Q1. “Mansabdars” in Mughal period were
(a) Landlords and Zamindars
(b) Officials of the state
(c) Those who had to give revenue
(d) Revenue collectors
(UPSC Prelims 1979)
Answer: (a) Landlords and Zamindars
Explanation: Mansabdars were military and administrative officers under the Mughal system, assigned ranks (mansabs) and responsible for maintaining troops. They were often granted land (jagir) for revenue collection, functioning like Zamindars.
Q2. During Aurangzeb’s reign, which of the following were not included in his government ?
(a) Rajputs
(b) Pathans
(c) Marathas
(d) All of these
(UPSC Prelims 1979)
Answer: (c) Marathas
Explanation: Aurangzeb’s administration excluded the Marathas, who were seen as rebellious and expansionist. While Rajputs and Pathans were part of his military and administrative structure, the Marathas resisted Mughal authority, leading to prolonged conflict.
Q3. Whose name is associated with Fatehpur Sikri ?
(a) Akbar
(b) Babar
(c) Shahjehan
(d) Humayun
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (a) Akbar
Explanation: Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital city, showcasing Mughal architecture and planning.
Q4. Which one of the following was the cause of disintegration of the Mughal Empire ?
(a) War of succession among sons of Aurangzeb
(b) Attacks of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali
(c) Revolts of various communities like Jats, Sikhs, Rajputs, etc.
(d) All of the above mentioned factors contributed to the downfall of the Mughal Empire
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (d) All of the above mentioned factors contributed to the downfall of the Mughal Empire
Explanation: The Mughal Empire declined due to internal conflicts, external invasions, and regional uprisings, making multiple factors responsible for its disintegration.
Q5. Sultanates of Delhi have taken which of the following in their buildings from the ancient architecture?
(a) Mehrab
(b) Gumbaj
(c) Arched openings
(d) Decoration figures
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (c) Arched openings
Explanation: The Delhi Sultanate adopted arched openings from ancient Indian architecture, blending Islamic styles with local design elements in their monuments.
Q6. Who were ‘Jagirdars’ during the reign of Akbar ?
(a) Large estate owners
(b) Officials of state who were given ‘jagir’ in place of cash pay
(c) Revenue collectors
(d) Autonomous rulers under Akbar
(UPSC Prelims 1982)
Answer: (a) Large estate owners
Explanation: During Akbar’s reign, Jagirdars were large estate holders granted land (jagir) in lieu of salary, responsible for revenue collection and maintaining troops.
Q7. What was not the most important feature of land revenue system of Akbar ?
(a) Collection of land revenue in kind or cash
(b) Collection of land revenue based on accurate measurement of land
(c) Collection of land revenue directly at the central treasury
(d) Fixation of rates
(UPSC Prelims 1982)
Answer: (c) Collection of land revenue directly at the central treasury
Explanation: Under Akbar’s revenue system, revenue was collected at the local level, not directly at the central treasury, making this option inaccurate.
Q8. Which Mughal ruler introduced the Mansabdari system in India ?
(a) Akbar
(b) Humayun
(c) Shahjehan
(d) Babar
(UPSC Prelims 1982)
Answer: (a) Akbar
Explanation: The Mansabdari system was introduced by Akbar to organize the military and bureaucracy. It classified officials based on rank (mansab) and determined their salary and number of troops to maintain, ensuring administrative efficiency.
Q9. Which of the chronological order for the construction of the following is correct ?
I. Taj Mahal
II. Qutab Minor
III. Fatehpur Sikri
IV. Agra Fort
(a) II, IV, III, I
(b) II, IV, I, III
(c) I, II, III, IV
(d) II, III, IV, I
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The correct chronological order is:
- Qutab Minar (built in the early 13th century)
- Agra Fort (constructed in the mid-16th century)
- Fatehpur Sikri (built in the late 16th century)
- Taj Mahal (completed in the 17th century)
This sequence reflects the historical progression of architectural styles in India.
Q10. In whose reign Mughal painting art was at its zenith ?
(a) Jahangir
(b) Babur
(c) Shahjehan
(d) Aurangzeb
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (a) Jahangir
Explanation: Under Emperor Jahangir, Mughal painting reached its peak, with emphasis on naturalism, portraiture, and detailed miniatures. He was a patron of the arts, and his court saw the flourishing of Indo-Persian artistic traditions.
Q11. Which of the following is not true about the paintings of Mughal period ?
(a) Religious scenes were depicted
(b) Scenes of nature were depicted
(c) Court and cultural scenes were depicted to balance communal harmony
(d) Scenes of battles were depicted
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (c) Court and cultural scenes were depicted to balance communal harmony
Explanation: Mughal paintings are renowned for their depiction of nature, court life, and battles, but they rarely aimed to balance communal harmony. The focus was on aesthetic refinement and royal patronage, not on promoting inter-religious unity through art.
Q12. Assertion (A): Akbar introduced Din-i-Illahi which became more popular.
Reason (R): Din-i-Illahi was a religious order, suitable for the people of all religions.
(a) if A and R both are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) if A and R both are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) if A is incorrect but R is correct
(d) if A is correct but R is incorrect
(UPSC Prelims 1985)
Answer: (c) if A is incorrect but R is correct
Explanation: Though Akbar introduced Din-i-Illahi, it did not gain popularity and had limited followers. The reason is correct in describing its inclusive intent, but the assertion is incorrect.
Q13. Whose tomb among the following is not located in India?
(a) Akbar
(b) Humayun
(c) Jehangir
(d) Itmad-ud-daula
(UPSC Prelims 1986)
Answer: (c) Jehangir
Explanation: The tomb of Jehangir is located in Lahore, Pakistan, while the tombs of Akbar, Humayun, and Itmad-ud-daula are in India. Hence, Jehangir’s tomb is the one not located in India.
Q14. Which of the following is not included in Mughal paintings ?
(a) Portraits
(b) Islamic themes
(c) Flowers and plants
(d) Hunting scenes
(UPSC Prelims 1986)
Answer: (b) Islamic themes
Explanation: Mughal paintings were known for their secular themes, including portraits, nature, and court scenes. They rarely depicted Islamic religious themes, which were considered inappropriate for visual representation.
Q15. Which of the following is not true about Mughal army?
(a) Mughal army was mainly standing army.
(b) It had large cavalry.
(c) When Mughal army used to come out, it seemed as if population of a big city is emerging.
(d) It had large infantry.
(UPSC Prelims 1987)
Answer: (a) Mughal army was mainly standing army.
Explanation: The Mughal army was primarily feudal and recruited as needed, not a permanent standing army. It had a large cavalry, and its movements were so massive that they resembled a city on the move, but the idea of a standing army is inaccurate.
Q16. Who among the following accepted Din-i-llahi ?
(a) Raja Man Singh
(b) Birbal
(c) Raja Tansen
(d) Raja Todarmal
(UPSC Prelims 1987)
Answer: (b) Birbal
Explanation: Birbal, one of Akbar’s Navratnas, was the only Hindu courtier known to have accepted Din-i-Ilahi, a syncretic religion introduced by Akbar to promote religious tolerance and unity.
Q17. The court language of Mughals was
(a) Urdu
(b) Arabic
(c) Persian
(d) Turkish
(UPSC Prelims 1987)
Answer: (c) Persian
Explanation: Persian was the official court language of the Mughal Empire, used in administration, literature, and diplomacy. It remained dominant until the British replaced it with English in the 19th century.