Q10. Which scholar at Akbar’s court translated Bhaskaracharya’s Lilavati into Persian?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge, 7 February 2021]
A. Abul Fazl
B. Faizi
C. Fathullah Shirazi
D. Ataullah Rashidi
Answer: B. Faizi
Explanation: Faizi, Akbar’s poet laureate, prepared a Persian rendering of Lilavati, a Sanskrit mathematical work attributed to Bhaskaracharya. This translation exemplifies the court’s wider program of intellectual exchange.
Q9. Which statements about Akbar’s social measures are correct? I. He attempted to prescribe marriage ages; II. He encouraged freedom of choice in marriage.
[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2020]
A. Only I
B. Only II
C. Both I and II
D. Neither I nor II
Answer: C. Both I and II
Explanation: Akbar’s reform efforts included discouraging very early marriage and coercion in matrimonial arrangements. Such measures were part of broader imperial interventions in social customs and public morality.
Q8. Which statement about Akbar’s court is correct?
[Chhattisgarh PSC Civil Services Examination, 2020]
A. Akbar conferred “Tansen” on Rambali Pandey
B. Akbar married Raja Man Singh’s sister
C. Abul Fazl authored the Ain-i-Akbari
D. Todar Mal was commander-in-chief
Answer: C. Abul Fazl authored the Ain-i-Akbari
Explanation: Abul Fazl wrote the Ain-i-Akbari as part of the Akbarnama. Todar Mal is best known for revenue administration, while the other assertions in the question are incorrect.
Q7. Akbar’s son Salim succeeded him with which imperial title, meaning “World Seizer”?
[SSC CGL Tier-I, 7 June 2019, Shift 2]
A. Jahangir
B. Badshah
C. Jahanpanah
D. Shah Jahan
Answer: A. Jahangir
Explanation: Prince Salim ascended the throne in 1605 as Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir. His reign continued many of Akbar’s institutions while introducing distinctive developments in court politics and art.
Q6. In which year did Akbar award Raja Man Singh a mansab of 7,000 zat and 6,000 sawar?
[RPSC Senior Teacher Grade II GK, 19 February 2019]
A. 1599
B. 1601
C. 1603
D. 1605
Answer: D. 1605
Explanation: Raja Man Singh, a trusted Rajput noble and Mughal general, received this exceptionally high rank in 1605. The distinction illustrates his importance within the imperial service hierarchy.
Q5. Akbar followed religious tolerance and appointed members of which group to high positions in his court?
[RRB Group D, 1 November 2018, Shift 1]
A. Only Muslim nobles
B. Rajputs
C. Only Sikh leaders
D. Only Christian missionaries
Answer: B. Rajputs
Explanation: Akbar enrolled prominent Rajput rulers and nobles into Mughal service. Military appointments and marriage alliances helped incorporate regional elites and strengthen the empire’s political integration.
Q4. During Akbar’s reign, the Mir Bakshi was primarily responsible for which department?
[RPSC Senior Teacher Grade II Social Science, 2 July 2017]
A. Foreign affairs
B. Weights and measures
C. Military affairs
D. Land revenue
Answer: C. Military affairs
Explanation: The Mir Bakshi supervised important military functions, including personnel records and rank-related matters. Revenue was managed by the diwan, separating finance from key military administration.
Q3. What was the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2014]
A. A mosque reserved for the royal family
B. Akbar’s private prayer chamber
C. A hall for religious discussions with learned scholars
D. A military council chamber
Answer: C. A hall for religious discussions with learned scholars
Explanation: Akbar founded the Ibadat Khana in 1575 for religious discussion. Its debates later included thinkers from multiple traditions and shaped his interest in interfaith understanding and imperial tolerance.
Q2. What was the original name of the celebrated musician Tansen?
[MPPSC State Services Preliminary Examination, 2013]
A. Makarchand Pandey
B. Ramtanu Pandey
C. Lala Kalawant
D. Baj Bahadur
Answer: B. Ramtanu Pandey
Explanation: Tansen is traditionally identified as Ramtanu Pandey. A leading musician of Akbar’s court, he occupies a central place in the historical traditions of Hindustani classical music.
Q1. Who was the Mughal emperor when the English East India Company was founded in London?
[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2012]
A. Akbar
B. Jahangir
C. Shah Jahan
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: A. Akbar
Explanation: The East India Company received its English royal charter on 31 December 1600. Akbar ruled India until 1605, so he was emperor when the company was established.
