Class VII

              CHAPTER-15 THE MUGHAL EMPIRE

D: Answer the following questions in brief:-

Q.1 What was Din-I-Ilahi and who started it?

A1. Akbar started Din-I-Ilahi in1586 by blending the good points of all religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism and other faiths, with Islam. Din-I-Ilahi was not a religion but a socio-religious path to bridge the differences among different communities.

Q.2 Why is Shah Jahan known as “Engineer king”?

A2. Shah Jahan is known as an Engineer king because he built the peacock throne. The Taj Mahal at Agra, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Delhi , and numerous other works of art and architecture testify his wealth as well his aesthetic sense.

Q.3 What was the political conditions of India before Babur’s invasions?

A3. The political conditions of India before Babur’s invasions was-

   1.   India was an easy prey for any invader as it was divided into a number of small states.

   2.   These small kingdoms were incapable of standing up to any foreign aggression.

   3.   Delhi has lost its glory under Ibrahim Lodi. His personal officials opposed him and invited Babur to Invade India.

   4.   The situation in Gujarat, Punjab, Bengal, Malwa, Rajputana Kashmir, etc... was quite bad. There was widespread lawlessness and disorder.

   5.   The local rulers were unpopular among the masses.

Q.4 State the main features of Jahangir’s rule.

A4. The main features of Jahangir’s rule are:-

   1.   Akbar was succeeded by his son Muhammad Sultan Salim. He ascended the throne in 1605 at the fort of Agra and assumed the name Jahangir.

   2.   Jahangir consolidated his territories and developed the administrative system that was introduced by his father.

   3.   The court culture of the Mughals flourished under his rule.

   4.   Mughal painting reached its zenith during his time.

   5.   Jahangir re-started the war with Rajputs

E: Answer the following questions-

Q.1 List the difficulties faced by Humayun after coming to the throne?

A1. The difficulties faced by Humayun after coming to the throne were:-

   1.   Babur had gifted separate provinces to his other three sons.

   2.   The army was a combination of people from different country and language groups.

   3.   Humayun had inherited an empty treasury.

   4.   He was addicted to opium.

  5.   He lacked military ability.

  6.   He had to face opposition from his brothers, relatives, afghans and Rajputs

Q.2 Compare the religious policy of Akbar with that of Aurangzeb.

A2.

Religious policy of Akbar

Akbar started Din-I-Ilahi in 1582 by blending the good points of all religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism and other faiths, with Islam. Din-I-Ilahi was not a religion but a socio-religious path to bridge the differences among different communities.

Religious policy of Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb was a Muslim fanatic and opposed religious tolerance. He was a staunch muslim and forced hindus to adopt Islam. He imposed jazia on Hindus. He discontinued the practice of inscribing the Kalima on the coins and abolished the celebration of the New Year day (Nauroz).

Q.3 Describe Shah Jahan’s Deccan policy?

A3. Shah Jahan’s Deccan policies are:-

   1.   Under Shah Jahan, the Deccan policy of the Mughals entered a new phase.

   2.    He annexed Ahmadnagar and Daulatabad.

   3.   He forced the rulers of Bijapur and Golconda to accept his supremacy.

   4.   In 1636, Shah Jahan retired to Agra and appointed Aurangzeb as the governor of Deccan.

Q4. Describe the uniform system of administration established by the Mughals.

A4.  Mughal’s administration:

   1.   They established a uniform administration which was a combination of both Indian and Persian systems.

   2.   They believed in the supreme authority of the king. A strong army and efficient ministers assisted the emperor.

   3.   The whole empire was divided into subas(provinces), which were governed by subedars(governors).

   4.   The diwan was the collector of land revenue. The kotwal looked after the law and order in the city.

  5.   Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system based on rank and position in the official hierarchy. The mansabdars were responsible for both civil and military administration.

Q5. List any five factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal Empire.

A5. The five factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire are:-

   1.   The religious intolerance of Aurangzeb turned the Rajputs against him, who had always supported the Mughal Empire. Same was the condition of the Sikhs and Marathas.

   2.   The Mughals do not have any rule of succession and hence the death of each ruler resulted in bloody wars and conspiracies of nobles.

   3.   Weak and inefficient successors of Aurangzeb provided an open invitation for internal rebels and foreign invasions.

  4.   Corrupt officials and heavy burden of land revenue resulted in revolts by peasants leading to low tax collection.

  5.   Aurangzeb remained in Deccan for almost 20 years, which gave an opportunity to governors to establish independent states.