Mughal Empire MCQ: Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal, War of Succession & the Grant of Diwani

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

1. Q1.Which Mughal Emperor was an expert Veena player?

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

   Explanation: Although Aurangzeb banned music in his court, he himself was an accomplished player of the Veena.

2. Q2.Prince Khurram was the childhood name of which Emperor?

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

   Explanation: Prince Khurram ascended the throne in 1628 AD with the title of Shah Jahan.

3. Q3.Who built the Jama Masjid of Delhi?

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

   Explanation: The Jama Masjid in Delhi, one of the largest mosques in India, was built by Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656.

4. Q4.The famous 'Peacock Throne' (Takht-i-Taus) was commissioned by:

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

   Explanation: The Peacock Throne was a jewelled throne commissioned by Shah Jahan. It was later looted by Nadir Shah in 1739.

5. Q5.Who was the chief architect of the Taj Mahal?

   • A.Ustad Isa
   • B.Ustad Ahmad Lahori✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mirak Mirza
   • D.Abul Fazl

   Explanation: Ustad Ahmad Lahori is generally considered to be the chief architect of the Taj Mahal.

6. Q6.Which Mughal Emperor followed the policy of 'Sulah-i-Kul'?

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

   Explanation: Akbar adopted the policy of 'Sulah-i-Kul' (Peace with all / Universal Peace) to maintain religious harmony in his empire.

7. Q7.Which Mughal Emperor banned music and dance in his court?

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

   Explanation: Aurangzeb considered music against Islamic law and banned it in the royal court, although he encouraged writing on music theory.

8. Q8.Who among the following Mughal Emperors was illiterate?

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

   Explanation: Akbar was illiterate as he ascended the throne at a very young age and was more interested in martial arts, but he was a great patron of learning.

9. Q9.Who was the last Mughal Emperor of India?

   • A.Aurangzeb
   • B.Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Shah Alam II
   • D.Alamgir II

   Explanation: Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was the last Mughal Emperor. He was exiled to Rangoon after the Revolt of 1857.

10. Q10.Who granted the 'Diwani' of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha to the East India Company?

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

    Explanation: Shah Alam II granted the Diwani rights to the East India Company through the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765.

11. Q11.'Ain-i-Akbari' is the third volume of which book?

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

    Explanation: Ain-i-Akbari is the third part of Akbar Nama, written by Abul Fazl. It deals with the administration of Akbar.

12. Q12.Who was given the title of 'Shah-i-Buland Iqbal' by Shah Jahan?

    • A.Dara Shukoh✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Shuja
    • C.Aurangzeb
    • D.Murad

    Explanation: Shah Jahan favoured his eldest son Dara Shukoh and bestowed upon him the title of 'Shah-i-Buland Iqbal' (King of High Fortune).

13. Q13.Which battle proved decisive in the war of succession amongst the sons of Shah Jahan?

    • A.Battle of Dharmat
    • B.Battle of Samugarh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Battle of Deorai
    • D.Battle of Bahadurpur

    Explanation: The Battle of Samugarh (May 1658) was the decisive battle where Aurangzeb defeated Dara Shukoh and practically sealed his victory.

14. Q14.In the Mughal land revenue system, land which was cultivated every year was called:

    • A.Polaj✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Parauti
    • C.Chachar
    • D.Banjar

    Explanation: 'Polaj' was the land which was cultivated annually for each crop in succession and was never allowed to lie fallow.

15. Q15.In the Mughal administration, 'Mir Saman' was the head of which department?

    • A.Military
    • B.Imperial Household✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Religious Affairs
    • D.Intelligence

    Explanation: Mir Saman (or Khan-i-Saman) was the officer in charge of the Imperial Household, royal workshops (karkhanas), and stores.

16. Q16.Who translated the mathematical work 'Lilawati' into Persian?

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

    Explanation: Faizi, the poet laureate of Akbar, translated Bhaskaracharya's famous mathematical work 'Lilawati' into Persian.

17. Q17.Aurangzeb annexed which two Deccan kingdoms?

    • A.Ahmednagar and Berar
    • B.Bidar and Khandesh
    • C.Bijapur and Golconda✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Golconda and Ahmednagar

    Explanation: Aurangzeb annexed Bijapur in 1686 AD and Golconda in 1687 AD, extending the Mughal Empire to its furthest limits in the south.

18. Q18.Who started the practice of 'Jharokha Darshan'?

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

    Explanation: Akbar introduced the practice of 'Jharokha Darshan' (appearing to the public from a balcony) to establish a direct connection with his subjects.

19. Q19.Who constructed the Grand Trunk Road (Sadak-i-Azam)?

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

    Explanation: Sher Shah Suri restored and extended the old royal road, known as Sadak-i-Azam (later Grand Trunk Road), running from Sonargaon to Peshawar.

20. Q20.Who was the guardian/regent of Akbar during his early years?

    • A.Hemut
    • B.Bairam Khan✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Abul Fazl
    • D.Munim Khan

    Explanation: Bairam Khan acted as the regent and guardian of Akbar from 1556 to 1560. He played a key role in the Second Battle of Panipat.