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Ahmad Shah Durrani established the Durrani Empire in 1757.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani is credited with founding the Durrani Empire in 1747, not 1757.
Ahmad Shah Durrani was the son of a Persian chieftain and served under the ruler of the Mughal Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani was the son of Muhammad Zaman Khan, an Afghan chieftain of the Abdali tribe, and he served under Nader Shah Afshar, the ruler of Persia, not the Mughal Empire.
Following Nader Shah Afshar's assassination, Ahmad Shah Durrani immediately secured control over Herat and Balkh.
Answer: False
Explanation: After Nader Shah Afshar's assassination, Ahmad Shah Durrani secured control over Kandahar, Ghazni, Kabul, and Peshawar, rather than Herat and Balkh.
Ahmad Shah Durrani changed his tribal affiliation name from Abdali to Durrani after becoming king.
Answer: True
Explanation: Upon his accession as king, Ahmad Shah Durrani adopted the name Durrani for his tribal affiliation, transitioning from Abdali.
The year 1747 marked the end of Afghan political independence from Persian and Mughal influence.
Answer: False
Explanation: The year 1747 marked the beginning of an independent Afghan political entity, the Durrani Empire, rather than the end of its independence.
Ahmad Shah Durrani was chosen as the leader of the Afghans in 1747 primarily because he was the eldest son of the previous ruler.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani was selected as leader in 1747 due to factors including his lineage, his father's position, and a prophecy, not primarily because he was the eldest son.
Ahmad Shah Durrani's initial military actions included capturing Qalati Ghilji and Ghazni from the Ghilji tribe.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani's early military campaigns involved capturing Qalati Ghilji and Ghazni from the Ghilji tribe, consolidating his power base.
A 'loya jirga' was convened in 1747, leading to the selection of Ahmad Shah Durrani and the founding of the Durrani Empire.
Answer: True
Explanation: The convening of a loya jirga in 1747 resulted in the selection of Ahmad Shah Durrani, marking the establishment of the Durrani Empire.
Ahmad Shah Durrani's father served as the Governor of Herat, contributing to his son's rise.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani's father, Muhammad Zaman Khan, held the position of Governor of Herat, which aided his son's ascent to power.
The Durrani Empire was founded following the assassination of Nader Shah Afshar.
Answer: True
Explanation: The assassination of Nader Shah Afshar in 1747 created a power vacuum that facilitated the founding of the Durrani Empire by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
Identify the individual credited as the founder of the Durrani Empire.
Answer: Ahmad Shah Durrani
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani is recognized as the founder of the Durrani Empire, establishing it in 1747.
In what year was the Durrani Empire established?
Answer: 1747
Explanation: The Durrani Empire was established in the year 1747.
Ahmad Shah Durrani served as a commander under which ruler before founding his empire?
Answer: Nader Shah Afshar
Explanation: Prior to establishing his own empire, Ahmad Shah Durrani served as a military commander under Nader Shah Afshar.
Which key territories did Ahmad Shah Durrani secure immediately after Nader Shah Afshar's assassination?
Answer: Kandahar, Ghazni, Kabul, and Peshawar
Explanation: Immediately following Nader Shah Afshar's assassination, Ahmad Shah Durrani secured control over Kandahar, Ghazni, Kabul, and Peshawar.
What tribal name did Ahmad Shah Durrani change his affiliation to after becoming king?
Answer: Durrani
Explanation: After assuming the throne, Ahmad Shah Durrani changed his tribal affiliation from Abdali to Durrani.
Ahmad Shah Durrani is recognized as the 'Father of the Nation' for which modern country?
Answer: Afghanistan
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani is widely revered as the 'Father of the Nation' for Afghanistan due to his role in establishing the Durrani Empire.
What event in 1747 marked the definitive appearance of an independent Afghan political entity?
Answer: The coronation of Ahmad Shah Durrani
Explanation: The coronation of Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747 signified the emergence of an independent Afghan political entity, the Durrani Empire.
How was Ahmad Shah Durrani selected as the leader of the Afghans in 1747?
Answer: By a loya jirga (grand council)
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani was chosen as the leader of the Afghans in 1747 through a 'loya jirga,' or grand council.
Which factor contributed to Ahmad Shah Durrani's selection as leader in 1747?
Answer: A prophecy by a holy man naming him divinely chosen
Explanation: A prophecy by a holy man, Mohammad Sabir Khan, designating him as divinely chosen was a significant factor in Ahmad Shah Durrani's selection as leader in 1747.
What role did Ahmad Shah Durrani's father play in his rise to power?
Answer: He served as the Governor of Herat.
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani's father, Muhammad Zaman Khan, served as the Governor of Herat, a position that contributed to his son's rise.
The Durrani Empire was frequently identified by alternative appellations, including the Afghan Empire and the Sadozai Kingdom.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Durrani Empire was indeed commonly referred to as the Afghan Empire or the Sadozai Kingdom.
At its zenith, the Durrani Empire's territorial extent encompassed regions within modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, eastern Iran, Turkmenistan, and northwestern India.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Durrani Empire, at its peak, controlled territories that now constitute Afghanistan, much of Pakistan, eastern Iran, Turkmenistan, and northwestern India.
The Durrani Empire was considered the most significant Islamic empire during the second half of the 18th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: While significant, the Durrani Empire was ranked second in importance among Islamic empires during the latter half of the 18th century, following the Ottoman Empire.
The Durrani Empire is recognized as the foundational polity of the modern nation-state of Iran.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Durrani Empire is recognized as the foundational polity of modern Afghanistan, not Iran.
Pashto was the primary language used in the Durrani Empire's administration and diplomacy.
Answer: False
Explanation: Persian was the primary language for administration, diplomacy, and historiographical works within the Durrani Empire, although Pashto was used for poetry.
The Durrani Empire adhered to Shia Islam.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Durrani Empire officially followed Sunni Islam.
The Durrani Empire was characterized by an absolute monarchy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Durrani Empire operated under an elective monarchy, not an absolute one.
Kandahar served as the initial capital of the Durrani Empire, later succeeded by Kabul and Peshawar.
Answer: True
Explanation: Kandahar was the initial capital of the Durrani Empire, followed by Kabul and Peshawar serving as capitals at different times.
Persian was used for historiographical works and diplomacy within the Durrani Empire.
Answer: True
Explanation: Persian served as the language for historiographical works and diplomatic correspondence within the Durrani Empire.
Kabul became the capital of the Durrani Empire starting from 1776, with Peshawar serving as the winter capital.
Answer: True
Explanation: Kabul was established as the capital from 1776, and Peshawar served as the winter capital under Timur Shah Durrani.
The Durrani Empire was considered less significant than the Ottoman Empire in the late 18th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the latter half of the 18th century, the Durrani Empire was considered less significant than the Ottoman Empire.
Which of the following was NOT a primary name used for the Durrani Empire?
Answer: Timurid Empire
Explanation: The Durrani Empire was commonly referred to as the Durrani Empire, Afghan Empire, or Sadozai Kingdom; the Timurid Empire is a distinct historical entity.
At its peak, the Durrani Empire encompassed territories primarily in which regions?
Answer: Central Asia, the Iranian plateau, and the Indian subcontinent
Explanation: The Durrani Empire's peak territorial extent covered Central Asia, the Iranian plateau, and parts of the Indian subcontinent.
How did the Durrani Empire rank in significance among Islamic empires in the latter half of the 18th century?
Answer: It was second only to the Ottoman Empire.
Explanation: The Durrani Empire held the second position in significance among Islamic empires during the latter half of the 18th century, following the Ottoman Empire.
What was the primary language used for administration, diplomacy, and historiographical works in the Durrani Empire?
Answer: Persian
Explanation: Persian served as the principal language for administrative, diplomatic, and historiographical purposes within the Durrani Empire.
What was the religious affiliation of the Durrani Empire?
Answer: Sunni Islam
Explanation: The Durrani Empire officially adhered to Sunni Islam.
What form of government characterized the Durrani Empire?
Answer: Elective Monarchy
Explanation: The Durrani Empire was structured as an elective monarchy.
Which city served as the initial capital of the Durrani Empire from 1747 to 1776?
Answer: Kandahar
Explanation: Kandahar served as the initial capital of the Durrani Empire from its founding in 1747 until 1776.
Which statement accurately describes the use of Pashto within the Durrani Empire?
Answer: It was used for poetry by Ahmad Shah Durrani, but Persian dominated administration.
Explanation: While Pashto was utilized for poetry by Ahmad Shah Durrani, Persian remained the dominant language for administrative and diplomatic functions.
Which of the following cities served as a capital for the Durrani state in Herat during a specific period?
Answer: 1793–1863
Explanation: Herat served as a capital for a Durrani state from 1793 to 1863.
What was the primary language used for historiographical works within the Durrani Empire?
Answer: Persian
Explanation: Persian was the principal language utilized for historiographical works within the Durrani Empire.
Ahmad Shah Durrani consolidated control over northern Afghanistan by conquering the Baloch tribes near the Amu Darya river.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani consolidated control over northern Afghanistan by subduing the Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, and other tribes north of the Hindu Kush, extending his rule to the Amu Darya river, not by conquering Baloch tribes.
Under Ahmad Shah Durrani, the Afghans invaded India on nine separate occasions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani led eight distinct invasions of India during his reign.
The Durrani Empire decisively defeated the Maratha Confederacy in the Third Battle of Panipat.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Durrani Empire achieved a decisive victory over the Maratha Confederacy at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.
The Durrani military was primarily based on infantry and artillery, with cavalry playing a minor role.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Durrani military was predominantly cavalry-based, with infantry and artillery playing secondary roles.
The Qizilbash troops constituted a significant portion of the Durrani army's core ghulams.
Answer: True
Explanation: A substantial component of the Durrani army's core ghulams comprised Qizilbash soldiers.
The 'Vaddḍḍā Ghallūghārā' refers to the Durrani Empire's decisive victory over the Maratha Confederacy at the Third Battle of Panipat.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'Vaddḍḍā Ghallūghārā' (Great Massacre) refers to the massacre of Sikhs in Amritsar in 1762, not the victory at Panipat.
The Durrani cavalry primarily utilized traditional Turco-Mongol tactics combined with flintlock firearms.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Durrani cavalry effectively integrated traditional Turco-Mongol tactics with the use of flintlock firearms.
The 'sher-bacha' was a type of camel-mounted swivel gun used by the Durrani army.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'sher-bacha' was a type of blunderbuss firearm, not a camel-mounted swivel gun.
Artillery played a significant role in the Durrani army, particularly light swivel guns mounted on camels known as Zamburaks.
Answer: False
Explanation: Artillery played a minimal role in the Durrani army, with Zamburaks being a notable exception rather than indicative of a significant overall role.
The Durrani Empire's military core consisted of infantry units supplemented by tribal cavalry.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Durrani military core was primarily cavalry, supplemented by tribal cavalry, rather than infantry.
What was the outcome of the Third Battle of Panipat for the Durrani Empire?
Answer: A major victory over the Maratha Confederacy
Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat resulted in a major victory for the Durrani Empire against the Maratha Confederacy.
What does the term 'Vaddḍḍā Ghallūghārā' refer to?
Answer: The massacre of Sikhs in Amritsar in 1762
Explanation: The term 'Vaddḍḍā Ghallūghārā' denotes the significant massacre of Sikhs that occurred in Amritsar in 1762.
Which of the following was a primary component of the Durrani military structure?
Answer: Mounted ghulams (slave-soldiers)
Explanation: Mounted ghulams, or slave-soldiers, formed a primary component of the Durrani military structure.
What type of firearm technology was notably used by the Durrani cavalry?
Answer: Flintlocks
Explanation: The Durrani cavalry prominently utilized flintlock firearms as part of their combat strategy.
What was the 'sher-bacha' in the context of the Durrani army?
Answer: A blunderbuss firearm
Explanation: The 'sher-bacha' was a type of blunderbuss firearm employed by the Durrani army.
What role did artillery generally play in the Durrani army?
Answer: It played a very small role, except for Zamburaks.
Explanation: Artillery had a limited role in the Durrani army, with Zamburaks (camel-mounted swivel guns) being a notable exception.
Ahmad Shah Durrani dispatched an army to subdue which groups north of the Hindu Kush mountains?
Answer: Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, and other tribes
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani sent forces to subdue various groups north of the Hindu Kush, including Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and Turkmen tribes.
What was the main characteristic of the Durrani military's cavalry tactics?
Answer: Hit-and-run tactics combined with firearms
Explanation: The Durrani cavalry primarily employed hit-and-run tactics, augmented by the use of firearms.
Which of the following best describes the Durrani military's use of artillery?
Answer: Artillery had a limited role, with Zamburaks being a notable exception.
Explanation: Artillery played a minimal role in the Durrani military, with the exception of Zamburaks, which were camel-mounted swivel guns.
Timur Shah Durrani succeeded his father and moved the capital from Peshawar to Kabul.
Answer: True
Explanation: Timur Shah Durrani succeeded Ahmad Shah Durrani and relocated the capital from Kandahar (not Peshawar) to Kabul, with Peshawar serving as the winter capital.
In the early 19th century, the Sikh Empire captured Peshawar and Multan from the Durrani Empire.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Sikh Empire gained control of Peshawar and Multan from the Durrani Empire during the early 19th century.
Dost Muhammad Khan and the Barakzai dynasty established the Emirate of Afghanistan by deposing the Durrani dynasty in Kabul.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Barakzai dynasty, led by Dost Muhammad Khan, ultimately deposed the Durrani rulers in Kabul, thereby establishing the Emirate of Afghanistan.
The Durrani Empire effectively ceased to exist as a unified entity around the year 1842.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the empire experienced significant decline and fragmentation after Ahmad Shah's death, it effectively ceased to exist as a unified entity closer to 1823, rather than 1842.
In his final years, Ahmad Shah Durrani faced challenges including territorial gains by the Marathas and rebellions in the south.
Answer: False
Explanation: In his final years, Ahmad Shah Durrani faced increasing challenges, including territorial losses in Punjab to the Sikhs and internal rebellions, not territorial gains by the Marathas.
Ahmad Shah Durrani's decision to name Timur Shah as his heir without consulting the tribal council strengthened the empire's stability.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani's unilateral appointment of Timur Shah as heir created a rift and weakened the empire's stability, rather than strengthening it.
Timur Shah Durrani consolidated his power by defeating his brother Humayun Mirza and shifting influence towards the Durrani Pashtuns.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Timur Shah Durrani defeated his brother Humayun Mirza, he shifted influence away from the Durrani Pashtuns towards the Qizilbash and Mongol guards in his army.
Zaman Shah Durrani was overthrown because he attempted to consolidate power by replacing prominent Barakzai leaders with his own Sadozai lineage.
Answer: True
Explanation: Zaman Shah Durrani's efforts to consolidate power by favoring his Sadozai lineage over prominent Barakzai leaders led to his overthrow by his brother Mahmud Shah.
The First Anglo-Afghan War was initiated by the British to restore Dost Muhammad Khan to the Afghan throne.
Answer: False
Explanation: The First Anglo-Afghan War was initiated by the British with the objective of restoring Shah Shuja Durrani to the Afghan throne, not Dost Muhammad Khan.
The Durrani Empire lost control over Kashmir to the Mughal Empire in 1819.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Durrani Empire lost control over Kashmir to the Sikh Empire in 1819, not the Mughal Empire.
The Durrani dynasty's rule significantly contributed to consolidating power and establishing a unified Afghan state.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Durrani dynasty's governance was instrumental in consolidating power and establishing a unified Afghan state.
Shah Wali Khan supported Sulaiman Mirza's claim to the throne and was later assassinated on Timur Shah's orders.
Answer: True
Explanation: Shah Wali Khan supported Sulaiman Mirza's claim and was subsequently assassinated on Timur Shah's command.
The inept governance of the Sadozai rulers after Ahmad Shah Durrani's death led to the empire's strengthening and expansion.
Answer: False
Explanation: The inept governance of the Sadozai rulers following Ahmad Shah Durrani's death resulted in the empire's disintegration and loss of territories, not its strengthening.
The Durrani Empire's control over Peshawar ended when it was captured by the Persian Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peshawar was lost by the Durrani Empire to the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century, not captured by the Persian Empire.
Which city became the capital of the Durrani Empire under Timur Shah Durrani?
Answer: Kabul
Explanation: Timur Shah Durrani moved the capital of the Durrani Empire from Kandahar to Kabul.
Which empire captured Peshawar and Multan from the Durrani Empire in the early 19th century?
Answer: Sikh Empire
Explanation: The Sikh Empire annexed Peshawar and Multan from the Durrani Empire during the early 19th century.
Who deposed the Durrani dynasty in Kabul, leading to the establishment of the Emirate of Afghanistan?
Answer: Dost Muhammad Khan
Explanation: Dost Muhammad Khan, along with the Barakzai dynasty, deposed the Durrani rulers in Kabul, initiating the Emirate of Afghanistan.
Around what year did the Durrani Empire effectively cease to exist as a unified political entity?
Answer: 1823
Explanation: The Durrani Empire's unified political existence effectively concluded around 1823, following a period of fragmentation and territorial loss.
The First Anglo-Afghan War was initiated by the British with the goal of restoring which monarch to the Afghan throne?
Answer: Shah Shuja Durrani
Explanation: The British initiated the First Anglo-Afghan War with the aim of reinstating Shah Shuja Durrani to the Afghan throne.
In 1819, the Durrani Empire lost control over Kashmir to which rival power?
Answer: Sikh Empire
Explanation: The Sikh Empire gained control of Kashmir from the Durrani Empire in 1819.
What was the consequence of the Sadozai rulers' governance after Ahmad Shah Durrani's death?
Answer: Disintegration of the empire and loss of most conquered territories
Explanation: The ineffective governance of the Sadozai successors led to the disintegration of the Durrani Empire and the loss of most of its territories.
Why was Zaman Shah Durrani overthrown by his brother Mahmud Shah?
Answer: He attempted to consolidate power by replacing prominent Barakzai leaders with his own Sadozai lineage.
Explanation: Zaman Shah Durrani was overthrown due to his attempts to consolidate power by replacing key Barakzai figures with members of his own Sadozai lineage, which destabilized his rule.
What was the significance of the Durrani dynasty's rule for the Pashtun tribes?
Answer: It attempted to balance tribal alliances and consolidate power.
Explanation: The Durrani dynasty's rule aimed to balance tribal alliances and consolidate power, thereby unifying the Pashtun tribes.
In 1749, the Mughal Empire ceded sovereignty over Sindh and the Punjab region to the Durrani Empire to avoid further conflict.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur ceded sovereignty over Sindh and the Punjab region in 1749 as part of a treaty to prevent further military engagements with the Durrani Empire.
In 1757, Ahmad Shah Durrani sacked Delhi and allowed the Mughal emperor to retain nominal control under Afghan suzerainty.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the sack of Delhi in 1757, Ahmad Shah Durrani permitted the Mughal emperor to continue as a nominal ruler, contingent upon acknowledging Afghan suzerainty over regions south of the Indus up to the Sutlej River.
The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur agreed to cede territories east of the Indus River to the Durrani Empire in 1749 to secure his capital.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Mughal Emperor ceded territories east of the Indus River in 1749 to protect his capital from potential Durrani military action.
The Durrani Empire maintained hostile relations with the Qing dynasty throughout the 1760s.
Answer: False
Explanation: Relations between the Durrani Empire and the Qing dynasty in the 1760s were complex, involving diplomatic exchanges rather than sustained hostility.
In 1762, Ahmad Shah Durrani attacked Amritsar, destroyed the Golden Temple, and massacred Sikh inhabitants.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani's campaign in 1762 involved the attack on Amritsar, the destruction of the Golden Temple, and the massacre of Sikh populations.
The 1809 treaty between Shuja Shah Durrani and the British was the first Afghan pact with a Persian power.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1809 treaty between Shuja Shah Durrani and the British was the first Afghan pact with a European power, not a Persian one.
In 1749, the Mughal Empire ceded sovereignty over which regions to the Durrani Empire as part of a treaty?
Answer: Sindh and the Punjab region
Explanation: As part of a treaty in 1749, the Mughal Empire transferred sovereignty over Sindh and the Punjab region to the Durrani Empire.
In 1762, Ahmad Shah Durrani attacked which city and destroyed its Golden Temple?
Answer: Amritsar
Explanation: In 1762, Ahmad Shah Durrani's forces attacked Amritsar, leading to the destruction of the Golden Temple.
What was the significance of the 1809 treaty signed between Shuja Shah Durrani and the British?
Answer: It was the first Afghan pact with a European power.
Explanation: The 1809 treaty between Shuja Shah Durrani and the British marked the first diplomatic agreement between an Afghan ruler and a European power.
What was the nature of the Durrani-Qing relationship in the 1760s?
Answer: Complex diplomatic exchanges, including an embassy from Durrani
Explanation: The Durrani-Qing relationship in the 1760s involved intricate diplomatic exchanges, including the dispatch of an embassy from the Durrani side.
What was the primary reason the Mughal Emperor ceded territories to the Durrani Empire in 1749?
Answer: To protect his capital from an impending Afghan attack
Explanation: The Mughal Emperor ceded territories in 1749 primarily to safeguard his capital from a potential Durrani military offensive.
What was the outcome of Ahmad Shah Durrani's sixth campaign against the Sikhs in 1762?
Answer: He attacked Amritsar, destroyed the Golden Temple, and massacred thousands of Sikhs.
Explanation: Ahmad Shah Durrani's sixth campaign in 1762 resulted in the attack on Amritsar, the destruction of the Golden Temple, and the massacre of numerous Sikhs.