Disintegration of the Mughal Empire-II FAQs

1. Who was the father of Shivaji?

2. In which year did Shahji yield the territories he was dominating to the Mughals by treaty?

3. After the treaty of 1636, Shahji joined the service of which state?

4. Shahji tried to set up a semi-independent principality at which place?

5. Who was the mother of Shivaji, to whom the Poona jagir was left?

6. Consider the following statements about Shivaji's early conquests: (I) He overran the hill forts of Rajgarh, Kondana and Torna between 1645-47 (II) His guardian Dadaji Kondadeo died in 1647 (III) He conquered Javli from Chandra Rao More in 1656 Which of the above is/are correct?

7. Shivaji's guardian, who died in 1647 leaving him full control of his father's jagir, was:

8. Shivaji conquered Javli in 1656 from which Maratha chief?

9. The conquest of Javli made Shivaji the undisputed master of which area?

10. Which Mughal invasion in 1657 saved Shivaji from Bijapuri reprisal?

11. Bijapur sent which noble, at the head of 10,000 troops, to capture Shivaji by any means possible?

12. In which year did Shivaji murder Afzal Khan during a personal interview?

13. After defeating Afzal Khan's leaderless army, which powerful fort did the Maratha troops overrun?

14. Which Mughal governor of the Deccan, related to Aurangzeb by marriage, was instructed to invade Shivaji's dominions?

15. In which year did Shaista Khan occupy Poona and make it his headquarters?

16. In 1663, Shivaji infiltrated Shaista Khan's camp at Poona at night and, in the attack on his haram, killed his son and:

17. Following the disgrace of the night attack, Aurangzeb transferred Shaista Khan to which province?

18. In which year did Shivaji attack and loot Surat, the premier Mughal port, for the first time?

19. Consider the following pairs regarding Shivaji's early campaigns: (I) Afzal Khan – murdered at a personal interview, 1659 (II) Shaista Khan – attacked in his haram at Poona, 1663 (III) Surat – looted, 1664 Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

20. After the failure of Shaista Khan's campaign, which trusted adviser of Aurangzeb was deputed to deal with Shivaji?

21. Jai Singh besieged which fort in 1665, where Shivaji had lodged his family and treasure?

22. Under the Treaty of Purandar (1665), out of 35 forts held by Shivaji, how many were surrendered to the Mughals?

23. Under the Treaty of Purandar, territory worth four lakhs huns a year in the Bijapuri Konkan already held by Shivaji was:

24. As part of the Treaty of Purandar settlement, in return for the territorial grants, Shivaji was to pay how much to the Mughals in instalments?

25. Since Shivaji asked to be excused from personal Mughal service, a mansab of 5000 was granted instead to:

26. Jai Singh described his strategy of binding Shivaji to the Mughals through the Bijapur alliance with which phrase?

27. The joint Mughal-Maratha expedition against which state, following the Treaty of Purandar, ultimately failed?

28. Which fort was Shivaji deputed to capture during the joint Mughal-Maratha expedition, in which he was unsuccessful?

29. Jai Singh persuaded Shivaji to visit the emperor at which city?

30. Shivaji felt insulted at Agra because he was placed in the mansab category of 5000, a rank already held by:

31. In which year did Shivaji escape from detention at Agra?

32. At the Mughal court, which noble strongly argued for lenient treatment of Shivaji after his conduct at Agra?

33. Aurangzeb regarded Shivaji, dismissively, as merely a:

34. Consider the following statements on the aftermath of Shivaji's Agra visit: (I) Shivaji kept quiet for about two years after returning home (II) The visit proved Aurangzeb attached little value to the alliance with Shivaji, unlike Jai Singh (III) Shivaji was formally executed for his conduct at the Mughal court Which of the above is/are correct?

35. Shivaji sacked Surat for a second time in which year, renewing his contest with the Mughals?

36. During the four years following the second Surat sacking, Shivaji recovered a large number of forts, including which fort earlier ceded under the Treaty of Purandar?

37. Shivaji made deep inroads into which Mughal territories during his renewed campaigns after 1670?

38. What Mughal preoccupation elsewhere helped Shivaji renew his conquests after 1670?

39. Shivaji secured Panhala and Satara from Bijapur during this period chiefly by means of:

40. In which year did Shivaji formally crown himself at Raigarh?

41. Which priest presiding over Shivaji's coronation formally declared him a high class kshatriya?

42. To strengthen his social position around the time of his coronation, Shivaji married into which leading old Maratha families?

43. Consider the following statements on the significance of Shivaji's 1674 coronation: (I) It placed him on a pedestal higher than other Maratha chiefs who viewed him as an upstart (II) It allowed him to enter treaties with the Deccani sultans on a footing of equality rather than as a rebel (III) It ended all further Mughal military campaigns against him Which of the above is/are correct?

44. In 1676, Shivaji undertook an expedition into Bijapuri Karnataka with the active aid of which two brothers at Hyderabad?

45. Under the treaty arrived at during the Karnataka expedition, which ruler agreed to pay Shivaji an annual subsidy of one lakh huns?

46. During the Karnataka expedition, Shivaji captured Jinji and Vellore from officials of which state?

47. Whose territories in Karnataka did Shivaji also conquer much of during this expedition?

48. What title did Shivaji assume during the Karnataka expedition, despite plundering the local Hindu population?

49. The base built up by Shivaji at Jinji later served as a haven of refuge for which of his sons during Aurangzeb's war on the Marathas?

50. In which year did Shivaji die, shortly after returning from the Karnataka expedition?

51. Shivaji's council of eight ministers is generally referred to as the:

52. Which minister in Shivaji's administration looked after finances and general administration?

53. Which official in Shivaji's administration was responsible for intelligence, posts, and household affairs?

54. Which official was responsible for justice in Shivaji's administration?

55. Which official acted as master of ceremonies and helped the king in dealings with foreign powers?

56. The sar-i-naubat post of honour in Shivaji's administration was generally given to:

57. Consider the following statements on Shivaji's Ashtapradhan officials: (I) The majumdar was the accountant (II) The surunavis or chitnis helped the king with correspondence (III) The panditrao was in charge of charitable grants Which of the above is/are correct?

58. Shivaji preferred to give regular soldiers their pay in what form?

59. The regular Maratha cavalry force under Shivaji, numbering about 30,000-40,000, was known as the:

60. How many men of equal rank were placed in charge of each fort under Shivaji, to guard against treachery?

61. Shivaji's revenue system appears to have been patterned on the system devised by:

62. A new revenue assessment for Shivaji's kingdom was completed in 1679 by:

63. Those with hereditary rights in land, whom Shivaji strictly supervised and whose bastions he destroyed, were called:

64. Consider the following statements on Shivaji's revenue and land policy: (I) He abolished the zamindari (deshmukhi) system entirely (II) He did not award jagirs (mokasa) to his officials (III) He strictly supervised mirasdars and destroyed the bastions of those who grew unruly Which of the above is/are correct?

65. The contribution Shivaji levied on neighbouring Mughal territories, equal to one-fourth of the land revenue, came to be called:

66. Who is the contemporary eighteenth-century writer cited on the growing unruliness of the mirasdars before Shivaji curbed them?

67. In tracing Aurangzeb's relations with the Deccani states, the first of three phases lasted until which year, focused on recovering territories ceded to Bijapur by the 1636 treaty?

68. Under the treaty of 1636, Shah Jahan had given the Deccani states which promise regarding future Mughal conquest?

69. In 1657-58, which Deccani state had to pay a huge indemnity to the Mughals under threat of extinction?

70. Which two Deccani forts had been secured by the Mughals in 1657, even before Aurangzeb's accession campaigns began?

71. Parenda was secured by the Mughals in 1660 through:

72. On coming to the throne, Aurangzeb asked Jai Singh to punish both Shivaji and which Bijapuri ruler?

73. Jai Singh cautioned Aurangzeb against attacking Shivaji and Adil Shah simultaneously, remarking it would be unwise to attack:

74. Jai Singh's 1665 campaign against Bijapur failed chiefly because he lacked which resource needed to assault the city?

75. During Jai Singh's 1665 Bijapur campaign, which Deccani state sent a large force to aid Bijapur, recreating a united Deccani front?

76. Jai Singh's death, hastened by the failure of his Bijapur campaign and Aurangzeb's censures, occurred in:

77. The Mughals secured the surrender of Sholapur, marking the end of the first phase of Deccan relations, in which year?

78. The Mughals largely marked time in the Deccan between which years, before the rise of Madanna and Akhanna?

79. Madanna and Akhanna, the two gifted brothers who virtually ruled Golconda from 1672, followed a policy of establishing a tripartite alliance between Golconda, Bijapur, and:

80. What was the Mughal aim in repeatedly intervening at the Bijapur court during the second phase (1668-84)?

81. Who was the Mughal viceroy who made a last desperate effort to capture Bijapur in 1679-80?

82. During Diler Khan's 1679-80 siege of Bijapur, thirty thousand matchlock-armed foot soldiers sent by which Berar chief helped withstand the siege?

83. Besides the Karnataki foot soldiers, who else sent a large force to relieve Bijapur during the 1679-80 siege and raided Mughal dominions?

84. Diler Khan's failed 1679-80 Bijapur campaign resulted in his being:

85. The third phase of Aurangzeb's Deccan relations began when Aurangzeb personally reached the Deccan in pursuit of his rebel son, in which year?

86. Aurangzeb's rebel son, in pursuit of whom he first reached the Deccan in 1681, was:

87. On reaching the Deccan in 1681, Aurangzeb initially concentrated his forces against which Maratha ruler, son and successor of Shivaji?

88. Aurangzeb demanded that Adil Shah expel which leading Bijapuri noble opposed to the Mughals?

89. In which year did Bijapur finally fall to Aurangzeb after an 18-month siege, with the emperor personally present?

90. Golconda's "treachery" that triggered the final Mughal campaign against it included sending how many men to aid Bijapur despite Aurangzeb's warnings?

91. In 1686, who were dragged into the streets and murdered as part of the Qutb Shah's attempt to appease Aurangzeb?

92. Despite the murder of Madanna and Akhanna, Golconda fell to the Mughals in which year, after more than six months of campaigning?

93. In which year was Sambhaji surprised at his secret hide-out at Sangameshwar and captured by a Mughal force?

94. Sambhaji was executed by Aurangzeb on the charge of being a rebel and:

95. Consider the following statements on the consequences of Sambhaji's execution: (I) It deprived Aurangzeb of a recognised Maratha head with whom to negotiate (II) It ended all further Maratha resistance in the Deccan (III) In the absence of a single rallying point, Maratha sardars were left free to plunder and disperse at will Which of the above is/are correct?

96. After Sambhaji's death, who was crowned as the next Maratha king but had to flee when the Mughals attacked his capital?

97. Rajaram sought shelter and continued the fight against the Mughals from which east coast base built earlier by Shivaji?

98. Aurangzeb imprisoned his heir-apparent for daring to negotiate with the Deccani rulers. Who was this heir-apparent?

99. After 1690, believing Maratha power had been crushed, Aurangzeb concentrated on annexing which rich and extensive tract?

100. Jinji fell to the Mughals in which year, though the chief prize, Rajaram, escaped?

101. For how many years, from 1700 to 1705, did Aurangzeb personally campaign from siege to siege trying to win back Maratha forts?

102. In 1703, Aurangzeb opened negotiations with the Marathas and was prepared to release which captured son of Sambhaji?

103. Shahu, while in Mughal captivity, had been given the title of raja and a mansab of:

104. Aurangzeb was prepared to grant Shahu Shivaji's swarajya and the right of which revenue claim over the Deccan?

105. How many Maratha sardars actually assembled to receive Shahu before Aurangzeb cancelled the arrangement at the last minute?

106. By 1706, convinced of the futility of capturing all Maratha forts, Aurangzeb slowly retreated to which city?

107. In which year did Aurangzeb die at Aurangabad?

108. By what year did Nadir Shah imprison the Mughal emperor and loot Delhi, symbolizing the empire's weakness?

109. The population of India during the later Mughal period is estimated at approximately:

110. Which social group is broadly identified as forming the bulk of landless labourers in villages, denied the opportunity to settle new lands and acquire proprietary rights?

111. The number of mansabdars rose from 2069 at Jahangir's accession in 1605 to 8000 in 1637 during Shah Jahan's reign, and further to what figure during the latter half of Aurangzeb's reign?

112. Migrant peasants who moved from village to village in search of better conditions in medieval rural India were called:

113. Which contemporary observer noted that Deccan nobles were sometimes unable to realize even a farthing from their jagirs due to disturbed conditions?

114. Following the annexation of Bijapur and Golconda, the best and most easily manageable jagirs were kept by Aurangzeb under direct management, known as:

115. To conserve resources amid the jagir shortage, Aurangzeb put a virtual ban on:

116. Which historian described the grant of a jagir under Aurangzeb's later reign as "one pomegranate among a hundred sick"?

117. Consider the following statements on the crisis of the jagirdari system: (I) Shah Jahan had reduced the number of horses and sawars a mansabdar was expected to maintain, expressing salary as equivalent to six or five months' pay (II) The shortage of jagirs became especially acute during the latter part of Aurangzeb's reign (III) Jagirs in the newly conquered Karnataka yielded high, easily realized income Which of the above is/are correct?

118. By the time Aurangzeb ascended the throne, the bulk of the Mughal nobility consisted of those who were:

119. What concept, rather than modern nationalism, is described as effective in ensuring nobles' loyalty to the Mughal dynasty?

120. According to historians, disintegration of the Mughal administrative machinery under Aurangzeb's successors occurred:

121. Neglect of which type of military force is cited as making the Mughal army outmoded by Aurangzeb's reign?

122. Which of Aurangzeb's political decisions is identified as depriving him of a recognised Maratha head to negotiate with?

123. Compared to the Rajputs, Maratha sardars, despite holding more mansabs at the highest levels, were denied:

124. Which son of Aurangzeb suggested settling with Bijapur and Golconda, annexing only part of their territory and leaving distant Karnataka to them?

125. The breach between Aurangzeb and Marwar arose primarily from Aurangzeb's attempt to:

126. The prolonged Rajput conflict was not of much military consequence after which year?

127. Consider the following statements on Aurangzeb's religious policy and its effects: (I) Jizyah was scrapped within about half a dozen years of Aurangzeb's death (II) Restrictions on building new temples were eased after his death (III) These religious policy reversals significantly reversed the empire's rapid eighteenth-century decline Which of the above is/are correct?

128. Which Mughal ruler's earlier measures are credited with keeping forces of disintegration in check for some time, without effecting fundamental change to society's structure?

29. Disintegration of the Mughal Empire-II