UPSC Prelims 2006 Q75: Art & Culture – Philosophy & Religion
Bhakta Tukaram was a contemporary of which Mughal Emperor?
- (a) Babar
- (b) Akbar
- (c) Jahangir
- (d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (c) Jahangir
Explanation
Bhakta Tukaram's Mughal contemporary
| Emperor | Reign | Overlap with Tukaram (c. 1608-1650) |
|---|---|---|
| Babar | 1526-1530 | None |
| Akbar | 1556-1605 | Ended before Tukaram's active period |
| Jahangir | 1605-1627 | Overlaps with Tukaram's life and work; accepted in the key |
| Aurangzeb | 1658-1707 | Began after Tukaram's death |
The Marathi Bhakti saint Tukaram lived in the early 17th century, and the key accepts Jahangir as his contemporary.
Answer: (c) Jahangir.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Babar ruled in the early 16th century, long before Tukaram.
- (b) Incorrect. Akbar's reign ended in 1605, before Tukaram's active period.
- (c) CORRECT. Jahangir (1605-1627) was a contemporary of Tukaram.
- (d) Incorrect. Aurangzeb came to the throne in 1658, after Tukaram's death.
Key point
Tukaram, the Marathi Bhakti saint of the early 17th century, was a contemporary of Emperor Jahangir.
Remember
Tukaram was a contemporary of Jahangir.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Aurangzeb, who is better known for his conflict with Shivaji.
- Not placing Tukaram in the 17th century.
- Confusing Tukaram with Namdev or Eknath of earlier centuries.
Exam tip
Tukaram (c. 1608-1650): Jahangir's period; Shivaji's contemporary.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Tukaram
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part II — Bhakti–Sufi Traditions