FPSC (Federal Public Service Commission) · CSS (Central Superior Services)
Decline of the Mughals
Medieval India/Muslim Rule in India
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
49 MCQs
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of 49 MCQs
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1
The decline of the Mughal Empire is generally considered to have begun after the death of which emperor?
Answer:
Aurangzeb
The decline of the Mughal Empire is historically traced to the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 AD, which led to a war of succession, weak successors, and the fragmentation of the empire.
2
Who succeeded Aurangzeb to the Mughal throne in 1707?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah I (Muazzam)
Prince Muazzam, after defeating his brothers Azam and Kam Bakhsh, ascended the throne with the title Bahadur Shah I (also known as Shah Alam I).
3
Which Mughal Emperor was known as 'Shah-i-Bekhabar' (The Heedless King)?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah I
Bahadur Shah I was given the title 'Shah-i-Bekhabar' by the historian Khafi Khan due to his lavish spending and lack of attention to administrative details.
4
Who were known as the 'Kingmakers' in the history of the Later Mughals?
Answer:
The Sayyid Brothers
Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali Khan, known as the Sayyid Brothers, were powerful nobles who played a decisive role in dethroning and appointing Mughal emperors (like Farrukhsiyar, Rafi-ud-Darajat, etc.) in the early 18th century.
5
Which Mughal Emperor granted the 'Golden Firman' or Magna Carta of trade to the British East India Company in 1717?
Answer:
Farrukhsiyar
Farrukhsiyar issued a royal Firman in 1717 granting duty-free trading rights to the British East India Company in Bengal, which is often called the 'Magna Carta' of the Company's trade in India.
6
Nadir Shah invaded India and sacked Delhi during the reign of which Mughal Emperor?
Answer:
Muhammad Shah (Rangila)
Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia, invaded India in 1739 during the reign of Muhammad Shah 'Rangila', defeating the Mughals at the Battle of Karnal.
7
The famous 'Peacock Throne' (Takht-e-Taus) and the Kohinoor diamond were taken away by:
Answer:
Nadir Shah
Nadir Shah plundered Delhi in 1739 and took the Peacock Throne (commissioned by Shah Jahan) and the Kohinoor diamond back to Persia.
8
The Battle of Karnal (1739) was fought between the Mughal army and the forces of:
Answer:
Nadir Shah
The Battle of Karnal was the decisive engagement where Nadir Shah's forces crushed the Mughal army led by Emperor Muhammad Shah within a few hours.
9
Who was the first Mughal Emperor to be killed by his own nobles?
Answer:
Jahandar Shah
Jahandar Shah was the first Mughal Emperor to be murdered by his nobles (the Sayyid Brothers conspired against him to place Farrukhsiyar on the throne). However, Farrukhsiyar was also later killed by them.
10
The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) took place during the nominal reign of which Mughal Emperor?
Answer:
Shah Alam II
The Third Battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Shah Alam II was the recognized emperor at the time, although he was in exile in Bihar/Awadh, and Delhi was under the regency of his son or influenced by nobles.
11
Who founded the independent state of Hyderabad in 1724?
Answer:
Chin Qilich Khan (Nizam-ul-Mulk)
Chin Qilich Khan, who held the title Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah, grew frustrated with the court politics of Delhi and established the independent state of Hyderabad in 1724.
12
Which Mughal Emperor was known as 'Rangila' due to his pursuit of pleasure?
Answer:
Muhammad Shah
Muhammad Shah (1719–1748) earned the epithet 'Rangila' (The Colorful/Merry-maker) because he spent much of his time in luxurious pursuits rather than statecraft.
13
The Battle of Plassey (1757) occurred during the reign of which Mughal Emperor?
Answer:
Alamgir II
The Battle of Plassey, which established British dominance in Bengal, took place in 1757 during the reign of Alamgir II.
14
Who was the first Mughal pensioner of the East India Company?
Answer:
Shah Alam II
After the defeat in the Battle of Buxar (1764) and the Treaty of Allahabad (1765), Shah Alam II granted the Diwani rights to the British and lived on a pension provided by the Company.
15
The independent state of Awadh was founded by whom?
Answer:
Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk
Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk was appointed Governor of Awadh in 1722 and gradually established it as an autonomous state.
16
Which Mughal Emperor gave the title of 'Raja' to Ram Mohan Roy?
Answer:
Akbar II
Akbar II gave the title of 'Raja' to Ram Mohan Roy and sent him to England as an envoy to plead for an increase in the Emperor's pension.
17
In 1803, the British captured Delhi after defeating the Marathas. Who was the Mughal Emperor then?
Answer:
Shah Alam II
Lord Lake captured Delhi in 1803 from the Marathas (Daulat Rao Scindia). The blind Emperor Shah Alam II accepted British protection.
18
Which phrase mocked the shrinking authority of Shah Alam II?
Answer:
Sultanat-e-Shah Alam, Az Delhi ta Palam
The Persian couplet 'Sultanat-e-Shah Alam, Az Delhi ta Palam' meant 'The Empire of Shah Alam extends (only) from Delhi to Palam (a nearby village)', highlighting his powerlessness.
19
The Battle of Buxar (1764) was fought by a combined alliance against the British. Who was NOT part of this alliance?
Answer:
Nizam of Hyderabad
The alliance consisted of Mir Qasim (former Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II. The Nizam of Hyderabad was not involved.
20
What was the 'Jagirdari Crisis' during the later Mughal period?
Answer:
Scarcity of land to assign as Jagirs to Mansabdars
The Jagirdari Crisis referred to the situation where there were too many Mansabdars waiting for grants, but not enough quality Jagir land (Paibaqi) to distribute, leading to factionalism and corruption.
