India Under the Mughals

1.Economic and Social Life

• European Travellers' Accounts of Mughal SocietyImportance 3/5UPSC 1999, 2018
  Who wrote about Mughal India from outside, and why were their accounts so useful for knowing its social and economic conditions? Understand the two sides they described: the wealth and luxury of the aristocracy, and the poverty of peasants and artisans.

2.Mughal Nobility

• Composition of the Mughal NobilityImportance 3/5UPSC 2019
  Where did most Mughal nobles come from? Know the main foreign groups (Turanis, Iranis, Afghans) and the Indian groups. How did foreign nobles settle in India while keeping some personal traits? From whose time were Hindus, especially Rajputs, taken into the nobility, and which three Hindu nobles are well-known examples? Which of them was a Rajput? Remember also the later entry of the Marathas.
• Income and Lifestyle of the NoblesImportance 2/5
  Why did nobles with high salaries still have high expenses? Understand what they spent on, from servants and animals to dress, food and jewels. Remember how they copied the emperor's way of life and the gifts they gave him.

3.Rural Masses

• Clothing and Conditions of the Rural PoorImportance 1/5
  How did the clothing of the poor differ from that of the wealthy? A fifteenth-century traveller, who came before the Mughals, remarked that people in the Deccan went bare-footed. Remember the reason suggested for this.
• Food of the Common People and PricesImportance 2/5
  What were the staple foods of common people, and which food was popular on the coast? Know which items were cheap and which were costly. Why were milk and milk products easy to get in villages?

4.Agriculture

• Population and Crops Under the MughalsImportance 2/5
  Know the population estimate for the early seventeenth century, and remember that it is only an estimate. Why was farming prosperous? Be clear about the difference between food crops and commercial crops, with examples of each.
• New Crops of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth CenturiesImportance 3/5UPSC 2025
  Which two crops are said to have been added in the seventeenth century, and which two came later? Be clear about the century for each pair. This is the conventional dating, and some scholars date certain crops earlier.
• Agricultural Technique and Food ExportsImportance 2/5UPSC 2016
  Did farming methods change in this period? Remember which two food items India exported to neighbouring countries.

5.Growth of Trade

• Classes of Traders (Seth, Bohra, Banik, Banjara)Importance 3/5UPSC 2016
  Understand how large, widespread and organised the trading classes were. Distinguish the seth and bohra from the banik, and know what the banjaras did and how they moved goods. How else were bulk goods carried?
• Regional Trading CommunitiesImportance 3/5
  Did traders belong to one caste or religion? Remember the religious mix of Gujarati merchants and the three groups called Marwaris in Rajasthan. Which communities traded with Central Asia? Know the leading trading communities of the Coromandel coast and Malabar.
• Regional Exports and the Role of GujaratImportance 3/5UPSC 2001
  What did Bengal export, and what was the Coromandel coast known for? Understand why Gujarat mattered for foreign goods, for north Indian exports and for Kashmir's luxury goods.
• Imports and the Balance of TradeImportance 3/5
  Remember the main imports: certain metals, war horses and luxury items. Which import kept the balance of trade, and why did it grow in the seventeenth century? Also know what the Dutch and English traders thought of Indian traders.

6.Cultural Development Under the Mughals

• Blending of Indian and Turko-Iranian TraditionsImportance 3/5
  Remember the four fields in which Mughal cultural activity showed. Understand what was blended, and which culture the Mughals themselves brought to India.

7.Art and Architecture

• Mughal GardensImportance 3/5
  What kinds of buildings did Mughal architecture include? Know what the Mughals liked in their gardens. Match the surviving gardens, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and the Pinjore garden, with their places. Note that Pinjore is now in Haryana, and that there are Shalimar gardens at both Srinagar and Lahore.
• Sher Shah's Monuments (Sasaram, Purana Qila)Importance 3/5
  Which two monuments belong to Sher Shah's reign, and where is each? How does the Purana Qila relate to Humayun's earlier city of Dinpanah? Understand why these monuments are called architectural marvels of medieval India. Sher Shah was a Sur ruler, not a Mughal.
• Akbar's FortsImportance 3/5
  With which ruler did large-scale building begin? Remember his most famous fort and the stone it was built in. Know where his other forts stand.
• Fatehpur Sikri ComplexImportance 4/5UPSC 1998
  What was Fatehpur Sikri, what does its name mean, and where is it? Understand the two regional styles found there and the probable reason for one of them. Remember the main buildings other than the gateway: its Jama Masjid, Jodh Bai's palace and the Panch Mahal.
• Buland DarwazaImportance 4/5
  The Buland Darwaza is the gateway to which building? Remember what its name means, its height, and the victory it was built to commemorate.
• Humayun's TombImportance 4/5
  In whose reign and in which city was Humayun's tomb built? Understand its marble dome and why it is thought of as an earlier form of the Taj Mahal.
• Akbar's Tomb at Sikandara and the Tomb of Itimad-ud-DaulahImportance 3/5
  Who completed Akbar's tomb at Sikandara? Who built the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, where is it, and what material and decoration does it show?
• Pietra DuraImportance 4/5
  What is pietra dura, and what is it made of? Remember where it appears in an early form, and how it grew popular under Shah Jahan, including its use in the Taj Mahal.
• Red Fort at DelhiImportance 3/5
  Fort-building reached a high point under Shah Jahan. Remember the Red Fort's main halls: Rang Mahal, Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas. Do not mix it up with Akbar's Agra Fort.
• Taj MahalImportance 4/5
  Why is the Taj Mahal said to contain all the architectural forms the Mughals developed? Which two features are most admired in its design? Understand how pietra dura was used there while the decoration overall stays restrained.
• Mosques of Shah JahanImportance 3/5
  Mosque building was at its highest point in Shah Jahan's reign. Which mosque at Agra was built in white marble, and which at Delhi in red stone? Keep the Jama Masjid at Delhi separate from the one at Fatehpur Sikri.
• Later Influence of Mughal ArchitectureImportance 2/5
  For how long did Mughal building traditions continue? Remember where their influence can be seen, including a well-known Sikh shrine at Amritsar.

8.Paintings and Music

• Foundation of Mughal Painting Under HumayunImportance 4/5
  Which ruler laid the foundation of Mughal painting, and where was he staying at the time? Remember the two painters he brought to India, who became famous under Akbar.
• Akbar's Court Painters and Art StudioImportance 3/5
  Understand how Akbar used painters: the texts he had illustrated, and the mix of painters he brought to his court. Remember the three leading court painters (Basawan, Miskina, Daswant) and the studio he set up.
• Themes of Painting Under Akbar (Hamzanama)Importance 4/5
  What subjects were painted in miniature in Akbar's time? Remember the most important work, the Hamzanama, and that it was very large. Which Indian colours began to be used?
• Mughal Painting Under JahangirImportance 4/5
  Under which ruler did Mughal painting reach its highest point? Remember his painters, especially Abul Hasan, Bishan Das and Ustad Mansur. Which new subjects grew popular beyond hunts, battles and court scenes? Know about the albums made and the later European influence.
• Music Under the MughalsImportance 3/5
  Which musician did Akbar patronise, where was he from, and what did he compose? Which two later emperors also loved music?

9.Language and Literature

• Abul Fazl and His WorksImportance 4/5UPSC 1997
  By Akbar's time, how far had Persian spread? Remember Abul Fazl's two historical works. Understand why his style of prose writing matters in later writing.
• Faizi and Other Persian PoetsImportance 3/5
  How was Faizi related to Abul Fazl, and what was his standing among the poets of the time? Remember the Persian translation of the Mahabharata linked with him. Know Naziri as another leading Persian poet.
• Jahangir's Memoirs and ScholarsImportance 3/5
  What is Jahangir's autobiography called, and what is it famous for? Remember Naqib Khan and Niamatullah among the scholars he patronised.
• Historians of Shah Jahan's ReignImportance 3/5UPSC 2006
  Which historian wrote the Padshah Nama, and which wrote the Shah Jahan Nama?
• Dara Shikoh's TranslationsImportance 4/5UPSC 2022
  Whose son was Dara Shikoh? Know his translation of Sanskrit works into Persian, the Upanishads above all, and the name of that translation. Also know Majma-ul-Bahrain, his separate treatise: what did it compare?
• Later Persian Writing and DictionariesImportance 1/5
  What kind of writing flourished under Aurangzeb? Remember also that well-known Persian dictionaries were compiled in the Mughal period.
• Growth of Regional LanguagesImportance 2/5
  Which regional languages grew in this period? Understand how devotional works spread through them, especially the Ramayana and Mahabharata translations.
• Hindi Poets and TulsidasImportance 3/5
  From whose time were Hindi poets attached to the Mughal court? Remember Tulsidas and his Ramcharitmanas, and the dialect of Hindi it is written in. Was Tulsidas himself a court poet?

1. 1.

   Consider the following statements about Fatehpur Sikri:
   1. Its name means City of Victory.
   2. It lies about 36 kilometres from Agra.
   3. It has buildings in Gujarati and Bengali styles, and the Gujarati ones were probably built for Akbar's Rajput wives.
   4. Its Panch Mahal has seven storeys.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. COnly three
   4. DAll four
2. 2.

   Consider the following statements regarding Mughal tombs:
   1. Humayun's tomb at Delhi had a massive marble dome and may be considered the precursor of the Taj Mahal.
   2. Akbar's tomb at Sikandara near Agra was completed by Jahangir.
   3. The tomb of Itimaddaulah at Agra was built by Shah Jahan.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1 and 2 only
3. 3.

   Consider the following pairs:

   Monument	Material
   1. Agra Fort	Red sandstone
   2. Moti Masjid at Agra	White marble
   3. Jama Masjid at Delhi	White marble

   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
4. 4.

   Consider the following statements about pietra dura:
   1. It was a decoration of floral designs made of semi-precious stones on the walls.
   2. It became more popular during the reign of Akbar.
   3. It was used on a large scale in the Taj Mahal.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll three
   4. DNone
5. 5.

   Consider the following statements:
   Statement-I: The Taj Mahal is said to contain all the architectural forms developed by the Mughals.
   Statement-II: The chief glory of the Taj Mahal is its massive dome and four slender minarets.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
   2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
   3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
6. 6.

   Match List I (Writer) with List II (Work or contribution):

   List I	List II
   A. Abdul Hamid Lahori	1. Shah Jahan Nama
   B. Inayat Khan	2. Padshah Nama
   C. Abul Fazl	3. Ain-i-Akbari
   D. Abul Faizi	4. Persian translation of the Mahabharata

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   1. AA-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
   2. BA-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
   3. CA-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
   4. DA-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
7. 7.

   Consider the following statements regarding the beginnings of Mughal painting:
   1. The foundation for Mughal painting was laid by Humayun when he was staying in Persia.
   2. Humayun brought two painters, Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdal Samad, to India.
   3. These two painters became famous during the reign of Jahangir.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
8. 8.

   Consider the following statements about painting under Akbar:
   1. Many Indian fables became miniature paintings in the Art Studio he established.
   2. Indian colours such as peacock blue and Indian red began to be used.
   3. Only painters from Persia were employed, as Indian painters were not brought to his court.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll three
   4. DNone
9. 9.

   Mughal painting reached its climax during the reign of which one of the following rulers?

   1. AHumayun
   2. BAkbar
   3. CShah Jahan
   4. DJahangir
10. 10.

    Consider the following statements regarding the trading classes of Mughal India:
    1. Seth and bohra traders specialised in long-distance trade.
    2. Banik were the traders who specialised in carrying bulk goods.
    3. Banjaras moved over long distances with their goods on the back of oxen.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D2 and 3 only
11. 11.

    Consider the following pairs:

    Trading group	Region or activity
    1. Chettis	Malabar coast
    2. Oswals, Maheshwaris and Agarwals	Called the Marwaris in Rajasthan
    3. Multanis, Khatris and Afghanis	Trade with Central Asia

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    1. A2 and 3 only
    2. B1 and 2 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
12. 12.

    In Mughal India, which one of the following was the distribution centre for the luxury products of Kashmir such as shawls and carpets?

    1. ABengal
    2. BGujarat
    3. CCoromandel coast
    4. DMalabar coast
13. 13.

    Consider the following statements about the Mughal economy:
    1. One estimate puts India's population at the beginning of the seventeenth century at about 125 million.
    2. Ghee and oil were cheaper than salt and sugar.
    3. Rice, millets and pulses were the staple food of the common people.
    4. India exported food items like rice and sugar to neighbouring countries.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DAll four
14. 14.

    Consider the following statements regarding the Mughal nobility:
    1. Hindus were included in the nobility from the time of Akbar.
    2. The Marathas later joined the Mughal service and rose to the position of nobles.
    3. The nobles were paid low salaries and kept only a few servants.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
15. 15.

    Tansen, the musician patronised by Akbar who composed many ragas, belonged to which one of the following places?

    1. AGwalior
    2. BAjmer
    3. CLahore
    4. DMultan

1. 1.

   UPSC 1998

   Consider the following:
   I. Tughluqabad Fort.
   II. Lodi Garden.
   III. Qutub Minar.
   IV. Fatehpur Sikri. The correct chronological order in which they were built is:

   1. AIII, I, IV, II
   2. BIII, I, II, IV
   3. CI, III, II, IV
   4. DI, III, IV, II
2. 2.

   UPSC 2025

   Consider the following fruits :
   I. Papaya
   II. Pineapple
   III. Guava
   How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll the three
   4. DNone
3. 3.

   UPSC 2022

   “Yogavāsistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of :

   1. AAkbar
   2. BHumayun
   3. CShahjahan
   4. DAurangzeb
4. 4.

   UPSC 2018

   Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India ?

   1. AFrancois Bernier
   2. BJean-Baptiste Tavernier
   3. CJean de Thevenot
   4. DAbbe Barthelemy Carre
5. 5.

   UPSC 2016

   Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally

   1. Aagriculturists
   2. Bwarriors
   3. Cweavers
   4. Dtraders
6. 6.

   UPSC 2016

   With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to

   1. Abonded labour
   2. Bland grants made to military officers
   3. Cwaterwheel used in the irrigation of land
   4. Dwasteland converted to cultivated land
7. 7.

   UPSC 2006

   In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?

   1. AAn important military commander during Akbar’s reign
   2. BAn official historian of the reign of Shah Jahan
   3. CAn important noble and confidant of Aurangzeb
   4. DA chronicler and poet during the reign of Muhammad Shah
8. 8.

   UPSC 2001

   Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal Period?

   1. ACalicut
   2. BBroach
   3. CCambay
   4. DSurat
9. 9.

   UPSC 1999

   Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

   1. AJahangir : William Hawkins
   2. BAkbar : Sir Thomas Roe
   3. CShahjahan : Tavernier
   4. DAurangzeb : Manucci
10. 10.

    UPSC 1997

    The medieval Indian writer who refers to the discovery of America is

    1. AMalik Muhammad Jayasi
    2. BAmir Khusrau
    3. CRaskhan
    4. DAbul Fazl
11. 11.

    UPSC 2019

    With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
    1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
    2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2