Question

Which Mughal ruler constructed a new city called Din Panah on the bank of Yamuna river?
a. Humayun
b. Babur
c. Jahangir
d. Aurangzeb

Answer 1

Hint: Din Panah was established in the year 1533. It was built as a symbol of imperial tolerance of all religions mainly for different sects of Islam.

Complete Step by Step Answer: Din Panah was the very first city built by the Mughals after their entry into India. It was built in the region of present New Delhi in India. Din Panah was considered to have overshadowed Persia, Central Asia and Turkey as a centre for Islamic culture.
Humayun, the son of Babur ascended the throne in 1530 after his father’s death. He then built the city of Din Panah in 1533 on the banks of the Yamuna river. Humayun is believed to be the king who spent most of his life as a king by moving from one corner to another of his kingdom for putting down any external and internal threats. The Mughal power was constantly threatened by powerful Afghan kingdoms.
Let us look at the given alternatives.
Option a- Humayun was the second Mughal emperor who ruled India for two periods of time, once from 1530-1540 and then from 1555-1556. He built the city of Din Panah. But he was defeated by Sher Shah Suri in 1540 and Din Panah was completely destroyed. A new capital was built named Sher Shahi which is known as the Purana Qila fort in New Delhi. So, this is the correct answer.
Option b- Babur is said to be the first Mughal king who laid the foundation of the Mughal dynasty in the Indian subcontinent. Din Panah was built in the year 1533 and Babur died in the year 1530. Thus, this is a wrong answer.
Option c- Jahangir was the son of Akbar and the Mughal king of India from the year 1605 to 1627. He was greatly influenced by his wife, Nur Jahan who took most of the decisions for the kingdom. He didn’t establish Din Panah. Hence, it is an incorrect answer.
Option d- Aurangzeb was the son of Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal. Aurangzeb was the last Mughal ruler who had a successful reign. After that, his son Bahadur Shah Zafar could not keep the huge empire in his control and ultimately resigned his powers to the British. Aurangzeb also did not build Din Panah. This is a wrong option.
Therefore, the correct answer is option ‘a’.

Note: The fortress of Din Panah stands still today and was a home to Japan detainees during World War II. It also served as a shelter for thousands of refugees during the partition of India after its independence. The citadel is now a historical attraction in south-eastern Delhi in India.