Historic Realms: The Mughal Empire Quiz

Answer: Persianate

The Mughal Empire was indeed culturally Persianate, meaning that the rulers of the empire were highly influenced by Persian culture. The empire ruled with a strong centralized government enhanced by inclusive policies. Though the ruling class was minority Islam in a Hindu majority nation, they allowed Hindu subjects to join and progress in the governmental system. Generally, the Mughals tolerated diversity in culture and religion, as it became necessary to rule such a large area effectively.

Answer: Tamerlane and Genghis Khan

Babur is a ruler of some legend, considering his impressive family background and that his empire was built from almost nothing. With a well-trained army and a bit of luck, Babur's forces spread to northern India and began to chip away at the many smaller empires within his sphere. By successfully defending off the Rajputs, Babur was able to solidify his new empire.

Answer: rupee

Though the Suri dynasty only lasted seventeen years, they instituted many administrative reforms, with their most lasting contribution being the standardization of silver coins, which Sher Suri called the "rupiya". After Babur's son retook his throne, the currency was largely retained, though altered slightly from time to time throughout the empire's existence.

Answer: the "gunpowder" empires

A "gunpowder empire" is one that had grand military success due the monopolization of gunpowder weapons in its battles. While many European kingdoms had gunpowder, they could not be considered gunpowder empires because their enemies also had gunpowder at their disposal.

The same could not be said of the Mughal Empire's enemies, who fell in short order. Akbar's acquisition of firearms from the Ottomans and Europeans helped him conquer and expand his empire with a threat that no other force could counter.

Answer: False

As he needed to rule a large empire with different religious traditions, Akbar instituted reforms that began to gradually accept different religions. The Hindus were included in their own rule, and were allowed to climb the political ladder. Shia Muslims were persecuted at first, but then Akbar began to increasingly tolerate them, declaring a prohibition on sectarian war between Sunni and Shia groups. With the arrival of the colonizing Portuguese, Akbar became familiar with Christianity and allowed it to be introduced to the Mughal people.

Answer: Nur Jahan

Nur Jahan was an impressive woman during her time. She was extraordinarily influential during Jahangir's reign, often leading his battles and conducting his diplomacy. Of the many wives that Jahangir took, she was easily his favorite, and he would take her on his hunting excursions. Nur Jahan was so influential that the future emperor, Shah Jahan, needed to raise forces against her after his father died.

Answer: The Red Fort

The Red Fort is perhaps the second most iconic Indian building behind the Taj Mahal. Impressively, both were built by the same emperor, whose reign was certainly the golden age of Mughal architecture. The Red Fort is named because it is built from red sandstone. Though it could technically serve as a fort, it is more accurately a palace or imperial residence.

Answer: diamonds

The Kollur Mine has produced some of the most famous diamonds in the world such as the Hope diamond and the Koh-i-Noor, once the largest diamond in the world before it was poorly cut by an inexperienced Venetian jeweler who was visiting India.

Aurangzeb was able to claim the diamond mines, which were defended to the last man. It was a worthy prize, and one celebrated by the emperor.

Answer: Sayyid Brothers

Two influential generals, the Sayyid Brothers, took it upon themselves to set the standards for ruling for the Mughal emperors. After Aurangzeb, there was rampant instability, and the Sayyid Brothers (who belonged to the old aristocracy) were seen as a stabilizing force, so were kept around.

They were later murdered by forces jealous that the brothers had consolidated power for the aristocracy.

Answer: British Empire

Because the French were making gains in India and might have been able to install the Mughal emperor as their own puppet, the British quickly took it upon themselves to defeat the Mughals first. For three emperors, the British allowed the Mughals to keep their holdings until the Indian Rebellion of 1857 briefly saw some Indian rebels look to the Mughal emperor as a unifying force. Though Bahadur Shah II didn't seem interested in becoming this figure, the British removed him from power anyway. The British Raj was now the most powerful force in India.