Medieval India: The Mughal Empire Flashcards
When did Babur invade India?
1526
What was India’s situation on the eve of Babur’s invasion of India?
India was ruled by breakaway kingdoms of the Delhi sultanate and there was no powerful authority. The states were always fighting against one another with the result that a sense of insecurity and tension was present throughout the country.
Name the countries that had become independent before the Mughal Empire formed.
Bengal, Jaunpur, Gujarat, Malwa, and Mewar
Name the 4 main sources of the Mughal Empire.
Ain-i-Akbari, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Jama Masjid, the Red Fort in Delhi
Who wrote Ain-i-Akbari? What was it a part of?
Abul Fazl; a large project of history writing commissioned by Akbar
Describe Abul Fazl.
Minister and one of the nine jewels in Akbar’s court
What was Ain-i-Akbari regarded as by historians?
A precious source of information about the administration and culture during the reign of Akbar
How many books is Ain-i-Akbari divided into?
5
What does the first book about Ain-i-Akbari deal with?
Imperial household
What does the second book about Ain-i-Akbari deal with?
Servants of the emperor, military and civil services
What does the third book about Ain-i-Akbari deal with?
Imperial administration and regulations for the judicial and executive departments and divisions of the empire
What does the fourth book about Ain-i-Akbari deal with?
Info about hindu philosophy, science, social customs, and literature
What does the fifth book about Ain-i-Akbari deal with?
Wise sayings of Akbar and ancestry and biography of author (?)
Who built the Taj Mahal? Why?
Shah Jahan; in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal
Mausoleum meaning. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum of whom?
Tomb; Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan
Where is the Taj Mahal built? Who designed it? What is it made of?
Agra; Ustad Isha Khan; pure white marble
On what is the main structure created? What is on each of the four corners of the previous answer?
High platform; minaret
How high is the central dome of the Taj Mahal? What does it look like?
56.1 m; inverted lotus
What does the interior of the Taj Mahal look like? Where are the actual graves?
Octagonal chamber; lower chamber, underground
How are the walls of the Taj Mahal decorated? What is this method known as?
Decorated with floral designs made of semi-precious stones; pietra dura
The Taj Mahal brought together all the architectural forms developed by the Mughals like…?
Massive domes of marble, pietra dura inlay work, and kiosks
Kiosks meaning
Small stalls or chhatris
When was the Taj Mahal designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site? Seven wonders of the world?
Who built the Jama Masjid? Why is it special?
What is the Jama Masjid built on? Where does it lead?
The Jama Masjid has … gateways, … towers, and … … m high minarets constructed of what?
Of the Jama Masjid, the northern gate has … steps, the eastern gate has … steps, and the southern gate has … steps.
The face of the spacious prayer hall of the Jama Masjid consists of?
