The Mughal Empire Online Test 7th Social Science Lesson 10 Questions in English

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, popularly known as Babur, was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India.

The term ‘Mughal’ can be traced to Babur’s ancestors. Babur was the great grandson of Timur (on his father’s side). On his mother’s side, his grandfather was Yunus Khan of Tashkent, who was known as the Great Khan of the Mongols and the thirteenth in the direct line of descent of Chengiz Khan.The term ‘Mughal’ can be traced to Babur’s ancestors. Babur was the great grandson of Timur (on his father’s side). On his mother’s side, his grandfather was Yunus Khan of Tashkent, who was known as the Great Khan of the Mongols and the thirteenth in the direct line of descent of Chengiz Khan.

Babur was born on 14 February 1483. He was named Zahir-ud-din (Defender of Faith) Muhammad.

Babur inherited Farghana, a small kingdom in Central Asia, when he was 12 years old. But he was soon driven out from there by Uzbeks. After 10 years of adversity, Babur established himself as the ruler of Kabul.

After 10 years of adversity, Babur established himself as the ruler of Kabul. In Kabul, Babur set his sights eastward, reminded by the memory of Timur’s Indian invasion

In 1505, the very year after he took Kabul, Babur led his first expedition towards India. Yet he was preoccupied with the Central Asian affairs.

In 1505, the very year after he took Kabul, Babur led his first expedition towards India. Yet he was preoccupied with the Central Asian affairs. He did not have any ambition beyond Punjab till 1524.

Dilawar Khan, who was Daulat Khan Lodi’s son, and Alam Khan, who was the uncle of Sultan of Delhi, arrived in Kabul to seek Babur’s help in removing Ibrahim Lodi from power.

Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the famous Battle of Panipat in 1526 and occupied Delhi and Agra.

Following Babur’s victory in this battle, Mughal dynasty came to be established in India with Agra as its capital.

Following Babur’s victory in this battle, Mughal dynasty came to be established in India with Agra as its capital. Babur defeated Rana Sanga and his allies at Khanwa in 1527.

Babur defeated Rana Sanga and his allies at Khanwa in 1527. He won the war against the chief of Chanderi in 1528 and prevailed over the Afghan chiefs of Bengal and Bihar in 1529.

Babur died in 1530 before he could consolidate his victories. Babur was a scholar in Turkish and Persian languages.

Babur recorded his impressions about Hindustan, its animals, plants and trees, flowers and fruits in his autobiography Tuzuki-Baburi.

Following the tradition set by Chengiz Khan, who nominated the most deserving among his sons as his heir, Babur chose his favourite and eldest son, Humayun, as his heir.

Humayun, on his accession to the throne, divided his inheritance as per his father’s will and accordingly his brothers, Kamran, Hindal and Askari, got a province each.

Humayun, on his accession to the throne, divided his inheritance as per his father’s will and accordingly his brothers, Kamran, Hindal and Askari, got a province each.

Humayun also had other rivals and notable among them was the Afghan Sher Shah Sur, the ruler of Bihar and Bengal. Sher Shah defeated Humayun at Chausa (1539) and again at Kanauj (1540).

Humayun also had other rivals and notable among them was the Afghan Sher Shah Sur, the ruler of Bihar and Bengal. Sher Shah defeated Humayun at Chausa (1539) and again at Kanauj (1540). Humayun, defeated and overthrown, had to flee to Iran.

With the help of the Persian ruler Shah Tahmasp of the Safavid dynasty, Humayun succeeded in recapturing Delhi in 1555. But he died in 1556 when he fell down the stairs of his library in Delhi.

With the help of the Persian ruler Shah Tahmasp of the Safavid dynasty, Humayun succeeded in recapturing Delhi in 1555. But he died in 1556 when he fell down the stairs of his library in Delhi.

Sher Shah was the son of the Afghan noble Hasan Suri, ruler of Sasaram in Bihar. After overthrowing Humayun, Sher Shah started the rule of Sur dynasty at Agra. During his brief reign, he built an empire stretching from Bengal to the Indus, excluding Kashmir.

Sher Shah also introduced an efficient land revenue system. He built many roads, and standardised coins, weights and measures.

After the death of Humayun in 1556, his 14-year-old son Akbar was crowned the King. Humayun’s trusted general Bairam Khan became the regent and ruled on behalf of Akbar, as the latter was a minor.

After the death of Humayun in 1556, his 14-year-old son Akbar was crowned the King. Humayun’s trusted general Bairam Khan became the regent and ruled on behalf of Akbar, as the latter was a minor.

Akbar (1556–1605), After the death of Humayun in 1556, his 14-year-old son Akbar was crowned the King. Humayun’s trusted general Bairam Khan became the regent and ruled on behalf of Akbar, as the latter was a minor.

Hemu, a general of Sur dynasty, soon captured Agra and Delhi in 1556. In the same year, Bairam Khan defeated and killed Hemu in the battle at Panipat (Second Battle of Panipat, 1556).

Hemu, a general of Sur dynasty, soon captured Agra and Delhi in 1556. In the same year, Bairam Khan defeated and killed Hemu in the battle at Panipat (Second Battle of Panipat, 1556).

Gujarat As Bairam Khan was murdered in Gujarat, allegedly at the instance of Akbar who could not tolerate his dominance in day-to-day governance of the kingdom, Akbar assumed full control of the government. Akbar brought most of India under his control through conquests and alliances.

Akbar conquered Malwa and parts of Central India. His defeat of Rani Durgavati, a ruler in the Central Province, is not appreciated, since the brave Rani did him no harm. Yet urged by his ambition to build an empire, Akbar had no consideration for the good nature of the ruler.

Akbar conquered Malwa and parts of Central India. His defeat of Rani Durgavati, a ruler in the Central Province, is not appreciated. Similarly, another woman ruler Akbar had to confront in South India was the famous Rani Chand Bibi, regent of Ahmednagar.

Akbar defeated Rana Uday Singh of Mewar and captured the fort of Chittoor in 1568 and then Ranthambore in 1569.

Akbar defeated Rana Uday Singh of Mewar and captured the fort of Chittoor in 1568 and then Ranthambore in 1569. In 1576, he won over Uday Singh’s son Rana Pratap at the Battle of Haldighati.

Akbar defeated Rana Uday Singh of Mewar and captured the fort of Chittoor in 1568 and then Ranthambore in 1569. In 1576, he won over Uday Singh’s son Rana Pratap at the Battle of Haldighati. Though defeated, Rana Pratap escaped on his horse, Chetak, and continued his fight, leading a life in the jungle.

Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat helped him to establish control over Gujarat’s overseas trade with the Arabs and the Europeans.

Among other conquests of Akbar, the important were the campaigns he launched in the North–West of India. Akbar added Kandahar, Kashmir and Kabul to the Mughal Empire.

Akbar battles in the Deccan led to the annexation of Berar, Khandesh and parts of Ahmednagar. Under Akbar, the Mughal Empire extended from Kashmir in the north to Godavari in the south, and from Kandahar in the west to Bengal in the east.

Akbar died in 1605 and his mortal remains were buried at Sikandra near Agra. Among other conquests of Akbar, the important were the campaigns he launched in the North–West of India.

Akbar, realising that the gains of affection would be more enduring than the gains of the sword, made all out efforts to win the goodwill of the Hindu nobles and the Hindu masses. He abolished the jizya (poll tax) on non-Muslims and the tax on Hindu pilgrims.

Akbar appointed Rajput nobles to important and top positions in his Empire. Raja Man Singh of Jaipur was sent as governor of Kabul once. He also married a girl of a noble Rajput family.

Akbar treated all the religious groups fairly with generosity of spirit. The Sufi saint Salim Chishti and the Sikh Guru Ramdas received Akbar’s utmost respect and regard.

Guru Ramdas was gifted a plot of land in Amritsar, where the Sikh shrine Harmandir Sahib was later built. In Ibadat Khana, a hall in the new Fatehpur Sikri city, constructed by Akbar, scholars of all religions met for a discourse.

Akbar was a great patron of learning. His personal library had more than four thousand manuscripts. He patronised scholars of all beliefs and all shades of opinions.

Akbar extended his benevolence to authors such as Abul Fazl, Abul Faizi and Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, the great storyteller Birbal, competent officials like Raja Todar Mal, Raja Bhagwan Das and Raja Man Singh.

Akbar was a great patron of learning. The great composer and musician Tansen and artist Daswant adorned Akbar’s court as well.

Akbar was succeeded by Prince Salim, his son through a Rajput wife, who was also named Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir (Conqueror of the World).

Akbar was succeeded by Prince Salim, his son through a Rajput wife, who was also named Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir (Conqueror of the World).

Jahangir’s wife, Mehr-un-nisa, known as Nur Jahan, was the real power behind the throne. Jahangir carried on to some extent his father’s traditions. The toleration of religions of Akbar’s time continued in Jahangir’s time.

Jahangir ordered the execution of Sikh leader Guru Arjun (or Arjan) for helping his rebellious son Khusrau, who contested for the throne.

But Jahangir ordered the execution of Sikh leader Guru Arjun (or Arjan) for helping his rebellious son Khusrau, who contested for the throne. This resulted in a prolonged fight between the Sikhs and the Mughals

But Jahangir ordered the execution of Sikh leader Guru Arjun (or Arjan) for helping his rebellious son Khusrau, who contested for the throne. This resulted in a prolonged fight between the Sikhs and the Mughals. As a result of this confrontation, the Mughals had to lose control over the trade routes to Afghanistan, Persia and Central Asia. The loss of Kandahar exposed India to invasions from the North-West.

Jahangir granted trading rights to the Portuguese and later to the English. Thomas Roe, a representative of King James I of England, visited Jahangir’s court and this agreement paved the way for the British establishing their first factory in Surat.

Jahangir granted trading rights to the Portuguese and later to the English. Thomas Roe, a representative of King James I of England, visited Jahangir’s court and this agreement paved the way for the British establishing their first factory in Surat.

Thomas Roe, a representative of King James I of England, visited Jahangir’s court and this agreement paved the way for the British establishing their first factory in Surat.

Prince Khurram, after a struggle for power, succeeded Jahangir as Shah Jahan (King of the World). Shah Jahan ruled for thirty years.

Prince Khurram, after a struggle for power, succeeded Jahangir as Shah Jahan (King of the World). Shah Jahan ruled for thirty years.

Prince Khurram, after a struggle for power, succeeded Jahangir as Shah Jahan (King of the World). Shah Jahan ruled for thirty years.

Shah Jahan led a campaign against Ahmednagar and annexed it in 1632. Bijapur and Golconda were also conquered later.

Shahji Bhonsle (Shivaji’s father), entered the services of the Deccan kingdoms and trained bands of Maratha soldiers to fight against the Mughals. So there was a sustained resistance in the Deccan to the Mughals from the Marathas too. Shah Jahan was intolerant towards other religions than Islam.

Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657 and a war of succession broke out among his four sons. Shah Jahan passed the last eight years of his life as a prisoner in the Shah Burj of the Agra Fort.

Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657 and a war of succession broke out among his four sons. Aurangzeb emerged successful after killing his three brothers, Dara, Shuja and Murad.

Shah Jahan passed the last eight years of his life as a prisoner in the Shah Burj of the Agra Fort.

Aurangzeb, the last of the Great Mughals, started off his reign by imprisoning his old father. He assumed the title Alamgir (the Conqueror of the World).

Aurangzeb, the last of the Great Mughals, started off his reign by imprisoning his old father. He assumed the title Alamgir (the Conqueror of the World). He reigned for 48 years.

Aurangzeb, the last of the Great Mughals, started off his reign by imprisoning his old father. He was no lover of art like his grandfather Jahangir and architecture like his father Shah Jahan.

Aurangzeb tolerated no religion excepting Islam. He re-imposed the jizya tax on Hindus and excluded them from office as far as possible.

Between 1658 and 1681, Aurangzeb remained in the North and suppressed the revolt of Bundelas, Jats, Satnamis and Sikhs. Aurangzeb’s expansion in the North-East resulted in a war with the Ahoms of Kamarupa (Assam). The kingdom came under repeated attacks of the Mughals, but it could not be subdued totally.

Aurangzeb’s hostility towards Rajputs led to prolonged wars with them. To make matters worse, his rebellious son, Prince Akbar II, joined the forces of Rajputs and created troubles to him.

Prince Akbar II entered into a pact with Shivaji’s son Shambuji in the Deccan. So, Aurangzeb had to march to the Deccan in 1689.

In the Deccan, Aurangzeb brought Bijapur and Golconda into submission. Shivaji had carved out a kingdom, proclaiming himself the Emperor of Maratha State (1674).

Aurangzeb could not stop the rise of Shivaji in the southwest. But he vanquished Shivaji’s son and successor Shambuji, who was captured and executed by him. Aurangzeb remained in the Deccan until his death in 1707, at the age of nearly 90.

Aurangzeb remained in the Deccan until his death in 1707, at the age of nearly 90. In the Deccan, Aurangzeb brought Bijapur and Golconda into submission.

By the end of Aurangzeb’s rule, the British had firmly established their trade centres at Madras (Chennai), Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bombay (Mumbai). The French had their main trade centre in Pondicherry (Puducherry).

The Mughals provided a stable administration in larger parts of India. The Emperor was the supreme head of the Mughal administrative system. He was the law maker, the chief executive, the commander-in-chief of the army and the final dispenser of justice.

The most important officials were the Wakil (Prime Minister) and Wazir or diwan (in charge of the revenue and expenditure).

Mir Bhakshi was in-charge of the army. The Mir Saman looked after the royal household. The Qazi was the Chief Judge. Sadr-us-Sudr was minister for enforcing Islamic law (Sharia).

The empire was divided into several Subhas (provinces). Each Subha was under the control of an officer called Subedar. The Subhas were further divided into districts called Sarkars. The Sarkars were subdivided into Parganas. A group of villages (Gramas) formed a Pargana.

The towns and cities were administered by Kotwals. Kotwals maintained law and order. The administration of villages was left in the hands of local village panchayats (informal institution of justice in villages). The Panchayatdars (jury) dispensed justice.

The Mughal army comprised infantry, cavalry, war elephants and artillery. The Emperor maintained a large number of trained and well-armed bodyguards and palace guards.

Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system. According to this system, the nobles, civil and military officials were combined to form one single service.

Salary was fixed on the basis of the number of soldiers each Mansabdar received ranging from 10 to 10,000.

Before receiving the salary, a Mansabdar had to present his horsemen for inspection. A Mansabdar was a holder of such a rank. Mansabdar rank was dependent on Zat and Sawar. The former indicated one’s status. Sawar was the number of horses and horsemen he had to maintain.

The Emperor could use the troops maintained by a Mansabdar whenever he wished. The rank of Mansabdar was not hereditary during Akbar’s time. After him, it became hereditary.

Land revenue administration was toned up during the reign of Akbar. Raja Todar Mal, Revenue Minister of Akbar, adopted and refined the system introduced by Sher Shah.

Land revenue administration was toned up during the reign of Akbar. Raja Todar Mal, Revenue Minister of Akbar, adopted and refined the system introduced by Sher Shah. Todar Mal’s zabt system was put in place in the north and north-western provinces.

The share of the state was fixed at one-third of the average produce for 10 years. During the reign of Shah Jahan, the zabt or zabti system was extended to the Deccan provinces.

The Mughal emperors enforced the old iqta system, renaming it jagir. It is a land tenure system developed during the period of Delhi Sultanate.

Under the system, the collection of the revenue of an area and the power of governing it were bestowed upon a military or civil official now named Jagirdar. Every Mansabdar was a Jagirdar if he was not paid in cash. The Jagirdar collected the revenue through his own officials.

The Mughal emperors were the followers of Islam. Akbar was very liberal in his religious policy. In Akbar’s court, the Portuguese missionaries were great favourites.

Akbar tried to include the good principles in all religions and formulated them into one single faith called Din-I-Ilahi (divine faith).

The Mughal emperors were the followers of Islam. Akbar was very liberal in his religious policy. In Akbar’s court, the Portuguese missionaries were great favourites. Akbar tried to include the good principles in all religions and formulated them into one single faith called Din-I-Ilahi (divine faith). Jahangir and Shah Jahan also followed the policy of Akbar.

Babur introduced the Persian style of architecture to India by building many structures at Agra, Biana, Dholpur, Gwalior and Kiul (Aligarh), but only a few of them exist today.

Humayun’s palace in Delhi, Din-i-Panah, was probably destroyed by Sher Shah Sur who built the Purana Qila in its place.

The most prominent monument of Sher Shah’s reign was his mausoleum built at Sasaram in Bihar.

The Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Panch Mahal (pyramidal structure in five stories), Rang Mahal, Salim Chishti’s Tomb and Buland Darwaza were built during Akbar’s time.

Jahangir completed Akbar’s tomb at Sikandara and the beautiful building containing the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula, father of Nur Jahan, at Agra.

Jahangir completed Akbar’s tomb at Sikandara and the beautiful building containing the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula, father of Nur Jahan, at Agra.

Shah Jahan’s time witnessed the climax of Mughal splendour. The famous peacock throne, covered with expensive jewels, was made for the Emperor to sit on.

Shah Jahan built the Moti Masjid, the pearl mosque at Agra, the great Jama Masjid of Delhi and the Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am in his palace in Delhi.

Shah Jahan built the Moti Masjid, the pearl mosque at Agra, the great Jama Masjid of Delhi and the Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am in his palace in Delhi.

During Aurangzeb’s reign, architecture did not receive much patronage. The Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad, a mausoleum built by his son Prince Azam Shah as a loving tribute to his mother in the late seventeenth century, is, however, worth mentioning.

Red Fort, also called Lal Qila, in Delhi was the residence of the Mughal emperors. The Red Fort is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone.

Red Fort, also called Lal Qila, in Delhi was the residence of the Mughal emperors. Constructed in 1639 by Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shajahanabad. The Red Fort is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone.