Q1. The Mansabdari system was introduced by:
(1) Babur
(2) Akbar
(3) Humayun
(4) Aurangzeb
Correct Answer: (2) Akbar
Explanation:
The Mansabdari system organised the Mughal bureaucracy and army. It fixed rank (mansab) and remuneration based on zat (personal rank) and sawar (cavalry responsibility), ensuring central control over nobles.
Q2. The Asta Pradhan system was established under:
(1) Bahamani sultans
(2) Deccan Sultanates
(3) Marathas under Shivaji
(4) Mysore under Haider Ali
Correct Answer: (3) Marathas under Shivaji
Explanation:
Shivaji’s administration included eight ministers collectively called Asta Pradhan, responsible for key departments like foreign affairs, military, finance and justice.
Q3. The Jagirdari system during the Mughal period refers to:
(1) Hereditary land ownership
(2) Assignment of revenue from a region in place of salary
(3) State-controlled collective farming
(4) Land given to religious institutions
Correct Answer: (2) Assignment of revenue from a region in place of salary
Explanation:
Nobles were allotted territories from which they collected revenue to maintain troops instead of receiving cash salary from the emperor.
Q4. Which of the following taxes was levied on the non-Muslim population under the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate?
(1) Zakat
(2) Khums
(3) Jaziya
(4) Ushr
Correct Answer: (3) Jaziya
Explanation:
Jaziya was a poll tax imposed on non-Muslims in return for protection and exemption from military service. Abolished by Akbar but reintroduced by Aurangzeb.
Q5. Which Mughal emperor is associated with land revenue reforms and the Ain-i-Dahsalasystem?
(1) Babur
(2) Humayun
(3) Akbar
(4) Shahjahan
Correct Answer: (3) Akbar
Explanation:
Dahsala, developed by Raja Todar Mal, assessed land revenue based on 10-year average productivity and classification of land, leading to efficient agrarian administration.
Q6. Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were taxes collected by:
(1) Bahamanis
(2) Vijayanagara kings
(3) Deccan Sultanates
(4) Marathas
Correct Answer: (4) Marathas
Explanation:
Chauth was 25% of revenue, and Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% levied by Maratha chiefs over areas outside their direct control.
Q7. The principal market controller in the Delhi Sultanate was:
(1) Diwan-i-Wizarat
(2) Diwan-i-Arz
(3) Shahna-i-Mandi
(4) Sadr-us-Sudur
Correct Answer: (3) Shahna-i-Mandi
Explanation:
Shahna-i-Mandi supervised markets, fixing prices and preventing hoarding, particularly under Alauddin Khalji’s economic reforms.
Q8. The main reason for large-scale urbanization during the Sultanate and Mughal period was:
(1) Growth of trade and crafts
(2) Increase in temple building
(3) Decline of agriculture
(4) Internal wars
Correct Answer: (1) Growth of trade and crafts
Explanation:
Commercial centres, craft guilds, and administrative hubs emerged due to strong trade networks and manufacturing industries (textiles, metalwork, paper, shipbuilding).
Q9. Hundi used in medieval India functioned as:
(1) Land measurement tool
(2) Military record
(3) Bill of exchange
(4) Religious grant record
Correct Answer: (3) Bill of exchange
Explanation:
It enabled long-distance commercial transactions, banking credit and cash transfer, widely used by merchant guilds and moneylenders.
Q10. The major industry that dominated the economy of the Mughal period was:
(1) Shipbuilding
(2) Cotton textiles
(3) Iron metallurgy
(4) Glass production
Correct Answer: (2) Cotton textiles
Explanation:
Indian cotton cloth was exported globally, especially to West Asia and Europe, forming the backbone of Mughal overseas trade.
UNIT 5 RECAP
Topics covered in this unit include:
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Administration under Sultanate & Mughals
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Mansabdari & Jagirdari systems
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Frontier policies and inter-state relations
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Agricultural revenue system & irrigation
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Urbanisation & craft production
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Trade, transport, banking instruments (Hundi)
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Maratha administration