Akbar MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Akbar - Download Free PDF

Key Points

• Akbar, the third Mughal Emperor, did not build the forts at Lahore, Agra, and Delhi.
• The fort at Agra, known as the Agra Fort, was commissioned by Akbar, but the forts at Lahore and Delhi were not his constructions.
• The Lahore Fort was extensively modified during Akbar’s reign, but it existed before him.
• The Red Fort in Delhi, often mistaken as an Akbarian monument, was built later by Shah Jahan, Akbar's grandson..

Additional Information

• Divine Worship of Monarchs (Din-i-Ilahi):
  • Akbar propagated the idea of the divine right of kings through his new religion, Din-i-Ilahi.
  • Din-i-Ilahi blended elements of various religions and promoted the concept of the emperor as a spiritual figure.
  • This was intended to bring religious harmony and strengthen Akbar's position as a ruler.
• Jharokha-i-Darshan:
  • Akbar introduced the practice of appearing before his subjects from a balcony (jharokha) every morning.
  • This was a symbolic gesture to emphasize the emperor’s divine connection with his people.
  • The practice was inspired by Hindu traditions and reflected Akbar's efforts to bridge cultural differences in his empire.
• Ain-i-Dahsala:
  • This was a land revenue system introduced by Akbar around 1580 under the supervision of his finance minister, Raja Todar Mal.
  • Ain-i-Dahsala fixed land revenue based on the average produce and prices over the previous ten years.
  • It was a scientific and systematic approach to land revenue assessment, which contributed to the stability of Akbar’s empire.
• Forts Associated with Akbar:
  • Akbar constructed the Agra Fort in the 16th century, which became a symbol of Mughal power and authority.
  • He also built the fort at Fatehpur Sikri, which served as his capital for some time.
  • The Lahore Fort was expanded and modified by Akbar but was not originally built by him.

The correct answer is - 1575 A.D.

Key Points

• Akbar established the 'Ibadat Khana' in 1575 A.D.
  • The 'Ibadat Khana' was a place for religious discussions and debates.
  • It was located in Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of Akbar's empire.
  • Akbar invited scholars, theologians, and religious leaders from various religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and Jainism, to participate in these discussions.
  • The aim was to promote understanding and tolerance among different religions.

Additional Information

• 1565 A.D.
  • This year does not align with the historical records of the establishment of the 'Ibadat Khana'.
• 1582 A.D.
  • This year is significant for the establishment of the Din-i-Ilahi, a syncretic religion initiated by Akbar to merge the best elements of the religions of his empire.
• 1586 A.D.
  • This year does not correspond to the establishment of the 'Ibadat Khana'.

The correct answer is: 'Malwa; Asirgarh'

Key Points

• Malwa was one of Akbar's early victory campaigns after 1560 A.D.
  • This statement is correct.
  • Akbar conquered Malwa in 1561 under the leadership of Adham Khan, which extended Mughal control over central India. This was one of his significant early military achievements after taking the reins of the empire.
  • The victory in Malwa marked a significant expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire.
• Asirgarh was the last victory campaign of Akbar.
  • This statement is correct.
  • Asirgarh Fort, located in present-day Madhya Pradesh, was the final major campaign of Akbar. He captured it in 1601, after a prolonged siege, marking the culmination of his military conquests.
  • Conquering Asirgarh ensured Mughal control over the northern Deccan and solidified Akbar's reign as the greatest of the Mughal emperors in terms of territorial expansion.

Incorrect Options

• Gujarat; Khandesh
  • This option is incorrect. While Akbar did conquer Gujarat in 1572, Khandesh was not the last campaign; Asirgarh was part of the Khandesh campaign, but the key final battle was for the Asirgarh Fort itself.
• Malwa; Merta
  • This option is incorrect. Malwa was indeed one of Akbar’s early victories, but Merta does not correspond to the last campaign or major conquest of Akbar.
• Kadhkatanga; Kabul
  • This option is incorrect. Kadhkatanga does not relate to Akbar's well-documented victories, and Kabul was part of his earlier campaigns involving control over his ancestral domain, not the concluding one.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Malwa; Asirgarh'.

Additional Information

• Akbar’s Early Campaigns:
  • Akbar's early military campaigns were critical in consolidating Mughal power in Northern and Central India. Victories such as those in Malwa and Gujarat extended his authority and solidified Mughal dominance over significant territories.
• Asirgarh Campaign:
  • The capture of Asirgarh Fort was significant due to its strategic location and the formidable nature of the fortress. Akbar’s ingenious strategy and persistent efforts finally led to the fortress's fall, exemplifying his military acumen.

The correct answer is: '4) Akbar'

Key Points

• Akbar introduced the worship of the Sun as one of the rituals in the imperial court.
  • This is correct.
  • Akbar, the Mughal emperor, was known for his policy of religious tolerance and efforts to create a syncretic culture.
  • He introduced the worship of the Sun as part of his new religion, Din-i-Ilahi, which incorporated elements from various religions.
  • Sun worship was part of Akbar's broader initiative to blend different religious practices to foster unity and harmony in his empire.

Incorrect Options

• Babur
  • Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India and did not introduce the worship of the Sun in the imperial court.
  • He was more focused on military conquests and establishing his empire.
• Humayun
  • Humayun, the son of Babur, faced significant challenges in consolidating his rule and did not introduce new religious practices like Sun worship.
  • His reign was marked by struggles to regain his throne and dealing with internal conflicts.
• Ibrahim Lodhi
  • Ibrahim Lodhi was the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty and was defeated by Babur in the Battle of Panipat in 1526.
  • His reign did not include the introduction of Sun worship or significant religious reforms.

Hence, the correct answer is Akbar, and the other options are incorrect.

Additional Information

• Akbar's Religious Policy:
  • Akbar's religious policy was characterized by tolerance and inclusiveness. He invited scholars from different religions to his court and sought to understand their teachings.
  • His establishment of Din-i-Ilahi was an attempt to create a new religious order that combined elements of various faiths, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism.
• Din-i-Ilahi:
  • Din-i-Ilahi (Religion of God) was an eclectic religious doctrine propounded by Akbar in 1582. It aimed to merge the best elements of the religions of his empire and thereby reconcile the differences that divided his subjects.
  • Although it had a limited following and did not survive Akbar's death, it exemplified his innovative approach to governance and religious tolerance.

The correct answer is: 'Gopal Das'.

Key Points

• Gopal Das, a priest of the Madan Mohan temple at Vrindavan, was granted a Madad-i-Mash grant of 200 Bighas of land by Akbar.
  • Madad-i-Mash was a grant of revenue-free land provided by the Mughal emperors to scholars, religious figures, and other meritorious individuals.
  • Akbar, known for his policy of religious tolerance and support for different religious communities, often granted such endowments to promote religious and cultural institutions.

Additional Information

• Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan:
  • The Madan Mohan temple is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Vrindavan, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
  • The temple is historically significant and has been a center of devotion and pilgrimage for centuries.
• Akbar's Religious Policies:
  • Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is known for his policy of Sulh-e-Kul (universal peace), which promoted tolerance and understanding among different religious communities.
  • He established the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) where scholars of various religions could discuss theological and philosophical issues.

The correct answer is Akbar.

• Buland Darwaza was built by Akbar.

Important Points

• Buland Darwaza
  • It was built in 1575.
  • The Time taken for its construction was 12 Years.
  • It is located at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra District, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • A mixture of Hindu and Persian styles of architecture is the architectural style.​

Additional Information

• Other masterpieces of Akbar are as follows.
  • Fatehpur Sikri
  • Allahabad Fort
  • Agra Fort

The correct answer is Akbar.

Key Points

• Din-i Ilahi “the religion of God,” was a system of religious beliefs introduced by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1582 CE.
• His idea was to combine Islam and Hinduism into one faith, but also to add aspects of Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Jainism.
•  He founded an academy, the Ibadat Khana, “the House of Worship,” in 1575, where representatives of all major faiths could meet to discuss questions of theology. 
• Akbar was the 3rd Mughal emperor of India.
• Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, in 1556.
• The 13-year-old Akbar was enthroned by Bairam Khan and was proclaimed Shahanshah.
• Akbar was given the nickname 'the Great' because of his many accomplishments, among which, was his record of unbeaten military campaigns that established the Mughal rule in the Indian subcontinent.

Additional Information

• Muhammad Ghaznavi:
  • Mahmud of Ghazni (971-1030) was the first sultan of the Ghaznavid dynasty in Afghanistan
• Humayun:
  • He was, also called Naṣir al-Din Muḥammad, the second Mughal ruler of India, who was more an adventurer than a consolidator of his empire.
  • The son and successor of Babur, who had founded the Mughal dynasty, Humayun ruled from 1530 to 1540 and again from 1555 to 1556.

The correct answer is (A) and (B) are true.

Key Points

• Ain-i-Akbari is third volume of Akbarnama.
• It was written by Abul Fazl in the 16th century.
• It has rich statistical details about crops, prices, revenues and wages etc.
• It also describes details about the traditions and cultures of the people of India.
• Ain-i-Akbari is divided into five books.

 Thus, we can say that the above statements about Ain-i-Akbari are true.

Additional Information

• The details about Akbar's ancestors are mentioned in the first book of Akbarnama.

• The author of the ‘Dastane Mazahib’ which discusses the Din-i-Ilahi of Akbar, was Mohsin Fanni.
• Din-i Ilahi “the religion of God,” was a system of religious beliefs introduced by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1582 CE. 
• Akbar's idea was to combine Islam and Hinduism into one faith, but also to add aspects of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism.
• Akbar took a deep personal interest in religious matters.
  • He founded an academy, the Ibadat Khana, “the House of Worship,” in 1575, where representatives of all major faiths could meet to discuss questions of theology. 

​ 

• Akbar was born as Abu'l-Fath Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar on October 15, 1542.
• Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, in 1556 when he was 13 years old.
• Akbar was given the nickname 'the Great' because of his many accomplishments.
• Akbar started a new religion that was based on the teachings of major religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, etc. 
• This religious path was later referred to as the Din-i-illahi or Divine Monotheism.
• Historian Vinset Smith called Akbar's Din-i-ilahi as a monument of his folly not of wisdom.

Jagirs which were assigned to zamindars (chieftains) in their homelands, were called watan jagirs. When a zamindar is absorbed into the Mansabdari System, he is given a tankha jagir and his zamindari is considered watan jagir. The watan jagir is a hereditary one, it requires the imperial sanat for succession and it continues in the family.

The watan jagir is therefore the jagir given for life and the successor provided there is an imperial sanat. Therefore, it is not transferable.

Tankha jagirs are transferable every three or four years. Sometimes watan jagir was converted into khalisa for a certain period as Aurangzeb did in case of Jodhpur in 1679. When a zamindar or a tributary chief was made a mansabdar, he was given jagir tankha,, apart from his watan jagir, at another place if the salary of his rank was more than the income from his watan jagir.

For example- Maharaja Jaswant Singh, holding watan jagir in Marwar, held jagir, tankha in Hissar.

Extra info-

Jagirdari system

• The term was derived by combining two Persian words: jāgīr (“holding land”) and dār (“official”).
• It was a form of land tenancy in which the collection of the revenues of an estate and the power of governing it were bestowed on an official of the state. It must be made clear that it was not land that was assigned, but the income/ revenue from the land/area was given to the jagirdars.
• This system developed over a period of time and underwent many changes before stabilising. However, the basic framework was developed during Akbar's reign.
• The important feature of the jagir system was shifting of jagir-holders from one jagir to another for administrative reasons. This system of transfers checked the jagirdars from developing local roots.
• At the same time, its disadvantage was that it discouraged the jagirdars from taking long term measures for the development of their areas.

Various Types of Jagirs

 There were generally four types of revenue assignments:

• jagirs, which were given in lieu of pay, were known as jagir tankha; .
• jagirs given to a person on certain conditions were called mashrut jagirs;
• jagirs which involved no obligation of service and were independent of rank were called inam jagirs, and
• jagirs which were assigned to zamindars (chieftains) in their homelands, were called watan jagirs.

Hence, it is clear from the above points that the concept of Watan-Jagir came into existence towards the end of the reign of Akbar.

Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors of India. He reigned from 1556 to 1605 and extended Mughal power over most of the Indian subcontinent.

• To preserve the unity of his empire, Akbar adopted programs that won the loyalty of the non-Muslim populations of his realm.

Key Points

1. In the 1570s at Fatehpur Sikri Akbar started discussions on religion with people of different faiths. There were ulemas, Brahmanas, Jesuit priests, Roman, Catholics and Zoroastrians.
2.  These discussions took place in Ibadat Khana. These were about social and religious customs.
3.  These interactions made him realise that religious scholars are bigots. They emphasize rituals and dogma.
4.  Their teachings create divisions in society. This led to the idea of Sulh-i-Kul or ‘Universal peace’.

Hence, Akbar's Idea of universal peace came into existence because he had an interest in religion and the social customs of different religions.

Important Points 

• Ain-i-Akbari is a 16th-century document.
• Written by: Akbar’s court historian Abu'l Fazl in the Persian language.
• Deals with: the administration of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• Background: Beginning in 1589, Abu’l Fazl worked on the ‘Akbar Nama’ for thirteen years.
• The Akbar Nama is divided into three books:
  • The first book dealt with Akbar’s ancestors.
  • The second recorded the events of Akbar’s reign.
  • The third is the Ain-i Akbari.
• In the early twentieth century, the Akbar Nama was translated into English by Henry Beveridge.

Key Points

The subject matter of Ain-e- Akbari:

• It deals with Akbar’s administration, household, army, revenues, and geography of his empire.
• It provides rich details about the traditions and culture of the people living in India.
• It also got statistical details about crops, yields, prices, wages, and revenues.

Hence, the subject matter of Ain-e- Akbari is the description of Akbar's administration.

Akbar (1556-1605AD)

• While Akbar was at Fatehpur Sikri during the 1570s he started discussions on religion with the ulama, Brahmanas, Jesuit priests who were Roman Catholics, and Zoroastrians.
• These discussions took place in the ibadat khana. He was interested in the religion and social customs of different people. Akbar’s interaction with people of different faiths made him realise that religious scholars who emphasised ritual and dogma were often bigots.
• Their teachings created divisions and disharmony amongst his subjects. This eventuallyled Akbar to the idea of sulh-i kul or “universal peace”.
• This idea of tolerance did not discriminate between people of different religions in his realm. Instead it focused on a system of ethics – honesty, justice, peace – that was universally applicable.
• Abul Fazl helped Akbar in framing a vision of governance around this idea of sulh-i kul.
• This principle of governance was followed by Jahangir and Shah Jahan as well.

The correct answer is Miyan Tansen.

• Miyan Tansen was appointed by Akbar as his Court Musician.

Important Points

• Akbar considered Miyan Tansen as one of the Navaratnas (nine jewels).
• He gave him the title Miyan.
• Tansen was a composer, musician and vocalist of medieval India.

Additional Information

• Navaratnas of King Akbar
  • ​1. BIRBAL (Mahesh Das) the court Jester.
  • 2. MIAN TANSEN (Tanna Mishra) the court singer.
  • 3. ABUL FAZL (The chronologist) who wrote An I Akbari.
  • 4. FAIZI  ( The court Poet)
  • 5. MAHARAJA MAN SINGH (Army Consultant)
  • 6. FAKIR AZIAO DIN  (Sufi Singer)
  • 7. MULLA DO-PIYAZA (depicted as Birbal's Muslim counterpart)
  • 8. TODAR MAL   (Finance Consultant)
  • 9. ABDUL RAHIM KHAN I KHANAA (Writer of Hindi Couplets).

The correct answer is Akbar.

Key Points

• The Mansabdari System was introduced by Mughal emperor Akbar as new administrative machinery and revenue system.
  • It is the rank-holder system to organize the nobility and army.
• The term mansab literally means position, status, or rank, but in the context of the structure of the Mughal administration it indicated the rank of mansabdar- that is a holder of mansab - in the official hierarchy.
• The mansab or rank was designated by dual representation - one by personal rank (called zat) and the other by cavalry rank (called sawar).