Medieval and Islamic History

The name Jahangir is from Persian meaning Conqueror of the World. He was a contemporary of Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji. Jahangir died near Sarai Sadabad in 1627. Jahangir's elegant mausoleum is located in the Shahdara locale of Lahore and is a popular tourist attraction in Lahore. It should be noted that Aurangzeb took the title 'Alamgir', which also means 'Conqueror of the World'. But, it was not his original name, rather an adopted title.

The correct chronological order is: B. Abolition of jaziya - 1560 C. Conquest of Gujarat - 1572 A. Introduction of dahsala system - 1580

Aurangzeb died in Ahmednagar in 1707 at the age of 88, having outlived many of his children. His modest open-air grave in Khuldabad expresses his deep devotion to his Islamic beliefs. The tomb lies within the courtyard of the shrine of the Sufi saint Shaikh Burham-u'd-din Gharib (died 1331), who was a disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi.

During the later Mughals, the artistic nature of the Mughal coinage was restricted to the calligraphic excellence of important mints. Among the coins struck were Nazaranas and Nisars. Nisars were largesse coins used for scattering over crowds and nazaranas were commemorative coins struck on much wider flans but with much more impressive calligraphy.

Farukh Siyar was the Mughal emperor between 1713 and 1719. His reign witnessed the primacy of the Syed Brothers with whose help he ascended to the throne and who became the effective powers of the land, behind the façade of Mughal rule. Farrukh Siyar met a humiliating and bloody end, his constant plotting eventually led the Syed Brothers to officially depose him as the Emperor.

Akbar's system of central government was based on the system that had evolved since the Delhi Sultanate, but the functions of various departments were carefully reorganised by laying down detailed regulations for their functioning: The revenue department was headed by a Wazir, responsible for all finances and management of jagir and inam lands. The head of the military was called the Mir Bakshi. The Mir Saman was in charge of the imperial household.

Roshan Akhtar ascended the throne as Muhammad Shah in 1719. The new emperor did not prove to be a docile agent of Sayyid brothers, Sayyid brothers were soon killed by Muhammad Shah. Young and handsome Muhammad Shah, with all the pleasures, addicted to inactive life. Though destiny granted him a long reign, he let affairs drift in their own way, and soon province after province slipped out of imperial control. The Marathas established their power again, Jats became independent near Agra, the Ruhelas founded Ruhelkand, Sikhs became active in Panjab. The invasion of Nadir Shah of Persia hit the empire with a greater blow. The mighty Mughal empire ceased to exist within three decades of Aurangzeb's death, and the result was a budding of numerous independent states.

Aurangzeb was the second longest reigning Mughal emperor, after Akbar. Under Aurangzeb's rule, liberal religious views of his predecessors suffered a major downfall. Music and dance were strictly forbidden and the only a few arts flourished under his reign.

Muhammad Shah (1748 - 1802), also known as Roshan Akhtar, was the Mughal emperor of India between 1719 and 1748. He was the son of Khujista Akhtar Jahan Shah, the 4^th son of Bahadur Shah I. Ascending the throne at the age of seventeen with the help of the Sayyid Brothers, he later got rid of them with the help of Nizam ul Mulk Chin Qilich Khan. During this time, the Maratha War (1723 - 1737) began and it became a solely destructive war for the Mughals. Furthermore, in 1724, Oudh became independent under Nawab Saadat Ali Khan.  

'Aziz-ud-din', the son of Jahandar Shah was placed on the throne by the new king maker. He adopted the same title as the great Aurangzeb, and called himself 'Alamgir-II'. The new ruler was a kind of 'prisoner on the throne' in the hand of king maker. His attempt to free himself resulted in his ruin; the emperor was put to death by Ghazi-ud-din Imad-ul-mulk's orders.

The disintegration of the mighty Mughal Empire, which Aurangzeb had well established, began upon Aurangzeb's death in 1707. Three surviving sons, Muazzam, Muhammad Azam and Muhammad Kam Bhaksh entered into bitter quarrels for the possession of the throne of Delhi. Mu'azzam ascended throne in 1707 after having killed his brothers in the battle field, under the title of Bahadur Shah (also known as Shah Alam-I). A person of mild temper, learned and dignified, was too old. He could not prevent the decline of the empire due to his sudden death in 1712.

Talaq-ul-Biddat is the irrevocable form of talaq (divorce) under Muslim law. It is an innovative form not recognized by the Prophet but introduced later. It becomes effective immediately upon pronouncement and cannot be revoked. In contrast, Talaq-ul-Ahsan and Talaq-ul-Hasan are approved forms that remain revocable during the iddat period (waiting period). Talaq-i-Tafweez refers to delegated divorce where the husband delegates his power of divorce to his wife.

Correct option is (4).

Ibn Batutta, the Moroccan explorer, visited India during 1333-1342 CE. This corresponds to the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 CE), who ruled the Delhi Sultanate. Ibn Batutta's detailed accounts provide valuable historical insights into this period of Indian history.

This matching question tests knowledge of Delhi Sultanate reforms: Alauddin Khalji introduced the market system and price control measures. Qutubuddin Mubarak Khalzi adopted the Caliph's title. Mohammad Tughlaq experimented with token currency. Feraz Tughlaq is known for building canals for irrigation and water management.