Q1. At the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur utilized a specific military tactic that involved dividing his army into various units to surround the enemy from multiple sides. What was this flanking tactic called?
Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies: RAS Prelims MCQs
14 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Mughal Empire’s administration and policies deal with the early battles, Humayun’s exile, Akbar’s early reign and his Rajput policy. The Battles of Panipat, Khanwa and Kannauj, the Second Battle of Panipat, the Mahzar of 1579 and the order in which Rajput states submitted are asked as facts and sequences.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 14 questions
Q2. The Battle of Khanwa (1527) was a turning point in Indian history as it firmly established Mughal rule in Northern India. Who was Babur’s primary opponent in this battle?
Explanation
The Battle of Khanwa in 1527 saw Babur defeating Rana Sanga, the powerful Rajput ruler of Mewar. This victory was crucial because it broke the Rajput confederacy that threatened Mughal control. By defeating such a formidable indigenous coalition, Babur solidified his presence in Northern India, shifting his status from a mere invader to a recognized imperial sovereign.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama):
Statement I: It was originally written by Babur in the Persian language.
Statement II: It provides a detailed account of the flora, fauna, and geography of India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Statement I: It was originally written by Babur in the Persian language.
Statement II: It provides a detailed account of the flora, fauna, and geography of India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Baburnama is the autobiography of the first Mughal emperor, originally written in Chaghatai Turkic rather than Persian. It is highly regarded for its candid observations regarding the Indian landscape. The text offers comprehensive descriptions of the diverse plants, animals, and geography Babur encountered, reflecting his keen interest in nature and providing valuable historical insights into sixteenth-century India.
Q4. Which of the following battles was an exception and was NOT fought by Babur during his campaigns in India?
Explanation
The Battle of Chausa took place in 1539 between the second Mughal emperor Humayun and the Afghan leader Sher Shah Suri. Unlike the battles of Panipat, Khanwa, Chanderi, and Ghaghra, which were led by Babur to establish his empire, this engagement occurred nearly a decade after Babur’s death and resulted in a major setback for the Mughal dynasty.
Q5. Match the battles fought by Babur (List I) with the respective years they occurred (List II):
Select the correct code:
| Battles | Years |
|---|---|
| A. First Battle of Panipat | i. 1527 |
| B. Battle of Khanwa | ii. 1529 |
| C. Battle of Chanderi | iii. 1526 |
| D. Battle of Ghaghra | iv. 1528 |
Explanation
Babur’s Indian campaigns followed a rapid chronological sequence starting with the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. This was followed by the Battle of Khanwa against the Rajputs in 1527. In 1528, he captured Chanderi from Medini Rai, and his final major victory occurred at the Battle of Ghaghra in 1529, successfully securing his newly founded Mughal empire.
Q6. Humayun suffered a decisive defeat that forced him into exile and allowed the Sur Empire to take control of Delhi. In which battle did this decisive defeat occur?
Explanation
The Battle of Kannauj, fought in 1540, was a catastrophic defeat for Humayun at the hands of Sher Shah Suri. Following this loss, the Mughal emperor was forced to flee India and live in exile for fifteen years. This victory allowed the Sur dynasty to seize control of Delhi and Agra, temporarily interrupting Mughal rule in North India.
Q7. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the monuments constructed by Sher Shah Suri and their locations:
Explanation
While Sher Shah Suri is famous for his magnificent mausoleum in Sasaram and the construction of the Purana Qila in Delhi, he did not build the Buland Darwaza. This massive gateway was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri to commemorate his successful military campaign in Gujarat. It remains one of the most iconic examples of Mughal architecture.
Q8. The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) was fought between Akbar’s forces and Hemu. What was Hemu’s position before assuming the title of Vikramaditya?
Explanation
Before challenging the Mughals at the Second Battle of Panipat, Hemu served as the Chief Minister and military commander for Adil Shah Suri. He was a brilliant strategist who rose from humble beginnings to a position of immense power. Hemu successfully won twenty-two consecutive battles against various rebels and rivals before eventually assuming the imperial title of Raja Vikramaditya in Delhi.
Q9. Consider the following early conquests of Akbar:
I. Conquest of Malwa
II. Conquest of Gondwana
III. Capture of Chittor
IV. Capture of Ranthambore
V. Conquest of Gujarat
Which of the following combinations represents the correct chronological order of these conquests?
I. Conquest of Malwa
II. Conquest of Gondwana
III. Capture of Chittor
IV. Capture of Ranthambore
V. Conquest of Gujarat
Which of the following combinations represents the correct chronological order of these conquests?
Explanation
Akbar’s expansion of the Mughal Empire followed a systematic chronological path starting with the conquest of Malwa in 1561. This was followed by the annexation of Gondwana in 1564. The strategic capture of the Rajput stronghold at Chittor occurred in 1568, followed by Ranthambore in 1569. Finally, the economically vital province of Gujarat was incorporated into the empire in 1572.
Q10. Which of the following statements regarding the early reign of Akbar and Bairam Khan’s regency is incorrect?
Explanation
Bairam Khan was Akbar’s regent with the title Khan-i-Khanan and won the Second Battle of Panipat. Akbar dismissed him in 1560 and told him to go to Mecca. He never set up an independent kingdom in Malwa, so C is incorrect.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Tulughma |
| 2 | (a) Rana Sanga |
| 3 | (b) Statement II only |
| 4 | (d) Battle of Chausa |
| 5 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 6 | (b) Battle of Kannauj (Bilgram) |
| 7 | (b) Buland Darwaza - Fatehpur Sikri |
| 8 | (b) Wazir of Adil Shah Suri |
| 9 | (a) I, II, III, IV, V |
| 10 | (c) Bairam Khan successfully established an independent kingdom in Malwa after his dismissal. |
Key facts from Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies
- At the First Battle of Panipat (1526) Babur used the Tulughma tactic; at Khanwa (1527) he defeated Rana Sanga.
- Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah at the Battle of Kannauj (Bilgram), which forced him into exile.
- Hemu was the Wazir of Adil Shah Suri before the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556.
- Akbar dismissed Bairam Khan in 1560; the period of Maham Anaga’s influence is called the Petticoat Government.
- The Mahzar of 1579 made Akbar the supreme arbiter of Islamic law.
- Raja Bharmal of Amber was the first Rajput ruler to accept Akbar willingly and marry into the family; Amber, Merta, Chittor and Ranthambore submitted in that order.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies?
This page has 14 practice MCQs on Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies (Medieval Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What was the Tulughma tactic?
A tactic used by Babur at Panipat in 1526. The army was divided into left, right and centre, and flanking units wheeled around to attack the enemy from behind. It was borrowed from Central Asian warfare and, together with artillery, won him the battle.
What was the Mahzar of 1579?
A declaration issued by Akbar making him the supreme arbiter of Islamic law when the ulema disagreed. It strengthened the emperor’s authority over religious matters and is often linked with his later policy of religious tolerance.
Who was the first Rajput ruler to accept Akbar?
Raja Bharmal of Amber, who accepted Akbar’s suzerainty voluntarily in 1562 and married his daughter to Akbar. This began the Mughal alliance with the Rajputs and led to Amber’s long service to the empire.