Mughal Period: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Medieval History)
23 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on the Mughal Period are on this page, from 1996 to 2021. This is the largest Medieval History chapter. It covers the mansabdari system, administration under Akbar, painting under Jahangir, the Balkh and Qandahar campaigns of Shah Jahan, the war of succession and the first English trade at Surat. The explanations show each term in its reign.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 21–23 of 23 questions
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UPSC 1997Medieval History · Mughal Period
Q21. Head of the military department under the recognised central machinery of administration during Akbar’s reign was:
Explanation
The Mir Bakshi was a pivotal figure in the military administration under Akbar’s reign. They managed the recruitment, organization, and payment of the army. Additionally, they supervised military campaigns and oversaw overall military affairs. Diwan was the head of the revenue department in the provinces and oversaw revenue and finance. Mir Saman was in charge of the imperial household. He was responsible for managing the purchase and procurement of goods and supplies for the royal household, including furniture, clothing, and other necessities. Bakshi was head of the military department at provincial level.
UPSC 1996Medieval History · Mughal Period
Q22. Mughal painting reached its zenith under:
Explanation
Mughal paintings blended indigenous Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles, creating a unique and distinct art form.
Option (c) is correct: Mughal painting reached its zenith during the reign of Emperor Jahangir (1605-1627). His reign is regarded as a period of flourishing artistic achievements, particularly in miniature painting. Under his patronage, Mughal painting became more sophisticated, with detailed depictions of portraits, court scenes, hunting scenes, religious themes, and landscapes. He employed Ustad Mansur to achieve unparalleled sophistication in Mughal art and showcased a great fascination for nature and portraiture.
UPSC 1996Medieval History · Mughal Period
Q23. In medieval India, Mansabdari system was introduced for:
Explanation
The Mansabdari system was a significant administrative framework introduced by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. The system was a hierarchical structure that catered to both military and civil administration.
Option (d) is correct: The Mansabdari system provided a centralized structure with clear ranks and responsibilities, ensuring smooth administration. This system ensured the recruitment of competent and loyal soldiers, with each Mansabdar responsible for a specific number of soldiers, fostering discipline and efficiency. Mansabdars managed tax collection and land revenue, contributing to the imperial treasury, reducing corruption, and ensuring fair resource distribution.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
21
1997
(b) Mir Bakshi
22
1996
(c) Jahangir
23
1996
(d) Effecting clean administration
What UPSC has tested in Mughal Period
The Mir Bakshi headed the military department in Akbar’s central administration.
Mughal painting reached its zenith under Jahangir, who shifted emphasis to albums and individual portraits.
The English East India Company set up its first factory at Surat in 1613 with Jahangir’s permission.
The Battle of Dharmat was fought between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh.
Abdul Hamid Lahori was the official historian of Shah Jahan’s reign.
Surat was called Babul Makka, the Gate of Makka, because pilgrims sailed from it.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Mughal Period?
This page covers 23 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Mughal Period (Medieval History), asked from 1996 to 2021. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
With whose permission did the English set up the first factory at Surat?
Jahangir’s. The English East India Company obtained a farman in 1613 allowing a factory at Surat, and Sir Thomas Roe’s mission to Jahangir’s court in 1615 helped the Company win wider trading privileges.
Under which Mughal emperor did painting reach its zenith?
Jahangir. He was a keen observer of nature and artists, and court painters produced detailed portraits, animal studies and albums, with Ustad Mansur and Abul Hasan among the leading artists of his court.
Who was the head of the military department under Akbar?
The Mir Bakshi, who supervised the mansabdars, recommended appointments and promotions, and maintained the army’s records. The central machinery under Akbar also included the Diwan for revenue and the Sadr for religious grants.
Who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?
The official historian of Shah Jahan’s reign. He wrote the Padshahnama, the chronicle of the first twenty years of the emperor’s rule, which remains a primary source for the period’s politics and court life.
