Worksheet Solutions: Mughal Empire | General Knowledge Encyclopedia - Class 8 PDF Download

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1: Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire?
(a) Akbar
(b) Shah Jahan
(c) Babur
(d) Aurangzeb

Ans: (c)
Explanation: Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was a descendant of Timur on his father's side and Genghis Khan on his mother's side. He invaded India and defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, establishing the Mughal rule.

Q2: Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal?
(a) Babur
(b) Humayun
(c) Akbar
(d) Shah Jahan

Ans: (d)
Explanation: Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth.

Q3: The Mughal Empire reached its peak during the reign of which emperor?
(a) Babur
(b) Aurangzeb
(c) Jahangir
(d) Akbar

Ans: (d)
Explanation: Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is considered the greatest ruler of the Mughal dynasty. His reign (1556-1605) is often referred to as the "Golden Age" of the Mughal Empire.

Q4: Which battle marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India?
(a) Battle of Plassey
(b) Battle of Haldighati
(c) First Battle of Panipat
(d) Battle of Talikota

Ans: (c)
Explanation: The First Battle of Panipat, fought in 1526 between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi, marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.

Q5: Who was the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, in honor of whom the Taj Mahal was built?
(a) Mumtaz Mahal
(b) Noor Jahan
(c) Jodha Bai
(d) Raziya Sultan

Ans: (a)
Explanation: Mumtaz Mahal was the beloved wife of Emperor Shah Jahan. The Taj Mahal was built in her memory after her death in 1631.

Section B: Short Questions

Q1: Describe the early life of Babur and how he established the Mughal Empire in India.

Ans: Babur was a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan. He became the ruler of Fergana in Central Asia at the young age of 12. After facing multiple challenges and temporary exiles, Babur finally captured Delhi in 1526 by defeating Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat. This victory marked the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India.

Q2: Explain the religious policy of Akbar and why he is known for religious tolerance.

Ans: Akbar was known for his religious tolerance and policy of Sulh-i-Kul, which means "peace with all." He abolished the Jizya tax on non-Muslims, allowed people of different religions to hold important positions in his court, and encouraged interfaith discussions. He even founded the "Divine Faith" (Din-i Ilahi), which was an attempt to blend elements of various religions.

Q3: Who was Jahangir, and what were some of the significant achievements during his reign?

Ans: Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor, ruled from 1605 to 1627. He was known for his love for art, culture, and nature. He encouraged the fine arts and extended his patronage to painters and poets, resulting in a flourishing cultural scene during his reign. Jahangir also continued his father Akbar's policies of religious tolerance.

Q4: Discuss the economic and cultural advancements during the Mughal rule.

Ans: During the Mughal rule, there were significant economic and cultural advancements. The empire saw an increase in trade and commerce, with the establishment of new trade routes and the flourishing of markets. The Mughals also patronized art, architecture, literature, and music, leading to the emergence of a rich cultural heritage.

Q5: Why is the reign of Aurangzeb considered as a turning point in the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Ans: Aurangzeb's reign is considered a turning point in the decline of the Mughal Empire because of his policies that led to increased religious intolerance, strained administrative structures, and prolonged wars that drained the empire's resources. His focus on expanding the empire to the south and his harsh treatment of non-Muslims alienated various sections of the population.

Section C: Fill in the Blanks

Q1: Akbar was the __________ Mughal Emperor who ruled India.

Ans: Third
Explanation: Akbar was the third Mughal Emperor who ruled India from 1556 to 1605. He was one of the most successful rulers of the Mughal dynasty and is known for his policy of religious tolerance and administrative reforms.

Q2: The Mughal Empire reached its territorial peak during the reign of __________.

Ans: Aurangzeb
Explanation: The Mughal Empire reached its territorial peak during the reign of Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal Emperor. He expanded the empire's borders through conquests but also faced challenges in maintaining control over such a vast territory.

Q3: The famous Mughal monument Taj Mahal was built in memory of __________.

Ans: Mumtaz Mahal
Explanation: Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away during childbirth. It is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic monuments in the world.

Q4: The Mughal Empire declined rapidly after the death of __________.

Ans: Aurangzeb
Explanation: The Mughal Empire declined rapidly after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. His long and controversial reign had drained the empire's resources, leading to internal strife and external invasions.

Q5: Akbar's policy of religious tolerance was known as __________.

Ans: Sulh-i-kul
Explanation: Akbar's policy of religious tolerance was known as "Sulh-i-kul," which means "universal peace." He promoted harmony among people of different religions and abolished discriminatory taxes based on religion.

Section D: True or False

Q1: Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India.

Ans: True
Explanation: Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, founded the Mughal Empire in India after his victory in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

Q2: The Mughal Empire was known for promoting and encouraging art and culture.

Ans: True
Explanation: The Mughal Empire was a great patron of art and culture. It witnessed the development of various art forms, including miniature paintings, architecture, and literature.

Q3: Akbar was the first Mughal Emperor to establish formal relations with the British.

Ans: False
Explanation: It was Jahangir, Akbar's son, who established formal relations with the British East India Company during his reign.

Q4: Aurangzeb's reign is considered the peak of the Mughal Empire's power and territorial expansion.

Ans: True
Explanation: Aurangzeb's reign saw the Mughal Empire's territorial expansion to its greatest extent, but it also marked the beginning of its decline due to excessive military campaigns and intolerance towards non-Muslims.

Q5: The Mughal Empire disintegrated completely after the death of Aurangzeb.

Ans: False
Explanation: The Mughal Empire continued to exist in a weakened form even after Aurangzeb's death. However, the empire faced internal conflicts and external invasions, leading to its gradual disintegration and the rise of regional powers.

Section E: Match the Column

Ans: