U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012

Mughal Education and Architecture

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Delhi's education centre which was known as 'Madarsa-e-Begum' was established by whom?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept During the Mughal period, royal women played a significant role in establishing educational and religious institutions. These centers served as focal points for intellectual growth in Delhi.

Explanation Maham Anaga, the influential foster mother of Emperor Akbar, established the Madarsa-e-Begum in 1561. This institution was part of the Khair-ul-Manazil mosque complex, located opposite the Purana Qila.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Maham Anaga held immense power during the early years of Akbar's reign (the 'Petticoat Government' period) and used her resources to promote architecture and learning.
Logic 2: While Gulbadan Begum was a noted author (Humayun-nama), her primary contribution was literary rather than institutional in this context.
Logic 3: Zeenat-un-Nissa (daughter of Aurangzeb) was known for her piety and calligraphy but lived in a later era.

Active Recall

Question

What was the significance of Khair-ul-Manazil?

Answer

It was a mosque-cum-madarsa that symbolized the political and social influence of royal women in the 16th-century Mughal court.

Core Insight

The establishment of Madarsa-e-Begum highlights that Mughal female royals were active patrons of the 'Sadr' (educational/religious) departments.