Basohli, a bold and intense style of miniature painting, is associated with which one of the following regions of India?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Basohli miniature painting → Himachal Pradesh
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History · Medieval
Mughal Empire: Political History: 85 previous year questions
UPSC has asked 85 questions on Mughal Empire: Political History between 1979 and 2026: CSE 39 · CDS 23 · CAPF 9 · CISF (LDCE) 8 · Geo-Scientist 3 · NDA 2 · EPFO (APFC) 1. 37 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 39 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.
Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.
After the death of her husband, Rani Durgawati, the brave queen of Garha-Katanga started ruling on behalf of her five-year-old son named:
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Rani Durgawati's five-year-old son → Bir Narain
Which one of the following is listed in the Ain-i Akbari as one of the „Indian sciences‟ prescribed by Akbar for scholars to learn at school ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Indian science listed in the Ain-i-Akbari for scholars → Jyotisha
Which of the following statements about the Bundela rebellion against Aurangzeb are correct ? 1. Shivaji advised Chhatrasal to promote local risings against Aurangzeb 2. Chhatrasal levied chauth like marathas 3. In 1705, Aurangzeb decided to make peace with Chhatrasal and Chhatrasal was granted mansab of four-thousand Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Bundela rebellion → Shivaji advised Chhatrasal to promote local risings; Chhatrasal levied chauth; 1705 peace with Aurangzeb, mansab of four-thousand
Consider the following statements about Sawai Jai Singh's astronomical work : 1. He learnt of the accuracy of European observations, and obtained de La Hire's tables from which he reproduced a refraction table. 2. His astronomers also developed a telescope of their own to observe the lunar phases of Venus. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Sawai Jai Singh → obtained de La Hire's tables and reproduced a refraction table | NOT: developed a telescope to observe the phases of Venus
Chronologically arrange the following events : 1. Third Battle of Panipat 2. Invasion of Nadir Shah 3. Impeachment of Warren Hastings 4. The Diwani of Bengal transferred to the East India Company Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer A (official UPSC key)In order → Nadir Shah's invasion (1739) → Third Battle of Panipat (1761) → Diwani of Bengal (1765) → Impeachment of Warren Hastings (1787)
Who among the following assumed the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah to set himself up as an independent ruler with his base in Hyderabad?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Assumed title Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah, base in Hyderabad → Chin Qilich Khan
Consider the following Jat peasant leaders of 17th and early 18th centuries : 1. Badan Singh 2. Raja Ram Jat 3. Go ku la Jat 4. Churaman Jat Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above leaders?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Jat leaders in order → Gokula Jat → Raja Ram Jat → Churaman Jat → Badan Singh
Which one of the following painters was not associated with Humayun ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not associated with Humayun → Bihzad
Which one of the following scholars of Akbar‟s court translated Bhaskaracharya‟s Lilavati into Persian ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Translated Lilavati into Persian → Faizi
Akbar issued a Farman in 1598 permitting in the city of Cambay (Khambat), Gujarat, the construction of a
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Akbar's 1598 Farman at Cambay permitted the construction of a → Synagogue (per key)
Which one of the following was the homeland of Babur ?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Homeland of Babur → Farghana
Tuhfatul Hind, written by Mirza Muhammad ibn Fakruddin Muhammad, is a text on:
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Tuhfatul Hind (Mirza Muhammad ibn Fakruddin Muhammad) → musical theory
Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not correct ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not correct about Ain-i-Akbari → later revised by Sadullah Khan on Shah Jahan's orders | Ain-i-Akbari → by Abu'l Fazl, part of the Akbarnama, describes diverse population and composite culture
The famous Mughal painting, depicting Jahangir embracing the Safavid king Shah Abbas, was painted by which one of the following Mughal painters?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Painting of Jahangir embracing Shah Abbas → Abul Hasan
During the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, which one of the following practices was introduced in the daily routine of the king ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Introduced in the king's daily routine under Akbar → Jharokha Darshan
Muhammad Husayn of Kashmir (1575 -1605), a contemporary of Emperor Akbar, was a
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Muhammad Husayn of Kashmir → reputed calligrapher ('Zarrin Kalam')
Which of the following statements is / are correct? 1. Shantidas was a leading Jain jeweler and banker in Ahmedabad 2. Shajahan granted land to build poshalas to Shantidas 3. In 1656 Murad Bakhsh granted village Palitana to Shantidas for the use of Jain pilgrims. The grant was later confirmed by Aurangzeb in 1660 Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Shantidas → leading Jain jeweller and banker of Ahmedabad; Shahjahan granted land for poshalas; Palitana granted by Murad Bakhsh (1656), confirmed by Aurangzeb (1660)
Who among the following Mughal emperors was a follower of the Naqshbandiyya leader, Khwaja Ubaydullah Ahrar?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Follower of Naqshbandiyya leader Khwaja Ubaydullah Ahrar → Babur
Which of the following statements are true of Bahadur Shall I? 1. He succeeded Aurangzeb. 2. He had to fight his brothers for the throne. 3. He reversed many policies of his predecessor, 4. He ordered for the destruction of some temples. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Bahadur Shah I → succeeded Aurangzeb; fought his brothers; reversed many of his predecessor's policies | NOT: ordered destruction of temples
The Diwan-i-Aam referred to
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Diwan-i-Aam → hall of public audience
Which of the following statements are true of Bahadur Shah I? 1. He succeeded Aurangzeb. 2. He had to fight his brothers for the throne. 3. He reversed many policies of his predecessor, 4. He ordered for the destruction of some temples. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Bahadur Shah I → succeeded Aurangzeb; fought his brothers; reversed many of his predecessor's policies | NOT: ordered destruction of temples
The Diwan-i-Aam referred to
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Diwan-i-Aam → hall of public audience
Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portrait?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Shifted from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait → Jahangir
With reference to the Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Not correct → 'Tansen' title given by Akbar | Title 'Tansen' → given by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior; Akbar gave the title 'Mian'
Consider the following Statements Statement I : Abul Fazl shaped, represented and articulated the ideas associated with the reign of Akbar Statement II : The qualities of Abul Fazl impressed Akbar who found the former suitable as an adviser and spokesperson for his policies
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Abul Fazl → shaped and articulated the ideas of Akbar's reign | Akbar found his qualities suited to an adviser and spokesperson → II explains I
The aristocrat Muqarrab Khan was a great favourite of which Mughal Emperor?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Muqarrab Khan, a great favourite of → Jahangir
Who was the first Nawab Wazir of Awadh in the 18th century?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)First Nawab (Wazir) of Awadh in the 18th century → Nawab Saadat Khan (appointed 1722)
The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Bani Thani painting → Kishangarh school
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements 1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri. 2. Red sandstone and marble were used in making Ilara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Buland Darwaza → red and buff sandstone decorated with white and black marble | Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri → red sandstone, not white marble | Rumi Darwaza → bricks coated with lime
Which one of the following statements about the Sayyid brothers during the period of Later Mughals is not true?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Not true of the Sayyid brothers → brought Jahandar Shah to power | Sayyid brothers → had Jahandar Shah killed; kingmakers
Which one of the following statements about the Sayyid brothers during the period of Later Mughals is not true?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Not true of the Sayyid brothers → brought Jahandar Shah to power | Sayyid brothers → killed Jahandar Shah with Farrukhsiyar; religious tolerance
Which one of the following books was not illustrated with paintings in Akbar‟s court?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not illustrated with paintings in Akbar's court → Tarikh-i-Alfi
Which one of the following sources tells us about women protesting against the infidelity of their husbands or the neglect of the wife and children by the male head of the household?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Women protesting husbands' infidelity or neglect → documents of village panchayats of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I (Person): A. Uddanda; B. Sayana; C. Yadavaprakasa; D. Bhavabhuti List II (Work): 1. Sudhanidhi; 2. Mallikamaruta; 3. Malatimadhava; 4. Vaijayanti
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Uddanda → Mallikamaruta | Sayana → Sudhanidhi | Yadavaprakasa → Vaijayanti | Bhavabhuti → Malatimadhava
Who among the following was not a painter at Akbar's Court?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Not a painter at Akbar's court → Kalyan Das | Daswanth, Abdus Samad, Basawan → Akbar's court painters
Consider the following: The arrival of Babur into India led to the 1. introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent 2. introduction of the arch and dome in the region's architecture 3. establishment of the Timurid dynasty in the region Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Babur's arrival → establishment of the Timurid dynasty | NOT: introduced gunpowder (already present under the Delhi Sultanate) | NOT: introduced the arch and dome
Which one among the following cannot be attributed to Shahjahan's reign ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Not from Shahjahan's reign → Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid (built by Sher Shah Suri)
Which of the following statements is/are, correct ? 1. Humayun invented Taj-i-izzat 2. Taj-i-izzat was a head gear, composed of a cap and a wrapping cloth Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Taj-i-izzat → head gear of a cap and wrapping cloth, invented by Humayun
Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ibadat Khana → hall where Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
Akbar‟s Ibadat Khana was the place where
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Akbar's Ibadat Khana → inter-faith debates and discussions
Abul Hasan was one of the most eminent painters of Jahangir's reign. He painted the well known Mughal Darbar scene describing
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Abul Hasan's Mughal Darbar scene → Jahangir's accession to the throne
Who among the following was not a painter in the Mughal period ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not a Mughal painter → Baz Bahadur (last Sultan of Malwa)
Which one among the following pairs of battle is correctly matched?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correctly matched → Battle of Chausa: defeat of Humayun by Sher Shah
Which one among the following was not a possible reason for „the success of Nadir Shah‟s military campaign in Delhi ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not a reason for Nadir Shah's success in Delhi → superior military technology of the invading army
Which one among the following pairs is correctly matched?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correctly matched → Battle of Chausa: defeat of Humayun by Sher Shah
Which one among the following was not a possible reason for the success of Nadir Shah‘s military compaign in Delhi?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not a reason for Nadir Shah's success in Delhi → superior military technology of the invading army
Consider the following statements : 1. Akbar Nama and Padshah Nama are the important illustrated Mughal official histories. 2. While Akbar Nama was written by Abdul Hamid Lahori, Badshah Nama was authored by Abu‘I Fazl. 3. The Akbar Nama is divided into three books, of which the third book is the Ain-i-Akbari. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Akbar Nama and Padshah Nama → illustrated Mughal official histories | Akbar Nama → three books, third is the Ain-i-Akbari | Akbar Nama → Abu'l Fazl; Badshah Nama → Abdul Hamid Lahori (not the reverse)
Who among the following has issued the coin rupee for the first time?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)First issued the rupee coin → Sher Shah
Which one of the following was the original name of Tansen, the famous musician in the court of Akbar?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Original name of Tansen → Ramtanu Pande
Consider the following statements relating to Sher Shah 1. During Sher Shah‘s region, the village Panchayat and Zamindars were not allowed to deal with civil and criminal cases at the local level. 2. Sher Shah set-up army cantonments in different parts of the empire and a strong garrison was posted in each of them. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Sher Shah → set up army cantonments with a strong garrison in each | Village Panchayat and Zamindars → allowed to deal with civil and criminal cases locally
When Akbar besieged the Fort of Chitor, who among the following defended it for four months?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Defended Chitor for four months against Akbar → Jaimal
How did the Mughal Emperor Jahandarshah's reign, come to an early end?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)End of Jahandar Shah's reign → defeated by his nephew (Farrukhsiyar)
Battle of Dharmat was fought between [2003]
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Battle of Dharmat → Aurangzeb vs Dara Shikoh (Jaswant Singh allied with Dara)
Assertion (A): Emperor Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 with a huge army. Reason (R): He was on his way to reclaim his ancestral country of Ferghana in Central Asia.
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 → true | Purpose → to end the threat from his brother Mirza Muhammad Hakim, not to reclaim Ferghana
The motive behind Shah Jahan's Balkh campaign was to
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Motive of Shah Jahan's Balkh campaign → conquer Samarqand and Farghana, the Mughal homelands
Assertion (A): The battle of Khanwa was certainly more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat Reason (R): Rana Sanga, the Rajput hero, was certainly a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi.
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Battle of Khanwa (1527) more decisive than First Panipat (1526) → Rana Sanga a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi | R explains A
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I List II A. 1556 1. Battle of Haldi Ghati B. 1600 2. Nadir Shah's capture of Delhi C. 1680 3. Death of Shivaji D. 1739 4. Grant of Charter to East India Company 5. Accession of Akbar Codes A – 3; B – 4; C – 2; D – 1 A – 5; B – 4; C – 3; D – 2 A – 5; B – 2; C – 1; D – 4 A – 1; B – 5; C – 3; D – 2
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Answer B (official UPSC key)1556 → Accession of Akbar | 1600 → Charter to East India Company | 1680 → Death of Shivaji | 1739 → Nadir Shah's capture of Delhi
Assertion (A): During the reign of Shahjahan, Dara Sikoh was sent on an expedition to Balkh, Badakhshan, and Qandahar. Reason (R): The expedition sent by Shahjahan to the Middle East was a marvelous success.
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Shahjahan sent Dara Sikoh to Balkh, Badakhshan and Qandahar → true | The expedition → failed miserably, not a success
The loss of Qandahar was a big blow to the Mughal empire from the viewpoint of
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Loss of Qandahar a big blow → strategic stronghold
Mughal painting reached its zenith under
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Mughal painting reached its zenith under → Jahangir
Nastaliq was:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Nastaliq → a Persian script used in medieval India
The first Indian ruler to organize Haj pilgrimage at the expense of the state was
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Answer C (official UPSC key)First ruler to organise Haj at state expense → Akbar
Consider the following statements Assertion (A): Babur wrote his memoirs in Turki. Reason (R): Turki was the official language of the Mughal Court. In the context of the above two statements which one of the following is correct?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Babur wrote his memoirs in Turki → true | Official language of the Mughal court → Persian, not Turki
Which one of the following is a monument constructed by Sher Shah?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Monument built by Sher Shah → Kila-Kuhna Mosque, Delhi
Akbar's mausoleum is situated at
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Akbar's mausoleum → Sikandra
Among the following Mughal rulers who was the founder of Mansabdari System?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Founder of the Mansabdari System → Akbar
Mansabdari system was introduced by
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Mansabdari system introduced by → Akbar
Which of the following is located in Aurangabad?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)In Aurangabad → tomb of Aurangzeb's queen (Bibi Ka Maqbara)
Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Abul Fazal → Ain-i-Akbari
Akbar found the Din-i-Ilahi primarily to
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Akbar founded Din-i-Ilahi primarily to → establish a national religion acceptable to both Muslims and Hindus
The Mausoleum of Sher Shah is at
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Mausoleum of Sher Shah → Sasaram
Match the columns: A. Qutub Minar 1. Mohamed Adil Shah B. Gol Gumbaj 2. Iltutmish C. Buland Darwaza 3. Aurangzeb D. Moti Masjid 4. Jahangir 5. Akbar Select the correct answer from the codes given below: A BC D
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Qutub Minar → Iltutmish | Gol Gumbaj → Mohamed Adil Shah | Buland Darwaza → Akbar | Moti Masjid → Aurangzeb
Who among the following accepted Din-i-Ilahi?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Accepted Din-i-Ilahi → Birbal
Which of the following is wrongly matched?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Wrongly matched → Abul Fazl — Baburnama | Baburnama → Babur; Abul Fazl → Akbarnama, Ain-i-Akbari
Which of the following is not included in Mughal paintings?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Not included in Mughal paintings → Islamic themes
Consider the following statements Assertion (A): Akbar introduced Din-i-Illahi which became more popular. Reason (R): Din-i-Illahi was a religious order, suitable for the people of all religions. Code :
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Din-i-Ilahi (Akbar, 1582) → never became popular | R: a religious order suitable for people of all religions → true
In whose reign Mughal painting art was at its zenith?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Mughal painting at its zenith → Jahangir
Which of the following is not true about the paintings of Mughal period?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Not true of Mughal paintings → court and cultural scenes depicted to balance communal harmony | Mughal paintings → documented court life, ceremonies, portraits
What is the correct order of the following? 1. First Battle of Panipat 2. Second Battle of Tarain 3. Establishment of East India Company Select the correct answer from the codes below:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)In order → Second Battle of Tarain (1192) → First Battle of Panipat (1526) → East India Company (1600)
Which of the chronological order for the construction of the following is correct? 1. Taj Mahal 2. Qutab Minar 3. Fatehpur Sikri 4. Agra Fort Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Built in order → Qutab Minar (1199) → Agra Fort (1565) → Fatehpur Sikri (1571) → Taj Mahal (1632)
Which Mughal ruler introduced the Mansabdari system in India?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Introduced the Mansabdari system → Akbar (1571)
Which one of the following was the cause of disintegration of the Mughal Empire?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Causes of Mughal disintegration → war of succession among Aurangzeb's sons; attacks of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali; revolts of Jats, Sikhs, Rajputs — all of these
During Aurangzeb‟s reign, which of the following were not included in his government?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Not included in Aurangzeb's government → Marathas (Rajputs and Pathans were included)
Whose name is associated with Fatehpur Sikri?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Fatehpur Sikri → Akbar (Mughal capital founded 1571)
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