Q. With reference to the challenges faced by Humayun after his accession, consider the following statements:
1.Humayun’s policy of granting large Jagirs to his younger brothers weakened the central administration from the outset by partitioning the empire.
2.The Afghan threat, particularly under Sher Khan Suri in Bihar and Bengal, was the primary external military challenge Humayun failed to address adequately.
3.The rise of Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, who maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese and posed a threat to Malwa, was a significant problem for Humayun.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Incorrect. While Humayun’s brothers were a major problem, the problem was his father Babur’s legacy of dividing the empire among his sons, leading to the brothers’ disloyalty and subsequent lack of cooperation, rather than Humayun’s grant of “large Jagirs.” He granted them provinces like Kabul and Kandahar (Kambaran) and Sambhal (Askari), which was a much more serious partitioning than mere jagirs.
- Statement 2: Correct. Sher Khan Suri’s consolidation of power in the east proved to be the most devastating long-term threat to Humayun.
- Statement 3: Correct. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was a formidable rival who threatened the Mughal hold over Malwa and even besieged Chittor, forcing Humayun to intervene personally.
