History Optional · Paper I · Medieval India
Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century (Paper I, Medieval India), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Major administrative and religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb; nature of the Mughal state; late 17th-century crisis and revolts; Ahom and Maratha kingdoms.
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Paper I · Unit 21
Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
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Deccan Policies of Aurangzeb
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Deccan Policy of Mughals
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Foreign Policy of Mughals in Northwest
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Late Seventeenth-century Crisis and the Revolts
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Mughal Administration
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Mughal Land Revenue System
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Mughal Theory of Sovereignty
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Nature of Mughal State
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Peasant Revolts of Jats, Satnamis, Sikhs and Marathas
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Rajput Policy of Aurangzeb
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Rajput Policy of Jahangir
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Religious Policies of Aurangzeb
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Religious Policies of Jahangir
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Religious Policies of Shahjahan
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Revolts against Aurangzeb
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Shivaji and The Early Maratha Kingdom
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Sources of the Mughal Period
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The Ahom Kingdom
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War of Succession by Shahjahan’s Sons: Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
Free practice
Previous year questions: Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC History Optional Question Paper 2026
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UPSC History Optional Question Paper 2025
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History Optional Question Paper: 2024
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History Optional Question Paper: 2023
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History Optional Question Paper: 2012
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History Optional Question Paper: 2011
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History Optional Question Paper: 2013
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History Optional Question Paper: 2014
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History Optional Question Paper: 2015
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History Optional Question Paper: 2016
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History Optional Question Paper: 2017
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History Optional Question Paper: 2018
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History Optional Question Paper: 2019
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History Optional Question Paper: 2021
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Solved PYQ answers: Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century
Topic-wise model answers, newest exam year first. Members open the full answer; everyone else sees the question and can join the pack.
PYQ Solutions
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“Aurangzeb’s religious policy was a reflection of the changed political realities of the Mughal Empire.” Elucidate.
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Examine the causes and consequences of peasant uprisings during the reign of Aurangzeb.
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Discuss the nature of the Mughal State under Akbar.
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Discuss the role of Nur Jahan in the Mughal court politics during the reign of Jahangir.
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Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a major factor in Mughal decline. Discuss.
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The late seventeenth century Mughal India is considered to be a period of Jagirdari crisis. Discuss.
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Examine the sources of the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with special reference to Shivabharat and Sabhasad Bakhar. (in 150 words)
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Shivaji was not merely a military conqueror but also was an enlighened ruler. Discuss.
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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.
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Identify the broad contours of the Mughal foreign policy and their impact on the Mughal empire.
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Give a brief account of resistance offered by Ahom State against the Mughal rule
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How was Iqta system of the Sultans different from the Jagir system under the Mughals?
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Give social background to the rise of the Maratha movement during the seventeenth century.
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How did Shivaji organise his administration and finances to consolidate his power?
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“The major causes of revolts against the Mughal Empire during the latter half of the 17th century were economic, rather than religious.” Discuss.
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Write short essay on The Ahom Kingdom
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“Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs.” Discuss critically.
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Write brief essay on Dara Shikoh.
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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?
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‘Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs.’ Do you agree?
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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?
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Examine circumstances leading to rise of Shivaji. Throw light on his legacy.
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Write brief essay – Spanish ulcer ruined Napolean Bonaparte, the Deccan ulcer ruined Aurangzeb.
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Write brief essay on Nurjahan.
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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
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Changes in the composition of nobility from Akbar to Aurangzeb. Comment.
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“Aurangzeb is a much maligned monarch.” Argue the case for and against the proposition.
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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
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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?
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Was Shivaji a nationalist leader
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Analyse the religious policy of the Mughal emperors from Akbar to Aurangzeb. How did it affect the stability of the Mughal empire?
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