Unit 20: Paper 3 (HL) — History of Asia & Oceania
Topic 20.4: The rise and fall of the Mughal Empire (1526–1712) Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB History Topic 20.4. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.2 - Q14
Choose the Maratha leader who declared himself an independent king in 1674, challenging Mughal authority in the Deccan.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q8
"Mughal power was secured by 1556 in name only." Discuss this statement with reference to the state of the empire at Humayun's death.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q9
Analyse why Rana Sanga's Rajput coalition, despite being larger than Babur's army, was defeated at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q10
To what extent did the personal qualities and decisions of individual rulers, rather than broader structural factors, explain the establishment of Mughal power in India by 1556?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q11
Choose the correct answer: In which year did Babur seize Kabul, establishing the base from which he later invaded India?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q14
Choose the correct answer: Where was the future emperor Akbar born in 1542, during Humayun's flight into exile?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.2 - Q12
Choose the name of the syncretic court faith created by Akbar in 1582.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q2
Evaluate the impact of gunpowder weapons and the tulughma tactic on the Mughal conquest of northern India, 1526-1527.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q3
Discuss the reasons for Humayun's loss of the Mughal throne between 1539 and 1540.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q13
Choose the correct answer: Who defeated Humayun at the battles of Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540)?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q4
To what extent was Safavid Persian support responsible for Humayun's restoration to the Mughal throne in 1555?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q6
Analyse the significance of Sher Shah Suri's rule (1540-1545) for the later development of Mughal administration under Akbar.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q7
Evaluate the claim that Humayun's fifteen years of exile (1540-1555) were more beneficial than damaging to the long-term future of the Mughal Empire.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q12
Choose the correct answer: Which tactic, combining flanking manoeuvres with a gun-defended fortified centre, did Babur use to win at both Panipat and Khanwa?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.2 - Q11
Choose the year in which Akbar abolished the jizya, the tax on non-Muslim subjects.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q1
Examine the reasons for Babur's military success in establishing Mughal rule in northern India between 1526 and 1527.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q15
Choose the correct answer: What major currency reform is Sher Shah Suri credited with introducing during his rule of northern India (1540-1545)?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.1 - Q5
Compare and contrast the methods used by Babur in India (1526-1530) with those used by Shaka in the founding of the Zulu kingdom in southern Africa (1816-1828) to establish a new state.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.2 - Q13
Choose the Sikh guru whose execution by Aurangzeb in 1675 helped militarise Sikh opposition to Mughal rule.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 20.4.2 - Q15
Choose the building completed by Shah Jahan in 1653 as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
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