1. Who is known as the ‘father of Indian classical music’ during the Mughal era?
a) Tansen
b) Akbar
c) Dara Shikoh
d) Babur
Answer: a) Tansen
Explanation: Tansen, one of the Navratnas (nine jewels) of Emperor Akbar’s court, is considered the father of Indian classical music due to his contributions to its development.
2. Which Mughal emperor is most famous for his patronage of music?
a) Babur
b) Akbar
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: b) Akbar
Explanation: Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is widely recognized for his patronage of music and dance, particularly with Tansen in his court.
3. Which musical instrument was primarily associated with the Mughal era?
a) Sitar
b) Tabla
c) Veena
d) Rudra veena
Answer: a) Sitar
Explanation: The sitar became prominent during the Mughal period, with its development being associated with the court of Emperor Akbar.
4. Tansen was famous for which type of music?
a) Dhrupad
b) Khayal
c) Thumri
d) Qawwali
Answer: a) Dhrupad
Explanation: Tansen was renowned for his mastery of Dhrupad, one of the oldest forms of Indian classical music, which was patronized during the Mughal era.
5. Which Mughal emperor banned music and dance during his reign?
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Aurangzeb
d) Shah Jahan
Answer: c) Aurangzeb
Explanation: Emperor Aurangzeb, known for his orthodox policies, banned music, dance, and other forms of artistic expression during his reign.
6. Which type of dance form became popular in the Mughal courts?
a) Kathak
b) Bharatanatyam
c) Odissi
d) Kuchipudi
Answer: a) Kathak
Explanation: Kathak, one of the classical dance forms of India, flourished in the Mughal courts, particularly under Akbar, where it was often performed by courtesans.
7. Who was the famous Mughal emperor who loved listening to music at night?
a) Babur
b) Shah Jahan
c) Akbar
d) Jahangir
Answer: d) Jahangir
Explanation: Jahangir, known for his refined tastes, often enjoyed listening to music, particularly at night, and was a great patron of music and art.
8. What was the primary medium of music in the Mughal courts?
a) Vocal
b) Instrumental
c) Folk
d) Western classical
Answer: a) Vocal
Explanation: Vocal music, particularly Dhrupad, was the primary form of music in Mughal courts, though instrumental music also gained importance.
9. Which dance form did the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan prefer?
a) Kathak
b) Bharatnatyam
c) Odissi
d) Kuchipudi
Answer: a) Kathak
Explanation: Shah Jahan, known for his interest in the arts, was fond of Kathak, which evolved as a classical dance form in the Mughal courts.
10. Which Mughal ruler introduced the concept of ‘Navratnas’ (Nine Jewels) that included musicians?
a) Babur
b) Akbar
c) Shah Jahan
d) Humayun
Answer: b) Akbar
Explanation: Emperor Akbar introduced the concept of ‘Navratnas,’ a group of nine distinguished individuals, including musicians like Tansen.
11. Which form of music is associated with the Mughal era, which is characterized by intricate ornamentations and improvisation?
a) Ghazal
b) Thumri
c) Khayal
d) Dhrupad
Answer: c) Khayal
Explanation: Khayal, which evolved during the Mughal period, is a classical form of music known for its improvisational style and intricate ornamentations.
12. Which Mughal emperor was known for having a court of great musicians, including Tansen?
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: a) Akbar
Explanation: Akbar’s court was renowned for its collection of distinguished musicians, with Tansen being one of the most celebrated among them.
13. Who composed the famous “Raga Miyan ki Todi” during the Mughal era?
a) Tansen
b) Dara Shikoh
c) Akbar
d) Shah Jahan
Answer: a) Tansen
Explanation: Tansen is credited with composing several famous ragas, including “Miyan ki Todi,” a renowned raga in Indian classical music.
14. What role did Mughal courtesans play in the music and dance culture of the era?
a) Teachers of music
b) Patrons of music
c) Performers and entertainers
d) Singers in royal court
Answer: c) Performers and entertainers
Explanation: Mughal courtesans were central figures in the court’s music and dance culture, performing for the elite and influencing both art forms.
15. Which musical instrument became central to classical music during the Mughal era, especially in Akbar’s court?
a) Sitar
b) Tabla
c) Sarod
d) Harmonium
Answer: a) Sitar
Explanation: The sitar became prominent during the Mughal era, particularly in the courts of Akbar, and is still a key instrument in Indian classical music.
16. Which Mughal emperor is credited with the development of Mughal miniatures depicting musicians and dancers?
a) Babur
b) Akbar
c) Shah Jahan
d) Humayun
Answer: b) Akbar
Explanation: Emperor Akbar’s reign saw the development of Mughal miniatures, many of which depicted musicians and dancers in courtly settings.
17. What was the predominant musical style in Mughal courts that combined both Persian and Indian influences?
a) Khayal
b) Thumri
c) Qawwali
d) Dhrupad
Answer: a) Khayal
Explanation: Khayal was a fusion of Persian and Indian music traditions that became prominent in the Mughal court, particularly during the reign of Akbar.
18. What was the primary feature of Mughal dance performances?
a) Storytelling
b) Religious rituals
c) Courtly entertainment
d) Folk traditions
Answer: c) Courtly entertainment
Explanation: Mughal dance performances were primarily a form of courtly entertainment and were often linked to musical performances, particularly Kathak.
19. Who was the famous female musician in the Mughal court known for her extraordinary skills in vocal music?
a) Begum Akhtar
b) Meera Bai
c) Zinat Bai
d) Noor Jahan
Answer: c) Zinat Bai
Explanation: Zinat Bai, a prominent female musician at the Mughal court, was known for her exceptional vocal skills and contributions to the musical tradition of the era.
20. Which dance form was primarily performed by the courtesans in the Mughal court?
a) Kathak
b) Bharatnatyam
c) Odissi
d) Kuchipudi
Answer: a) Kathak
Explanation: Kathak dance, characterized by storytelling and intricate footwork, was predominantly performed by courtesans in the Mughal court.
21. The introduction of which musical style in the Mughal courts led to the evolution of Hindustani classical music?
a) Persian classical music
b) Afghan folk music
c) Central Asian folk music
d) Mughal folk music
Answer: a) Persian classical music
Explanation: Persian classical music had a significant influence on the development of Hindustani classical music during the Mughal era.
22. Which of the following was a key characteristic of Mughal music and dance performances?
a) Devotional
b) Courtly and secular
c) Ritualistic
d) Folk-based
Answer: b) Courtly and secular
Explanation: Music and dance performances during the Mughal period were primarily courtly and secular, focused on entertainment for the royal court.
23. Which Mughal emperor encouraged the performance of music and dance as a means of social gathering in his court?
a) Akbar
b) Babur
c) Jahangir
d) Shah Jahan
Answer: a) Akbar
Explanation: Akbar’s court was a place for intellectual and artistic gathering, where music and dance were encouraged as means of social interaction.
24. Which musical genre, popular during the Mughal period, blends classical Indian and Persian styles?
a) Qawwali
b) Thumri
c) Khayal
d) Ghazal
Answer: c) Khayal
Explanation: Khayal is a genre of Indian classical music that emerged during the Mughal period and blends Indian and Persian musical styles.
25. Which musical instrument is said to have been popularized by Tansen in the Mughal court?
a) Veena
b) Sitar
c) Sarangi
d) Tanpura
Answer: b) Sitar
Explanation: The sitar was popularized in the Mughal court by Tansen, who is credited with enhancing the instrument’s status.
26. The musical contributions of which artist during the Mughal period led to the growth of the Hindustani classical music tradition?
a) Tansen
b) Amir Khusro
c) Dara Shikoh
d) Noor Jahan
Answer: a) Tansen
Explanation: Tansen’s contributions to Indian classical music, particularly his innovations in ragas, played a major role in the development of Hindustani classical music.
27. What was the primary purpose of Mughal court music?
a) Religious worship
b) Political propaganda
c) Entertainment and leisure
d) Educational purposes
Answer: c) Entertainment and leisure
Explanation: Mughal court music was primarily performed for entertainment and leisure in the royal courts.
28. Which style of music developed in the Mughal courts focused on slow, meditative, and devotional music?
a) Thumri
b) Ghazal
c) Dhrupad
d) Khayal
Answer: c) Dhrupad
Explanation: Dhrupad, characterized by slow and meditative tunes, was a style of classical music that evolved and flourished in the Mughal courts.
29. Which city was known as the cultural hub for music and dance during the Mughal Empire?
a) Delhi
b) Agra
c) Lahore
d) Fatehpur Sikri
Answer: d) Fatehpur Sikri
Explanation: Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s capital, was a significant cultural hub during the Mughal era, known for its music, dance, and intellectual gatherings.
30. Which music genre, deeply connected with Mughal culture, is still performed in Indian music concerts today?
a) Qawwali
b) Ghazal
c) Khayal
d) Dhrupad
Answer: c) Khayal
Explanation: Khayal, a genre of Indian classical music that flourished during the Mughal period, is still performed in contemporary Indian music concerts.
