mughal empire 2 — BSSC History

Humayun's Tomb in Delhi was built by his wife, Hamida Banu Begum.

• The construction of this UNESCO World Heritage Site was commissioned by her in the memory of Emperor Humayun.

• Hamida Banu Begum is also known by the title 'Maryam Makani'.

• Agra Fort was built by Akbar, while both the Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Delhi were built by Shah Jahan.

• Memory Trick: 'H' for Humayun and 'H' for Hamida Banu Begum — his devoted wife who built his tomb.

• The architect of Humayun's Tomb was Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian architect chosen by her.

Babur fought Panipat in 1526, Khanwa in 1527, Chanderi in 1528, and Ghaghara in 1529.

• He defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat, Rana Sanga at Khanwa, Medini Rai at Chanderi, and Mahmud Lodi at Ghaghara.

• These consecutive victories firmly established the Mughal Empire in India by destroying Rajput and Afghan confederacies.

• Any other sequence mismatches the exact chronological sequence of Babur's continuous annual military campaigns.

• Memory Trick: Just count consecutively from 1526 to 1529 and remember Panipat, Khanwa, Chanderi, Ghaghara (PKCG).

• After the victory in the Battle of Khanwa, Babur assumed the title of 'Ghazi'.

A is true but R is false.

• The Zabti System (introduced by Raja Todarmal) was based on land measurement, and its mode of payment was strictly Cash.

• The reason is entirely false because the 'System of Revenue Farming' during the Mughal period was known as the 'Ijarah System', not Zabti.

• Zabti was associated with fixed revenue calculated on the basis of a thorough land measure system (1/3rd of total yield).

• Because the Reason statement describes the Ijarah system while falsely labeling it as Zabti, options A, B, and D are eliminated.

• Memory Trick: Zabti = Zabat (Fixing land revenue by measurement). Ijarah = Ijara (Contracting out / Revenue Farming).

• Another important term was 'Kankut', which was the method of estimating land productivity.

Both statements are correct.

• Aurangzeb assumed the title of Alamgir, was called Zinda Pir (Living Saint), and had the highest number of Hindu generals in his army.

• He was called Zinda Pir because of his very simple and orthodox lifestyle, strictly adhering to Islamic laws.

• Despite his orthodox religious policies, practical political and military necessities forced him to recruit many Hindus (mainly Rajputs and Marathas) into the imperial administration.

• Since both statements are verified historical facts, choosing only one makes A and B incorrect.

• A great paradox to remember: The most orthodox Mughal (who re-imposed Jizyah) ironically employed the most Hindu generals.

• Aurangzeb discontinued the celebration of Muharram as well as the Persian festival of Navroz.

The famous Koh-i-noor diamond was produced from one of the mines in Golconda.

• The Peacock Throne of Shah Jahan was made of pure gold studded with gems, including this magnificent diamond.

• During Humayun's period of exile, the Koh-i-noor diamond was with Shah Tahmasp of Persia.

• Although regions like Panna and Chhotanagpur are known for minerals, historical records specifically trace the Koh-i-noor to the Golconda region.

• Memory Trick: Golconda starts with 'Gol' (Gold) — a place famous for wealth and the greatest diamond, Koh-i-noor.

• The huge wealth of the Mughals, including the Peacock Throne, fell into the hands of Nadir Shah after his capture of Delhi in 1739.

'Padshahnamah' was written by Abdul Hamid Lahori, not Faizi.

• Faizi is famous for translating mathematical and poetic works like 'Lilavati' into Persian and composing 'Masnavi Nala-i-Daman'.

• Gulbadan Begum was a woman of exceptional poetic talent who wrote the life account of her half-brother Humayun.

• Options A, B, and D correctly match the authors with their highly significant Mughal historical chronicles.

• Memory Trick: P-L: Padshahnamah by Lahori.

• Nizamuddin Ahmed authored the 'Tabaqat-i-Akbari', and Mulla Daud wrote 'Tawarikh-i-Alfi'.

The correct sequence is: Ended Slavery (1562), Annulled Pilgrimage Tax (1563), Abolished Jizyah Tax (1564), Founded Ibadat Khana (1575).

• Akbar introduced these reforms early in his reign to build a secular administration and promote harmony.

• The Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) was later opened for all religions in 1578 for theological debates.

• Any order that does not start with Slavery (1562) and end with Ibadat Khana (1575) is historically inaccurate.

• Memory Trick: Slave → Pilgrim → Jizyah → Pray (SPJP: 62, 63, 64, 75).

• Later in 1582, Akbar founded a new syncretic behavioral code called Din-i-Ilahi.

'Kankut' in Land Revenue Administration was the Method of Estimating Land Productivity.

• It was a critical mechanism used before finalized revenue collection to assess the potential yield of a standing crop.

• In contrast, 'Batai' meant the physical division of the crop at the threshing floor after harvest.

• Revenue farming was 'Ijarah', division at threshing floor was 'Batai', and revenue-free land to scholars was 'Madad-i-Mash'.

• Memory Trick: Kan-kut → Cal-culate → Estimate productivity.

• The 'Zabti' system, which involved land measurement and fixed cash payments, was introduced by Finance Minister Raja Todarmal.

Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, a Persian architect, was the chief architect of the Taj Mahal.

• The Taj Mahal was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal.

• It is an immense mausoleum of white marble on the bank of the Yamuna River, built between 1632 and 1648.

• Mirak Mirza Ghiyath designed Humayun's Tomb, and Yaqut of Dabul designed the Gol Gumbaz.

• Memory Trick: Taj Mahal = Lahore's Ustad (Ustad Ahmad Lahauri). Humayun's Tomb = Mirak Mirza.

• The architectural style used heavily in the Taj Mahal's decoration is the intricate stone inlay technique known as 'Pietra Dura'.

All three statements are correct.

• Akbar introduced the system, borrowed the concept from Mongolia, used 'Zat' for rank, and 'Sawar' for troop count.

• The system was an intricate administrative and military machinery determining the hierarchy, salary, and military responsibilities of nobles.

• Mansabdars were paid either in cash (called Naqdi) or through land revenue assignments known as Jagirs.

• Because every statement is factually precise, any option excluding one of them is incomplete.

• Memory Trick: Zat = Aukaat (Status). Sawar = Sawaari (Troops/Cavalry).

• A Mansabdar holding 500 to 2500 Zat was called an 'Amir', and above 2500 was 'Amir-i-Azam'. Jahangir later added the 'Duaspa-Sihaspa' system.