Question

Which of the following is not true about the Ain-i Akbari?

• A. It was completed in 1598.
• B. This is a view of the regions from the centre.
• C. It provides quantitative information of various provinces.
• D. Undertaken at the order of Emperor Akbar and completed at the time of Shah Jahan.

Hint:

The name of the text itself, \textit{Ain-i Akbari} (The Institutes of Akbar), directly links it to Emperor Akbar. Any association of its creation or completion with a later Mughal emperor like Shah Jahan should be immediately recognized as an anachronism.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the incorrect statement about the \textit{Ain-i Akbari}, the famous administrative manual and gazetteer of the Mughal Empire.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Statement (1): The \textit{Ain-i Akbari}, as the third volume of Abul Fazl's larger work, the \textit{Akbarnama}, was completed in the 42nd regnal year of Akbar, which corresponds to 1598. This statement is correct.
Statement (2): The entire project was an imperial enterprise, commissioned by Akbar to compile a comprehensive picture of his empire. It therefore reflects an imperial or central perspective on the provinces. This statement is correct.
Statement (3): A key feature of the \textit{Ain-i Akbari} is its detailed statistical or quantitative data. The section on the twelve provinces (\textit{subas}) provides figures on revenue, administrative divisions, local customs, and more. This statement is correct.
Statement (4): The project was indeed undertaken at the order of Emperor Akbar and authored by his court historian, Abul Fazl. However, it was also completed during Akbar's reign (in 1598). Shah Jahan's reign was much later (1628-1658). Therefore, the claim that it was completed at the time of Shah Jahan is historically inaccurate. This statement is incorrect.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement that is not true is the one claiming the work was completed during the reign of Shah Jahan.