a) Ain-i-Akbari — Ain-i-Akbari was a part of a large project of history writing commissioned by Akbar.

Written by Abul Fazl, it is regarded as a precious source material for knowing the administration and culture
during the reign of Akbar. The Ain-i-Akbari is divided into five books. The first book deals with the imperial
household. The second book deals with the servants of the emperor, military and civil services. The third
book deals with the imperial administration. It consists of the regulations for the judicial and executive
departments, and the division of empire. The fourth book contains information about Hindu philosophy,
science, social customs and literature. The fifth book contains the wise sayings of Akbar. It also contains an
account of the ancestry and biography of the author, Abul Fazl.
(b) Taj Mahal — It was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is mausoleum of
both of them. It is built at Agra on the banks of the river Yamuna. It was designed by Ustad Isha Khan. It is
made up of pure white marble. The main structure is constructed on a high platform. On each corner of this
platform there is a minaret. The central dome rises to the height of 56.1 metres. The interior has an
octagonal chamber with an inverted lotus ceiling. The actual graves are in lower chamber, underground. The
walls of the entire structure are decorated with floral designs. The Taj Mahal brought together all the
architectural forms developed by the Mughals like massive domes of marble, pietra dura (method of
decoration) and kiosks (chhatris).
(c) Red Fort — The Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan on the bank of river Yamuna. Red sandstone and
marble was used in its construction. The fort has massive walls and two gateways. The Western Gateway is
known as the Lahori Gate. This gate was used for the emperor's ceremonial purposes. The campus has some
impressive buildings like Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas and Moti Masjid. The Diwan-i-Khas is lavishly
ornamented hall where the Peacock Throne was placed. The hall was used by the emperor to give audience
to the princes of the royal family, nobles and other important dignitaries. The red fort is an important
historical monument.
(a) Akbar's policy towards the Rajputs — The Rajput policy of Akbar proved to be one of his greatest
achievements. He entered into marriage alliances with Rajputs. Bhara Mal, the ruler of Amber, married his
younger daughter, Harkha Bai to Akbar. Akbar not only gave complete freedom to his wives who followed
Hinduism but also gave an honoured place to their parents and relations in nobility. The Rajputs were also
made equal partners in the Mughal government, it considerably affected the public policies of the Mughals
and greatly helped in the growth of a composite culture. Thus, the Rajput policy of Akbar ended the centuries
old animosity between the Muslim rulers and the Rajputs.
(b) Akbar's policy of religious tolerance — Akbar took a number of measures to promote greater
understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims. The major steps taken by him were: 1 He abolished the
poll tax or jizyah as well as pilgrim tax, which the non-muslims were required to pay. He abolished the
practice of forcible conversion of prisoners of war to Islam. Akbar enrolled a number of Hindus into the
nobility. He built a hall called Ibadat Khana or the hall of prayer at Fatehpur Sikri. At this hall, he used to call
selected theologians of all religions, mystics and intellectuals and discuss religious and spiritual matters with
them.
(c) Social reforms introduced by Akbar — Akbar introduced a number of social and educational reforms
which were pivotal in upliftment of women. Some of his reforms were: He abolished the practice of forcible
Sati. However, the women who committed Sati of their own free will were allowed to do so. Akbar legalised
widow remarriage. Akbar was against anyone having more than one wife unless the first wife could not bear
children. He raised the age of marraige to 14 for girls and 16 for boys.
With reference to the administrative system in the Mughal period, answer the following questions:
(a) What was the position of the monarch?
(b) Who were the three important ministers?
(c) How was the provincial government organised?
Answer
(a) According to Abul Fazl, the office of a true ruler was a very responsible one which depended on divine
illumination. Thus, the Mughal Emperor endowed with the divine light was regarded as the vice-regent of
God on earth. He ruled the empire with paternal love towards his subjects without distinction of sect or
creed. The emperor was the head of the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and the Army. He was the supreme
commander of armed forces and all other commanders were appointed and removed by him. He made laws
and issued administrative ordinances. The royal uzuk (small singet ring) was affixed to farmans granting
appointments, titles, jagirs etc.
(b) The three ministers in Mughal empire were: Vakil or Prime Minister — he was entrusted with great
powers in civil and military affairs. Diwan or Diwan-i-ala — He was head of revenue department. He was
responsible for all income and expenditure. Mir Bakshi — He was the head of military department and
intelligence and information agencies of the empire.
(c) The Empire was divided into twelve provinces or subahs, which was further subdivided into sarkars and
each sarkar into
parganas or mahals. Each subah was headed by one governor who was called the subahdar or sipah salar or
nazim. He was usually a mansabdar of high rank. His functions included maintenance of law and order,
enforcement of imperial decrees, administration of criminal justice and the smooth collection of revenue. The
provincial diwan was incharge of revenue administration of the province. Beside them, the other important
officials in the province were faujdar, kotwal, bakshi, sadr qazi and muhtasib. The centre appointed the
officials of the provinces, sarkars and the parganas. Hence, these divisions were directly responsible to the
centre.