Culture during Mughal Empire: History Optional PYQs

Persian histories and other literature;

Hindi and other religious literature;

Mughal architecture; Mughal painting;

Provincial architecture and painting;

Classical music;

Science and technology

PYQs: Culture during Mughal Empire [1985-2024]

1. Write short essay of not more than 200 words: The emergence of composite culture during the period 16th to 18^th centuries. (1989)
2. Write brief essay: Mughal official histories and autobiographical works. (1992)
3. Write brief essay: Narrative paintings under Jahangir and Akbar. (1994)
4. Trace the development of art and architecture under the Mughals and point out mingling of Hindu elements in them. (1998)
5. Write brief essay – During the reign of Jahangir Mughal painting reached its zenith. (2000)
6. Write brief essay: The zenith of Mughal architecture under Shahjehan. (2001)
7. Write brief essay on Babarnama as a source of History. (2002)
8. Explain the principal features of architecture during Akbar’s rule. What changes were made in them by Shahjahan? (2002)
9. Write brief essay on Mughal painting. (2005)
10. Write a short essay on the development of literature during the Mughal period. (2006)
11. Write brief essay on Mughal painting. (2007)
12. Provide a comparative analysis of the development of Arabic and Persian historiography. (2010)
13. What was Indian response to European Technology? (2010)
14. Mughal paintings reflect the contemporary socio-political conditions. Discuss. (2011)
15. Assess the development of Science and Technology in the Mughal period. (2013)
16. How does Tuzuk-i-Babri testify that Babar had been a cultured man? (2015)
17. “Mughal paintings reflect social harmony in contemporary society.” Discuss. (2017)
18. Discuss the literature written in Hindi in Mughal India. (2018)
19. “The art of building was carried to highest degree of perfection under Shahjahan”. Illustrate by giving architectural details of two of his most celebrated buildings. (2018)
20. Examine the status of Sanskrit in Mughal India. (2019)
21. Examine the European impact of Mughal Paintings. (2019)
22. The Mughals built like Titans and embellished like jewellers. Comment. (2019)
23. Evaluate the aim and impact of the translation of Sanskrit scriptures into Persian language during Mughal period, (in 150 words) (2020)
24. Make an estimate of the development of paintings under Mughal rulers with special reference to colours, technique, themes and influences on them.  (2020)
25. Examine the basic features of Mughal tomb architecture with special reference to the Taj Mahal. (2021)
26. The various Gharanas of Hindustani classical music were outcomes of patronage by regional princely courts, rather than central imperial ones. Discuss. (2022)
27. The Rajput school of painting was Mughal in style and Rajput in its content. Comment. (2022)
28. Mughal architecture was syncretic in character. Comment. (2023)
29. What features of European paintings were incorporated in the Mughal Miniature painting? (2023)
30. Discuss the main features of the Malwa school of painting with examples. (2024)