Mughal Empire MCQ: Babur, Humayun & Akbar's Early Reign (Panipat to Din-i-Ilahi)

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

1. Q1.Alam Khan, one of those who invited Babur to invade India was:

   • A.An uncle of Ibrahim Lodi and a pretender to the throne of Delhi✓ Correct Answer
   • B.A cousin of Ibrahim Lodi who was ill-treated and expelled from the country
   • C.The father of Dilawar Khan to whom cruel treatment was meted out by Ibrahim Lodi
   • D.A high official in Punjab province who was very much discontented with Ibrahim Lodi's treatment to his tribe

   Explanation: Alam Khan was the uncle of Ibrahim Lodi. He invited Babur to invade India because he claimed his right to the throne of Delhi.

2. Q2.The First Battle of Panipat was fought between:

   • A.Babur and Rana Sanga
   • B.Sher Shah Suri and Akbar
   • C.Humayun and Ibrahim Lodi
   • D.Babur and Ibrahim Lodi✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The First Battle of Panipat took place on April 21, 1526, between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi. Babur emerged victorious and founded the Mughal Empire in India.

3. Q3.Which Mughal ruler assumed the title of 'Ghazi' after the Battle of Khanwa?

   • A.Humayun
   • B.Akbar
   • C.Babur✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Jahangir

   Explanation: The Battle of Khanwa was fought on March 16, 1527, between Babur and Rana Sanga. Babur defeated Rana Sanga and assumed the title of 'Ghazi'.

4. Q4.In which language did Babur write his autobiography 'Tuzuk-i-Baburi'?

   • A.Persian
   • B.Arabic
   • C.Turkish✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Urdu

   Explanation: Babur wrote his autobiography 'Tuzuk-i-Baburi' or 'Babur Nama' in the Turkish language (Chagatai Turkic). It was later translated into Persian by Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan.

5. Q5.Who among the following defeated Babur in the Battle of Sar-e-Pul?

   • A.Abdullah Khan Uzbeg
   • B.Shaibani Khan✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Ubaydullah Khan
   • D.Jani Begh

   Explanation: Shaibani Khan defeated Babur in the Battle of Sar-e-Pul in 1501 AD using the 'Tulghuma' technique of the Uzbeks.

6. Q6.In which battle did Humayun suffer a decisive defeat at the hands of Sher Shah Suri in 1540?

   • A.Battle of Chausa
   • B.Battle of Khanwa
   • C.Battle of Kannauj (Bilgram)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Battle of Ghaghra

   Explanation: The Battle of Kannauj (or Bilgram) was fought in May 1540 between Humayun and Sher Shah. Humayun was defeated and had to flee India.

7. Q7.Where is the Mausoleum of Sher Shah Suri located?

   • A.Delhi
   • B.Sasaram✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kalinjar
   • D.Sonargaon

   Explanation: The tomb of Sher Shah is located at Sasaram in Bihar. It is an imposing brick structure standing in the middle of a square tank.

8. Q8.Which medieval ruler introduced the system of 'Patta' and 'Qabuliyat' to help the peasants?

   • A.Alauddin Khalji
   • B.Akbar
   • C.Sher Shah✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq

   Explanation: Sher Shah Suri introduced the system of 'Patta' (title deed) and 'Qabuliyat' (deed of agreement) to define the rights and liabilities of the peasants.

9. Q9.Who amongst the following built the 'Purana Qila' of Delhi in its present form?

   • A.Akbar
   • B.Babur
   • C.Shah Jahan
   • D.Sher Shah Suri✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Purana Qila in Delhi was built by Sher Shah Suri. He constructed the Qila-i-Kuhna mosque and Sher Mandal within it.

10. Q10.At which place was Akbar enthroned on getting the information of Humayun's death?

    • A.Kabul
    • B.Lahore
    • C.Kalanaur✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Sirhind

    Explanation: Akbar was coronated at Kalanaur (Gurdaspur, Punjab) on February 14, 1556, when he was only 13 years old.

11. Q11.The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Akbar's forces and:

    • A.Rana Sanga
    • B.Rana Pratap✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Hemu
    • D.Prithviraj Chauhan

    Explanation: The Battle of Haldighati was fought on June 18, 1576, between Maharana Pratap of Mewar and Akbar's army led by Man Singh.

12. Q12.In which year did Akbar launch 'Din-i-Ilahi'?

    • A.1570
    • B.1578
    • C.1582✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1581

    Explanation: Akbar launched 'Tauhid-i-Ilahi' or 'Din-i-Ilahi' in 1582 AD. It was a syncretic ideology merging elements of various religions.

13. Q13.The 'Mansabdari System' introduced by Akbar was borrowed from which region?

    • A.Persia
    • B.Mongolia/Central Asia✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Afghanistan
    • D.Turkey

    Explanation: The Mansabdari system was influenced by the military organization of the Mongols (Genghis Khan) in Central Asia, which was based on the decimal system.

14. Q14.Which land revenue system was developed by Raja Todarmal during Akbar's reign?

    • A.Batai
    • B.Kankut
    • C.Ain-i-Dahsala✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Nasq

    Explanation: Ain-i-Dahsala (or Todarmal Bandobast) was introduced in 1580. It fixed land revenue based on the average production and prices of the last ten years.

15. Q15.Who was the first Englishman to visit Akbar's court?

    • A.Thomas Roe
    • B.Ralph Fitch✓ Correct Answer
    • C.William Hawkins
    • D.Peter Mundy

    Explanation: Ralph Fitch (1583-86 AD) was the first English merchant/traveller who visited Agra and Fatehpur Sikri during Akbar's reign.

16. Q16.Which Mughal Emperor's reign is considered the zenith of Mughal painting?

    • A.Akbar
    • B.Shah Jahan
    • C.Jahangir✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Humayun

    Explanation: Mughal painting reached its zenith under Jahangir. He patronized painters like Ustad Mansoor (birds/nature) and Abul Hasan (portraits).

17. Q17.Who built the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula at Agra?

    • A.Akbar
    • B.Jahangir
    • C.Nur Jahan✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Shah Jahan

    Explanation: Nur Jahan built the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. It is famous for the first use of the 'Pietra Dura' inlay work.

18. Q18.Which Mughal Emperor shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi in 1638?

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

    Explanation: Shah Jahan shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi in 1638 and established the city of Shahjahanabad.

19. Q19.Who translated the Upanishads into Persian under the title 'Sirr-i-Akbar'?

    • A.Abul Fazl
    • B.Dara Shukoh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Faizi
    • D.Badauni

    Explanation: Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan, translated 52 Upanishads into Persian and titled the collection 'Sirr-i-Akbar'.

20. Q20.Which Mughal Emperor was known as 'Zinda Pir' (Living Saint)?

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

    Explanation: Aurangzeb was called 'Zinda Pir' due to his simple lifestyle, high moral standards, and strict adherence to Islamic principles.