Answer: Option D
Kandahar was a strategically important province located in present-day Afghanistan. It was conquered by Emperor Akbar in 1595 and remained under Mughal control until 1622 when it was lost to the Safavid dynasty of Iran during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Kandahar was an important source of revenue for the Mughal Empire due to its location on the trade routes between India and Central Asia.
The Mughal Empire under the leadership of Emperor Shah Jahan tried to recover Kandahar and launched a campaign in 1638. The campaign was successful, and Kandahar was recaptured from the Safavids. The Mughals made significant investments in Kandahar, building mosques, gardens, and fortifications.
However, Kandahar was lost for the second time in 1649 during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. This time, it was lost to the Persian ruler Shah Abbas II. The loss of Kandahar was a significant blow to the Mughal Empire's prestige and its control over trade routes.
The loss of Kandahar can be attributed to several factors, including:

• The weakened state of the Mughal Empire due to internal conflicts, succession wars, and rebellions.
• The expansionist policies of the Safavids and Persians, who were keen to challenge the Mughal Empire's dominance in the region.
• The difficult terrain of Afghanistan, which made it challenging to maintain control over the province.

In conclusion, Kandahar was a strategically important province for the Mughal Empire, which was lost and recaptured twice. Its loss to the Safavids and then to the Persians weakened the Mughal Empire's control over trade routes and challenged its dominance in the region.
Formulas and Definitions:

• Mughal Empire: The Mughal Empire was a powerful empire that ruled most of the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th to the mid-19th century.
• Emperor Akbar: Akbar was the third Mughal Emperor who ruled from 1556 to 1605. He was known for his religious tolerance, administrative reforms, and military conquests.
• Emperor Jahangir: Jahangir was the fourth Mughal Emperor who ruled from 1605 to 1627. He was known for his love for art and literature.
• Emperor Shah Jahan: Shah Jahan was the fifth Mughal Emperor who ruled from 1628 to 1658. He is known for building the Taj Mahal.
• Emperor Aurangzeb: Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal Emperor who ruled from 1658 to 1707. He was known for his religious intolerance and his policies of centralization.
• Safavid dynasty: The Safavid dynasty was a Shia Muslim dynasty that ruled over Iran from 1501 to 1736.
• Persian ruler Shah Abbas II: Shah Abbas II was the Safavid ruler who defeated the Mughals and recaptured Kandahar in 1649.