last major road out of western Mosul from the Islamic State. **March 6:** Iraqi forces [recapture](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-mosul/iraqi-forces-retake-mosul-museum-close-in-on-is-controlled-old-town-idUSKBN16E0DG) the main government building in Mosul, the central bank and the Mosul museum from the Islamic State."
Why this source?
  • Specifically states 'Iraqi forces' and 'U.S.-backed Iraqi forces' taking control of roads and buildings in Mosul, indicating Mosul is within Iraq.
  • Describes Iraqi military operations and institutions (central bank, museum) in Mosul, not Palestine.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Arab-Israeli War > p. 255
Strength: 5/5
“At the end of the Six Day War, Israel occupied the remaining parts of Palestine, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, plus the Syrian Golan Heights and the Egyptian Sinai. Two hundred fifty thousand more Palestinians were forced into exile, and a million more remain under Israeli military occupation even now. For years following the 1967 war, the UN voted repeatedly in favour of an international peace conference, under its own auspices, with all parties to the conflict (including the Palestine Liberation Organisation led by Yasser Arafat) to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict once and for all. But the U.S. always vetoed it.”
Why relevant

Describes the geographic extent of 'Palestine' in modern conflicts (West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem), giving a sense of what territory counts as Palestine.

How to extend

A student could compare the location of Mosul on a map to the West Bank/Gaza/East Jerusalem to see if it falls within those areas.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Problem of Palestine > p. 252
Strength: 4/5
“After the Second World War, the Jews demanded a homeland in Palestine. Arabs opposed the demand and the matter was”
Why relevant

Explains the political/historical context of Palestine as a distinct region claimed as a Jewish homeland and opposed by Arabs, implying Palestine is a specific Middle Eastern territory.

How to extend

Use this to recall that Palestine refers to a specific region (not all Middle East) and then check Mosul's position relative to that region on a map.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 313
Strength: 4/5
“The site of a town is its topographical location in the immediate neighbourhood. Kuala Lumpur is sited at the confluence of the Sungai Kelang and its tributary the Gombak. Its position is its locational situation in relation to the rest of the region. Kuala Lumpur is situated in the 'rubber and tin belt' in central Peninsular Malaysia. Fig. 31.3 shows the site of Kuala Lumpur and Fig. 31.4 the position of Kuala Lumpur The following are some of the more favrourable combinations of site and situation which have led to the establishment and growth of settlements. l. Fertile alluvial plain.”
Why relevant

Gives a clear rule about 'site' and 'position' of towns (local topography and regional situation) which is a standard method for locating towns geographically.

How to extend

Apply the site/position idea by checking Mosul's topographical location (e.g., on a river) and its position within a country on a map to determine what country or region it lies in.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Functions of Settlements > p. 319
Strength: 3/5
“6. Cultural and educational towns. These are towns in which are found world renowned universities, e.g. Oxford, Cambridge and London in U.K., Heidelberg in the Netherlands. 7. Ecclesiastical towns. The towns under this category are very special. They are historical and religious centres and are frequented by pilgrims from all parts of the globe. Such ecclesiastical towns include Jerusalem, (Judaism, Christianity), Mecca (Islam), Varanasi (Hinduism). There are other smaller ones which have religious associations of some kind or have important shrines. e.g. Canterbury (U.K.), Lourdes (France). 8. Royal towns. These are the traditional residences of monarchs, kings and queens, sultans and their consorts.”
Why relevant

Lists well-known towns associated with particular religions/regions (e.g., Jerusalem for Judaism/Christianity) illustrating that certain cities are emblematic of specific territories.

How to extend

Because Jerusalem is tied to Palestine/Israel in these lists, a student can contrast that with Mosul's known associations to judge whether Mosul is similarly associated with Palestine.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Arab Refugees > p. 253
Strength: 3/5
“referred to the UN. In May 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) to investigate and make recommendations. According to the UNSCOP report, Arabs were in possession of about 85 percent of the land and only about 5.8 percent was owned by Jews.”
Why relevant

Gives data on land possession in historical Palestine debates (UN investigation), reinforcing that 'Palestine' refers to a specific bounded territory discussed in international documents.

How to extend

Use the notion of a bounded, contested territory and compare Mosul's geographic coordinates or national/city listings against those boundaries to test whether Mosul is inside Palestine.

Statement 4
Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Mazar-i-Sharif located in Afghanistan?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 10: India And Her Neighbours > Relations with Afghanistan > p. 175
Strength: 4/5
“But Shah Shuja was detested and despised by the people of Afghanistan, especially as he had come back with the help of foreign bayonets. The British historian William Kave has pointed out that Shah Shuja's entry into Kabul "was more like a funeral procession than the entry of a king into the capital of his restored dominions." Moreover the people resented British interference in their administration. On 11 December 1841, the British were compelled to sign a treaty with the Afghan chiefs by which they agreed to evacuate Afghanistan and to restore Dost Muhammed. But the story did not end there.”
Why relevant

Mentions Kabul repeatedly as a central town/seat of power in 'Afghanistan', establishing that specific city-names are used to identify locations within Afghanistan.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern (city-name = place in Afghanistan) plus a world map or atlas to check whether Mazar-i-Sharif is similarly listed under Afghanistan.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 5: Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India > First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842) > p. 130
Strength: 4/5
“Dost Mohammed surrendered (1840) and Shah Shuja was made the Amir of Afghanistan. But Shah Shuja was unacceptable to the Afghans. As soon as the British withdrew, the Afghans rose in rebellion, killing the garrison commander in Kabul. The British were compelled to sign a treaty (1841) with the Afghan chiefs by which they agreed to evacuate Afghanistan and restore Dost Mohammed. But the English plan failed. Under a new expedition, the British re-occupied Kabul in September 1842, but having learned their lesson well, they arrived at a settlement with Dost Mohammed by which the British evacuated from Kabul and recognised him as the independent ruler of Afghanistan.”
Why relevant

Describes Kabul as the locus of military and political events in Afghanistan, illustrating that historical and newsworthy towns are identified as Afghan places.

How to extend

Apply the same reasoning to Mazar-i-Sharif: consult a standard map or gazetteer to see if it appears within Afghanistan's borders.

Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 10: India And Her Neighbours > Relations with Afghanistan > p. 177
Strength: 3/5
“To force British terms on the Amir, a new attack on Afghanistan was launched in 1878. Peace came in May 1879 when Sher Ali's son, Yakub Khan, signed the Treaty of Gandamak by which the British secured all they had desired. They secured certain border districts, the right to keep a Resident at Kabul, and control over Afghanistan's foreign policy. But the British success was short lived. The national pride of the Afghans had been hurt and once again they rose to defend their independence. On 3 September 1879, the British Resident, Major Cavagnari, and his military escort were attacked and killed by rebellious Afghan troops.”
Why relevant

Refers to British Resident at Kabul and actions 'on Afghanistan', reinforcing the practice of naming towns (like Kabul) to denote Afghan locations in historical sources.

How to extend

Use this naming practice plus a current political map to determine whether Mazar-i-Sharif is listed as a town in Afghanistan.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 5: Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India > British India and the North-West Frontier > p. 132
Strength: 3/5
“Successive Indian rulers tried to reach out to this region lying between the Indus and Afghanistan in their search for a scientific frontier. The conquest of Sindh (1843) and annexation of Punjab (1849) carried British boundaries beyond the Indus and brought them in contact with Baluch and Pathan tribes, who were mostly independent, but the Amir of Afghanistan claimed nominal suzerainty over them. During 1891-92 the British occupation of Hunza, Nagar in Gilgit valley, which were passes commanding communications with Chitral, alarmed Abdur Rahman (Amir of Afghanistan). A compromise was finally reached by drawing a boundary line known as Durand Line between Afghan and British territories.”
Why relevant

Discusses the Durand Line as a boundary 'between Afghan and British territories', highlighting that border definitions help place towns relative to Afghanistan.

How to extend

A student could check Mazar-i-Sharif's position relative to known borders (Durand Line region) on a map to judge whether it lies inside Afghanistan.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 14: Settlements > Khooni Darwaza > p. 24
Strength: 2/5
“It is of historical significance. It witnessed the bloodshed during 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. It is located on the Bahadur Shah Zafar road and lies opposite to Feroz Shah Kotla. It was named so because it led to Kabul in Pakistan.”
Why relevant

Uses routes and place-names (a road 'led to Kabul') to show how towns are referenced by their connections, implying that looking at transport/route maps can identify town-country associations.

How to extend

Check road and regional maps showing connections in Central/South Asia to see whether Mazar-i-Sharif is connected within Afghanistan's internal network.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently targets West Asia (Middle East) for map questions due to its geopolitical volatility and energy relevance to India. The mechanism is simple: take a headline city and swap its country with a neighbor to create a trap.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for newspaper regulars; Trap for those ignoring the 'World' page. Derived directly from the peak ISIS conflict era (2016-2018).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: West Asian Geopolitics & Conflict Zones. Specifically, the 'Capitals of Crisis'—cities changing hands or suffering humanitarian disasters.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Map these siblings: Raqqa (Syria - ISIS capital), Idlib (Syria - rebel holdout), Sana'a & Hodeidah (Yemen - Houthi conflict), Zaporizhzhia (Ukraine - Nuclear plant), and Rafah (Gaza border).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize random towns. Filter by 'Intensity of Conflict': Is the UN holding a meeting about it? Are refugees fleeing it? Is it a strategic oil/port hub? If yes, map it.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Site vs. Situation of a town
💡 The insight

Determining whether a town belongs to a country requires understanding its site (local topography) and situation (location relative to region), a distinction discussed in the references.

High-yield for geography questions: helps locate towns using local features and regional relationships rather than memorizing names. Connects to map-based questions, historical trade routes, and administrative geography. Practice by comparing site/situation for well-known towns.

📚 Reading List :
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 313
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > 6.1 New cities > p. 42
🔗 Anchor: "Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Aleppo located in Syria?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Riverine location and trade as determinants of urban sites
💡 The insight

Several references show ancient towns sited on rivers (e.g., Mari on the Euphrates, Pataliputra) — a pattern used to infer likely national/ regional placement of historic and modern towns.

Useful for deducing location of towns mentioned in news or history by linking rivers/routes to countries and regions. Bridges physical geography with economic history and can be used in source-based and map questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Writing and City Life > A Trading Town in a Pastoral Zone > p. 24
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > 6.1 New cities > p. 42
🔗 Anchor: "Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Aleppo located in Syria?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Types/functions of settlements (cultural, defensive, garrison towns)
💡 The insight

Knowing town types and their typical locations (e.g., defensive towns on strategic sites, cultural towns as pilgrimage centres) helps contextualize where towns are found and why they're noted in news.

Helps answer questions on urban functions, historical development, and geopolitics. Connects to human geography, urban planning, and historical case studies; practise by classifying example towns.

📚 Reading List :
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Functions of Settlements > p. 319
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 316
🔗 Anchor: "Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Aleppo located in Syria?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Nodal towns and transport routes
💡 The insight

Determining a town's location often depends on its role as a transport/communication node; references describe how towns gain prominence from road, rail or water links.

High-yield for UPSC geography and current-affairs questions: helps quickly eliminate incorrect locations by checking major transport corridors. Connects to physical geography (rivers, coasts) and economic geography (trade hubs). Practice by mapping major towns to transport networks.

📚 Reading List :
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 315
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > 6.1 New cities > p. 42
🔗 Anchor: "Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Kirkuk located in Yemen?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Classification of towns by function (cultural, ecclesiastical, defence, royal)
💡 The insight

Knowing the functional classification of towns helps associate certain towns with regions or historical roles, useful when verifying whether a town like Kirkuk fits profiles typical of a country/region.

Useful for prelims and mains linkage questions: ties urban functions to history, religion, defence and administration. Enables pattern recognition (e.g., defence towns often near strategic frontiers). Learn by categorising examples and their geographies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Functions of Settlements > p. 319
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 14: Settlements > S.M. Rafiullah's Technique: > p. 36
🔗 Anchor: "Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Kirkuk located in Yemen?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Location factors of towns (riverine, coastal, land routes)
💡 The insight

References highlight common physical-location factors (riverine, coastal, land routes) that explain where towns develop—key to assessing plausibility of a town being in a given country.

High utility for elimination-based answers in UPSC: knowing typical siting reasons helps check if a town's known features match a country's geography. Links with history (trade routes) and economics (ports, markets); revise through case studies of major cities.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > 6.1 New cities > p. 42
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Human Settlements > Evolution of Towns in India > p. 17
🔗 Anchor: "Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Kirkuk located in Yemen?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Political and historical geography of Palestine
💡 The insight

The references discuss Palestine, post‑WWII demands for a Jewish homeland, UN actions, and territorial occupation—central to understanding what 'Palestine' refers to geographically and politically.

High‑yield for UPSC: questions often probe contested territories, UN resolutions, and refugee/occupation issues. Mastering this helps distinguish named regions (e.g., Palestine) from countries and identify which cities belong to which polity. Links to international relations, modern history, and human geography topics.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Problem of Palestine > p. 252
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Arab-Israeli War > p. 255
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Arab Refugees > p. 253
🔗 Anchor: "Towns sometimes mentioned in news: Is Mosul located in Palestine?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Since Kirkuk was asked as an oil hub, the next logical targets are strategic energy chokepoints: Abqaiq (Saudi Arabia - oil processing), Fujairah (UAE - oil terminal), or Yanbu (Saudi Red Sea port).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'Conflict Context' Hack. Mosul was the capital of the ISIS 'Caliphate'. The Caliphate was strictly in Iraq/Syria. Palestine's conflict is Israel-centric (Gaza/West Bank). Therefore, Pair 3 (Mosul-Palestine) is impossible. Eliminate options [C] and [D]. You are left with 50:50. Kirkuk is famous for Kurds and Oil (Iraq), not Yemen (Houthis). Thus, 2 is wrong. Answer is [B].

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-2 (IR): The instability in these towns (Mosul/Aleppo) directly impacts India's energy security (oil price spikes) and the safety of the 9 million Indian diaspora in the Gulf.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2023 · Q97 Relevance score: 3.81

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located . Donbas : Syria Kachin : Ethiopia Tigray : North Yemen 1. 2. 3. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

IAS · 2022 · Q18 Relevance score: 3.49

Consider the following pairs : Region often mentioned in the news Country 1. Anatolia - Turkey 2. Amhara - Ethiopia 3. Cabo Delgado - Spain 4. Catalonia - Italy How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

IAS · 2014 · Q36 Relevance score: 3.07

Consider the following pairs : Region often in news Country 1. Chechnya : Russian Federation 2. Darfur : Mali 3. Swat Valley : Iraq Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

IAS · 2016 · Q19 Relevance score: 3.02

Consider the following pairs : Community sometimes mentioned in the news 1. Kurd : Bangladesh 2. Madhesi : Nepal 3. Rohingya : Myanmar Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?