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Summary
The chapter on the Mughal Empire provides an overview of the political and cultural landscape of medieval India under Mughal rule. It begins by discussing the fragmented state of India before Babur’s invasion in 1526, where several regional kingdoms existed without a central authority. Babur, a descendant of Timur, established the Mughal Empire after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat. His victory marked the beginning of a new era in Indian history.
The chapter then explores the reigns of prominent Mughal rulers, including Akbar and Aurangzeb. Akbar, who ascended the throne at thirteen, is highlighted for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and efforts to integrate the diverse religious communities in his empire. He abolished the jizyah tax on non-Muslims, encouraged interfaith dialogue, and introduced the Din-i-Ilahi, a new faith aimed at promoting universal harmony.
Aurangzeb, who ruled after Akbar, expanded the empire to its largest extent but faced several rebellions due to his reversal of Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance. His long reign ended in 1707, leaving behind an empire on the brink of collapse.
The chapter also covers the architectural achievements of the Mughals, including the construction of the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, and Red Fort. These structures not only served as symbols of the empire’s grandeur but also as sources of historical information about the period.
The administrative system of the Mughals was centralised, with the emperor holding absolute power. The Mansabdari system, introduced by Akbar, was a key feature of their administration, assigning ranks to officials based on their military and civil responsibilities.
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Textbook (Total History) solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. The Ain-i-Akbari written by Abul Fazl is divided into _____ books
A. Three
B. Five
C. Two
D. Seven
Answer: B. Five
2. Ustad Isha Khan designed one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Name it.
A. Jama Masjid
B. Qutub Minar
C. Red Fort
D. Taj Mahal
Answer: D. Taj Mahal
3. Which is the biggest mosque in India?
A. Jama Masjid
B. Mecca Masjid
C. Haji Ali Dargah
D. Kabuli Bagh Masjid
Answer: A. Jama Masjid
4. The Red Fort complex does not house
A. Diwan-i-Aam
B. Buland Darwaza
C. Diwan-i-Khas
D. Moti Masjid
Answer: B. Buland Darwaza
5. Which of the following is incorrect?
A. First Battle of Panipat: Babur
B. Battle of Khanwa: Rana Sanga
C. Battle of Haldighati: Humayun
D. Second Battle of Panipat: Bairam Khan
Answer: C. Battle of Haldighati: Humayun
6. In 1575, Akbar built a hall called Ibadat Khana at:
A. Fatehpur Sikri
B. Delhi
C. Shahjahanabad
D. Agra
Answer: A. Fatehpur Sikri
7. Name the new faith promulgated by Akbar
A. Mahzar
B. Sulh-kul
C. Din-i-Illahi
D. Ibadat
Answer: C. Din-i-Illahi
8. Complete the analogy: Shuhra-i-am public works department :: Subah: _____
A. subahdar
B. provinces
C. Bhara Mal
D. Prime Minister
Answer: A. subahdar
9. According to the Mansabdari System, the ranks were divided into _____
A. zat and sawar
B. mansabdars
C. jagirdars
D. cavalrymen and horses
Answer: A. zat and sawar
10. Todar Mal land revenue: _____: Prime Minister.
A. Abul Fazl
B. Bairam Khan
C. sarkars
D. parganas
Answer: A. Abul Fazl
Select the correct relationship
1. (A) Before Babur invaded India in 1526, India was ruled by breakaway kingdoms of the Delhi Sultanate with no powerful central authority.
(B) These regional kingdoms one by one came under the control of the Mughals.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (A) is the reason for (B)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (A) is the reason for (B)
Explanation: The statement (A) highlights the fragmented state of India before Babur’s invasion, where the lack of a central authority made the various kingdoms vulnerable. Statement (B) describes how these kingdoms eventually came under Mughal control, which logically follows from the situation described in (A). Thus, (A) explains the conditions that led to the outcome described in (B).
2. (A) The Taj Mahal is built at Agra on the banks of river Yamuna.
(B) The method of decoration used in Taj Mahal is called Pietra dura.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other
Explanation: Statement (A) refers to the location of the Taj Mahal, while statement (B) refers to the specific decorative technique used in its construction. These two facts are related to different aspects of the Taj Mahal and do not depend on each other. Therefore, the two statements are independent.
3. (A) Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and occupied Delhi and Agra.
(B) Babur was invited by Daulat Khan Lodhi to oust Ibrahim Lodhi from the throne.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: Statement (B) provides the context for why Babur invaded India and fought Ibrahim Lodhi, which led to the events described in statement (A). Daulat Khan Lodhi’s invitation is directly related to Babur’s decision to invade, making (B) the reason for (A).
4. (A) Akbar promulgated a new faith called Din-i-Illahi, based on the principle of oneness to God.
(B) Its main purpose was Sulh-kul or universal harmony.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: Statement (B) explains the motivation behind the creation of Din-i-Illahi as described in statement (A). Akbar’s goal of promoting universal harmony (Sulh-kul) was a key reason for establishing this new faith, making (B) the cause of (A).
5. (A) The Mughal Emperors established a centralised state based on military power.
(B) The centre appointed the officials of the provinces, sarkars and parganas.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (A) is the reason for (B)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (A) is the reason for (B)
Explanation: Statement (A) describes the foundational principle of the Mughal Empire’s centralized rule. This centralization logically led to the central authority appointing officials at various levels of government, as mentioned in statement (B). Hence, (A) provides the reasoning for (B).
Short Answer Questions
1. Name two important sources which provide information about the Mughals.
Answer: Ain-i-Akbari and Taj Mahal are two important sources which provide information about the Mughals.
2. Name the author of Ain-i-Akbari. Name any two books which constitute the Ain-i-Akbari.
Answer: The author of Ain-i-Akbari is Abul Fazl. Two books that constitute the Ain-i-Akbari are the first book, which deals with the imperial household, and the second book, which deals with the servants of the emperor, the military and civil services.
3. Who invited Babur to India? Why?
Answer: Daulat Khan Lodhi, the Governor of Punjab, invited Babur to oust Ibrahim Lodhi from the throne.
4. Between whom was the First Battle of Panipat fought? What was the outcome of the battle?
Answer: The First Battle of Panipat was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi. The outcome of the battle 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?
Answer: The Battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap, the ruler of Mewar, and the Mughal army led by Raja Man Singh. Maharana Pratap was defeated by Akbar at this battle.
6. Mention any two steps taken by Akbar to promote better understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims.
Answer: Two steps taken by Akbar to promote better understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims were:
- Abolition of the poll tax or jizyah, which the non-Muslims were required to pay.
- Enrolling a number of Hindus into the nobility and giving mansabs to others on the basis of their competence.
Structured Questions
1. Name two important sources which provide information about the Mughals.
Answer: Ain-i-Akbari and Taj Mahal are two important sources which provide information about the Mughals.
2. Name the author of Ain-i-Akbari. Name any two books which constitute the Ain-i-Akbari.
Answer: The author of Ain-i-Akbari is Abul Fazl. Two books that constitute the Ain-i-Akbari are the first book, which deals with the imperial household, and the second book, which deals with the servants of the emperor, the military and civil services.
3. Who invited Babur to India? Why?
Answer: Daulat Khan Lodhi, the Governor of Punjab, invited Babur to oust Ibrahim Lodhi from the throne.
4. Between whom was the First Battle of Panipat fought? What was the outcome of the battle?
Answer: The First Battle of Panipat was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi. The outcome of the battle 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?
Answer: The Battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap, the ruler of Mewar, and the Mughal army led by Raja Man Singh. Maharana Pratap was defeated by Akbar at this battle.
6. Mention any two steps taken by Akbar to promote better understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims.
Answer: Two steps taken by Akbar to promote better understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims were:
- Abolition of the poll tax or jizyah, which the non-Muslims were required to pay.
- Enrolling a number of Hindus into the nobility and giving mansabs to others on the basis of their competence.
7. Name the two taxes abolished by Akbar.
Answer: The two taxes abolished by Akbar were the poll tax or jizyah and the pilgrim tax on bathing at holy places such as Prayag and Benaras.
8. What principles did Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi promote?
Answer: Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi promoted the principles of oneness of God, courage, loyalty, and justice. It also demanded loyalty to the Emperor and aimed to achieve Sulh-kul or universal harmony.
9. Why did Akbar build the Ibadat Khana?
Answer: Akbar built the Ibadat Khana or the Hall of Prayer at Fatehpur Sikri to discuss religious and spiritual matters. He invited theologians of all religions, mystics, and intellectuals to these discussions.
10. Name the title given to the heads of the revenue department and the military department respectively in the Mughal Empire.
Answer: The title given to the head of the revenue department was “Diwan” or “Diwan-i-Ala,” and the title given to the head of the military department was “Mir Bakhshi.”
11. Who were mansabdars? How were they paid?
Answer: Mansabdars were officers in the Mughal Empire who were assigned a rank or “mansab.” They were paid through revenue assignments called “jagirs,” from which they collected revenue.
12. List any two social reforms that were introduced by Akbar.
Answer: Two social reforms introduced by Akbar were:
- Akbar issued orders to check the forcible practice of Sati but allowed those who wished to commit Sati voluntarily.
- Akbar legalised widow remarriage.
Thinking Skills
1. With reference to the Mughal Empire, explain briefly the significance of the following:
(a) Ain-i-Akbari
Answer: The Ain-i-Akbari was written by Abul Fazl, a minister and one of the nine jewels at Akbar’s court. Part of a larger history project commissioned by Akbar, it is a valuable source of information about the administration and culture during his reign. The Ain-i-Akbari is divided into five books: the first covers the imperial household; the second details the emperor’s servants, military, and civil services; the third discusses imperial administration; the fourth explores Hindu philosophy, science, social customs, and literature; and the fifth includes Akbar’s wise sayings and a biography of Abul Fazl.
(b) Taj Mahal
Answer: The Taj Mahal in Agra was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Serving as the mausoleum for both, it is situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. Designed by Ustad Isha Khan and made of pure white marble, the structure stands on a high platform with a minaret at each of the four corners. The central dome rises to 56.1 metres, with an interior octagonal chamber. The marble dome resembles an inverted lotus, and the actual graves are located in an underground chamber. The walls are decorated with floral designs made of semi-precious stones using the pietra dura technique. The Taj Mahal combines various Mughal architectural elements, including massive marble domes, pietra dura inlay work, and kiosks (chhatris). It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 and named one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
(c) Red Fort
Answer: The Red Fort in Delhi was built by Shah Jahan after he moved his capital to Delhi. Located on the banks of the Yamuna, it is constructed from red sandstone and marble, with massive walls and two gateways. The Western Gateway, known as the Lahori Gate, was used for the emperor’s ceremonial purposes. Notable buildings within the complex include the Diwan-i-Aam and the Diwan-i-Khas, the latter being the ornately decorated hall where the Peacock Throne was placed. This hall was used by the emperor to meet with princes, nobles, and dignitaries. Aurangzeb later added the Moti Masjid, a mosque made of pure marble. The Red Fort is a significant historical monument, with many key events associated with it. Each year, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag from its ramparts on Independence Day, August 15.
2. With reference to the Mughal rule, state briefly:
(a) Akbar’s policy towards the Rajputs
Answer: The Rajput policy of Akbar proved to be one of his greatest achievements. He entered into marriage alliances with the Rajputs. Bhara Mal, the ruler of Amber, married his younger daughter, Harkha Bai, to Akbar. Akbar not only gave complete religious freedom to his wives who followed Hinduism but also gave an honoured place to their parents and relations in the nobility. Thus, the Rajput policy of Akbar ended the centuries-old animosity between the Muslim rulers and the Rajputs. Since the Rajputs were made equal partners in the Mughal government, it considerably affected the public policies of the Mughals and greatly helped in the growth of a composite culture.
(c) Social reforms introduced by Akbar
Answer: Akbar introduced a number of social and educational reforms:
- Akbar issued orders to the kotwals to check the forcible practice of Sati or the burning of a widow on the funeral pyre of her husband. However, the women who committed Sati of their own free will were allowed to do so.
- Akbar legalised widow remarriage.
- Akbar was against anyone having more than one wife unless the first wife could not bear children.
- Akbar raised the age of marriage to 14 for girls and 16 for boys.
- Akbar revised the educational syllabus, laying more emphasis on moral education and mathematics and on secular subjects such as agriculture, geometry, astronomy, logic, and history.
3. With reference to the administrative system in the Mughal Period, answer the following questions:
(a) What was the position of the monarch?
Answer: The Emperor was the head of the executive, legislature, judiciary, and the army. He was the supreme commander of the armed forces, and all other commanders were appointed and dismissed by him. He made laws and issued administrative ordinances. The royal uzuk (small signet ring) was affixed to farmans granting appointments, titles, jagirs, etc.
(b) Who were the three important ministers?
Answer: The three important ministers were:
- The head of the revenue department was the wazir, known as diwan or diwan-i-ala. The diwan was responsible for all income and expenditure.
- The head of the military department was called the mir bakhshi. The mir bakhshi was also the head of the intelligence and information agencies of the empire.
- The judicial department was headed by the qazi. This post was sometimes combined with that of the chief sadar, who was responsible for all charitable and religious matters.
(c) How was the provincial government organised?
Answer: The empire was divided into twelve provinces or subahs, which were further subdivided into sarkars, and each sarkar into parganas or mahals. Each Subah was headed by one governor who was called the subahdar or sipah salar or nazim. He was usually a mansabdar of high rank. His functions included the maintenance of law and order, enforcement of imperial decrees, administration of criminal justice, and the smooth collection of revenue. The provincial diwan was in charge of revenue administration of the province. His responsibilities were similar to those of the central diwan. Besides the subahdar and the diwan, the other important officials in the province were faujdar, kotwal, bakhshi, sadr qazi, and muhtasib. The Centre appointed the officials of the provinces, sarkars, and parganas. Hence, these divisions were directly responsible to the centre.
4. With reference to the Mansabdari system, answer the following questions:
(a) What was the Mansabdari system?
Answer: The Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was a unique feature of the administrative system of the Mughal empire. Under this system, every officer was assigned a rank (mansab). Thus, the term mansabdar refers to an individual who holds a mansab, meaning a position or rank. The mansabdars formed the ruling group in the Mughal empire. Almost the whole nobility, the bureaucracy, as well as the military hierarchy, had mansabs. The lowest rank in the system was 10, and the highest was 5000 for nobles. It was a grading system used by the Mughals to fix rank, salary, and military responsibilities.
(b) What was meant by zat and sawar rank?
Answer: These ranks were divided into two, namely zat and sawar. Zat fixed the personal status of a person and the salary due to him. The higher the zat, the more prestigious was the noble’s position in court and the larger his salary. The sawar rank indicated the number of cavalrymen or sawar a mansabdar was required to maintain. For every ten cavalrymen, the mansabdar had to maintain twenty horses.
(c) Trace the changes in the system from the rule of Jahangir to Aurangzeb.
Answer: Jahangir maintained the mansabdari system developed by Akbar. But he reduced the average rate of zat salary from Rs. 240 per annum to Rs. 200 per annum. Shah Jahan reduced the number of sawars a noble was required to maintain. Thus, a noble was expected to maintain a quota of only one-third of his sawar rank and in some cases, one-fourth. During the reign of Aurangzeb, there was a huge increase in the number of mansabdars. These and other factors created a shortage in the number of jagirs.
5. Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:
(a) Who built this fort? Where is it located? State its ceremonial importance in the present.
Answer: The fort in the picture is the Red Fort, Delhi. It was built by Shah Jahan after he decided to shift his capital to Delhi. The Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag from its ramparts on Independence Day (August 15) every year.
(b) Mention three important buildings within the fort.
Answer: Three important buildings within the fort are:
- Diwan-i-Aam
- Diwan-i-Khas
- Moti Masjid
(c) Mention two architectural features of the fort.
Answer: Two architectural features of the fort are:
- The fort has massive walls and two gateways.
- The Lahori Gate was used for the emperor’s ceremonial purposes.
6. Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:
(a) Who built this monument? Where is it located? Of which material is this monument built?
Answer: The monument in the picture is the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan. It is located in Agra on the banks of the River Yamuna. This monument is made of pure white marble.
(b) Name the person who designed this monument. Why was the monument erected? What is the method of decoration of this monument called?
Answer: The person who designed this monument is Ustad Isha Khan. The monument was erected by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The method of decoration of this monument is called pietra dura.
(c) State the four features of this monument which reflect the Mughal style of architecture.
Answer: The four features of this monument which reflect the Mughal style of architecture are:
- Massive domes of marble
- Pietra dura inlay work
- Kiosks (chhatris)
- Minarets on each of the four corners of the platform
Extra/additional MCQs
1. Which year did Babur invade India?
A. 1519
B. 1521
C. 1526
D. 1530
Answer: C. 1526
41. Which Mughal emperor’s reign saw the largest extent of the empire?
A. Akbar
B. Jahangir
C. Shah Jahan
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: D. Aurangzeb
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. Who built the Taj Mahal?
Answer: Shah Jahan.
28. What were the main features of Akbar’s Rajput policy and its impact on Mughal rule?
Answer: Akbar’s Rajput policy was one of his greatest achievements and had a profound impact on Mughal rule. He adopted a policy of diplomacy and alliance with the Rajputs, which included entering into marriage alliances with Rajput families. Notably, Akbar married Harkha Bai, the daughter of Bhara Mal, the ruler of Amber. Akbar gave complete religious freedom to his Rajput wives and honored their families by granting them high positions in the Mughal nobility. This policy ended centuries-old animosity between the Muslim rulers and the Rajputs, making them equal partners in the Mughal government. The Rajput policy helped Akbar consolidate his empire by securing the loyalty of the powerful Rajput clans, which in turn led to the growth of a composite culture that blended Hindu and Muslim traditions. This policy contributed to the stability and expansion of the Mughal Empire and set the foundation for a more inclusive and integrated society.
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