Consider the following statements regarding the distribution of revenue among Mansabdars in the twentieth year of Shah Jahan’s reign: 1. The highest-ranking mansabdars were only 445 in number out of a total of 8,000. 2. This small group received only about 10 per cent of the total estimated revenue. 3. The remaining revenue was distributed equally among the peasantry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation The Mansabdari system during the reign of Shah Jahan. By this period, the number of mansabdars had increased significantly, leading to a crisis in the availability of jagirs (land assignments). Historical records from the twentieth year of Shah Jahan’s reign provide specific data regarding the concentration of wealth among the nobility. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: According to documents from the twentieth year of Shah Jahan’s reign, the total number of mansabdars was approximately 8,000. Out of these, the highest-ranking mansabdars were indeed only 445 in number. This represents a mere 5.6 percent of the total body of mansabdars. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: This small group of 445 mansabdars did not receive 10 percent of the revenue. Instead, they received a massive 61.5 percent of the total estimated revenue of the empire as salaries for themselves and their troopers. This highlights the extreme concentration of resources in the hands of the highest nobility. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The revenue collected by the Mughal state was extracted from the peasantry; it was not distributed to them. The remaining revenue (after paying the top 445 mansabdars) was used to pay the salaries of the remaining mansabdars, maintain the imperial household, and fund military campaigns. There was no mechanism for distributing state revenue equally among the peasantry. Key Takeaway During Shah Jahan's reign, the Mughal administration was characterized by a high degree of economic inequality, where a tiny elite (approx. 5.6% of mansabdars) controlled over 61.5% of the empire's total revenue.

NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 4: The Mughals (16th to 17th Century)

mcqhard

Consider the following statements regarding the distribution of revenue among Mansabdars in the twentieth year of Shah Jahan’s reign:

The highest-ranking mansabdars were only 445 in number out of a total of 8,000.
This small group received only about 10 per cent of the total estimated revenue.
The remaining revenue was distributed equally among the peasantry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Mansabdari system during the reign of Shah Jahan. By this period, the number of mansabdars had increased significantly, leading to a crisis in the availability of jagirs (land assignments). Historical records from the twentieth year of Shah Jahan’s reign provide specific data regarding the concentration of wealth among the nobility.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: According to documents from the twentieth year of Shah Jahan’s reign, the total number of mansabdars was approximately 8,000. Out of these, the highest-ranking mansabdars were indeed only 445 in number. This represents a mere 5.6 percent of the total body of mansabdars.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: This small group of 445 mansabdars did not receive 10 percent of the revenue. Instead, they received a massive 61.5 percent of the total estimated revenue of the empire as salaries for themselves and their troopers. This highlights the extreme concentration of resources in the hands of the highest nobility.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The revenue collected by the Mughal state was extracted from the peasantry; it was not distributed to them. The remaining revenue (after paying the top 445 mansabdars) was used to pay the salaries of the remaining mansabdars, maintain the imperial household, and fund military campaigns. There was no mechanism for distributing state revenue equally among the peasantry.

Key Takeaway

During Shah Jahan's reign, the Mughal administration was characterized by a high degree of economic inequality, where a tiny elite (approx. 5.6% of mansabdars) controlled over 61.5% of the empire's total revenue.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: The Mughals (16th to 17th Century)

With reference to the lineage of the Mughals, consider the following statements: 1. From their mother’s side, they were descendants of the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan. 2. From their father’s side, they were the successors of the Uzbeg ruler Shaibani Khan. 3. The Mughals took pride in their Timurid ancestry rather than their Mongol descent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the Mughal traditions of succession: 1. The Mughals strictly followed the rule of primogeniture, where the eldest son inherited the father's estate. 2. They adopted the Timurid custom of coparcenary inheritance. 3. The inheritance was divided amongst all the sons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the military technology used in the sixteenth century, consider the following statements: 1. Cannons were an important addition to warfare during this period. 2. Babur relied solely on archers and did not use gunpowder technology in the first battle of Panipat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the early career of the first Mughal emperor, Babur: 1. He succeeded to the throne of Ferghana in 1494 when he was only 12 years old. 2. He was forced to leave his ancestral throne due to the invasion of the Uzbegs. 3. He seized Kabul in 1504 before capturing Delhi in 1526. 4. He defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat to establish control over Agra and Delhi. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Consider the following statements regarding Mughal relations with other rulers: 1. The Mughals campaigned constantly against rulers who refused to accept their authority. 2. Once a ruler was defeated, the Mughals usually humiliated them to ensure future loyalty. 3. The Rajputs were the only group that consistently refused to join the Mughal service. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 4: The Mughals (16th to 17th Century)

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 7 History chapters

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: According to documents from the twentieth year of Shah Jahan’s reign, the total number of mansabdars was approximately 8,000. Out of these, the highest-ranking mansabdars were indeed only 445 in number. This represents a mere 5.6 percent of the total body of mansabdars.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: This small group of 445 mansabdars did not receive 10 percent of the revenue. Instead, they received a massive 61.5 percent of the total estimated revenue of the empire as salaries for themselves and their troopers. This highlights the extreme concentration of resources in the hands of the highest nobility.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The revenue collected by the Mughal state was extracted from the peasantry; it was not distributed to them. The remaining revenue (after paying the top 445 mansabdars) was used to pay the salaries of the remaining mansabdars, maintain the imperial household, and fund military campaigns. There was no mechanism for distributing state revenue equally among the peasantry.