Historical Geography of the Mughals

Akbar's Empire in 1605: Geography and Cities

By 1605, Akbar's empire stretched across Northern and Central India, with Lahore serving as a major northwestern city. During this time, regions like Gondwana remained largely independent under their own tribal rulers.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History

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In the given map, the shaded part represents Akbar's empire at a certain juncture, 'A' stands for an independent state and 'B' marks the site of city. Which one of the following alternative gives all correct information?

[UPSC CSE Pre 1998]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


By the end of Akbar's reign in 1605, the Mughal Empire had expanded from a small territory in the North to cover most of Northern and Central India. Mapping this growth helps visualize the geopolitical landscape of the early 17th century.

Authentic Source Evidence


The map depicting the empire in 1605 shows the maximum extent under Akbar. Region A identifies Gondwana, which remained a largely independent tribal region in Central India that resisted total Mughal absorption. City B corresponds to Lahore, which was an essential Mughal capital and cultural hub in the Punjab region.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: In 1557, Akbar's empire was tiny; the vast shaded area only makes sense for the year 1605.

  • Logic 2: Gondwana's geography in Central India and Lahore's position in the northwest align perfectly with 'A' and 'B' on historical Mughal maps.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Why was Lahore significant to Akbar?"

    Akbar made Lahore his capital for 13 years to oversee the defense of the empire's northwestern frontier against Afghan and Uzbek threats.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Akbar's 1605 map reflects a 'subcontinental' power that had successfully integrated diverse regions into a unified administrative block."

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