1. The decline of the Mughal Empire began after the reign of:
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: d) Aurangzeb
Explanation: Mughal decline is traced from after Aurangzeb’s death (1707).
2. The most important factor behind Mughal decline was:
a) Weak successors
b) Financial crisis
c) Religious policies of Aurangzeb
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Mughal decline was due to a combination of political, economic, and social factors.
3. Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaigns weakened the empire because:
a) They drained the treasury
b) They alienated Marathas
c) They caused administrative neglect in north
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Long wars in the Deccan exhausted Mughal resources.
4. One major cause of decline of Mughals was:
a) Growing European trading power
b) Weak army
c) Loss of central authority
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Decline was due to internal weaknesses and external challenges.
5. The Mughal jagirdari crisis meant:
a) Shortage of land for jagirdars
b) Excess land for peasants
c) Mughal loss of Delhi
d) Rise of Marathas
Answer: a) Shortage of land for jagirdars
Explanation: By 1700s, land grants (jagirs) ran out, creating discontent.
6. The decline of Mughals was hastened by constant revolts from:
a) Jats
b) Sikhs
c) Marathas
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Peasant and regional revolts weakened imperial control.
7. Which foreign invasions further weakened the Mughals?
a) Nadir Shah
b) Ahmad Shah Abdali
c) Persian and Afghan invasions
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: These invasions drained Mughal wealth and prestige.
8. The Mughal mansabdari system declined because:
a) Corruption
b) Lack of resources
c) Increase in mansabdars without jagirs
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The mansabdari-jagirdari system collapsed, weakening empire.
9. Aurangzeb’s religious policies contributed to decline because:
a) Imposition of Jaziya
b) Destruction of temples
c) Alienation of Rajputs
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: These policies weakened Mughal support among Hindus.
10. Which group was the biggest challenge to Mughals in the 18th century?
a) Marathas
b) Portuguese
c) Jats
d) Sikhs
Answer: a) Marathas
Explanation: The Marathas filled power vacuum after Aurangzeb.
11. The Mughal nobility became weak because:
a) Division into factions (Iranis, Turanis, Hindustanis)
b) Lack of loyalty to emperors
c) Court intrigues
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Nobility became selfish and faction-ridden.
12. Which economic factor accelerated Mughal decline?
a) Increasing corruption in revenue system
b) Peasant revolts
c) Jagirdari crisis
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Mughal economy collapsed due to over-taxation and corruption.
13. After Aurangzeb, which emperor’s reign marked the beginning of rapid decline?
a) Bahadur Shah I
b) Farrukhsiyar
c) Muhammad Shah
d) Shah Alam II
Answer: a) Bahadur Shah I
Explanation: His reign (1707–1712) was short-lived, empire weakened further.
14. The Sayyid Brothers were also known as:
a) Badshah-makers
b) Mughal conquerors
c) Afghan invaders
d) Persian governors
Answer: a) Badshah-makers
Explanation: They dominated the court and installed puppet emperors.
15. The Peacock Throne was looted by:
a) Nadir Shah (1739)
b) Ahmad Shah Abdali (1761)
c) Shah Alam II
d) Marathas
Answer: a) Nadir Shah (1739)
Explanation: He looted Delhi and took away Peacock Throne.
16. The invasion of Nadir Shah was significant because:
a) It shattered Mughal prestige
b) It looted enormous wealth
c) It encouraged other invaders
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Nadir Shah’s invasion marked a turning point in Mughal decline.
17. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India how many times?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 7
d) 9
Answer: d) 9
Explanation: Abdali invaded nine times (1748–1767).
18. Which battle ended Maratha power and gave temporary relief to Mughals?
a) Battle of Karnal
b) Battle of Buxar
c) Third Battle of Panipat
d) Battle of Plassey
Answer: c) Third Battle of Panipat
Explanation: Abdali defeated Marathas (1761), saving Delhi for some time.
19. Mughal military weakness was due to:
a) Outdated artillery
b) Lack of discipline
c) Corruption among commanders
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Mughal army failed to modernize like Europeans.
20. Which Mughal ruler tried to revive the empire but failed?
a) Bahadur Shah I
b) Muhammad Shah
c) Shah Alam II
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: c) Shah Alam II
Explanation: He allied with Marathas but was defeated by British at Buxar (1764).
21. The empire became only a symbolic power under:
a) Farrukhsiyar
b) Muhammad Shah
c) Shah Alam II
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: d) Bahadur Shah II
Explanation: He was the last Mughal, deposed after 1857 revolt.
22. The Mughal capital Delhi was sacked in 1739 by:
a) Abdali
b) Nadir Shah
c) Marathas
d) Jats
Answer: b) Nadir Shah
Explanation: His invasion looted Delhi of immense wealth.
23. The most important internal cause of Mughal decline was:
a) Religious intolerance
b) Weak successors
c) Mansabdari-jagirdari crisis
d) European invasion
Answer: c) Mansabdari-jagirdari crisis
Explanation: This administrative breakdown crippled Mughal authority.
24. The later Mughals lost power because:
a) They were puppets in hands of nobles
b) They lost revenue base
c) They lost military strength
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Later Mughals became figureheads with no authority.
25. Which European power benefitted most from Mughal decline?
a) Portuguese
b) Dutch
c) French
d) British
Answer: d) British
Explanation: Mughal decline created a vacuum filled by British power.
26. The first Mughal emperor after Aurangzeb was:
a) Jahandar Shah
b) Bahadur Shah I
c) Farrukhsiyar
d) Muhammad Shah
Answer: b) Bahadur Shah I
Explanation: Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712), also called Shah Alam I, succeeded Aurangzeb.
27. Bahadur Shah I tried to conciliate which groups?
a) Sikhs
b) Marathas
c) Rajputs
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: He attempted to restore peace but failed due to weak authority.
28. The reign of Jahandar Shah (1712–1713) is remembered for:
a) Alliance with Zulfikar Khan
b) Religious tolerance
c) Expansion of empire
d) Administrative reforms
Answer: a) Alliance with Zulfikar Khan
Explanation: Jahandar Shah relied on his noble Zulfikar Khan, losing imperial prestige.
29. Jahandar Shah was defeated by:
a) Farrukhsiyar with Sayyid Brothers’ support
b) Marathas
c) Nadir Shah
d) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: a) Farrukhsiyar with Sayyid Brothers’ support
Explanation: Farrukhsiyar (1713) became emperor with help of Sayyid Brothers.
30. The Sayyid Brothers were known as:
a) Empire builders
b) Kingmakers
c) Foreign invaders
d) Rajput allies
Answer: b) Kingmakers
Explanation: They made and unmade emperors, dominating Mughal politics.
31. Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719) granted important farmans to:
a) Portuguese
b) French
c) English East India Company
d) Dutch
Answer: c) English East India Company
Explanation: Farrukhsiyar’s 1717 farman granted duty-free trade in Bengal, boosting British.
32. Farrukhsiyar was killed by:
a) Marathas
b) Sayyid Brothers
c) Abdali
d) Nizam of Hyderabad
Answer: b) Sayyid Brothers
Explanation: He tried to remove them but was captured and killed.
33. Which Mughal emperor was installed by the Sayyid Brothers after Farrukhsiyar?
a) Rafi-ud-Darajat
b) Muhammad Shah
c) Shah Alam II
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: a) Rafi-ud-Darajat
Explanation: He was a puppet ruler (1719) of the Sayyid Brothers.
34. Muhammad Shah (1719–1748) is popularly known as:
a) Rangeela
b) Alamgir II
c) Shah Alam I
d) Shuja
Answer: a) Rangeela
Explanation: Muhammad Shah was called Rangeela (pleasure-loving).
35. The Mughal Empire saw which major invasion during Muhammad Shah’s reign?
a) Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739)
b) Abdali’s invasion
c) Portuguese attack
d) British at Buxar
Answer: a) Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739)
Explanation: Nadir Shah looted Delhi, taking away Peacock Throne & Kohinoor.
36. The Battle of Karnal (1739) was fought between:
a) Mughal and Marathas
b) Mughal and British
c) Mughal and Nadir Shah
d) Mughal and Abdali
Answer: c) Mughal and Nadir Shah
Explanation: Nadir Shah defeated Mughals easily, exposing weakness.
37. Which Mughal emperor was killed by his wazir Imad-ul-Mulk?
a) Farrukhsiyar
b) Alamgir II
c) Muhammad Shah
d) Shah Alam II
Answer: b) Alamgir II
Explanation: Alamgir II (1754–1759) was murdered by Imad-ul-Mulk, showing decline.
38. Who succeeded Alamgir II?
a) Shah Alam II
b) Akbar Shah II
c) Jahandar Shah
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: a) Shah Alam II
Explanation: Shah Alam II (1759–1806) ruled during crucial period of British expansion.
39. Shah Alam II fought the British in:
a) Battle of Plassey (1757)
b) Battle of Buxar (1764)
c) Third Battle of Panipat (1761)
d) Battle of Wandiwash (1760)
Answer: b) Battle of Buxar (1764)
Explanation: Shah Alam II allied with Shuja-ud-Daulah & Mir Qasim, but was defeated.
40. After Buxar, Shah Alam II lived under British protection in:
a) Bengal
b) Delhi
c) Allahabad
d) Agra
Answer: c) Allahabad
Explanation: By the Treaty of Allahabad (1765), he gave Diwani rights to British.
41. Who granted the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British in 1765?
a) Muhammad Shah
b) Alamgir II
c) Shah Alam II
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: c) Shah Alam II
Explanation: Treaty of Allahabad gave the East India Company revenue rights.
42. Which Mughal ruler issued the firman allowing the British duty-free trade in Bengal?
a) Jahandar Shah
b) Farrukhsiyar
c) Shah Alam II
d) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: b) Farrukhsiyar
Explanation: Farrukhsiyar’s 1717 farman was a major turning point.
43. Akbar Shah II (1806–1837) is remembered for:
a) Expanding Mughal empire
b) Recognizing Rammohan Roy as “Raja”
c) British Resident’s control over Delhi
d) Both b & c
Answer: d) Both b & c
Explanation: He was a puppet of British, granted the title “Raja” to Rammohan Roy.
44. The last Mughal emperor was:
a) Shah Alam II
b) Bahadur Shah I
c) Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
d) Akbar Shah II
Answer: c) Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
Explanation: He was the last Mughal, exiled to Rangoon after 1857 Revolt.
45. Bahadur Shah II (Zafar) was deported to:a) Karachi
b) Rangoon (Burma)
c) Calcutta
d) Mauritius
Answer: b) Rangoon (Burma)
Explanation: After the 1857 revolt, he was exiled by British to Rangoon.
46. The real authority during the reign of later Mughals was held by:
a) Mughal emperors
b) Nobles and wazirs
c) Rajputs
d) Marathas
Answer: b) Nobles and wazirs
Explanation: Later Mughals were puppets in hands of powerful nobles.
47. Who was known as the “last effective Mughal emperor”?
a) Aurangzeb
b) Bahadur Shah I
c) Muhammad Shah Rangeela
d) Shah Alam II
Answer: a) Aurangzeb
Explanation: After Aurangzeb, no Mughal emperor was strong enough.
48. The weak rulers after Aurangzeb were collectively called:
a) Rangeela rulers
b) Later Mughals
c) Puppet emperors
d) Court emperors
Answer: b) Later Mughals
Explanation: From Bahadur Shah I onwards, they are called Later Mughals.
49. Who abolished Jaziya among the Later Mughals?
a) Bahadur Shah I
b) Jahandar Shah
c) Farrukhsiyar
d) Muhammad Shah
Answer: a) Bahadur Shah I
Explanation: He tried to reverse Aurangzeb’s harsh policies.
50. By the end of the 18th century, Mughal emperors survived on:
a) Maratha pensions
b) British pensions
c) Both a & b
d) Independent treasury
Answer: c) Both a & b
Explanation: Mughals became pensioners of Marathas first, then British.
51. The invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739 occurred during the reign of:
a) Bahadur Shah I
b) Farrukhsiyar
c) Muhammad Shah Rangeela
d) Shah Alam II
Answer: c) Muhammad Shah Rangeela
Explanation: Nadir Shah defeated Mughals at Battle of Karnal (1739) and sacked Delhi.
52. The Battle of Karnal (1739) ended with:
a) British victory over French
b) Mughal defeat by Nadir Shah
c) Mughal alliance with Marathas
d) Abdali’s invasion
Answer: b) Mughal defeat by Nadir Shah
Explanation: Mughal army was defeated within hours, exposing weakness.
53. Which Mughal emperor witnessed the plunder of Delhi by Nadir Shah?
a) Farrukhsiyar
b) Muhammad Shah Rangeela
c) Shah Alam II
d) Alamgir II
Answer: b) Muhammad Shah Rangeela
Explanation: He remained powerless while Delhi was looted.
54. Nadir Shah carried away which famous Mughal treasures?
a) Peacock Throne
b) Koh-i-Noor Diamond
c) Both a & b
d) Takht-i-Taus only
Answer: c) Both a & b
Explanation: He looted Peacock Throne, Kohinoor, and vast wealth.
55. The invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali occurred between:
a) 1738–1742
b) 1748–1767
c) 1750–1765
d) 1761–1780
Answer: b) 1748–1767
Explanation: Abdali invaded India nine times.
56. Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Mughals in the:
a) Battle of Karnal
b) Battle of Plassey
c) Battle of Manupur (1748)
d) Third Battle of Panipat
Answer: c) Battle of Manupur (1748)
Explanation: Abdali’s first invasion ended with Mughal defeat at Manupur.
57. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between:
a) Abdali and Mughals
b) Marathas and Abdali
c) British and French
d) Mughals and Marathas
Answer: b) Marathas and Abdali
Explanation: Abdali defeated the Marathas, not Mughals, but it weakened India further.
58. Which Mughal ruler allied with Shuja-ud-Daulah and Mir Qasim against the British?
a) Muhammad Shah
b) Shah Alam II
c) Alamgir II
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: b) Shah Alam II
Explanation: He fought Battle of Buxar (1764) but lost.
59. The Battle of Buxar (1764) resulted in:
a) British defeat
b) Mughal revival
c) British gaining Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa
d) Abdali’s victory
Answer: c) British gaining Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa
Explanation: By Treaty of Allahabad (1765), Shah Alam II gave Diwani to the British.
60. The decline of Mughal Empire led to the rise of which successor states?
a) Bengal
b) Awadh
c) Hyderabad
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: These states emerged autonomous under Mughal names.
61. Who founded the independent state of Hyderabad in 1724?
a) Chin Qilich Khan (Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah)
b) Murshid Quli Khan
c) Saadat Khan
d) Shuja-ud-Daulah
Answer: a) Chin Qilich Khan (Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah)
Explanation: He became the first Nizam of Hyderabad.
62. Who founded the state of Bengal as a virtually independent kingdom?
a) Murshid Quli Khan
b) Alivardi Khan
c) Siraj-ud-Daulah
d) Shuja-ud-Daulah
Answer: a) Murshid Quli Khan
Explanation: He became Nawab of Bengal (1717), reducing Mughal authority.
63. Who founded the state of Awadh?
a) Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk
b) Shuja-ud-Daulah
c) Asaf-ud-Daula
d) Ghazi-ud-Din
Answer: a) Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk
Explanation: He became first Nawab of Awadh (1722).
64. The Rohillas rose in which region during Mughal decline?
a) Bengal
b) Awadh
c) Rohilkhand (U.P.)
d) Punjab
Answer: c) Rohilkhand (U.P.)
Explanation: Afghan chiefs established Rohilkhand.
65. The Jats became powerful under:
a) Suraj Mal
b) Banda Bahadur
c) Shuja-ud-Daulah
d) Jai Singh
Answer: a) Suraj Mal
Explanation: He established the Jat kingdom in Bharatpur.
66. The Sikhs rose under:
a) Guru Gobind Singh
b) Banda Singh Bahadur
c) Ranjit Singh
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Sikh power grew from 1700s rebellions to Ranjit Singh’s kingdom (1799).
67. The decline of Mughal authority in Punjab allowed rise of:
a) Marathas
b) Sikhs
c) Jats
d) Rohillas
Answer: b) Sikhs
Explanation: Sikhs filled the power vacuum in Punjab.
68. The Marathas filled the power vacuum after:
a) Nadir Shah’s invasion
b) Abdali’s invasions
c) Death of Aurangzeb
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Marathas became the main challengers to Mughal authority.
69. The Mughal decline coincided with rise of Europeans because:
a) Mughals gave farmans
b) British gained Bengal (Plassey, 1757)
c) French lost wars to British
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Weakening empire made it easier for Europeans to dominate.
70. The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) was signed between:
a) Shah Alam II and British
b) Muhammad Shah and British
c) Abdali and Marathas
d) British and French
Answer: a) Shah Alam II and British
Explanation: He gave Diwani rights to the East India Company.
71. The main impact of Abdali’s invasions was:
a) Weakened Mughal power in Punjab
b) Destroyed Maratha power at Panipat
c) Encouraged regional states’ independence
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Abdali’s invasions further fragmented India.
72. Which successor state became the richest province after Mughal decline?
a) Awadh
b) Bengal
c) Hyderabad
d) Punjab
Answer: b) Bengal
Explanation: Bengal’s wealth attracted British and French competition.
73. The Mughal decline made Delhi politically insignificant after:
a) 1739 Nadir Shah’s sack of Delhi
b) 1761 Panipat
c) 1764 Buxar
d) 1857 Revolt
Answer: a) 1739 Nadir Shah’s sack of Delhi
Explanation: After 1739, Delhi never regained its old glory.
74. Who effectively controlled Delhi in late 18th century before the British?
a) Marathas
b) Sikhs
c) Rohillas
d) Afghans
Answer: a) Marathas
Explanation: Marathas became protectors of the Mughals (till 1803).
75. Which European power captured Delhi in 1803, reducing Mughal emperors to pensioners?
a) French
b) Dutch
c) British
d) Portuguese
Answer: c) British
Explanation: British took Delhi in 1803, and Mughals became their pensioners.
76. The decline of the Mughal Empire after 1707 is often described as:
a) Sudden collapse
b) Gradual decentralization of power
c) Complete destruction in one battle
d) Revival under later rulers
Answer: b) Gradual decentralization of power
Explanation: The Mughal decline was slow, with provinces becoming independent.
77. The invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739 is considered a turning point because:
a) It destroyed Mughal prestige
b) It looted Delhi’s wealth
c) It encouraged Abdali’s invasions
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Battle of Karnal and sack of Delhi (1739) exposed Mughal weakness.
78. Which of the following was a long-term cause of Mughal decline?
a) Religious intolerance
b) Jagirdari crisis
c) Weak successors
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Decline was due to structural, economic, and political factors.
79. The Marathas were regarded as the main challenge to Mughals because:
a) They used guerrilla warfare
b) They filled the power vacuum in Deccan
c) They expanded into North India
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Marathas became de facto rulers of India in 18th century.
80. The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) is significant in Mughal decline because:
a) Mughals lost Bengal’s revenue
b) British gained Diwani rights
c) Shah Alam II became dependent on British
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: This treaty made the Mughals pensioners of the British.
81. Which of the following reflects the decline of Mughal military power?
a) Defeat at Karnal (1739)
b) Defeat at Buxar (1764)
c) Dependence on Marathas for protection
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Mughal armies became weak, outdated, and dependent.
82. Which later Mughal ruler spent most of his reign as a British pensioner?
a) Farrukhsiyar
b) Muhammad Shah
c) Shah Alam II
d) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: c) Shah Alam II
Explanation: After Buxar (1764), he lived under British protection.
83. Which emperor’s reign saw the effective end of Mughal real authority?
a) Muhammad Shah Rangeela
b) Shah Alam II
c) Akbar Shah II
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: a) Muhammad Shah Rangeela
Explanation: After 1739 Nadir Shah’s invasion, Mughal prestige was lost.
84. By the early 19th century, Mughal emperors were dependent on:
a) Marathas
b) British
c) Sikhs
d) Rohillas
Answer: b) British
Explanation: After 1803, British controlled Delhi, keeping Mughals as pensioners.
85. The real rulers of Delhi between 1750–1800 were:
a) Mughal emperors
b) Marathas
c) Afghans
d) British
Answer: b) Marathas
Explanation: Marathas became protectors of Mughal throne until 1803.
86. The Mughal decline created conditions for rise of:
a) Regional states
b) European trading companies
c) New social groups (bankers, zamindars)
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: It allowed fragmentation and European dominance.
87. Which Mughal emperor’s farman gave the English Company free trade rights in Bengal?
a) Bahadur Shah I
b) Farrukhsiyar
c) Shah Alam II
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: b) Farrukhsiyar
Explanation: His 1717 farman paved the way for British economic dominance.
88. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) indirectly benefitted the:
a) Mughals
b) British
c) Sikhs
d) Portuguese
Answer: b) British
Explanation: With Marathas weakened, British expanded without strong rivals.
89. The Mughal decline was accelerated by the:
a) Rise of powerful nobles
b) Weak center and strong provinces
c) Court intrigues and factionalism
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Internal chaos hastened the empire’s disintegration.
90. The Mughal emperor during the Battle of Plassey (1757) was:
a) Shah Alam II
b) Alamgir II
c) Muhammad Shah
d) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: b) Alamgir II
Explanation: He was nominal ruler, but power lay with Bengal Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah.
91. Who described the later Mughals as “kings in name only”?
a) Abul Fazl
b) Niccolao Manucci
c) European travelers of 18th century
d) James Mill
Answer: c) European travelers of 18th century
Explanation: Many noted that Mughals were figureheads under nobles or foreigners.
92. The last Mughal emperor to exercise real power over provinces was:
a) Bahadur Shah I
b) Farrukhsiyar
c) Muhammad Shah
d) Shah Alam II
Answer: a) Bahadur Shah I
Explanation: After him, emperors became dependent on nobles and regional rulers.
93. The Mughal decline was most beneficial to:
a) Marathas
b) British
c) Sikhs
d) Jats
Answer: b) British
Explanation: They used Mughal weakness to build empire.
94. The main cause why Mughals could not modernize their army like Europeans was:
a) Lack of funds
b) Over-dependence on cavalry
c) Conservatism and weak leadership
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Mughal armies remained outdated in 18th century.
95. Who protected the Mughal emperor in Delhi before the British takeover in 1803?
a) Rohillas
b) Jats
c) Marathas
d) Sikhs
Answer: c) Marathas
Explanation: They became guardians of the Mughal throne till British defeated them.
96. The Mughal emperor during the Revolt of 1857 was:
a) Akbar Shah II
b) Shah Alam II
c) Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
d) Alamgir II
Answer: c) Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
Explanation: He was proclaimed symbolic leader of 1857 Revolt.
97. After 1857, Bahadur Shah II was exiled to:
a) Mauritius
b) Rangoon
c) Lahore
d) Bombay
Answer: b) Rangoon
Explanation: He was exiled by British to Rangoon (Burma).
98. The decline of Mughals paved the way for:
a) British colonial empire
b) Rise of new regional states
c) End of centralized empire in India
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Mughal collapse created a power vacuum filled by British.
99. Which statement best describes Mughal decline?
a) Military defeat by British alone ended the empire
b) A combination of internal decay and external invasions weakened it
c) Religious policy was the only cause
d) It was sudden after 1707
Answer: b) A combination of internal decay and external invasions weakened it
Explanation: Decline was multi-causal and gradual.
100. The Mughal decline is significant in Indian history because:
a) It allowed British to rise
b) It ended centralized Mughal polity
c) It fragmented India into regional states
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Decline of Mughals shaped 18th-century India and colonial rule.