Mughal Empire — Set 4

Correct Answer: B. Akbar

• **Akbar** abolished the **pilgrim tax** on Hindus in **1563** — a key step in his religious tolerance policy. • He abolished the **Jizya tax** in **1564** — Aurangzeb later reimposed it in 1679. • These reforms were part of his **Sulh-i-Kul** (Universal Peace) policy to unite all subjects. • 💡 Humayun/Babur = did not abolish these taxes; Aurangzeb = reimposed Jizya — only Akbar abolished both.

Correct Answer: C. Aurangzeb

• **Aurangzeb** is considered the last **powerful Mughal Emperor**; died in **1707** at Ahmednagar. • After his death the empire fragmented rapidly — **12 emperors** in the next 50 years (weak successors). • His **27-year Deccan War** drained treasury, overstretched army, and emboldened Marathas. • 💡 Bahadur Shah I = first weak successor; Farrukhsiyar = Sayyid Brothers' puppet; Shah Alam II = British pensioner.

Correct Answer: D. Battle of Karnal (1739)

• **Battle of Karnal (1739)** — **Nadir Shah** defeated **Muhammad Shah** ('Rangeela') decisively. • Nadir Shah looted Delhi, took the **Peacock Throne and Koh-i-Noor diamond** back to Persia. • This battle **ended Mughal military power** — they became mere figureheads after this invasion. • 💡 Battle of Buxar (**1764**) = British victory; Plassey (**1757**) = Clive vs Nawab; **1857** = final end — Karnal **1739** was the military blow.

Correct Answer: D. Bairam Khan

• **Bairam Khan** was guardian and tutor of Akbar; Akbar called him respectfully **'Khan-i-Baba'**. • He led Mughal forces to defeat **Hemu** at **2nd Battle of Panipat (1556)** — secured Akbar's throne. • After Akbar dismissed him in 1560, Bairam was killed near **Patan (Gujarat)** by an Afghan enemy. • 💡 Munim Khan = later post-Bairam governor; Pir Muhammad = different figure; Adham Khan = Akbar's foster brother, not guardian.

Correct Answer: A. Lahore

• **Jahangir's tomb** is at **Shahdara, Lahore** (now Pakistan) — built by his son Shah Jahan. • **Nur Jahan** played a key role in its design; it features intricate **marble and pietra dura** inlays. • Jahangir died in **1627** near Lahore on the way to Kashmir; buried in Lahore per his wishes. • 💡 Agra = Taj Mahal (Shah Jahan's wife); Srinagar = no royal Mughal tomb; Delhi = Humayun's tomb — Jahangir is in Lahore.

Correct Answer: D. Painting

• **Mughal painting** reached its **zenith** during **Jahangir's reign** — he was a connoisseur of extraordinary skill. • He could identify different **artists' brushwork** within a single composite painting. • Famous painters **Mansur** (nature/animals) and **Bishandas** (portraits) flourished in his court. • 💡 Architecture = Shah Jahan's zenith; Music = Akbar's zenith (Tansen era); Sculpture = not a Mughal specialty — only painting peaks under Jahangir.

Correct Answer: B. Mehr-un-Nisa

• **Nur Jahan's** real name was **Mehr-un-Nisa**; Jahangir gave her the title 'Light of the World' post-marriage. • She was the **de facto ruler** in Jahangir's declining years — issued farmans and coins in her own name. • Only Mughal empress to have **coins struck in her name** — a unique political distinction. • 💡 Jodha Bai = Akbar's wife; Mumtaz Mahal = Shah Jahan's wife; Hamida Banu = Humayun's wife — none had coins in their name.

Correct Answer: C. Aurangzeb

• **Moti Masjid** (Pearl Mosque) inside **Red Fort, Delhi** was built by **Aurangzeb** in **1659–60**. • He built it for **personal private prayers** — made of **white marble**, hence called Pearl Mosque. • Important distinction: **Moti Masjid in Agra Fort** was built by **Shah Jahan** — two different mosques! • 💡 Shah Jahan = built Agra Fort's Moti Masjid; Akbar = built Agra Fort itself; Jahangir = no mosque here.

Correct Answer: B. Nadir Shah

• **Nadir Shah** of Persia invaded India in **1739**, defeated Muhammad Shah at **Battle of Karnal**. • He looted Delhi, carried away **Peacock Throne, Koh-i-Noor diamond**, and treasure worth ₹70 crore. • He conducted the **'Nadir Shahi' massacre** in Delhi, killing thousands of civilians in one day. • 💡 Timur = invaded 1398 (earlier); Ahmed Shah Abdali = later invasions (**1748**–67); Genghis Khan = never entered India.

Correct Answer: D. Dara Shikoh

• **Dara Shikoh** (Shah Jahan's eldest son) translated **52 Upanishads** into Persian as **'Sirr-i-Akbar'** (The Great Secret). • He also wrote **'Majma-ul-Bahrain'** (Meeting of Two Oceans) showing Sufi-Hindu mysticism unity. • Executed by Aurangzeb in **1659** as an apostate after losing the war of succession. • 💡 Shuja = Bengal viceroy, fled; Aurangzeb = opposed Dara; Murad = joined Aurangzeb then was imprisoned — only Dara translated Upanishads.