The Mughal Dynasty of India Trivia Quiz

Answer: Babur (Zahir ud-Din Muhammad)

A descendant of both Genghis Khan and Timur, Babur (1483-1530) was the founder of the Mughal Empire and ruled from 1526 until his death. Previous to his conquests in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Babur had ruled Samarkand on several occasions.

The 1527 Battle of Khanwa, at which Babur was victorious, was one of the most significant in Indian history. Babur was also known for his poetry and policy of religious toleration.

Answer: Humayun (Nasir-ud-Din Muḥammad)

The reign (1530-1540, 1555-1556) of Humayun (1508-1556) can be divided in two parts, with Sher Shah Suri ruling in between. Support for Humayun's reconquest by Persian sources led to increased Persian influence on Mughal culture. While carrying several books down a set of stairs, Humayun (a practicing Muslim) heard the call to prayer.

When he attempted to kneel, his foot was caught by his robe and he fell several steps and severely bumped his head (dying a few days later).

Answer: Akbar-i-Azam (Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar[)

Akbar the Great (born 1543, reigned 1556-1605) may be the best known the Mughal Emperors. He successfully expanded the empire to include the majority of the Indian subcontinent. Though it is believed that a learning disability left Akbar unable to read, he was highly interested in knowledge and had many works recited to him.

The Din-i Ilahi represented an attempt by Akbar to fuse together what he saw as the best features of several religions, including Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism.

Answer: Jahangir (Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim)

Jahangir's (1569-1627) name translates as "world conqueror" or "world seizer". During his period of rule (1605-1627), the British East India Company began to have increased influenced in India. He led the conquest of the Kangra Fort in 1615. Previously while still a prince, Jahangir led the conquest of the city of Orchha.

Answer: Shah Jahan (Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram)

Though much occurred during his reign (1628-1658), Shah Jahan (1592-1666) may be best remembered for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. When she died after giving birth to their fourteenth child, the distraught Shah Jahan had an elaborate tomb built for her in the Indian city of Agra.

This tomb is known today as the Taj Mahal. The sixth child of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal would eventually overthrow the former and rule as Aurangzeb.

Answer: Alamgir I (Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb)

Aurangzeb (1618-1707), as Emperor (1658-1707), ruled over all but the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. The devout emperor was said to have reversed the degree of religious toleration of his predecessors and modeled the law of the empire more closely on Islamic Sharia law. On the other hand, he also employed more Hindus in the imperial bureaucracy than before.

He also sponsored the building of several temples throughout the empire.

Answer: Muhammad Shah (Roshan Akhtar Bahadur)

Muhammad Shah (1702-1748) ruled from 1719 to 1748. During his rule, the decline of the Mughal Empire continued. During his reign, the Maratha peoples gradually drew the attention of the armies of the empire due to a series of rebellions. Muhammad Shah was also a patron of the arts within the empire.

Answer: Shah Alam II (Ali Gauhar)

By the time of the reign (1780-1788, 1788-1806) of Shah Alam (1728-1806), the Mughal Empire was in serious decline. In 1764, the empire lost the Battle of Buxar to the forces of the British East India Company. Shah Alam was briefly deposed in 1788 and replaced by Jahan Shah IV, before Shah Alam regained the throne.

Answer: Akbar Shah II (Mirza Akbar)

Akbar Shah II (1760-1837) reigned from 1806 until 1837. He is today considered to largely be a figurehead ruler. By this point, the British East India Company was making most of the important decisions on the Indian subcontinent. Akbar Shah founded Phool Walon Ki Sair, the Hindu-Islam unity festival in 1812.

Answer: Bahadur Shah II (Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar)

Bahadur Shah II (1775-1862) was the last ruler (1837-1857) of the Mughal Empire. A figurehead leader, his "power" as such was limited to the city of Old Delhi. Accused by the British government of playing a role in the 1857 Indian Rebellion (or Sepoy Rebellion), he was exiled by Britain to British-controlled Burma, where he spent the remainder of his life.