Mughal Empire – Administration, Decline & Rise of Regional States
Q1. The highest administrative department in the Mughal Empire responsible for finance was:
(1) Diwan-i-Arz
(2) Diwan-i-Wizarat
(3) Diwan-i-Insha
(4) Diwan-i-Khairat
Correct Answer: (2) Diwan-i-Wizarat
Explanation:
The Diwan-i-Wizarat handled imperial finance, land revenue and expenditure. The head of this department was the Wazir, equivalent to a finance minister.
Q2. The Mughal Zat rank referred to:
(1) Number of cavalry soldiers to be maintained
(2) Personal rank and status of a mansabdar
(3) Classification of agricultural land
(4) Number of villages allotted to a jagirdar
Correct Answer: (2)
Explanation:
Zat indicated the personal rank of a mansabdar, determining his proximity to the emperor, prestige and salary. Sawarshowed cavalry quota responsibility.
Q3. The decline of the Mughal Empire accelerated mainly because:
(1) European invasions
(2) Weak successors and rise of regional powers
(3) Drying up of silver supply
(4) Peasant rebellions
Correct Answer: (2)
Explanation:
After Aurangzeb’s death, regional kingdoms such as Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and Rajputs asserted independence, causing fragmentation.
Q4. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between:
(1) Aurangzeb and Shivaji
(2) Dara Shukoh and Shivaji
(3) Raja Jai Singh and Shivaji
(4) Shahjahan and Shahaji Bhonsle
Correct Answer: (3)
Explanation:
After Jai Singh’s siege of Purandar fort, Shivaji accepted Mughal suzerainty temporarily and ceded some forts.
Q5. Who founded the independent state of Awadh after the decline of the Mughal Empire?
(1) Murshid Quli Khan
(2) Alivardi Khan
(3) Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk
(4) Asaf Jah I
Correct Answer: (3)
Explanation:
Burhan-ul-Mulk established Awadh as an autonomous regional state in early 18th century.
Q6. The ruler associated with the policy of Sulh-i-Kul was:
(1) Akbar
(2) Humayun
(3) Jahangir
(4) Shahjahan
Correct Answer: (1)
Explanation:
Sulh-i-Kul means universal peace and tolerance. Akbar promoted religious harmony and abolished discriminatory taxes.
Q7. Which Mughal emperor transferred the capital temporarily from Delhi to Agra and built Fatehpur Sikri?
(1) Humayun
(2) Akbar
(3) Jahangir
(4) Shahjahan
Correct Answer: (2) Akbar
Explanation:
Fatehpur Sikri was constructed as the imperial residence and administrative center between 1571–1585.
Q8. The administrative term Suba under the Mughals refers to:
(1) Land tax unit
(2) Province
(3) Military regiment
(4) Agricultural plot
Correct Answer: (2)
Explanation:
The Mughal Empire was divided into subas (provinces), each governed by a Subadar along with revenue and judicial officials.
Q9. The Sikh leader who turned the Sikh community into a military brotherhood (Khalsa) was:
(1) Guru Arjun
(2) Guru Hargobind
(3) Guru Tegh Bahadur
(4) Guru Gobind Singh
Correct Answer: (4)
Explanation:
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa to resist Mughal persecution and assert Sikh autonomy.
Q10. Who among the following is correctly matched with the kingdom founded after Mughal decline?
(1) Nizam-ul-Mulk – Bengal
(2) Murshid Quli Khan – Hyderabad
(3) Sawai Jai Singh – Marwar
(4) Saadat Khan – Awadh
Correct Answer: (4)
Explanation:
Saadat Khan founded Awadh; Murshid Quli Khan founded Bengal; and Nizam-ul-Mulk founded Hyderabad.
UNIT 7 RECAP
Key concepts from this unit include:
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Mughal administration: mansabdari, jagirdari, departments, land revenue
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Mughal decline causes: succession wars, weak rulers, regional rise
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Emergence of autonomous states: Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad, Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs
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Mughal–Maratha relations
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Akbar’s religious and administrative innovations