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Answers to textbook exercises

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Chapter: 09. Akbar

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Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks.

In the Second Battle of Panipat, which took place in ______________, the Mughal army under the leadership of ______________ defeated ______________.
1556 CE, Bairam Khan, Hemu
Akbar held regular meetings with his senior officers in the ______________ and he met his subjects in the ______________.
Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam
The Mughal empire was divided into ______________ provinces or subas which were further subdivided into ______________.
15, districts or sarkars
The land revenue system introduced by Akbar was known as ______________.
Todar Mal’s Bandobast
The minimum age of marriage during Akbar’s reign was raised to ______________ years for girls and ______________ years for boys.
14, 16
Two great poets patronized by Akbar were ______________ and ______________.
Faizi, Birbal
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B. Match the following.

A
B
1. Birbal
(a) Akbarnama
2. Raja Man Singh
(b) Persian poet laureate
3. Faizi
© military commander
4. Abul Fazl
(d) Hindustani music
5. Tansen
(e) Akbar’s constant companion
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1. Birbal — (e) Akbar’s constant companion
2. Raja Man Singh — © military commander
3. Faizi — (b) Persian poet laureate
4. Abul Fazl — (a) Akbarnama
5. Tansen — (d) Hindustani music
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C. Choose the correct answer.

Akbar was 13/15/17 years old when he was proclaimed emperor.
13
Rana Udai Singh/Jai Mal/Rana Pratap Singh was defeated by the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati.
Rana Pratap Singh
In 1575 CE, Akbar built the Ibadat Khana in his new capital for discussions on politics/religion/warfare.
religion
Akbar founded a new religious order which he called Din-i-Ilahi/Mahzar/Sulh-i-Kul.
Din-i-Ilahi
The court language used in Akbar’s court was Turkish/Persian/Sanskrit.
Persian
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D. State whether the following are true or false. Rewrite the false statements correctly.

Akbar assumed absolute power and authority at the age of 21.
False. Akbar assumed absolute power and authority at the age of 18 (in 1560 CE).
Akbar held regular meetings with the senior officers in the Diwan-i-Khas.
True.
In each suba, the diwan kept records of the land revenue.
True.
Din-i-Ilahi was adopted by all the people in Akbar’s empire.
False. Din-i-Ilahi did not become popular outside the court, and among his courtiers, Birbal was the only Hindu to accept it.
Akbar was illiterate, but he had a passion for books.
True.
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E. My mixed bag

Identify the odd one out. (a) Gujarat (b) Kashmir © Golkonda (d) Bengal
© Golkonda (Golkonda was not annexed during Akbar’s reign, whereas Gujarat, Kashmir, and Bengal were parts of his conquests).
Read the statements below and select the correct option. (A) Assertion: Akbar followed a policy of friendship with the Rajputs. (B) Reason: Akbar wanted to build and maintain a large and stable empire. (a) (A) is true but (B) is false. (b) (A) and (B) are both true, but (B) is not the correct explanation for (A). © (A) and (B) contradict each other. (d) (A) and (B) are both true, and (B) is the correct explanation for (A).
(d) (A) and (B) are both true, and (B) is the correct explanation for (A).
Arrange the following in chronological order. (a) Bengal was annexed after a two-year campaign. (b) Gujarat was annexed. © The Battle of Haldighati (d) Akbar created the Din-i-Ilahi.
(b) Gujarat was annexed (1572 CE) ➔ (a) Bengal was annexed after a two-year campaign (1574–76 CE) ➔ © The Battle of Haldighati (1576 CE) ➔ (d) Akbar created the Din-i-Ilahi (1582 CE).
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F. Answer the following questions in one or two words/sentences.

What role did Bairam Khan play when Akbar ascended the throne?
Bairam Khan served as Akbar’s regent and managed the affairs of the government and the military on his behalf during Akbar’s early years.
What is the significance of the Second Battle of Panipat (1556 CE)?
It crushed the Afghan power, removed the direct threat to Akbar’s throne, and secured the foundation of the Mughal empire in India.
What do you understand by the term ‘mansab’?
The term ‘mansab’ means an office, rank, or position of dignity within the Mughal civil and military administration.
Who had the power to appoint and dismiss the mansabdars?
The emperor had the absolute power to appoint, promote, and dismiss all mansabdars.
Mention any one tax abolished by Akbar as a part of his policy of religious tolerance.
The jizya (poll) tax (or the pilgrim tax).
What power did Akbar gain through the Mahzar?
Through the Mahzar, Akbar gained the power to choose between different interpretations of Islamic law, making him the supreme and final religious authority in the state.
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G. Give reasons for the following.

Why did Akbar embark on a policy of conquest and annexation?
Akbar embarked on this policy because his primary aim was to bring the entire country under his direct control and build a vast, unified, and stable empire.
Why did Akbar follow a policy of friendship with the Rajputs?
Akbar realized that Delhi and Agra could never be secure until the Rajputs were subdued, and that their military support, friendship, and loyalty were essential for strengthening and expanding the Mughal empire.
Why is the memory of Rana Pratap Singh still honoured in Rajasthan?
He is honoured for his immense bravery, courage, and his heroic, lifelong struggle to defend and free Mewar from Mughal control.
Why did Akbar encourage the study of secular subjects?
Akbar encouraged secular subjects (such as mathematics, agriculture, logic, history, and astronomy) to promote religious harmony and to shift the education system away from being solely based on religious scriptures.
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H. Answer the following questions briefly.

Why was Akbar’s position unstable and insecure when he ascended the throne of Delhi?
Akbar was only 13 years old when he became emperor, and his empire was surrounded by threats: Adil Shah was determined to capture the Delhi throne to re-establish Afghan rule, the Rajputs had grown powerful and wanted to expel the Mughals, and Akbar’s half-brother ruled Kabul as an independent king.
Rana Udai Singh of Mewar rejected Akbar’s offer of friendship and refused to submit to him. In this context, discuss: (a) Subjugation of Rana Udai Singh (b) Conflict with Rana Pratap Singh.
(a) Subjugation of Rana Udai Singh: Akbar marched against Mewar’s capital, Chittor. Udai Singh escaped to the hills, leaving the defence of Chittor to Jai Mal. After a four-month siege, Jai Mal was killed, the Rajput women performed jauhar, and the fort was captured by the Mughals.
(b) Conflict with Rana Pratap Singh: Rana Pratap, the son of Udai Singh, continued the fight from his new capital, Udaipur. In 1576 CE, his outnumbered forces clashed with Akbar’s army (led by Raja Man Singh) in the Battle of Haldighati. Despite being defeated and severely wounded alongside his horse Chetak, Rana Pratap retreated to a mountain fortress and continued his efforts to recover Mewar.
Discuss the power and position of the emperor in the central administration.
The emperor held absolute authority over all military, political, administrative, and judicial affairs. His word was law, he served as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, acted as the supreme judge of the state, and held the sole right to appoint, promote, or dismiss any state official.
Who assisted the emperor in the administration of the empire? What were their responsibilities and functions?
The emperor was assisted by a council of ministers comprising:
Wazir or Diwan: Head of the revenue department.
Mir Bakshi: Head of the military department and paymaster of all mansabdars.
Chief Sadr or Qazi: Chief judge of the empire.
Mir Saman: Supervisor of the royal household.
Vakil: Prime minister whose position was reduced to an advisory, ceremonial head.
Explain any five main features of the mansabdari system introduced by Akbar.
Five main features of the mansabdari system are:
Ranks: Every imperial officer was assigned a rank or mansab (from 10 to 7,000 horsemen) determining their status and pay.
Non-hereditary: A mansab was not hereditary. Upon the death of a mansabdar, the rank and jagir reverted to the king.
Salary and Jagirs: Mansabdars were paid either in cash or through land grants (jagirs) from which they collected revenue.
No Administrative Rights: Mansabdars had no authority to govern or administer the lands of their assigned jagirs.
Direct Control: The emperor directly appointed, promoted, or dismissed all mansabdars.
What measures did Akbar adopt to reorganize and strengthen the army?
Akbar adopted the system of branding horses (dagh) and maintaining descriptive rolls of soldiers (chehra). He maintained a strong standing army, recruited a loyal battalion of personal guards, maintained war elephants, a well-organized artillery, and relied on the cavalry supplied by the mansabdars.
Explain the important features of the land revenue system introduced by Todar Mal.
The important features of Todar Mal’s Bandobast include:
Land was surveyed and measured using a bamboo jarib with iron rings.
Land was classified into four categories based on cultivation frequency, and further graded into good, middling, and bad.
Revenue was fixed at one-third of the average produce, calculated over the average yields and prices of the last 10 years.
Tax was preferred in cash, and loans were provided to peasants to buy seeds, cattle, and tools, with tax remissions granted during floods or droughts.
What policies did Akbar follow to transform the Islamic state into a secular one and unite the diverse races in the country into a single nation based on equality?
Akbar abolished the discriminatory jizya and pilgrim taxes on non-Muslims. He granted complete freedom of worship, allowed Hindus to build temples, married Rajput princesses while letting them practice their faith, appointed talented Hindus to key administrative posts, and gave land grants to people of all religious backgrounds.
Briefly explain the features and objectives of the Din-i-Ilahi.
The objective of the Din-i-Ilahi (founded in 1582 CE) was to promote universal brotherhood, national unity, and peace with all (Sulh-i-Kul). Its main features included a belief in one God, recognizing the emperor as God’s representative on earth, and operating as a moral code of conduct without sacred books, priests, places of worship, or rituals.
Mention the important features of Akbar’s Rajput policy. Why did he adopt this policy and what were its results?
Features of the policy included treating Rajputs with honour, forming matrimonial alliances, appointing them to high administrative and military posts, and letting defeated Rajput rulers keep their kingdoms on accepting Mughal suzerainty. Akbar adopted this policy because he realized their support was necessary to sustain a large and stable empire. As a result, the Rajputs became the backbone and loyal supporters of his empire.
Mention any two important social reforms introduced by Akbar.
Akbar prohibited the practice of sati (except where performed voluntarily) and legalized widow remarriage. He also discouraged child marriage by raising the minimum age of marriage to 14 years for girls and 16 years for boys.
Give an account of Akbar’s cultural achievements with reference to: (a) Literature (b) Architecture
(a) Literature: Persian was the court language. Great works like Abul Fazl’s Akbarnama and the poetry of Faizi were produced. Hindi also thrived, with Birbal named Kavi Raj and Tulsidas writing the Ramacharitamanas. A translation department translated Sanskrit epics (Vedas, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita) into Persian.
(b) Architecture: Akbar built his capital Fatehpur Sikri in red sandstone, combining Persian and Indian styles. Famous buildings include the Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace, the Buland Darwaza, and the massive Agra Fort.
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I. Source-based questions

1. Picture study: The picture depicts a Mughal emperor holding discussions on religious matters in the Ibadat Khana.

(a) Identify the emperor.
Emperor Akbar
(b) Which religious communities participated in the discussions?
Muslim clerics, Hindu and Sikh scholars, Buddhist and Jain monks, Parsee priests, and Christian missionaries.
© Why did the emperor organize these assemblies?
To hold debates and discussions on different religions, which helped him understand the principles of various faiths, search for divine truth, and find a common ground of basic unity among different religions.

2. Read and answer: Read the excerpt below from the Akbarnama and answer the questions.

“Bairam Khan arrived on the day following the feast of Ramzan. His Majesty, for the sake of giving greater pleasure and out of the affection he bore him, had the feast repeated and gave an entertainment more splendid than that of the Eid.”
(a) Who was Bairam Khan to Akbar?
Bairam Khan was Humayun’s faithful general and became Akbar’s regent, managing the state affairs and protecting the throne during Akbar’s early years.
(b) What does the passage tell you about the importance of Bairam Khan in Akbar’s life?
The passage highlights the immense respect, deep affection, and high status Bairam Khan enjoyed in Akbar’s life, showing that the young emperor was willing to repeat a grand festival just to celebrate his presence and show his gratitude.
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J. Map work

On an outline map of the Indian subcontinent, mark and label the areas under Akbar’s reign.
To complete this map work, students must shade and label the regions of Akbar’s empire as of 1605 CE. This includes Kabul, Kashmir, Kandahar, Lower Sind, and Eastern Balochistan in the north-west; Gujarat, Rajputana, Malwa, Gondwana, and Bengal in Central and Eastern India; and Berar, Khandesh, and Ahmadnagar in the Deccan region.
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