The third book of Ain, “mulk-abadi”, deals with which main subject?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The fiscal side of the empire and provides rich quantitative information on revenue rates
Abu’l Fazl’s Ain-i Akbari is made up of five books (daftars), and the first three describe the administration. The first, manzil-abadi, deals with the imperial household; the second, sipah-abadi, with the military and civil administration and the establishment of servants. The third, mulk-abadi, deals with the fiscal side of the empire, with rich figures on revenue rates, followed by the ‘Account of the Twelve Provinces’. The fourth and fifth books turn to the religious, literary and cultural traditions of the people of India. So each wrong option here is the subject of another book of the Ain.
NCERT (2025-26): “8. The Ain-i Akbari of Abu’l Fazl Allami … The Ain is made up of five books (daftars), of which the first three books describe the administration. The first book, called manzil-abadi, concerns the imperial household and its maintenance. The second book, sipah-abadi, covers the military and civil administration and the establishment of servants. This book includes notices and short biographical sketches of imperial officials (mansabdars), learned men, poets and artists. The third book, mulk-abadi, is the one which deals with the fiscal side of the empire and provides rich quantitative information on revenue rates, followed by the ‘Account of the Twelve Provinces’.… …The fourth and fifth books (daftars) deal with the religious, literary and cultural traditions of the people of India and also contain a collection of Akbar’s ‘auspicious sayings’.” |