WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 5 The Mughal Empire Topic A Foundation Expansion And The Law Of Succession Of The Mughal Empire

WBBSE Chapter 5 Topic A Foundation Expansion And The Law Of Succession Of The Mughal Empire Long Question And Answers

Question 1. How did Babur set up the Mughal Empire?
Answer:

Babur set up the Mughal Empire:

Babur established the Mughal Empire in North India in 1526. In his autobiography Tuzuk- i-Baburi, he speaks of his strong desire to conquer Hindustan.

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Contribution of Babur in the foundation of the Mughal Empire

1. First Battle of Panipat: Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last Sultan of Delhi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526). The Lodi dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate ended and Mughal rule was established in North India.
2. Conquest of North India: Babur conquered Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Gwalior, and Kanauj in North India to strengthen the infant Mughal State.
3. Victory in the Battle of Khanua: In 1527, in the Battle of Khanua, Babur defeated Rana Sanga, the Rajput ruler of Mewar, supported by the Afghans. This further strengthened the Mughal polity.
4. Conquest of Chanderi fort: In 1528, Babur defeated Medini Rao, the ruler of Chanderi in the Battle of Chanderi and conquered and annexed some more territories.
5.  Victory in the Battle of Gharghara: In 1529, Babur defeated the Afghans of Bengal and Bihar, led by Mahmud Lodi, the brother of Ibrahim Lodi and the ruler of Jaunpur, Sher Khan of Bihar, and Nusrat Khan, the Sultan of Bengal, in the Battle of Gharghara fought to the north of Patna, at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Gharghara.

Question 2. What were the causes of Babur’s victory in the First Battle of Panipat?
Answer:

• Babur entered India from Kabul, conquered Punjab, and proceeded toward Delhi. At that time, the Sultan of Delhi was Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty.
• Babur defeated and killed Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. The Lodi Dynasty as well as the Delhi Sultanate ended and Babur established Mughal rule in India.

Conceptual Questions on Cultural Contributions During Mughal Rule

Causes of Babur’s victory in the First Battle of Panipat

1. Use of cannons: Babur was the first ruler to use cannons on Indian soil. As a result, the infantry, cavalry, and archers of Lodi collapsed before him.
2. Developed war tactics: Babur used innovative and scientific war techniques like Tulghuma and Rumi.
   1. The Tulghuma consisted of artillery backed by swift Uzbek horsemen attacking the enemy.
   2. The Rumi method consisted of constructing a false barrier of ox-drawn carts laid serially followed by a series of cannons behind, mounted on mounds of mud.
   3. By these methods, Babur defeated Lodi easily.
3.  Leadership:
   1. Babur himself was an efficient and experienced military commander and strategist.
   2. He was fearless and incorporated loyalty among his men. In contrast, Lodi was inexperienced and unpopular.
4. Well-organised and disciplined army: The Lodi army was vast but lacked cohesion. Babur’s army was small but the cavalry and infantry were well-trained, loyal, and disciplined.

Question 3. “The Battle of Khanua was more significant than the First Battle of Panipat.”-Discuss.
Answer:

“The Battle of Khanua was more significant than the First Battle of Panipat.”

In 1527 at the Battle of Khanua, Babur defeated Rana Sanga, the ruler of Mewar. The results of this battle were more significant than those of the First Battle of Panipat.

1. Foundation of Mughal Empire: The Mughal power was established in North India on a stronger basis whereas by victory in Panipat, the foundation of the Mughal rule was merely set up in North India.
2. Decline of Rajput power: The defeat of the Rajputs at Khanua shattered their power and destroyed the dream of Rana Sanga to set up Rajput rule over Delhi and Agra.
3. Decline of Afghan domination: The Afghan dream of re-establishing control over Delhi and Agra with the help of the Rajputs also received a setback.
4. Opinion of historians: Historian Rushbrook Williams opines that Babur’s victory at Panipat would have been of no use had he not gained victory at Khanua.

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Question 4. Give an estimate of Babur as a ruler and as a person.
Answer:

Babur possessed extraordinary merit as a person and as a ruler. Historian Vincent Smith opines that Babur was the most gifted among the contemporary kings of Asia and deserves the highest rank among the Indian rulers.

Babur as a ruler and as a person

1. Qualities as a ruler:

Babur was only eleven years old when he lost both his father and his patrimony but he never gave up his dream of establishing an empire.

1. He fulfilled this dream at the age of 48 years by laying the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.
2. He fought almost incessantly for four years, from 1526 to 1530 against the Afghans and the Rajputs.
3. He paid little attention to various features of administration like revenue collection, and improvement of agriculture. He retained the Sultanate system of administration though he divided the authority of his empire among the Amirs.

Remarks:

Considering all the points mentioned above, Babur is said to have failed as a ruler. Since he was greatly engaged in waging wars against Afghans and Rajputs it was not possible for him to pay attention to the administration or to consolidate his empire.

2. Qualities as a person:

Babur was a man of versatile qualities.

1. Historian Rushbrook Williams lists qualities of Babur like ambition, farsightedness, military acumen, ability to inspire loyalty in his soldiers, sense of justice, and tolerant outlook. His relative Mirza Haidar says that Babur possessed a combination of indomitable courage and humanity.
2. He was fond of nature, literature, learning, and music.
3. He was affectionate and dutiful towards his friends and relatives.

Question 5. How can Sher Shah be called the connecting link between sultan Alauddin Khilji and Akbar?
Answer:

Sher Shah was the only ruler of Delhi, who can be called the connecting link between Sultan Alauddin Khilji and Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Sher Shah is a connecting link between Alauddin Khilji and Akbar

• Administrative point of view: Like Alauddin Khilji, Sher Shah introduced absolute monarchy and centralization of administration in his empire and his policies were, in turn, adopted by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar.
• Determination of revenue tax: Similar to Alauddin Khilji, Sher Shah carried out the system of assessment of land revenue by proper measurements of land and on the basis of the fertility of the soil. Akbar too followed a similar system.
• Military reforms: Following the Khilji model, Sher Shah too built up a standing, well-equipped and well-trained army. Horses were branded with the imperial mark and descriptive rolls of soldiers were maintained under both rulers. Akbar also introduced the same measures and the Mansabdari System to streamline civil and military administration.

Real-Life Scenarios Involving Political Alliances in the Mughal Era

Question 6. Write notes on Humayunnama and Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri.
Answer:

Humayun Nama

• Composition: Gulbadan Begum, the daughter of Babur, composed Humayunnama as the biography of her brother, Mughal emperor Humayun in 1587. Composed in Persian, it describes various events of Humayan’s life as well as the history of the Mughals from the years 1530 to 1553.
• Subject matter:
  • Babur has been mentioned but more details of Humayun’s family life are found. It describes Humayun’s accession to the Mughal throne.
  • It also talks about his defeat by Sher Shah and his consequent flight to Persia and the recovery of the domain after Sher Shah’s death.
• Significance: Gulbadan Begum was an excellent observer. Her expressions are clear and fluent. The language is lucid and without any bias. The descriptions are absolutely authentic.

Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri

• Composition: Mughal Emperor Jahangir composed his autobiography, the Tuzuk-i- Jahangiri. Comprising two parts, it describes twelve years of his reign.
• Subject matter: The Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri clearly presents the portrait of a ruler, his character, and his personality. It talks about the style of administration and also throws light on contemporary social, economic, political, and military conditions.
• Significance:
  • The Tuzuk-l-Jahangiri vividly describes the extent of the Mughal Empire, the economy, judicial administration, and Jahangir’s love for justice.
  • However, Jahangir has concealed several facts like his revolt against his father, Akbar, the death of his eldest son, Khusru, and also his marriage to Nur Jahan.
  • Therefore, though this book has immense historical significance, one should keep the omissions in mind when. depending on just this text to develop a clear idea of the times.

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 5 Question Answer

Question 7. Discuss the objectives of Akbar’s policy of conquest.
Answer:

Mughal Emperor Akbar was the first Mughal who wanted to set up a vast consolidated empire. He was an imperialist and decided to undertake an aggressive military policy. He had certain motives behind his policy of conquests.

Objectives of Akbar’s Conquest Policy

• Establishment of empire over the Indian subcontinent: Akbar wanted to establish his control all over India. He sent his troops not only to North India but also to the Deccan and to the far South.

• Retrieval of ancestral territories: Akbar succeeded in recovering quite a few Indian territories that had slipped out of the hands of his predecessors.
• National integration:
• Akbar followed a policy of political unification and brought numerous small kingdoms under Mughal suzerainty.
• Akbar built a unified empire and set up a universal system of administration implementing similar laws and taxes all over the empire. He thus restored internal peace.

Question 8. How did Akbar extend the boundaries of the Mughal Empire by a policy of war and alliance?
Answer:

Mughal Emperor Akbar extended the boundaries of the Mughal Empire, since the time of the second Battle of Panipat to the conquest of Asirgarh. He followed a parallel policy of military aggression and alliance.

Policy of war

Akbar followed a war-based policy against Malwa and Gondwana.

1. Malwa: Under the leadership of Abdullah Khan Uzbek, the Mughal army occupied Malwa and re-established Mughal rule over it.
2. Gondwana: Asaf Khan attacked and conquered a part of Gondwana (present Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh) and annexed it to the Mughal Empire.
3. Gujarat: Akbar invaded Gujarat and occupied Ahmedabad and Surat.
4. Bengal: Akbar invaded Bengal and conquered and annexed it, after defeating and killing Daud Khan in the Battle of Rajmahal.
5. North-Western Frontier: Akbar occupied Sindh, Baluchistan, and Kandahar subsequently.

Policy of alliance

1. Submission of Raja Biharimal:

• Akbar followed a policy of friendly alliance with many states. While Akbar was proceeding towards Ajmer, he received a willing submission from Biharimal, the ruler of Amber (Jaipur).
• He married Biharimal’s daughter Jodha Bai and appointed his son, Bhagwan Das, and grandson Man Singh as Mansabdars.

2. Submission of Rajput Kingdoms: Akbar received the allegiance of other Rajput states like Ranathambhore, Kalinjar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Marwar.

Question 9. Write a note on Jahangir’s reign.
Answer:

With the death of Akbar the Great, his eldest son, Salim ascended the throne in 1605, adopting the title, Nuruddin Jahangir Badshah Ghazi.

Jahangir’s reign

1. Suppression of revolts:

Upon accession to the throne, Jahangir had to face the revolt of his eldest son, Khusru, who was defeated, imprisoned, and killed. He also executed Arjun Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru for allegedly helping Khusru.

2. Laws regarding public welfare:

Jahangir promulgated the Dastur-ul-Amal, a collection of twelve laws, aimed at public welfare. Some of them included Tamgha (a toll tax), Mir Bahri (a tax levied on water-borne trade), a ban on the slaughter of animals on particular days, suppression of bandits and control over burglary.

3. Expansion of empire:

Jahangir also extended his empire by defeating the Baro- Bhuyans, the feudal lords of Bengal, and Amar Singh, the ruler of Mewar. He also captured Bijapur and Golconda in the Deccan, the kingdom of Ahmadnagar, Cooch Behar in North-East India, Orissa, and Kangra Fort.

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4. Economic and cultural development:

Jahangir encouraged the export of cotton textiles, silk, indigo, and sulfur to Europe which brought economic prosperity. He patronized miniature paintings and calligraphy, which contributed a great deal to the development of Mughal art.

Question 10. Discuss the north-western frontier policy of Jahangir and Shah Jahan for the expansion of the Mughal empire.
Answer:

The Mughal emperors, Jahangir and Shah Jahan followed an aggressive north-western frontier policy to extend the Mughal empire. Initially, Kandahar was conquered but it could not be retained by the Mughals.

North-western frontier campaign of Jahangir

• First Campaign: In 1615, Jahangir conducted an expedition against Kandahar, led by Muktazz Khan, the governor of Punjab and Surajmal. However, the expedition failed due to their inept leadership.
• Second campaign: Three years later, in 1618 Prince Khurram (the future Shah Jahan) led another expedition to conquer Kandahar. The expedition was initially a success but in 1622, Shah Abbas reconquered Kandahar from the Mughals.

North-western frontier campaign of Shah Jahan

• Retrieval of Kandahar: The Mughals had lost Kandahar during Jahangir’s reign. Though Shah Jahan recovered Kandahar, he could not retain it for long. The Persians conquered it again. Shah Jahan was unsuccessful in recovering Kandahar despite leading three successive expeditions.
• Consequences: The north-western frontier policy of the Mughals was a failure.
  • It exposed the weakness of the Mughal army.
  • About twelve crore rupees were spent and thousands of Mughal soldiers died in the expedition.
  • Kandahar slipped out of the hands of the Mughals and the north-western frontier became vulnerable to foreign invaders.

Question 11. Was there any law of succession among the Mughals? How far did it affect their rule?
Answer:

• The law of succession among the Mughals Babur’s ancestor Timur adopted the policy of dividing the empire among the heirs. After the foundation of the Mughal empire in India, Babur was the first to break up the Timurid policy.
• Humayun also followed the same tradition. However, the Mughals had no definite law of succession.

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Historical Knowledge

Its influence on future policy

• Babur had nominated Humayun as his successor. But after the sudden death of Humayun, his son Akbar became the ruler of Delhi. He was then barely thirteen. After Akbar, his eldest son Jahangir ascended the throne.
• But dissension soon arose among the Mughals. In .1627 Jahangir died and a war of succession began between his sons. Ultimately Shah Jahan came out victorious and occupied the throne with the support of the army and nobles.
• The last years of Shah Jahan’s life were miserable. Even in his lifetime, a war of succession began between his sons. In a fratricidal strife, Aurangzeb killed Dara and Murad. After some time Suja fled to Arakan and died there.
• As a result of these wars of succession, unity, and fins. Akbar’s acquisition of power after the stability of the empire was much impaired.

Question 12. What were the humane measures adopted by Sher Shah in his administration?
Answer:

Apart from being a great warrior and successful imperialist, Sher Shah is remembered as a philanthropic and able administrator and leader. His primary objective was to ensure and overall welfare of his subjects.

Humane measures adopted by Sher Shah in his administration

• Kabuliyat and Patta: Shar Shah recognized the rights of the tenants and liabilities of the state and defined them clearly in documents known as ‘Pattas’ and “kabuliyats’ respectively.
• Construction of roadways: Sher Shah improved communication by building many high roads. The most famous of them was Sarak-i-Azam (now known as Grand Trunk Road) connecting Peshawar in the north-western frontier with Sonargaon in Bengal.
• Trees and inns:  These roads were lined with trees and wells. ‘Sarai’s (inns) were constructed at a distance of every ‘krosh’.
• Improvements of the postal system: Sher Shah was the first ruler in India who introduced postal service on horseback.
• Dag and Hulia: He also reintroduced the system of ‘Dag’ or branding the horses and ‘Hulia’ or preparation of accurate descriptive roles of the soldiers.

Conclusion:

Thus Sher Shah had built up an efficient administration only within a short span of five years.

Question 13. How did Akbar acquire power after the death of Humayun? Or, What led to the Second Battle of Panipat (1556)?
Answer:

Akbar’s acquisition of power after Humayun’s death

1. Ascension to the throne:

• After Humayun’s death, his son Akbar became the Badshah i.e., ruler of Delhi. He was then only thirteen years old. For some time he was under the guardianship of Bairam Khan, his father’s friend.
• At that time there were risings in different parts of the country, but Bairam Khan quickly suppressed these risings.

2. The role of Bairam Khan in the Second Battle of Panipat:

• In the meantime, Himu, the minister of the Afghan Chief, Adil Shah, had promptly occupied Delhi and Agra. Bairam Khan and Akbar proceeded with a strong force to recover Delhi and Agra from Himu.
• In the battle of Panipat in 1556, Himu was defeated. As a result Delhi and Agra again came under the control of the Mughals.

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3. Result:

By Akbar’s victory in this battle foundation of the Mughal empire was securely laid.

Question 14. How did Jahangir and Shah Jahan maintain the administrative system of the Mughals?
Answer:

The administrative system of Jahangir and Shah Jahan

1. Jahangir:

• After the accession to the throne, Jahangir maintained much of the liberal principles of administration of his father’s time. With the expansion of the Mughal rule towards the Deccan, during his rule, the new mansabdars also got in touch with the Mughal system.
• In addition to them, the Rajputs were there. Consequently, court rivalry ensued among themselves. At last, Mewar was occupied by Jahangir.

2. Shah Jahan:

• During Shah Jahan’s reign, the Mughals lost their control over Kandahar and could not retain Balkh and Badakhshan for long. During his rule, the Rajputs were all favored with high offices in the imperial administration.
• With the submission of Golconda and Bijapur to the Mughals, a treaty was signed among them in 1636. Thus Shah Jahan made an attempt to solve the problem of the Deccan and the Mughal administrative unchanged structure.

Conclusion:

Though Jahangir and Shah Jahan tried their best to keep the Muhgal structure intact in later times, court politics started. All their attempts ultimately failed because of their inefficiency and inability.

Question 15. Describe Aurangzeb’s religious policy.
Answer:

Aurangzeb’s religious policy :

1. Religious intolerance:

The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was highly orthodox and conservative. He wanted to convert India from Dar-ul-Harb (Land of the Infidels) to Dar-ul-Islam (Land of the Faithful).

2. Ban on anti-Islamic practices:

• He tried to set up an Islamic State. He emphasized on the Shariat (religious law of Islam). He stopped the celebration of the Nauroz (Persian New Year), witnessing from the Jharokha and music and dance at the royal court.
• He forbade the lighting of lamps at Darghas of Sufi saints and Pirs and the processions during Muharram. He stopped the practice of mentioning Kalma on coins.

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3. Anti-Hinduistic policy:

• His religious policy was aimed particularly against the Hindus. He re-imposed Jizya on them in 1679. He banned the celebration of festivals like Holi and Diwali and religious fairs.
• Such measures alienated the Hindus, particularly the Rajputs, who no longer were loyal to the Mughals. It also gave rise to numerous revolts by Hindu subjects

Question 16. Give an account of Akbar’s religious policy.
Answer:

• Elimination of influence of Ulemas: Mughal Emperor Akbar tried to remove the influence of the Ulemas and establish his own control over the state. He reintroduced the practices of Khutba and the Mazhar Nama.
• Stability of empire: He emphasized on Hindu- Muslim unity to strengthen the empire. He realized that the empire would break up, if he did not maintain a cordial relationship with non-Muslims, including the Hindus.
• National ruler: His policy of universal tolerance and equality was made. him acceptable to all. It enabled him to become a national ruler due to his generous religious principles.

Question 17. Write what you know about the Battle of Haldighat.
Answer:

Battle of Haldighat:

• The Mughal Emperor Akbar followed an aggressive and imperialistic military policy. He waged war against the Rajputs attacked and conquered Chittor. The Rajput rulers accepted Akbar’s suzerainty one by one.
• The only ruler who did not accept the Mughal domination was Rana Udai Singh. After his death, the struggle against the Mughals was continued by his worthy son Rana Pratap Singh.
• A vast Mughal army, led by Man Singh of Amber and Asaf Khan, set out to conquer the western part of Mewar. Rana Pratap intercepted it. Thus, the Battle of Haldighat took place in 1576, between them.
• The Rana was defeated but managed to escape and continued his struggle till his death but he never accepted the Mughal domination.

Question 18. Why was Humayun defeated by the Afghans?
Answer:

Humayun defeated by the Afghans:

Humayun was nominated by Babur as his successor. But Humayun abandoned the Timuride policy of dividing the empire among the heirs. He only distributed their responsibility among them. Since they did not get the direct responsibility of administration, they also did not try earnestly to protect the interest of the empire. Therefore the Mughals, though the superior force, could not defeat the Afghans.

WBBSE Chapter 5 Topic A Foundation Expansion And The Law Of Succession Of The Mughal Empire Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who were the Mughals?
Answer:

Mughals:

1. Origin: The word ‘Mong’ gave rise to ‘Mongol’, from which the term ‘Mughal’ has been derived.
2. Native land: The Mongols were the original inhabitants of Mongolia in Central Asia.
3. Foundation of Mongol Empire: The Mongol chief Genghis Khan unified all the Mongol tribes, defeated the Tartars, and set up the Mongol Empire.
4. Babur and Mughal dynasty: Babur founded the Mughal Empire in India. He was the fifth descendant of Timur on his father’s side and the fourteenth descendant of Genghis Khan, on his mother’s side.

Question 2. How did Timur establish his empire? Why did the successors of Timur lose their power in the 15th century?
Answer:

Timur established his empire:

• Timur took advantage of the fall of the Mongol Empire and conquered many territories of Central Asia. They included eastern Iran or Khorasan, Iraq and some parts of Turkey.
• However, in the 15th century, the successors of Timur lost their power due to the traditional partition of the empire, among the descendants.

Question 3. How was Babur successful in setting up an empire in India in spite of his failure in central Asia?
Answer:

• Experience: Babur was unable to retain his ancestral kingdom of Farghana in Central Asia, but, this experience taught him a great deal and helped him greatly in his later life.
• Opportunity: He also benefitted by the inner conflicts among the Lodis of Delhi, the strife among the Afghan military commanders, and the political disunity and military weaknesses of the Rajputs.
• War Tactics: Babur’s knowledge of the Central Asian military techniques such as Tulghuma and Rumi, usage of artillery, guns and cannons made him invincible. These enabled him to set up an empire in North India.

Question 4. Write a short note on the First Battle of Panipat.
Answer:

First Battle of Panipat:

• Background:
  • Babur had attacked North India to capture its huge wealth and enormous agricultural resources and with the prospect of setting up an empire in North India.
  • He benefitted by the political instability of North India and the conflicts within the Lodi dynasty.
• War: The First Battle of Panipat took place on 21st April 1526 at Panipat, in modern Haryana, between the Mughal invader Babur and Ibrahim Lodi, the last Sultan of Delhi.
• Consequences: Babur won a victory at Panipat and established the Mughal rule in India. As a result, the Lodi Dynasty, as well as the Delhi Sultanate, came to end.

Important Definitions Related to Mughal Governance

Question 5. Write a note on the Battle of Ghogra/ Gharghara.
Answer:

Battle of Ghogra/ Gharghara:

• Background: East Indian Afghan leaders were unified under the leadership of Mahmud Lodi, brother of Ibrahim Lodi.
• War:
  • The Battle of Ghogra/Gharghara was fought in 1529, between the Mughal ruler Babur and the Afghan chiefs of Bengal and Bihar, led by Mahmud Lodi, the brother of the slain Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi.
  • Babur defeated the Afghans at the confluence of the two rivers, Ganga and Gharghara to the north of Patna.
• Consequences: The Afghans accepted Mughal suzerainty and Mughal power was enhanced in India.

Question 6. Describe Babur’s military strategy at the battles of Panipat and Khanua.
Answer:

• Army structure: Babur’s army comprised of well-equipped and well-trained infantry, artillery, gunners, archers, cavalry, and large cannons.
• War tactics: The artillery fired at the enemy from the front. A part of the cavalry attacked the enemy from the rear and the two sides.
• Final step: They created chaos and terror within the enemy. The two simultaneous attacks confused the opponent. The rest of the cavalry disintegrated them by attacking from the front side.

Question 7. How did Humayun reclaim the Mughal throne of Delhi after leading a life of exile?
Answer:

• The assistance of Persia: Humayun was driven out of India in 1540 by Sher Khan, who ruled North India as Sher Shah from 1540 to 1545. He fled to Persia. Later, Tahmasp, the Shah of Persia provided him with military assistance to march to India.
• Retrieval of territories: He conquered Kabul, Kandahar, Lahore, and Dipalpur.
• Recovery of Delhi: Taking advantage of Afghan disunity, he conquered Delhi and Agra, in 1555. Thus, he re-established Mughal power in North
  India.

Question 8. What are Kabuliyat and Patta?
Answer:

• Kabuliyat: It was a document submitted by a peasant to the government. It contained the amount of revenue to be paid regularly by the peasants to the government.
• Patta: The government gave a document or Patta to the peasant that recorded the area of the agricultural plot, the name of the farmer, his rights and privileges, and the revenue payable by him.

Importance:

1. Sher Shah introduced these two documents to safeguard the rights and privileges of both the state and the peasants.
2. Sher Shah modernized the tax system by the introduction of Kabuliyat and Patta.

Question 9. How did Sher Shah improve transport and communication?
Answer:

Sher Shah constructed several roads to improve transport and communication.

1. First Road construction: He constructed a road, the Sarak-i Azam (Grand Trunk Road), from Sonargaon in Bengal to Peshawar in the north-western frontier.
2. Second road construction: Another road from Agra to Chittor via Jodhpur was built.
3. Third road construction: A third road ran from the waged war against the Rajputs attacked and Lahore to Multan.

Question 10. Write a short note on the Second Battle of Panipat.
Answer:

• Background:
  • In the Second Battle of Panipat fought in 1556, Akbar and Bairam Khan on the side of the Mughals, defeated Hemu the commander-in-chief of Adil Shah, the Sultan of Delhi.
  • There was chaos in Delhi due to the absence of a strong ruler. Akbar tried to occupy Delhi and Agra and came into conflict with Hemu.
• War: In the Second Battle of Panipat Hemu was defeated and beheaded by Akbar with the aid of Bairam Khan.
• Mughal rule was Important: The Mughals- were established in Agra and Delhi and Hemu’s dream of establishing a Hindu Empire in North India ended.

Question 11. Describe Shah Jahan’s Central Asian expedition.
Answer:

Shah Jahan’s Central Asian expedition:

• Suppression of Uzbek revolts: The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan sent a well-equipped army to Central Asia to crush the Uzbeks, an aggressive mountainous tribe.
• Conquest of Samarkhand: He also wanted to conquer Balkh and Badakhshan and recover Samarkhand, the capital of Timur.
• Leadership: Under his instructions, at first, Murad and Ali Mardan and then Aurangzeb led expeditions against Balkh and Badakhshan but were forced to retreat due to the opposition of the Uzbeks. Thus, Shah Jahan’s Central Asian expedition was a failure.

Question 12. What were the main aims of Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy?
Answer:

The main aims of Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy were

• Annexation of Bijapur: Bijapur was forced to surrender after an eighteen-month-long siege. It was annexed to the Mughal empire in 1686.
• Annexation of Golconda: Aurangzeb attacked Golconda in 1687 after the conquest of Bijapur. Golconda was defeated and annexed to the Mughal empire.
• Remarks: Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy failed and political turmoil in the Deccan paved the way towards the decline of the Mughal empire.

Question 13. What do you know about the Mughal-Afghan rivalry?
Answer:

• Significance of the First Battle of Panipat:
  • Babur won the victory in the first Battle of Panipat and established the Mughal rule in India.
  • But it will be wrong to think that the sovereignty of India passed into Babur’s hands after the victory at Panipat.
• Rise of the Afghans:
  • When Humayun succeeded Babur, the Afghans of Bihar again raised their head under the able leadership of Sher Khan.
  • After losing the Battle of Chausa in 1539 and again at Bilgram of Kanauj in 1540, Humayun had to flee to Persia.

Conclusion:

With the accession of Sher Shah to the throne of Delhi, the Mughal empire which Babur had founded was destroyed and the ‘second Afghan domination’ started.

Question 14. Who were Abul Fazl and Abdul Qadir Badauni?
Answer:

• Abul Fazl and Abdul Qadir Badauni: Abul Fazl was a man of wide culture and pure spiritual ideals. He was the author of ‘Akbarnama’, the official history of Akbar’s reign. Abdul Qadir Badayuni was a historian and translator living in the Mughal Empire. He was the author of Muntakhab-ul-Twarikh.
• Assessment: Both of them entered the service of Akbar in 1574. Abul Fazl highlighted the qualities of the emperor. The name ‘Akbarnama’ means ‘Book of Akbar’. But to know history only praises are not enough. Of the two, Abul Fazl was closer to the emperor.

Question 15. Write about the Battle of Mewar.
Answer:

Background:

Akbar understood the value of the Rajput alliance in building an empire in India. He followed a policy of reconciliation with the Rajputs in order to secure their cooperation.

Battle:

• Almost all the Rajput kings honored his policy and surrendered to him. But Uday Singh, son of Rana Sangram Singh was an exception. Akbar laid the seige of Chittor in 1567 AD.
• But Uday Singh fought a brave war, though the fort fell to the Mughals (1568). Uday Singh fled. But the Mughals till death. Akbar defeated him in his son Rana Pratap Singh kept fighting against the Battle of Haldighat in 1576.
• The Mughal army fought under the command of the Mughal emperor’s general Man Singh, who was also a Rajput.

Question 16. What do you know about Birbal?
Answer:

Birbal:

• Birbal or Raja Birbal was a Hindu advisor and main commander of the army in the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar. He is mostly known for the folk tales which focus on his wit.
• Birbal was appointed by Akbar, as a Prime minister (Wazir-i-Azam) and used to be a poet. His real name was Mahesh Das. Birbal was one of the most important of his courtiers, part of the group called the Navratna (nine jewels).
• By the end of Akbar’s reign, local folk tales emerged involving his interactions with him, portraying him as extremely clever and witty. The tales gained popularity in the Indian subcontinent. He belonged to a Brahmin family in Madhya Pradesh.

Question 17. Write about the regional uprisings during the closing years of the Mughal rule.
Answer:

The regional uprisings during the closing years of the Mughal rule:

During Aurangzeb’s regime Jaths, Satnamis, Bundelas, Sikhs, Rajputs, Marathas, and the north-west frontier Afghans rose against Mughal misrule.

1. Jaths: In 1669, Jaths revolted and succeeded in founding an independent kingdom in Bharatpur.
2. Satnamis: Satnami peasants revolted in 1672 and thought routed, refused to accept Mughal subjugation.
3. Other regional powers: Sikhs, Marathas and the Bundela Rajputs also opposed the Mughal rule.

Conclusion:

Sometimes uprisings are supposed to be revolts against the religious policy of Aurangzeb. Sometimes they are believed to be agrarian ones.

Question 18. Why Shah Jahan’s expedition to Central Asia was a failure?
Answer:

• Objective: The main purpose of Shah Jahan’s expedition to Central Asia was to suppress the turbulent hill tribes of the region.
• Background: Central Asia was the ancestral homeland of the Mughals. Almost all the Mughal emperors tried to occupy that territory.
• Leadership:
  • It was during the reign of Shah Jahan when a planned policy was adopted by the Mughals to conquer Central Asia. According to the instructions of Shah Jahan, at first, Prince Murad and Alimardan were sent to Balkh and Badakhshan.
  • Next, Shah Jahan deputed Aurangzeb there. But both the expeditions of Shah Jahan failed and his Central Asian policy was entirely useless due to the stiff opposition of the Uzbeks.

Short Answers on Babur and the Establishment of the Mughal Empire

Question 19. What was the ‘prayer of Babur’?
Answer:

Prayer of Babur:

• According to legends, Humayun was then critically ill. He had just returned to India from Badakhshan in Afghanistan. When the news came to Babur about Humayun’s illness, he got worried.
• It is said, then a saint came to Babur and said, “If you make a great sacrifice, if you sacrifice something most precious to you, only then will your son be cured.”
• Babur wanted to sacrifice himself. According to legend, Humayun recovered after Babur’s prayers. But soon after the incident Babur fell ill and died. This story is known as the ‘prayer of Babur’ in history.

Question 20. Why did the Mughals did not regard themselves as Mughals?
Answer:

Mughals did not regard themselves as Mughals:

• Babur, the founder of the house of the Mughals in India, was a descendant of Timur. On his mother’s side he was connected with the family of the Mongol chief Genghis khan. But Babur was not proud of his Mongol connection.
• He always referred to the Mongols with less respect. In practice, he regarded himself as Timuride. Nevertheless Babur and his
  descendants are known as the Mughals in Indian History.

Question 21. How did Timurlane establish his empire in India? How did it fall?
Answer:

Timurlane establish his empire in India:

• Timurlane invaded Northern India in 1398. So the Mongols thought they will be ruling the northern part of India for a long.
• But with the fall of the Mongol dynasty in the 15th century, Mongol dominance almost decreased. Because their policy of dividing the empire among the heirs led to the rapid decline of the Timurid empire.

Question 22. What do you mean by ‘Badshah’ and ‘Padshah’?
Answer:

‘Badshah’ and ‘Padshah’:

• Badshah, Padshah, and Padishah are all Persian words. They are almost all identical. Both the two words ‘Pad’ and ‘Bad’ mean ‘lord’ and the word ‘Shah’ means ruler.
• So when the two similar words are joined together, that indicates more strength of the ruler. In 1507, during his stay in Kabul, Babur adopted the title of ‘Padshah’.

Question 23. Was the Battle of Khanua a religious one?
Answer:

Battle of Khanua a religious one:

The Battle of Khanua was fought between Babur and the Rajput chief Rana Sangram Singh. Before the war, Babur motivated his soldiers against the Rajputs on religious grounds. In fact, he liked to unite them. But the battle was not a religious one.

Question 24. What do you mean by ‘sovereign ruler’?
Answer:

Sovereign ruler:

• The word ‘sovereign’ means a supreme ruler, especially a monarch. A person who has power and influence over all others of the world is called a sovereign ruler.
• But it is not at all practicable for a person to rule the entire universe. So it is understood that the domination of a person over a large area with full authority is called sovereignty.
• At the same time, this must be recognized by all. Then only a person may be called a sovereign ruler.

Question 25. Why was Babur successful in founding the Mughal Empire in India?
Answer:

Babur successful in founding the Mughal Empire in India:

• The war tactics used by Babur in the first Battle of Panipat were the ‘tulughma’ and ‘rumi’ which helped Babur to crush the Lodis.
• Moreover, the internal dissension of the Lodis, the weakness of the Rajput martial power and the efficient use of Babur’s artillery worked wonders. In spite of the superior numerical strength, Ibrahim Lodi was defeated and killed.

Question 26. Who were Baro-Bhuyans?
Answer:

Baro-Bhuyans:

After his accession to the throne, Jahangir, the son, and successor of Akbar, turned his attention towards the Baro-Bhuyans or twelve territorial landlords who put up strong resistance to the Mughals and still then remained unsubdued of them, Pratapaditya, Kedar Roy, Chand Roy, and Isha Khan deserve special mention. Jahangir succeeded in winning their submission.

Question 27. Who was Nur Jahan?
Answer:

Nur Jahan:

Nur Jahan was the twentieth wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. After her wedding to the emperor, Nur Jahan’s rise to power was swift. She was the most powerful and influential woman at the Mughal court. She was more decisive and active than the husband. She is considered by same to be the real power behind the throne.

Question 28. Write a short note on Abul Fazl. Abul Fart.
Answer:

Abul Fazl. Abul Fart:

• Abul Fazl, a scholar, warrior, and political thinker came to Akbar’s court in 1579. Emperor Akbar regarded him as his unofficial Prime Minister.
• His works, Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari provide valuable insight into Akbar’s personality and administration. He was murdered in 1602 due to the conspiracy of Akbar’s son, Salim.

WBBSE Chapter 5 Topic A Foundation Expansion And The Law Of Succession Of The Mughal Empire Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. When and between whom the Battle of Chausa was fought?
Answer: The Battle of Chausa was fought between Humayun and Sher Khan in 1539 AD.

Question 2. How did Sher Shah ascend the throne of Delhi?
Answer: Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah in the battles of Chausa (1539) and Bilgram (1540). Thus Sher Shah ascended the throne of Delhi.

Question 3. What were the factions into which the Mughal nobility was divided during Aurangzeb’s reign?
Answer:  In the time of Aurangzeb, the Mughal nobility were divided into three factions: Irani, Turani and Hindusthani.

Question 4. Who were the contestants in the first Battle of Panipat?
Answer: Babur and Ibrahim Lodi were the two contestants in the first Battle of Panipat.

Question 5. Who won the battle of Chausa?
Answer: Sher Shah won the battle of Chausa.

Question 6. Who constructed the Grand Trunk Road?
Answer: Sher Shah built the Grand Trunk Road.

Question 7. To what dynasty Sher Shah belonged?
Answer: Sher Shah belonged to the Suri dynasty.

Question 8. What was the former name of Sher Shah?
Answer: The former name of Sher Shah was Farid Khan.

Question 9. What is meant by the word ‘Humayun’?
Answer: The word ‘Humayun’ means ‘fortunate’.

Question 10. Who was Todarmal?
Answer: Todarmal was the revenue minister of Akbar.

Question 11. What is meant by the word ‘mansab’?
Answer: The word ‘mansab’ means ‘rank’.

Question 12. Who were the two most important opponents of Akbar?
Answer: The Rajputs and Afghans were the two most important opponents of Akbar.

History Class 7 WBBSE

WBBSE Chapter 5 Topic A Foundation Expansion And The Law Of Succession Of The Mughal Empire Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. Babur ascended the throne of Delhi at the age of __________ (twelve/thirteen/fourteen).
Answer: Twelve

Question 2. The Battle of Haldighat was fought in __________ (1526/1556/1576).
Answer: 1576

Question 3. Akbar ascended the throne at the age of __________ (thirteen/fifteen/sixteen).
Answer: Thirteen

Question 4. Padshahnama was composed by __________ (Abul Fazl/Badauni /Abdul Hamid Lahori).
Answer: Abdul Hamid Lahori

Question 5. Bijapur and Golconda were conquered by __________ (Akbar/Shah Jahan/Aurangzeb).
Answer: Aurangzeb

Question 6. Rana Sangram lost the Battle of __________ (Panipat /Khanua/Gharghara).
Answer: Khanua

Question 7. The last battle of Akbar was __________ (Panipat/Khanua/Asirgarh).
Answer: Asirgarh

Question 8. __________ (Sher Khan/Bairam Khan/Isha Khan) was Akbar’s guardian.
Answer: Bairam Khan

Question 9. The former name of Nur Jahan was __________ (Zebunnisa/Meherunnisa/Jodha Bai).
Answer: Meherunnisa

Question 10. ‘Akbarnama’ was composed by __________ (Abul Fazl/Badauni/Falzi).
Answer: Abul Fazl

WBBSE Chapter 5 Topic A Foundation Expansion And The Law Of Succession Of The Mughal Empire True Or False

Question 1. The Mughals had less reverence for Genghis Khan.
Answer: True

Question 2. Tamerlane invaded India in 1398 AD.
Answer: True

Question 3. The Delhi Sultanate used the title ‘Sultan’.
Answer: True

Question 4. Padshah is an Arabic word.
Answer: False

Question 5. While in Kabul Babur adopted the title Padshah.
Answer: True

Question 6. The First Battle of Panipat took place in 1556.
Answer: False

Question 7. Rana Sangram Singh was the Rana of Mewar.
Answer: True

Question 8. Sher Shah introduced ‘Kabuliyat’ and ‘Patta’.
Answer: True

Question 9. The battle of Haldighat was fought in 1526.
Answer: False

Question 10. Sher Shah was one of the nine gems of Akbar.
Answer: False

Question 11. Both Abul Fazl and Badauni were historians.
Answer: True

Question 12. Akbar died in 1605.
Answer: True

Question 13. Baro-Bhuyans were contemporaries of Akbar.
Answer: False

Question 14. Mansabdari system was intorduced by Akbar.
Answer: True