Question : “In medieval Indian history Akbar was unique for his religio-political ideas and policies.” Analyze this statement.
(2015)
Answer : A strong personality and a successful general, Akbar (1556-1605) gradually enlarged the Mughal Empire to include nearly all of the Indian Subcontinent north of the Godavari River. His power and influence, however, extended over the entire country because of Mughal military, political, cultural, and economic dominance. To unify the vast Mughal state, Akbar established a centralized system of administration throughout his empire and adopted a policy of conciliating conquered rulers through marriage and diplomacy. In ....
Question : Analyze how the political processes of state formation of Mewar, from 10th-15th century CE was challenged in the 16th century CE by the imperialist policy of Akbar.
(2013)
Answer : Mewar or Udaipur Kingdom is the south central region of Rajasthan, the erstwhile Rajputana. Mewar region was ruled by the Guhilots and Siosdias for centuries. The Rajputs established their power in Mewar in the 8 th century. In 13 A.D. Chittor, the capital of Mewar, came under the control of Ala-ud-din Khalji. After his death it again went back into the hands of Rajputs because of the heroics of Rana Hamir. The major kings of ....
Question : Give social background to the rise of the Maratha movement during the 17th C.
(2012)
Answer : In 17th C, the rise of Maratha Movement was a result of social background. Caste system in rigid form was existing in Maratha land like North Indian Plain. Due to the rigid formation of caste structure, the antagonism was emerging. Maratha saints played active role in generating a consciousness for the social reform.
The famous Maratha saints were Gyan Dev, Nam Dev, Tukaram, Eknath, Ramdas, etc. They allstood against rigid caste system. These saints gave emphasis ....
Question : Comment on Turco-Mongol theory of sovereignty. To what extent was it adopted by Babur and Humayun?
(2010)
Answer : The Mongol believed in divine theory of sovereignty. They believed in absolute power of Khan which is evident from the following words of Mongol Khan. In the sky there can only be one sun or one moon; how can these be two masters of earth. None the less division of empire among the rulers on far facilitating administration was cordinal principle of Mongol theory of soverignity. But Timur followed the concept of absolute sovereignty who ....
Question : How did Shivaji organise his administration and finances to consolidate his power?
(2010)
Answer : The Maratha policy was essentially centralised autocratic monarchy. The king was at helm of affairs. To assist the king there was council of state ministers known as asthapradhan which included Peshwa, Mazumdar (auditor), Wakins (incherge of king’s private officers), Dabirs (foreign secretary), Surnis (superintendent), Panditrao (Ecclesiastical head), Senapati (commanded in chief), Nyayadhish (Chief Justice). These offices were neither hereditary nor permanent. They held office till the kings pleasure and they were frequently transferred. They were ....
Question : The major cause of revolts against the Mughal Empire during the latter half of the 17th century were economic, rather than religious.” Discuss.
(2009)
Answer : Many subjects rebelled against Aurangzeb’s policies, among them his own son, Prince Akbar. In 1667, the Yusufzai Pashtuns and in 1669, the Jats around Mathura revolted. In 1672, the Satnami, a sect concentrated in an area near Delhi, under the leadership of Bhirbhan and some Satnami, took over the administration of Narnaul, but they were eventually crushed upon Aurangzeb’s personal intervention with very few escaping alive.
Soon afterwards the Afridi Pashtuns in the north-west also revolted, ....
Question : Religious Tolerance of Akbar.
(2006)
Answer : Akbar was one of the greatest monarchs who ruled India in the second half of the sixteenth century. He is known in history for a broad and tolerant religious policy. He initiated a religious policy of Catholicism and magnanimity to other religions.
His policy was based on the principle of Sulh-i-kul or universal tolerance and peace.
In evolving the policy of religious tolerance, Akbar was influenced by many factors. His immediate surroundings provided the impetus to it. ....
Question : Was Din-i-Ilahi ‘a monument of Akbar’s folly’?
(2004)
Answer : Din I ilahi can’t be said to be Akbar’s folly. It was a syncretic religious doctrine propounded by the Mughal emperor Akbar intended to merge the best elements of the religions of his empire (primarily Islam and Hinduism; elements were also taken from Christianity, Jainism and Zoroastrianism) and thereby reconcile the differences that divided his subjects. Akbar was tolerant of religions other than Islam. In fact, not only did he tolerate them, he encouraged debate ....
Question : ‘Akbar built the Moghul Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs? Do you agree.
(2003)
Answer : After ascending to the throne solving earlier problems, Akbar started his policy of the expansion of the kingdom in a proper way. In that period, the Rajputs were an important political power. Akbar developed very friendly relations with them and took their help in political matters. Through their power and help, Akbar not only established an enormous Moghul kingdom but also gave a proper form to their participation in strengthening the Moghul Kingdom in later ....
Question : Trace the evolution of the religious views of Akbar. Write a note on his policy of Suleh-i-kul.
(2002)
Answer : Akbar’s religious policy was moulded and motivated by his parental and social heritage. He was born and brought up in a Rajput family. His mother herself was Shia muslim. All of Akbar’s teachers and guides in his boyhood incidently happened to be men of inorthodox religious views. His teacher Abdul Latif was a person of liberal views. Akbar learnt from him the nobel lesson of Suleh-i-kul that means peace with all, on universal brotherhood. Bairam ....
Question : Mansabdari System.
(2002)
Answer : Mansabdari order was an endeavour to streamline the military administration. It was basically adopted with the purpose to creat a large centralised and standing army and regularize the system of recruitment. Mansabdari system was basically the system of forming a hierarchy of military officers with different number of contingent. It was a very important feature of the Mongol army. In India itself its some of the features were already present in the military systems of ....
Question : Highlight the catholicity of Akbar’s regime with suitable examples.
(1997)
Answer : A mystic as well as a rationalist, Akbar was profoundly religious and an earnest seeker after truth. Akbar is said to have experienced religious ecstasy when he was barely fifteen. His mind delighted in listening to the philosophical discourses of sufis and saints. Gradually he turned away from the path of narrow Muslim orthodoxy. The bigotry of the Muslim Ulema disgusted him. He caused no harm in finding out the truth which other religions claimed ....
