Whose administrative system later became the model for Emperor Akbar’s consolidation of the Mughal Empire?

Correct — C. Akbar reformed land revenue by adopting a system that Sher Shah Suri had used during his short reign (1540–45).

The link was a person as well as a method. Raja Todar Mal had served under Sher Shah before joining Akbar, and he devised Akbar's dahsala system, proclaimed in 1580 → option (c).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Babar — Babar (Babur) founded the Mughal dynasty in India in 1526, but his four years there went on campaigns such as Panipat and Khanwa, not on a revenue system Akbar could copy.
• (b)
  Humayun — Humayun lost his empire to Sher Shah at Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540) and regained Delhi only in 1555. The model Akbar used was his father's rival's.
• (d)
  Jahangir — Jahangir was Akbar's son and successor. He ruled after Akbar, so his administration could not have been the model for Akbar's.

Sher Shah ruled north India for about five years, yet his reforms outlived his dynasty. He organised the empire into sarkars and parganas and measured land to fix revenue.

He issued the silver rupiya of 178 grains, the precursor of the modern rupee, rebuilt the Grand Trunk Road with sarais, and ran a mail relay of horse riders.

When the Mughals returned in 1555, Akbar built on this framework.

Key facts

• Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun at Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540).
• Sher Shah's silver rupiya of 178 grains was the precursor of the modern rupee.
• Raja Todar Mal served under Sher Shah before becoming Akbar's revenue minister.
• Akbar's dahsala revenue system, devised by Todar Mal, was proclaimed in 1580.

Common traps

• Choosing Babar (Babur) because he founded the dynasty — founding it is not the same as designing its administration.
• Forgetting that a model must come before Akbar — Jahangir ruled after him.

No directly related past PYQ was found.