Textbook Solutions: The Mughal Empire | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

I. Based on your understanding, choose the correct option. 

2. 
Ans: (a) 

3.
Ans: (a) 

4. 
Ans: (b)

5. 
Ans: (c) 

6. 
Ans: (b)

7. 
Ans: (c)

8. 
Ans: (b) 

9. 
Ans: (a)

10. 
Ans: (b) 

II. Answer the following In one sentence.

2.
Ans: Humayun escaped to Persia because he was defeated by Sher Shah Suri and sought refuge there.

3.
Ans: Zat and sawar in the mansabdari system were used to determine the personal status and salary of a noble and the number of cavalrymen they could command, respectively.

4.
Ans: Aurangzeb came to be regarded as a zindapir, meaning a living saint, due to his extremely simple and pious lifestyle.

5.
Ans: Jagirs were revenue assignments granted to mansabdars, allowing them to collect revenue from the land assigned to them.

III. Answer the following questions in brief. 

2.
Ans: Din-i-Ilahi was a religious and ethical code of conduct introduced by Akbar, emphasizing moral values, piety, and compassion, and aimed at promoting religious tolerance and unity.

3.
Ans: Akbar followed a policy of matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs, assigned high posts to Rajput chiefs in the army and administration, did not annex Rajput kingdoms accepting his suzerainty, and abolished the jizya and pilgrimage tax.  

4.
Ans: Nur Jahan exercised influence in Jahangir's reign by promoting her family members to important posts in the administration and issuing coins in her name. There was a power struggle between her and Prince Khurram.

5.
Ans: The Mughal emperor held absolute power and was the chief authority in matters of justice, with all decisions of the state being carried out in his name. 

IV. Answer the following questions In detail. 

• Matrimonial Alliances: Akbar married Rajput princesses, including Harkha Bai (popularly known as Jodhabai), which secured the support of powerful Rajput rulers.
• High Posts: Akbar assigned high posts to Rajput chiefs, such as Raja Todar Mal and Man Singh, in the Mughal army and administration.
• Non-Annexation: He refrained from annexing Rajput kingdoms that accepted his suzerainty and paid regular tributes, allowing them to maintain some autonomy.
• Non-Interference: Akbar did not interfere in the internal matters of Rajput states.
• Religious Tolerance: He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims and promoted Hindu-Muslim unity by fostering an atmosphere of religious tolerance.

2.
Ans: Akbar's religious policy was marked by a quest for unity and tolerance among the diverse religious groups in his empire. Key elements of his religious policy included:

• Sulh-i-Kul: Akbar promoted the idea of "sulh-i-kul," which aimed for universal peace and tolerance. He abolished many taxes on non-Muslims and included intellectuals and able Hindus in his nobility.
• Din-i-Ilahi: In 1581 CE, Akbar introduced Din-i-Ilahi, an ethical code of conduct emphasizing moral values and the commonalities among religions.
• Ibadat Khana: Akbar established a Hall of Prayer at Fatehpur Sikri known as the Ibadat Khana, where he invited scholars from various religions to discuss their beliefs. This initiative aimed to promote religious understanding and tolerance.
• Debates and Discussions: Scholars of different faiths engaged in religious debates at the Ibadat Khana, leading to Akbar's belief that all religions had commonalities and the potential for peaceful coexistence.

3.
Ans: Akbar introduced the mansabdari system to streamline the administration and military. The system was based on assigning ranks and responsibilities to officials (mansabdars). Here are the main features of the system:

• Each mansabdar was granted a rank (mansab) that determined their status, salary, and military responsibilities.
• Ranks were divided into two parts: zat and sawar. Zat determined personal status and salary, while sawar indicated the number of cavalrymen the mansabdar could maintain.
• Mansabdars received their salaries in the form of revenue assignments known as jagirs, but these were not hereditary, ensuring loyalty.
• Mansabdars usually entered service at a lower rank and could rise through merit and loyalty.

4.
Ans: Shah Jahan's reign saw several significant developments:

• Expansion: He subjugated the Deccan states of Bijapur, Golconda, and Ahmednagar and dealt with the Bundela Rajputs effectively.
• Trade: European visitors like William Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe sought trade concessions in India during his reign.
• Construction: Shah Jahan was a patron of art and architecture, most notably for building the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
• Administration: He paid close attention to administration, with an extensive network of roads connecting Agra, Lahore, Delhi, and Ahmednagar for trading activities.
• Succession Struggle: A struggle for succession among his sons, including Aurangzeb, marked the later years of Shah Jahan's rule.

5.
Ans: The Mughal administration was centralized, with the emperor holding absolute power. The key features included:

• The emperor was the central authority in matters of justice and the military, and all important officers in the empire were appointed by the emperor.
• The mansabdari system was introduced to organize the ranks and responsibilities of military and administrative officials.
• The Mughal Empire was divided into provinces (subas) ruled by governors (subahdars).
• Revenue collection was vital, and officials such as diwans and mir bakshis handled finances and military.
• The Mughal pargana system comprised several villages governed by local officials.
• The Mughal emperors maintained tight control over the administration, and decentralization was limited.