Medieval Indian History

Chehra was the system of keeping descriptive details of soldiers. For exams, remember Dagh and Chehra together.

The governing historical fact is that Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, was originally known as Ghazi Malik. He rose to power in the Delhi Sultanate and established Tughlaq rule in 1320 CE. Therefore option A is correct. Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty, while Bahlol Khan was the founder of the Lodi dynasty, so neither name belongs to Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. Ali Gurshasp was the personal name associated with Alauddin Khalji, another Delhi Sultanate ruler. These comparisons help distinguish important medieval rulers and prevent confusion among dynastic founders and their original names.

Tax increase in the Doab is counted among his controversial policies. For exams, remember the Doab policy separately.

Diwan-i-Kohi was a department related to agricultural development. For exams, connect it with Muhammad bin Tughlaq's agrarian policy.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq maintained a separate department for managing slaves. For exams, remember his administrative measures.

Firoz Shah mentioned reducing harsh punishments. For exams, connect him with relatively welfare oriented policies.

After Bahlol Lodi’s death, his son Sikandar Lodi became the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in 1489 CE. He strengthened Lodi rule and founded the city of Agra. Ibrahim Lodi succeeded Sikandar Lodi later, so he cannot be the answer here. Exam tip: Remember the Lodi sequence—Bahlol Lodi, Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi.

Ibrahim Lodi was defeated in the First Battle of Panipat in (1526) CE. For exams, connect it with the beginning of Mughal power.

Babur used artillery and methods like Tulughma. For exams, remember the role of technology in Panipat.

The governing historical fact is that Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur was born in 1483 at Andijan in the Fergana Valley, a Central Asian region then associated with the Timurid world. In school-level questions, this is commonly expressed as Babur’s birth being associated with Fergana, so option A is correct. Samarkand was an important city that Babur repeatedly tried to control, but it was not his birthplace. Kabul became his important base before his conquest of north India, and Bukhara was another major Central Asian centre. Distinguishing birthplace, later base, and politically contested city prevents confusion among these options.

Humayun received help from Shah Tahmasp of Persia. For exams, remember his exile and return together.

In the mansabdari system, a mansab indicated an officer’s rank and also fixed military obligations. It was not merely a land-revenue collection system. Exam tip: link mansab with rank and troop responsibility.

Buland Darwaza is linked with Akbar's victory over Gujarat. For exams, connect it with Fatehpur Sikri.

Faizi was Abul Fazl's brother and a scholar associated with Akbar's court. For exams, connect both brothers with the Mughal court.

The Zabti system was related to revenue assessment based on land measurement and produce. For exams, connect it with Todar Mal.

Jahangir mentioned installing the Chain of Justice. For exams, connect it with his image of justice.

Moti Masjid is famous for the beauty of marble. For exams, connect Shah Jahan with marble architecture.

The governing historical fact is that Aurangzeb, the last major Mughal emperor, died in 1707 CE at Ahmednagar. Therefore option A is correct. His death is an important chronological marker because Mughal authority became weaker after his long reign, and regional powers such as the Marathas, Sikhs, and various provincial states gained greater political space. The distractors represent other significant dates: 1605 was the year Akbar died, 1526 marks Babur’s victory at the First Battle of Panipat and the beginning of Mughal rule in India, and 1761 is associated with the Third Battle of Panipat. None of these dates is Aurangzeb’s death year.

Shivaji was born in Shivneri Fort. For exams, remember birthplace and coronation place separately.

Jijabai, also known as Rajmata Jijau, was the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. She strongly influenced his early life, moral values, and inspiration for swarajya. Nur Jahan was the wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir, so she is not the correct answer. Exam tip: Remember Shivaji's parents together—Jijabai and Shahaji Bhonsle.

Shahji Bhonsle, also written as Shahaji Bhonsle or Shahaji Raje, was the father of Shivaji. He was a prominent Maratha noble and military leader who served different Deccan powers. Shivaji was born into the Bhonsle family and later established an important Maratha kingdom in western India. Remembering the family relationship helps place Shivaji within the political and military history of the Deccan.

Option A is correct because Shahji Bhonsle was Shivaji’s father. Baji Rao was a later and famous Peshwa, not Shivaji’s parent. Santaji was associated with Maratha military activity, while Jai Singh was a Rajput commander connected with Mughal service. These names belong to the wider history of the period, but none identifies Shivaji’s father except Shahji Bhonsle.

Tanaji Malusare is associated with the heroic story of Sinhagad. For exams, remember Maratha forts and warriors together.

The governing historical fact is that Sambhaji was the elder son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and succeeded him as the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha state in 1680. Thus option A is correct. Akbar and Shah Jahan were Mughal emperors from a different ruling dynasty, while Balban was a Delhi Sultanate ruler of the Mamluk period. Their inclusion tests whether the learner can distinguish Maratha and Mughal or Sultanate figures. Sambhaji’s identity is best remembered through his relationship with Shivaji and his role in continuing Maratha resistance and administration after Shivaji’s death.

Sawai Jai Singh II built Jantar Mantar observatories. For exams, connect him with astronomy and Jaipur.

Jaipur was founded by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of the Kachwaha Rajput state of Amber, in 1727. He shifted the capital from Amber to the new city because the growing population, water needs, and geographical situation required better planning. Jaipur was designed according to a planned grid layout, making it an important example of an early planned city in India. Therefore, option A is correct.

The other names are associated with different historical settings. Shivaji founded and developed Maratha power, Akbar established Mughal authority in northern India, and Krishnadeva Raya was a famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. None of them founded Jaipur. The key association is simple: Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur, while its planned design and astronomical observatory reflect his interest in administration, architecture, and astronomy.