Mughal India: First Half of the 17th Century — UPSC Quiz
Answer all questions carefully.
The Twilight Before the Storm: Mughal India Under Jahangir and Early Shah Jahan•hard•10 questions•~12 min
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Question 01
hard
Consider the following statements about Nur Jahan:
1. Her father Itimaduddaula was appointed joint diwan by Jahangir in the first year of his reign.
2. Her brother Asaf Khan was made khan-i-saman.
3. Sober historians believe Jahangir was responsible for the death of Nur Jahan's first husband.
4. She married Jahangir in 1611.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 02
medium
Which of the following correctly describes the 'du-aspah sih-aspah' system introduced by Jahangir?
Question 03
hard
With reference to Qandhar in Mughal history, consider the following statements:
1. Babur held Qandhar briefly before the Safavids claimed it after defeating Shaibani Khan.
2. Humayun ceded Qandhar to Shah Tahmasp in exchange for military help, but retained it after reconquest.
3. Akbar conquered Qandhar in 1595 as part of establishing a defensible frontier on the Hindukush.
4. Qandhar fell to Persia during Shah Jahan's reign due to his inattention.
Which statements are correct?
Question 04
medium
Which of the following best explains why the Mughals refused to join a tripartite alliance with the Uzbeks and the Ottomans against the Safavid rulers of Iran?
Question 05
medium
Match the following regarding the mansabdari system:
A. Zat rank — 1. Number of cavalry to be maintained
B. Sawar rank — 2. Personal status in imperial hierarchy
C. Amir-i-umda — 3. Mansabdar with rank below 500 zat
D. Mansabdar (narrow sense) — 4. Noble with rank of 2500 zat and above
Which matching is correct?
Question 06
hard
Consider the following regarding Shah Jahan's Balkh Campaign (1646–47):
1. The campaign was launched to help Nazr Muhammad against his son Abdul Aziz who had allied with Uzbek tribes.
2. Prince Murad was replaced by Aurangzeb during the campaign.
3. The Mughals successfully defeated Uzbek forces outside Balkh but could not hold the territory.
4. Modern historians generally consider it a strategic success that permanently extended Mughal power to the Oxus.
Select the correct statements:
Question 07
medium
Which of the following statements about the Mughal army under Shah Jahan is INCORRECT?
Question 08
medium
Who was Islam Khan, and what was his most significant administrative contribution in Bengal during Jahangir's reign?
Question 09
hard
The 'month-scale' (masahra) system in the Mughal mansabdari structure was primarily aimed at:
Question 10
hard
Which of the following best captures the real motive behind Abdullah Khan Uzbek's embassy to Akbar at Attock on the Indus?
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