EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY POLITICAL FORMATIONS

Easy (15)

1. Which Mughal emperor's death in 1707 marked a significant turning point in the 18th century political formations?
   • Akbar
   • Shah Jahan
   • Aurangzeb (correct)
   • Jahangir

   Why: Aurangzeb's death in 1707 is considered a major event leading to the decline of the Mughal Empire.

2. What was the term for the governors appointed by the Mughals who often controlled both revenue and military administration?
   • Mansabdars
   • Subadars (correct)
   • Zamindars
   • Peshwas

   Why: Subadars were Mughal governors who gained significant power over provinces.

3. In which year did Nadir Shah sack and plunder the city of Delhi?
   • 1707
   • 1739 (correct)
   • 1757
   • 1761

   Why: Nadir Shah's invasion of Delhi occurred in 1739, causing immense devastation.

4. Which Rajput state defied Mughal authority for the longest time?
   • Amber
   • Jodhpur
   • Mewar (correct)
   • Nagaur

   Why: Mewar was the only Rajput state that consistently resisted Mughal suzerainty.

5. Who was the leader of the Khalsa who rose in revolt against Mughal authority after Guru Gobind Singh's death?
   • Guru Nanak
   • Maharaja Ranjit Singh
   • Banda Bahadur (correct)
   • Guru Tegh Bahadur

   Why: Banda Bahadur led the Khalsa's revolt against the Mughals after Guru Gobind Singh.

6. What was the capital of the Maratha kingdom under the Peshwas?
   • Delhi
   • Agra
   • Poona (correct)
   • Gwalior

   Why: Poona became the administrative center of the Maratha kingdom under the Peshwas.

7. Who was the powerful Jat leader under whom the kingdom of Bharatpur emerged as a strong state?
   • Churaman
   • Jawahir Shah
   • Suraj Mal (correct)
   • Ajit Singh

   Why: Suraj Mal was instrumental in establishing Bharatpur as a strong Jat state.

8. Which ruler founded his new capital at Jaipur and was given the subadari of Agra in 1722?
   • Ajit Singh of Jodhpur
   • Rana Pratap of Mewar
   • Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber (correct)
   • Churaman

   Why: Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber established Jaipur and held significant governorships.

9. True or False: The efficiency of the imperial administration broke down under Aurangzeb's successors.

   Why: The Mughal administration indeed weakened significantly after Aurangzeb.

10. True or False: The Marathas supported the Mughals during the third battle of Panipat in 1761.

    Why: Other rulers were hostile towards the Marathas and did not support them in the Third Battle of Panipat.

11. True or False: The Jats were primarily pastoralists who dominated the region between Delhi and Agra.

    Why: The Jats were prosperous agriculturists, not primarily pastoralists.

12. The Mughal Empire was further weakened by competition amongst different groups of _____, divided into Iranis and Turanis.

    Why: Competition among nobles, divided into Iranis and Turanis, destabilized the Mughal Empire.

13. The system called _____ was introduced by the Sikhs, offering protection to cultivators on payment of 20% of the produce.

    Why: Rakhi was a system used by the Sikhs to collect revenue and offer protection.

14. Identify the fort shown in the image, known for its extensive fortifications and water bodies.
    • Red Fort
    • Chittorgarh Fort (correct)
    • Agra Fort
    • Lohagarh Fort

    Why: The image shows Chittorgarh Fort, a prominent Rajput stronghold.

15. Identify the historical figure depicted in this 1779 portrait.
    • Aurangzeb
    • Nadir Shah (correct)
    • Ahmad Shah Abdali
    • Farrukh Siyar

    Why: The portrait is of Nadir Shah, the ruler of Iran who plundered Delhi.

Medium (15)

1. Which of the following was NOT a reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century?
   • Aurangzeb's long war in the Deccan
   • Breakdown of imperial administration
   • Increased revenue remission to the capital (correct)
   • Invasions by Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali

   Why: The periodic remission of revenue to the capital actually declined, not increased.

2. What was the primary reason for the Marathas to expand beyond the Deccan?
   • To establish trade routes with Europe
   • To gain access to more resources and tribute (correct)
   • To spread the Marathi language and culture
   • To form alliances with other regional powers

   Why: Expansion brought enormous resources and tribute, which fueled Maratha power.

3. Which of the following was a significant architectural contribution of Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber?
   • The Red Fort in Delhi
   • The Taj Mahal in Agra
   • Five astronomical observatories (Jantar Mantar) (correct)
   • The Lohagarh Fort in Bharatpur

   Why: Sawai Raja Jai Singh built the Jantar Mantar observatories for studying heavenly bodies.

4. What was the main characteristic of the Maratha military organization under the Peshwas?
   • Reliance on large, slow-moving infantry armies
   • Focus on naval warfare and coastal defenses
   • Guerrilla tactics, raiding cities, and disrupting supply lines (correct)
   • Building massive fortifications for defense

   Why: The Marathas excelled at guerrilla warfare, raiding, and disrupting enemy supply lines.

5. Match the following groups of nobles with their origin:

   Why: Iranis were of Persian descent, and Turanis were of Turkish descent.

6. Match the following Maratha chiefs with their respective regions:

   Why: These Maratha chiefs were associated with specific regions like Gwalior, Baroda, and Nagpur.

7. Match the following terms with their definitions:

   Why: Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were Maratha taxes, while a Subadar was a Mughal governor.

8. Match the following historical figures with their associated states/groups:

   Why: Ranjit Singh led the Sikhs, Shivaji founded the Maratha kingdom, and Suraj Mal consolidated the Jat state.

9. What was the name of the grand army of the Sikhs?

   Why: The combined forces of the Sikh jathas and misls were known as the Dal Khalsa.

10. Which ruler of Iran plundered Delhi in 1739?

    Why: Nadir Shah's invasion in 1739 severely weakened the Mughal Empire.

11. What was the term for the powerful warrior families that supported Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?

    Why: Deshmukhs were powerful warrior families who supported Shivaji in establishing his kingdom.

12. Arrange the following events in chronological order:

    Why: The correct order is Aurangzeb's death (1707), Nadir Shah's invasion (1739), Third Battle of Panipat (1761), and Ranjit Singh's capital (1799).

13. Arrange the following Maratha rulers in chronological order of their reign:

    Why: The order of Maratha rulers is Shivaji, Sambhaji, Rajaram, and then Shahu Maharaj.

14. Identify the monument shown in the image, known for its astronomical instruments.
    • Humayun's Tomb
    • Jantar Mantar (correct)
    • Qutub Minar
    • Fatehpur Sikri

    Why: The image depicts Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built by Sawai Raja Jai Singh.

15. The image shows a palace complex at Dig. Which architectural feature is highlighted in its description?
    • Minarets
    • Bangla dome (correct)
    • Arches
    • Pillared halls

    Why: The description specifically points out the 'Bangla dome' on the assembly hall.

Hard (10)

1. Assertion (A): The later Mughal emperors were often puppets in the hands of powerful groups of nobles. Reason (R): These nobles were divided into two major factions, the Iranis and Turanis, who constantly competed for power.

   Why: The competition between Irani and Turani nobles directly led to their control over weak Mughal emperors.

2. Assertion (A): Maratha campaigns into Rajasthan from the 1740s put severe pressure on Rajput principalities. Reason (R): Rajput rulers had always maintained complete independence from Mughal authority and were therefore vulnerable.

   Why: While Maratha campaigns pressured Rajputs, many Rajput rulers had accepted Mughal suzerainty, making the reason incorrect.

3. Assertion (A): The Jats became virtual custodians of the city of Agra for a while. Reason (R): They were prosperous agriculturists and dominated the region between Delhi and Agra.

   Why: The Jats' economic prosperity and territorial control enabled them to dominate the Agra region.

4. A contemporary writer described the financial bankruptcy of the Mughal Empire by saying, 'The great lords are helpless and impoverished. Their peasants raise two crops a year, but their lords see nothing of either.' What does this statement primarily indicate about the economic condition of the empire?
   • Peasants were extremely wealthy and independent.
   • The land was highly fertile and productive.
   • The central authority had lost its ability to collect revenue effectively. (correct)
   • Lords were deliberately neglecting their agricultural duties.

   Why: The quote highlights the failure of the central authority to collect revenue despite agricultural productivity.

5. After Nadir Shah's invasion, a contemporary account described Delhi: '(those) … who had been masters were now in dire straits; and those who had been revered couldn’t even (get water to) quench their thirst. The wealthy were turned into beggars.' What does this description reveal about the immediate impact of the invasion?
   • It led to a complete social upheaval and economic devastation. (correct)
   • It primarily affected the lower classes of society.
   • It resulted in a temporary disruption of trade routes.
   • It strengthened the local administration's control.

   Why: The account vividly portrays widespread suffering, loss of status, and economic ruin across all social strata.

6. The Marathas encouraged agriculture and revived trade after securing their rule. Ujjain expanded under Sindhia’s patronage and Indore under Holkar’s. Burhanpur, which traded between Agra and Surat, expanded its hinterland to include Poona and Nagpur. What can be inferred about the Maratha administration's economic policies?
   • They focused solely on military expansion without economic planning.
   • Their policies led to the decline of existing trade centers.
   • They implemented effective administrative and economic policies to foster prosperity. (correct)
   • They discouraged urban development in favor of rural areas.

   Why: Maratha administration actively promoted economic growth through agricultural support and trade revival, leading to urban prosperity.

7. Observe the image of Mehrangarh Fort. Which of the following statements are true about such Rajput forts?
   • They were primarily built for agricultural storage.
   • They served as centers of power, housing urban centers and trading points. (correct)
   • They were typically located in plains for easy access.
   • They lacked water harvesting structures due to their hill-top locations.

   Why: Rajput forts like Mehrangarh were strategic power centers with urban facilities and water management.

8. The image shows Farrukh Siyar receiving a noble in court. What does this depict about the later Mughal emperors?
   • They maintained absolute power over their nobles.
   • They were often dependent on and influenced by powerful nobles. (correct)
   • They were actively involved in military campaigns.
   • They preferred to rule from outside the imperial court.

   Why: The image, combined with chapter context, suggests later Mughal emperors were influenced by powerful nobles.

9. Which of the following statements correctly describe the Sikh political community in the 18th century?
   • They were organized into jathas and misls. (correct)
   • Their combined forces were known as the 'gurmatas'.
   • They declared sovereign rule by striking coins in the name of their Gurus. (correct)
   • They were primarily focused on trade rather than military expansion.

   Why: Sikhs organized into jathas/misls and issued coins to assert sovereignty.

10. Which of the following factors contributed to the weakening of the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb's reign?
    • Depletion of military and financial resources due to Deccan wars. (correct)
    • Increased control of mansabdars by later Mughal emperors.
    • Peasant and zamindari rebellions due to mounting taxes. (correct)
    • Strong centralized administration under Aurangzeb's successors.

    Why: Aurangzeb's Deccan wars and subsequent rebellions weakened the empire, while administration declined.