Focus On Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 8 Akbar The Great

Important Words

Jauhar
Jauhar was the self immolation or burning of queens and female royals of the Rajput kingdoms when facing defeat at the hands an enemy.
This was done to protect the honor of the women and avoid being captured by the winning army. It was a common practice among the brave Rajput warriors during times of war.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Jauhar as a symbol of Rajput pride and bravery.
Exam Tip: Always mention that this practice was specifically related to Rajput kingdoms when they faced defeat.

The wazir or the diwan
The wazir or the diwan was the head of the revenue department.
This officer was responsible for managing the kingdom's money and collecting taxes from the land. They were very important because they kept the empire's treasury full for the king.
Teacher's Tip: Remember Wazir = Wealth manager.
Exam Tip: Use both terms "Wazir" and "Diwan" to show you know they mean the same thing.

The mir bakshi
The mir bakshi was the head of the military department and paymaster of all mansabdars.
He looked after the organization of the army and ensured that all the soldiers and officers received their salaries. He also maintained the records of the ranks held by different officers.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Mir Bakshi as the "Banker" for the "Battalions."
Exam Tip: Mention that he was the "paymaster" to get full marks for this definition.

The chief sadr or the qazi
The chief sadr or the qazi was the chief judge.
He was the highest authority for making legal decisions and providing justice to the people. He often used religious laws to decide on various court cases.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Qazi as the "Quick Judge" of the court.
Exam Tip: Identify this person as the "Chief Judge" in your answers.

The mir saman
The mir saman was the supervisor of the royal household.
He took care of the daily needs of the emperor's family and managed the palace staff. He also looked after the royal stores and the supply of goods to the kitchen.
Teacher's Tip: Mir Saman is like the "Manager" of the king's home.
Exam Tip: Always describe this role as "supervising the royal household."

The vakil
The vakil was the prime minister whose position was reduced to that of an advisory, ceremonial head during Akbar’s reign.
Initially, the Vakil had a lot of power, but Akbar eventually limited this role to prevent any single person from becoming too strong. By doing this, Akbar ensured he kept the final decision-making power for himself.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Vakil as a "VIP advisor" who didn't have much real power later on.
Exam Tip: Note that the position became "ceremonial" during Akbar's reign.

The Diwan-i-khas
The Diwan-i-khas was the private hall where Akbar held regular meetings with his senior officers.
This was a special place where the king discussed secret plans and made important laws for the kingdom. Only the most trusted and high-ranking officials were allowed to enter this hall.
Teacher's Tip: "Khas" means "Special" or "Private."
Exam Tip: Mention that it was used for "senior officers" to distinguish it from the public hall.

The Diwan-i-Aam
The Diwan-i-Aam was the common audience hall where Akbar would receive petitions, listen to problems and solve many cases.
This hall was open to the general public so that common citizens could talk directly to their emperor. It showed that Akbar cared about the well-being of all his subjects, not just the rich.
Teacher's Tip: "Aam" means "Common" or "Ordinary" people.
Exam Tip: State that this was the place for "receiving petitions" from the public.

Subas
Subas were the provinces into which Akbar’s empire was divided. Each province was governed by a subedar.
Dividing the huge empire into Subas made it much easier for Akbar to manage and collect taxes. It was very similar to how modern countries are divided into different states.
Teacher's Tip: Subas = States; Subedar = State Governor.
Exam Tip: Mention the official title "Subedar" when explaining what a Suba is.

Mansab
Mansab means office or rank of dignity. A mansabdar was the holder of rank in the administration.
This system helped organize the military and civil officers based on their seniority and skills. Every mansabdar had to provide a certain number of soldiers to help the emperor during wars.
Teacher's Tip: Mansab is like a "Membership Level" in the government.
Exam Tip: Define it as "office or rank" to get the definition exactly right.

Todar Mai’s Bandobast
Todar Mai’s Bandobast was the land revenue system introduced by Raja Todar Mai who was one of the nine gems in Akbar’s court.
This system was very fair because it measured the land carefully before deciding how much tax the farmer should pay. It helped the farmers know exactly what they owed and prevented them from being cheated.
Teacher's Tip: "Bandobast" means "Arrangement" or "System."
Exam Tip: Mention Raja Todar Mal (Mai) as one of the "nine gems" for extra points.

Pilgrim tax
Pilgrim tax was the tax imposed on Hindus visiting places of pilgrimage.
Before Akbar, Hindu travelers had to pay money to the government just to visit their holy temples. Akbar abolished this tax to show respect for his Hindu subjects and promote religious equality.
Teacher's Tip: A "Pilgrim" is a religious traveler, and Akbar didn't want to charge them for their faith.
Exam Tip: Clearly state that Akbar "abolished" this tax to show his religious tolerance.

Sulh-i-Kul
Sulh-i-Kul means universal peace and harmony.
This was Akbar's philosophy of treating all people and religions with equal respect and kindness. It aimed to stop fighting between different groups and unite everyone as one big family under the king.
Teacher's Tip: "Sulh" sounds like "Soul," and it's about peace in the soul of the country.
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "universal peace" to describe this policy.

Din-i-Ilahi
Din-i-Ilahi was the new religious order introduced by Akbar. It was a combination of all major religions-lslam, Hinduism, Jainism and Christianity.
Akbar wanted to pick the best teachings from every faith to create a system that everyone could agree on. It focused on living a good and moral life rather than following strict rituals.
Teacher's Tip: Din-i-Ilahi was a "Religion Remix" made by Akbar.
Exam Tip: Mention the religions it combined (Islam, Hinduism, etc.) for a complete answer.

Time To Learn

I. Fill in the blanks:

1. Bairam Khan was the guardian of Akbar.
2. Akbar adopted a liberal religious policy.
3. In the year 1576 Akbar defeated Rana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighati.
4. Buland darwaza was built to celebrate Akbar’s victory over Gujarat.

II. Match Column A with Column B:

Column A
1. Bairam Khan
2. Abul Fazl
3. Todar Mal
4. Tansen
5. Din-i-Ilahi
Column B
(a) religious faith started by Akbar
(b) incharge of the revenue department
(c) musician of Akbar’s court
(d) guardian of Akbar
(e) author of Akbarnama

Answer:

1. Bairam Khan - (d) guardian of Akbar
2. Abul Fazl - (e) author of Akbarnama
3. Todar Mal - (b) incharge of the revenue department
4. Tansen - (c) musician of Akbar’s court
5. Din-i-Ilahi - (a) religious faith started by Akbar
These matches help us connect the famous people in Akbar's life to their specific roles and accomplishments. It shows how Akbar surrounded himself with experts in fields like music, history, and law.
Teacher's Tip: Abul Fazl wrote the "Akbarnama" - remember the 'A' and 'A'.
Exam Tip: Always read both columns carefully before drawing lines or writing the letters.

III. State whether the following statements are True or False:

1. Bairam Khan was a faithful general, who served both Humayun and Akbar loyally.
Answer: True.
Bairam Khan was responsible for helping the young Akbar win the Second Battle of Panipat and secure his throne. He was a trusted advisor who had also been close to Akbar's father, Humayun.
Teacher's Tip: Bairam was the "Barrier" who protected Akbar from enemies.
Exam Tip: If the statement mentions "loyalty" and "Bairam Khan," it is generally True.

2. Raja Todar Mal was the Revenue Minister of Akbar.
Answer: True.
Todar Mal was a brilliant administrator who created a very fair system for collecting taxes from farmers. His work helped the Mughal Empire become very wealthy and stable.
Teacher's Tip: Todar Mal handled the "Total Money" (Revenue).
Exam Tip: Remember that Todar Mal was one of the "Nine Gems" (Navratnas).

3. Akbar allowed religious freedom to the Rajputs only.
Answer: False. Akbar allowed religious freedom to all.
Akbar believed that everyone should be free to follow their own faith without fear of the government. He even had discussions with religious leaders from many different backgrounds in his special prayer hall.
Teacher's Tip: Akbar's freedom was "For All," not just for one group.
Exam Tip: When a statement says "only" for one group, it is usually False in Akbar's history.

4. Akbar reimposed Jazia on the non-Muslim subjects.
Answer: False. Akbar abolished Jazia on the non-Muslim subjects.
Jazia was a tax that previous rulers forced non-Muslims to pay, but Akbar thought this was unfair. By removing it, he won the love and loyalty of millions of his subjects.
Teacher's Tip: Abolished means "Cancelled" or "Ended."
Exam Tip: Use the word "abolished" to describe what Akbar did to the Jazia tax.

IV. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: When and between whom was the Second Battle of Panipat fought? What were its results?
Answer: Akbar and Hemu, met on the historic battlefield of Panipat in 1556. Hemus was defeated and killed. This was a decisive battle as it destroyed the Afghan power and thus consolidated the Mughal empire.
This battle saved the young Mughal Empire from ending before it could even begin. Because Hemu was defeated, Akbar was able to finally establish himself as the true ruler of Delhi.
Teacher's Tip: 1556 is the "Winning Year" for young Akbar.
Exam Tip: Name both "Akbar" and "Hemu" to get full points for this question.

Question 2: Write briefly about the following : (a) Akbar’s northern conquests (b) Akbar’s southern conquests.
Answer: (a) Akbar’s northern conquests: Akbar made many conquests after his victory at Panipat. Akbar thought of bringing peace and order in the country by extending his empire.
1. In AD 1561, Akbar sent a huge force under Adham Khan, to conquer Malwa.
2. In AD 1564, Mughal forces led by Asaf Khan attacked and later on annexed Garh Katanga.
3. Akbar captured Chittor in AD 1568. The Rana of Mewar had refused to submit to Akbar. Akbar marched up to Chittor and captured. Then he conquered kalinjar (1569), Ranthambhor, Gujarat (1573). By AD 1570, all Rajput princes had accepted his suzerainty.
4. Rana Pratap continued the struggle against the Mughals after his father’s death. He was defeated in the battle of Haldighati in 1576 but he did not submit and later reoccupied the lost territory, except the city of Chittor.
5. In AD 1576, Akbar sent his army to fight against Daud Khan, the Sultan of Bengal. The Sultan was defeated and killed in the battle.
6. Akbar’s army conquered Kabul in 1581, Kashmir in 1586, Sind in 1591 and Baluchistan in 1595. By doing so Akbar was able to secure the north-west frontiers.
7. Akbar annexed Orissa in 1592.
(b) Akbar’s southern conquests: From AD 1598 to 1601, the Mughal forces remained busy in the Deccan. Ahmadnagar was taken from Chand Bibi in AD 1600. She was killed by her own army. The Mughals then captured Asirgarh, a very strong for of Khandesh in AD 1601. Akbar annexed three provinces in the Deccan, i.e., Berar, Ahmadnagar and Khandesh. 1. One third of the average produce was the king’s share. It could be paid in cash or kind, though cash was preferred. 2. The revenue officers were instructed to treat the peasants well. Loans which could be paid back in easy instalments were advanced to the peasants to Berar, Ahmadnagar and Khandesh.
Akbar was a great general who managed to bring almost all of India under his control through these wars. He used both force and smart diplomacy to make his kingdom one of the largest in history.
Teacher's Tip: Northern conquests were many, but the Southern ones were focused on the Deccan region.
Exam Tip: Use the specific years like 1576 for Haldighati to make your answer more precise.

Question 3: What was the extent of Akbar’s kingdom? How was administration carried out during Akbar’s time? Explain with reference to the Central and Provincial administration.
Answer: Akbar’s empire extended from Bengal in the east to Afganistan in the west and from the Himalayas in the north to the Godavari river in the south. His vast empire was divided into fifteen provinces. They were Kabul, Lahore, Multan, Delhi, Agra, Allahabad, Oudh, Gujarat, Ajmer, Malwa, Bihar, Bengal, Khandesh, Berar, Ahmednagar. The Akbar administration was divided into Central and Provincial administration. Central Administration The emperor was assisted by a team of ministers and officials for proper administration of the empire. Their names and functions are as follows:
1. Wazir Dewan: He was the head of the revenue department.
2. Mir Bakshi: He was the head of the military department and the paymaster of all mansabdars.
3. The Qazi: He was the chief judge.
4. Chief Sadr: He was the supervisor of the royal household.
5. Vakil: He was the head of the advisory board.
Provinical Administration Akbar’s empire was divided into fifteen provinces or Subas, which-were further subdivided into Sarkars and these in turn into parganas. Each pargana comprised a number of villages. Each province was under the charge of a subedar, who had full civil and military powers. The Subehdar was assisted by a number of officials like provincial Diwan, Bakshi, Qazi, kotwal and a number of other officials.
Akbar's administration was very organized, ensuring that even small villages followed the laws made in the capital. This system was so good that even the British rulers many years later used some of his ideas to rule India.
Teacher's Tip: Central administration is the "Main Office," and Provincial administration is the "Branch Offices."
Exam Tip: Mention the total of "fifteen provinces" to show you know the size of the empire.

Question 4: What were the main sources of revenue for the Mughal government? How did Akbar improve the collection of revenue?
Answer: Todar Mai introduced a land revenue system known as Todar Mai’s Bandobast.
1. Land was surveyed and measured with a bamboo .jarib joined together with iron rings instead of the hemp rope used earlier.
2. The land was grouped into four categories depending on whether it was regularly or occasionally cultivated. It was classified further into good, middling and bad categories.
3. The average produce and the average price over the past 10 years were calculated. The revenue was calculated on the basis of these buy seeds, cattle and implements.
4. If the crops failed due to drought or flood, the state granted remission of revenue.
By measuring the land accurately, Akbar made sure that farmers didn't pay too much or too little. He also helped farmers during natural disasters by cancelling their taxes, which made him very popular.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Bandobast" as a "Fair Deal" for the farmers.
Exam Tip: Mention the "10 years" average calculation to show you understand the system's depth.

Question 5: What do you think about Akbar’s attempts to bring about religious, cultural and social unification in his empire?
Answer: Akbar took following steps to transform the Islamic state into a secular one and unite the diverse races in the country into a single nation based on equality:
1. He abolished the Jaziya tax which was imposed by earlier Muslim rulers on all non-Muslim subjects and pilgrim tax imposed on Hindus visiting places of pilgrimage.
2. He allowed Hindus to build temples, celebrate festivals and worship freely. He even allowed his Hindu wives to celebrate festivals like Holi and Diwali.
3. He gave high posts to talented and competent Hindus in his court, examples are: Todar Mai, Birbal and Raja Bhagwan Das.
4. He married Rajput princesses and allowed them freedom of worship.
5. He granted land to all persons irrespective of their religious faith.
Akbar realized that to rule a country like India, he needed to treat everyone as equal citizens regardless of their background. His actions helped create a culture where people of different faiths lived together peacefully for many years.
Teacher's Tip: Akbar wanted to be a "King of People," not just a "King of Muslims."
Exam Tip: Mention that he gave "high posts" to Hindus like Birbal to show his inclusive policy.

Question 6: What do you understand by the term Din-i-Ilahi? Write a brief note on it.
Answer: Akbar formed a new religious order which was called Din-i- Ilahi or divine faith. The main features of this religion were belief in one God and recognition of the emperor as God’s representative on earth. Din-i-Ilahi was more like a code of conduct and there was no sacred books, no priestly classes, no places of worship and no rituals in it. The main objective of establishing it was to provide a religious order which would be acceptable to the Hindu, Muslims and other communities and to promote universal brotherhood and national unity.
Akbar hoped this would stop religious arguments and bring everyone together under a single spiritual idea. While not many people followed it, it showed Akbar's great vision for a united India.
Teacher's Tip: Din-i-Ilahi was about "Good Behavior" more than it was about "Praying."
Exam Tip: Note that there were "no sacred books" in this new order.

Question 7: Do you think architecture flourished during Akbar’s reign? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Initially, the style of architecture was Persian, for instance, Humayun’s Tomb. However, with the passage of time, Akbar’s architectural style became more and more Indian. Inspired by the palaces of Hindu rajas, Akbar’s later buildings reflect Rajput traditions. Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s new capital city, contains many interesting Rajput-style buildings made of sandstone. It is referred to as a dream in stone. Among the many fine buildings are the Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace and the Buland Darwaza.
Akbar's buildings were a mix of Islamic and Indian styles, which created a unique and beautiful look. He used red sandstone and detailed carvings that are still admired by tourists from all over the world today.
Teacher's Tip: Fatehpur Sikri is Akbar's "Signature City."
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "dream in stone" to describe the beauty of Fatehpur Sikri.

V. Give reasons why.

Question 1: Land was classified and measured before revenue was fixed.
Answer:
1. Land was surveyed and measured with a bamboo jarib joined together with iron rings instead of the hemp rope used earlier.
2. The land was grouped into four categories depending on whether it was regularly or occasionally cultivated. It was classified further into good, middling and bad categories.
3. The average produce and the average price over the past 10 years were calculated. The revenue was calculated on the basis of these averages. One third of the average produce was the king’s share. It could be paid in cash or kind, though cash was preferred.
This was done to ensure that the government received a fair amount of money while not putting too much pressure on the farmers. By looking at the land's quality, Akbar ensured that poor soil meant lower taxes.
Teacher's Tip: Measurement = Fairness in taxation.
Exam Tip: Mention the use of "iron rings" on the bamboo jarib to show technological improvement.

Question 2: Akbar followed a liberal policy towards the Rajputs.
Answer: Akbar realized that the support of the Rajputs was necessary to build a powerful empire. For this he adopted the liberal policy towards the Rajput.
1. Akbar treated the Rajputs with honour and equality and won their respect and loyalty.
2. He married Rajput princesses to strengthen his ties with Rajputs.
3. He appointed Rajputs on High posts in his court to win their friendship, loyalty and cooperation.
4. He abolished the Jaziya and pilgrim tax levied on Hindus.
5. Akbar did not annexed the kingdoms of the Rajput rulers but only asked them to recognize him as their overlord and pay him regular tribute. The result of adopting this policy was that Akbar won the loyalty and support of the Rajputs, Who formed the backbone of a strong and stable empire.
The Rajputs were known for being the bravest fighters in India, and having them on his side made Akbar's army unbeatable. This friendship changed the history of the Mughal Empire and made it much stronger.
Teacher's Tip: Partnership is better than punishment when dealing with brave people.
Exam Tip: List "matrimonial alliances" as a key point in his Rajput policy.

Question 3: Akbar is referred to as ‘Akbar the Great’.
Answer: Akbar made many reforms to the empire because of which he was called Akbar the Great. Some of the reforms were:
1. He expanded the Mughal Empire to almost twice its size
2. He was tolerant to other religions
3. He made many administrative reforms which were even used by the British
4. He was a very fair ruler
Akbar was the greatest Mughal emperor because rather than ruining India he did many things for it’s welfare. He opposed the discrimination between Hindus and Muslims, abolished the tax on Hindu pilgrims. So he was called great.
He is called "Great" because he unified a very diverse country through peace and respect rather than just through war. His legacy of religious harmony is still taught as a lesson for everyone today.
Teacher's Tip: Greatness comes from "Fairness" and "Vision," not just "Victory."
Exam Tip: Mention his opposition to "discrimination" as a reason for his title.

VI. Picture study:

1. Name this building.
Answer: Buland Darwaza.
This massive gateway is one of the highest in the world and serves as the entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri. It is a stunning example of Mughal engineering and art.
Teacher's Tip: "Buland" means "Grand" or "High."
Exam Tip: Be sure to spell "Buland Darwaza" correctly.

2. Where is it located?
Answer: Fathepur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri was built as a new capital by Akbar and is located near Agra. It contains many buildings that are UNESCO World Heritage sites today.
Teacher's Tip: Look for the city built entirely of red sandstone.
Exam Tip: Always mention its proximity to the city of Agra if asked for more detail.

3. Why and when was it built?
Answer: It was built to commemorate Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat.
Akbar wanted to leave a permanent mark of his victory over the wealthy state of Gujarat. The gateway stands as a reminder of his power and his ability to conquer large territories.
Teacher's Tip: It's a "Victory Arch" for the Gujarat campaign.
Exam Tip: Use the word "commemorate" to describe why it was built.

4. Name the emperor who got it built. Write about his religious policies.
Answer: Akbar built the Buland Darwaza. The religious policies of Akbar were:
1. He abolished ‘jaziya and ‘pilgram tax’.
2. He was an emperor who not only let Hindus build their temples but also gave grants to build them.
3. He stopped the practise of forcible conversion to Islam.
4. He got religious books of Hindus translated to Persian.
Akbar's religious policies were ahead of his time, promoting the idea that every citizen should be respected regardless of their faith. This helped create a peaceful society where art and culture could thrive.
Teacher's Tip: Akbar was the "Bridge-builder" between different religions.
Exam Tip: Mention the "translation of religious books" as a sign of his cultural interest.

Additional Questions (Akbar The Great)

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. In the Second Battle of Panipat which took place in November 1556, the Mughal army under the leadership of Bairam Khan defeated General Hemu.
2. Akbar held regular meetings with his senior officers in the Diwan-i-Khas and he met his subjects in the Diwan-i-Aam.
3. The Mughal empire was divided into fifteen provinces and subas which were further subdivided into districts or Sarkars.
4. The land revenue system introduced by Akbar was known as the Toda Mai’s Bandobast system.
5. The minimum age of marriage was raised to fourteen years for girls and sixteen years for boys.
6. Two great poets patronized by Akbar were Faizi and Raja Birbal.

B. Match the following:

A
1. Abul Fazl
2. Faizi
3. Tansen
4. Birbal
5. Raja Man Singh
B
(a) Hindustani music
(b) military commander
(c) Persian poet laureate
(d) Akbarnama
(e) Akbar's constant companion

1. Abul Fazl - (d) Akbarnama
2. Faizi - (c) Persian poet laureate
3. Tansen - (a) Hindustani music
4. Birbal - (e) Akbar’s constant companion
5. Raja Man Singh - (b) military commander

Answer:
Matching these names helps us identify the different types of talent that Akbar kept in his court. It shows that he valued soldiers just as much as he valued poets and musicians.
Teacher's Tip: Birbal was the king's "Best Friend" and advisor.
Exam Tip: Match "Abul Fazl" with "Akbarnama" as they are linked by history.

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. Akbar was 13/15/17 years old when he was proclaimed emperor.
Answer: Akbar was 13 years old when he was proclaimed emperor.
He was very young when his father died, which is why he needed Bairam Khan to guide him. Despite his age, he quickly learned how to lead a giant army.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine being a king when you are only in 8th grade!
Exam Tip: Always pick "13" for Akbar's starting age.

2. Rana Pratap Singh was defeated by the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati.
Answer: Rana Pratap Singh was defeated by the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati.
This battle is one of the most famous in Indian history because of the incredible courage shown by Rana Pratap and his horse, Chetak. Even though the Mughals won, Rana Pratap never gave up his fight for freedom.
Teacher's Tip: Haldighati = Rana Pratap's brave struggle.
Exam Tip: Identify "Rana Pratap" as the opponent in the 1576 battle.

3. In 1575 ce, Akbar built the Ibadat Khana in his new capital for discussions on religious.
Answer: In 1575 ce, Akbar built the Ibadat Khana in his new capital for discussions on religious.
He invited people from all religions to sit together and talk about their beliefs in this building. It was here that he realized all religions teach similar lessons of peace.
Teacher's Tip: Ibadat = Prayer/Worship; Khana = House.
Exam Tip: State that it was built for "religious" discussions.

4. Akbar founded a new religious order which he called Din- i-Ilahi.
Answer: Akbar founded a new religious order which he called Din- i-Ilahi.
This order did not have strict rituals and was meant to unite people of different faiths. Akbar himself was the head of this spiritual group.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Ilahi" means "Godly" or "Divine."
Exam Tip: Choose "Din-i-Ilahi" when asked for the specific name of Akbar's religious order.

5. The court language used in Akbar’s court was Persian.
Answer: The court language used in Akbar’s court was Persian.
All official documents and historical books like the Akbarnama were written in this language. It was the language of art, poetry, and government during the Mughal era.
Teacher's Tip: Persian was the "Official" language of that time.
Exam Tip: If asked about the language of administration, the answer is "Persian."

D. State whether the following are true or false:

1. Akbar assumed absolute power and authority at the age of 21. False. Correct: Akbar assumed absolute power and authority at the age of 18.
2. Akbar held regular meetings with the senior officers in the Diwan-i-Khas. True.
3. In each suba, the diwan kept records of the land revenue. True.
4. Din-i-Ilahi was adopted by all the people in Akbar’s empire. False. Correct: Din-i-Ilahi was introduced by all the people in Akbar’s empire.
5. Akbar was illiterate but he had a passion for books. True.

Answer: These statements clarify common misconceptions about Akbar's personal life and power. For instance, knowing he was illiterate but loved books shows he was a very curious and intelligent person who listened to others read to him.
Teacher's Tip: Just because Akbar couldn't read didn't mean he wasn't smart!
Exam Tip: For False statements, always write the correct version to secure full marks.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1: What role did Bairam Khan play when Akbar ascended the throne?
Answer: Bairam Khan managed the affairs of the state on behalf of Akbar.
Since Akbar was only a child, Bairam Khan made all the big military and political decisions for him. He essentially acted as the king until Akbar was old enough to rule alone.
Teacher's Tip: Bairam was the "Substitute King" for the young Akbar.
Exam Tip: Use the term "guardian" to describe Bairam Khan's role.

Question 2: What is the significance of the Second Battle of Panipat (1556 ce)?
Answer: In the second battle of Panipat, Akbar’s army under the leadership of Bairam Khan defeated and skilled Hemu, the general of Adil Shah who had occupied the city of Delhi. Due to this battle, the Afghan power was crushed and Akbar’s throne became safe from enemies.
This victory ensured that the Mughals would stay in power for many more centuries. Without this win, the Mughal family might have been forced to leave India forever.
Teacher's Tip: This battle was the "Grand Opening" of Akbar's real rule.
Exam Tip: Mention that it "crushed the Afghan power" to explain its significance.

Question 3: Why did Akbar embark on a policy of conquest and annexation?
Answer: Akbar embarked on a policy of conquest and annexation. His aim was to bring the entire country under his control.
He believed that having one single, strong government would bring peace and stop small kingdoms from fighting each other. This unification helped trade and art flourish across India.
Teacher's Tip: Annexation means "Taking control of other lands."
Exam Tip: Use the word "unify" to describe his overall goal.

Question 4: Why did Akbar follow a policy of friendship with the Rajput?
Answer: Akbar realized that Delhi and Agra could never be safe until the Rajputs were subdued. He also realized that the friendship and support of the Rajputs would be of great help in strengthening and expanding the Mughal empire.
The Rajputs were very loyal and brave, making them the best allies a king could have. By making them friends, Akbar turned his biggest potential enemies into his strongest supporters.
Teacher's Tip: It's better to have a "Strong Friend" than a "Brave Enemy."
Exam Tip: State that they helped "strengthen and expand" the empire.

Question 5: Why is the memory of Rana Pratap Singh still honoured in Rajasthan?
Answer: People in Rajasthan still honour the memory of Rana Pratap Singh because his whole life he fought for throwing the Mughal’s out of their territory.
He chose to live a hard life in the mountains rather than bow down to the Mughal emperor. His fight for his homeland is seen as a great act of patriotism and courage.
Teacher's Tip: Rana Pratap is the ultimate "Hero of the Desert."
Exam Tip: Mention his "life-long struggle" for independence.

Question 6: What do you understand by the term ‘mansab’?
Answer: The term ‘mansab’ means office or rank.
It was a system used to define the status and pay of every government official. It also determined how many soldiers an officer was expected to keep ready for battle.
Teacher's Tip: Mansab is like your "Grade" or "Rank" in a school or army.
Exam Tip: Define it simply as "office or rank" as per the text.

Question 7: Who had the power to appoint and dismiss the mansabdars?
Answer: The mansabdars were appointed, promoted or dismissed by the emperor.
This gave Akbar total control over his officers because they knew their jobs depended entirely on him. It ensured that everyone worked hard to stay in the king's good books.
Teacher's Tip: The Emperor was the "Sole Boss" of all officials.
Exam Tip: Mention that the "Emperor" had the final power.

Question 8: Mention any one tax abolished by Akbar as a part of his policy of religious tolerance.
Answer: Akbar abolished the jaziya (poll) tax and the pilgrim tax.
By removing these taxes, Akbar showed that he did not want to treat people of other religions as inferior. It was a very kind and smart move to unite the people of India.
Teacher's Tip: Jazia and Pilgrim taxes were like "Penalty Taxes" for being non-Muslim.
Exam Tip: Name either "Jaziya" or "Pilgrim tax" clearly.

Question 9: What power did Akbar gain through the Mahzar?
Answer: Akbar issued a declaration called Mahzar, which gave him the power to choose between different interpretations of Islamic law.
This meant that the religious leaders (Ulema) could no longer tell the king what to do. Akbar became the final decider on both religious and political matters.
Teacher's Tip: Mahzar was Akbar's "Declaration of Independence" from the priests.
Exam Tip: Mention that it gave him "final power in religious law."

Question 10: Why did Akbar encourage the study of secular subjects?
Answer: Akbar encourage the study of secular subjects like Mathematics, Agriculture, Logic, History and Astronomy to increase the knowledge of people and to promote religious harmony.
He believed that learning about the world and science would help people become more logical and less likely to fight over religion. It made his kingdom a center for scientific progress.
Teacher's Tip: "Secular" means non-religious, real-world knowledge.
Exam Tip: List at least two subjects like "Mathematics" and "History" in your answer.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: Why was Akbar’s position unstable and insecure when he ascended the throne of Delhi?
Answer: Akbar’s position was unstable and insecure, when he ascended the throne of Delhi because his empire was surrounded by enemies on all the sides. Adil Shah who was the nephew of Sher Shah was determined to capture Delhi and re-establish the Afghan rule. Even the Rajputs were waiting for suitable opportunity to throw the Mughals out of India.
Akbar was only 13 years old and many older kings thought he would be an easy target. He had no real army of his own at that time and the city of Delhi was in danger of being taken away.
Teacher's Tip: He was a "Little King" in a "Big Forest" of enemies.
Exam Tip: Mention "Adil Shah" as a specific threat to get more marks.

Question 2: Rana Udai Singh of Mewar rejected Akbar’s offer of friendship and refused to submit to him. In this context, discuss: (a) Subjugation of Rana Udai Singh (b) Conflict with Rana Pratap Singh
Answer: (a) The Rana of Mewar was considered to be the head of the Rajput clans. He refused to submit to Akbar and rejected his proposal of a matrimonial alliance. Akbar marched against Chittor, the capital city of Mewar. Udai Singh escaped to the hills, leaving the defence of Chittor to Jai Mai, the commander of the Rajput forces. For 4 months, the Mughal army tried in vain to capture the fort of Chittor. Resistance collapsed when Jai Mai was killed. All the Rajput women performed jauhar. The heroic Rajputs rushed out in a desperate bid to destroy the enemy. They perished fighting. The capture of Chittor was followed by the fall of Ranthambore. By 1570 ce, practically all the Rajput princes had accepted Akbar as their overlord. (b) The Rajputs of Mewar, however, refused to submit. Having lost Chittor, their capital city, they rallied around Rana Pratap, the valiant son of Udai Singh. After his escape to the hills, Udai Singh had built a new capital called Udaipur. After Udai Singh’s death, Rana Pratap carried on the struggle against the Mughals. With a great deal of difficulty, Rana Pratap organized and army and clashed with the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 ce. The Mughal forces were led by the Rajput chief, Raja Man Singh of Amber. The Rajputs were outnumbered and defeated by the Mughal army. Rana Pratap took shelter in a mountain fortress and continued his efforts to recover Chittor. He was able to recover parts of his territories before his death, but not Chittor.
The Mewar family was famous for its stubborn pride and never fully submitted to the Mughals during Akbar's life. This long conflict showed the bravery of both the Rajputs and the persistence of Akbar's military.
Teacher's Tip: Udai Singh started the resistance, and his son Rana Pratap became a legend for finishing it.
Exam Tip: Use the term "Matrimonial Alliance" to explain how Akbar tried to make peace first.

Question 3: Discuss the power and position of the emperor in the central administration.
Answer: 1. The emperor was an extremely powerful figure. His decisions on all matter military, political, administrative and judicial-were final. His word was law. He was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the supreme judge on all matters of justice. 2. He was assisted by a team of ministers and officials. The appointment, promotion and dismissal of all officials, including commanders of the army, was the sole right of the emperor. The success of this system depended largely on the personality of the emperor and his wisdom to choose the right person for the right job.
Akbar held all the strings of the kingdom in his own hands, meaning nothing happened without his permission. However, he was wise enough to listen to his "Nine Gems" and other experts to make the best choices.
Teacher's Tip: The Emperor was the "CEO" and the "Judge" and the "General" all at once.
Exam Tip: Mention that the king's "word was law" for a perfect score.

Question 4: Who assisted the emperor in the administration of the empire? What were their responsibilities and functions?
Answer: The emperor was assisted by a team of ministers and officials for proper administration of the empire. Their names and functions are as follows:
1. Wazir Dewan: He was the head of the revenue department.
2. Mir Bakshi: He was the head of the military department and the paymaster of all mansabdars
3. The Qazi: He was the chief judge.
4. Chief Sadr: He was the supervisor of the royal household.
5. Vakil: He was the head of the at’1 ‘ , i. board
[Note: OCR Correction for point 5 based on Page 4: "Vakil was the head of the advisory board"]. These ministers ensured that every part of the government, from the treasury to the army, worked perfectly. By dividing the work, Akbar could focus on the most important decisions while his team handled the details.
Teacher's Tip: Each minister had a "Special Mission" to keep the country running.
Exam Tip: List at least four of these officials with their correct departments.

Question 5: Explain any five main features of the mansabdari system introduced by Akbar.
Answer: Under this system, every official was given a rank or a mansab. The rank depended on the nature and importance of the job. The lowest rank was that of an officer in charge of ten horsemen, while the highest mansab was that of an officer maintaining 7,000 horseman. The mansab’s were given salary in accordance with their rank. They were usually paid in the form of jagirs.
A "Jagir" was a piece of land from which the officer could collect tax as his salary. This system prevented the king from having to pay out large amounts of cash every month while keeping his officers busy.
Teacher's Tip: Rank = Respect + Responsibility + Revenue (money).
Exam Tip: Mention the range of ranks, from "10 to 7,000 horsemen."

Question 6: What measures did Akbar adopt to reorganize and strengthen the army?
Answer: 1. Every official in the imperial service was given a rank or a mansab. The rank depended on the nature and importance of the job. The lowest rank was that of an officer in charge of ten horsemen, while the highest mansab was that of an officer maintaining 7,000 horseman. The higher mansabs were reserved for the members of the royal family. 2. The mansabdars were appointed, promoted or dismissed by the emperor. 3. They were given a salary in accordance with their rank. Later, they began to be paid in the form of jagirs. They were entitled to a fixed amount of revenue from the jagir as salary for themselves arid their troops. 4. A mansab or rank was not hereditary. After the death of the mansabdar, the jagir reverted to the king, who granted it to someone else. 5. The mansabdars did not have any authority or responsibility of administering the jagir. 6. The system of branding horses and maintaining a descriptive roll of the soldiers was adopted by Akbar. 7. Akbar also maintained a standing army. The cavalry was the most important branch of the Mughal army. The troops were mainly supplied by the mansabdars. The emperor also directly recruited and maintained a battalion of loyal and trusted soldiers. He maintained a corps of royal bodyguards and armed palace guards, a large number of war elephants and a well-organized artillery.
By branding horses (Dagh) and keeping lists of soldiers (Chehra), Akbar made sure that his officers didn't cheat the government with fake soldiers. His focus on "Artillery" (cannons) also gave him a huge advantage over other Indian kings.
Teacher's Tip: Use "D-C" for Dagh and Chehra - the army's ID system.
Exam Tip: Highlight that the rank was "not hereditary," meaning a son didn't automatically get his father's rank.

Question 7: Explain the important features of the land revenue system introduced by Todar Mal.
Answer: Todar Mai introduced a land revenue system known as Todar Mai’s Bandobast. 1. Land was surveyed and measured with a bamboo jarib joined together with iron rings instead of the hemp rope used earlier. 2. The land was grouped into four categories depending on whether it was regularly or occasionally cultivated. It was classified further into good, middling and bad categories. 3. The average produce and the average price over the past 10 years were calculated. The revenue was calculated on the basis of these averages. One third of the average produce was the king’s share. It could be paid in cash or kind, though cash was preferred. 4. The revenue officers were instructed to treat the peasants well. 5. Loans which could be paid back in easy instalments were advanced to the peasants to buy seeds, cattle and implements. 6. If the crops failed due to drought or flood, the state granted remission of revenue.
This was one of the most scientific tax systems of the time because it considered the actual production of the land. It made the Mughal government very rich while keeping the farmers happy and productive.
Teacher's Tip: Measurement + Average of 10 years = A happy treasury.
Exam Tip: Mention the "remission of revenue" (tax cancellation) for full marks.

Question 8: What policies did Akbar follow to transform the Islamic state into a secular one and unite the diverse races in the country into a single nation based on equality?
Answer: Akbar took following steps to transform the Islamic state into a secular one and unite the diverse races in the country into a single nation based on equality: 1. He abolished the Jaziya tax which was imposed by earlier Muslim rulers on all non-Muslim subjects and pilgrim tax imposed on Hindus visiting places of pilgrimage. 2. He allowed Hindus to build temples, celebrate festivals and worship freely. He even allowed his Hindu wives to celebrate festivals like Holi and Diwali. 3. He gave high posts to talented and competent Hindus in his court, examples are: Todar Mai, Birbal and Raja Bhagwan Das. 4. He married Rajput princesses and allowed them freedom of worship. 5. He granted land to all persons irrespective of their religious Mh.
[Note: "Mh" likely typo for "Faith" in OCR]. Akbar realized that India's diversity was its strength and that a king should be the father of all his subjects. These policies turned his kingdom from a land of strangers into a united nation.
Teacher's Tip: Equality was the secret ingredient to Akbar's long reign.
Exam Tip: Use the term "secular state" when describing Akbar's goal.

Question 9: Briefly explain the features and objectives of the Din- i-Ilahi?
Answer: Akbar formed a new religious order which was called Din- i-Ilahi or divine faith. The main features of this religion were belief in one God and recognition of the emperor as God’s representative on earth. Din-i-Ilahi was more like a code of conduct and there was no sacred books, no priestly classes, no places of worship and no rituals in it. The main objective of establishing it was to provide a religious order which would be acceptable to the Hindu, Muslims and other communities and to promote universal brotherhood and national unity.
Akbar wanted to bridge the gap between people of different faiths by showing them what they had in common. It was more about "Being a Good Person" than it was about complicated religious rules.
Teacher's Tip: Din-i-Ilahi = "Divine Faith" for a United India.
Exam Tip: Mention that it had "no rituals" to show it was different from traditional religions.

Question 10: Mention the important features of Akbar’s Rajput policy. Why did he adopt this policy and what were its results?
Answer: Akbar realized that the support of the Rajputs was necessary to build a powerful empire. For this he adopted the following policy: 1. Akbar treated the Rajputs with honour and equality and won their respect and loyalty. 2. He married Rajput princesses to strengthen his ties with Rajputs. 3. He appointed Rajputs on High posts in his court to win their friendship, loyalty and cooperation. 4. He abolished the Jaziya and pilgrim tax levied on Hindus. 5. Akbar did not annexed the kingdoms of the Rajput rulers but only asked them to recognize him as their overlord and pay him regular tribute. The result of adopting this policy was that Akbar won the loyalty and support of the Rajputs, Who formed the backbone of a strong and stable empire.
The Rajputs became the Mughal Empire's most reliable generals and governors, fighting for Akbar all over India. This friendship between the Mughals and the Rajputs was the main reason for the empire's great stability and success.
Teacher's Tip: He turned "Tough Warriors" into "True Friends."
Exam Tip: Mention that Rajputs became the "backbone" of his stable empire.

Question 11: Mention any two important social reforms introduced by Akbar?
Answer: Akbar introduced a number of social reforms to rid Indian society from some cruel practices like: 1. He abolished the sati pratha and legalized remarriage of widows. 2. He discouraged child marriage. He raised the minimum age of marriage of girls to fourteen years and of boys to sixteen years.
These reforms showed that Akbar was not just interested in war, but also in making people's lives safer and better. He was one of the first rulers in India to try to protect the rights of women and children through law.
Teacher's Tip: Akbar was like a "Social Scientist" who wanted to fix bad old rules.
Exam Tip: Remember the specific ages for marriage: 14 for girls and 16 for boys.

Question 12: Give an account of Akbar’s cultural achievements with reference to: (a) Literature (b) Architecture
Answer: (a) Abul Fazl was Akbar’s court historian. He wrote the Akbarnama, which is an excellent historical work in Persian. Hindi was also used in the Mughal court. Raja Birbal was made the Hindi Kavi Raj or poet laureate in Akbar’s court. The Ramacharitamanas was written by Tulsidas, the greatest Hindi author in those times. (b) Initially, the style of architecture was Persian, for instance, Humayun’s Tomb. However, with the passage of time, Akbar’s architectural style became more and more Indian. Inspired by the palaces of Hindu rajas, Akbar’s later buildings reflect Rajput traditions. Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s new capital city, contains many interesting Rajput-style buildings made of sandstone. It is referred to as a dream in stone. Among the many fine buildings are the Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace and the Buland Darwaza.
During Akbar's time, there was a beautiful blending of Persian and Indian ideas in both books and buildings. This created a new "Mughal Culture" that was unique and very grand, influencing India for hundreds of years.
Teacher's Tip: Red Sandstone + Detailed carving = Akbar's architectural style.
Exam Tip: Mention the "Akbarnama" and "Tulsidas" when answering about literature achievements.

G Picture study: The picture depicts a Mughal emperor holding discussions on religious matters in the Ibadat Khana.

Question 1: Identify the emperor.
Answer: Akbar.
Akbar is shown in the picture sitting at a higher level, listening patiently to the different religious thinkers. This shows his intellectual curiosity and his desire to learn from everyone.
Teacher's Tip: Akbar is the one who is always at the center of religious discussions.
Exam Tip: Simply identify him as "Emperor Akbar."

Question 2: Which religious communities participated in the discussions?
Answer: Muslim clerics, Hindu scholars, Buddhist and Jain monks, Parsi priests, Christian missionaries, etc. assembled in the Ibadat Khanna.
This shows that Akbar did not favor just one group, but wanted to hear from all the major faiths in the world. It was a very rare and brave thing for a king to do in those times.
Teacher's Tip: It was like a "World Religion Meeting" held in one room.
Exam Tip: List at least three different communities like "Hindus, Christians, and Jains."

Question 3: Why did the emperor organize these assemblies?
Answer: The Emperor organize these assemblies to explain the principles and teachings of all the religion.
He wanted to understand the truth about God and human life by comparing different beliefs. These meetings eventually helped him develop his own ideas about religious harmony and peace.
Teacher's Tip: He organized them to "Learn" and to "Unite."
Exam Tip: Use the term "Ibadat Khana" to describe where these assemblies were held.