Who among the following emperors may be called “an enlightened despot” ?
Correct Answer:
(C) Akbar
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Akbar was a great ruler whose empire extended from Bengal to Afghanistan in the north and Kashmir to the Godavari in the south. He was a secular emperor, and the complete authority of the empire was vested in him. Therefore, he is considered as ‘’an enlightened despot’’ like Queen Elizabeth of England and Frederick the Great, during whose reign all subjects were equal before the law.
Ques: 2
Consider the following statements with reference to the Mughal rule in India:
It was Akbar who made Persian the leading language of the Mughal court.
The Ramayana was translated into Persian as the Razmnama.
All books in Mughal India were manuscripts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(B) Only two
Statement 1 is correct: It was Akbar who consciously set out to make Persian the leading language of the Mughal court. Cultural and intellectual contacts with Iran, as well as a regular stream of Iranian and Central Asian migrants seeking positions at the Mughal court, might have motivated the emperor to adopt the language. Persian was elevated to a language of empire, conferring power and prestige on those who had a command of it
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Razmnama (Book of War) is a Persian translation of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata.
Statement 3 is correct: All books in Mughal India were manuscripts, that is, they were handwritten. The center of manuscript production was the imperial Kitabkhana.
Ques: 3
In which of the following place Akbar was enthroned on getting the information of Humayun’s death?
Correct Answer:
(D) Kalanaur
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Akbar was enthroned (coronated) at Kalanaur after getting the information of Humayun’s death, who died in a fatal accident by falling from the stairs of Din-e-Pannah library.
Ques: 4
The first matrimonial alliance with the Rajputs was established by Akbar with the house of :
Correct Answer:
(B) Kachhwahas
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The first matrimonial alliance with the Rajputs was established by Akbar with Kachhwaha Rajput. He went on a pilgrimage to the Mausoleum of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti at Ajmer in January 1562. His route laid through the Rajput state of Amber. Its ruler Raja Bihari Mal (Bharmal), with a view of safeguarding his position, offered his submission to Akbar at Sanganer and voluntarily proposed his daughter, Princess Harkhabai (Jodha) marriage with the young monarch. Akbar accepted the offer and on his return from Ajmer, married in 1562. It was the first marriage of Akbar with any Rajput girl. Thus, Raja Bharmal was the first Rajput king who accepted Akbar’s supremacy of his accord. Salim (later Jahangir), heir to the throne was born of this wedlock on August 30, 1569.
Ques: 5
The Mausoleum (Dargah) of which Chishti Saint was visited by Akbar ?
Correct Answer:
(A) Muinuddin Chishti
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Akbar supported Chishti sect expressing his faith in Sufism. He sought the company of the religious divine saints with whom he conversed with inborn zeal and humility. He frequently visited the Mausoleum of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti at Ajmer and the shrine of contemporary Sufi sage Shaikh Salim Chishti at Sikri.
Ques: 6
Durgavati, who fought against Akbar, was the queen of -
Correct Answer:
(A) Mandla
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Akbar decided to invade Gondwana and sent a cavalry of 50000 supported by heavy artillery. The king of Gondwana, Vir Narayan was a minor and his mother Durgavati ruled over the kingdom of Gondwana. She fought with bravery but was defeated in the battle between Garh and Mandla (modern Jabalpur).
Ques: 7
Yousuf Shah Chak, the last Muslim ruler of Kashmir valley, who was exiled to Bihar by the Mughal emperor Akbar, was buried in –
Correct Answer:
(D) Nalanda
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Yousuf Shah Chak was a ruler of Kashmir during 1579-1586 AD. Yousuf was exiled to Bihar by Mughal emperor Akbar. He died in Bihar and was buried in Biswak (Nalanda).
Ques: 8
Which of one of the following factors is not conducive in establishing Akbar as a nationalist-
Correct Answer:
(A) Akbar had forsaken Islam
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Akbar was the first among the monarchs of medieval India who raised the policy of religious tolerance to the pinnacle of secularism. The socio-political condition of the country was such that Akbar thought it was advisable to adopt independent views in religious matters. The non-Muslims constituted the majority of his Indian subjects. Without winning their confidence and active support, Akbar could not hope to establish and consolidate the Mughal rule in India. Religion had played the role of a divisive force in Indian society ever since the advent of Islam which most of its people had refused to embrace. Akbar fully understood the centrifugal tendencies of the complex Indian socio-political order and made a serious attempt to eliminate these by separating religion from politics. To win the goodwill of Hindus, he abolished the pilgrimage tax and Jizya. Freedom of worship, matrimonial alliances with Hindus, high civil and military positions to Hindus, translation of Hindu scriptures, establishment of Ibadatkhana, issue of infallibility decree, freedom to construct temples, land grants, considerations of Hindu sentiments, reforms in Hindu society were some measures adopted by Akbar to establish religious harmony but he had not forsaken Islam.
Ques: 9
Causes of Akbar’s popularity were:-
A. Mansabdari system B. Religious policy
C. Land Revenue System D. Social reforms
Select the correct answer by using codes given below :
Correct Answer:
(D) A, B, C, D
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The establishment of Mughal administration is credited to Akbar. His central administrative policies and interpretation of designation of King, his duties and authorities, his provincial administration, his revenue system, his monetary policies, his mansabdari system, etc. are the measures of his success. Akbar was the first Muslim ruler who practiced religious harmony between subjects and treated Hindus and Muslims alike. He abolished Jizya, the pilgrimage tax and the slavery in 1564, 1563 and 1562 respectively under his liberal religious policy. The abolishment of child marriage and ‘Sati’ took place in his reign. Thus, all the above four points are included in causes of the popularity of Akbar.
Ques: 10
The theory of ‘’Sulh-i-Kul’’ was promulgated by :-
Correct Answer:
(B) Akbar
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The major objective of the religious policy of Akbar was universal harmony which is better known as ‘’Sulh-i-Kul’’ policy. Akbar formulated the policy of Sulh-i-Kul in place of Islamic concept. He promulgated new sect "Din-i-Illahi" for reconciliation between all religious school in 1582. ‘Sulh- i-Kul’ policy of Akbar reflects his political generosity and religious tolerance as well as his liberal cultural attitude.
Reason(R) : Akbar built this monument to commemorate the birth of his son Jahangir.
Which one of the following is correct in reference of above:
(A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of
(A).
Correct Answer:
(C) is true, but (R) is false.
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Akbar annexed Gujarat in 1572-73 and established a city named Fatehpur Sikri. A class of historian believes that Akbar erected Buland Darwaza of Sikri as victory tower to commemorate his victory over Gujarat while Pursey Brown related its construction with the victory in South (1601).
Ques: 12
The finest monuments constructed by Akbar is found in–
Correct Answer:
(D) Fatehpur Sikri
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A village named Sikri was located 36 Km away from Agra, the famous Sufi Sage Shaikh Salim Chishti resided here. Akbar used to visit Sikri frequently for his blessings. The finest monuments constructed by Akbar is found in Fatehpur Sikri. Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Treasury, Panch Mahal, Khas Mahal, Kothi of Turki Sultana, Jodha Bai Mahal, Kothi of Mariyam, Birbal Ki Kothi, etc. are major complexes of Sikri. Pursey Brown stated Sikri as "Pearl of Architectute" due to its elegance.
Ques: 13
Which monument built by Akbar architected alike Buddhist Monastery ?
Correct Answer:
(A) Panch Mahal
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Akbar constructed various buildings at his new capital Fatehpur Sikri. Panch Mahal was a five-storeyed pavilion and built on the pattern of a Buddhist monastery which exists in very few places in India. This monument style is inspired by multi-storey buildings of Nalanda.
Ques: 14
The translation of the Mahabharat into Persian in the time of Akbar was carried out under the supervision of :
Correct Answer:
(D) Faizi
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Akbar established Translation Department under the supervision of his poet laureate Faizi. The translation of the Mahabharat into Persian at the time of Akbar was carried out under the direction of Faizi by the concerted effort of Naqib Khan, Badauni, Abul Fazl, etc.