Selina Textbook Solutions: Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb | History Class 7 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 
Important Words 
? The chain of justice is said to be a chain installed by Jahangir. It was made of pure 
gold with 60 bells attached to it, between the palace and the banks of the river 
Yamuna. Anyone could ring the bell and seek justice. 
? Engineer King is the name by which Shah Jahan is known, as his patronage of 
architecture is one of the most important characteristics of his reign. 
? Shahjahanabad was a new capital city build by Shah Jahan. Now, it is known as 
Old Delhi. 
Time To Learn 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, shows a variety of cultural influences. 
2. Jahangir installed a chain of justice for the seekers of justice. 
3. The treaty of Purandhar was signed between Mughals and Rajput ruler Jain 
Singh. 
4. The original name of Nur Jahan was Mehrunnisa. 
5. Bijapur was annexed in AD 1686. 
6. Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax. 
7. Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Sikh guru, was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. 
8. The Sikhs were organised into a military force called the Khalsa. 
II. Match Column A with Columb B: 
 
Page 2


Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 
Important Words 
? The chain of justice is said to be a chain installed by Jahangir. It was made of pure 
gold with 60 bells attached to it, between the palace and the banks of the river 
Yamuna. Anyone could ring the bell and seek justice. 
? Engineer King is the name by which Shah Jahan is known, as his patronage of 
architecture is one of the most important characteristics of his reign. 
? Shahjahanabad was a new capital city build by Shah Jahan. Now, it is known as 
Old Delhi. 
Time To Learn 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, shows a variety of cultural influences. 
2. Jahangir installed a chain of justice for the seekers of justice. 
3. The treaty of Purandhar was signed between Mughals and Rajput ruler Jain 
Singh. 
4. The original name of Nur Jahan was Mehrunnisa. 
5. Bijapur was annexed in AD 1686. 
6. Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax. 
7. Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Sikh guru, was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. 
8. The Sikhs were organised into a military force called the Khalsa. 
II. Match Column A with Columb B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Jahangir left the administration in the hands of his queen,Nur Jahan. 
True. 
2.  Nur Jahan’s influence was good and lasting for theMughal Empire. 
False. 
3. Shah Jahan had to fight for the throne. 
True. 
4. Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory the built the Taj. 
True. 
5. Shah Jahan died in AD 1666, as a captive in the fort of Agra. 
 True. 
6. Aurangzeb had friendly relation with the Rajputs and theMarathas. 
 False. 
7. The Sikhs were hostile to the Mughal Emperor after the execution of the ninth Sikh 
guru. 
True. 
8. Aurangzeb died in 1707 in the Red Fort at Delhi. 
False. 
9. Aurangzeb reimposed . 
True. 
 
 
Page 3


Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 
Important Words 
? The chain of justice is said to be a chain installed by Jahangir. It was made of pure 
gold with 60 bells attached to it, between the palace and the banks of the river 
Yamuna. Anyone could ring the bell and seek justice. 
? Engineer King is the name by which Shah Jahan is known, as his patronage of 
architecture is one of the most important characteristics of his reign. 
? Shahjahanabad was a new capital city build by Shah Jahan. Now, it is known as 
Old Delhi. 
Time To Learn 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, shows a variety of cultural influences. 
2. Jahangir installed a chain of justice for the seekers of justice. 
3. The treaty of Purandhar was signed between Mughals and Rajput ruler Jain 
Singh. 
4. The original name of Nur Jahan was Mehrunnisa. 
5. Bijapur was annexed in AD 1686. 
6. Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax. 
7. Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Sikh guru, was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. 
8. The Sikhs were organised into a military force called the Khalsa. 
II. Match Column A with Columb B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Jahangir left the administration in the hands of his queen,Nur Jahan. 
True. 
2.  Nur Jahan’s influence was good and lasting for theMughal Empire. 
False. 
3. Shah Jahan had to fight for the throne. 
True. 
4. Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory the built the Taj. 
True. 
5. Shah Jahan died in AD 1666, as a captive in the fort of Agra. 
 True. 
6. Aurangzeb had friendly relation with the Rajputs and theMarathas. 
 False. 
7. The Sikhs were hostile to the Mughal Emperor after the execution of the ninth Sikh 
guru. 
True. 
8. Aurangzeb died in 1707 in the Red Fort at Delhi. 
False. 
9. Aurangzeb reimposed . 
True. 
 
 
IV. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Question 1. 
Jahangir is sometimes called a mixture of opposites. Discuss. 
Answer: 
Sometimes Jahangir was needlessly cruel and inflicted punishments disproportionate to 
the offence committed. For this combination of good qualities and bad qualities of his 
character some historian have rightly called him as ‘the mixture of opposites’. 
Question 2. 
How did Jahangir deal with the European traders? Name two travellers who visited 
Jahangir’s court. 
Answer: 
Jahangir was on good terms with the Portuguese traders. He gave them some trade 
concessions.Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe, visited Jahangir’s court. 
Question 3. 
The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. Do you agree? Give reasons 
for your answer. 
Answer: 
Yes, The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. The points 
describing are as follows: 
1. During the regin of Shah Jahan, there was undisturbed peace within the country. 
There were no foreign threats and Shah Jahan too devoted most of his time in 
maintaining peace and order in the country. Trade and commerce flourished 
bringing in lots of wealth. The land was fertile and revenue flowed into the 
treasury. 
2. Shah Jahan carried out many works of public welfare. Roads, canals, bridges, 
sarais, etc., were constructed for the welfare of the people. Similarly, during the 
famine and plague he did a lot to relieve the people of their sufferings. 
3. Shah Jahan had a natural love for magnificence, which was reflected in the 
buildings that he constructed. His reign is, in fact, called the Golden Age of the 
Mughal Architecture. One of the most important buildings constructed by him is 
the Taj Mahal, which was built in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. 
Question 4. 
Describe the religious policy of Aurangzeb. What were its results? 
Answer: 
Aurangzeb’s religious policy had two aspects i.e: 
1. To promote the tenets of Islam and to ensure that the people led their lives 
accordingly. 
2. To adopt anti-Hindu measures. 
Page 4


Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 
Important Words 
? The chain of justice is said to be a chain installed by Jahangir. It was made of pure 
gold with 60 bells attached to it, between the palace and the banks of the river 
Yamuna. Anyone could ring the bell and seek justice. 
? Engineer King is the name by which Shah Jahan is known, as his patronage of 
architecture is one of the most important characteristics of his reign. 
? Shahjahanabad was a new capital city build by Shah Jahan. Now, it is known as 
Old Delhi. 
Time To Learn 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, shows a variety of cultural influences. 
2. Jahangir installed a chain of justice for the seekers of justice. 
3. The treaty of Purandhar was signed between Mughals and Rajput ruler Jain 
Singh. 
4. The original name of Nur Jahan was Mehrunnisa. 
5. Bijapur was annexed in AD 1686. 
6. Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax. 
7. Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Sikh guru, was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. 
8. The Sikhs were organised into a military force called the Khalsa. 
II. Match Column A with Columb B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Jahangir left the administration in the hands of his queen,Nur Jahan. 
True. 
2.  Nur Jahan’s influence was good and lasting for theMughal Empire. 
False. 
3. Shah Jahan had to fight for the throne. 
True. 
4. Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory the built the Taj. 
True. 
5. Shah Jahan died in AD 1666, as a captive in the fort of Agra. 
 True. 
6. Aurangzeb had friendly relation with the Rajputs and theMarathas. 
 False. 
7. The Sikhs were hostile to the Mughal Emperor after the execution of the ninth Sikh 
guru. 
True. 
8. Aurangzeb died in 1707 in the Red Fort at Delhi. 
False. 
9. Aurangzeb reimposed . 
True. 
 
 
IV. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Question 1. 
Jahangir is sometimes called a mixture of opposites. Discuss. 
Answer: 
Sometimes Jahangir was needlessly cruel and inflicted punishments disproportionate to 
the offence committed. For this combination of good qualities and bad qualities of his 
character some historian have rightly called him as ‘the mixture of opposites’. 
Question 2. 
How did Jahangir deal with the European traders? Name two travellers who visited 
Jahangir’s court. 
Answer: 
Jahangir was on good terms with the Portuguese traders. He gave them some trade 
concessions.Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe, visited Jahangir’s court. 
Question 3. 
The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. Do you agree? Give reasons 
for your answer. 
Answer: 
Yes, The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. The points 
describing are as follows: 
1. During the regin of Shah Jahan, there was undisturbed peace within the country. 
There were no foreign threats and Shah Jahan too devoted most of his time in 
maintaining peace and order in the country. Trade and commerce flourished 
bringing in lots of wealth. The land was fertile and revenue flowed into the 
treasury. 
2. Shah Jahan carried out many works of public welfare. Roads, canals, bridges, 
sarais, etc., were constructed for the welfare of the people. Similarly, during the 
famine and plague he did a lot to relieve the people of their sufferings. 
3. Shah Jahan had a natural love for magnificence, which was reflected in the 
buildings that he constructed. His reign is, in fact, called the Golden Age of the 
Mughal Architecture. One of the most important buildings constructed by him is 
the Taj Mahal, which was built in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. 
Question 4. 
Describe the religious policy of Aurangzeb. What were its results? 
Answer: 
Aurangzeb’s religious policy had two aspects i.e: 
1. To promote the tenets of Islam and to ensure that the people led their lives 
accordingly. 
2. To adopt anti-Hindu measures. 
The religious fanaticism of Aurangzeb overshadowed his virtues. His reversal of Akbar’s 
policy of religious toleration resulted in weakening the entire structure of the Mughal 
empire. It led to several conflicts and wars in different parts of the country. 
These conflicts were: 
1. Conflict with the Jats 
2. Conflict with the Satnamos 
3. Conflict with the Sikhs 
4. Conflicts with the Rajput’s 
5. Conflict with the Marathas. 
All these rebellions destroyed the peace of the empire, disrupted its economy, 
weakened the administrative structure, diminished its military strength, led to the failure 
of Aurangzeb to make any impact. Ultimately all these contributed to the downfall of the 
Mughal enterprise. 
Question 5. 
Who were the Sikhs? How did they emerge as a political power? 
Answer: 
Khalsa’s were the sikhs. 
Open wars started between the Sikhs and the Mughals after Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru 
Tegh Bahadur was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. Aurangzeb and his successors had 
to face continous trouble from the sikhs. After Aurangzeb’s death, his successors failed 
to check the rising power of the Sikhs. The Sikhs gradually emerged as a political 
power. 
Question 6. 
Briefly describe aurangzeb’s clash with : (a) the Rajputs, (b) the Marathas, (c) the Sikhs. 
Answer: 
(a) 
The Rajputs were not well treated by Aurangzeb. Raja Jai Singh and Raja Jaswant 
Singh were kept away from the court at Delhi. Raja Jai Singh was a loyal general but he 
was suspected and insulted after the escape of Shivaji. 
(b) 
Conflicts started between the Mughals and the Marathas over the conquest over the 
conquest of Bijapur. 
(c) 
The relations between the Sikhs and the Muslims were already strained because of 
Guru Arjan Dev’s execution at the hands of Jahangir for helping his rebel son. From 
then onwards, the Sikhs had become the enemies of the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singh, 
the tenth Guru and son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, continued the policy of his father. He 
organised the Open wars started between the Sikhs and the Mughals. 
 
Page 5


Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 
Important Words 
? The chain of justice is said to be a chain installed by Jahangir. It was made of pure 
gold with 60 bells attached to it, between the palace and the banks of the river 
Yamuna. Anyone could ring the bell and seek justice. 
? Engineer King is the name by which Shah Jahan is known, as his patronage of 
architecture is one of the most important characteristics of his reign. 
? Shahjahanabad was a new capital city build by Shah Jahan. Now, it is known as 
Old Delhi. 
Time To Learn 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, shows a variety of cultural influences. 
2. Jahangir installed a chain of justice for the seekers of justice. 
3. The treaty of Purandhar was signed between Mughals and Rajput ruler Jain 
Singh. 
4. The original name of Nur Jahan was Mehrunnisa. 
5. Bijapur was annexed in AD 1686. 
6. Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax. 
7. Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Sikh guru, was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. 
8. The Sikhs were organised into a military force called the Khalsa. 
II. Match Column A with Columb B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Jahangir left the administration in the hands of his queen,Nur Jahan. 
True. 
2.  Nur Jahan’s influence was good and lasting for theMughal Empire. 
False. 
3. Shah Jahan had to fight for the throne. 
True. 
4. Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory the built the Taj. 
True. 
5. Shah Jahan died in AD 1666, as a captive in the fort of Agra. 
 True. 
6. Aurangzeb had friendly relation with the Rajputs and theMarathas. 
 False. 
7. The Sikhs were hostile to the Mughal Emperor after the execution of the ninth Sikh 
guru. 
True. 
8. Aurangzeb died in 1707 in the Red Fort at Delhi. 
False. 
9. Aurangzeb reimposed . 
True. 
 
 
IV. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Question 1. 
Jahangir is sometimes called a mixture of opposites. Discuss. 
Answer: 
Sometimes Jahangir was needlessly cruel and inflicted punishments disproportionate to 
the offence committed. For this combination of good qualities and bad qualities of his 
character some historian have rightly called him as ‘the mixture of opposites’. 
Question 2. 
How did Jahangir deal with the European traders? Name two travellers who visited 
Jahangir’s court. 
Answer: 
Jahangir was on good terms with the Portuguese traders. He gave them some trade 
concessions.Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe, visited Jahangir’s court. 
Question 3. 
The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. Do you agree? Give reasons 
for your answer. 
Answer: 
Yes, The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. The points 
describing are as follows: 
1. During the regin of Shah Jahan, there was undisturbed peace within the country. 
There were no foreign threats and Shah Jahan too devoted most of his time in 
maintaining peace and order in the country. Trade and commerce flourished 
bringing in lots of wealth. The land was fertile and revenue flowed into the 
treasury. 
2. Shah Jahan carried out many works of public welfare. Roads, canals, bridges, 
sarais, etc., were constructed for the welfare of the people. Similarly, during the 
famine and plague he did a lot to relieve the people of their sufferings. 
3. Shah Jahan had a natural love for magnificence, which was reflected in the 
buildings that he constructed. His reign is, in fact, called the Golden Age of the 
Mughal Architecture. One of the most important buildings constructed by him is 
the Taj Mahal, which was built in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. 
Question 4. 
Describe the religious policy of Aurangzeb. What were its results? 
Answer: 
Aurangzeb’s religious policy had two aspects i.e: 
1. To promote the tenets of Islam and to ensure that the people led their lives 
accordingly. 
2. To adopt anti-Hindu measures. 
The religious fanaticism of Aurangzeb overshadowed his virtues. His reversal of Akbar’s 
policy of religious toleration resulted in weakening the entire structure of the Mughal 
empire. It led to several conflicts and wars in different parts of the country. 
These conflicts were: 
1. Conflict with the Jats 
2. Conflict with the Satnamos 
3. Conflict with the Sikhs 
4. Conflicts with the Rajput’s 
5. Conflict with the Marathas. 
All these rebellions destroyed the peace of the empire, disrupted its economy, 
weakened the administrative structure, diminished its military strength, led to the failure 
of Aurangzeb to make any impact. Ultimately all these contributed to the downfall of the 
Mughal enterprise. 
Question 5. 
Who were the Sikhs? How did they emerge as a political power? 
Answer: 
Khalsa’s were the sikhs. 
Open wars started between the Sikhs and the Mughals after Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru 
Tegh Bahadur was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. Aurangzeb and his successors had 
to face continous trouble from the sikhs. After Aurangzeb’s death, his successors failed 
to check the rising power of the Sikhs. The Sikhs gradually emerged as a political 
power. 
Question 6. 
Briefly describe aurangzeb’s clash with : (a) the Rajputs, (b) the Marathas, (c) the Sikhs. 
Answer: 
(a) 
The Rajputs were not well treated by Aurangzeb. Raja Jai Singh and Raja Jaswant 
Singh were kept away from the court at Delhi. Raja Jai Singh was a loyal general but he 
was suspected and insulted after the escape of Shivaji. 
(b) 
Conflicts started between the Mughals and the Marathas over the conquest over the 
conquest of Bijapur. 
(c) 
The relations between the Sikhs and the Muslims were already strained because of 
Guru Arjan Dev’s execution at the hands of Jahangir for helping his rebel son. From 
then onwards, the Sikhs had become the enemies of the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singh, 
the tenth Guru and son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, continued the policy of his father. He 
organised the Open wars started between the Sikhs and the Mughals. 
 
Question 7. 
Why do you think Aurangzeb reimposed some taxes? 
Answer: 
Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax because of his othodox relious policies. 
Question 8. 
Explain the factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire. 
Answer: 
The factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire are: 
1. Aurangzeb’s Faulty Policies: Aurangzeb followed an orthodox religious policy. 
He reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax. Thus, he antagonised not only the Hindus 
but also the Muslims. He also made enemies of communities like the Jats, Sikhs 
and the Marathas. 
2. Aurangzeb’s Deccan Policy: The conquests of Bijapur and Golconda made the 
empire too big to be administered efficiently. Moreover, Aurangzeb’s long stay in 
the Deccan (almost 25 years) neglected the administration of his empire in the 
North. His absence also helped the rise of the Maratha power. 
3. Weak Successors: Aurangzeb’s successors were incompetent and weak, and 
they could not suppress the revolts or control the nobles. They become too 
ambitious, and independent. Eventually, the governors of the Deccan, Awadh and 
Bengal declared themselves as independent rulers. 
4. Empty Treasury: Aurangzeb maintained a large standing army. But his long wars 
in the Deccan caused a big drain on the state treasury. Thus, after the death of 
Aurangzeb (AD 1707), the treasury became empty and the later Mughal rulers 
were unable to pay the soldiers and officers and meet their expenses. 
V. Write a short note on  
Question 1. 
Aurangzeb’s Deccan Campaigns 
Answer: 
Aurangzeb wanted to crush the growing powers of the Maratha’s. As these people were 
very strong and courageous and they also did not accept the over lordship of the ruler. 
This empire was also very vast and prosperous, so Aurangzeb wanted to have it under 
his control. 
Question 2. 
Abdali’s invasion on India 
Answer: 
Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India several times between 1747 and 1767. He gave a 
crushing defeat to the Marathas in 1761 in the third Battle of Panipat. The Marathas 
could not regain their past power ever again.