CBSE Class 12 History Kings Chronicles Mughal Courts Worksheet

THEME-9

Kings and ChroniclesThe Mughal Courts

(C. Sixteenth-Seventeenth Centuries)

Key concepts in nutshell

- The Mughals and their empire - The name Mughal derives from Mongols.

- The production of chronicles.

- From Turkish to Persian - Mughal court chronicles were written in Persian.

- The making of manuscripts - all books in Mughals were manuscripts i.e. they were handwritten.

- The Akbarnama and Badshanama- among the important illustrated Mughal official histories the Akbarnama and Badshanama.

- A unifying force- sulh-i-kul-Abul Fazl describes the ideal sulh-i-kul (absolute peace)

- Capitals and courts- capital city- the heart of Mughal empire is capital city. Where the court assemble.

- Titles and Gifts- The granting of titles to men of merit was an important aspect of Mughal policy.

Very Short Question and Answer

Question. What are the Mughal Chronicles ?
Answer:
a) Commissioned by the Mughal place where different process of production of books like making paper, printing, painting, pinding etc. were done.
b) They are important source for studying the empire and its court.

Question. What is Sulh-i-Kul?
Answer:
a) Akbar's Religious Policy.
b) Sulh-i-Kul means absolute peace.
In this ideal emperor was source of all peace and stability, stood above all religious and ethnic groups, insured justice and peace.

Question. What was meant by 'Kitabkhana'?
Answer:
a) Kitab Khana means place where different process of production of books like making paper, printing, binding etc. were done.
b) It was a place where the emperor's collection of Manuscripts were kept and produced.

Short Question and Answer

Question. Who wrote Akbarnama? Describe its content in brief.
Answer:
a) Abul Fazl wrote Akbarnama.
b) Content - It is divided into three books.
c) Ain-i-Akbari the first volume contains the history of mankind from Adam to one celestial cycle of Akbar's life.
d) Second volume closes in the forty sixth regional years (1601) of Akbar.
e) To provide a detailed description of Akbar's reign.
f) It gives a synchronic picture of all aspects of Akbar's empire - geographic, social, administrative and cultural.

Question. Describe in brief about the ideal of Din-i-Ilahi.
Answer:
a) Introduced by Akbar as the state religion.
b) God is one and Akbar is the representative of the prophet.
c) To Utter-Allah-Hu-Akbar.
d) The followers deemed the fire as sacred and worshipped the Sun God.
e) Vegetarian followers.
f) They looked up on all religions with a sense of respect.
g) Performed their obituaries during their lifetime.

Question. What was the composition of the ruling class in India during the Mughal Period?
Answer:
a) Mughal nobility was recruited from diverse ethnic and religious groups.
b) It was like a bouquet of flowers.
c) Turani, Irani, Rajput, Indian Muslims.

Question. Write in brief about the Mughal Provincial administration.
Answer:
a) Head of provincial government was - governor.
b) He reported directly to the emperor.
c) Provinces (Subas) were divided into Sarkar.
d) Sarkars into parganas under - quanungo, chaudhary and qazi.
e) Each department was supported by official staff.

Question. Write in brief about the Religious Policy of Akbar.
Answer:
a) Akbar believed in the equality of all religious.
b) Secular outlook.
c) Interaction with people of different faiths.
d) Freedom to all religious sects.
e) Grants and support to all religions.
f) Introduced Sulh-i-Kul.

Long Question and Answer

Question. Describe in brief about the architecture under the Mughals-
Answer:
a) Babar and Humayun did not get the time to construct the buildings.
b) During Akbar's period - Agra Fort, Buland Darwaja, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace, Birbal Palace, Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti.
c) Akbar's Tomb - Sikandara.
d) Jama Masjid, Taj Mahal, Moti Masjid, Lal quila Delhi-Shahjahan.
e) Shahi Masjid at Lahore by Aurangzeb.

Question. Describe in brief the elements of the Mughal ideal of Kingship.
Answer:
a) The concept of divine light- In which the divine light was transmitted to the king who then became the source of spiritual guidance for his subject.
b) A unifying force - Emperor was a source of all peace, stability and justice.
c) Implementation of Sulh-i-Kul through state policy.
d) The Mughal nobility was a composite one comprising of Iranis, Turanis, Afghans, Rajputs, Deccan's etc. With loyalty to the King.
e) Secular religious policy.
f) Idea of Just sovereignty as social contract.

Question. Describe the daily routine and special festivities associated with the Mughal Court.
Answer:
a) Physical arrangement of the court, focused on the sovereign and status.
b) The throne (Takht) was the center of power.
c) In court, status was determined by spatial proximity to the king.
d) Social control in court society.
e) The forms of salutation to the ruler.
f) The protocols government diplomatic envoys at the Mughal Court were equally explicit.
g) The day began with personal religious devotions then Jharokha Darshan.
h) After that conduct of primary business of his government.
i) Discuss the confidential matters.
j) Celebration of festivals.