Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb;
The Empire and the Zamindars;
Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb;
Nature of the Mughal State;
Late Seventeenth century crisis and the revolts;
The Ahom Kingdom;
Shivajl and the early Maratha Kingdom.
PYQs: Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century [1985-2024]
- Analyse the religious policy of the Mughal emperors from Akbar to Aurangzeb. How did it affect the stability of the Mughal empire? (1985)
- What were the major features of the administrative system of the Mughal State? To what extent did other Indian powers model their administration on this system in the late medieval period? (1991)
- “Aurangzeb is a much maligned monarch.” Argue the case for and against the proposition. (1994)
- Changes in the composition of nobility from Akbar to Aurangzeb. Comment. (1995)
- Write brief essay on Nurjahan. (1998)
- Write brief essay – Spanish ulcer ruined Napolean Bonaparte, the Deccan ulcer ruined Aurangzeb. (1999)
- Describe the Rajput policy of the Mughal emperors. Do you agree with the view that the reversal of Akbar’s Rajput policy by Aurangzeb was responsible for the disintegration of the Mughal empire? (2000)
- ‘Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs.’ Do you agree? (2003)
- In what ways were Aurangzeb’s Rajput and religious policies different from those of his predecessors? What were the consequences of the changes made by him? (2004)
- Write brief essay on Dara Shikoh. (2006)
- “Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs.” Discuss critically. (2007)
- “The major causes of revolts against the Mughal Empire during the latter half of the 17th century were economic, rather than religious.” Discuss. (2009)
- How was Iqta system of the Sultans different from the Jagir system under the Mughals? (2014)
- Identify the broad contours of the Mughal foreign policy and their impact on the Mughal empire. (2016)
- Discuss the working of Zamindari System under the Mughal rulers. Also describe the role played by the Zamindars in the agrarian economy of Mughal India. (2018)
- The late seventeenth century Mughal India is considered to be a period of Jagirdari crisis. Discuss. (2021)
- Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a major factor in Mughal decline. Discuss. (2022)
- Discuss the role of Nur Jahan in the Mughal court politics during the reign of Jahangir. (2023)
- Discuss the nature of the Mughal State under Akbar. (2023)
- Examine the causes and consequences of peasant uprisings during the reign of Aurangzeb. (2024)
The Ahom Kingdom
- Write short essay on The Ahom Kingdom in 200 words. (2008)
- Give a brief account of resistance offered by Ahom State against the Mughal rule. (2014)
Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom
- Write short answer of not more than 200 words: Was Shivaji a nationalist leader? (1985)
- Shivaji was a great organizer and builder of civil institutions, examine this statement in the light of the difficulties of administration and the extent of success achieved by him. (1992)
- Shivaji’s rise to power cannot be treated as an isolated phenomenon in Maratha history. It was as much the result of his personal daring and heroism as of the peculiar geographical situation of the Deccan country and the unifying religious influences that were animating the people with new hopes and aspirations in the 15th and 16th centuries. Explain. (1996)
- Examine circumstances leading to rise of Shivaji. Throw light on his legacy. (1999)
- How did Shivaji organise his administration and finances to consolidate his power? (2010)
- Give social background to the rise of the Maratha movement during the seventeenth century. (2012)
- Shivaji was not merely a military conqueror but also was an enlighened ruler. Discuss. (2019)
- Examine the sources of the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with special reference to Shivabharat and Sabhasad Bakhar. (in 150 words) (2020)