Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Aurangzeb assumed the title of Alamgir, World Conqueror. He was also called Zinda Pir. The act of usurping his father caused Aurangzeb to be viewed as an unqualified king by a large number of other leaders throughout the Islamic world. The Safavid Shah of Persia made fun of Aurangzeb, saying that he had just captured his father (pidar-giri) and not declared his takeover of the globe (alam-giri) with his regnal title of Alamgir. The Sharif of Mecca refused to acknowledge Aurangzeb as a legitimate Muslim during the entirety of Shah Jahan’s reign. According to Islamic principles of the time, Aurangzeb’s usurpation of his father was unfair.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Although he was proficient in playing Veena, Aurangzeb forbade music in the court. Even though he personally appreciated it, the sixth and final great Mughal emperor Aurangzeb forbade music in the tenth year of his rule, or 1668.

Niccolao Manucci, a contemporary historian from Italy, describes Aurangzeb’s directive to a government official to suppress all music: “If in any house or elsewhere he heard the sound of singing and instruments, he should forthwith hasten there and arrest as many as he could, breaking the instruments.” Thus, there was a significant loss of musical instruments.

Statement 3 is correct: In the Mansabdari System, he created an additional rank Mashrut (conditional), added one deduction called Khurak-i-dawwab towards meeting the cost for feed of animals. Aurangzeb appointed Rajputs to high positions, and under him the Marathas accounted for a sizable number within the body of officers.

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Under his rule, Shivaji has established the Maratha government with Chhatrapati serving as the ultimate sovereign and an eight-member team of ministers chosen to oversee the proper implementation of various laws. One of his ministers, the Majumdar or the Auditor, was responsible for maintaining the financial health of the kingdom. While the military responsibilities were given to Senapati or Military generals.

Statement 2 is correct: The administrative practices of Shivaji were humanitarian and subject-friendly. In his court, individuals from all castes were employed since he was vehemently opposed to caste discrimination.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Sanskrit and Marathi were strongly encouraged by Shivaji to replace the previous Royal language, i.e. Persian, in his court. To emphasize his Hindu dominance, he even changed the names of the forts under his dominion to Sanskrit.

Ans: B

Exp:

About the Peshwas of Maratha Kingdom

• The Peshwa, often referred to as the Mukhya Pradhan, was initially in charge of King Shivaji’s advisory council (reigned around 1659–1680). After Shivaji’s passing, the council disbanded, and the position lost its prominence. However, it was restored when Shivaji’s grandson Shahu nominated Chitpavan Brahman Balaji Vishvanath Bhat as peshwa in 1714. Hence, option a is incorrect
• After the death of Shivaji, the office of Peshwa lost its relevance, but it was brought into prominence by Shahuji Maharaj, who made it hereditary over the coming years. Hence, Option b is correct 
• Balaji Vishwanath was the first hereditary Peshwa who was appointed to the office and controlled major affairs of the Maratha kingdom as Mukhya Pradhan. His son Balaji Baji Rao I succeeded him after his death and expanded the Maratha Empire towards the northern territories by winning several battles over the course of years. Hence, option c is incorrect
• The historical palace Shaniwar Wada located at Pune was the headquarters of the Peshwas and is a testament to the splendor and majesty of the Maratha Empire. The Peshwas, the Maratha monarchs’ prime ministers, used this palace as their seat and conducted most of their operations from there. Gwalior was the seat of Scindias. Hence, option d is incorrect.

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: A significant political advancement of the Vijayanagara Empire was the Amara-Nayaka system. Many elements of this system most likely came from the Delhi Sultanate’s Iqta system. They were also known as nayakas and they usually spoke Telugu or Kannada.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The raya gave the amara-nayakas, who were military leaders, territory to rule. From local farmers, artisans, and tradesmen, they gathered taxes and other fees. They kept a portion of the money for their own use and to keep the contingent of horses and elephants that was agreed upon. In order to show their loyalty, the amara-nayakas sent the monarch tribute on a yearly basis and personally appeared in the royal court bearing gifts. Kings used to move them from one location to another to impose their control over them.

Ans: D

Exp:

Krishnadevaraya was the  most famous king of Vijayanagara Empire (from Tuluva dynasty).

He is also known as Andhra Bhoja. He composed a work on statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada. The epic poem Amuktamalyada (Giver of the Worn Garland) by Krishnadevaraya describes the life and ardent devotion to Lord Visnu of the medieval Vaishnava poet-saint Andal, also known as Goda Devi. Through his singular lyrical imagination, Krishnadevaraya creates a celestial realm alive with wonder, imagination, humor, and brilliant natural beauty.