Q. The Mughals were descendants of which two famous dynasties?
A) Turks and Afghans
B) Mongols and Turks
C) Persians and Arabs
D) Afghans and Arabs
Answer: B) Mongols and Turks
Explanation: The Mughals were descendants of Timur (Turk) on their father’s side and Genghis Khan (Mongol) on their mother’s side.
Q. In which year did Genghis Khan die?
A) 1215
B) 1227
C) 1240
D) 1256
Answer: B) 1227
Q. Timur, the founder of the Timurid dynasty, died in which year?
A) 1399
B) 1404
C) 1415
D) 1420
Answer: B) 1404
Q. In which year did Timur capture and sack Delhi?
A) 1298
B) 1325
C) 1398
D) 1410
Answer: C) 1398
Explanation: Timur invaded India during the reign of Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Tughlaq and captured Delhi in 1398. His invasion caused massive destruction, plunder, and massacre in the city, weakening the Tughlaq dynasty.
Q. Arrange the correct lineage from Timur to Babur.
1. Timur
2. Umar Shaikh
3. Sultan Muhammad Mirza
4. Miran Shah
5. Abu Said
6. Babur
Options
A) 1→2→3→4→5→6
B) 1→3→5→4→2→6
C) 1→5→4→2→3→6
D) 1→4→3→5→2→6
Answer: D) 1→4→3→5→2→6
Q. Consider the following statements regarding Babur:
1. Babur was crowned as ruler of Ferghana at the age of 12 in 1494.
2. He captured Kabul in 1504 and made it his capital.
3. He defeated Sultan of Delhi, Sikandar Lodi at Panipat and captured Delhi and Agra in 1526.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Battle of Panipat in 1526 and captured Delhi and Agra
Q. Who founded the Mughal Empire in India?
A) Humayun
B) Akbar
C) Babur
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C) Babur
Explanation: The Mughal Empire in India was founded by Babur after he defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. This marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India.
Q. Match the following battles of Babur with the correct years:
1. First Battle of Panipat a) 1526
2. Battle of Khanwa b) 1527
3. Battle of Chanderi c) 1528
Options:
A) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
B) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
C) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
D) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Answer: A) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
Explanation:
1526 – First Battle of Panipat: Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and founded the Mughal Empire.
1527 – Battle of Khanwa: Babur defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar.
1528 – Battle of Chanderi: Babur defeated the Rajputs under Medini Rai, an ally of Rana Sanga.
Q. Who succeeded Babur as the Mughal emperor after his death in 1530?
A) Akbar
B) Humayun
C) Jahangir
D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: B) Humayun
Q. Who was Mirza Kamran?
A) The founder of the Mughal Empire in India
B) The younger brother of Humayun and son of Babur
C) The commander of Akbar’s Rajput campaigns
D) The Persian ruler who invaded Delhi in 1739
Answer: B) The younger brother of Humayun and son of Babur
Q. After the death of Babur, Mirza Kamran established his rule mainly over which regions?
A) Delhi and Agra
B) Kabul and Lahore
C) Bengal and Bihar
D) Gujarat and Malwa
Answer: B) Kabul and Lahore
Q. Humayun lost his throne of Delhi and Agra to whom in 1540?
A) Ibrahim Lodi
B) Rana Sanga
C) Sher Shah Suri
D) Bahadur Shah of Gujarat
Answer: C) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah Suri at the Battle of Kannauj in 1540.
Q. Match the following battles of Humayun with their outcomes:
1. Battle of Chausa (1539) a) Humayun defeated by Sher Shah Suri and fled
2. Battle of Kannauj (1540) b) Humayun defeated by Sher Shah Suri for the first time
3. Battle of Delhi & Agra (1555) c) Humayun recaptured Delhi and Agra with Persian support
Options:
A) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
B) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
C) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
D) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Answer: A) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Explanation:
• Battle of Chausa (1539): Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah Suri for the first time.
• Battle of Kannauj (1540): Humayun suffered a final decisive defeat at the hands of Sher Shah and lost the throne.
• Battle of Delhi & Agra (1555): With Safavid Dynasty support from Iran, Humayun recaptured Delhi and Agra, restoring Mughal rule.
Q. Who succeeded Humayun as the Mughal emperor after his death in 1556?
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Jahangir
D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: A) Akbar
Explanation: After Humayun’s accidental death in 1556, his 13-year-old son Akbar succeeded him as the Mughal emperor. Akbar’s reign (1556–1605) became one of the most significant periods in Mughal history.
Q. Who was Mirza Hakim?
A) The younger brother of Humayun who ruled Kabul
B) The half-brother of Akbar who ruled Kabul
C) The son of Sher Shah Suri who opposed Humayun
D) A Rajput chief who allied with Jahangir
Answer: B) The half-brother of Akbar who ruled Kabul
Q. Match the following territories seized by Akbar with their respective years:
1. Gujarat a) 1561
2. Chittor b) 1568
3. Ranthambore c) 1569
4. Malwa d) 1572
5. Bengal e) 1574
6. Kashmir f) 1586
Options:
A) 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a, 5-e, 6-f
B) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b, 4-d, 5-f, 6-e
C) 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a, 5-f, 6-e
D) 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a, 5-e, 6-f
Answer: A) 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a, 5-e, 6-f
Q. The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between which rulers?
A) Akbar and Rana Pratap Singh
B) Man Singh (general of Akbar) and Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar
C) Babur and Rana Sanga
D) Jahangir and Rana Amar Singh
Answer: B) Man Singh (general of Akbar) and Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar
Explanation: The Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between the Mughal forces led by Raja Man Singh of Amber (general of Akbar) and the Rajput forces led by Maharana Pratap of Mewar.
Q. Who succeeded Akbar as the Mughal emperor in 1605?
A) Humayun
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B) Jahangir
Explanation: After Akbar’s death in 1605, his son Prince Salim ascended the throne with the title Jahangir, becoming the 4th Mughal emperor. Jahangir’s mother was a Kachhwaha princess, daughter of Amber (modern day Jaipur).
Q. Who was the most influential wife of Jahangir, known for her active role in administration?
a) Ruqaiya Begum
b) Nur Jahan
c) Jodha Bai
d) Hamida Banu Begum
Answer: b) Nur Jahan
Explanation: Jahangir’s most influential wife was Nur Jahan (born Mehr-un-Nissa).
Q. Under which Mughal emperor did Mewar finally accept Mughal suzerainty and service?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B) Jahangir
Explanation: Mewar continued its resistance under Rana Pratap even after the Battle of Haldighati (1576). It was finally under Rana Amar Singh, the son of Rana Pratap, that Mewar accepted Mughal service in 1615, during the reign of Jahangir.
Q. Who succeeded Jahangir as the Mughal emperor after his death in 1627?
A) Akbar II
B) Shah Jahan
C) Aurangzeb
D) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: B) Shah Jahan
Explanation: After Jahangir death, his son Prince Khurram ascended the throne with the title Shah Jahan, becoming the 5th Mughal emperor. Shah Jaha’s mother was a Rathor princess, daughter of the Rajput ruler of Marwar (Jodhpur).
Q. Ahmadnagar was annexed to the Mughal Empire by which ruler?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C) Shah Jahan
Explanation: The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan annexed Ahmadnagar in 1636 after defeating the Nizam Shahi rulers.
Q. Who succeeded Shah Jahan as the Mughal emperor in 1658?
A) Aurangzeb
B) Dara Shikoh
C) Jahandar Shah
D) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: A) Aurangzeb
Explanation: After a war of succession among Shah Jahan’s sons, Aurangzeb emerged victorious in 1658 and became the Mughal emperor. His reign (1658–1707) marked the greatest territorial extent of the Mughal Empire, though it also faced increasing internal revolts.
Q. Under which Mughal ruler did Bijapur and Golconda become part of the Mughal Empire?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: D) Aurangzeb
Explanation: The Deccan Sultanates of Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687) were annexed into the Mughal Empire during Aurangzeb’s reign, completing the Mughal expansion into the Deccan region.
Q. Arrange the Mughal emperors in the correct chronological order from Babur to Aurangzeb.
A) Babur → Akbar → Humayun → Jahangir → Shah Jahan → Aurangzeb
B) Babur → Humayun → Akbar → Jahangir → Shah Jahan → Aurangzeb
C) Babur → Humayun → Jahangir → Akbar → Aurangzeb → Shah Jahan
D) Babur → Shah Jahan → Akbar → Humayun → Jahangir → Aurangzeb
Answer: B) Babur (1526-30)→ Humayun (1530-40, 1555-56)→ Akbar (1556-1605)→ Jahangir (1605-1627)→ Shah Jahan (1627-1658)→ Aurangzeb (1658-1707)
Q. What is the coparcenary system of inheritance?
A) Entire property goes to the eldest son
B) Property is equally divided among all male heirs
C) Property is inherited by the youngest son
D) Property is inherited only by daughters
Answer: B) Property is equally divided among all male heirs
Explanation: This system was common among Timurids and Mughals, and it often led to disputes and wars of succession because multiple heirs had claims to the throne or estate.
Q. What does primogeniture inheritance mean?
A) Property is equally divided among all children
B) Property is inherited by the eldest son
C) Property is inherited by the youngest son
D) Property is inherited by the eldest daughter
Answer: B) Property is inherited by the eldest son
Q. Which characteristics of the Mughals allowed them to extend their influence over many kings and chieftains?
A) Careful balance between defeating but not humiliating their opponents
B) Religious conversion policies only
C) Reliance solely on alliances with European powers
D) Isolation from local rulers
Answer: A) Careful balance between defeating but not humiliating their opponents
Q. Who started the Mansabdari system in the Mughal Empire?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: C) Akbar
Q. Who were the Mansabdars in the Mughal Empire?
A) Local village chiefs
B) Military and civil officers holding ranks under the emperor
C) Religious scholars
D) Merchants in charge of trade
Answer: B) Military and civil officers holding ranks under the emperor
Explanation: The term Mansabdar comes from “mansab” (rank or position). A Mansabdar was granted a rank by the Mughal emperor, which determined their salary, military responsibilities, and administrative duties.
Q. What were the main responsibilities of a Mansabdar in the Mughal Empire?
A) Collecting taxes from peasants only
B) Leading military contingents and performing administrative duties
C) Conducting religious ceremonies
D) Managing foreign trade and diplomacy
Answer: B) Leading military contingents and performing administrative duties
Explanation: Mansabdars were responsible for maintaining a specified number of soldiers for the emperor.
Q. How were Mansabdars paid in the Mughal Empire?
A) Through a fixed monthly cash salary only
B) By receiving a portion of land revenue (jagir) or cash allowance
C) By gifts from foreign ambassadors
D) Through voluntary contributions from villagers
Answer: B) By receiving a portion of land revenue (jagir) or cash allowance
Explanation: Mansabdars were paid either through cash allowance or by being assigned a jagir (land revenue) from which they could collect revenue to maintain themselves and their troops.
Q. What does the Zat ranking of a Mansabdar indicate in the Mughal Empire?
A) The number of soldiers a Mansabdar must maintain
B) The personal rank and status of the Mansabdar
C) The amount of land assigned to the Mansabdar
D) The religious duties of the Mansabdar
Answer: B) The personal rank and status of the Mansabdar
Explanation: In the Mughal mansabdari system, the Zat denoted the personal rank and status of a Mansabdar, determining his salary and position in the hierarchy. It was separate from the Sawar rank, which indicated the number of cavalrymen the Mansabdar had to maintain.
Q. Approximately how many Mansabdars had a Zat rank of 5000 during the reigns of Akbar and Aurangzeb?
A) Akbar – 10; Aurangzeb – 15
B) Akbar – 29; Aurangzeb – 79
C) Akbar – 20; Aurangzeb – 25
D) Akbar – 50; Aurangzeb – 60
Answer: B) Akbar – 29; Aurangzeb – 79
Q. Who introduced the Zabt system of revenue collection in India?
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Humayun
D) Jahangir
Answer: A) Akbar
Q. Consider the following statements regarding Raja Todar Mal and the Zabt system:
1. Todar Mal standardized land measurement and classified soil according to fertility.
2. He fixed land revenue proportionate to the crop yield.
3. The system was implemented during Akbar’s reign in the 1580s.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Who were the Zamindars in the Mughal Empire?
A) Village priests responsible for religious duties
B) Local landholders who collected revenue from peasants and maintained law and order
C) Mughal officials in charge of the army
D) Merchants controlling trade in towns
Answer: B) Local landholders who collected revenue from peasants and maintained law and order.
Q. Which book was written by Abul Fazl?
A) Akbarnama
B) Ain-i-Akbari
C) Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri
D) Both A and B
Answer: D) Both A and B
Q. Match the following volumes of Akbarnama with what they primarily record:
1. Volume I a) Administration, revenue system, military organization
2. Volume II b) Akbar’s ancestors
3. Ain-i-Akbari c) Events of Akbar’s reign.
Options:
A) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
B) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
C) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
D) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Answer: D) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Q. The Mughal Empire was divided into provinces called:
A) Sarkars
B) Parganas
C) Subas
D) Iqtas
Answer: C) Subas
Explanation: Under Akbar’s reign, the Mughal Empire was divided into Subas (provinces). Each Suba was headed by a Subedar (governor) and further divided into Sarkars, Parganas, and Villages for efficient administration.
Q. Match the following Mughal officers with their respective roles:
1. Subadar a) Financial officer
2. Diwan b) Military commanders
3. Bakshi c) Military paymaster
4. Sadr d) Town police commander
5. Faujdar e) Governor of a province, responsible for law and order
6. Kotwal f) Responsible for religious and charitable patronage
Options:
A) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d, 5-e, 6-f
B) 1-f, 2-a, 3-d, 4-e, 5-c, 6-b
C) 1-d, 2-f, 3-b, 4-a, 5-e, 6-c
D) 1-e, 2-a, 3-c, 4-f, 5-b, 6-d
Answer: D) 1-e, 2-a, 3-c, 4-f, 5-b, 6-d
Q. What is the meaning of the term Dogma?
A) A scientific theory based on experiments
B) A principle or set of beliefs accepted as authoritative and unquestionable
C) A legal document issued by a ruler
D) A cultural tradition passed through generations
Answer: B) A principle or set of beliefs accepted as authoritative and unquestionable
Explanation: Dogma refers to a statement or an interpretation declared as authoritative with the expectation that would be followed without question
Q. An individual who is intolerant of another person’s religious belief or culture is called:
A) Secularist
B) Bigot
C) Humanist
D) Rationalist
Answer: B) Bigot
Explanation: A bigot is a person who is intolerant toward others’ religious beliefs, opinions, or cultural practices.
Q. What was Sulh-i-Kul (Universal Peace) introduced by Akbar?
A) A military alliance with Rajputs
B) A system of revenue collection based on land measurement
C) A policy of tolerance towards all religions and groups
D) A treaty signed with the Deccan Sultanates
Answer: C) A policy of tolerance towards all religions and groups
Q. Where did the discussions on Sulh-i-Kul (Universal Peace) take place during Akbar’s reign?
A) Red Fort, Delhi
B) Agra Fort
C) Ibadat Khana
D) Lahore Darbar
Answer: C) Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri
Explanation: Sulh-I Kul was a meeting of scholars of various religions—Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians, and Zoroastrians—debated on religious and philosophical issues.
Q. Who helped Akbar in framing the policy of Sulh-i-Kul (Universal Peace)?
a) Abul Fazl
b) Todar Mal
c) Birbal
d) Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana
Answer: a) Abul Fazl
Match the following
1. Mansab a) Marwar
2. Mongol b) Governor
3. Sisodiya Rajput c) Uzbeg
4. Rathor Rajput d) Mewar
5. Nur Jahan e) Jahangir
6. Subadar f) Rank
Options:
A) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d, 5-e, 6-f
B) 1-f, 2-a, 3-d, 4-e, 5-c, 6-b
C) 1-d, 2-f, 3-b, 4-a, 5-e, 6-c
D) 1-f, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a, 5-e, 6-b
Answer: D) 1-f, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a, 5-e, 6-b
Q. Fill in the blanks:
1. The capital of Mirza Hakim, Akbar’s half-brother, was _______.
2. The five Deccan Sultanates were Berar, Khandesh, Ahmadnagar, ________, and _______.
3. If zat determined a mansabdar’s rank and salary, sawar indicated his ______.
4. Abul Fazl, Akbar’s friend and counsellor, helped him to frame the idea of _______ so the that he could govern a society composed of many religions, cultures and castes.
Answer:
1. Kabul
2. Bijapur, Golconda
3. Number of cavalrymen he had to maintain
4. Sulh- I kul