Question

The Mughal emperor who abolished music and dance in his court:
A. Jahangir
B. Babur
C. Aurangzeb
D. Shahjahan

Answer 1

Hint: During the Mughal period, singers and dancers lived a lavish life. They were encouraged and liked by Mughal emperors. For Mughals, music and dancing was a royal component of entertainment in Mughal courts. Persian dancers were brought to entertain with their distinctive style of dancing. This interaction of Persian dancing with Hindu Muslim style of dancing discovered, kathak. However, not all Mughal rulers enjoyed it.

Complete answer: Mughal empire was a wealthy and prosperous empire. This same prosperity of the Mughals encouraged all forms of dance and music in the courts. Persian dance with a fusion of Indian, Hindu-Muslim style discovered a new form of dancing known as Kathak. It was considered to be a sophisticated form of entertainment. Akbar during his reign gave high-class dancing girls the title of Kanchanis. Babur and Akbar were very fond of music. Tansen was one such celebrated musician in the Mughal courts. During the reign of Jahangir, it is said that the culture of paintings reached its zenith. He, like Babur and Akbar, was also fond of music, dance and paintings. Shahjahan also celebrated music and dance in his court. It is believed that he was a singer and his voice was so melodious that Sufi saints became emotional. Now talking about Aurangzeb, he was patronised to music and was an accomplished player of veena. It was the strictness and moral conduct towards his religion and economy that led him disbanded music and dance. However instrumental music was continued and celebrated.
Thus the correct answer is option-C.

Note: It will be wrong to say that he completely banned music and dance in his court. It was the conditions that led him to disband it. There were still members, women and nobles in his courts who patronise music.