The root cause of the prolonged conflict between the Shahs of Iran (Safavids) and the Mughal rulers was control over the strategically vital city and fortress of Kandahar. The city was the gateway to trade routes into Central Asia and offered geographical protection. It repeatedly changed hands, serving as a continuous point of friction for centuries. The correct answer is (C) Kandahar.
What was the root cause of the conflict between the Shah of Iran and the Mughal rulers? (A) Kabul (B) Ghazni (C) Kandahar (D) Kunduz
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The primary source of conflict between the Mughal rulers and the Safavid Shahs of Iran was the ownership of Kandahar. Strategically located, Kandahar was a crucial hub for the overland trade routes connecting Persia, India and Central Asia. Furthermore, holding Kandahar provided essential defensive depth against invasions through the northwestern passes, making it imperative for the security of the Mughal Empire. Its repeated capture and recapture by both empires, most famously under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, made it the single most contested territory.