📝 Chapter 10 · Practice MCQs

Mughal Empire — 10 Practice MCQs

Test your knowledge with exam-standard MCQs on the Mughal Empire.

💡 How to Use: Read each question carefully and choose your answer before reading the explanation.

📝 10 MCQs — Mughal Empire

Question 01

Babur’s autobiography “Baburnama” was written in which language?

A) Persian

B) Chagatai Turkish

C) Arabic

D) Urdu

✅ Answer: B) Chagatai TurkishBaburnama was written by Babur in Chagatai Turkish — his mother tongue. It is considered the first autobiography in Islamic literature and one of the greatest autobiographies in world literature. It was later translated into Persian by Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana (one of Akbar’s Navratnas). It provides vivid descriptions of India, nature, and Babur’s campaigns.

Question 02

The Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was primarily a system for:

A) Revenue collection

B) Ranking and paying all imperial officials and military commanders

C) Land distribution to peasants

D) Religious administration

✅ Answer: B) Ranking and paying officialsThe Mansabdari system assigned numerical ranks (mansabs) to all imperial officials — from 10 to 10,000. The rank determined salary and military obligations (number of soldiers to maintain). Mansabdars were paid in cash or through jagirs (land revenue assignments). The system eliminated hereditary nobility and made all officials directly dependent on the emperor.

Question 03

Akbar’s “Din-i-Ilahi” was:

A) A new religion that replaced Islam

B) A syncretic faith combining elements of Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity

C) A code of conduct for Mughal officials

D) A philosophical school of thought

✅ Answer: B) Syncretic faithDin-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith) was a syncretic religion created by Akbar combining elements of Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity. It had only ~18 followers — mostly courtiers. It was not a mass religion. Birbal was the only Hindu to join. It reflected Akbar’s policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace/tolerance).

Question 04

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of:

A) His mother

B) His wife Mumtaz Mahal

C) His father Jahangir

D) His daughter

✅ Answer: B) Mumtaz MahalThe Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum) who died in 1631 CE while giving birth to their 14th child. Construction began in 1632 CE and was completed in 1653 CE. It is made of white marble and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chief architect was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

Question 05

Todar Mal’s revenue system (Zabt) was based on:

A) Fixed tax regardless of crop

B) Measurement of land and fixing rates based on soil quality and crop; paid in cash

C) Share of produce given to the state

D) Tax collected by zamindars

✅ Answer: B) Land measurement and cash paymentTodar Mal’s Zabt system involved: (1) Measurement of cultivated land, (2) Classification of soil quality, (3) Fixing revenue rates based on average prices over 10 years (Dahsala system), (4) Payment in cash (not kind). This was a scientific, fair revenue system that increased state revenue while being predictable for peasants.

Question 06

Abul Fazl, one of Akbar’s Navratnas, wrote which famous works?

A) Baburnama and Humayunnama

B) Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari

C) Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri and Padshahnama

D) Tabaqat-i-Akbari and Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh

✅ Answer: B) Akbarnama and Ain-i-AkbariAbul Fazl wrote Akbarnama (biography of Akbar in 3 volumes) and Ain-i-Akbari (administrative manual of Akbar’s empire). Ain-i-Akbari is an invaluable source for Mughal administration, economy, and society. Abul Fazl was killed by Bir Singh Bundela at the instigation of Prince Salim (later Jahangir).

Question 07

Sher Shah Suri is credited with introducing which currency that is still used in India?

A) Tanka

B) Rupee (Rupiya)

C) Dinar

D) Paisa

✅ Answer: B) Rupee (Rupiya)Sher Shah Suri introduced the Rupiya (Rupee) — a silver coin weighing 178 grains. This became the standard currency of India and is still used today. He also built the Grand Trunk Road (from Bengal to Kabul), introduced a postal system, and reformed the revenue system. Despite ruling for only 5 years, his administrative reforms were adopted by Akbar.

Question 08

Aurangzeb reimposed Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) in:

A) 1658 CE

B) 1665 CE

C) 1679 CE

D) 1690 CE

✅ Answer: C) 1679 CEAurangzeb reimposed Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) in 1679 CE — reversing Akbar’s policy of abolishing it in 1564 CE. This alienated Hindus and contributed to Rajput rebellions and Maratha resistance. Aurangzeb also banned music and dance at court, destroyed some Hindu temples, and pursued orthodox Islamic policies.

Question 09

The Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over:

A) Rajputana

B) Gujarat

C) Bengal

D) Deccan

✅ Answer: B) GujaratThe Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar in 1576 CE to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is 54 metres high — the highest gateway in India. The inscription on the gate reads: “The world is a bridge, pass over it but build no houses upon it.” Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Question 10

Nur Jahan, the powerful wife of Jahangir, was the daughter of:

A) Akbar’s minister Todar Mal

B) Itimad-ud-Daulah (Mirza Ghiyas Beg)

C) Abul Fazl

D) Man Singh

✅ Answer: B) Itimad-ud-Daulah (Mirza Ghiyas Beg)Nur Jahan was the daughter of Itimad-ud-Daulah (Mirza Ghiyas Beg), a Persian nobleman who served as Jahangir’s chief minister. She was the most powerful woman in Mughal history — 20 farmans (royal orders) were issued in her name. She built the beautiful Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb in Agra — called the “Baby Taj” — for her father.

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