100 MCQ on Indian Mughal Empire

Correct Answer: A. Babur. Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, founded the Mughal Empire in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat.

Correct Answer: A. 1526. The First Battle of Panipat, fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi on April 21, 1526, marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.

Correct Answer: D. Chausa. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun decisively at the Battle of Chausa in 1539, forcing Humayun into exile.

Correct Answer: D. Sulh-i-Kul. Sulh-i-Kul, meaning “universal peace,” was Akbar’s policy promoting tolerance among different religions within the empire.

Correct Answer: C. Dahsala system. Also known as the Zabti system, the Dahsala system was introduced by Raja Todar Mal, involving land measurement and assessment based on average produce over ten years.

Correct Answer: C. Akbar. Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri near Agra and made it his capital for a period, showcasing a blend of architectural styles.

Correct Answer: A. Abul Fazl. Abul Fazl was one of Akbar’s ‘Navaratnas’ (Nine Gems) and authored the Akbarnama, of which Ain-i-Akbari is the third volume detailing the administration.

Correct Answer: D. Jahangir. Mughal painting reached its zenith under Jahangir, who had a keen eye for detail and favoured naturalistic depictions of flora, fauna, and portraits.

Correct Answer: B. Nur Jahan. Originally named Mehr-un-Nissa, Nur Jahan was an influential figure during Jahangir’s reign, effectively wielding imperial power.

Correct Answer: D. His wife. Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in Agra as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Correct Answer: C. Both a and b. Aurangzeb expanded the empire to its largest extent but also enforced stricter Islamic laws, reversing some of Akbar’s tolerant policies.

Correct Answer: C. Jajau. Fought shortly after Aurangzeb’s death, the Battle of Jajau was a war of succession between his sons, weakening the central authority.

Correct Answer: D. Muhammad Shah. Known as ‘Rangila’ (the colorful), Muhammad Shah’s reign saw a cultural revival, particularly in music and arts, despite political decline.

Correct Answer: A. Aurangzeb. While the empire reached its largest size under Aurangzeb, his long reign and policies also sowed the seeds for its eventual decline after his death.

Correct Answer: D. The Bahmani Sultanate. The Bahmani Sultanate was a medieval Deccan kingdom that had fragmented long before the major decline of the Mughal Empire.

Correct Answer: B. Plassey (1757). The British East India Company’s victory at Plassey over Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, established British dominance in the region.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The subsidiary alliance system, introduced by Lord Wellesley, compelled Indian states to rely on British protection, effectively controlling their military and foreign affairs.

Correct Answer: D. Bahadur Shah Zafar. Bahadur Shah Zafar II was the last Mughal Emperor, exiled by the British to Rangoon after the Revolt of 1857.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow were major centres of the widespread uprising against the British East India Company in 1857.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The Mughals left a lasting impact on India’s architecture (Taj Mahal, Red Fort), art (miniature painting), literature (Persian and Urdu), and administrative structures.

Correct Answer: C. Shah Jahan.

Correct Answer: B. A military rank holder. The Mansabdari system was a military and administrative ranking system where individuals held a ‘mansab’ determining their status, salary, and military obligations.

Correct Answer: D. Agra Fort. The Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a massive red sandstone fortress that served as the main residence of the emperors until the capital shifted to Delhi.

Correct Answer: D. Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb reversed Akbar’s policy of abolishing the Jizya tax and reintroduced it in 1679, imposing it on non-Muslim subjects.

Correct Answer: B. Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan founded the new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi and shifted the imperial capital there from Agra in 1648.

Correct Answer: D. Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb’s policies led to conflict with the Sikhs, culminating in the execution of the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur, in 1675.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The decline resulted from a combination of factors including costly wars, weak successors, the rise of Marathas, Sikhs, and others, and economic pressures.

Correct Answer: C. Aurangzeb. Unlike his predecessors, Aurangzeb led a relatively austere life, was deeply religious (Sunni Islam), and discouraged music and arts at court.

Correct Answer: C. Akbar. Akbar discouraged the practice of Sati (widow immolation) and encouraged widow remarriage as part of his social reforms.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Mughal culture was a synthesis, heavily influenced by Persian art and language, fostering the Urdu language, and creating unique Indo-Islamic architectural styles.

Correct Answer: C. Maharajah Duleep Singh. After being taken by Nadir Shah and passing through various hands, the Koh-i-Noor came into the possession of the Sikh Empire. The British acquired it from the young Maharajah Duleep Singh after annexing Punjab.

Correct Answer: A. Akbar. Akbar promulgated Din-i-Ilahi (“Religion of God”) in 1582, aiming to merge elements of various faiths, though it attracted few followers.

Correct Answer: D. Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb spent the latter part of his reign campaigning extensively in the Deccan region, primarily against the Marathas and the Deccan Sultanates.

Correct Answer: A. Jahanara Begum. Jahanara, the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan, was highly influential, a patron of arts, a writer, and supported her brother Dara Shikoh.

Correct Answer: C. Sheikh Salim Chishti. Akbar held Sheikh Salim Chishti in high esteem; Fatehpur Sikri was built near his hospice, and Akbar named his son Salim (later Jahangir) after him.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Mughal painting is renowned for its intricate miniature style, detailed depictions of court life, nature, and portraits, using rich and vibrant colours.

Correct Answer: D. The Portuguese. The Portuguese arrived in India before the Mughals established their empire and set up trading posts along the coast.

Correct Answer: D. Public audiences of the Emperor. The Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) was where the emperor met with officials and the general public to hear grievances and conduct state business.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The empire’s decline was accelerated by weak leadership, devastating foreign invasions, and the rise of powerful regional forces like the Marathas.

Correct Answer: C. Buxar. The Battle of Buxar (1764) saw the British defeat the combined forces of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, the Nawab of Awadh, and the Nawab of Bengal, cementing British power.

Correct Answer: C. Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb reigned for nearly 49 years (1658-1707), slightly longer than Akbar’s reign.

Correct Answer: A. Nur Jahan. While Nur Jahan was Jahangir’s wife (not mother), her influence was so great, especially during his later years, that she effectively ruled the empire.

Correct Answer: B. Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan was a great patron of architecture and other arts, including calligraphy, during what is often considered the golden age of Mughal art.

Correct Answer: C. Amar Singh. Rana Amar Singh I of Mewar, son of Rana Pratap, initially continued resistance but eventually submitted to Jahangir in 1615, though relations remained complex.

Correct Answer: B. Babur. Babur was initially buried in Agra but, according to his wishes, his remains were later moved to Kabul, Afghanistan.

Correct Answer: D. Nadir Shah. The Persian ruler Nadir Shah invaded Delhi in 1739 and took the Peacock Throne, along with vast amounts of other treasures, back to Persia.

Correct Answer: C. The Sepoy Mutiny/Revolt of 1857. Following the Revolt of 1857, the British formally abolished the Mughal Empire and exiled the last emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Correct Answer: C. Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan commissioned the Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, as part of his new capital, Shahjahanabad.

Correct Answer: D. The Bahmani Sultanate. The Bahmani Sultanate predated the Mughals and had dissolved into the Deccan Sultanates before the later Mughal period.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The Mughals left significant legacies in architecture, administration, revenue systems, and the blending of cultures.

Correct Answer: C. Dara Shikoh. Dara Shikoh, Shah Jahan’s eldest son, was a scholar interested in comparative religion, Sufism, and translating Hindu scriptures into Persian.

Correct Answer: B. Jahangir. Jahangir granted permission (firman) to the English East India Company, facilitated by envoy Sir Thomas Roe, to establish factories and trade.

Correct Answer: B. Guru Nanak Dev. Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539), the founder of Sikhism, lived during the time of Babur’s invasion and the establishment of the Mughal Empire.

Correct Answer: A. Jagir system. While linked to the Mansabdari rank, the Jagir system involved assigning the rights to collect revenue from a piece of land (jagir) in lieu of a cash salary.

Correct Answer: C. Baburnama. Written in Chagatai Turkic, the Baburnama (Memoirs of Babur) is a valuable historical source detailing his life and experiences.

Correct Answer: A. Jizya. Jizya was a per capita yearly tax historically levied by Islamic states on certain non-Muslim subjects (dhimmis) in exchange for protection.

Correct Answer: D. Mewar. The rulers of Mewar, notably Rana Pratap, fiercely resisted Mughal dominance and refused the common practice of matrimonial alliances.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The post-Aurangzeb era was marked by weak rulers, internal strife, foreign invasions, economic strain, and the rise of regional powers, leading to decline.

Correct Answer: B. Humayun’s Tomb. While the Taj Mahal is the most famous example, Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi also features significant white marble and intricate pietra dura work, predating the Taj.

Correct Answer: A. Allahabad. Signed in 1765 after the Battle of Buxar, the Treaty of Allahabad granted the East India Company the Diwani (right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

Correct Answer: B. Humayun. Humayun laid the foundation for a new city called Dinpanah (“Refuge of Religion”) on the site of the ancient Indraprastha in Delhi.

Correct Answer: B. Shahjahanabad. Shah Jahan founded Shahjahanabad (present-day Old Delhi) in 1639 and shifted the capital there from Agra.

Correct Answer: B. Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. This period saw relative political stability, economic prosperity, and significant cultural and architectural achievements.

Correct Answer: A. Arches and domes. Bulbous domes, pointed arches, and minarets are characteristic features of the Indo-Islamic architectural style developed under the Mughals.

Correct Answer: C. Modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Under Aurangzeb, the empire reached its greatest geographical extent, covering almost the entire Indian subcontinent.

Correct Answer: B. Rana Pratap and the Rajputs. The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Akbar’s forces led by Man Singh I and Rana Pratap of Mewar.

Correct Answer: B. Miniatures. Mughal art is primarily known for its highly detailed and refined miniature paintings, often illustrating manuscripts or compiled in albums.

Correct Answer: A. Aurangzeb. Although the empire expanded under him, his death in 1707 marked the beginning of its rapid decline due to wars of succession and rising regional powers.

Correct Answer: C. The adoption of the caste system. The caste system is an ancient social structure in India that predates the Mughal Empire by millennia.

Correct Answer: C. The Revolt of 1857. Although elderly and with little real power, Bahadur Shah Zafar was declared the Emperor of Hindustan by the rebels during the 1857 uprising.

Correct Answer: C. Akbar. Mian Tansen was one of the ‘Navaratnas’ (Nine Gems) at Akbar’s court and a pivotal figure in Hindustani classical music.

Correct Answer: A. Akbar. Akbar initiated the policy of matrimonial alliances with Rajput houses, marrying Harkha Bai (often identified as Jodha Bai), the princess of Amber.

Correct Answer: B. Sir Thomas Roe. Sir Thomas Roe was the ambassador of King James I to the Mughal court from 1615 to 1619 and successfully obtained permission for the EIC to establish factories.

Correct Answer: B. Shah Jahan. After winning the war of succession, Aurangzeb imprisoned his father, Shah Jahan, in the Agra Fort, where he remained until his death.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Mughal architecture blends Persian, Turkic, and Indian styles, featuring domes, arches, minarets, pietra dura inlay, geometric patterns, and extensive use of marble and red sandstone.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The Mughals lacked naval power, fell behind in military technology compared to Europeans, and were weakened by internal strife, making them susceptible to European encroachment.

Correct Answer: C. Salim Chishti. Sheikh Salim Chishti was highly revered by Emperor Akbar, who attributed the birth of his son Jahangir to the saint’s blessings.

Correct Answer: C. Surat. Surat in Gujarat was the pre-eminent port city of the Mughal Empire, vital for maritime trade and the Hajj pilgrimage, until the rise of Bombay.

Correct Answer: D. The Mysore Kingdom. Under rulers like Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, the Kingdom of Mysore became a major military power in South India.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The weakening central authority led to regional independence, created opportunities for European powers, and caused widespread instability affecting culture and economy.

Correct Answer: B. Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb commissioned the Bibi Ka Maqbara as a mausoleum for his first wife, Dilras Banu Begum. It is often called the “Taj of the Deccan.”

Correct Answer: C. Jahangir. Jahangir was known for his refined tastes, patronage of painting, love for gardens, and a generally luxurious court life.

Correct Answer: A. Abdul Hamid Lahori. Abdul Hamid Lahori was the court historian commissioned by Shah Jahan to write the official history of his reign, the Padshahnama.

Correct Answer: A. Zabt system. The Zabt or Dahsala system, refined by Todar Mal, involved careful land measurement, classification based on fertility, and fixing revenue rates.

Correct Answer: A. The Portuguese. Early in the Mughal period, the Portuguese dominated the Indian Ocean sea lanes and often clashed with Mughal interests, particularly regarding trade and pilgrimage routes.

Correct Answer: D. The Marathas. The most persistent and challenging rebellion faced by Aurangzeb was from the Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji and his successors.

Correct Answer: D. Khilat. A khilat was a ceremonial robe or set of garments presented by the emperor or high officials as a mark of favour, honour, or appointment.

Correct Answer: A. Religious debates and discussions. Akbar established the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) to hold theological discussions with scholars from various religions.

Correct Answer: C. Aurangzeb. While Shah Jahan moved the capital to Delhi (Shahjahanabad), Aurangzeb primarily ruled from Delhi but spent much of his later reign in the Deccan. There isn’t strong evidence he formally attempted a permanent move back to Agra.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. While Persian was the court language, the Mughal era saw the flourishing of regional languages and literatures, including the development of Urdu as a lingua franca.

Correct Answer: B. Nine important courtiers in the court of Akbar. The Navaratnas were a group of exceptionally talented individuals in various fields who adorned Akbar’s court, including figures like Abul Fazl, Tansen, and Todar Mal.

Correct Answer: A. Akbar himself. Akbar personally commanded the Mughal army during the difficult and prolonged Siege of Chittorgarh, a major Rajput stronghold.

Correct Answer: A. Gujarat. Gujarat, with ports like Surat and Cambay and cities like Ahmedabad, was a crucial center for textile manufacturing (especially cotton and silk) and trade.

Correct Answer: B. Shivaji. Shivaji Bhonsle initially served under Deccan Sultanates, clashed with the Mughals, was briefly a Mughal mansabdar, escaped, and established an independent Maratha kingdom, challenging Aurangzeb significantly.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. Factors like the burden of the Jagirdari system, heavy taxes to fund wars and administration, and corruption contributed to economic strain, particularly on the peasantry.

Correct Answer: B. Robert Clive. Robert Clive was the commander of the British East India Company forces at the Battle of Plassey (1757) and a key figure in establishing British political power in Bengal.

Correct Answer: C. Mahadji Shinde. The Maratha leader Mahadji Shinde acted as the regent and protector of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II in Delhi during the late 18th century, effectively controlling the city.

Correct Answer: A. Incorporation of European techniques like perspective. While retaining its unique style, Mughal painting, particularly under Jahangir and Shah Jahan, showed influence from European art, including attempts at realism and perspective.

Correct Answer: C. Muhammad Shah. The invasion of Nadir Shah and the sack of Delhi occurred in 1739 during the reign of Muhammad Shah ‘Rangila’.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. The Mughal era influenced religion, art, architecture, administration, language, and cuisine, leaving a complex and enduring legacy on the Indian subcontinent.