Q1. With reference to the Mughal Empire, explain briefly the significance of the following :-
1. Ain-i-Akbari
2. Taj Mahal
3. Red Fort 1. Ain-i-Akbari - It was written by Abul Fazl.
- It is regarded as a precious source about the administration and culture during the reign of Akbar.
- The Ain-i-Akbari is divided into five books:
- The first book deals with the imperial household and its maintenance.
- The second deals with the servants of the emperor, military and civil services.
- The third deals with imperial administration, containing regulations for the judiciary and the executive.
- The fourth contains information on Hindu philosophy, science, social customs and literature.
- The fifth contains sayings of Akbar, along with an account of the ancestry and biography of the author (Abul Fazl).
2. Taj Mahal
- The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
- It is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
- It was built at Agra on the banks of river Yamuna.
- It was designed by Ustad Isha Khan and is made of pure white marble.
3. Red Fort
- The Red fort was built by Shah Jahan after he decided to shift his capital to Delhi.
- It is located on the banks of river Yamuna.
- Red sandstone and marble were used in its construction.
- The fort has massive walls and two gateways. The western gateway is known as the Lahori Gate and was used for the emperor’s ceremonial purposes.
- Among the many impressive buildings in the complex are the Diwan-i-Khas and the Diwan- i- Am.
- The Diwan-i-Khas is the lavishly ornamented hall where the Peacock Throne was placed.
- Aurangzeb, later built the Moti Masjid in the Red Fort, which was made of pure marble.
Q2. What are the Social and Educational reforms introduced by Akbar
Ans :- Social and educational reforms introduced by Akbar are as follows:
- He issued orders to the kotwals to check the forcible practice of sati.
- He legalized widow re-marriage.
- Akbar professed monogamy (having only one wife), unless the first wife could not bear children.
- He raised the age of marriage to 14 for girls and 16 for boys.
- Akbar revised the educational syllabus and emphasized on moral education, mathematics and on secular subjects like agriculture, geometry, astronomy, logic and history.