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RAS/RTS (Pre) 2013

Mughal Historiography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: (Book) (Authors) A. Alamgir Nama B. Tabaqat-iAkbari C. Chahar Chaman D. Iqbal Nama-i-Jahangiri 1. Muitamad Khan 2. Munshi Mohd. Qazim 3. Chandrabhan Barahman 4. Nizamuddin Ahmad

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Historical writing in the Mughal era was diverse, including official court annals, general histories, and memoirs by high-ranking officials.

Explanation
Alamgir Nama (Qazim): The official history of the first 10 years of Aurangzeb's reign.
Tabaqat-i-Akbari (Ahmad): A comprehensive general history covering the Ghaznavids up to Akbar.
Chahar Chaman (Barahman): A literary-historical work by a Persian-knowing Hindu officer.
Iqbal Nama-i-Jahangiri (Khan): A key source for the reign of Jahangir.

Logical Breakup
A-2: Qazim was Aurangzeb's first official chronicler.
B-4: Nizamuddin Ahmad served as Akbar's Mir Bakhshi.
C-3: Chandrabhan Brahman reflects the syncretic administrative elite.
D-1: Mutamad Khan provides intimate details of Jahangir's court.

Active Recall

Question

Who wrote the Tabaqat-i-Akbari and why is it significant?

Answer

Nizamuddin Ahmad; it is significant as one of the first reliable general histories written by a contemporary of Akbar.

Core Insight

The presence of authors like Chandrabhan Brahman in this list highlights the meritocratic integration of non-Muslims into the Mughal intellectual bureaucracy.

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