Q10. Consider the following statements about Mughal painting.
Statement I: Mughal painting reached its climax during Jahangir’s reign.
Statement II: Aurangzeb’s court was adorned by some of the best-known Mughal painters.
[UPSC NDA 2018 – Paper II]
A. Both statements are true, and II explains I
B. Both statements are true, but II does not explain I
C. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
D. Statement I is false, but Statement II is true
Answer: (C) Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
Explanation: Mughal painting flourished under Jahangir through naturalism and portraiture. Aurangzeb offered comparatively limited artistic patronage, encouraging several painters to seek employment at regional royal courts.
Q9. Ustad Mansur was a famous painter during the reign of which Mughal emperor?
[SSC CHSL 2018 – 28 March, Shift 1]
A. Akbar
B. Jahangir
C. Shah Jahan
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: (B) Jahangir
Explanation: Ustad Mansur worked in Jahangir’s imperial painting workshop. His detailed depictions of animals and birds, including the Siberian crane and dodo, demonstrate exceptional observational accuracy.
Q8. Where is the tomb of Mughal Emperor Jahangir situated?
[SSC CHSL 2018 – 28 March, Shift 1]
A. Islamabad
B. Hyderabad
C. Lahore
D. Karachi
Answer: (C) Lahore
Explanation: Jahangir’s tomb stands at Shahdara Bagh in Lahore, present-day Pakistan. Constructed after his death, the mausoleum incorporates gardens, decorated walls and distinctive Mughal architectural features.
Q7. Which foreign traveller visited India during Jahangir’s reign?
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017]
A. Father Anthony Monserrate
B. Francisco Pelsaert
C. Niccolao Manucci
D. Francois Bernier
Answer: (B) Francisco Pelsaert
Explanation: Francisco Pelsaert was a Dutch merchant and traveller who observed Mughal India during Jahangir’s reign. His writings provide valuable details about commerce, society and economic conditions.
Q6. Who introduced the Du-Aspah Sih-Aspah system into the Mughal Mansabdari administration?
[WBCS Prelims 2016]
A. Shah Jahan
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: (C) Jahangir
Explanation: Jahangir introduced du-aspah sih-aspah distinctions to recognise selected mansabdars maintaining additional cavalry without increasing their personal zat ranks. This strengthened military organisation and rewarded trusted imperial nobles.
Q5. Khusrau was the son of which Mughal emperor?
[MPPSC State Service General Studies 2015]
A. Akbar
B. Jahangir
C. Shah Jahan
D. Bahadur Shah I
Answer: (B) Jahangir
Explanation: Prince Khusrau was Jahangir’s eldest son. He rebelled against his father in 1606, but the uprising failed and he was imprisoned, intensifying Mughal succession rivalries.
Q4. Mughal emperor Jahangir gave the title ‘English Khan’ to whom?
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims 2015 – General Studies Paper I]
A. Albuquerque
B. Francisco de Almeida
C. William Hawkins
D. Henry the Navigator
Answer: (C) William Hawkins
Explanation: William Hawkins gained Jahangir’s favour through his diplomatic abilities and knowledge of Turkish. The emperor called him English Khan, although Portuguese opposition obstructed his commercial negotiations.
Q3. Match the following Mughal historical works with their authors.
List I: A. Alamgir Namah; B. Tabaqat-i-Akbari; C. Chahar Chaman; D. Iqbalnama-i-Jahangiri
List II: i. Mutamad Khan; ii. Munshi Muhammad Kazim; iii. Chandra Bhan Brahman; iv. Nizamuddin Ahmad
[RPSC RAS Prelims 2013]
A. A-i, B-iii, C-iv, D-ii
B. A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv
C. A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
D. A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
Answer: (D) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
Explanation: Mutamad Khan authored Iqbalnama-i-Jahangiri. Muhammad Kazim wrote Alamgir Namah, Nizamuddin Ahmad composed Tabaqat-i-Akbari, and Chandra Bhan Brahman wrote Chahar Chaman, documenting different aspects of Mughal history.
Q2. Which of the following personalities rebelled against Mughal Emperor Jahangir?
1. Asaf Khan; 2. Khurram; 3. Mahabat Khan; 4. Khusrau
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims 2013]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (D) 2, 3 and 4 only
Explanation: Khusrau rebelled in 1606, Prince Khurram challenged imperial authority in the 1620s, and Mahabat Khan temporarily seized Jahangir in 1626. Asaf Khan was not counted among these rebels.
Q1. Bhakta Tukaram was a contemporary of which Mughal emperor?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2006]
A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: (C) Jahangir
Explanation: Sant Tukaram lived during the seventeenth century and was associated with Maharashtra’s Varkari devotional tradition. His lifetime overlapped Jahangir’s reign, making them historical contemporaries.
