Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which of the following statements about Akbar are correct? 1. In 1560s, Akbar had the Fort of Agra constructed. 2. In 1570s, Akbar decided to build a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri. 3. Akbar also commissioned a white marble tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Sikri. 4. In 1585, Akbar decided to shift the capital back to Agra.
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Akbar’s choice of capitals reflected his military and political priorities. He moved from the established center of Agra to the spiritual-intellectual project of Fatehpur Sikri, and later to the strategic frontier of Lahore.Explanation
Akbar began the Agra Fort in red sandstone in 1565. By 1571, he commenced building Fatehpur Sikri, which included the exquisite white marble tomb of the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti. However, in 1585, he did not return to Agra; instead, he shifted the capital to Lahore to personally oversee the northwestern frontier.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Statements 1, 2, and 3 accurately describe Akbar's major building activities during the middle phase of his reign.
Logic 2: Statement 4 is the distractor. The 1585 move was a strategic deployment to the Northwest (Lahore) for 13 years, primarily to counter the Uzbek threat, rather than a retreat to Agra.