Mughal Empire MCQ: Akbar's Religious Policy, Ibadat Khana & the Third Battle of Panipat

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

1. Q1.Who built the 'Moti Masjid' inside the Red Fort of Delhi?

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

   Explanation: The Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) inside the Red Fort complex in Delhi was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

2. Q2.Which Mughal Emperor abolished the Persian Court Custom of 'Sijda'?

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

   Explanation: Shah Jahan abolished the Iranian court tradition of 'Sijda' (prostration) which had been started by Balban.

3. Q3.Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was:

   • A.A mosque for royal family
   • B.A hall for religious discussions✓ Correct Answer
   • C.A palace for Jodha Bai
   • D.A private prayer chamber for Akbar

   Explanation: The Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) was a meeting house built by Akbar in 1575 AD to facilitate philosophical and theological discussions with scholars of various religions.

4. Q4.Who was the architect of Humayun's Tomb?

   • A.Ustad Ahmad Lahori
   • B.Mirak Mirza Ghiyas✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Ustad Mansoor
   • D.Daswant

   Explanation: Humayun's Tomb in Delhi was constructed under the patronage of his wife and designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas.

5. Q5.In which year was the Battle of Talikota fought?

   • A.1526
   • B.1556
   • C.1565✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1761

   Explanation: The Battle of Talikota was fought in 1565 AD. This battle led to the collapse of the Vijayanagara Empire.

6. Q6.Nadir Shah invaded India during the reign of which Mughal Emperor?

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

   Explanation: Nadir Shah invaded India in 1739 AD during the reign of Muhammad Shah and defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Karnal.

7. Q7.Who was the 'Poet-Laureate' of Shah Jahan's reign?

   • A.Faizi
   • B.Kaleem✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Qudsi
   • D.Munir

   Explanation: Shah Jahan appointed the Persian poet Kaleem (Abu Jalih) as 'Rajakavi' (Poet-Laureate).

8. Q8.The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between:

   • A.Akbar and Hemu
   • B.Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
   • C.Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali✓ Correct Answer
   • D.British and French

   Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on January 14, 1761, between the Marathas (led by Sadashivrao Bhau) and the Afghans (led by Ahmad Shah Abdali).

9. Q9.Hem Chandra (Hemu) assumed which title after winning a battle against the Mughals?

   • A.Maharajadhiraja
   • B.Vikramaditya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chakravartin
   • D.Sultan

   Explanation: Hemu assumed the title of 'Vikramaditya' after winning the battle against the Mughal governor of Delhi, Tardi Beg. He is known as Hem Chandra Vikramaditya.

10. Q10.Who was the first English merchant to visit Agra and Fatehpur Sikri?

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

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

11. Q11.Where is the Tomb of Akbar located?

    • A.Sikandara✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Agra
    • C.Aurangabad
    • D.Fatehpur Sikri

    Explanation: The tomb of Akbar is located at Sikandara, a small village founded by Sikandar Lodi on the outskirts of Agra. It was completed by his son Jahangir in 1613 AD.

12. Q12.The Persian translation of the Mahabharata done during Akbar's time is titled as:

    • A.Anwar-i-Suhaili
    • B.Razmnama✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Hasht Bahisht
    • D.Ayar Danish

    Explanation: The Mahabharata was translated into Persian under the supervision of Faizi and was titled 'Razmnama' (Book of Wars).

13. Q13.Who wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Akbari'?

    • A.Abul Fazl
    • B.Abdul Qadir Badauni
    • C.Akbar Khan Sarwani
    • D.Nizamuddin Ahmed✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Tabaqat-i-Akbari, also called Tarikh-i-Nizami, was written by Khwaja Nizamuddin Ahmed.

14. Q14.Which Jain monk was honoured with the title of 'Jagadguru' by Akbar?

    • A.Hemachandra
    • B.Hari Vijay Suri✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jinasena
    • D.Umaswati

    Explanation: Hari Vijay Suri was the Jain monk who stayed in Akbar's court for a few years and was honoured with the title of 'Jagadguru'.

15. Q15.Daswant, a famous painter, was the courtier of which Mughal Emperor?

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

    Explanation: Daswant was a famous painter in the court of Akbar. Abul Fazl listed him as one of the outstanding painters of the time.

16. Q16.Who was the ruler of India when the English East India Company was formed?

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

    Explanation: The English East India Company was formed in 1600 AD. At that time, Akbar (1556-1605 AD) was the Emperor of India.

17. Q17.Who was the first Englishman to visit Akbar's court?

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

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

18. Q18.In which year did Akbar abolish the Jizya tax?

    • A.1562
    • B.1563
    • C.1564✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1582

    Explanation: Akbar abolished the Jizya tax in 1564 AD as part of his liberal religious policy. He also abolished the pilgrimage tax in 1563.

19. Q19.Akbar merged Bengal and Bihar into his empire in which year?

    • A.1590
    • B.1575
    • C.1576✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1572

    Explanation: Akbar merged Bengal and Bihar into the Mughal empire in 1576 AD after defeating Daud Khan.

20. Q20.Who introduced the 'Do-aspa and Sih-aspa' system?

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

    Explanation: The 'Do-aspa and Sih-aspa' system was introduced by Jahangir. It allowed Mansabdars to maintain more soldiers without raising their rank.