1. The Mughal Empire in India was founded by?
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Humayun
D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: B
Explanation: Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and founded the Mughal Empire.
2. The First Battle of Panipat (1526) was fought between?
A) Babur and Rana Sanga
B) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
C) Babur and Humayun
D) Babur and Daulat Khan Lodi
Answer: B
Explanation: Babur’s victory ended the Delhi Sultanate and started Mughal rule.
3. Which Mughal ruler introduced the use of artillery and gunpowder in Indian battles on a large scale?
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Humayun
D) Sher Shah
Answer: B
Explanation: He used cannons effectively at Panipat, a decisive factor in his victory.
4. The Battle of Khanwa (1527) was fought between Babur and?
A) Ibrahim Lodi
B) Rana Sanga
C) Medini Rai
D) Bahadur Shah of Gujarat
Answer: B
Explanation: Babur defeated the Rajput confederacy led by Rana Sanga of Mewar.
5. Babur wrote his autobiography in Turkish, known as?
A) Tuzuk-i-Baburi
B) Humayun-nama
C) Baburnama
D) Akbarnama
Answer: C
Explanation: Baburnama is one of the earliest autobiographies in Islamic literature.
6. The Battle of Ghagra (1529) was fought between Babur and?
A) Afghans & Sultan of Bengal
B) Rana Sanga
C) Ibrahim Lodi
D) Sher Shah
Answer: A
Explanation: Babur consolidated his power by defeating Afghans in Bihar and Bengal.
7. Who succeeded Babur after his death in 1530?
A) Humayun
B) Akbar
C) Kamran Mirza
D) Sher Shah
Answer: A
Explanation: Humayun became the second Mughal emperor.
8. The Battle of Kannauj (1540) resulted in?
A) Babur’s victory over Afghans
B) Humayun’s defeat by Sher Shah Suri
C) Akbar’s victory over Hemu
D) Aurangzeb’s victory over Dara Shikoh
Answer: B
Explanation: Humayun lost to Sher Shah at Kannauj and fled into exile.
9. Sher Shah Suri’s real name was?
A) Farid Khan
B) Sher Ali
C) Shersingh
D) Adil Shah
Answer: A
Explanation: He was nicknamed Sher Khan after killing a tiger.
10. Sher Shah Suri is best remembered for?
A) Expanding Mughal Empire
B) Administrative and revenue reforms
C) Religious reforms
D) Naval expeditions
Answer: B
Explanation: His reforms became the model for later Mughals.
11. The Grand Trunk Road from Sonargaon to Peshawar was built by?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Sher Shah Suri
D) Akbar
Answer: C
Explanation: He extended and improved the road network for trade and military use.
12. The currency introduced by Sher Shah Suri was?
A) Rupiya (silver coin)
B) Mohur (gold coin)
C) Tanka (copper coin)
D) Dinar
Answer: A
Explanation: The “Rupiya” became the basis of India’s modern rupee.
13. The Humayun-nama was written by?
A) Humayun
B) Gulbadan Begum
C) Abul Fazl
D) Badauni
Answer: B
Explanation: It is an important source on Humayun’s reign written by his sister.
14. The Battle of Chausa (1539) was fought between?
A) Babur and Afghans
B) Humayun and Sher Shah Suri
C) Akbar and Hemu
D) Aurangzeb and Dara
Answer: B
Explanation: Sher Shah defeated Humayun at Chausa and assumed power.
15. Who restored the Mughal Empire after the fall of the Sur Dynasty?
A) Humayun
B) Akbar
C) Babur
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: A
Explanation: Humayun regained Delhi in 1555 but died soon after.
16. Who built the Purana Qila in Delhi?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Sher Shah Suri
D) Akbar
Answer: B
Explanation: Purana Qila was started by Humayun and modified by Sher Shah.
17. Akbar came to the throne in?
A) 1540
B) 1556
C) 1565
D) 1576
Answer: B
Explanation: After Humayun’s death, Akbar was crowned at Kalanaur in 1556.
18. The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) was fought between?
A) Akbar and Sher Shah
B) Akbar and Hemu
C) Akbar and Rana Pratap
D) Akbar and Ibrahim Lodi
Answer: B
Explanation: Akbar’s forces under Bairam Khan defeated Hemu, consolidating Mughal rule.
19. Who acted as Akbar’s regent in his early years?
A) Humayun
B) Abul Fazl
C) Bairam Khan
D) Todar Mal
Answer: C
Explanation: He guided Akbar in administration and warfare.
20. Sher Shah Suri died in?
A) 1540 (Battle of Kannauj)
B) 1545 (siege of Kalinjar)
C) 1556 (Second Panipat)
D) 1539 (Battle of Chausa)
Answer: B
Explanation: He died in a gunpowder explosion during siege.
21. Babur was related to Timur through?
A) Father’s side
B) Mother’s side
C) Both sides
D) No relation
Answer: A
Explanation: Babur was a descendant of Timur from his father’s lineage.
22. Babur was related to Genghis Khan through?
A) Father’s side
B) Mother’s side
C) Both sides
D) No relation
Answer: B
Explanation: Babur was descendant of Genghis Khan through his mother.
23. Which Mughal ruler built the Sher Mandal at Purana Qila where he later died?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Sher Shah
Answer: B
Explanation: He slipped from its steps in 1556 and died.
24. The Mughal ruler defeated at the Battle of Kannauj was?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Jahangir
Answer: B
Explanation: Humayun lost to Sher Shah at Kannauj in 1540.
25. Who was the first Mughal ruler to establish control over Bengal?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Jahangir
Answer: C
Explanation: Akbar annexed Bengal after defeating local rulers.
26. Akbar became emperor at the age of?
A) 10 years
B) 12 years
C) 13 years
D) 15 years
Answer: C
Explanation: He was crowned at Kalanaur in 1556 after Humayun’s death.
27. Who was Akbar’s regent during his early reign?
A) Abul Fazl
B) Todar Mal
C) Bairam Khan
D) Man Singh
Answer: C
Explanation: He acted as Akbar’s guardian and regent until 1560.
28. The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) secured Akbar’s throne against?
A) Ibrahim Lodi
B) Sher Shah
C) Hemu
D) Rana Sanga
Answer: C
Explanation: Hemu was defeated by Akbar’s army led by Bairam Khan.
29. Which Rajput ruler was Akbar’s fiercest opponent?
A) Rana Kumbha
B) Rana Sanga
C) Maharana Pratap
D) Raja Man Singh
Answer: C
Explanation: He resisted Akbar at the Battle of Haldighati (1576).
30. The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Akbar’s general Man Singh and?
A) Rana Pratap
B) Rana Sanga
C) Rani Durgavati
D) Sher Shah
Answer: A
Explanation: Though Rana Pratap fought bravely, Akbar’s army won.
31. Which famous fort did Akbar capture in 1561 by defeating Rani Durgavati?
A) Ranthambore
B) Gwalior
C) Gondwana (Garh-Katanga)
D) Chittor
Answer: C
Explanation: Rani Durgavati of Gondwana died fighting Mughals.
32. Which Rajput ruler submitted to Akbar after the fall of Chittor (1568)?
A) Rana Pratap
B) Raja Man Singh
C) Raja Bhagwan Das
D) Udai Singh’s successors (Mewar nobles later)
Answer: C
Explanation: Most Rajputs accepted Akbar’s suzerainty except Mewar.
33. Akbar’s Rajput policy can be described as?
A) Hostile
B) Conciliatory, based on alliances and matrimonial relations
C) Completely neutral
D) Based on extermination
Answer: B
Explanation: He allied with Rajputs through marriages and high offices.
34. Who among the following was NOT one of Akbar’s Navratnas?
A) Abul Fazl
B) Birbal
C) Tansen
D) Amir Khusrau
Answer: D
Explanation: He lived earlier, during Alauddin Khalji’s time.
35. The court historian of Akbar who wrote Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari was?
A) Abul Fazl
B) Badauni
C) Nizamuddin Ahmad
D) Khafi Khan
Answer: A
Explanation: His works are the chief source on Akbar’s administration.
36. Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi (1582) was?
A) A new religion
B) A moral code emphasizing sulh-i-kul (universal peace)
C) A sect of Islam
D) A branch of Hinduism
Answer: B
Explanation: It combined best features of various religions for harmony.
37. The Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri was established by Akbar for?
A) Debates among Muslim theologians
B) Debates among scholars of different religions
C) Royal entertainment
D) Military training
Answer: B
Explanation: Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Parsi, Christian scholars debated here.
38. Which religious scholar greatly influenced Akbar’s religious ideas?
A) Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi
B) Shaikh Mubarak and his sons Abul Fazl & Faizi
C) Guru Nanak
D) Shah Waliullah
Answer: B
Explanation: They inspired Akbar towards religious tolerance.
39. The Zabti (Dahsala) revenue system was introduced by?
A) Sher Shah
B) Akbar (with Todar Mal’s help)
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: Land revenue fixed on average produce of 10 years (1556–65).
40. Akbar abolished the Jizya tax on non-Muslims in?
A) 1556
B) 1564
C) 1570
D) 1582
Answer: B
Explanation: This was part of his liberal religious policy.
41. The Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was?
A) A system of land grants
B) A ranking system of civil & military officers
C) A trade monopoly system
D) A judicial system
Answer: B
Explanation: Officers were ranked by zat (status) and sawar (cavalry).
42. The “Ain-i-Akbari” mainly deals with?
A) Conquests of Akbar
B) Administration, economy, revenue, society under Akbar
C) Biography of Akbar
D) Religious policies of Akbar
Answer: B
Explanation: It is a detailed statistical survey of his empire.
43. The Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri was built to commemorate?
A) Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat
B) Akbar’s victory in Bengal
C) Akbar’s victory in Mewar
D) Establishment of Din-i-Ilahi
Answer: A
Explanation: Built in 1575 to celebrate his victory.
44. Who among Akbar’s courtiers translated the Mahabharata into Persian (Razmnama)?
A) Abul Fazl
B) Faizi
C) Todar Mal
D) Birbal
Answer: A
Explanation: He supervised the Persian translation of Hindu epics.
45. The capital of Akbar’s empire was shifted to Fatehpur Sikri in?
A) 1565
B) 1571
C) 1580
D) 1590
Answer: B
Explanation: He built the city near the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti.
46. Which Mughal emperor founded the new religion “Din-i-Ilahi”?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Jahangir
Answer: C
Explanation: Though it had few followers, it reflected Akbar’s syncretism.
47. Raja Todar Mal was Akbar’s?
A) Army general
B) Revenue minister (finance minister)
C) Chief judge
D) Poet
Answer: B
Explanation: He perfected the Dahsala system of revenue assessment.
48. Akbar’s famous court singer Tansen belonged originally to?
A) Bengal
B) Delhi
C) Gwalior
D) Jaipur
Answer: C
Explanation: Tansen, one of Akbar’s Navratnas, was a great Hindustani musician.
49. Akbar’s revenue system measured land in?
A) Bighas using bamboo rods (jarib)
B) Acres
C) Villages
D) Crop yield directly
Answer: A
Explanation: Standardized measurement ensured fair assessment.
50. Which Mughal emperor is remembered as the “National King” (Samrat of Hindustan) for his inclusive policies?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: B
Explanation: His liberal, secular policies earned him the title.
51. Jahangir was the son of?
A) Humayun
B) Akbar
C) Babur
D) Sher Shah
Answer: B
Explanation: Jahangir (Salim) succeeded Akbar in 1605.
52. Jahangir’s autobiography is called?
A) Tuzuk-i-Baburi
B) Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri
C) Ain-i-Akbari
D) Shahjahannama
Answer: B
Explanation: It gives valuable details about his reign.
53. Which Mughal emperor gave permission to the English to set up a factory at Surat in 1613?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: He granted permission after Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe’s visit.
54. The famous English ambassador who visited Jahangir’s court (1615) was?
A) Sir Thomas Roe
B) William Hawkins
C) Ralph Fitch
D) Sir John Child
Answer: A
Explanation: He secured trade privileges for the East India Company.
55. The Mughal ruler who married Mehr-un-Nisa (Nur Jahan) was?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: Nur Jahan became politically influential during Jahangir’s reign.
56. The revolt of Prince Khusrau against Jahangir was supported by?
A) Sikh Guru Arjun Dev
B) Rana Pratap
C) Malik Ambar
D) Khan Jahan Lodi
Answer: A
Explanation: Guru Arjun Dev was executed by Jahangir for supporting Khusrau.
57. The famous painter Mansur (specialist in animal painting) worked under?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: Jahangir had a keen interest in naturalistic paintings.
58. The Mughal emperor called “Prince of Nur Jahan’s times” was?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: Nur Jahan dominated politics during his reign.
59. Shah Jahan became emperor in?
A) 1605
B) 1628
C) 1658
D) 1707
Answer: B
Explanation: He succeeded Jahangir in 1628.
60. The reign of Shah Jahan is called the?
A) Golden age of Mughal architecture
B) Golden age of Mughal painting
C) Decline of Mughal power
D) Religious revival of Islam
Answer: A
Explanation: His reign saw construction of Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, etc.
61. The Peacock Throne was built by?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C
Explanation: It was one of the most expensive thrones in the world.
62. The Taj Mahal was built in memory of?
A) Nur Jahan
B) Jahanara Begum
C) Mumtaz Mahal
D) Roshanara Begum
Answer: C
Explanation: It was built at Agra between 1632–1653.
63. The Red Fort in Delhi was built by?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C
Explanation: Built in 1648, it became the capital fort.
64. The capital of the Mughal Empire was shifted by Shah Jahan from Agra to?
A) Fatehpur Sikri
B) Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
C) Lahore
D) Ajmer
Answer: B
Explanation: He built Shahjahanabad with Red Fort and Jama Masjid.
65. The Jama Masjid in Delhi was built by?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C
Explanation: Built between 1644–1656, it is one of India’s largest mosques.
66. Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in?
A) Agra Fort
B) Red Fort
C) Purana Qila
D) Gwalior Fort
Answer: A
Explanation: He spent his last years in captivity, viewing the Taj Mahal.
67. Aurangzeb became emperor in?
A) 1628
B) 1658
C) 1666
D) 1707
Answer: B
Explanation: He deposed Shah Jahan and crowned himself.
68. The reign of Aurangzeb is marked by?
A) Expansion of empire to maximum extent
B) Religious tolerance
C) End of Mughal empire
D) Exclusive focus on architecture
Answer: A
Explanation: Mughal empire reached its largest territorial size under Aurangzeb.
69. Aurangzeb re-imposed which tax abolished by Akbar?
A) Pilgrimage tax
B) Land revenue
C) Jizya tax on non-Muslims
D) Custom duties
Answer: C
Explanation: Imposed in 1679, symbol of his orthodoxy.
70. Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was aimed at defeating?
A) Rajputs
B) Sikhs
C) Marathas, Bijapur, and Golconda
D) Afghans
Answer: C
Explanation: He annexed Bijapur (1686), Golconda (1687), but failed to subdue Marathas.
71. The Mughal ruler who captured Bijapur and Golconda was?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: D
Explanation: He annexed both kingdoms into the Mughal empire.
72. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb in?
A) 1658
B) 1666
C) 1675
D) 1687
Answer: C
Explanation: He was executed in Delhi for resisting forced conversions.
73. The Mughal ruler who faced strongest opposition from the Marathas was?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: D
Explanation: His long Deccan wars against Shivaji and successors drained the empire.
74. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb died in?
A) 1658
B) 1675
C) 1707
D) 1712
Answer: C
Explanation: He died at Aurangabad, marking the decline of Mughal empire.
75. The Mughal Empire reached its territorial peak under?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: D
Explanation: At his death, Mughal empire stretched across almost entire India, but was weakened by wars.
76. Who succeeded Aurangzeb after his death in 1707?
A) Shah Alam I (Bahadur Shah I)
B) Jahandar Shah
C) Farrukhsiyar
D) Muhammad Shah
Answer: A
Explanation: Aurangzeb’s son Bahadur Shah I (Shah Alam I) became emperor.
77. Bahadur Shah I (1707–12) was nicknamed?
A) Shah-i-Bekhabar (the ignorant king)
B) Shah-i-Ilahi (divine king)
C) Shah-i-Bidar (king of conquest)
D) Shah-i-Ghazi (warrior king)
Answer: A
Explanation: He was unable to control empire effectively after Aurangzeb.
78. The Battle of Jajau (1707) was fought among?
A) Marathas and Mughals
B) Aurangzeb’s sons for succession
C) Mughals and Sikhs
D) Mughals and Afghans
Answer: B
Explanation: Bahadur Shah I defeated his brothers to capture the throne.
79. Jahandar Shah (1712–13) is remembered for his alliance with?
A) Marathas
B) Sayyid Brothers
C) Zulfikar Khan and courtesan Lal Kunwar
D) Nizam of Hyderabad
Answer: C
Explanation: His reign was short and marked by court intrigues.
80. The Sayyid Brothers (Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali) were known as?
A) Kingmakers
B) War heroes
C) Poets
D) Rajput generals
Answer: A
Explanation: They controlled Mughal succession between 1713–1719.
81. Farrukhsiyar (1713–19) was installed as emperor by?
A) Aurangzeb
B) Nizam-ul-Mulk
C) Sayyid Brothers
D) Marathas
Answer: C
Explanation: They played decisive role in Mughal politics.
82. During Farrukhsiyar’s reign, the English East India Company received Farman (1717) granting?
A) Right to mint coins
B) Duty-free trade in Bengal
C) Diwani rights of Bengal
D) Right to collect land revenue in Bihar
Answer: B
Explanation: This farman gave Company huge economic advantage.
83. Who ended the power of Sayyid Brothers in 1720?
A) Farrukhsiyar
B) Muhammad Shah
C) Nizam-ul-Mulk (Asaf Jah)
D) Aurangzeb’s generals
Answer: C
Explanation: He defeated and killed them, establishing Hyderabad dynasty.
84. The Mughal emperor during the Battle of Karnal (1739) against Nadir Shah was?
A) Farrukhsiyar
B) Muhammad Shah (Rangeela)
C) Bahadur Shah I
D) Alamgir II
Answer: B
Explanation: Nadir Shah defeated Mughals and plundered Delhi.
85. Which invader took away the Peacock Throne and Kohinoor diamond from Delhi?
A) Nadir Shah
B) Ahmad Shah Abdali
C) Timur
D) Babur
Answer: A
Explanation: After defeating Mughals at Karnal in 1739.
86. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India how many times between 1748–1767?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Answer: C
Explanation: His invasions weakened Mughal authority in north-west.
87. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between?
A) Mughals and Marathas
B) Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali
C) Mughals and Sikhs
D) British and Marathas
Answer: B
Explanation: Abdali defeated Marathas, but Mughals were mere spectators.
88. The Mughal emperor who issued the farman granting Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa (1765) to the East India Company was?
A) Shah Alam II
B) Muhammad Shah
C) Jahandar Shah
D) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: A
Explanation: After Battle of Buxar (1764), he granted Diwani rights.
89. The Mughal emperor during the Battle of Buxar (1764) was?
A) Bahadur Shah I
B) Jahandar Shah
C) Shah Alam II
D) Alamgir II
Answer: C
Explanation: He allied with Shuja-ud-Daula (Awadh) and Mir Qasim (Bengal) but lost to the Company.
90. The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) between Shah Alam II and East India Company granted?
A) Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa
B) Nizamat rights of Bengal
C) Right to collect land revenue in Delhi
D) Right to trade in Deccan
Answer: A
Explanation: It marked start of Company’s political control in India.
91. Bahadur Shah Zafar (Bahadur Shah II) was the last Mughal emperor; he ruled nominally during?
A) 1806–1837
B) 1837–1857
C) 1857–1858
D) 1820–1840
Answer: B
Explanation: He was proclaimed symbolic leader of 1857 Revolt.
92. After the Revolt of 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled to?
A) Agra
B) Rangoon (Burma)
C) Lahore
D) Andaman
Answer: B
Explanation: He died in exile in 1862.
93. The decline of Mughal empire began mainly after the reign of?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: D
Explanation: His religious policies, Deccan wars, and weak successors led to decline.
94. Which of the following was NOT a factor in Mughal decline?
A) Weak successors
B) Foreign invasions (Nadir Shah, Abdali)
C) Rise of regional powers (Marathas, Sikhs)
D) Strong central Mughal authority after 1707
Answer: D
Explanation: Mughal authority actually weakened after Aurangzeb.
95. The later Mughals became pensioners of which Indian power before the British?
A) Marathas
B) Sikhs
C) Nawabs of Awadh
D) Nizams of Hyderabad
Answer: A
Explanation: After 1761, Mughals were under Maratha protection.
96. The last Mughal emperor recognized by the British before 1857 was?
A) Akbar II
B) Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
C) Shah Alam II
D) Jahandar Shah
Answer: B
Explanation: He ruled till 1857 as a nominal figurehead.
97. The Mughal system of granting revenue rights to mansabdars was called?
A) Zamindari system
B) Jagirdari system
C) Iqta system
D) Diwani system
Answer: B
Explanation: Mansabdars were assigned jagirs to collect revenue in lieu of salary.
98. The Mughal policy of religious tolerance reached its peak under?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: His sulh-i-kul and abolition of jizya marked high point of tolerance.
99. The Mughal Empire’s lasting legacy in India was?
A) Strong centralized administration
B) Indo-Islamic architecture (Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid)
C) Cultural synthesis (art, music, literature)
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: The Mughal impact remains visible in India’s administration and culture.
100. The Mughal Empire effectively ended after?
A) Battle of Buxar (1764)
B) Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739)
C) Abdali’s invasion (1761)
D) Revolt of 1857 and exile of Bahadur Shah II
Answer: D
Explanation: The British formally ended the Mughal dynasty after 1857.