The Mughal Empire Class 7 Worksheet History Chapter 4

Q1. What was the Mughal tradition of succession? 

The Mughal tradition of succession was based on the coparcenary inheritance system, which involved:

• Dividing the inheritance among all sons.
• Following customs from both the Mughal and Timurid cultures.
• Ensuring that each son received a share of the empire.

Q2. What is the rule of primogeniture?

Primogeniture is a legal rule regarding inheritance. It states that a father’s estate is passed down to his eldest son.

Q3. Who was Jahangir's mother? 

The mother of Jahangir was a Kachhwaha princess. She was the daughter of the Rajput ruler of Amber, which is in modern-day Jaipur.

Q4. What forced Humayun to flee to Iran? 

Sher Khan defeated Humayun at:

Chausa in 1539

Kanauj in 1540

These defeats compelled him to flee to Iran.

Q5. Who defeated the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi, and where? 

Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat in 1526.

Q6. What was the relationship between the man Sardar and the jagir? 

Mansabdars were officials who received salaries as revenue assignments known as jagirs. However, most mansabdars did not live in or manage their jagirs directly. Instead, they held the rights to the revenue, which was collected by their servants while they served in different regions of the country.

• Mansabdars received salaries through jagirs.
• They typically did not reside in their jagirs.
• Revenue was collected by servants on their behalf.
• Mansabdars served in various locations across the country.

Q7. What were the military responsibilities of mansabdars?

The mansabdar had important military duties that included:

• Maintaining a specific number of sawar or cavalrymen.
• Bringing cavalrymen for review and ensuring their registration.
• Branding the horses of his cavalrymen.
• Receiving funds to pay the salaries of his troops.

Q8. What helped the Mughals to extend their influence over many kings and chieftains?

The Mughals successfully extended their influence over numerous kings and chieftains due to their strategic approach, which included:

• Maintaining a careful balance between defeating opponents and avoiding their humiliation.
• Fostering alliances through diplomacy rather than solely through military force.
• Integrating local rulers into their administration, allowing for a degree of autonomy.
• Utilising marriage alliances to strengthen ties with various regional powers.

These strategies helped the Mughals create a broad and stable empire.

Q9. What was the role of the zamindar in the Mughal administration?

The zamindar played a crucial role in the Mughal administration by:

• Collecting taxes from peasants.
• Serving as intermediaries between the peasants and the ruler.
• Exercising significant power in certain regions.

This system helped maintain order and manage agricultural production across the empire.

Q10. How important was the income from land revenue to the stability of the Mughal Empire?

The main source of income for the Mughal rulers was land revenue. This was vital due to the following reasons:

• The Mughal Empire's vast size required significant revenue for administration and maintaining law and order.
• Land revenue funded the salaries of soldiers and officials.
• It supported welfare initiatives for the common people.
• The immense wealth of the Mughal elite contributed to their power in the late seventeenth century.

In summary, land revenue was essential for the stability of the Mughal Empire.

Q11. How were the debates with religious scholars important in the formation of Akbar’s ideas on governance? 

Akbar’s interactions with various religious scholars were crucial in shaping his governance ideas. Through these debates, he observed that:

• Many scholars focused on rituals and dogma, often leading to division and intolerance.
• This awareness prompted him to embrace the concept of sulh-i kul, meaning “universal peace”.
• His approach to governance promoted tolerance among different religions.
• Rather than favouring one faith, he emphasised a system of ethics based on honesty, justice, and peace, applicable to all subjects.

Q12. Why was it important for the Mughals to recruit mansabdars from diverse backgrounds and not just Turanis and Iranis?

As the empire grew, the Mughals recognised the need to recruit from a variety of backgrounds. Initially, they started with a core group of Turkish nobles, known as Turanis, but later expanded their recruitment to include:

• Iranians
• Indian Muslims
• Afghans
• Rajputs
• Marathas
• Other regional groups

This diversity among mansabdars helped the Mughals effectively govern their vast empire and integrate various cultures.

Q13. Write about the major campaigns and events of Shah Jahan reign. 

Mughal campaigns continued in the Deccan during Shah Jahan's reign. Key events included:

• The defeat of the Afghan noble Khan Jahan Lodi, who had rebelled.
• Successful campaigns against Ahmadnagar.
• The defeat of the Bundelas and the capture of Orchha.
• In the northwest, an attempt to seize Balkh from the Uzbeks was unsuccessful.
• Qandahar was lost to the Safavids.
• In 1632, Ahmadnagar was finally annexed, leading Bijapur forces to seek peace.

Q14. How were the Mughal different from their predecessors? 

In contrast to their predecessors, the Mughals established a vast empire and achieved lasting stability, something previously seen only in brief periods. Key differences include:

• The Mughals expanded their kingdom significantly from Agra and Delhi from the late sixteenth century.
• By the seventeenth century, they controlled nearly the entire subcontinent.
• They implemented administrative structures and governance ideas that persisted beyond their rule.
• This left a political legacy that later rulers in the subcontinent were compelled to acknowledge.

Q15. Write a brief note on the Land Revenue System of Akbar. 

Akbar’s revenue minister, Todar Mal, implemented a systematic approach to land revenue between 1570 and 1580. Key features of this system include:

• A comprehensive survey of crop yields, prices, and cultivated areas.
• The establishment of fixed cash taxes on each crop based on survey data.
• Division of provinces into revenue circles, each with tailored revenue rates for crops.
• The system was known as zabt and was effective in regions where Mughal officials could accurately assess land.