2012 · Q71
Which of the following is a correct statement about both the Mughal and Ottoman empires in the sixteenth century ?
History and CultureMedieval history
- ABoth of these empires had powerful navies that engaged European navies.
- BBoth of these empires expanded through the use of gunpowder weapons and extensive bureaucracies.
- CBoth of these empires gave little monetary support to artistic and cultural endeavors.
- DIn both of these empires the majority of the people were Muslims.
Explanation
Historians group the Mughals and Ottomans (with the Safavids) as 'gunpowder empires': both expanded in the sixteenth century through gunpowder weapons and both ran extensive centralized bureaucracies. The Mughals had no navy engaging Europeans (option A wrong), both were great artistic patrons (option C wrong), and Mughal India's population was majority non-Muslim (option D wrong). Hence option B.