Q10. During the eighteenth century, under whose leadership did Bengal gradually become autonomous from Mughal control?
[CTET Social Studies, 2018]
A. Murshid Quli Khan
B. Nadir Shah
C. Alivardi Khan
D. Burhan-ul-Mulk
Answer: A. Murshid Quli Khan
Explanation: Murshid Quli Khan consolidated Bengal’s provincial administration and revenue system while maintaining nominal allegiance to the Mughal emperor. His successors strengthened hereditary regional rule, turning Bengal into a virtually autonomous state amid the weakening authority of Delhi.
Q9. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, was exiled to which country following the Revolt of 1857?
[RRB Group D, 2018]
A. Mysore
B. Carnatic
C. Awadh
D. Burma
Answer: D. Burma
Explanation: The British deported Bahadur Shah Zafar to Burma after his trial for participation in the 1857 rebellion. He remained confined in Rangoon until his death in 1862. His exile prevented the Mughal dynasty from serving as a future focus of rebellion.
Q8. Assertion: The Mughal Empire disintegrated more rapidly after the invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali. Reason: The East India Company treated the later Mughal emperors with contempt. Choose the correct relationship.
[Telangana Police Constable Preliminary Examination, 2018]
A. Both statements are true, but the Reason does not explain the Assertion
B. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
C. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
D. Both statements are true, and the Reason explains the Assertion
Answer: A. Both statements are true, but the Reason does not explain the Assertion
Explanation: Foreign invasions directly damaged Mughal military capability, finances and prestige. The Company’s dismissive treatment reflected diminishing imperial authority, but did not directly explain the impact of the invasions. Consequently, both observations may be accepted without establishing the proposed causal relationship.
Q7. Arrange the following later Mughal emperors in chronological order: A. Muhammad Shah, B. Jahandar Shah, C. Alamgir II, D. Ahmad Shah Bahadur.
[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2018]
A. A, C, D, B
B. B, A, D, C
C. C, A, B, D
D. D, B, C, A
Answer: B. B, A, D, C
Explanation: Jahandar Shah ruled during 1712–1713, Muhammad Shah during 1719–1748, Ahmad Shah Bahadur during 1748–1754 and Alamgir II during 1754–1759. The sequence reflects frequent dynastic changes, political instability and declining imperial authority during the eighteenth century.
Q6. Who defeated the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761?
[SSC MTS, 2017]
A. Mughal emperor Shah Alam II
B. Ahmad Shah Abdali
C. Nizam-ul-Mulk
D. Robert Clive
Answer: B. Ahmad Shah Abdali
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas at Panipat on 14 January 1761. His army benefited from alliances with Indian forces including Rohilla chiefs and the Nawab of Awadh. The battle temporarily weakened Maratha power in northern India.
Q5. Who founded the kingdom of Awadh during the eighteenth century?
[UPSC NDA, 2017]
A. Murshid Quli Khan
B. Saadat Khan
C. Alivardi Khan
D. Sarfaraz Khan
Answer: B. Saadat Khan
Explanation: Burhan-ul-Mulk Saadat Khan became the governor of Awadh in 1722 and established the foundations of its autonomous regional administration. Although Awadh continued to acknowledge the Mughal emperor nominally, its rulers increasingly exercised independent political, financial and military authority.
Q4. During whose tenure as Peshwa was the Third Battle of Panipat fought?
[MPPSC Assistant Professor History, 2017]
A. Baji Rao I
B. Baji Rao II
C. Balaji Baji Rao
D. Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: C. Balaji Baji Rao
Explanation: Balaji Baji Rao, also known as Nana Saheb, served as Peshwa from 1740 to 1761. The Third Battle of Panipat occurred during his tenure. The Maratha defeat temporarily interrupted their expansion into areas formerly controlled by the Mughal Empire.
Q3. Which of the following statements about the Sayyid Brothers is NOT correct?
[UPSC CDS II, 2017 – Standardised]
A. They helped Jahandar Shah ascend the Mughal throne in 1713
B. They supported Farrukhsiyar’s accession
C. They pursued a comparatively tolerant religious policy
D. They concluded agreements with Maratha ruler Shahu
Answer: A. They helped Jahandar Shah ascend the Mughal throne in 1713
Explanation: Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali Khan, known as the Sayyid Brothers, supported Farrukhsiyar against Jahandar Shah in 1713. They subsequently controlled imperial appointments and politics, gaining recognition as kingmakers. Their dominance reflected the growing weakness of the Mughal monarchy.
Q2. What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the Third Battle of Panipat?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 2010]
A. He wanted to avenge the Marathas’ expulsion of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore
B. He wanted to conquer the Deccan permanently
C. He was invited by the English East India Company
D. He wanted to restore Aurangzeb’s territorial empire
Answer: A. He wanted to avenge the Marathas’ expulsion of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore
Explanation: Maratha advances into Punjab expelled Timur Shah Durrani, the son and representative of Ahmad Shah Abdali, from Lahore. This challenged Afghan authority and helped provoke Abdali’s subsequent intervention, culminating in the Third Battle of Panipat against the Marathas in 1761.
Q1. How did Mughal emperor Jahandar Shah’s reign come to an early end?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 2003]
A. He was deposed by his wazir
B. He died after slipping while descending steps
C. He was defeated by his nephew in battle
D. He died from illness caused by excessive wine consumption
Answer: C. He was defeated by his nephew in battle
Explanation: Jahandar Shah ruled briefly from 1712 to 1713. His nephew Farrukhsiyar, supported by the influential Sayyid Brothers, defeated him and secured the Mughal throne. This succession struggle demonstrated the increasing influence of powerful nobles and the instability of the later Mughal monarchy.
