UPSC Static Quiz – Ancient & Medieval India : 17 August 2024

• Solution: d)

• Akbar’s religious policy was revolutionary for its time and had far-reaching effects on the socio-political landscape of the Mughal Empire.
• By abolishing discriminatory taxes like the pilgrim tax and jiziya, inviting scholars from various religions to engage in dialogue, and promoting the philosophy of Sulh-i-Kul (peace to all), Akbar created an atmosphere of religious tolerance.
• This policy not only reduced religious tensions but also facilitated political integration by making non-Muslim subjects, particularly Hindus, feel more accepted within the empire.
• The creation of Din Ilahi, although not widely adopted, symbolized an attempt at religious synthesis.

These measures helped in creating a more cohesive and stable empire, allowing Akbar to focus on expansion and consolidation of Mughal rule across a diverse population.

• Solution: c)

• Akbar’s innovative approach to governance and nation-building is best exemplified by his integration of diverse elements into the imperial structure. This strategy went beyond mere military conquests or traditional administration.
• Akbar incorporated various ethnic, cultural, and religious groups into his empire’s fabric, creating a more inclusive and stable polity.
• He appointed Rajput rulers to high positions in his court and military, married a Rajput princess, and included defeated rulers in his administration, like making Baz Bahadur a mansabdar after conquering Malwa.
• His religious policy, which respected and incorporated elements from different faiths, further reinforced this inclusive approach.

By doing so, Akbar created a more cohesive empire that could effectively govern a vast and diverse territory, setting a new standard for multicultural governance in medieval India.

• Solution: a)

Akbar was the Mughal emperor, Rana Sanga was the ruler of the Mewar kingdom, Mihir Bhoja’s empire was part of the Gurjar-Pratihara Dynasty, and Baz Bahadur was the ruler of the Malwa Sultanate.

• Solution: c)

The Kakatiya dynasty’s rule ended in 1323 AD when Prince Jaunakhan (later known as Muhammad bin Tughluq) defeated Prataparudra Deva, the last Kakatiya ruler. This event marked the culmination of a series of invasions by the Delhi Sultanate, which had begun earlier with Alauddin Khalji’s invasion in 1303 AD. The defeat led to the annexation of the Kakatiya kingdom by the Delhi Sultanate, significantly altering the political landscape of the Deccan region and ending the long-standing rule of the Kakatiya dynasty.

• Solution: a)

• The Kakatiyas followed the trikuta model in their temple constructions. This architectural style involves building temples for three deities – Shiva, Vishnu, and Surya – arranged in a triangular formation.
• The trikuta model represents a unique approach to temple architecture, symbolizing the harmony and interconnectedness of different aspects of Hindu theology.

This style not only showcases the architectural prowess of the Kakatiyas but also reflects their religious inclusivity and synthesis of various Hindu traditions.