Mughal Empire — Set 12

Correct Answer: D. Mughal

• **'Peacock Throne' (Takht-i-Taus)** belonged to the **Mughal** dynasty — commissioned by **Shah Jahan**. • Encrusted with **rubies, emeralds, diamonds** including the Koh-i-Noor; placed in Diwan-i-Khas, Red Fort. • **Nadir Shah looted it in 1739** — it left India permanently and was later broken up in Persia. • 💡 Maratha = no such throne; Gupta = ancient (320–550 CE); Maurya = ancient (321–185 BCE) — Peacock Throne = Mughal dynasty, Shah Jahan's era.

Correct Answer: C. Todar Mal

• **Raja Todar Mal** was **Akbar's revenue minister** and one of the **Navratnas** (Nine Gems). • He introduced the **'Zabti' (measurement) system** and the **Dahsala (10-year average) revenue** system. • He was a Hindu Khatri from Uttar Pradesh who served as a financial genius for both Sher Shah and Akbar. • 💡 Birbal = wit/poet Navratna; Tansen = music Navratna; Man Singh = military Navratna — Todar Mal was the finance/revenue Navratna.

Correct Answer: C. Sher Shah Suri

• **Sher Shah Suri** built (restored and extended) the **Grand Trunk Road** — called **Sadak-e-Azam**. • ~**2,400 km** long — one of the longest roads in Asia connecting Bengal to Kabul. • He built **1,700 sarais** (rest houses), planted trees, dug wells — making it safe for travelers. • 💡 Ashoka = ancient Uttarapatha (predecessor road); Aurangzeb = no road infrastructure; Akbar = improved it further — Sher Shah is credited for building/restoring GT Road.

Correct Answer: D. Akbar

• **Akbar** built the massive **Agra Fort** in **1565** — made primarily of **red sandstone** from Rajputana. • It served as the main Mughal residence until Shah Jahan moved the capital to **Delhi in 1638**. • Shah Jahan later built the white marble **Moti Masjid** and **Khas Mahal** inside Agra Fort. • 💡 Babur = lived at Agra but built no such fort; Aurangzeb = imprisoned Shah Jahan here; Humayun = no Agra fort — Akbar built the Agra Fort.

Correct Answer: A. Tansen

• **Tansen** was the most famous singer in **Akbar's court** — one of the **Navratnas** (Nine Gems). • A **Dhrupad** maestro; composed ragas **Miyan Ki Malhar, Miyan Ki Todi, Darbari Kanada**. • Before Akbar's court, Tansen served in **Rewa** under Raja Ramchandra Singh; trained under Swami Haridas. • 💡 Haridas = Tansen's guru, not a court singer; Amir Khusrau = Delhi Sultanate era (13–14th century); Surdas = Bhakti poet — Tansen was Akbar's court singer.

Correct Answer: B. Akbar

• **'Navratnas'** (Nine Gems) adorned the court of **Akbar** — nine extraordinary people from diverse fields. • Included: **Birbal** (wit), **Tansen** (music), **Todar Mal** (finance), **Man Singh** (military), **Abul Fazl** (literature). • Others: **Faizi, Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana, Mullah Do Pyaza, Hakim Humam** — total nine. • 💡 Aurangzeb = no Navratnas (banned arts); Shah Jahan = architects not called Navratnas; Babur = short reign — Navratnas is exclusively Akbar's court concept.

Correct Answer: B. Aurangzeb

• **Aurangzeb** imprisoned his father **Shah Jahan** in **Agra Fort** in **1658** after winning the succession war. • Shah Jahan spent **8 years** in captivity (1658–1666), gazing at the **Taj Mahal** across the Yamuna. • He died in **1666** and was buried beside **Mumtaz Mahal** inside the Taj Mahal. • 💡 Murad = Aurangzeb's brother (imprisoned later); Shuja = fled to Burma; Dara Shikoh = executed — only Shah Jahan was imprisoned by Aurangzeb in Agra Fort.

Correct Answer: D. Muhammad Shah

• **Muhammad Shah 'Rangeela'** was defeated by **Nadir Shah** of Persia at the **Battle of Karnal (1739)**. • Nadir Shah then sacked Delhi, looting the **Peacock Throne, Koh-i-Noor**, and vast treasure. • Muhammad Shah begged Nadir Shah to spare Delhi — his defeat ended Mughal military prestige. • 💡 Akbar II = 19th century emperor; Shah Alam II = later (British era); Ahmed Shah = successor of Muhammad Shah — Muhammad Shah was the one defeated at Karnal **1739**.

Correct Answer: A. Aurangzeb

• **'Alamgir'** = **Aurangzeb's** regnal title, meaning **'Conqueror of the World'** — adopted on coronation. • He was also called **'Zinda Pir'** (Living Saint) for his austere, deeply religious lifestyle. • He ruled **1658–1707** (49 years) — the longest reign alongside Akbar in Mughal history. • 💡 Jahangir = 'World Seizer'; Shah Jahan = 'King of the World'; Akbar = 'The Great' — only Aurangzeb = Alamgir.

Correct Answer: D. Akbar

• **Akbar** introduced the **'Mansabdari' system** to organize military and civil administration uniformly. • Every officer got a **'mansab' (rank)** — determining status, salary, and number of soldiers to maintain. • Ranks ranged from **10 to 10,000** (for princes); two components: **Zat** (personal) + **Sawar** (cavalry). • 💡 Babur/Shah Jahan/Humayun = did not introduce Mansabdari; Aurangzeb modified it — only Akbar introduced and formalized this unique grading system.