FOUNDATION OF THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
I. Answer the following questions (Continued)
4) When and between whom was the Second Battle of Panipat fought?
What was its result?
Ans: The Second Battle of Panipat was fought between Hemu and
Mughal forces in 1556 CE.
-In this battle Hemu was killed, Bairam Khan reoccupied Delhi and
Agra.
2.When and between whom was the battle of Haldighati fought?
Ans. In 1576, the battle of Haldighati was fought between Rana Pratap
Singh and Akbar.
5. With reference to Akbar, answer the following questions:
a) Central Administration
- The Empire was headed by the Emperor who had absolute powers.
- He was assisted by the council of ministers and officials.
- Akbar was a benevolent ruler.
- He was the highest tribunal of justice.
- He built Diwan -i-Am (hall of public audience),where people could
speak to him directly.
-The most important minister was the Wazir or Diwan who was the
head of revenue department.
-The emperor met his officials in the Diwan -i- Khas.
b) Provincial Administration
-Akbar’s empire was divided into provinces or Subas. Suba was
governed by the Subedar.
-The Suba was divided into districts or sarkars and Sarkars were
subdivided into Parganas.
-Each Pargana comprised of a number of villages administered by the
Kotwals.
- Kotwals maintain law and order, apprehend criminals, check
weights and measures and maintain a register of the people living in
the area.
- Every administrative division, officials were carefully selected and
posted.
- They were paid in cash and sometimes in jagirs or land grants for
distinguished service.
c)Revenue Reforms of Akbar
Akbar’s land revenue policy was framed by Raja Todar Mal.
- Land Revenue was the chief source of revenue.
- Land was assessed and calculated over the ten years of the
productivity,
- Land was measured with bamboo sticks linked with iron rings.
- Land revenue was fixed as 1/3 of the average produce of the land.
- Revenue could be paid in cash or kind.
- Loans were given to farmers to buy seeds, cattle and implements.
c) Literature
- Akbar was a great patron of learning and literature.
- Abul Fazl wrote Akbarnama,a biography of Akbar .
- Faizi wrote poems in Persian .
- Birbal wrote poems which was known for his wit and humour.
- Abdur Rahim Khan -i-Khana composed dohas in Hindi.
-Tulsidas wrote Ramacharitamanas.
- Akbar had Mahabharata and the Ramayana translated into Persian,
d) Mention the Social Reforms of Akbar.
- He tried to remove social evils.
- tried to check Child marriage
- abolished practice of Sati
- made widow remarriage legal.
- He tried to restrict the sale of liquor.
e) Religious Policy of Akbar
- Akbar abolished Jaziya and Pilgrim tax.
- Many religious texts of Hindus were translated to Persian.
- He participated in the celebration of Rajput festivals.
- He treated all religious groups equally.
- He also gave grant and plot of land for Hindus to build temples.
III . FIND OUT THE ANSWERS
1)Who was Bairam Khan?
2)When and between whom was the Second Battle of Panipat fought?
3)Who was Raja Todar mal?
4)When and between whom was battle of Haldighati fought?
5)What was the extent of Akbar’s Empire?
6)Name the first Rajput ruler to enter into matrimonial relations with
Akbar.
7)Who wrote ‘Akbarnama’?
8) Akbar met his officials in the ____________
9)The place where Akbar held audience in the _________ where people
could speak to king directly.
10)Each province/ Suba was placed under a governor called_____
11)Who was in charge of towns in the Mughal empire?
12) Mention any two functions of Kotwals.
13)Akbar’s land revenue policy was framed by ___________
14)What did Akbar do to promote trade within his empire?
15) Name any four of the Nine gems of Akbar’s court.
16)Tulisidas wrote_______
17)Who translated Mahabharata and Ramayana into Persian?
18)Name the best known musician of Akbar’s court.
19)Name the well-known painters of Akbar’s court.
20)What is meant by Sul-i-kul?
21)Name the two taxes abolished by Akbar.
22)When and where did Akbar build Ibadat Khana? Why?
23) Name the new religious faith introduced by Akbar.
24)Write a short note on Din-i-illahi of Akbar.
25)Discuss the Rajput Policy of Akbar.
26)Why is Akbar popularly known as Akbar the Great?
