Mughal Empire MCQs for UPSC, SSC & State PSC Exams

📘 MODULE 2: Medieval Indian History MCQs

Topic: Mughal Empire MCQs for UPSC, SSC & State PSC Exams

🔷 SUB-TOPIC I: Foundation of the Mughal Empire

Q1. The Mughal Empire in India was founded in:

A. 1498 CE
B. 1519 CE
C. 1526 CE
D. 1556 CE

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Mughal Empire was established in 1526 CE after the First Battle of Panipat.

Q2. Who founded the Mughal Empire in India?

A. Humayun
B. Sher Shah Suri
C. Babur
D. Akbar

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Babur, a Timurid prince from Central Asia, laid the foundation of Mughal rule in India.

Q3. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in which battle?

A. Battle of Khanwa
B. Battle of Ghaghra
C. First Battle of Panipat
D. Battle of Chausa

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The First Battle of Panipat (1526) marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC II: Early Mughal Rulers – Babur & Humayun

Q4. Babur introduced which military innovation in India?

A. Cavalry warfare
B. War elephants
C. Gunpowder and artillery
D. Naval warfare

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Babur used artillery and firearms, changing the nature of Indian warfare.

Q5. Who succeeded Babur as the Mughal emperor?

A. Akbar
B. Humayun
C. Sher Shah Suri
D. Jahangir

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Humayun ascended the throne in 1530 CE.

Q6. Humayun was defeated and temporarily displaced by:

A. Ibrahim Lodi
B. Sher Shah Suri
C. Rana Sanga
D. Hemu

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and established the Sur Empire.

Q7. Humayun regained the Mughal throne in:

A. 1540 CE
B. 1545 CE
C. 1555 CE
D. 1556 CE

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
With Persian support, Humayun regained Delhi in 1555 CE.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC III: Akbar – Consolidation & Administration

Q8. Akbar ascended the Mughal throne at the age of:

A. 10 years
B. 12 years
C. 13 years
D. 16 years

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Akbar became emperor in 1556 CE at the age of 13.

Q9. Who served as Akbar’s regent during his early reign?

A. Birbal
B. Todar Mal
C. Bairam Khan
D. Abul Fazl

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Bairam Khan guided Akbar during the early years of his rule.

Q10. Akbar introduced which administrative system to organize nobles?

A. Iqta system
B. Jagirdari system
C. Mansabdari system
D. Zamindari system

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Mansabdari system graded officials based on rank and military responsibility.

Q11. Which revenue system was introduced by Raja Todar Mal?

A. Ijara system
B. Zabti system
C. Dahsala (Bandobast) system
D. Khalisa system

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Dahsala system assessed land revenue based on ten-year averages.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC IV: Akbar’s Religious Policy

Q12. Akbar abolished which tax on non-Muslims?

A. Zakat
B. Ushr
C. Jizya
D. Khums

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Abolition of Jizya reflected Akbar’s policy of tolerance.

Q13. The Ibadat Khana was established at:

A. Agra
B. Delhi
C. Fatehpur Sikri
D. Lahore

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Ibadat Khana hosted religious discussions among scholars of different faiths.

Q14. Din-i-Ilahi was primarily a:

A. New religion
B. Political party
C. Ethical order
D. Military code

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Din-i-Ilahi emphasized moral conduct rather than religious conversion.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC V: Jahangir & Shah Jahan

Q15. Jahangir is best known for:

A. Military conquests
B. Revenue reforms
C. Administration of justice
D. Religious orthodoxy

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Jahangir’s Chain of Justice symbolized fair governance.

Q16. Who was the influential queen during Jahangir’s reign?

A. Jahanara
B. Mumtaz Mahal
C. Nur Jahan
D. Roshanara

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Nur Jahan played a significant political and administrative role.

Q17. The Taj Mahal was built by:

A. Akbar
B. Jahangir
C. Shah Jahan
D. Aurangzeb

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Taj Mahal was built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal.

Q18. Shah Jahan’s reign is considered the golden age of:

A. Administration
B. Religious harmony
C. Mughal architecture
D. Military expansion

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Monuments like Red Fort and Taj Mahal reflect architectural excellence.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VI: Aurangzeb & Decline of the Mughal Empire

Q19. Aurangzeb followed a policy of:

A. Religious tolerance
B. Cultural synthesis
C. Religious orthodoxy
D. Liberalism

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Aurangzeb reversed several liberal policies of Akbar.

Q20. Aurangzeb re-imposed which tax?

A. Ushr
B. Jizya
C. Zakat
D. Khiraj

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Re-imposition of Jizya strained relations with non-Muslims.

Q21. The longest-reigning Mughal emperor was:

A. Akbar
B. Shah Jahan
C. Aurangzeb
D. Jahangir

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Aurangzeb ruled for nearly 49 years (1658–1707).

Q22. Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy mainly weakened the empire due to:

A. Foreign invasions
B. Continuous wars and financial strain
C. Administrative reforms
D. Trade decline only

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Prolonged Deccan wars exhausted Mughal resources.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VII: Mughal Administration, Economy & Culture

Q23. The Mughal administration was primarily:

A. Democratic
B. Tribal
C. Centralized monarchy
D. Republican

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Mughal emperor exercised supreme authority.

Q24. Persian was the official language of:

A. Delhi Sultanate only
B. Mughal Empire
C. Gupta Empire
D. Mauryan Empire

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Persian dominated administration and court literature.

Q25. Which Mughal text was written by Abul Fazl?

A. Tuzuk-i-Baburi
B. Akbarnama
C. Humayunnama
D. Padshahnama

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Akbarnama records Akbar’s reign and administration.

Q26. Mughal economy was largely dependent on:

A. Trade only
B. Industry
C. Agriculture and land revenue
D. Mining

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Agriculture was the backbone of Mughal revenue.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VIII: Later Mughals & Legacy

Q27. Who was the last effective Mughal ruler?

A. Bahadur Shah I
B. Farrukhsiyar
C. Aurangzeb
D. Shah Alam II

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
After Aurangzeb, Mughal authority rapidly declined.

Q28. The Mughal Empire declined mainly due to:

A. British policies
B. Weak successors and internal revolts
C. Natural disasters
D. Loss of trade routes

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Successive weak rulers and regional powers weakened the empire.

Q29. Mughal culture is best described as:

A. Purely Islamic
B. Purely Indian
C. Indo-Persian synthesis
D. European-influenced

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Mughal culture blended Indian and Persian traditions.

Q30. Historically, the Mughal Empire is significant because it:

A. Introduced democracy
B. Unified large parts of India under centralized rule
C. Ended feudalism
D. Eliminated regional cultures

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Mughals created a strong administrative and cultural framework influencing modern India.

✅ Exam Relevance Note

These Mughal Empire MCQs are strictly aligned with India-specific General Knowledge syllabi and are highly relevant for:

• UPSC Civil Services (Prelims)
• State PSC Examinations
• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)
• Banking & Railway Exams
• UG & PG Entrance Tests
• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)

• Mughal Empire objective questions

• Medieval Indian History Mughal MCQs

• Babur to Aurangzeb MCQs

• Akbar administration and revenue system MCQs

• Mughal Empire for UPSC Prelims

• Mughal rulers and policies GK questions

• Medieval India history MCQs for SSC

• Mughal art culture administration MCQs

⭐

The Mughal Empire MCQs in this module offer a clear, chronological, and exam-oriented understanding of Medieval Indian History. Covering the foundation of Mughal rule, major emperors, administration, revenue systems, religious policies, culture, and decline, these questions are carefully designed to build strong conceptual clarity and factual accuracy for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, State PSC, and other competitive examinations across India.

❓ FAQ Section

Q1. Why are Mughal Empire MCQs important for competitive exams?

The Mughal Empire is a high-weightage topic in Medieval Indian History, frequently asked in UPSC, PSC, SSC, and other competitive exams.

Q2. Which Mughal rulers are most important for exams?

Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb are the most important rulers from an exam perspective.

Q3. Are Mughal Empire questions asked in UPSC Prelims?

Yes, UPSC Prelims regularly includes questions on Mughal administration, revenue systems, religious policies, architecture, and key battles.

Q4. Are these Mughal MCQs suitable for school and board exams?

Absolutely. The MCQs are aligned with NCERT Medieval Indian History, making them suitable for CBSE and State Board examinations.

Q5. How should aspirants prepare the Mughal Empire topic effectively?

Focus on chronology, major rulers, administrative systems like Mansabdari and Jagirdari, cultural contributions, and practice topic-wise MCQs.

🎯 Targeting Exams

These Mughal Empire MCQs are carefully prepared for aspirants of:

• UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims)

• State Public Service Commission (PSC) Exams

• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)

• Banking Exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI)

• Railway Recruitment Exams

• Teaching Eligibility Tests (CTET, State TETs)

• UG & PG Entrance Examinations

• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)