Medieval India (C) The Mughal Empire - Questions & Answers

1. The Ain-i-Akbari written by Abul Fazl is divided into five books.

2. Shah Jahan built one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Name it.
Taj Mahal

3. Which is the biggest mosque in India?
Jama Masjid

4. The Red fort complex does not house:
Buland Darwaza

5. Which of the following is incorrect?
Battle of Haldighati : Humayun

6. In 1575, Akbar built a hall called Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri.

7. Name the new faith promulgated by Akbar.
Din-i-Illahi

8. According to the Mansabdari System, the ranks were divided into zat and sawar.

1. (A) Before Babur invaded India in 1526, India had many breakaway kingdoms of the Delhi Sultanate with no powerful central authority.
(R) These regional kingdoms one by one came under the control of the Mughals.
(A) is the reason for (R)

2. (A) The Taj Mahal is built at Agra on the banks of river Yamuna.
(R) The method of decoration used in Taj Mahal is called Pietra dura.
(A) and (R) are independent of each other.

3. (A) Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and occupied Delhi and Agra.
(R) Babur was invited by Daulat Khan Lodhi to oust Ibrahim Lodhi from the throne.
(R) is the reason for (A)

4. (A) Akbar promulgated a new faith called Din-i-Illahi, based on the principal of oneness of God.
(R) Its main purpose was Sulh-kul or universal harmony.
(A) is the reason for (R)

1. Name two important sources which provide information about the Mughals.
Two important sources of information are the Ain-i-Akbari and architectural monuments like the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort.

2. Name the author of Ain-i-Akbari. Name any two books which constitute the Ain-i-Akbari.
The author of Ain-i-Akbari is Abul Fazl. Two books constituting it are the first book (which deals with the imperial household and its maintenance) and the second book (which deals with the servants of the emperor, the military, and civil services).

3. Who invited Babur to India? Why?
Daulat Khan Lodhi, the Governor of Punjab, invited Babur to India to oust Ibrahim Lodhi from the throne.

4. Between whom was the First Battle of Panipat fought? What was the outcome of the battle?
The First Battle of Panipat (1526) was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi. The outcome was that Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi and occupied Delhi and Agra.

5. Between whom was the Battle of Haldighati fought? Who was defeated by Akbar at this battle?
The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Maharana Pratap (the ruler of Mewar) and the Mughal army led by Raja Man Singh. Maharana Pratap was defeated by Akbar's forces.

6. Mention any two steps taken by Akbar to promote better understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims.
1. He abolished the poll tax (jizyah) and the pilgrim tax on non-Muslims. 2. He enrolled a number of Hindus into the nobility, giving them high positions based on competence.

7. Name the two taxes abolished by Akbar.
Akbar abolished the poll tax (jizyah) and the pilgrim tax.

8. What principles did Akbar's Din-i-Illahi promote?
Din-i-Illahi was based on the principle of the oneness of God. It stressed virtues like courage, loyalty, and justice, and its basic purpose was to promote Sulh-kul (universal harmony).

9. Why did Akbar build the Ibadat Khana?
Akbar built the Ibadat Khana (Hall of Prayer) to call selected theologians of all religions, mystics, and intellectuals to discuss religious and spiritual matters with them.

10. List any two social reforms that were introduced by Akbar.
1. He issued orders to check the forcible practice of Sati and allowed women who wanted to commit Sati of their own free will to do so. 2. He legalised widow remarriage and raised the age of marriage to 14 for girls and 16 for boys.

11. Who were mansabdars? How were they paid?
Mansabdars were individuals who held a 'mansab' (position or rank) forming the ruling group in the Mughal empire's bureaucracy and military hierarchy. They were paid through revenue assignments called 'jagirs'. Most did not reside in their jagirs but only had rights to its revenue, which was collected by their servants.

1. With reference to the Mughal Empire, explain briefly the significance of the following:
(a) Ain-i-Akbari.
(b) Taj Mahal
(c) Red Fort

(a) Ain-i-Akbari: Written by Abul Fazl, it is a highly precious source of information regarding the administration, culture, imperial household, military regulations, and society during Akbar's reign.
(b) Taj Mahal: Built by Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, it highlights the zenith of Mughal architecture, featuring an octagonal structure of pure white marble, an inverted lotus-shaped dome, and beautiful pietra dura floral decorations.
(c) Red Fort: Constructed by Shah Jahan in Delhi using red sandstone and marble, it contains impressive ceremonial buildings like Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas. It holds immense historical importance, acting as the site where the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag on Independence Day.

2. With reference to the Mughal rule, state briefly:
(a) Akbar's policy towards the Rajputs.
(b) Akbar's policy of religious tolerance.
(c) Social reforms introduced by Akbar.

(a) Akbar's policy towards the Rajputs: He established marriage alliances with the Rajputs, such as marrying Harkha Bai, and granted his Hindu wives full religious freedom. He also gave honourable places in the nobility to Rajput relations, which ended centuries of animosity and fostered a composite culture.
(b) Akbar's policy of religious tolerance: He abolished the jizyah and pilgrim taxes to establish equality among citizens. He built the Ibadat Khana for interfaith dialogues and later issued the Mahzar, making himself the final arbiter in religious disputes, culminating in the creation of the universal faith Din-i-Illahi.
(c) Social reforms introduced by Akbar: He issued orders checking the forcible practice of Sati, legalised widow remarriage, discouraged polygamy (unless the first wife could not bear children), and raised the marriageable age for boys and girls.

3. With reference to the Mansabdari system, answer the following questions:
(a) What was the Mansabdari system?
(b) What was meant by zat and sawar rank?
(c) Trace the changes in the system from the rule of Jahangir.

(a) The Mansabdari system was a unique grading system introduced by Akbar for the administrative and military bureaucracy where every officer was assigned a rank (mansab) determining their salary and military responsibilities.
(b) The 'zat' rank fixed the personal status and the salary of a person in the court. The 'sawar' rank indicated the number of cavalrymen (or horses) a mansabdar was required to maintain for the empire.
(c) Under Jahangir, the system continued but the average rate of zat salary was reduced from Rs. 240 to Rs. 200 per annum. Shah Jahan later reduced the number of sawars a noble had to maintain to one-third or one-fourth of his sawar rank. By Aurangzeb's reign, a huge increase in mansabdars caused a shortage of jagirs (revenue assignments).

4. Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:
(a) Who built this fort? Where is it located? State its ceremonial importance in the present.
(b) Mention three important buildings within the fort.
(c) Mention two architectural features of the fort.

(a) Shah Jahan built this fort (the Red Fort). It is located on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi. Its present ceremonial importance is that the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag from its ramparts every year on Independence Day (August 15).
(b) Three important buildings within the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam, the Diwan-i-Khas, and the Moti Masjid.
(c) Two architectural features are its construction using red sandstone and marble, and its massive walls with two main gateways (including the Western Gateway known as Lahori Gate).

5. Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:
(a) Identify this monument? Where is it located? Which material is used to build this monument?
(b) Name the person who built this monument. Why was the monument erected? What is the method of decoration of this monument called?
(c) State the four features of this monument which reflect the Mughal style of architecture.

(a) The monument is the Taj Mahal. It is located at Agra on the banks of the River Yamuna. It is built mainly of pure white marble.
(b) It was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The method of decoration using semi-precious stones is called pietra dura.
(c) Four reflecting features of Mughal architecture include: 1. Construction on a high platform. 2. A massive central marble dome resembling an inverted lotus. 3. Four tall minarets (40m high) on the corners of the platform. 4. Extensive pietra dura inlay work and architectural kiosks (chhatris).

1. Imagine that you visited Agra during the reign of Akbar. You visited so many places in Agra and also met local people belonging to both the Hindu and the Muslim communities. State how both the communities lived amicably and strengthened the composite culture of India.

During Akbar's reign in Agra, the atmosphere was highly tolerant and inclusive due to his liberal policies. The abolition of discriminatory taxes like jizyah and pilgrim tax meant that Hindus and Muslims were treated as equal citizens. Furthermore, Akbar's matrimonial alliances with Rajputs and his inclusion of Hindus in high nobility roles (mansabs) bridged the gap between communities. Projects like translating Hindu epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana) into Persian and religious discussions at the Ibadat Khana encouraged mutual respect and understanding. This sharing of ideas, art, and administration created harmony and forged a strong composite Indian culture where both communities could coexist peacefully.

2. Suppose you were a mansabdar during Akbar's reign. Give details of your powers and the salary received by you.

As a mansabdar under Akbar, my position, power, and salary would be determined by a dual numerical rank: 'zat' and 'sawar'. My 'zat' rank would decide my personal status and hierarchy in the royal court, as well as my base salary. My 'sawar' rank would determine my military responsibilities, specifically how many cavalrymen and horses I was required to maintain for the Emperor's service. Instead of cash, my salary would primarily be paid through a revenue assignment called a 'jagir'. However, I would not live on this land; I would continue to serve wherever the Emperor posted me, while my trusted servants collected the assigned revenue from the jagir on my behalf.