The Mughal Empire – NDA History PYQs

NDA 2025-II

Q. 1. Arrange the following foreign travellers to India in chronological order, beginning with the earliest:

1. Peter Mundy

2. Antonio Monserrate

3. Afanasii Nikitich Nikitin

4. Ibn Battuta

(a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3

(b) 2 – 3 – 4 – 1

(c) 4 – 3 – 2 – 1

(d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

Answer: (c) 4 – 3 – 2 – 1

Explanation: Ibn Battuta visited India earliest, in the 1330s. Nikitin followed roughly a century later, in the 1470s. Monserrate reached Akbar’s court later still, in the 1580s. Peter Mundy travelled to India last, in the 1630s. This gives the order Ibn Battuta, Nikitin, Monserrate, Mundy. So option (c), 4-3-2-1, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Chronological sequence of foreign travellers to India

NDA 2023-I

Q. 2. Which one among the following statements about the Mansabdari system is correct?

(a) All army troopers were allotted mansabs

(b) Mansabs were usually assigned on the basis of ancestry

(c) Position and salary of mansabdars were indicated by a numerical designation called zat

(d) Mansabdars were never paid in cash

Answer: (c) Position and salary of mansabdars were indicated by a numerical designation called zat

Explanation: Mansabdars held a numerical zat rank showing status and salary. This system applied to officers and nobles, not every trooper. Appointment depended more on merit and service than pure ancestry. Mansabdars were sometimes paid in cash, not only through land. So option (c) correctly describes the zat designation’s role. Concept Tested: Structure of the Mughal Mansabdari system

NDA 2023-I

Q. 3. Which of the following statements about Lachit Borphukan is/are correct?

1. He was a General of the Ahom Force.

2. He is known for his leadership in the Battle of Saraighat.

3. Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal is given to the best cadet at the National Defence Academy.

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 2 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Lachit Borphukan commanded the Ahom forces as a general. He led the Ahoms to victory at the Battle of Saraighat. This battle checked Mughal expansion into Assam decisively. The Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal honours the best NDA cadet. All three statements about him are correct together. Concept Tested: Lachit Borphukan and his lasting recognition

NDA 2021-I

Q. 4. Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not correct?

(a) It was written by Abu’l Fazl

(b) It is a part of a larger work called Akbar Nama

(c) It describes the Mughal Empire as having a diverse population and a composite culture

(d) It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan

Answer: (d) It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan

Explanation: No such revision by Sadullah Khan is a recognised part of its history. So statement (d) adds a detail unsupported by standard sources. Abu’l Fazl did write the Ain-i-Akbari as described. It does form the third and final volume of the Akbarnama. It does describe a diverse population and composite culture. These other statements about the Ain-i-Akbari are accurate. Concept Tested: Authorship and structure of the Ain-i-Akbari

NDA 2019-II

Q. 5. Which one of the following pairs of travellers and their nationality is not correctly matched?

(a) Ibn Battuta – Moroccan

(b) Duarte Barbosa – Portuguese

(c) Jean Baptiste Tavernier – Dutch

(d) Niccolao Manucci – Venetian

Answer: (c) Jean Baptiste Tavernier – Dutch

Explanation: Jean Baptiste Tavernier was actually a French jeweller and traveller. So pair (c) wrongly labels him as Dutch instead of French. Ibn Battuta, Barbosa, and Manucci are all correctly matched. So option (c) is the incorrectly matched pair. Concept Tested: Correct nationalities of foreign travellers to India

NDA 2019-I

Q. 6. Statement I: Abul Fazl shaped, represented and articulated the ideas associated with the reign of Akbar.

Statement II: The qualities of Abul Fazl impressed Akbar who found the former suitable as an adviser and spokesperson for his policies.

(a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

(b) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is NOT the correct explanation of Statement I

(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer: (a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

Explanation: Abul Fazl did shape and voice the ideology of Akbar’s reign. Akbar valued his qualities enough to make him a close adviser. This trusted role let Abul Fazl articulate Akbar’s official ideas. So both statements are true, and II explains I. Concept Tested: Abul Fazl’s role as adviser and ideologue for Akbar

NDA 2018-II

Q. 7. Statement I: Mughal Painting reached its climax during the reign of Jahangir.

Statement II: Aurangzeb’s Court was adorned by some of the best known artists of the Mughal School of Painting.

(a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

(b) Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I

(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer: (c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Explanation: Mughal painting is widely agreed to have peaked under Jahangir. So Statement I correctly identifies this high point. Aurangzeb instead discouraged lavish court painting projects. Fewer major artists worked actively at his more austere court. So Statement II wrongly claims Aurangzeb’s court as a painting hub. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false. Concept Tested: Peak period of Mughal painting under Jahangir

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA often pairs a true fact about one emperor with a false claim about a very different emperor. Check both statements separately.

NDA 2018-I

Q. 8. Who gifted the Badshah Nama to King George in 1799?

(a) Abul Fazl

(b) Abdul Hamid Lahori

(c) Nawab of Awadh

(d) William Jones

Answer: (c) Nawab of Awadh

Explanation: The Nawab of Awadh presented this manuscript as a royal gift. It was gifted to King George III of Britain in 1799. Abul Fazl and Abdul Hamid Lahori were its original authors, not its later gift-givers. So option (c) Nawab of Awadh is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Gifting of the Badshah Nama manuscript to King George

NDA 2018-I

Q. 9. What is the name of the award given to meritorious men in the Mughal Court in the form of a robe of honour that was once worn by the Emperor?

(a) Sarapa

(b) Patka

(c) Padma murassa

(d) Khilat

Answer: (d) Khilat

Explanation: A khilat was a robe of honour once worn by the emperor. Bestowing it on a noble marked special imperial favour. Sarapa, Patka, and Padma murassa refer to other separate items. So option (d) Khilat is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Mughal court award of the robe of honour

NDA 2018-I

Q. 10. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

List I	List II
1. Marco Polo	Italy
2. Ibn Battuta	Morocco
3. Nikitin	Russia
4. Seydi Ali Reis	Turkey

Code:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation: Marco Polo did indeed come from Italy. Ibn Battuta was Moroccan by origin. Nikitin travelled from Russia to India. Seydi Ali Reis came from the Ottoman lands of Turkey. All four traveller-country pairs are correctly matched here. So option (c), all four together, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Nationalities of famous medieval travellers to India

NDA 2018-I

Q. 11. Who among the following was the author of Humayun Nama?

(a) Roshanara Begum

(b) Ruquaiya Sultan Begum

(c) Gulbadan Begum

(d) Gauhara Begum

Answer: (c) Gulbadan Begum

Explanation: Gulbadan Begum was Humayun’s sister and Akbar’s aunt. She wrote the Humayun Nama at Akbar’s own request. The other Begums named here belonged to later Mughal generations. So option (c) Gulbadan Begum is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Author of the Humayun Nama

NDA 2017-II

Q. 12. Who among the following was the founder of the Avadh Kingdom in the 18th century?

(a) Murshid Quli Khan

(b) Saadat Khan

(c) Alivardi Khan

(d) Sarfaraz Khan

Answer: (b) Saadat Khan

Explanation: Saadat Khan founded the autonomous kingdom of Avadh. He served as its first Nawab under weakening Mughal control. Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan, and Sarfaraz Khan ruled Bengal instead. So option (b) Saadat Khan is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Founder of the Avadh successor state

NDA 2017-I

Q. 13. Name the calligrapher in Akbar’s court who was honoured with the title “Zarrin Kalam” or Golden Pen

(a) Abul Fazl

(b) Tansen

(c) Muhammad Husayn

(d) Muhammad Kasim

Answer: (c) Muhammad Husayn

Explanation: Muhammad Husayn Kashmiri was Akbar’s most celebrated calligrapher. Akbar honoured his fine nasta’liq script with the Zarrin Qalam title. Abul Fazl and Tansen served in entirely different court roles. So option (c) Muhammad Husayn is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Calligrapher honoured with the title Zarrin Kalam

NDA 2017-I

Q. 14. Who among the following was the author of the Badshah Nama?

(a) Abdul Hamid Lahori

(b) Abul Fazl

(c) Shah Jahan

(d) Sadullah Khan

Answer: (a) Abdul Hamid Lahori

Explanation: Abdul Hamid Lahori composed the Badshah Nama for Shah Jahan. It records the events of the first two decades of his reign. Abul Fazl instead wrote the earlier Akbarnama for Akbar. So option (a) Abdul Hamid Lahori is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Author of the Badshah Nama

NDA 2017-I

Q. 15. Which one of the following statements about Fatehpur Sikri is NOT correct?

(a) It was located on the direct road to Ajmer

(b) Akbar commissioned the building of a marble tomb for Sheikh Salim Chisti next to the Friday mosque at Fatehpur Sikri

(c) The arched gateway or Bulund Darwaza was meant to remind visitors of the Mughal victory in Gujarat

(d) In 1585, the capital of the Mughal emperor shifted from Fatehpur Sikri to Delhi

Answer: (d) In 1585, the capital of the Mughal emperor shifted from Fatehpur Sikri to Delhi

Explanation: Akbar actually moved his capital from Fatehpur Sikri to Lahore. This shift addressed threats along the north-western frontier. So statement (d) wrongly names Delhi as the new capital. Fatehpur Sikri did lie on the direct road to Ajmer. Akbar did build Salim Chishti’s marble tomb near the mosque. The Buland Darwaza did commemorate the Gujarat victory. These other statements about Fatehpur Sikri are accurate. Concept Tested: History and features of Fatehpur Sikri

NDA 2015-II

Q. 16. Who among the following was associated with the Mughal Court as a physician to Prince Dara Shukoh?

(a) Hakim Afzal Khan

(b) Ibn Battuta

(c) Francois Bernier

(d) Duarte Barbosa

Answer: (c) Francois Bernier

Explanation: Francois Bernier served as physician to Prince Dara Shukoh. He later joined the household of noble Danishmand Khan. Ibn Battuta and Duarte Barbosa belonged to much earlier centuries. So option (c) Francois Bernier is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Physician associated with Prince Dara Shukoh

NDA 2015-II

Q. 17. Consider the following statements about the travellers who visited India:

1. Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi from Herat visited Delhi and Daulatabad.

2. Ibn Battuta provides detailed accounts of both Delhi and Daulatabad.

3. According to Francois Bernier there was no private property in land in Mughal India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Abdur Razzaq is chiefly known for his account of Vijayanagara. His travels are not specifically linked to Delhi and Daulatabad. So statement 1 does not match his well-documented journey. Ibn Battuta did describe both Delhi and Daulatabad in detail. So statement 2 correctly credits him with this account. Bernier did claim the king owned all land in Mughal India. So statement 3 correctly states this famous Bernier claim. Only statements 2 and 3 are accurate together. Editorial flag: statement 1’s Delhi/Daulatabad link needs a final source check. Concept Tested: Specific places associated with each foreign traveller

NDA 2015-II

Q. 18. The Senia tradition is:

(a) musical tradition that emerged from the colonial army (Sena)

(b) dance drama written by Keshab Chandra Sen

(c) textile tradition of eastern UP

(d) musical tradition that invoked the name of Tansen, the celebrated musician of Akbar’s Court

Answer: (d) musical tradition that invoked the name of Tansen, the celebrated musician of Akbar’s Court

Explanation: The Senia tradition traces its name to the musician Tansen. Tansen served as a celebrated musician at Akbar’s court. Later musicians invoked his name to claim Tansen’s lineage. So option (d) correctly explains the Senia tradition’s origin. Concept Tested: Origin of the Senia musical tradition

NDA 2014-II

Q. 19. Statement I: Jahandar Shah’s reign came to an early end in January 1713.

Statement II: He was defeated at Agra by Farrukhsiyar, his nephew.

(a) Both statements individually true, II is correct explanation of I

(b) Both statements individually true, II is not correct explanation of I

(c) I is true, II is false

(d) I is false, II is true

Answer: (a) Both statements individually true, II is correct explanation of I

Explanation: Jahandar Shah’s short reign did end in January 1713. Farrukhsiyar, his nephew, defeated him near Agra. This defeat directly explains why his reign ended then. So both statements are true, and II explains I. Concept Tested: End of Jahandar Shah’s reign among the later Mughals

NDA 2013-I

Q. 20. Consider the following statements:

1. The Ain-i-Akbari is the third book in the Akbarnama written during the reign of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar.

2. Abul Fazl was the author of the first two books of the Akbarnama, while Akbar was the author of the third.

3. The best known accounts of illustrated Mughal official reports are the Akbarnama and the Babarnama.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: The Ain-i-Akbari does form the third volume of the Akbarnama. So statement 1 correctly places it within this larger work. Abul Fazl actually wrote all three volumes himself. Akbar was not the author of any part of this text. So statement 2 wrongly credits Akbar with writing the third book. The Akbarnama and Babarnama are indeed richly illustrated reports. So statement 3 correctly names these two famous accounts. Only statements 1 and 3 are accurate together. Concept Tested: Authorship and structure of the Akbarnama

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA often inserts a plausible-sounding false authorship claim among otherwise correct statements. Check who actually wrote each part.

NDA 2011-II

Q. 21. Which of the following statements regarding Mughal paintings is/are correct?

1. The paintings of Akbar’s time were mostly confined to book illustrations and portraits.

2. Mir Sayyid Ali of Herat and Khwaja Abdus Samad formed the nucleus of the Mughal School of painting which fused together the non-Islamic and Islamic elements.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Akbar-era paintings mainly took the form of illustrated manuscripts. Court and individual portraits also formed part of this output. So statement 1 correctly describes this early Mughal focus. Mir Sayyid Ali and Khwaja Abdus Samad came from Persia originally. They founded the Mughal atelier, blending Persian and Indian styles. So statement 2 correctly credits them with this artistic fusion. Both statements together are accurate here. Concept Tested: Origins and early focus of Mughal painting

NDA 2009-I

Q. 22. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List I	List II
A. 1st Battle of Panipat	1. 1565
B. Battle of Plassey	2. 1526
C. Battle of Haldighati	3. 1757
D. Battle of Talikota	4. 1576

Code:

(a) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1

(b) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1

(c) A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2

(d) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2

Answer: (a) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1

Explanation: The first Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526. The Battle of Plassey took place in 1757. The Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576. The Battle of Talikota took place in 1565. This matches the code A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1. So option (a) correctly matches every battle and year. Concept Tested: Years of major medieval and early modern Indian battles

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