Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
What was the root of the dispute between the Shah of Iran and Mughal rulers?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Geopolitics in the 16th and 17th centuries centered on the northwestern gateway to India. Qandahar was the most vital strategic fortress that could either protect or threaten both the Mughal and Safavid territories.Explanation
Qandahar was the root of the dispute between the Mughal rulers and the Shah of Iran (Safavid Empire). It was a vital trade hub and a defensive shield for Kabul. Throughout the reigns of Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, the city repeatedly changed hands as both empires viewed it as essential for their security and prestige.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Qandahar sat at the crossroads of trade between India, Central Asia, and Persia. Losing it meant losing significant commercial revenue.
Logic 2: It was part of the 'scientific frontier' (Kabul-Ghazni-Qandahar line) that every Mughal Emperor fought to maintain to keep Central Asian invaders at bay.