Jahangir Archives

Jahangir got impressed by the Turkish fluency of which one of the following European travellers and made him a Mansabdar of 400 sawar?

William Hawkins

Ralph Fitch

William Finch

Thomas Coryat

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2020

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William Hawkins, an English merchant, arrived at the court of Emperor Jahangir in 1609, representing the English East India Company to seek permission to trade in Surat. Hawkins was fluent in Turkish (Chagatai Turkish), which was Jahangir’s first language. Impressed by Hawkins’s language skills and personality, Jahangir took a liking to him, granted him a mansab of 400 sawar, and gave him the title ‘English Khan’. This was a notable favour shown to a European at the Mughal court.

William Hawkins was the European traveller whose Turkish fluency impressed Emperor Jahangir, leading to him being granted a mansab.

Ralph Fitch (late 16th century) was one of the earliest English travellers to India, preceding Jahangir’s reign. William Finch was also an English merchant and companion of Hawkins for part of his journey. Thomas Coryat was an English traveller who visited India during Jahangir’s reign but is known for his eccentric journey on foot and his book “Crudities”.

The aristocrat Muqarrab Khan was a great favourite of which Mughal Emperor?

Akbar

Jahangir

Farrukhsiyar

Shah Alam

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2018

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The correct answer is B) Jahangir.

Muqarrab Khan was a prominent nobleman and high-ranking official during the reign of Emperor Jahangir (1605-1627). He held important posts, including governor of Gujarat, and was often entrusted with sensitive assignments, such as leading diplomatic missions and dealing with foreign traders like the English East India Company representatives (e.g., Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe). He was known to be a particular favourite of Jahangir.

Muqarrab Khan’s career flourished primarily under Jahangir. While he might have served under Akbar, his rise to prominence and his close relationship with the emperor were characteristic of Jahangir’s court. Farrukhsiyar and Shah Alam belong to much later periods of Mughal rule.

1. Jahangir got impressed by the Turkish fluency of which one of the foll

2. The aristocrat Muqarrab Khan was a great favourite of which Mughal