RC: History - 3 | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

Passage

Direction: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
The Mughal Empire, a jewel in the annals of South Asian history, reigned from the early 16th to the mid-19th century. It was an era of opulence, architectural grandeur, and cultural synthesis. The Mughals, descendants of both Genghis Khan and Timur, originated in Central Asia and brought with them a rich tapestry of traditions that blended with the local Indian culture.
Babur, the founder of the empire, laid the foundation for a dynasty that would rule for over three centuries. His successors, most notably Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, each contributed to the empire's expansion and consolidation. Akbar, in particular, was renowned for his policy of religious tolerance and his efforts to integrate non-Muslims into the empire's administrative framework.
Mughal architecture, epitomized by the Taj Mahal, combined Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles, leaving a lasting legacy. The Mughals were also patrons of the arts, fostering a unique Mughal style of painting that was a confluence of Persian and Indian techniques.
Despite their achievements, the Mughals faced internal strife and external challenges. The Marathas, a formidable force in the Indian subcontinent, consistently challenged Mughal authority. The empire's latter days were marked by weakened central control, and the arrival of European powers further complicated the political landscape.
The decline of the Mughal Empire was gradual, culminating in the British East India Company's assertion of control over the Indian subcontinent. However, the Mughal influence remains ingrained in the region's cultural and architectural heritage, testament to a once-glorious epoch.
Q1: Based on the passage, which of the following statements can be considered true? 
(a) The Mughal Empire was exclusively Persian in culture and architecture.
(b) The Mughals were hostile towards non-Muslims and discouraged their participation in the empire's governance.
(c) Mughal architecture was a synthesis of multiple styles, including Persian, Islamic, and Indian.
(d) The Mughals faced no significant internal or external opposition during their reign. 

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Q2: Which one of the following statements, if true, would be in contradiction with the facts/arguments in the passage?
(a) The Mughals were skilled in military tactics and governance, allowing them to establish a long-lasting empire.
(b) The Taj Mahal is an example of the architectural legacy left behind by the Mughals.
(c) The British played a significant role in the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire.
(d) The Mughals were originally from the Indian subcontinent and had no Central Asian connections. 

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Q3: "The decline of the Mughal Empire was gradual, culminating in the British East India Company's assertion of control over the Indian subcontinent." In the context of the passage, which one of the following is not a plausible implication of the quoted statement?
(a) The Mughal Empire's decline happened suddenly and without any prior indicators.
(b) The British East India Company played a pivotal role in the final stages of the Mughal Empire's decline.
(c) The decline of the Mughal Empire was a process that occurred over time, not an instantaneous event.
(d) European powers, including the British, influenced the political dynamics of the Indian subcontinent. 

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Q4: Which one of the following statements would be an accurate inference from the description of Akbar's reign?
(a) Akbar was intolerant of religions other than Islam and persecuted non-Muslims.
(b) Akbar's rule was marked by religious tolerance and administrative inclusivity.
(c) Akbar solely focused on military conquests and ignored governance and administrative reforms.
(d) Akbar's reign was insignificant in the broader context of the Mughal Empire's history. 

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