India during Mughal period
Short Questions
1. Who established the Mughal rule in India?
Answer: Babur established the Mughal rule in India.
2. Which battle marked the beginning of Mughal rule in 1526 CE?
Answer: The Battle of Panipat marked the beginning of Mughal rule.
3. Who defeated Ibrahim Lodi?
Answer: Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi.
4. What was the capital city set up by Akbar?
Answer: Fatehpur Sikri was the capital city set up by Akbar.
5. Who resisted Akbar’s attack on Ahmednagar?
Answer: Chand Sultana (Chandbibi) resisted Akbar’s attack on Ahmednagar.
6. What was the name of Babur’s autobiography?
Answer: Baburnama was Babur’s autobiography.
7. Who wrote Akbarnama?
Answer: Abul Fazl wrote Akbarnama.
8. Which Mughal emperor banned art forms like music and painting?
Answer: Aurangzeb banned art forms like music and painting.
9. What is the Indo-Islamic style of architecture?
Answer: It is a blend of Persian and Indian architectural elements.
10. Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal?
Answer: Shahjahan built the Taj Mahal.
11. What was the main port for Mughal foreign trade?
Answer: Surat was the main port for Mughal foreign trade.
12. Which industry flourished during the Mughal period?
Answer: The textile industry flourished during the Mughal period.
13. What was the purdah system during the Mughal period?
Answer: It was a practice of seclusion among elite Hindu and Muslim women.
14. Who was Tansen in Akbar’s court?
Answer: Tansen was a renowned singer in Akbar’s court.
Which Rajput leader resisted Akbar’s rule? Rana Pratap of Mewar resisted Akbar’s rule.
Long Questions
1. How did Babur establish Mughal rule in India?
Answer: Babur, a descendant of Genghis Khan and Taimurlang, defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE using superior artillery and tactics. He further consolidated his rule by defeating the Rajputs in the Battle of Khanwa. This marked the establishment of Mughal dominance in North India.
2. What were the key features of Akbar’s revenue reforms?
Answer: Akbar introduced a systematic land survey to classify land into fertile, infertile, irrigated, and dry categories, fixing taxes at one-third of the average yield. Taxes were collected in cash or kind, with documents like Kabulayat and Patta issued. Farmers received loans and concessions during calamities, ensuring fairness and stability.
3. Why was Akbar considered the greatest Mughal emperor?
Answer: Akbar expanded the Mughal Empire from Kabul to Bengal and Kashmir to Varhad-Khandesh through military and diplomatic strategies. His tolerant policies, including alliances with Rajputs and welfare-oriented reforms, strengthened Mughal rule. His patronage of art, literature, and inclusive administration solidified his legacy.
4. How did Mughal architecture evolve over time?
Answer: Mughal architecture began with Persian influences under Babur, seen in structures like the Kabulbag mosque. It evolved into the Indo-Islamic style under Akbar and Shahjahan, with red sandstone, marble, domes, and arches, as seen in the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. The focus shifted from strength to aesthetics, declining after Shahjahan’s reign.
5. What role did trade play in the Mughal economy?
Answer: Trade flourished with new highways connecting Agra to Kabul and Bengal, and ports like Surat facilitating foreign trade. Exports like silk, cotton, and spices brought significant silver inflows, boosting the economy. European factories traded spices and cloth, making India a key global trade hub.
6. Why did Mughal art decline during Aurangzeb’s reign?
Answer: Aurangzeb’s strict religious policies led to the withdrawal of royal patronage for painting and music. Artists sought patronage in regions like Rajasthan, developing Rajasthani and Pahari styles. This lack of imperial support caused a significant decline in Mughal art traditions.
7. What were the contributions of Mughal literature?
Answer: Mughal literature thrived in Persian with works like Baburnama and Akbarnama, alongside translations of Sanskrit texts like Ramayana. Regional literature, including Tulsidas’ Ramacharitamanas and Kabir’s dohas, flourished. These works reflected the cultural and intellectual richness of the period.
8. How did the Mughal Empire interact with the Deccan?
Answer: Akbar annexed Ahmednagar, facing resistance from Chand Sultana, and divided it into three Subhas. Shahjahan saw the decline of Nizamshahi, while Aurangzeb uprooted Adilshahi and Qutubshahi. Maratha resistance in the Deccan challenged Mughal expansion, marking a turning point in their decline.
9. What was the social structure like during the Mughal period?
Answer: Most people lived in self-sufficient villages governed by the caste system, with no major social changes. The purdah system was prevalent among elite communities. Akbar’s educational reforms introduced subjects like philosophy and astronomy, enhancing learning in madarasas.
10. How did Shahjahan’s reign contribute to Mughal architecture?
Answer: Shahjahan’s reign was the golden age of Mughal architecture, marked by the construction of the Taj Mahal, Red Fort’s Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khaas, and Jama Masjid. His use of white marble, intricate designs, and symmetry set new standards. These structures remain iconic examples of Indo-Islamic aesthetics.
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