Important Questions: The Mughals (16th to 17th Century) - UPSC MCQ

The word mansab is of Arabic origin meaning rank or position. The system determined the rank and status of a government official and military generals. Every civil and military officer was given a mansab, which determined their salaries and allowances. The term manasabadar means a person having a mansab.

• Yes, the statement is True.

• In the Mughal empire, mansabdars received their salaries in the form of revenue assignments known as jagirs. These jagirs were similar to iqtas but most mansabdars did not actually live in or manage their jagirs. Instead, they only had rights to the revenue from these assignments, which was collected for them by their servants.

The Mughals followed a custom called "coparcenary" inheritance, which means dividing the inheritance among all sons. It was their way of sharing the father's estate among all the sons.

The mansabdars were assigned to military responsibilities. For this, they maintained a specified number of sawar or cavalrymen. The mansabdar brought his cavalrymen for review, got them registered, their horses branded and then received money to pay them as salary.

The Mughals imposed systems of governance and administration that outlasted their rule, forming a political legacy that succeeding rulers could not ignore.

the revenue system known as 'zabt' was prevalent in areas where land could be surveyed and accounts kept.

- The Mughal Empire followed the practice of coparcenary inheritance.
- Unlike primogeniture, where the eldest son inherits everything, coparcenary inheritance means that the property is divided among all sons.
- This system often led to conflicts and succession wars among brothers, as each had a legitimate claim to a share of the empire.
- The Mughals believed this practice ensured all royal family members maintained power and were loyal to the ruling emperor.

Jahangir described his father Akbar's policy of 'sulh-i kul.'

International travelers described the Mughal Empire as a place of great opulence because they saw it as very wealthy. This means the Mughal Empire was known for having a lot of riches and luxury, making it seem very grand and rich to those who visited it.

• The statement is True. The Mughals were indeed descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur.
• Genghis Khan was a powerful Mongol ruler, and Timur was a ruler of Iran, Iraq, and modern-day Turkey.

In Indian history, Shahjahan is better known as Prince Khurram before his ascension to the throne. Prince Khurram was his given name at birth, and he was later given the title of Shah Jahan, meaning "King of the World", upon his rise to power. This name is synonymous with his reign and architectural contributions, especially the Taj Mahal.