Topic: The Legacy Of The Mughal

Q1. Discuss the welfare efforts of the Mughal for the betterment of their people?
(4M)

Char bagh style of architecture. Development of miniature painting which reached its
zenith under Jahangir. Mughal painting led to introduction of other schools such as
pahari school of painting. Ain-i-dahsala or zabti system was introduced for land
revenue assessment. The system of maintenance of land records and assessment
developed by Todarmal was used for centuries. Urbanization due to trade and
commerce. Old delhi(shahjahanbad), Aurangabad, Farrukhabad, Faizabad and
Murshidabad were built either by Mughals or Nawabs appointed by them. Rise of
Dhaka as financial capital (population of 11 lakhs in 1700) and Agra as political capital
( population of 8 lakhs in 1700) was witnessed. 25% of world GDP was share of
mughal India making it the richest empire in the world. After Mauryas and Guptas,
Mughal Empire was the third empire which politically unified India. At its greatest
extent, mughal empire stretched from kashmir in north to carnatic (Arcot in Tamil
nadu) in South, from kandahar in west to Bengal (including present day bangladesh)
in the east. Hindustani music reached its zenith under Mughals. Tansen was
patronized by Akbar. Dance and music were patronized by Muhammad shah. Red
Fort, Taj mahal, Agra fort, fatehpur sikri, humayuns tomb, etc are UNESCO world
heritage. All these monuments were built by Mughals. Mughal rule also led to the
hindustani language from which hindi and urdu are derived. Bahadur shah Zafar was
himself a renowned poet and he patronized Mirza ghalib who is one of the most
prominent figures in the urdu literature. Sant kabir, Tulsidas (Contemporary of akbar)
and other bhakti saints led to development of vernacular languages. Due to tolerant
religious policy of Akbar, a syncretic culture developed which led to Bhakti and sufi
movements.
Q2. "Religious freedom and tolerance were reasons for success of Mughals". Justify
the statement. (6M)

Akbar was the most tolerant is because out of all the Mughal leaders, he was the

only one who allowed Hindus to part take in government activities. Even though
each ruler associated with different sects of Islam, the first five rulers were still
somewhat accepting other religions. This was the main reason the empire
prospered… but Aurangzeb was an even better king as he ‘tolerated Hindus rather
than treating them as equals’ he re-imposed jizya and the Hindus & Rajputs became
more loyal since Akbar had abolished the tax. However, he did not discriminate
against Hindus in terms of office: as his adviser and commander were Hindus too.
Aurangzeb also revoked the collection of jizya from non-Muslims in 1704.