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Chapter - 10
Kings And Chronicles: The Mughal Courts
(c. Sixteenth-Seventeenth Centuries)
Model questions and Answer for 1 mark: (very short type)
1. Who wrote Badshahnama? 1mark (2019)
Ans: Abdul Hamid Lahori wrote Badshahnama.
2. Who wrote Ain-i-Akbari?1mark (2018)
Ans: Abul Fazl wrote Ain-i-Akbari.
3. Who wrote Humayun Nama? 1mark (2017)
Ans: Humayun Nama was written by Gulbadan Begum.
4. What does Zimma mean? 1mark (2015)
Ans: To protect from others.
5. Which was the language of the royal court of the Mughals? 1mark (2014)
Ans: Persian.
6. Who was the founder of the Mughal empire? 1 (2013)
Ans: Babur, was the founder of Mughal empire.
7. Babur's memories were return in which language? 1
Ans: Babur's memories Tuzuk-i-Babari were originally written in Turkish. They were translated in Persian as Babur Nama
8. The name Mughal derived from whom?
Ans: The name Mughal derives from Mongol.
9. Who were the ancestor of the Mughals?
Ans: Mughals were the descendants of the Turkish ruler Timur.
10. Name the original homeland of Babur. Imark
Ans: Farghana, in present Uzbekistan.
11. When did Babur established Mughal dynasty in Delhi? Imark
Ans: In 1526, after the victory in the battle of Panipat.
12. Who exile second ruler of Mughal dynasty Humayun?
Ans: Sher shah Suri, ruler of Bihar.
13. Who was the last ruler of Mughal dynasty? Imark
Ans: Bahadur Shah Zafar II.
14. Urdu emerged as language from which language? 1
Ans: Persian and Hindavi, when these two mixed.
15. Name the translated name of Mahabharata in to Persian. Imark
Ans: Mahabharata was translated as the Razmnama.
16. Who translated Akbar Namah in to English? Imark
Ans: Henry Beveridge translate it to English.
17. In when Akbar abolished Jiziya tax.
Ans: In 1564, he abolished it.
18. Name the capital city which was established by Akbar.
Ans: Fatehpur Sikri in 1570.
19. What was the capital of Shahjahan?
Ans: Shahjahanabad in 1648.
20. What was diwan-i am?
Ans: The public hall of audience.
21. What was the diwan-i khas?
Ans: It was a private place to discuss confidential matters.
22. What was Peshkash?
Ans: A large amount.
23. What was Tajwiz?
Ans: Tajwiz was a petition presented by a nobleman to the emperor, recommending that an applicant be recruited as mansabdar.
24. Who was the diwan-i ala?
Ans: Finance Minister.
25. When did the first Jesuit mission reached the Mughal court?
Ans: At Fatehpur Sikri in 1580.
26. Name the new religion introduced by Akbar. Imark
Ans: Din-I-Ilahi.
Model questions and Answer for 2 marks:
1. Name two capital cities developed by the Mughal Emperors. 2marks (2019)
Ans: Lahore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Shajahanbad.
2. What do you understand by Kitabkhana? 2marks(2018)
Ans: The literal translation of the term Kitabkhana is library. It was a scriptorium that is a place where the emperors' collection of manuscripts was kept and manuscripts were produced.
3. Who was the author of the Akbarnamah? 2 (2016)
Ans: Akbar Naamah was written by Abul Fazl, the court poet of emperor Akbar. The Akbar Nama is divided into three books of which the first two are chronicles. The third book is the Ain-i Akbari. The first volume contains the history of mankind from Adam to one celestial cycle of Akbar's life (30 years). The second volume closes in the forty sixth regnal year (1601) of Akbar.
4. Who was Gulbadan Begum? Which book did she write? 2marks (2014)
Ans: She was the daughter of Babur. She wrote Humayun Nama.
5. Write any two distinctive features of the Mughal nobility. 2marks (2012)
Ans: Features of the Mughal nobility were-
(i) The nobility was recruited from diverse ethnic and religious groups. This ensured that no faction was large enough to challenge the authority of the state.
(ii) The officer corps of the Mughals was described as a bouquet of flowers (guldasta) held together by loyalty to the emperor.
6.. Clarify the word meaning of Kornish? 2marks
Ans: Kornish was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the Courtier placed the palm of his right hand against his forehead and bent his head, It suggested that the subject placed his head the seat of the senses and the mind into the hand of humility; presenting it to the royal assembly.
7. Name the dynasty which ruled India during 1526 to 1707. Who was the founder of this dynasty?
Ans: Mughal dynasty and founder of this dynasty was Babur
8. Manuscripts involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks. Give some such people engaged in the task.
Ans: Manuscripts involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks. Among them were paper marker. calligrapher, gliders, painters, bookbinders.
9. Explain the meaning of the term "Jihad" or Holy war or Crusade.
Ans: Most of the Muslim Sultans or rulers encouraged their soldiers to fight the Kafirs in the name of religion. This religious war known as jihad holy war or crusade Babur.too had declared his battle against Rana Sanga (or Mewar) a jihad.
10. What do you mean by Sulh-i-kul?
Ans: It define absolute peace. In sulh-i-kul all religions and schools of thought had freedom of expression but on condition that they did not undermine the authority of the state or fight among themselves
11. What was Chahar taslim?
Ans: It is a mode of salutation which begins with placing the back of the right hand on the ground, and raising it gently till the person stands erect, when he puts the palm of his hand upon the crown of his head. It is done four (chahar) times. Taslim literally means submission.
12. Who were Wakia Nawis? What were their main duty?
Ans: Waqia nawis were the record keepers. They recorded all applications and documents presented to the court, and all imperial orders.
13. Mention the three important minister of Mughal Court.
Ans: (i) The Mir bakhsh (paymaster general)
(ii) the diwan-i ala(finance minister) and
(iii) sadr-us sudur (minister of grants or madad-i maash, and in charge of appointing local judges or qazis).
14. Name two biographies written during the Mughal period. (HS 2024)
Ans:- 1. Akbarnama was a biography written by Abul Fazl.
2. Humayunama She was the daughter of Babur. She wrote Humayun Nama.
3. Babur Nama by Babur.
Model questions and Answer for 3/4 marks :
1. What was Jharokha Darshan? Who introduced it and why? 3marks (2013)
Ans: (i) The emperor began his day at sunrise with personal religious devotions or prayers, and then appeared on a small balcony, the jharoka, facing the east.
(ii) Below, a crowd of people (soldiers, merchants, craftspersons, peasants, women with sick children) waited for a view, darshan, of the emperor.
(iii) Jharoka darshan was introduced by Akbar with the objective of broadening the acceptance of the imperial authority as part of popular faith.
2. Who was Akbar? Mention any three of his achievements. 3marks (2014)
Ans: He was called the great Akbar or the greatest ruler of Mughal dynasty, he was the son of Humayun and became the emperor in 1556. His achievements were-
(i) Akbar established a centralised system of administration throughout his empire and adopted a policy of conciliating conquered rulers through marriage and diplomacy.
(ii) To preserve peace and order in a religiously and culturally diverse empire, he adopted policies that won him the support of his non-Muslim subjects.
(iii) Mughal India developed a strong and stable economy, leading to commercial expansion and greater patronage of culture Akbar himself was a patron of art and culture.
3. How did the centre control the provinces?
Ans: The Mughal chronicles usually portrayed the emperor and his court as controlling the entire administrative apparatus and down to the village level. Yet as you have seen this could hardly have been a process free of tension. The relationship between local landed magnates, the zamindars, and the representatives of the Mughal emperor was sometimes marked by conflicts over authority and a share of the resources. The zamindars often succeeded in mobilizing peasant support against the state.
4. Write a short note on Badshahnama. 3marks
Ans: Badshah Nama Chronicle of a king based on the history of Shahjahan's reign is an important chronicle among official histories. Abdul Hamid Lahori, a pupil of Abul Fazal isn known as its aurthor. It is modelled of 10 lunar years each.Lahori wrote the first and second daftars comprising of first two decades of Shahjahan's reign (1627-1647) But due to infirmities of age he was unable to write the 3rd volume. Volume of the 3rd decade of the emperor's rule was chronicle by historian waris. In 1944 the first time painting of Badshah Nama were exhibited in New Delhi, London and Washington.
5. Why did the Chronicles were written?
Ans: (i)They were written in order to project a vision of an enlightened kingdom to all those who came under its umbrella.
(ii) At the same time, they were meant to convey to those who resisted the rule of the Mughals that all resistance was destined to fail.
(iii) Also, the rulers wanted to ensure that there was an account of their rule for posterity.
6. How the chronicles are important source to know about the Mughals. 3marks
Ans: Chronicles commissioned by the Mughal emperors are an important source for studying the empire and its court. These are-
(i) The authors of Mughal chronicles were invariably courtiers.
(ii) The histories they wrote focused on events centred on the ruler, his family, the court and nobles, wars and administrative arrangements.
(iii) Their titles, such as the Akbar Nama, Shahjahan Nama, Alamgir Nama, that is, the story of Akbar, Shah Jahan and Alamgir (a title of the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb), suggest that in the eyes of their authors the history of the empire and the court was synonymous with that of the emperor.
7. What was Nastaliq?
Ans: Nastaliq is a calligraphy;
(i) It was practised using different styles.
(ii) Akbar's favourite was the nastaliq, a fluid style with long horizontal strokes.
(iii) It is written using a piece of trimmed reed with a tip of five to 10 mm called qalam, dipped in carbon ink (sıyahi).
(iv) The nib of the qalam is usually split in the middle to facilitate the absorption of ink.
8. What were the major festivals in Mughal court? 3
Ans: The Mughal kings celebrated three major festivals a year
(i) the solar and lunar birthdays of the monarch and Nauroz
(ii) the Iranian New Year on the vernal equinox.
(iii) On his birthdays, the monarch was weighed against various commodities which were then distributed in charity.
9. Write a note on Mughal "harem". 3marks
Ans: It originates in the Persian word haram, meaning a sacred place. The Mughal household consisted of the emperor's wives and concubines, his near and distant relatives (mother. step- and foster-mothers, sisters, daughters, daughters-in-law. aunts, children, etc.), and female servants and slaves.
10. Describe the main ideal of Din-i-ilahi.
Ans: Akbar formed a new religious order which was called Din- i-Ilahi or divine faith. The main features of this religion were:
(i) belief in one God and recognition of the emperor as God's representative on earth.
(ii) Din-i-Ilahi was more like a code of conduct and there were no sacred books, no priestly classes, no places of worship and no rituals in it.
(iii) The main objective of establishing it was to provide a religious order which would be acceptable to the Hindu, Muslims and other communities and to promote universal brotherhood and national unity.
11. Write a note on the Nobles and their military services to the Kings.
Ans: (i) The nobles sent their armies and participated in the military campaigns and served in the offices of the empire in the provinces.
(ii) The military commanders recruited, equipped and trained the main wing of the Mughal army, i.e, the cavalry.
(iii) He maintained horses which were branded on the flank by the imperial mark (dagh). By serving in the imperial offices the nobles acquired power, wealth and reputation
Model questions and Answer for 5 marks:
1. Write a note on the nobility of the Mughals. 5 (2017)
Ans: The nobility and their duty were-
(6) The nobility was recruited from diverse ethnic and religious groups. This ensured that no faction was large enough to challenge the authority of the state.
(3)The officer corps of the Mughals was described as a bouquet of flowers (guldasta) held together by loyalty to the emperor.
(i) In Akbar's imperial service, Turani and Iranian nobles were present from the earliest phase of carving out a political dominion.
(iv) The nobles participated in military campaigns with their armies and also served as officers of the empire in the provinces.
(v) The emperor personally reviewed changes in rank, titles and official postings for all except the lowest-ranked officers. Akbar, who designed the mansab system, also established spiritual relationships with a select band of his nobility by treating them as his disciples (murid).
2. Who was the author of the Badshahnama? Write about its contents. (2017)
Ans: Badshahnama was written by Abdul Hamid Lahori.
(i) The Badshah Nama is this official history in three volumes (daftars) of ten lunar years each.
(ii) Lahori wrote the first and second daftars comprising the first two decades of the emperor's rule (1627-47)
(iii) these volumes were later revised by Sadullah Khan, Shah Jahan's wazir.
(iv) Infirmities of old age prevented Lahori from proceeding with the third decade which was then chronicled by the historian Waris.
3. Discuss the major features of Mughal Provincial administration. 5marks (2012)
Ans: Major features of Mughal provincial administration:
(i) Subadar: The division of function established at the centre was replicated in the provinces (Subas) where the ministers had their corresponding subordinates (diwan, bakhshi and sadr).
(ii) The head of the provincial administration was the governor (subadar) who reported directly to the emperor.
(iii) Faujdars: The sarkars, into which each suba was divided, often overlapped with the jurisdiction of faujdars (commandants) who were employed with contingents of heavy cavalry and musketeers in districts.
(iv) The local administration was looked after at the level of the pargana (sub-district) by three semi hereditary officers, the qaungo (keeper of revenue records), the chaudhuri (in charge of revenue collection) and the qazi.
(v) A large support of staff of different categories such as clerk, accountants' messengers etc. also there in each department.
4. Assess the role played by women of the imperial household in the Mughal Empire. 5marks
Ans: The role played by the women of the imperial household in the Mughal Empire-
(i) In the Mughal household a distinction was maintained between wives who came from royal families (Begams) and other wives(aghas) who were not of noble birth.
(ii) Apart from wives' numerous male and female slaves populated the Mughal household; the tasks they performed varied from the most mundane to those requiring skill tact and intelligence.
(iii) After NurJahan Mughal queens and princesses began to control significant financial resources.
(iv) Shahjahana's daughter Jahanara and Roshanara enjoyed an annual income often equal to the high imperial mansabdars. Jahanara in addition received revenues from the port city of Surat, which was a lucrative centre of overseas trade.
5. Discuss the merits and demerits of the Mansabdari Sytem.
Ans: Merits of the Mansabdari System:
(i) Control on revolts.
(ii) Qualification as basis of ranks
(iii) Ban on Corruption
(iv) Forceful army
(v) Emotional unity
Demerits of Mansabdari System:
(vi) Misuse of money
(vii) Disloyalty of the soldiers towards the empire
(viii) Luxurious life of mansabdars
(ix) High salary of mansabdars created pressure on govt.
(x) Less number of horsemen than the prescribed number affected the effectiveness of military.
(xi) Lack of direct link between emperor and soldiers.
6. Write a note on Mughal Court.
Ans: (i)In court, status was determined by spatial proximity to the king.
(ii) The place accorded to a courtier by the ruler was a sign of his importance in the eyes of the emperor.
(iii) Once the emperor sat on the throne, no one was permitted to move from his position or to leave without permission.
(iv) The slightest infringement of etiquette was noticed and punished on the spot.
(v) The protocols governing diplomatic envoys at the Mughal court were equally explicit. An ambassador presented to the Mughal emperor was expected to offer an acceptable form of greeting either by bowing deeply or kissing the ground, or else to follow the Persian custom of clasping one's hands in front of the chest.
7. Dicuss the honours, awards and titles to the people in Mughal Court.
Ans: (i) The title Asaf Khan for one of the highest ministers originated with Asaf, the legendary minister of the prophet king Sulaiman (Solomon).
(ii) The title Mirza Raja was accorded by Aurangzeb to his two highest-ranking nobles, Jai Singh and Jaswant Singh. Titles could be earned or paid for. Mir Khan offered Rs. one lakh to Aurangzeb for the letter alif, that is A, to be added to his name to make it Amir Khan.
(iii) Other awards included the robe of honour (khilat), a garment once worn by the emperor and imbued with his benediction.
(iv) One gift, the sarapa ("head to foot"), consisted of a tunic, a turban and a sash (patka). Jewelled ornaments were often given as gifts by the emperor.
(v) The lotus blossom set with jewels (padma murassa) was given only in exceptional circumstances.
8. Give an account on the position of women in Mughal Court. 5marks
Ans: (i)In the Mughal household a distinction was maintained between wives who came from royal families (begams), and other wives (aghas) who were not of noble birth.
(ii) The begams, married after receiving huge amounts of cash and valuables as dower (mahr), naturally received a higher status and greater attention from their husbands than did aghas.
(iii) The concubines (aghacha or the lesser agha) occupied the lowest position in the hierarchy of females intimately related to royalty.
(iv) They all received monthly allowances in cash, supplemented with gifts according to their status.
(v) The lineage based family structure was not entirely static. The agha and the aghacha could rise to the position of a begam depending on the husband's will, and provided that he did not already have four wives.
(vi) Love and motherhood played important roles in elevating such women to the status of legally wedded wives.
9. Describe the process of Manuscript production in Mughal court. (HS 2024)
Ans: The creation of a manuscript involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks.
(i) Paper makers were needed to prepare the folios of the manuscript,
(ii) scribes or calligraphers to copy the text,
(iii) gilders to illuminate the pages,
(iv) painters to illustrate scenes from the text,
(v) bookbinders to gather the individual folios and set them within ornamental covers.
Manuscript production in the Mughal court was a highly sophisticated and elaborate process that reflected the Mughal emperors' patronage of the arts, their love for literature, and their desire to create masterpieces. The production involved several stages, each handled by specialized artisans and craftsmen. Here is a detailed overview of the process:
1. Planning and Commissioning
The process began with the commissioning of a manuscript by the emperor or a high-ranking noble. The choice of text could range from religious and philosophical works to poetry, history, and scientific treatises. The emperor often selected the theme, and a chief calligrapher or librarian was tasked with overseeing the project.
2. Selection of Materials
High-quality materials were essential. The finest paper, often imported, was chosen. Paper was sometimes dyed or treated to achieve the desired texture and color. The covers were made from leather or brocade, sometimes adorned with precious stones and gold leaf.
3. Preparation of the Paper
The paper sheets were cut to size, burnished with smooth stones to create a polished surface, and sometimes dyed with various colors. The preparation of paper was meticulous to ensure it was suitable for calligraphy and painting.
4. Writing and Calligraphy
The text was written by skilled calligraphers, who were highly esteemed in the Mughal court. Different scripts were used, depending on the nature of the text, with Nastaliq being particularly popular for Persian poetry. The calligrapher would rule the pages lightly to guide the writing and ensure uniformity.
10. What were the reasons for the publication of manuscript? 5marks
Ans: The reasons for the Production of Chronicles
The Chronicles written during the Mughal period are an important source to study the Mughal Empire. They were written:
(i) To convey a vision of enlightened kingdom to all those who came under its umbrella.
(ii) To convey to those who resisted the rule of the Mughals that all resistance was destined to fail.
(iii) To ensure that there was an account of their rule for posterity.
The authors of the chronicles were court historians in the Mughal Empire. Histories written by them focused on events centred on the ruler, his family, the court and nobles, wars and administrative system.
11. Discuss Sulh-i-kul as a unifying policy of Mughal Emperor. 5marks
Ans: The policy of Sulh-i-kul
(i) Abul Fazl describes the ideal of Sulh-i-kul (absolute peace) as the cornerstone of enlightend rule.
(ii) In Sulh-i-kul all religions and schools of thought had freedom of expression but on condition that they did not undermine the authority of the state or fight among themselves.
(iii) The ideal of Sulh-i-kul was implemented through state policies-the nobility under the Mughals was a composite one comprising Iranis, Turanis, Afghans, Rajaputs, and Deccanis- all of whom were given position and awards purely on the basis of their service and loyalty to the king.
(iv) Akbar abolished the tax on pilgrimage in 1563 and jiziya in 1564 as the two were based on religious discrimination.
(v) Instructions were sent to officers of the empire to follow the precept of Sulh-i-kul in administration.
Read the passage carefully and answer the following:
Travels of the Badshah Nama (2018) Gifting of precious manuscripts was an established diplomatic custom under the Mughals. In emulation of this, the Nawab of Awadh gifted the illustrated Badshah Nama to King George III in 1799. Since then it has been preserved in the English Royal Collections, now at Windsor Castle. In 1994, conservation work required the bound manuscript to be taken apart. This made it possible to exhibit the paintings, and in 1997 for the first time, the Badshah Nama paintings were shown in exhibitions in New Delhi, London and Washington.
(i) Who wrote Badshahnama and why? 2marks
Ans: Badshahnama was written by Abdul Hamid Lahori. It was written to preserve the records of the Mughals. Like Akbar, Shajahan also wanted to ensure that there was an account of their rule for posterity. Therefore, he asked Lahori to wrote about his rule like Abul Fazl.
(ii) Who gifted the Badshahnama in 1799 and to whom?
Why did he do so?
Ans: the Nawab of Awadh gifted to King George III of England. Because, gifting of precious manuscripts was an established diplomatic custom under the Mughals, so that through this gift, he wanted to establish a good relationship with George
(iii) Why did the Mughals present such manuscripts as gifts? 1mark
Ans: To maintain a diplomatic relation they gifted.
DARBAR-I-AKBARI
Abul fazl gives a vivid account of Akber's darbar. Whenever his majesty (Akbar) holds court (darbar) a large drum is bitten, the sounds of which accompanied by divine praise. In this manner people of all classes received notice. His majesty's sons and grandchildren the grandees of the court, and all other men who have admittance attend to make the kornish and remains standing in their proper place learned men of renowned and skillful machines pay their respect. And the officers of justice present their reports. His majesty with his usual insights gives orders and settlers everything in a satisfactory manner. During the whole time skillful gladiator's and wrestlers from all countries hold themselves in readiness and singers' male and female are in waiting. Claver jugglers and funny tumblers also are annexations to exhibit their dexterity and agility.
(i) Describe the main activities taking place in the court?
Ans: Main activities taking place in the darbar are:
(a) Beating of the drum. To announced holding of dewan-i-am.
(b) Divine praise to establish emperor as "insane-i- kamil"
(c) The emperor sons, grandchildren and other grandees take their positions according to status, hierarchy and proximity to the king.
(d) All attending court women standing to pay respect and offer salutation to the king.
(e) Learned men, mechanics, officers of justice present report to the king for review and update.
(f) Gladiators, wrestlers, singers, women in waiting to exhibit their skill and for royal patronage.
(ii) What was the significant of the darbar procedures?
Ans: The dauber procedures reflected the status and power of the emperors.
(iii) Define the term "Kornish".
Ans: "Kornish" was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the courtier placed the palm of his right hand against his forehead and bent his head.
(iv) Explain the term "Jharokha Darshan."
Ans: "Jharokha Darshan" showing of the emperor to the public from the palace balcony. It was introduced by Akbar with the objective of broadening the acceptance of the imperial authority.
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