“Military policies rather than economic policies consolidated Mughal rule.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Mughal rule was consolidated by its military rather than economic policies. Candidates may offer equal coverage of military and economic policies, or they may prioritize their discussion of one of these aspects. However, both will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to the military successes of Babur at the battles of Panipat and Khanua and his use of artillery, but they may also discuss Humayun’s military defeat and exile by Sher Shah. Economic policies may include the taxes collected by Babur and Humayun such as the land taxes as well as the Jizya tax. While other relevant factors, for example Babur’s and Humayun’s administrative policies, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.