Important Dates in Indian History

Mirabai is generally considered to have been born in 1498 CE. Link her with Krishna devotion and the Bhakti movement.

Humayun was born in 1508 CE. Remember him with his conflict with Sher Shah and Mughal restoration.

Humayun died in 1556 CE after falling from the stairs in Delhi. After his death, Akbar became the Mughal emperor. The year 1540 CE refers to Humayun's defeat by Sher Shah Suri and his departure from India, not his death. Exam tip: Remember 1556 CE as both the year of Humayun's death and Akbar's accession.

Akbar was born in 1542 CE at Umarkot, during a period when his father Humayun faced political difficulties. He later became one of the most influential Mughal emperors and ruled from 1556 to 1605. Akbar is remembered for expanding and organizing the empire, developing administration, and following policies that, especially in the later part of his reign, emphasized accommodation and cooperation among communities.

Option B, 1542 CE, is correct. The year 1556 was the beginning of Akbar’s reign after his accession, not his birth. The year 1605 marks his death, while 1508 is too early and does not match his life. The useful sequence is birth in 1542, accession in 1556, and death in 1605. This sequence makes it easier to reject the other options without confusing his birth with major events of his reign.

Maharana Pratap died in 1597 CE. In exams, remember him with independence and the bravery of Mewar.

Jahangir was born in 1569 CE. In exams, remember him as Akbar's son and a Mughal emperor.

Shah Jahan was born in 1592 CE. In exams, link him with the Taj Mahal and Mughal architecture.

Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor associated with a highly celebrated phase of Mughal architecture, died in 1666 CE. His reign is commonly linked with the Taj Mahal, built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, as well as important construction at Agra and Delhi. After the succession conflict, he was confined at Agra Fort during the later part of his life and died there in 1666.

Option C, 1666 CE, is therefore correct. The year 1627 marks the death of his father, Jahangir, and 1658 is associated with Shah Jahan’s deposition by Aurangzeb, not his death. The year 1707 belongs to Aurangzeb’s death. Remembering the sequence—Shah Jahan’s accession in 1628, deposition in 1658, and death in 1666—helps distinguish the correct option from the nearby dates.

Aurangzeb was born in 1618 CE. He was the son of Shah Jahan and later became one of the major Mughal emperors. Remembering his birth year helps place him in the Mughal period, before he became emperor in 1658. Therefore, option B is correct. The other years refer to different events or do not match his birth: 1658 was the year he took the throne, while 1707 was the year of his death. The key distinction is between the date of birth and important dates from his reign.

A useful way to remember the sequence is: Aurangzeb was born in 1618, became emperor in 1658, and died in 1707. Since the question asks only for his birth year, the correct choice must be 1618 CE. His reign is generally placed in the later Mughal period, and this date fits that historical timeline. Thus, option B follows directly from the known chronology.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born in 1630 CE. In exams, link him with Maratha Swarajya and the Raigad coronation.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj died in 1680 CE. Remember him as a great builder of Maratha power and Swarajya.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was born in 1657 CE. In exams, link him with Shivaji Maharaj's son and Maratha history.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj died in 1689 CE. Remember him with anti-Mughal struggle and Maratha bravery.

Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1666 CE. In exams, link him with the tenth Sikh Guru and the Khalsa tradition.

Guru Gobind Singh died in 1708 CE. Remember him with the founding of the Khalsa Panth and Sikh history.

Peshwa Baji Rao I was born in 1700 CE. Link him with Maratha expansion and quick military leadership.

Peshwa Baji Rao I died in 1740 CE. In exams, remember him with the expansion of Maratha power.

Tipu Sultan was born in 1751 CE. Link him with the ruler of Mysore and resistance against the British.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839 CE. Remember him as the powerful ruler of Punjab and the Sikh Empire.

The Atmiya Sabha was founded in 1815 CE. Link it with Raja Rammohan Roy's early reform work.