Q.3 With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements : [2018]
1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.
2. Red sandstone and marble were used in making Ilara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.

Q.5 With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar? [2019]
1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

Explanation:
Q.1 Ans. (c) (i) Siddhas means the refined monotheistic creed existed. Sittar implies an expert in occultism, alchemy and so on with magic or superstitious powers.
(ii) The Lingayats believed that on death the devotee will be reunited with Shiva and not return to this world. Therefore, instead of cremating the body, they ceremonially, bury their dead.
(iii) They criticised the caste system and questioned belief in the theory of rebirth.
(iv) Certain practices were encouraged by the Lingayats such as post-puberty marriages and widow remarriage.
Knowledge of the Virashaiva tradition has been derived from vachanas (sayings) composed in Kannada by those who had joined

Q.2 Ans. (c) (i) In reign of Krishna Deva, land revenue was the main source of income of the government. To assess the proper revenue entire land was classified into four parts: the wet land, the dry land, the orchards and the woods. The government also levied other taxes like the grazing tax, the customs duty, tax on gardening and industries taxes on manufacture of various articles.
(ii) From the travelogue written by Persianenvoy Abdur Razzaqin the court of Vijaynagar, we find both statements are correct

Q.3 Ans. (a) Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri, a key architectural achievement of Akbar's reign, showcases his traditions with red sandstone, stone carvings, and white marble relief. Despite its grandeur, its primary purpose may have been to emphasize Akbar's connection to the Chishti order, featuring Quranic verses on its surface.
In contrast, the Asafi Imambara in Lucknow, built for economic reasons, employed a more cost-effective style with brick and lime instead of marble. Stucco ornamentation (gajkari) with mother of pearl and shells added a luxurious touch. Skilled local masons used small bricks to create intricate details, seen in the Rumi Darwaza, a Turkish-inspired gateway with traces of Roman architecture at the Bara Imambara.

Q.4 Ans. (d) Bani Thani refers to a style of traditional Rajasthani miniature painting that originated in the Kishangarh school of art during the 18th century in India. The term "Bani Thani" is also used to describe a specific painting within this style. Bani Thani paintings are often associated with the theme of love and devotion.
Paintings at Kishangarh is associated with the most romantic legends - Sawant Singh and his beloved Bani Thani. It is sometimes argued that the women in 'bani thani' is said to resemble the character of Radha.

Q.5 Ans. (d)
• Two classes shared power of the State with Mughal emperor: zamindars and the nobles. The zamindars were hereditary owners of their lands who enjoyed certain privileges on hereditary basis. They occupied an important place in the empire because they helped in the collection of revenue and in local administration, for which they maintained soldiers.
• The nobility comprised people who were either assigned large jagirs / Mansabs or appointed Subahdars.
Thus, both 1 and 2 are wrong

Q.1 Consider the following statements: [2019]
1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as 'Amil'.
2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
3. The office of' Mir Bakshi' came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Q.2 Consider the following statements : [2019]
1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Q.5 With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: [2020]
1. Aurang: In-charge of treasury of the State
2. Banian: Indian agent of the East India Company
3. Mirasidar: Designated revenue payer to the State

Q.1 Ans. (a)
• The first stage of Iqta system started in 1206. The system started with the assignment of different regions as iqtas (territorial areas or units whose revenues were assigned to officials in lieu of salaries) to military commanders, out of whose revenues they could maintain themselves and their troops as well. So, it means Iqta started in 1206 itself and it was not an ancient indigenous Indian institution. So, statement 2 is wrong.
Statement 1 is correct. The in-charge of revenue collection in the Delhi Sultanate was known as 'Amil'.
• Mughal Central Administration: Mir Bakshi was Head of the military department. So, statement 3 is wrong.

Q.2 Ans. (d)
• In the 13th century, Nimbarka and Vallabhacharya were also other preachers of Vaishnavite Bhakti in the Telangana region. Akbar was 15th Century, so unlikely to be contemporaries. #1 is wrong.
• Saint Nimbarka was not a contemporary of Akbar. So statement 2 is also incorrect.

Q.3 Ans. (a)
• Tansen was the title given to him by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior. So, a is wrong, and therefore it's the answer.
• Tansen invented the night raga Darbari Kanhra, morning raga Mian Ki Todi, mid-day raga, Mian ki Sarang, seasonal raga Mian ki Malhar. So, d is right
• He composed many dhrupads on Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati, and Rama. He also composed songs on his patrons. So, b and c are correct.

Q.4 Ans. (c)
• Jahangir shifted the focus away from illustrated manuscripts and placed more emphasis on chitradhara (album) and individual portraits.
• "Mughal painting" originated during the reign of Akbar in 1560 AD.
• Mughal Paintings Scenes of Shifa often revolve around themes like fighting, mythological stories, wildlife, royal life.

Q.5 Ans. (b)
• Aurang- Persian term for Warehouse. So, statement 1 is wrong.
• Banian- Agent of East India Company, term used for Bania (trader) So, #2 is correct.
• Mirasidar- Designated revenue payer to the State.