UPSC Prelims 2019
Medieval History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar

This statement is incorrect because the title 'Tansen' was given to him by Raja Vikramjit (also known as Vikramaditya) of Gwalior, not by Emperor Akbar. His original name was Ramtanu Pandey. Before joining Akbar's court, Tansen served as a court musician in the darbar of Raja Ramachandra of Bandhavgarh (Rewa).

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Tansen composed numerous Dhrupads dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses, demonstrating his devotion and musical mastery.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: As a court musician, Tansen composed songs in praise of his patrons, including Emperor Akbar, which was a common practice for court musicians.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Tansen is credited with creating and popularizing several Ragas in Hindustani classical music, including Raga Darbari Kanada, Miyan ki Malhar, and Miyan ki Todi.

📝 Short Notes: Mian Tansen

• Original Name: Ramtanu Pandey (later given the title 'Tansen' by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior)
• Early Career: Court musician of Raja Ramachandra of Bandhavgarh (Rewa) before joining Akbar's court
• Navratnas: One of the nine jewels (Navratnas) in Emperor Akbar's court
• Musical Contributions: Mastered and popularized the Dhrupad style; credited with creating several Ragas including Darbari Kanada, Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi, and Miyan ki Sarang
• Guru: Learned music from Swami Haridas of the Gwalior school
• Religious Affiliation: Born a Hindu Brahmin, later converted to Islam (though this is debated by scholars)
• Legacy: His tomb is located in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and an annual music festival (Tansen Samaroh) is held there in his honor

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2

Both statements present incorrect characterizations of Jagirdars and Zamindars in Mughal India. Jagirdars were Mansabdars who received land assignments (Jagirs) as salary for military and administrative services—not judicial/police duties—and these assignments were typically non-hereditary. Zamindars, while primarily revenue collectors, also had military obligations and their rights were generally hereditary, contrary to what the statements claim.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Jagirdars held land assignments in lieu of military/administrative services (not judicial/police duties), and Zamindars had obligations beyond revenue collection, including providing military service and maintaining law and order.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Jagir assignments were generally non-hereditary and Jagirdars were frequently transferred to prevent local entrenchment, whereas Zamindari rights were typically hereditary based on traditional social standing.

📝 Short Notes: Jagirdari and Zamindari Systems in Mughal India

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — 1 only

This question tests knowledge of administrative institutions during the Delhi Sultanate period. Only the first statement regarding the Amil as revenue collector is historically accurate, while the claims about the Iqta system's indigenous origin and the Mir Bakshi's establishment during Khalji period are incorrect.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The 'Amil' was the officer responsible for revenue collection in the territorial divisions (iqtas or provinces) of the Delhi Sultanate.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Iqta system was not an indigenous institution but was borrowed from the Persian/Arab administrative model and introduced in India by the Delhi Sultans.

❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The office of 'Mir Bakshi' (head of military department) came into existence during the Mughal period under Akbar, not during the Khalji Sultanate.

📝 Short Notes: Revenue and Administrative Systems of Delhi Sultanate

• Khalji Dynasty Contributions: Alauddin Khalji strengthened revenue administration with strict price control (market regulation), military reforms, and efficient intelligence network.
• Revenue Assessment: Land revenue was the main source of income; assessment methods varied under different Sultans.
• Iqtadars/Muqtis: Holders of iqtas who collected revenue and maintained troops from their assignments.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2

Both statements contain chronological inaccuracies regarding the timelines of these historical religious figures. Let us evaluate each statement:

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Saint Nimbarka lived in the 12th-13th century (exact dates debated, but generally placed between 1130-1200 CE), while Akbar reigned much later from 1556 to 1605 CE, making them separated by approximately 3-4 centuries.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Saint Kabir lived in the 15th century (approximately 1440-1518 CE), while Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Mujaddid Alf Thani) lived from 1564 to 1624 CE, meaning Kabir predated Sirhindi and could not have been influenced by him.

📝 Short Notes: Medieval Bhakti Saints and Sufi Masters

• Chronological Order: Nimbarka (12th-13th c.) → Kabir (15th c.) → Akbar (16th c.) → Sirhindi (16th-17th c.)
• Nimbarka's Philosophy: Dvaitadvaita or Bhedabheda (difference and non-difference) - souls and world are both different from and identical to Brahman
• Kabir's Influences: He was influenced by earlier Bhakti saints like Ramananda and Sufi traditions prevalent in his time, not by later figures like Sirhindi
• Sirhindi's Position: He opposed Akbar's religious syncretism and worked to restore orthodox Islamic practices during Jahangir's reign

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Jahangir

Jahangir (reigned 1605-1627) shifted the emphasis of Mughal painting from illustrated manuscripts to albums (muraqqa) and individual portraits. He had a deep personal interest in naturalistic art and patronized master artists like Mansur (famous for flora and fauna), Abu'l Hasan, and Ustad Mansur, who specialized in portraiture and realistic studies. This marked a transition towards more refined, detailed individual portraits and compilations in album format rather than large-scale manuscript illustrations.

📝 Short Notes: Mughal Painting Traditions