Mughal Empire — Set 1

Correct Answer: B. Babur

• **Babur** founded the Mughal Empire by defeating **Ibrahim Lodi** at the First Battle of Panipat in **1526**. • He came from **Ferghana** (Central Asia); descended from Timur (father's side) and Chengiz Khan (mother's side). • Babur used **gunpowder artillery** — a new weapon in India that gave him decisive advantage. • 💡 Humayun = lost empire to Sher Shah; Akbar = consolidated empire; Sher Shah Suri = Sur dynasty, not Mughal founder.

Correct Answer: A. Chaghatai Turkic

• **Baburnama (Tuzuk-i-Baburi)** was written in **Chaghatai Turkic** — Babur's mother tongue, not Persian. • It is among the earliest **autobiographies** in Islamic literature, covering 1494–1529. • Translated into **Persian** by Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana (Akbar's courtier) as 'Waqi'at-i-Baburi'. • 💡 Urdu didn't exist then; Arabic was religious, not Babur's tongue; Persian was court language but NOT original.

Correct Answer: A. Battle of Khanwa

• **Battle of Khanwa** (1527) — Babur defeated **Rana Sanga** (Sangram Singh) of Mewar decisively. • After this victory Babur assumed the title **'Ghazi'** (holy warrior) to inspire his troops. • This battle **firmly established Mughal rule** in northern India, more than Panipat did. • 💡 Chanderi = **1528** vs Medini Rai; Panipat = **1526** vs Ibrahim Lodi; Ghagra = **1529** vs Afghans — all different wars.

Correct Answer: B. Sher Shah Suri

• **Sher Shah Suri** introduced the silver **'Rupiya'** (weighing ~178 grains) — ancestor of the modern Rupee. • He also issued gold **Mohur** and copper **Paisa**; his currency system was later adopted by the Mughals. • Modern India's **'Rupee'** name is directly derived from his 'Rupiya' coin. • 💡 Babur/Humayun/Akbar did NOT introduce Rupiya — Sher Shah ruled India **1540**–45 in between Mughals.

Correct Answer: D. Persia (Iran)

• **Humayun** regained his kingdom with military help of **Shah Tahmasp** of **Persia (Iran)** in 1555. • He spent **15 years in exile** (1540–1555) after being defeated by Sher Shah Suri at Kannauj. • He recaptured **Delhi and Agra in 1555**, but died the following year in a staircase accident. • 💡 Arabia/Turkey/Afghanistan gave no such military help — Persia was the key Shia ally for Humayun.

Correct Answer: D. Hemu

• **Second Battle of Panipat (1556)** — Akbar's forces led by **Bairam Khan** defeated **Hemu** (Hem Chandra Vikramaditya). • Hemu was the general and PM of **Adil Shah Suri**; had won 22 battles before this defeat. • Hemu was hit by an arrow in the eye; captured and killed — Akbar's victory began his real reign. • 💡 Ibrahim Lodi = First Panipat **1526**; Rana Pratap = Haldighati **1576**; Sher Shah Suri = died **1545** before this battle.

Correct Answer: B. Bairam Khan

• **Bairam Khan** was Akbar's regent and tutor, titled **Khan-i-Khana**, during his early reign (1556–1560). • He led Mughal forces at **2nd Battle of Panipat (1556)**, defeating Hemu decisively. • Akbar dismissed him in **1560** ('Petticoat Government' era followed), and Bairam was later murdered. • 💡 Adham Khan = foster brother, not regent; Munim Khan = later governor; Todar Mal = finance minister, not regent.

Correct Answer: C. Fatehpur Sikri

• **Ibadat Khana** (House of Worship) was built by Akbar at **Fatehpur Sikri** in **1575**. • Initially for Muslim theologians; later opened to **Hindus, Christians, Jains, Zoroastrians** too. • These debates inspired Akbar's philosophy of **'Sulh-i-Kul'** (Universal Peace) and later Din-i-Ilahi. • 💡 Agra = seat of power, not Ibadat Khana; Delhi = earlier capital; Lahore = later capital, not this institution.

Correct Answer: B. Akbar

• **Mansabdari System** was introduced by **Akbar** to organize the nobility and military bureaucracy. • **Zat** = personal rank (determines salary); **Sawar** = number of horsemen the officer must maintain. • Mansabs ranged from **10 to 10,000** (later 12,000 for princes); higher number = greater status. • 💡 Jahangir/Aurangzeb/Shah Jahan modified it but did NOT introduce it — credit solely goes to Akbar.

Correct Answer: D. Raja Todar Mal

• **Raja Todar Mal** was Akbar's finance minister and one of the **Navratnas** (Nine Gems). • He introduced the **'Zabti' (Bandobast) system** — accurate land measurement with fixed revenue rates. • He also developed the **Dahsala system** (1580) — average of 10 years' produce fixed as revenue. • 💡 Birbal = wit/poet, not finance; Man Singh = military general; Tansen = musician — all Navratnas but not finance.