CAPF AC 2020 Q89: Medieval History – Mughal Empire
- (a) The tax on pilgrimage was abolished in 1563, and the jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects was abolished in 1564
- (b) Akbar issues instructions to his officers to follow the policy of religious toleration
- (c) Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for the building and maintenance of places of worship
- (d) Grants were issued for the repair of a number of temples in the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, after they had been destroyed during war
Answer: (c) Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for the building and maintenance of places of worship
Explanation
Religious policy of the Mughal emperors
How to think: this question is built from one NCERT paragraph.
The paragraph says all Mughal emperors gave grants for places of worship.
Option (c) turns all into not all.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Pilgrimage tax abolished in 1563 and jizya in 1564 | True | Both were abolished by Akbar |
| (b) Akbar told his officers to follow religious toleration | True | Officers were to follow sulh-i kul |
| (c) Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for places of worship | NOT correct | All of them gave such grants |
| (d) Grants for repair of temples under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb | True | Given after temples were destroyed during war |
Timeline:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1563 | Pilgrimage tax abolished |
| 1564 | Jizya abolished |
| 1679 | Aurangzeb brought jizya back |
Answer: (c) Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for the building and maintenance of places of worship.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This statement is true: 1563 for the pilgrimage tax and 1564 for jizya.
- (b) Incorrect. This statement is true: Akbar's officers were told to follow sulh-i kul.
- (c) CORRECT. This is the wrong statement: all Mughal emperors gave grants for places of worship.
- (d) Incorrect. This statement is true: repair grants are recorded under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.
Key point
All Mughal emperors gave grants for places of worship. Akbar abolished pilgrimage tax (1563) and jizya (1564); Aurangzeb reimposed jizya (1679) yet also gave temple grants.
Remember
All Mughal emperors gave grants for places of worship, Aurangzeb included.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Aurangzeb gave no grants to temples; records show that he did.
- Swapping the years 1563 and 1564.
- Missing the word NOT in the question.
Exam tip
Educated guess: three options state plain facts. The one with a negative twist, not all, is the changed line.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part II (Kings and Chronicles: The Mughal Courts)
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals, Part Two (Mughal Empire, 1526–1748)