The Mughal Empire stands as one of the most powerful dynasties that ruled over the Indian subcontinent for nearly three centuries. Founded by Babur in 1526 after his victory at the Battle of Panipat, the empire grew into a massive political and cultural force. The Mughal rulers left behind a rich legacy of art, architecture, literature, and administration that continues to shape India’s identity even today. From the grandeur of the Taj Mahal to the administrative reforms of Akbar, the Mughal period remains a favorite topic in competitive examinations across India.
For students preparing for UPSC, SSC, State PSC, NDA, and other government exams, the Mughal Empire is a heavily tested topic in the Indian History section. Questions from this era frequently appear in prelims and mains examinations. This blog post presents 30 well-researched MCQs covering major Mughal rulers, battles, policies, architecture, and cultural developments. Practicing these questions will help you strengthen your preparation and score better in your upcoming exams.
30 MCQs on Mughal Empire – Indian History
Q1. Who founded the Mughal Empire in India?
a) Humayun
b) Akbar
c) Babur
d) Shah Jahan
Q2. The First Battle of Panipat was fought in which year?
a) 1524
b) 1526
c) 1530
d) 1556
Q3. Babur defeated which ruler in the First Battle of Panipat?
a) Rana Sanga
b) Ibrahim Lodi
c) Sher Shah Suri
d) Hemu
Q4. Which battle did Babur fight against Rana Sanga of Mewar?
a) Battle of Chanderi
b) Battle of Khanwa
c) Battle of Ghaghra
d) Battle of Panipat
Q5. The autobiography of Babur is known as:
a) Akbarnama
b) Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama)
c) Ain-i-Akbari
d) Humayunnama
Q6. Who defeated Humayun and forced him into exile?
a) Ibrahim Lodi
b) Hemu
c) Sher Shah Suri
d) Rana Pratap
Q7. Humayun regained the throne of Delhi in which year?
a) 1540
b) 1545
c) 1555
d) 1560
Q8. The book “Humayunnama” was written by:
a) Abul Fazl
b) Gulbadan Begum
c) Badauni
d) Babur
Q9. The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) was fought between:
a) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
b) Akbar’s forces and Hemu
c) Humayun and Sher Shah
d) Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
Q10. Who was the regent of Akbar during his early years of rule?
a) Abul Fazl
b) Bairam Khan
c) Todar Mal
d) Man Singh
Q11. Akbar introduced which land revenue system?
a) Ryotwari
b) Dahsala System (Zabt)
c) Mahalwari
d) Permanent Settlement
Q12. The “Din-i-Ilahi” was founded by which Mughal emperor?
a) Shah Jahan
b) Jahangir
c) Akbar
d) Aurangzeb
Q13. Akbar’s court had nine scholars known as:
a) Navaratnas
b) Ashtadiggajas
c) Panchamatyas
d) Saptarishis
Q14. The famous musician Tansen was in the court of which ruler?
a) Jahangir
b) Shah Jahan
c) Akbar
d) Humayun
Q15. Fatehpur Sikri was built by which Mughal emperor?
a) Shah Jahan
b) Babur
c) Akbar
d) Aurangzeb
Q16. Akbar’s revenue minister who implemented the Dahsala system was:
a) Birbal
b) Abul Fazl
c) Raja Todar Mal
d) Man Singh
Q17. The “Ain-i-Akbari” was authored by:
a) Badauni
b) Birbal
c) Abul Fazl
d) Faizi
Q18. Which Mughal emperor was known as “Zinda Pir” (Living Saint)?
a) Akbar
b) Shah Jahan
c) Aurangzeb
d) Bahadur Shah I
Q19. Jahangir married which famous queen?
a) Mumtaz Mahal
b) Nur Jahan
c) Jodha Bai
d) Hamida Banu
Q20. The Mughal painting tradition reached its peak during the reign of:
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb
Q21. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of:
a) Nur Jahan
b) Jodha Bai
c) Mumtaz Mahal
d) Gulbadan Begum
Q22. The Taj Mahal is located on the banks of which river?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Chambal
d) Narmada
Q23. The Peacock Throne was commissioned by which Mughal emperor?
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb
Q24. Aurangzeb reimposed which tax on non-Muslims?
a) Zakat
b) Jizya
c) Kharaj
d) Ushr
Q25. The Battle of Samugarh (1658) was fought between:
a) Akbar and Hemu
b) Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
c) Shah Jahan and Jahangir
d) Babur and Rana Sanga
Q26. Which Mughal emperor imprisoned his own father Shah Jahan?
a) Dara Shikoh
b) Murad
c) Aurangzeb
d) Shah Shuja
Q27. The last powerful Mughal emperor is generally considered to be:
a) Shah Jahan
b) Aurangzeb
c) Bahadur Shah I
d) Muhammad Shah
Q28. The Mughal Empire formally ended in which year?
a) 1757
b) 1857
c) 1764
d) 1803
Q29. The last Mughal emperor was:
a) Aurangzeb
b) Shah Alam II
c) Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
d) Muhammad Shah Rangila
Q30. The Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri was built by which ruler for religious discussions?
a) Jahangir
b) Shah Jahan
c) Akbar
d) Humayun
Correct Answers
- c) Babur
- b) 1526
- b) Ibrahim Lodi
- b) Battle of Khanwa
- b) Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama)
- c) Sher Shah Suri
- c) 1555
- b) Gulbadan Begum
- b) Akbar’s forces and Hemu
- b) Bairam Khan
- b) Dahsala System (Zabt)
- c) Akbar
- a) Navaratnas
- c) Akbar
- c) Akbar
- c) Raja Todar Mal
- c) Abul Fazl
- c) Aurangzeb
- b) Nur Jahan
- b) Jahangir
- c) Mumtaz Mahal
- b) Yamuna
- c) Shah Jahan
- b) Jizya
- b) Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
- c) Aurangzeb
- b) Aurangzeb
- b) 1857
- c) Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
- c) Akbar
Conclusion
The Mughal Empire remains one of the most frequently asked topics in Indian History for competitive exams. From Babur’s founding of the dynasty to the exile of Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857, this period covers a wide range of political events, administrative reforms, and cultural achievements. Regular practice of MCQs from this topic will help you build confidence and improve accuracy in examinations.
We hope these 30 MCQs on the Mughal Empire have helped you revise and test your knowledge effectively. Make sure to revisit the questions you answered incorrectly and read more about those specific areas. Bookmark this page for future reference and share it with fellow aspirants. Stay consistent with your preparation and keep practicing topic-wise questions to perform well in UPSC, SSC, and State PSC examinations.