Later Mughal Period MCQ: Aurangzeb's Successors, the Sayyid Brothers & Rise of Hyderabad

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who succeeded Aurangzeb after his death in 1707 A.D.?

   • A.Bahadur Shah I
   • B.Jahandar Shah✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Muhammad Shah
   • D.Akbar II

   Explanation: After the death of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, his sixty-three years old son Muazzam (Shah Alam) ascended the throne adopting the name of ‘Bahadur Shah’.

2. Q2.Which battle was fought between Prince Muazzam and Azam Shah for succession in 1707?

   • A.Battle of Jajau
   • B.Battle of Haldighati✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Battle of Karnal
   • D.Battle of Panipat

   Explanation: The Battle of Jajau was fought on June 18, 1707, where Bahadur Shah I defeated his brother Azam Shah.

3. Q3.Who was given the title of 'Shahe Bekhabar' by Khafi Khan?

   • A.Jahandar Shah
   • B.Bahadur Shah I
   • C.Farrukh Siyar✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Shah Alam II

   Explanation: Bahadur Shah I was given the title of 'Shahe Bekhabar' (The Heedless King) due to his lack of control over administration.

4. Q4.Who was the first Mughal emperor who proved to be highly disqualified for governance?

   • A.Bahadur Shah I
   • B.Jahandar Shah
   • C.Muhammad Shah✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ahmad Shah

   Explanation: Jahandar Shah was the first emperor in the Mughal dynasty who proved to be highly disqualified for governance.

5. Q5.With whose help did Jahandar Shah ascend the throne?

   • A.Zulfiqar Khan
   • B.Sayyid Brothers✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chin Qilich Khan
   • D.Asaf Khan

   Explanation: Jahandar Shah ascended the throne with the help of the powerful noble Zulfiqar Khan.

6. Q6.Who introduced the 'Izara' (Revenue Farming) system which ruined the Mughal economy?

   • A.Jahandar Shah
   • B.Akbar✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Shah Jahan
   • D.Aurangzeb

   Explanation: Jahandar Shah, under the influence of Zulfiqar Khan, introduced the 'Izara' system where revenue collection was auctioned.

7. Q7.Who defeated and killed Jahandar Shah in 1713 A.D.?

   • A.Bahadur Shah I
   • B.Muhammad Shah
   • C.Farrukh Siyar
   • D.Shah Alam II✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Jahandar Shah was defeated and killed by his nephew Farrukh Siyar in a battle in 1713 A.D.

8. Q8.Who are known as the 'King Makers' in Indian history?

   • A.Sayyid Brothers
   • B.Ali Brothers✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chapekar Brothers
   • D.Pandya Brothers

   Explanation: Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali Khan (Sayyid Brothers) placed four emperors on the throne between 1713 and 1720.

9. Q9.Which Mughal Emperor issued a decree granting duty-free trading facilities to the British in Bengal?

   • A.Shah Alam II
   • B.Bahadur Shah I
   • C.Farrukh Siyar
   • D.Jahandar Shah✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Farrukh Siyar issued a decree in 1717 (Magna Carta of Company trade) granting duty-free trading facilities.

10. Q10.Who led the 'Surman Embassy' to the court of Farrukh Siyar in 1715?

    • A.John Surman
    • B.William Hawkins✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Thomas Roe
    • D.Robert Clive

    Explanation: John Surman led the British mission which obtained the Imperial Farman of 1717.

11. Q11.Which British surgeon cured Emperor Farrukh Siyar of a painful disease?

    • A.William Hamilton
    • B.John Fryer✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Garcia de Orta
    • D.Francois Bernier

    Explanation: Dr. William Hamilton cured Farrukh Siyar, which pleased the emperor and facilitated the grant of trading privileges.

12. Q12.Which Sikh leader was executed by Farrukh Siyar in 1716?

    • A.Banda Singh Bahadur
    • B.Guru Gobind Singh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ranjit Singh
    • D.Kapoor Singh

    Explanation: Banda Singh Bahadur was captured and executed in Delhi in 1716 during the reign of Farrukh Siyar.

13. Q13.When did the Sayyid Brothers sign a treaty with Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath granting 'Chauth' rights?

    • A.1719
    • B.1707✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1739
    • D.1761

    Explanation: The Treaty of 1719 granted the Marathas the right to collect taxes in the Deccan.

14. Q14.Which Mughal Emperor had the shortest reign?

    • A.Rafi-ud-Darajat
    • B.Jahandar Shah✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Muhammad Shah
    • D.Alamgir II

    Explanation: Rafi-ud-Darajat ruled for the shortest period (about 3 months) in 1719 before dying of tuberculosis.

15. Q15.Who assassinated the Sayyid Brother, Hussain Ali Khan?

    • A.Haider Baig
    • B.Nizam-ul-Mulk✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Sadat Khan
    • D.Nadir Shah

    Explanation: Hussain Ali Khan was assassinated by Haider Baig in 1720 as part of a conspiracy to end Sayyid dominance.

16. Q16.Which Mughal Emperor was known as 'Rangeela'?

    • A.Farrukh Siyar
    • B.Muhammad Shah
    • C.Jahandar Shah✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Shah Alam II

    Explanation: Muhammad Shah was called 'Rangeela' due to his obsession with wine and beauty and apathy towards administration.

17. Q17.Who was the last Mughal Emperor to sit on the Peacock Throne?

    • A.Shah Alam I
    • B.Muhammad Shah
    • C.Bahadur Shah Zafar✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Jahandar Shah

    Explanation: Muhammad Shah (1719-1748) was the last Mughal emperor to sit on Peacock throne before Nadir Shah took it.

18. Q18.Who founded the independent Kingdom of Hyderabad in 1724?

    • A.Saadat Khan
    • B.Murshid Quli Khan
    • C.Nizam-ul-Mulk
    • D.Hyder Ali✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Chin Qilich Khan aka Nizam-ul-Mulk founded the independent Kingdom of Hyderabad in 1724.

19. Q19.In which battle did Nizam-ul-Mulk defeat the Mughal governor Mubarij Khan?

    • A.Battle of Karnal
    • B.Battle of Shakur-Khera
    • C.Battle of Plassey✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Battle of Buxar

    Explanation: Nizam became the real king after the battle of Shakur-Khera of Deccan, 1724.

20. Q20.Who founded the independent state of Bengal?

    • A.Murshid Quli Khan
    • B.Alivardi Khan✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Siraj-ud-Daula
    • D.Mir Jafar

    Explanation: Murshid Quli Khan founded the independent state of Bengal and shifted the capital to Murshidabad.