Read the passage and answer the question:

The forms of salutation to the ruler indicated the person’s status in the hierarchy: deeper prostration represented higher status. The highest form of submission was sijda or complete prostration. Under Shah Jahan, these rituals were replaced with chahar taslim and zaminbos (kissing the ground). The protocols governing diplomatic envoys at the Mughal court were equally explicit. An ambassador presented to the Mughal emperor was expected to offer an acceptable form of greeting – either by bowing deeply or kissing the ground, or else to follow the Persian custom of clasping one’s hands in front of the chest. Thomas Roe, the English envoy of James I, simply bowed before Jahangir according to European custom and further shocked the court by demanding a chair.

Which of the following statements is correct about titles given in the Mughal empire?

Statement  A- The granting of titles to men of merit was an important aspect of the Mughal polity.
Statement  B- Titles could be earned or paid for.

Both statements are correct.

The correct answer is Option 3 - Both statements are correct.

Statement  A- The granting of titles to men of merit was an important aspect of the Mughal polity.
Statement  B- Titles could be earned or paid for.

Option 1- Only statement A is correct
Option 2- Only statement B is correct
Option 3- Both statements are correct.
Option 4- Neither of them is correct.

The granting of titles to men of merit was an important aspect of the Mughal polity. A man’s ascent in the court hierarchy could be traced through the titles he held. The title Asaf Khan for one of the highest ministers originated with Asaf, the legendary minister of the prophet king Sulaiman (Solomon). The title Mirza Raja was accorded by Aurangzeb to his two highest-ranking nobles, Jai Singh and Jaswant Singh. Titles could be earned or paid for. Mir Khan offered Rs one lakh to Aurangzeb for the letter alif, that is A, to be added to his name to make it Amir Khan.