Dunes International
Academic Year 2024-2025
Notes –Lesson4- The Mughal Empire(History)
Name: __________________________ Subject: Social Studies
Short Answer Questions
1. What was the unique feature of Din-i-illahi?
The unique feature of Din-i-illahi was that there were no priests,
no places of worship and no rituals. Akbar announced himself as the
spiritual guide of his subjects. It was secular with a mix of preaching of
all religions.
2. Why did Babur come to India?
Babur came to India to defeat the Lodis, who were ruling over the
Delhi Sultanate. The local rulers sent him a message to come to India
as they were not happy with the Lodis. More than the invitation, Babur
was lured by Hindustan's wealth to plan an expedition to India.
3. Why did the Mughal Emperors try their best to raise the productivity of
the land? How they do it?
The Mughal Emperors tried their best to raise the productivity of the
land because agriculture was the primary occupation in those times and
land was the most important source of revenue. To raise the
productivity, the rulers encouraged peasants to bring more land under
cultivation.
4. How can we say that Jahangir continued the policy of tolerance initiated
by Akbar?
Jahangir was a man of justice and continued the policy of tolerance
initiated by Akbar. We can say that because even after defeating the
ruler of Mewar, Rana Amar Singh, he allowed him to rule over his
territory. He only laid one condition that Rana Amar Singh would be
loyal towards the Mughals.
5. Differentiate between Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam.
The differences between the Diwan-i-Khas and the Diwan-i-Aam are
as follows:
(a) The Diwan-i-Khas was the hall of private audience whereas the
Diwan-i-Aam was the hall of public audience.
(b) In Diwan-i-Khas, the reports from nobles and other heads were
read at an assigned time whereas in the Diwan-i-Aam, the general public
could come and put their problems before the Emperor.
Long Answer Questions
1. What do you know about the central and provincial administration of the
Mughals?
Administration of the Mughal Dynasty was a fine example of
centralised structure.
At the centre of the Mughal state was the Emperor who was all
powerful.
The nobility or the ruling elite were next in line of importance. In all of
Emperor's functions, he had the support of the nobles and the ministers
but the final authority was retained by the Emperor whose two primary
and crucial functions were Jahanbani (protection of the state) and
Jahangiri (extension of the empire).
The empire was divided into provinces called subas.
Each suba was headed or looked after by a subedar or the governor.
Each province or suba was sub-divided into districts or sarkars.
Each district or sarkar was divided into many parganas.
Each pargana was further divided into many villages.
The village was the smallest unit of administration.
The kotwal was incharge of the town administration who was given both
civil as well as police duties.
2. Describe Todar Mal's Bandobast (system of land revenue).
The system of land revenue, introduced by Raja Todarmal, was
known as Todar Mal's Bandobast.\
Under this system, land was measured and according to the fertility
of the land, it was categorized as good, average or bad. The revenue
was fixed accordingly.
According to his system, surveyors visited the village every season
to measure the land. In the beginning, ropes were used as a tool for
measurement.
But, Todar Mal realised that ropes were not effective as they shrank
when dry and lengthened when wet.
Hence, he introduced the bamboo reed ropes which were joined
together with iron rings.
3. Write notes on (a) military campaigns of Shah Jahan (b) steps taken by
Akbar to gain loyalty of Rajputs.
(a)Shah Jahan ascended the throne in 1627 after defeating his brother
Shahryar. Shah Jahan had to face many revolts during his regime. He
started by crushing the revolt of Bundela Rajputs. When the next revolt in
Deccan occurred, he invaded it and annexed Ahmadnagar. Bijapur and
Golconda signed a peace treaty with Shah Jahan and agreed to pay an
annual tribute and promised their loyalty. Shah Jahan became ambitious
after his success in the Deccan. However his exploits in Balkh and
Badakshan met with failure. So, his military campaigns met with both
success and failure.
(b) The steps taken by Akbar to gain the loyalty of Rajputs are:
* Akbar defeated many Rajput kings but never humiliated them as he
believed in a tolerant and compassionate approach.
* He allowed them to rule over their territories even after he defeated
them.
* In return, these rulers helped Akbar by commanding their army or
supplying contingents during a war.
* Akbar married many Rajput princesses. In January 1562, Akbar met Raja
Bharmal and later married his eldest daughter Harkha Bai. The alliance
secured him the powerful support of Amber throughout his reign.
* He ensured complete religious freedom to his wives.
* He gave high posts to many Rajputs in his administration and commanded
their trust, sincerity and loyalty.
4. What was the Mansabdari System? How was it organised?
Mansabdari system was adopted by Akbar to organise his nobility
and army according to a rank. This system was not hereditary.
Mansabdar's property was given away to someone else after his
death.
Grading was used by the Mughals to fix the rank, salary and
military responsibility.
The rank and salary were determined by the numerical value called
zat. The zat rank fixed the personal status and income. It determined
the number of soldiers under him.
The sawar referred to the number of horses or cavalry maintained by
the mansabdar.
The king controlled the empire through the loyal officials,
mansabdars.
5. Sher Shah has been referred as a philanthropist at heart. Why has he been
called so?
Sher Shah has been referred to as a philanthropist at heart because
he had a huge concern for the welfare of his subjects and was generous.
Anyone in need of food was fed at the King's kitchen on his orders. He took
care of basic amenities like roads and food. An excellent network of roads
was constructed in his empire during his rule. Grand Trunk (GT) Road was
one such highway constructed. He also took care of the interests of
merchants which led to flourishing trade and commerce. He reduced
custom duties. He provided an impartial judicial system.
6. This is the period between 1658-1666. This Mughal Emperor spent eight
years in the Agra Fort. Here, he was alone with no servants or soldiers. He
was looked after by his daughter Jahanara. This period is unique in itself.
Two Mughal Emperors were alive at the same time.
(a) Which two Emperors are being talked about?
Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan
(b) Name one great wonder of the world built by one of these Emperors.
Taj Mahal
(c) What was so unique that two Mughal emperors were alive at the same
time?
It was unique because Shah Jahan was the father of Aurangzeb. A son
captured his father and made him a prisoner at Agra Fort and crowned
himself the Emperor. It indicates people forget even their sacred
relationships in the lust for power like Aurangzeb did.
7. Why do you think Akbar is considered by many as one of India's greatest
rulers?
Akbar was the greatest ruler of the Mughal Dynasty. Akbar adopted a
tolerant approach to rule over Hindustan. He was a compassionate ruler
and followed a wise and secular attitude towards all religions. He brought
glory to the Mughal Empire and is therefore known as Akbar the Great.
