Write in brief about the Mughal Empire in the 17th century and afterwards.[Imp.]
(a) The influence and power of the Mughals were at the height during the 17th century. The sheen of their administrative and military efficiency brought great economic and commercial prosperity in the Empire. They had huge treasure of wealth. They led highly luxurious life. But the common mass had to face the curse of poverty.
( b) The Mughal emperors and their mansabdars spend a great deal of their income on salaries and goods. This expenditure benefited the artisans and peasantry who supported them with goods and produce. But the scale of revenue collection left very little for investment in the hands of the peasants and artisans. The poorest among them led a very miserable life. It was not possible for them to invest in additional resources like tools and supplies in order to increase productivity. However, the wealthier peasantry and artisanal groups, the merchants and bankers profited in this economic world.
(c) The Mughal elites exercised a great deal of power in the late 17th century. With the decline of the Mughal power and influence, many nobles became independent. They constituted new dynasties and held command of provinces, such as Hyderabad and Awadh.
Why was it a difficult task for rulers of the Middle Ages to rule the Indian subcontinent?
Why was it important for the Mughals to recruit mansabdars from diverse backgrounds and not just Turanis and Iranis
How were the debates with religious scholars important in the formation of Akbar's ideas on governance?
What qualities of the Mughals enabled them to extend their influence over many kings and chieftains? [V. Imp.]
Like the Mughal Empire, India today is also made up of many social and cultural units. Does this pose a challenge to national integration?
Peasants were vital for economy of the Mughal Empire. Do you think that they are as important today? Has the gap in the income between the rich and the poor in India changed a great deal from the period of the Mughals?
The Mughal Empire left its impact on the different regions of the subcontinent in a variety of ways. Find out if it had any impact in the city, village or region in which you live.
Match the following:
mansab – Marwar
Mongol – governor
Sisodiya Rajput – Uzbeg
Rathor Rajput – Mewar
Nur Jahan – rank
subadar – Jahangir
What do you know about the Mughal relations with other rulers especially the Rajputs? [Imp.]
Why did the peasantry suffer a lot during the last years of Aurangzeb's reign? [V. Imp.]
Fill in the blanks:
(a) The capital of Mirza Hakim, Akbar's half-bro: her, was …………………
(b) The five Deccan Sultanate were Berar, Khandesh, Ahmadnagar,
(c) If zat determined a mansabdar's rank and salary, sewar indicated his………………………
(d) Abul Faze, Akbar's friend and counsellor, helped him frame the idea of …………. so that he could govern a society composed of many religions, cultures and castes.
Divide Akbar's reign into three periods and give details about them.
Or
Mention the major campaigns and events of Akbar's reign.
Contrast the Mughals to their predecessors. [V. Imp.]
Or
How were the Mughals greater than their predecessors?
Awangzeb, did not follow the Mughals' policy and insulted Shivaji when he came to accept Mughal authority. What was the consequence of this insult? [Imp.]