Mughal Empire MCQs (Medieval Indian History)

• The Tomb of Jahangir is a 17th-century mausoleum built for the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
• The mausoleum dates from 1637 and is located in Shahdara Bagh near the city of Lahore, Pakistan, along the banks of the Ravi River.
• Hence it is not in Uttar Pradesh.

• Akbar's tomb is the tomb of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
  • It was built in 1605-1613 by his son Jahangir and is situated on 119 acres of grounds in Sikandra, a sub of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
• The Tomb of Salim Chishti is famed as one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India, built during the years 1580 and 1581, along with the imperial complex at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra UP.
• Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

• Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of monuments in India that count a total number of 3,685 monuments.
• The place is known as the ‘heartland of India’ due to its cultural heritage and historical relevance.
• Most of the monuments in India are well-maintained by the Archaeological department of India. However, these popular spots foresay the ruthlessness of previous rulers and their impact on them.
• Maharashtra has the maximum number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • There are now 42 World Heritage sites in India, out of which 34 are cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and 1 mixed site.

Thus, the correct chronological order is iii, iv, ii, i.

• Mulla Do-Piyaza is often cited as the wise and witty advisor of the Home Affairs of Akbar’s court.
• He was often used by Akbar to settle disputes and solve problems.
• He was also a skilled poet and musician.
• The person in this position is in charge of the country’s internal security, namely, the police force.
• However, many scholars believe that Do-Piyaza is a fictional character.

• The Zabti system was also known as the Bandobast system.
• The term "bandobast" means "arrangement" or "settlement" in Hindi.
• The Zabti system was a system of land revenue assessment and collection that was introduced in the Mughal Empire by Akbar's finance minister, Raja Todarmal, in the 16th century.
• The system was based on the measurement of land and the estimation of crop yields, and it was designed to ensure that the government received a fixed and predictable share of the agricultural produce.
• The Zabti system was a complex and sophisticated system, and it was not without its flaws.
• However, it was generally considered to be a fair and equitable system, and it helped to stabilize the Mughal treasury.
• The Zabti system was also adopted by other Indian states, such as the Maratha Empire and the Sikh Empire.
• The term "bandobast" is still used in India today to refer to any system of land revenue assessment and collection.

• The Din-i-Ilahi was a syncretic religion or spiritual program propounded by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1582.
• It was based on the Timurid concept of Yasa-i Changezi (Code of Genghis Khan), which considered all sects as one.
• The religion was a combination of Islam and Hinduism, with elements drawn from different religions such as Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism.

• Akbar set up Ibadat khana at Sikri Fatehpur to discuss religion with various religious scholars.
• He was not satisfied with any of the religions and the setup of and new religion called Din-e-Ilahi.
• Akbar used to call it Tauhid-e-Ilahi.
• There were no religious sculptures, no rituals, no religious place of worship, and no priestly class.
• It was open to all and had good features of all the religions.
• He used to give a Mantra in the ear of the person who wanted to join it.
• Most Nobles refused to join this religion but Birbal joined.

• Mughal Emperor Jahangir permitted the English East India Company to establish their factory in 1613 at Surat.
• The British East India Company came to India for trading in spices, an important commodity in Europe back then and as it was used to preserve meat.
• Apart from this, they primarily do trading in silk, cotton, indigo dye, tea, and opium.
• Mughal emperor Jahangir granted a Farman to Captain William Hawkins permitting the English to erect a factory at Surat in 1613.
• In 1615, Thomas Roe, the Ambassador to James I, got an imperial Farman from Jahangir for doing trading and establish factories all across the Mughal empire.
• In 1616, the company established its first factory in the south in Masulipattanam.
• Soon, the Vijaynagara Empire will also give the company permission to open a factory in Madras and the British company started to eclipse out the other European trading companies in their rising power.
• The 'East India Company' was formed in 1600.

• Jahangir was born to Maryam-uz-Zamani and Akbar on August 30, 1569.
• He was named Sultan Muhammad Salim after Shaikh Salim Chishti of Fatehpur Sikri.
• Akbar called him Sheik Babu.
• After his coronation, he assumed the title of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Ghazi.
• Jahangir was the only surviving son of Akbar who after his father’s death ascended the throne in 1604, at the age of 34 years.

• During the Mughal period in India, the port of Surat was referred to as "Babul Makka," which means the "Gate of Mecca."
• This name was given to Surat due to its significance as a major port for trade and commerce, connecting India with the rest of the world, including the Middle East and Mecca.
• Surat was a crucial departure point for pilgrims from different regions of India who embarked on their journey to Mecca by sea.
• The port of Surat facilitated the movement of pilgrims, serving as a gateway to their religious journey.
• It is familiar for its textiles and now, it is one of the main centres of “diamond cutting and polishing”. It is an important seaport in the history of the world, during the medieval period.
• The title “Babul Makka” highlights the religious and commercial importance of Surat during the Mughal Period.

• John Mildenhall was indeed an English merchant and adventurer who played a significant role in the early attempts to establish trade links between England and the Mughal Empire during the 16th century.
• In 1599, John Mildenhall embarked on a remarkable journey from England to the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who ruled a vast empire in the Indian subcontinent.
• His main objective was to secure a royal decree or "farman" from Akbar that would grant English traders the right to conduct trade in the prosperous region of Gujarat, which was a prominent center of commerce and trade at the time.
• Mildenhall's journey was long and arduous, taking him through various countries and territories, facing numerous challenges and dangers along the way.
• He reached the Mughal court in Fatehpur Sikri, near present-day Agra, in 1603.
• There, he managed to gain an audience with Emperor Akbar, one of the most powerful and influential rulers of his time.
• According to Mildenhall's accounts, Akbar was intrigued by his stories and gifts from England, but whether he actually obtained the coveted farman for trade in Gujarat remains somewhat uncertain.
• Some historical sources indicate that he did receive the farman, which allowed the English to establish a factory (trading post) in Surat, Gujarat.
• However, there are also conflicting accounts suggesting that Mildenhall was unsuccessful in his mission, and it was not until later that the English East India Company was granted the official permission to establish a presence in India.
• It's worth noting that John Mildenhall's journey and claims have been the subject of historical debate and scrutiny over the years.

• Nevertheless, his efforts and those of other early English traders laid the groundwork for the future English and British East India Company's influence in the Indian subcontinent, which significantly shaped India's history and trade relations with Europe.

• Mughal Emperor Akbar made a few experiments in the land revenue administration with the help of Raja Todar Mal.
• The land revenue system of Akbar was called the Zabti system.
• During Akbar's reign, all the agricultural land was classified into four divisions:
  • Polaj
  • Parati
  • Chachar
  • Banjar
• Polaj land was always cultivated and never left fallow.
• The Parauti land was left fallow for a year or two to retain its fertility.
• Chachar land was left uncultivated for three or four years.
• Banjar land was left fallow for five or more years.
• Polaj and Parauti were further subdivided into three categories: good, middle and bad.
• The average of these three called Mahsul was taken as a normal produce per bigha.

Thus, we can say that during Akbar's reign, agricultural land was divided into four types.

• The Mughal court chronicles were written in Persian.
• ​Mughal chronicles such as the Akbar Nama were written in Persian, while others, like Babur's memoirs, were translated from Turkish into the Persian Babur Nama.
• Urdu came from the amalgamation of Persian with Hindavi.
• Chronicles commissioned by the Mughal emperors are an important source for studying the empire and its court.
• The authors of Mughal chronicles were mostly courtiers.
• The Mughals were Chaghtai Turks by origin.
• Turkish was their mother tongue hence the first ruler Babur wrote poetry and his memoirs in this language.

• Establishment of matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs:
  • Akbar married several Rajput princesses himself and encouraged his sons and nobles to do the same.
  • This helped to create a sense of kinship and loyalty between the Mughals and the Rajputs.
• Grant of full autonomy and protection to the Rajput states:
  • ​Akbar allowed the Rajput rulers to continue to govern their territories independently, and he also protected them from external threats.
  • This gained the trust of the Rajputs and made them more willing to cooperate with the Mughals.
• Appointment of Rajput chiefs as Mansabdars and Governors:
  • Akbar appointed many Rajput chiefs to high-ranking positions in the Mughal administration.
  • This gave the Rajputs a sense of participation in the government and showed that Akbar valued their talents and abilities.
• Respect for Rajput culture and religion:
  • Akbar respected the Rajput culture and religion, and he did not try to force Islam on them.
  • This helped to build a sense of understanding and tolerance between the two communities.
• Akbar's Rajput policy was a significant success.
• It helped to bring the Rajputs under Mughal suzerainty without resorting to widespread violence.
• It also created a sense of cooperation and understanding between the Mughals and the Rajputs, which played an important role in the stability and prosperity of the Mughal Empire.
• It is important to note that Akbar's Rajput policy was not without its critics.
• Some Muslims felt that Akbar was too conciliatory towards the Rajputs and that he was sacrificing Muslim interests in order to gain their support.
• However, Akbar's policy was ultimately successful in achieving its goals, and it helped to create a more tolerant and inclusive society in India.

• It is a famous 17th century Mughal-era monument in the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
• It was commissioned by Prince Azam Shah son of Aurangzeb in 1660 in the memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum.
• The structure is known as the ‘Taj of the Deccan’ because of its striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal.
• The domes, minarets and the marble screens inside are built in marble.
• Also called the Tomb of the Lady, Bibi Ka Maqbara was designed by Ataullah, the son of Ahmad Lahauri, the architect of the Taj Mahal which explains its appearance heavily based on the prime marvel.
• It was Aurangzeb’s long-standing governorship of Aurangabad that the shrine came to exist in the city and is today one of the most famous historical monuments in Maharashtra.

• Dara Shikoh translated 50 Upanishads from Sanskrit to Persian so they could be read by Muslim scholars.
• His translation is often called Sirr-i-Akbar.
• Dara Shikoh was the eldest son and heir apparent of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
• He devoted much effort towards finding a common mystical language between Islam and Hinduism.
• His spiritual quest for monotheistic strands in Hindu philosophy was a continuous process.
• This led him to study the Upanishads, with the help of some scholars of Benaras.
• This book was the greatest mystery and was completed in 1657.

• Other important translations:
  • Ramayana and Singhasan Batisi were translated by Mulla Abdul Qadir Badayuni into Persian.
  • Panchatantra was translated into Persian by Faizi.
  • Rajataringini was translated by Maulana Shah Mohammad Shahabadi.
  • Abul Fazl wrote the Ain-i-Akbari and Akbar Nama.

• The Skirmish of Haldighati was a fight battled on 18 June 1576 between the Mewar powers drove by Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal powers drove by Man Singh I of Golden.
• The site of the fight was a tight mountain pass at Haldighati close to Gogunda in Rajasthan.
• The attack of Chittorgarh in 1568 had prompted the deficiency of the ripe eastern belt of Mewar to the Mughals.
• Badayuni who was available in the fight says that 500 men were killed from the two sides, of which 120 were Muslims.

• Ranakpur is a town situated in Desuri tehsil close to Sadri town in the Pali region of Rajasthan in western India.
• Kumbhalgarh is renowned for its wonderful landmarks, regal chhatris and magnificent castles.
• Chittorgarh is known for its radiant posts, sanctuaries, pinnacles, and castles.
• Haldighati is popular for a few conflicts that were battled here, the most incredible being the skirmish of 1576, between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and Mughal sovereign Akbar's military.

Fatehpur Sikri -

• Built during the second half of the 16th century by Emperor Akbar.
• Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. Hence pair 1 is incorrect.
• The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.
• Fatehpur Sikri is located in Agra District in the State of Uttar Pradesh in northern India.

Ahmedabad -

• The foundation of the city was led by Ahmad Shah on 26th February 1411 at Manek Burj. Hence pair 2 is correct.
• The land became the new capital on 4th March 1411 by Ahmad Shah.
• The Sultan got astonished and even asked his spiritual guide the meaning of the dog chasing near the river.
• Ahmedabad is the biggest city in the Gujrat in the west region of India.
• It is a pinpoint near the Sabarmati river.
• After its establishment, it was distributed at the political and economical levels.
• Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad.
• It is world-famous cotton textiles, a wide variety of mouth-watering snacks, diamond cutting, and much more.

Mustafabad -

• Mahmud Begada (reigned May 25, 1458 -November 23, 1511) was the most prominent sultan of Gujarat.
• He laid the foundation of the city of Mustafabad (now Junagadh) in 1479 A.D. Hence pair 3 is correct.
• He was the great-grandson of Ahmad Shah I.
• He was the founder of the Muzaffarid dynasty, and of the city of Ahmedabad (Ahmed Abad) in the present-day state of Gujarat, India.
• Strong embankments were raised along the river, and the city was adorned with a palace, handsome buildings and extensive gardens.

Murshidabad -

• It was also called Makhsudabad.
• It was reputedly founded by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century. Hence pair 4 is incorrect.
• In 1704 the nawab (ruler) Murshid Quli Khan transferred the capital there from Dacca (now Dhaka, Bangladesh) and renamed the town Murshidabad.
• It continued to be the capital under the British until 1790 and is still the seat of the prominent descendants of the nawabs of Bengal.

Shahjahan -

• Shahjahanabad was founded by Shah Jahan, but construction is estimated to have begun around 1638 and likely continued for several years after 1648.
• It spread out over a large area along the banks of river Yamuna in the southeastern parts of the Delhi triangle.

• The battle of Deorai near Ajmer (March 1659) was the last major battle Dara fought against Aurangzeb.
  • Victory of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb that confirmed his possession of the throne.
  • Dara challenged Aurangzeb, relying on the promised support of Jaswant Singh of Marwar.
  • However, Jaswant then deserted him, and Dara was left to face Aurangzeb’s superior army alone.
  • Defeated after three days’ resistance, he was captured and later executed.

• Dara Shikoh was in Delhi when Shah Jahan fell ill and started behaving like his successor. ​
• Meanwhile Aurangzeb joined forces with Murad baksh and met the imperial army on the banks of river Narmada.
• The battle was known as the Battle of Dharmatpur.
  • Battle of Dharmatpur was fought on 15 April 1658 near Ujjain.
  • In this battle, Aurangzeb and his brother Murad Baksh defeated the forces of Dara Shikoh, who was supported by Raja Jaswant Singh Rathore.
• Battle of Samurgarh
  • Battle of Samurgarh was fought between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh in 1658.
  • Samurgarh was near Agra.
  • Aurangzeb won the battle and Dara was forced to flee the battlefield.
  • After his victory, Aurangzeb reached Agra and imprisoned the old emperor Shah Jahan.
• After Battle of Samugarh:
  • After losing the battle at Samugarh, Dara had fled to Lahore and was planning to retain control of its surrounding areas.
  • But Aurangzeb soon arrived in the neighbourhood, leading a strong army.
  • Dara abandoned Lahore without a fight and fled to Sindh.
  • Although the civil war was dragged on for more than two years, its outcome was hardly in doubt.
  • Dara moved from Sindh into Gujarat and then into Ajmer on an invitation from Jaswant Singh, the ruler of Marwar, and the subsequent treachery of Jaswant Singh.

• Aurangzeb:
  • He crowned himself with the title of "Alamgir".
  • He was called Zinda peer.
  • The Mughal area was the largest during the time of Aurangzeb.
  • He forbade:
    • Singing and dancing in his court
    • Sati system and Jharokha darshan.
    • Kalma written coin.
    • Astrology and Palm reading.
    • Tuladan practice.
  • Selling and drinking Alcohol and Bhang were prohibited in a public place during his time.
  • Aurangzeb used to play "Veena".
  • He started the Jaziya tax in 1679.
  • He gave permission to the French for setting up a factory at Surat in 1667.
  • Monuments:
    • Bibi ka Makabara: Aurangabad, Maharastra.
    • Moti Masjid: Delhi
    • Badshahi Masjid: Lahore.

• Humayun:
  • He was defeated by Sher Shah Suri in the battle of Chausa in 1539.
  • He was again defeated by Sher Shah Suri in the battle of Kannauj in 1540.
  • Humayunama was written by his half sister "Gulbadan Begum".
  • Humayun's tomb was built by his widow Haji Begum (Bega Begum) in Delhi.
  • He died in 1556 due to falling from his Library stairs in Purana Quila, Delhi.
• Akbar:
  • He was born in 1542 at Amrakot, Sindh.
  • He was son of Humayun and Hameeda Bano Begum.
  • He was crowned by Bairam Khan at Kalanpur, Haryana in 1556.
  • He established Matrimonial Alliance between Mughal and Rajputs.
  • He introduced the Mansabdari system in 1574.
  • Monuments:
    • Ibadat Khana: Fatehpur Sikri, Agra.
    • Buland darwaza: Fatehpur Sikri, Agra.
• Jahangir:
  • In 1605, Prince Salim succeeded with the title Jahangir (Conqueror of World) when he assumed the throne after the death of Akbar.
  • He established Zanjir-i-Adil (chain of justice) at Agra for the seekers of royal justice.
  • He is the eldest son of Akbar was born at Fatehpur Sikri near Agra in 1569.
  • In 1611, he married Mehr-un-Nisa whom he gave the title of Nur Jahan (light of the world).
  • Nurjahan exercised tremendous influence over state affairs. She was made the official Badshah Begum.
  • Jahangir issued coins jointly in Nurjahan's name and his own.
  • Jahangir also married Manbai in 1585 AD and Jodhbai (Jagat Gosain, daughter of Mota Raja Udai Singh) in 1587 AD.
  • He defeated and imprisoned his son, Khusrau Mirza.
  • He also beheaded Guru Arjun, the 5th Sikh Guru and one of the supporters of Khusrau Mirza.
  • Captain Hawkins (1608-1611) and Sir Thomas Roe (1615-1616) visited Jahangir's court.
  • Production of Tobacco started in his reign.
  • He wrote his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangir.
  • He was buried in Lahore in 1627.

• Alamgir II was the Mughal Emperor at the time of the Battle of Plassey.
  • Alamgir II was the Mughal Emperor of India from 3 June 1754 to 29 November 1759.
  • He was the son of Jahandar Shah.
  • The Battle of Plassey was fought between Siraj-Ud-Daulah who was then the Bengal Nawab and East India Company forces headed by Robert Clive.
  • The Battle of Plassey took place when Nawab of Bengal Siraj-Ud-Daulah did not like the uncontrolled use of privileges by the East India Company’s officials.
  • Also, the workers of the company stopped paying the taxes that became one of the reasons for the Battle of Plassey.

• Siraj-ud-Daulah:
  • Siraj-ud-Daulah was the last independent Nawab of Bengal who succeeded Alivadi Khan to the throne.
  • The end of his reign marks the end of the independent rule in India and the beginning of the company's rule that continued unabated over the next two hundred years.
  • The end of his reign marked the start of British East India Company rule over Bengal and later almost all of the Indian subcontinent.
• Mir Qasim:
  • Mir Qasim was the Nawab of Bengal from 1760 to 1763.
  • He was installed as Nawab with the support of the British East India Company, replacing Mir Jafar, his father-in-law, who had himself been supported earlier by the East India Company after his role in winning the Battle of Plassey for the British.

• The Akbarnama, which translates to Book of Akbar (1556-1605), the 3rd Mughal Emperor, was written by his court historian and biographer, Abul Fazl.
• It was written in Persian originally, which was the court language of the Mughals.
• The book includes vivid and detailed descriptions of his life and times during the reign of Akbar.
• It is believed it took seven years for the book to be completed.
• Abul Fazl was one of the Nine Jewels of the Akbar Court.
• The first volume of the book deals with the birth of Akbar, the history of Timur's family and the reigns of Babur and Humayun, and the Suri sultans of Delhi.
• The second volume describes the detailed history of the reign of Akbar till the year 1602 and records the events during Akbar's reign.
• It also throws light on how Bairam Khan and Akbar won the second Battle of Panipat (1556) against Hemu.
• The third volume of the Akbarnama describes the administrative system of the Empire. It also deals with Akbar's household, army, revenues, and geography of the Mughal Empire.
• It also provides us the information about the traditions and culture of the people living in India at that time.

• Abul Fazl was the grand courtier of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
• He was the author of the Akbarnama, the official history of Akbar's reign.
• Apart from Akbarnama, Abul Fazl also wrote the Persian translation of the Bible.
• He was also one of the Nine Jewels of the Akbar's royal court and the brother of Faizi, the poet laureate of Akbar.

Nine Jewels of Akbar:

• The following were the Nine Jewels or Navratnas of the Akbar's Royal Court-
• Raja Birbal- He was a noble who won Akbar’s appreciation for his wits.
• Tansen-He was the musician in Akbar’s court.
• Abul Fazal- He was the chief advisor in the court of Akbar.
• Faizi- Faizi was a poet who was famous for his work Nal U Daman.
• Raja Man Singh- He was the General in the court of Akbar.
• Raja Todar Mal- He was the Finance minister in the court of Akbar.
• Mullah Do Piazza- Home Minister of Akbar.
• Fakir Aziao-Din- Religious Minister of Akbar.
• Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana- Defence Minister of Akbar and a renowned poet.

Jahangir (1605-1627)

• Akbar was succeeded by Salim, who ascended the throne in October 1605 under the name of Jahangir.
• Jahangir is remembered for the chain of justice
• Jahangir hanged Arjundev, the 5th Guru of the Sikhs for helping his rebellious son Khusaro.
• Pleased with the success against Malik Ambar, the vizier of Ahmed Nagar, Jahangir conferred the title of Shah Jahan on Khurram, who later became Jahangir's successor.
• Jahangir established an Art gallery under the leadership of Aga Raza.
• Jahangir's time is called the golden age of painting.
• Jahangir's tomb was built by Nur Jahan.​

Humayun (1530-1556)

• Nasiruddin Humayun ascended the throne on 29 December 1530.
• Before ascending the throne, Humayun was the governor of Badakhshan.
• In 1533, Humayun established a new city called Dinpanah.
• The battle of Chausa took place between Sher Shah and Humayun on June 25, 1539, In this war, Sher Shah won.
• The Battle of Bilgram or Kannauj took place in 1540, in which Humayun was defeated, and Sher Shah captured Delhi.
• In 1555 (Battle of Sirhind), Humayun defeated Sikandar, the Shuri ruler of Punjab, and sat on the throne again.
• Humayun died in 1556 by falling down the stairs of the library located in the Din Panah Bhawan.

Shah Jahan (1627-1657)

• Shah Jahan ascended the throne in 1628.
• In memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal on her tomb in Agra.
• Ustad Isha designed the Taj Mahal
• The chief architect who built the Taj Mahal was Ustad Ahmad Lahori.

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)

• Aurangzeb captured Agra and hastily got his coronation done on 31 July 1658 with the title of Alamgir.
• After being successful in the battle of Devrai, he got his coronation done again on 5 June 1659, thus Aurangzeb was the first and last Mughal emperor to be coronated twice.
• Aurangzeb's teacher was Mir Muhammad Hakim.
• Aurangzeb followed the Sunni religion and was called Zinda Pir.
• Aurangzeb reintroduced the 1679 Jizya tax
• Aurangzeb built Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad (Maharashtra) in 1679.

• Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India.
• He was a pioneer of rocket artillery.
• He was born on 1 December 1751 in Devanahalli and died on 4 May 1799 in Srirangapatna.
• Remembered as the first freedom fighter from India, Tipu Sultan is known for his bravery and skills.
• He had strongly resisted the conquest of the British East India Company in southern India and he was reluctant to welcome them on his soil.
• Tipu ruled the kingdom of Mysore, which he inherited from his father Haidar Al.
• He become ruler of Mysore in 1782.

• On the 4th of May 1799, the legendary Indian ruler Tipu Sultan was killed, fighting the East India Company Army.
• His personal possessions and rich library were looted.
• His four swords are on permanent display in two renowned Museums in London.

• An Indian bank called Oudh Commercial Bank or Awadh Commercial Bank was founded in 1881.
• It started out in Faizabad.
• It operated until 1958 when it failed.
• Being limited liable and having a board of directors made it India's first commercial bank.
• It was a small bank that had no branches.
• It served only local needs.

• Oudh Commercial Bank was the first bank with limited liability that was run by an Indian.
• Punjab National Bank was subsequently founded in 1894.
• Nedungadi Bank was founded in 1899 by Rao Bahadur T.M. Appu Nedungadi in Calicut, Kerala.
• It was established as South India's first commercial bank in the private sector.
• The 1906-starting Swadeshi movement promoted the establishment of several commercial banks.
• In February 1949, the Banking Companies Act was adopted.
• Later, it was changed to read Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Imperial Bank of India, the largest bank, was nationalized in 1955.
• After changing its name to the State Bank of India, seven Associate Banks were established in 1959.

• The second Anglo-Mysore war was fought in 1780-84 between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company.
• The immediate cause of the war was the attack on the French port Mahe by British troops led by Warren Hastings.
• During the war, Hyder Ali died but his son Tipu Sultan continued the struggle.
• Meanwhile, the French came to his assistance, and finally, the Treaty of Mangalore (1784) was signed.

• The First Anglo-Mysore War - 1767–69
• The Second Anglo-Mysore War- 1780–84
• The Third Anglo-Mysore War- 1790–92.
• The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War- 1798–99.

• The third war was fought between Tipu Sultan and the British East Indian Company began in 1789 and ended in Tipu’s defeat in 1792.
• In this war, Marathas and Nizam aided the British, and Cornwallis captured Bangalore.
• The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Seringapatnam between the Tipu Sultan and Lord Cornwallis.
• In this treaty, Tipu ceded half of his territories and two of his sons as a hostage of war.
• In Fourth War in 1799, the British army led by Lord Wellesley attacked and defeated Tipu Sultan in a fierce war.
• Tipu Sultan signed the Treaty of Mangalore in March 1784 which ended the second Anglo-Mysore war.

• Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nawab of Oudh (Awadh) and reigned from 1847 to 1856.
• He was a prominent patron of the arts and played a significant role in the development and promotion of Kathak, a classical dance form of India.
• Wajid Ali Shah himself was a skilled dancer, poet, and musician, and he actively supported Kathak performers and musicians during his reign.
• Under his patronage, Kathak reached its golden age in the nineteenth century, with the art form flourishing in the royal courts and gaining popularity among the masses.
• Asaf-ud-daula:
  • Asaf-ud-daula was the fourth Nawab of Awadh, ruling from 1775 to 1797.
  • He is known for his patronage of art, architecture, and literature in Lucknow.
  • Asaf-ud-daula commissioned the construction of several architectural marvels, including the Bara Imambara and the Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow.
  • He also promoted cultural activities and supported renowned poets and musicians of his time.
• Siraj-ud-daulah:
  • Siraj-ud-daulah was the last independent Nawab of Bengal, reigning from 1756 to 1757.
  • He is famously associated with the Battle of Plassey in 1757, where he faced defeat against the British East India Company forces led by Robert Clive.
  • The British victory at Plassey marked a significant turning point in the British colonization of India.
  • Siraj-ud-daulah's defeat and subsequent capture led to the British gaining control over Bengal and establishing their dominance in the region.
• Saadat Khan Burhanul mulk:
  • Saadat Khan Burhanul mulk, also known as Burhan-ul-Mulk, was a prominent Persian noble and statesman.
  • He served as the founder of the Nawab dynasty in Awadh and became the first Nawab of Awadh in 1722.
  • Saadat Khan played a vital role in stabilizing and expanding the Awadh region and was known for his administrative and military reforms.
  • Under his rule, Awadh witnessed significant development, and he established a well-organized administration and a strong revenue system.

The autonomous Kingdom of Hyderabad was founded by Asaf Jah in 1724 AD.

• Hyderabad was founded as an independent state by Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah or Chin-Qulich Khan (birth name) in 1724 AD.
• He was one of the most powerful members of the court of the Mughal Emperor Farrukh Siyar.
• He was entrusted first with the governorship of Awadh, and later given charge of the Deccan.
• He was appointed as the Subedar of Hyderabad by Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah.
• He also acted as the wazir under Muhammad Shah during 1722-1724.
• Before Asaf Jah, Mubriz Khan, the Mughal Subedar of Deccan, was also acting as an autonomous ruler.
• However, in 1724, Mubriz Khan was defeated by Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah in the Battle of Shakr Kheda.

• After this battle, Asaf Jah established an independent Asaf Jah dynasty in Hyderabad.

Therefore, we can conclude that the autonomous kingdom of Hyderabad was founded by Asaf Jha in 1724.

• Aliwardi Khan was an army commander under Sarfaraz Khan, who became the new ruler of Bengal after killing Sarfaraz Khan in 1740.
• Shaukat Jung was the deputy Governor of Purnia who was defeated and killed in the Battle of Manihari in 1756 by Siraj-ud-Daula.

• Saadat Ali Khan-Burhan-ul-Mulk was the founder of the autonomous kingdom of Awadh in 1722.

• Awadh was a province of the Mughal Empire.
• It included the entire Uttar Pradesh.
• Saadat Ali Khan was appointed as the Governor of Awadh in 1722.
• He introduced new land revenue and land lease system in Awadh.
• It was done to protect farmers from the exploitation of landlords.
• Safdar Jung became the nawab of Awadh in 1739.
• In 1748, he was made the wazir of the Mughal Empire and Allahabad province was also handed to him.
• Shuja-ud-daula became the nawab of Awadh in 1754.

• Siraj ud-Daulah became the Nawab of Bengal after the death of Alivardi Khan in 1756.
  • He was the last self-governing Nawab of Bengal.
  • Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal.
  • Mir Jafar served as the first Nawab of Bengal under British influence.
  • Alivardi Khan served as the Nawab of Bengal from 1740 to1756.

• Mir Jafar was a military general who became the first dependent Nawab of Bengal of the British East India Company.
  • His reign is considered by many historians to be an important step in Indian history as the beginning of the expansion of British control of the Indian subcontinent and the eventual British domination of vast areas of pre-Partition India.
• Sarfaraz Khan, born Mirza Asadullah, was a Nawab of Bengal.
  • Sarfaraz Khan's maternal grandfather, Nawab of Bengal Murshid Quli Khan named him as his successor as there was no direct successor.
  • After the death of Murshid Quli in 1727, Sarfaraz went to the Nawab's Masnad.
• Shuja-ud-din Muhammad Khan was the Nawab of Bengal.
  • After the death of his father-in-law on 30 June 1727, he went to the Nawab's Masnad.

• After the death of Bahadur Shah I, Zulfiqar Khan made Jahandar Shah the king. Hence statement a is incorrect.
• Zulfiqar Khan was the minister of Bahadur Shah I and the most powerful noble of the time.
• Jahandar Shah restarted all the entertainments that were restricted by Aurangzeb hence, the regime Jahandar Shah was also known as the rule of entertainment. Hence statement b is correct.
• Jahandar Shah (1712–1713)
  • Jahandar Shah was a weak and degenerate prince who was wholly devoted to pleasure.
  • His reign was barely one year.
  • He always took part in non-Muslim religious festivals.
  • On the occasion of the ‘Dussehra’ festival he used to see the burning of the effigy of Rawan, and the festival of ‘Basant’ was regularly celebrated at his court.
  • He also used to compose Hindi poems.
  • During Jahandar Shah's reign, the administration was virtually in the hands of the extremely capable and energetic Zulfiqar Khan, who was his wazir.

• The term Syed brothers refer to Syed Abdullah Khan and Syed Hassan Ali Khan Barha.
• They appointed four kings to the throne

1. Farrukhsiyar​
2. Rafi-Ud-Daula
3. Rafi-Ud-Darajat
4. Mohamad Shah Rangeela

• They were also known as kingmakers of the time.
• Syed brothers killed Zulfiqar Khan and Jahandar Shah and appointed Farrukhsiyar as the King.
• Mohamad Shah Rangeela killed Syed brothers when he ascended the throne.

• It is a famous 17th century Mughal-era monument in the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
• It was commissioned by Prince Azam Shah son of Aurangzeb in 1660 in the memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum.
• The structure is known as the ‘Taj of the Deccan’ because of its striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal.
• The domes, minarets and the marble screens inside are built in marble.
• Also called the Tomb of the Lady, Bibi Ka Maqbara was designed by Ataullah, the son of Ahmad Lahauri, the architect of the Taj Mahal which explains its appearance heavily based on the prime marvel.
• It was Aurangzeb’s long-standing governorship of Aurangabad that the shrine came to exist in the city and is today one of the most famous historical monuments in Maharashtra.

• ​The Mughal Empire's final glorious king was Aurangzeb.
• Later Mughals were the Mughal rulers who succeeded him.
• 1707 AD marked Aurangzeb's passing.
• At the age of 63, his son prince Muazzam, who bore the title Bahadur Shah I, succeeded him as king.
• Despite never outlawing jizya, he displayed tolerance toward Hindus.
• The independence of Marwar and Mewar was recognized during his rule.
• The compromise, however, was unable to convince these kingdoms to recommit themselves to fighting for the Mughal cause.
• Additionally, his approach to the Marathas was a half-hearted reconciliation.
• Shahu, whom he freed, was not acknowledged by him as the legitimate Maratha monarch.
• He gave the Maratha the Sardeshmukhi of the Deccan, but he did not give it to the Chauth.
• Hence he was unable to totally appease them.
• As a result, the Marathas kept fighting, both among themselves and with the Mughals.
• He was assisted in his crusade against the Sikhs by the Jat chief Charuman and the Bundella chief Chattrasal.
• Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, received high mansab.
• However, Banda Bahadur's insurrection forced him to contend with it.
• And it was while waging war against Banda Bahadur that he passed away in 1712 CE.
• Mughal historians like Khafi Khan gave him the title "Shah-i-Bekhabar."

• Bahadur Shah I (1707-12): Shah-i-Bekhabar.
  • He took the title of Shah Alam I.
  • He established peace with Guru Gobind Singh & Chatrasal.
  • He granted Sardesmukhi to Marathas & released Shahu.

• Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal Emperor, was exiled to Burma (Rangoon) for fear of another rebellion against the British army.
• The revolt of 1857 started from Meerut on 10th May 1857 and reached Delhi with the slogan “Maro Firangi Ko”.
  • On 11th May 1857, the soldiers captured Delhi and announced Bahadur Shah II as their leader, and he was named as “Shahenshah-i-Hindustan”.
  • British Army within a month again captured Delhi and Bahadur Shah Zafar was deported to Burma jail.
• Bahadur Shah II:-
  • He was also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar.
  • He was the last Mughal emperor of India, who reigned from 1837-58.
  • For most of his reign, he was a client of the British and was without real authority.

• Akbar:-
  • Akbar was the third Mughal emperor of India.
  • He reigned from 1556 to 1605 and extended Mughal power over most of the Indian subcontinent.
  • He defeated Hemu at the Second Battle of Panipat (1556) with the help of Bairam Khan.
  • To preserve the unity of his empire, he adopted programs that won the loyalty of the non-Muslim populations of his realm.
  • He introduced a land revenue system called Todar Mal Bandobast or Zabti system, through his finance minister, Raja Todar Mal.
  • He also introduced the Mansabdari system, or the rank-holder system to organize the nobility and army.
  • The Navratnas or the nine famous intellectuals of Akbar’s court were Todar Mal, Abul Fazal, Faizi, Birbal, Tansen, Abdur Rahim Khana-i-Khana, Mullah-do-Pyaza, Raja Man Singh, and Fakir Aziao-Din.
• Ahmad Shah Bahadur:-
  • Also known as Mirza Ahmad Shah or Mujahid-ud-Din Ahmad Shah Ghazi, was the fourteenth Mughal Emperor.
  • He defeated Ahmed Shah Abdali in the Battle of Manupur in 1748.
  • Ahmed Shah Bahadur inherited a much weakened Mughal state as emperor for six years but left all affairs of state to rival factions.
  • He spent the remaining years of his life in prison and died in 1775.
• Aurangzeb:-
  • Aurangzeb (Alamgir) (1658-1707) was the last seriously notable Mughal emperor.
  • He was called Darvesh or a Zinda Pir.
  • Aurangzeb built Biwi ka Makbara on the tomb of his queen Rabaud-Durani at Aurangabad, Moti Mahal within Red Fort at Delhi, and the Jami or Badshahi Mosque at Lahore.

• In 1764, Battle of Buxar took place between East India Company and Nawab of Bengal.
• Key reasons to Battle of Buxar:
  • Mir Qasim wanted to be independent.
  • He shifted his capital to Munger Fort.
  • He got a British trainee to train his army.
  • He treated both Indians and britishers equally.
  • When the battle broke out in 1763, Mid Qasim fled to Awadh and asked for the support from Shuja-Ud-Daulah and Shah Alam.
  • The joint armies of Mir Qasim were defeated by britishers and the battle ended with the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765.

• Battle of Panipat - First battle was fought in 1526 between Timurids under Babur and Lodi.
  • Second battle was fought in 1556 between Vikramaditya Hemu and Mughals (Akbar)
  • Third battle fought in 1761 between Maratha Empire and Durrani Empire.
• Battle of Plassey - In this battle, East India Company got victory over Nawab of Bengal.
  • The reason for Battle of Plassey was rampant misuse of the trade privileges given to the britishers and non-payment of tax .
  • Due to this battle, economy of India was affected severely.
• The Battle of Wandiwash was a battle in India between the British and French In 1760.
  • The battle of Wandiwash was part of the Third Carnatic War fought between the French and British colonial empires.
  • The British army was led by Sir Eyre Coote and the french army was commanded by Comte de Lally.
  • The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

• He concluded the Treaty of Benaras with Warren Hastings(1773).
• He provided shelter to the fugitive Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.
• In alliance with the Nawab of Bengal, he fought the Battle of Buxar against the British in the year1764.
• He signed the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) by which he gave Allahabad and Kora to the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.
• He also annexed Rohilkhand in 1774 with the help of the British.
• He was succeeded by Asaf-ud-Daula, who transferred the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow in the year 1775.

Image of Shuja-ud-Daula

• It was Muhammad shah's reign at Mughal court when the regional power rose to the status of independent states.
• These regional states were Awadh, Hyderabad, Bengal, and Punjab. Maratha started to inherit the territory.

• Muhammad Shah was the Mughal Emperor who ascended to the Mughal Throne in 1719.
• His real name was Roshan Akhtar and was the grandson of Bahadur Shah 1.
• He was born in 1702 at Fatehpur Sikri and was just 17 years old when he ascended to the Mughal Throne.
• His reign was the reign of the decadence of the Mughal Empire also because of the degeneration of the Muslim society in India.
• His pleasure-loving and merry-making pursuits expedited the method of the downfall of the empire.

Muhammad Shah Rangila;-

• He also known as Bahadur Shah Rangila, was the 14th Mughal emperor of India.
• He reigned from 1719 to 1748. His reign is often seen as a period of decline for the Mughal Empire, as it was marked by political instability, economic hardship, and military setbacks.
• His real name was Roshan Akhtar.
• Muhammad Shah was born in 1702 in Fatehpur Sikri.
• He was the grandson of Bahadur Shah I, and the son of Khujista Akhtar Shah. He was a handsome and intelligent young man, but he was also known for his pleasure-loving nature.
• Muhammad Shah ascended to the throne at the age of 17. He was initially under the control of the Sayyid brothers, who were a powerful group of nobles. However, he was able to assert his independence in 1722.
• Muhammad Shah died in 1748 at the age of 46. He was succeeded by his son, Ahmad Shah Bahadur.

• Qutub-ud-din Aibak:-
  • He was known as Lakh Baksh, or the "Giver of Lakhs."
  • He was the first Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate and the founder of the Slave Dynasty.
  • He was known for his generosity and his charitable donations to the poor and needy.

• Tipu Sultan was the ruler of Mysore.
• Mysore was forced to become a subsidiary state after the death of Tipu Sultan during fourth Anglo-Mysore war in 1799.
• Mysore became a subsidiary state before coming under the company rule.
• The British captured Mysore in this war and Tipu Sultan was killed.

• Britain took indirect control of Mysore, restoring the Wadiyar dynasty to the Mysore throne.

Thus, we can say that Mysore was forced to become a Subsidiary state after the fourth Anglo-Mysore War.

• First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-69)
• Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84)
• Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92)
• Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1798-99)

• Shah Alam I also known as Bahadur Shah I ruled from 1707-1712 while Shah Alam II ruled from 1759-1806.

Shah Alam II:

• He came to power with the support of Maratha Sadashiv Rao.
• His reign witnessed two important battles the 3rd Battle of Panipat (1761) and the Battle of Buxar (1764).
• 3rd battle of Panipat was fought between Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan and Maratha Sadashiv Rao which Maratha was unfortunately defeated.
• The Battle of Buxar was fought between the East India Company and a joint army of the Nawab of Oudh Shuja-ud Daula, the Nawab of Bengal Mir Qasim, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.

• It ended with the treaty of Allahabad (1765).

Thus, we can conclude that the reign of Shah Alam II witnessed two decisive battles - The Third Battle of Panipat and Battle of Buxar.

• He concluded the Treaty of Benaras with Warren Hastings(1773).
• He provided shelter to the fugitive Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.
• In alliance with the Nawab of Bengal, he fought the Battle of Buxar against the British in the year1764.
• He signed the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) by which he gave Allahabad and Kora to the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.
• He also annexed Rohilkhand in 1774 with the help of the British.
• He was succeeded by Asaf-ud-Daula, who transferred the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow in the year 1775.

Image of Shuja-ud-Daula

• Qamar-ud-din Siddiqi also known as Nizam-ul-Mulk was the person who founded the State of Hyderabad.
• In 1712, this title was bestowed upon him as Viceroy of the Deccan by Emperor Farrukhsiyar.
• He created a state that is essentially autonomous.
• But during the reign of Emperor Mohammad Shah, he went back to Delhi.
• He reappointed Viceroy of the Deccan in 1724 and gave him the title of Asaf Jah.
• He founded the Asaf Jah dynasty.
• The Nizams of Hyderabad were recognized as his successors.

• Tipu sultan:
  • The Tiger of Mysore was another name for Tipu Sultan.
  • He was the head of the South Indian kingdom of Mysore.
• Murshid quli khan:
  • The first Nawab of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan, ruled from 1717 to 1727.
• Saadat khan burhan ul Mulk:
  • Awadh was founded by Saadat Khan Burhan Ul Mulk.
  • He was a wise and capable leader.
  • He was agnostic about all religions.