1. Consider the following statements regarding Akbar’s relation with Rajputs:
I. Akbar married the Rajput princess, the daughter of Raja Bharamal which was considered as a turning point in the history of Mughals.
II. The Rajput policy of Akbar proved to be beneficial to the Mughal state as well as to the Rajputs.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. Only II
c. Both I and II
d. Neither I nor II
Answer: c
Explanation:
The Rajput policy of Akbar was notable. He married the Rajput princess, the daughter of Raja Bharamal. It was a turning point in the history of Mughals. Rajputs served the Mughals for four generations. Many of them rose to the positions of military generals. Raja Bhagawan Das and Raja Man Singh were given senior positions in the administration by Akbar.
One by one, all Rajput states submitted to Akbar. But the Ranas of Mewar continued to defy despite several defeats. In the Battle of Haldighati, Rana Pratap Singh was severely defeated by the Mughal army led by Man Singh in 1576. Following the defeat of Mewar, most of the leading Rajput rulers had accepted Akbar’s suzerainty. Akbar’s Rajput policy was combined with a broad religious toleration. He abolished the pilgrim tax and later the jiziya. The Rajput policy of Akbar proved to be beneficial to the Mughal state as well as to the Rajputs. The alliance secured to the Mughals the services of the bravest warriors. On the other hand it ensured peace in Rajasthan and a number of Rajputs who joined the Mughal service rose to important positions.
2. Who among the following ruler had built the Purana Qila on the bank of Yamuna River?
a. Shah Jahan
b. Shar Shah Sur
c. Akbar
d. Humanyun
Answer: b
Explanation:
Sher Shah remained a pious Muslim and generally tolerant towards other religions. He employed Hindus in important offices. He was also a patron of art and architecture. He built a new city on the banks of the river Yamuna near Delhi. Now the old fort called Purana Qila and its mosque is alone surviving. He also built a Mausoleum at Sasaram, which is considered as one of the master pieces of Indian architecture. Sher Shah also patronized the learned men. Malik Muhammad Jayasi wrote the famous Hindi work Padmavat during his reign. After Sher Shah’s death in 1545 his successors ruled till 1555 when Humayun re-conquered India.
3. Consider the following statements regarding Sher Shah Sur’s administration:
I. Sher Shah’s empire was divided into forty seven sarkars. Chief Shiqdar (law and order) and Chief Munsif (judge) were the two officers in charge of the administration in each sarkar.
II. Each sarkar was divided into several parganas.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. Only II
c. Both I and II
d. Neither I nor II
Answer: c
Explanation:
Although his rule lasted for five years, he organized a brilliant administrative system. The central government consisted of several departments. The king was assisted by four important ministers:
• Diwan –i- Wizarat– also called as Wazir- in charge of Revenue and Finance.
• Diwan-i-Ariz– in charge of Army.
• Diwan-i-Rasalat- Foreign Minister.
• Diwan-i-Insha- Minister for Communications.
Sher Shah’s empire was divided into forty seven sarkars. Chief Shiqdar (law and order) and Chief Munsif (judge) were the two officers in charge of the administration in each sarkar. Each sarkar was divided into several parganas. Shiqdar (military officer), Amin (land revenue), Fotedar (treasurer) Karkuns (accountants) were in charge of the administration of each pargana. There were also many administrative units called iqtas.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the military conquest of Babur, the founder of Mughal Empire in India:
I. On 21st April 1526 the first Battle of Panipat took place between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi, who was killed in the battle.
II. Babur occupied Delhi and sent his son Humayun to seize Agra and Babur proclaimed himself as “Emperor of Hindustan”.
III. In 1528, Babur captured Chanderi from another Rajput ruler Medini Rai.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
On the eve of Babur’s invasion of India, there were five prominent Muslim rulers – the Sultans of Delhi, Gujarat, Malwa, Bengal and the Deccan – and two prominent Hindu rulers – Rana Sanga of Mewar and the Vijayanagar Empire. Once again by the end of 1525, Babur started from Kabul to conquer India. He occupied Lahore easily by defeating its governor, Daulat Khan Lodi. Then he proceeded against Delhi where Ibrahim Lodi was the Sultan. On 21st April 1526 the first Battle of Panipat took place between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi, who was killed in the battle. Babur’s success was due his cavalry and artillery. Babur occupied Delhi and sent his son Humayun to seize Agra. Babur proclaimed himself as “Emperor of Hindustan”.
His subsequent victories over Rana Sanga and the Afghans secured his position as the ruler of India. Rana Sanga of Mewar was a great Rajput warrior. He marched against Babur and in the Battle of Khanua (near Agra) held in 1527 Babur won a decisive victory over him. Babur assumed the title Ghazi. In 1528, Babur captured Chanderi from another Rajput ruler Medini Rai. In the next year, Babur defeated the Afghans in the Battle of Gogra in Bihar.
5. The battle of Chausa was fought between which of the following two rulers?
a. Babur and Rana Sanga
b. Humayun and Sher Khan
c. Babur and Sher Khan
d. Sher Khan and Rana Sanga
Answer: b
Explanation:
Humayun captured Gujarat from Bahadur Shah and appointed Askari as its governor. But soon Bahadur Shah recovered Gujarat from Askari who fled from there. In the meantime Sher Khan became powerful in the east. Humayun marched against him and in the Battle of Chausa, held in 1539, Sher Khan destroyed the Mughal army and Humayun escaped from there.
Humayun reached Agra to negotiate with his brothers. But as they were not cooperative, Humayun was forced to fight with Sher Khan alone in the Battle of Bilgram in 1540. This battle was also known as Battle of Kanauj. Humayun was thoroughly defeated by Sher Khan. After losing his kingdom, Humayun became an exile for the next fifteen years.
1. Who among the followings was the judicial department head during the Mughal period?
a. Qazi
b. Mir Bakhshi
c. Mir Saman
d. Diwan
Answer: a
Explanation:
The fourth important department was the judicial department headed by the chief qazi. This post was sometimes combined with that of the chief sadr who was responsible for all charitable and religious endowments.
2. Consider the following statements regarding Jhrokha during Akbar’s rule:
I. Akbar started his day with his appearance at the jharoka of the palace.
II. In order to make himself accessible to the people as well as to the ministers, Akbar carefully divided his time.
III. Large numbers of people assembled daily to have a glimpse of the ruler, and to present petitions to him if necessary.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. I and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
In order to make himself accessible to the people as well as to the ministers, Akbar carefully divided his time. The day started with the emperor’s appearance at the jharoka of the palace. Large numbers of people assembled daily to have a glimpse of the ruler, and to present petitions to him if necessary.
Akbar had initiated the practice of “Jharokha Darshan” and “Tuladan”. The Mughal emperors wielded unlimited powers but they were not cruel or selfish. They believed that the prime duty of a king was to look after the welfare of his subjects. Akbar was generous and always used to listen personally to the complaints of the people. In the matter of administration, the king was assisted by several ministers. The ministers advised the Emperor collectively as well as individually.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the income and wages of peasants during the Mughal period:
I. The village artisans were paid for their services by means of commodities which were fixed by custom.
II. The peasant who did not have his own ploughs and bullocks often tilled the land of the zamindars or the upper castes, and could eke out a bare existence.
III. The sixteenth century Hindi poet, Tulsidas has said that this type of cultivation was a source of misery.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. I and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
It has been estimated that the population in India at the beginning of the seventeenth century was about 125 million. Hence, there was an abundance or cultivable land available and it may be surmised that peasant proprietors were more numerous than the pahis and the village artisans.
The village artisans were paid for their services by means of commodities which were fixed by custom. It is difficult to compute the average size of the holding of the peasant. The information available shows that there was a great deal of inequality in the villages. The peasant who did not have his own ploughs and bullocks often tilled the land of the zamindars or the upper castes, and could eke out a bare existence. Peasants of this type were called pahis.
The sixteenth century Hindi poet, Tulsidas has said that this type of cultivation was a source of misery. Whenever there was a famine-and famines were frequent—it was this class of peasants and the village artisans who suffered the most. The peasants who owned the land they tilled are called khudkasht. They paid land revenue at customary rates. Some of them had many ploughs and bullocks which they let out to their poorer brethren.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the Zamindars of Mughal Period:
I. Personal ownership of land was very old in India which is evident from the accounts of various scholars of medieval period.
II. The tradition was that anyone who first brought land under cultivation’ was considered its owner.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. only II
c. Both I and II
d. Neither I nor II
Answer: c
Explanation:
From the writings of Abul Fazi and other contemporary authors, it is clear that personal ownership of land was very old in India. The right of ownership in land depended mainly on succession. But new rights of ownership of land were, being created all the time.
The tradition was that anyone who first brought land under cultivation’ was considered its owner. There was plenty or cultivable waste-land (banjar) available in medieval times. It was not difficult for an enterprising group of people to settle a new village or to bring a under cultivation the wetlands belonging to a village and become the owners of these lands.
5. With reference to the madad-i-maash of Mughal period which of the following statement is correct?
a. The land grants received by king from the family of girl to whom the king has to marry.
b. The land grants received by a large class of religious divines and learned men who in return for their services.
c. Such grants called shasan in Maharashtra.
d. There was no provision for renewing of such grants by new ruler and had no hereditary in practice.
Answer: b
Explanation:
In addition to the zamindars, there was a large class of religious divines and learned men who in return for their services were granted tracts of land for their maintenance. Such grants were called milk of madad-i-maash in Mughal terminology, and shasan in Rajasthan.
Although these grants were to be renewed by every ruler, they often became hereditary in practice. Many of the grantees held official positions such as that of the qazi, etc. Hence, they had both a rural and an urban base. Writers, historians, hakims, etc., were also often drawn from this section.
6. Who among the followings was/were the grantees of madad-i-maash?
a. Qazi
b. Hakims
c. Historians
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Many of the grantees held official positions such as that or the qazi, etc. Hence, they had both a rural and an urban bases Writers, historians, hakims, etc., were also often drawn from this section.
The historians have little idea about the living standards of this section. In course of time, some of them began to be regarded a part of the rural gentry. It is possible that along with the rich peasants these local gentry provided a limited market for products of the city, and also for the products of the superior, type of rural artisans.
7. Consider the following statements regarding high degree of professionalism among Indian merchants of during Mughal period:
I. There was high degree of professionalism among the Indian merchants were some specialised in wholesale trade, and others in retail trade.
II. The wholesale traders were called as the beoparis or banik while the retail traders were called as the seth or bohra.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. only II
c. Both I and II
d. Neither I nor II
Answer: a
Explanation:
There was high degree of professionalism among the Indian merchants. Some specialised in wholesale trade and others in retail trade, the former being called seth or bohra and the latter beoparis or banik.
In south India, the chettis formed the trading community. There was a special class, banjaras, who specialised in the carrying trade. The banjaras used to move from place to place, sometimes with thousands of oxen, laden with food grains, salt, ghee, etc.
8. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘qanungos’, the hereditary holders of lands during the Mughal reign of Akabar:
I. The qanungos, who were hereditary holders of land as well as local officials conversant with local conditions, were ordered to report on the actual produce, state of cultivation, local prices, etc.
II. It is said that, in every area, the qanungos were considered as the most faithful and loyal officials towards their Mughal rulers.
III. It is said that, in every area, the qanungos were dishonest and often concealed the real produce of the land.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. I and III
d. All of the above
Answer: b
Explanation:
The qanungos, who were hereditary holders of land as well as local officials conversant with local conditions, were ordered to report on the actual produce, state of cultivation, local prices, etc. But in every area, the qanungos were dishonest and often concealed the real produce. Annual assessments also resulted in great difficulty for the peasants and for the state.
9. With reference to the prevalent system of administration during the reign of Akbar which of the following statement is incorrect?
a. Nasaq was a system of measurement and the assessment based upon that measurement.
b. In the galla-bakhshi system, the produce was divided between the peasants and the state in fixed proportion.
c. Zabti was a system of measurement and the assessment based upon that measurement.
d. The zabti system is associated with Raja Todar Mal, and k sometimes called Todar Mal's bandobast.
Answer: a
Explanation:
A third system after zabti and galla-bakshi which was widely used in Akbar's time was nasaq. The historians are a bit uncertain about this system. It seems that it meant a rough calculation of the amount payable by the peasant on the basis of what he had been paying in the past. Hence, some modern historians think that it was merely a system of computing the peasant's dues, not a different system of assessment. Others think that it meant rough appraisement both on the basis of the inspection or the crops and past experience, and thereby fixing the amount to be paid by the village as a whole. It is also called kankut’.
10. Consider the following statement regarding Akbar’s interest in the cultivation throughout his kingdom:
I. Akbar never shown his interest in any affairs of cultivation and he never cared about any improvement and extension of cultivation during his reign.
II. Akbar advocated to provide advance money by way of loans (taccavi) to the peasants for seeds, implements, animals, etc., in times of need, and to recover them in easy instalments.
III. Akbar asked the amil to act like a father to the peasants.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: c
Explanation:
Akbar was deeply interested in the improvement and extension of cultivation. He asked the amil to act like a father to the peasants. He was to advance money by way of loans (taccavi) to the peasants for seeds, implements, animals, etc., in times of need, and to recover them in easy instalments.
Akbar was to try and induce the peasants to plough as much land as possible and to sow superior quality crops. The zamindars of the area were also enjoined to cooperate in the task. The zamindars had a hereditary right to take a share of the produce. The peasants, too, had a hereditary right to cultivate their land and could not be ejected as long as they paid the land revenue.
1. Consider the following statements regarding the feature of economic and social institution during the Mughal period:
I. A striking feature of the economic and social situations during the time was the glaring disparity between the highly ostentatious life-style of the ruling classes) on the one hand, and acute poverty and want or the people— the peasants, ‘the artisans and the labourers, on the other.
II. Scanty clothing was conventional in south India and the clothing was necessary for some part of the year in north India.
III. Babur was struck by the scanty clothes worn by the common people and he observed that “peasants and people of low standing go about naked."
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: b
Explanation:
A striking feature of the economic and social situations during the time was the glaring disparity between the highly ostentatious life-style of the ruling classes) on the one hand, and acute poverty and want or the people— the peasants, ‘the artisans and the labourers, on the other.
Scanty clothing was conventional in south India. The climate had a great deal to do with this. However, clothing is necessary for some part of the year in north India. Babur was struck by the scanty clothes worn by the common people. He observed that “peasants and people of low standing go about naked." He then goes on to describe the longota or decency clout worn by men, and the sari worn by women.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the housing and furniture of common people during Mughal period:
I. The mud houses in which the villagers lived were not different from those at present.
II. They had hardly any furniture except cots and bamboo mats, and earthen utensils which were made by the village potter.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. Both I and II
d. Neither I nor II
Answer: b
Explanation:
As far as housing and furniture was concerned, little need be said. The mud houses in which the villagers lived were not different from those at present. They had hardly any furniture except cots and bamboo mats, and earthen utensils which were made by the village potter. Copper and bell-metal plates and utensils were expensive and were generally not used by the poor.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the food habits among the common people during the Mughal period:
I. Regarding rood, rice, millets and pulses (what Pelsaert and De Laet call “khicheri”) formed the staple diet with fish in Bengal and on the coasts, and meat in the south of the peninsula.
II. In north India, chapati made of wheat or coarse grains, with pulses and green vegetables were common.
III. The common people, it is said, ate their main meal in the evening, and chewed pulse or other parched grain in the day.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Regarding rood, rice, millets and pulses (what Pelsaert and De Laet call “khicheri”) formed the staple diet with fish in Bengal and on the coasts, and meat in the south of the peninsula. In north India, chapati made of wheat or coarse grains, with pulses and green vegetables were common.
The common people, it is said, ate their main meal in the evening, and chewed pulse or other parched grain in the day. Ghee and oil were much cheaper relative to food grains then and seem to have been a staple part of the poor man's food. But salt and sugar were more expensive.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the socio-economic condition of common people during the Mughal Period:
I. People had less clothes to wear and shoes were costly, on balance they ate better with more grazing land, they could keep more cattle that more milk and milk products must have been available.
II. During famines, it was costly to move grain by land, and there are many references to devastating famines in which parents sold their children, and there are even reports of men eating their own kind.
III. During Famines, the state organised relief kitchens and sometime nobles and rich people also helped, these were never sufficient.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
The people during the Mughal period had less clothes to wear and shoes were costly, on balance they ate better with more grazing land, they could keep more cattle that more milk and milk products must have been available. But the position was reversed in times of famine. It was costly to move grain by land, and there are many references to devastating famines in which parents sold their children, and there are even reports of men eating their own kind. Though the state organised relief kitchens and sometime nobles and rich people also helped, these were never sufficient.
5. Consider the following statements regarding the income and wages of peasants during the Mughal period:
I. The village artisans were paid for their services by means of commodities which were fixed by custom.
II. The peasant who did not have his own ploughs and bullocks often tilled the land of the zamindars or the upper castes, and could eke out a bare existence.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. Both I and II
d. Neither I nor II
Answer: b
Explanation:
The village artisans were paid for their services by means of commodities which were fixed by custom. It is difficult to compute the average size of the holding of the peasant. The information available shows that there was a great deal of inequality in the villages. The peasant who did not have his own ploughs and bullocks often tilled the land of the zamindars or the upper castes, and could eke out a bare existence. Peasants of this type were called pahis.
The sixteenth century Hindi poet, Tulsidas has said that this type of cultivation was a source of misery. Whenever there was a famine-and famines were frequent—it was this class of peasants and the village artisans who suffered the most. The peasants who owned the land they tilled are called khudkasht. They paid land revenue at customary rates. Some of them had many ploughs and bullocks which they let out to their poorer brethren.
It has been estimated that the population in India at the beginning of the seventeenth century was about 125 million. Hence, there was an abundance or cultivable land available and it may be surmised that peasant proprietors were more numerous than the pahis and the village artisans.
6. The peasants who owned the land called_________.
a. Khudkasht
b. Pahis
c. Mansabdar
d. Sarraf
Answer: a
Explanation:
The peasants who owned the land they tilled are called khudkasht. They paid land revenue at customary rates. Some of them had many ploughs and bullocks which they let out to their poorer brethren.
The peasant who did not have his own ploughs and bullocks often tilled the land of the zamindars or the upper castes, and could eke out a bare existence. Peasants of this type were called pahis.
7. Consider the following statements regarding the land affairs of peasants during Medieval period in India:
I. In medieval times, a peasant was dispossessed from his land as long as he paid the land revenue and he could also sell his land.
II. His children inherited his land as a matter of right after his death.
III. The life of the peasants were hard, they had enough to eat and to meet his simple requirements.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: c
Explanation:
With more surplus land available for cultivation, the average size of the holding may also have been larger. In medieval times, a peasant was not dispossessed from his land as long as he paid the land revenue. He could also sell his land. His children inherited his land as a matter of right after his death.
Although the state dues were heavy, sometimes amounting to half of his produce, there is no reason to believe that the average peasant was left only with enough to keep body and soul together. Although the life of the peasant was hard, he had enough to eat and to meet his simple requirements. The pattern of his life was fixed partly by the seasons and partly by custom and tradition in which fairs, pilgrim ages, ceremonies, etc., had their due place.
8. Who among the following sections of the society was considered as the ruling class in Medieval India?
a. Mansabdars
b. Zamindars
c. Qazi
d. Sufis
Answer: b
Explanation:
The nobility, along with the landed gentry, the zamindars, formed what may be called the ruling class in medieval India. Socially and economically, the Mughal nobility formed a privileged class. Theoretically, the doors of the Mughal nobility were open to everyone. In practice, persons belonging to aristocratic families, whatever they were, Indians or foreigners had a decided advantage. To begin with the bulk of the Mughal nobles were drawn from the homeland of the Mughals, Turan, and from its neighbouring areas Tajikistan, Khorasan, Iran, etc.
9. Consider the following statements regarding the approach of Mughal Emperors towards nobles:
I. Babur was a Turk; one of the Mughal rulers never followed a narrow, racialist policy and tried to win the leading Afghan nobles to his side, but they proved to be restless and untrustworthy and soon directed.
II. The tussle between the Mughals and the Afghans continued in Bihar and Bengal even under Akbar.
III. From the time of Jahangir, Afghans also began to be recruited in the nobility and the Indian Muslims who were called Shaikhzadas or Hindustanis were also given service.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Although Babur was a Turk, the Mughal rulers never followed a narrow, racialist policy. Babur tried to win the leading Afghan nobles to his side, but they proved to be restless and untrustworthy and soon directed.
The tussle between the Mughals and the Afghans continued in Bihar and Bengal even under Akbar. But from the time of Jahangir, Afghans also began to be recruited in the nobility. Indian Muslims who were called Shaikhzadas or Hindustanis were also given service.
10. Consider the following statements regarding the appointment of Hindu into the nobility by Akbar during his reign:
I. From the time of Akbar, Hindus also began to be recruited into the nobility on a regular basis and the largest section among them was that of the Rajputs.
II. According to a modern calculation, the proportion of Hindus in the nobility under Akbar in 1594 was about 16 percent only.
III. The Rajputs who were recruited to the nobility were either hereditary rajas or belonged to aristocratic families related to or allied to the raja.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
From the time of Akbar, Hindus also began to be recruited into the nobility on a regular basis. The largest section among them was that of the Rajputs. Among the Rajputs also, the Kachhwahas predominated.
According to a modern calculation, the proportion of Hindus in the nobility under Akbar in 1594 was about 16 percent only. But these figures do not give an adequate idea of the position and influence of the Hindus. Both Raja Man Singh and Raja Birbal were the personal friends and boon companions of Akbar, while in the sphere of revenue administration, Raja Todar Mal had a place of great influence and honour.
The Rajputs who were recruited to the nobility were either hereditary rajas or belonged to aristocratic families related to or allied to the raja. Thus their incorporation into the nobility strengthened its aristocratic character. Despite this, the nobility did provide an avenue or promotion and distinction to many persons of humble origin.
