Which one of the following pairs of historical figures is not correctly matched as per their well known association or relationship?

Introduction / Context:
Examination questions often test not only dates and events but also the correct association between historical figures, such as allies, opponents, or close political partners. This question presents several pairs of names drawn from Mughal and Maratha history and asks you to identify the one pair that is not correctly matched in terms of well known association. To answer correctly, you must recall how these individuals interacted in real historical situations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The pairs given are Shivaji – Afzal Khan, Nur Jahan – Mahabat Khan, Akbar – Rana Pratap, Babar – Bairam Khan, and Aurangzeb – Shivaji.
• A correctly matched pair should reflect a historically significant association, such as an important battle, rivalry, or political struggle.
• You must find the pair where the two individuals did not have the widely known relationship suggested by the pairing.

Concept / Approach:
Shivaji and Afzal Khan are correctly associated with the famous meeting at Pratapgad where Shivaji killed Afzal Khan after suspecting treachery. Nur Jahan and Mahabat Khan are linked through Mahabat Khan rebellion and his seizure of Emperor Jahangir, against whom Nur Jahan manoeuvred. Akbar and Rana Pratap are opponents in the context of Rajput resistance and the Battle of Haldighati. Aurangzeb and Shivaji clashed repeatedly over territory and power in the Deccan. In contrast, Babar and Bairam Khan did not share a direct political relationship of the type suggested; Bairam Khan served later as regent for Babar grandson Akbar, not for Babar himself.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate the pair Shivaji – Afzal Khan. This pair is correctly matched because Afzal Khan was a Bijapur general sent against Shivaji, and their encounter at Pratapgad is a famous episode in Maratha history. Step 2: Look at Nur Jahan – Mahabat Khan. Mahabat Khan staged a coup by capturing Emperor Jahangir, leading to a political struggle in which Nur Jahan influence and actions were central, so this pair is also correctly associated. Step 3: Consider Akbar – Rana Pratap. They are well known opponents, with Rana Pratap resisting Akbar expansion and the two associated with the Battle of Haldighati. Step 4: Examine Babar – Bairam Khan. Bairam Khan was a powerful noble and general who later acted as regent for Akbar, Babar grandson. He did not play a similar role under Babar, and they are not remembered as a key historic pair. Step 5: Check Aurangzeb – Shivaji. Their rivalry over control in the Deccan and Aurangzeb policies toward Shivaji are well documented, making this another correctly matched association. Step 6: Therefore, among all the pairs, Babar – Bairam Khan stands out as the one that is not correctly matched.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you consult standard histories, you will find detailed narratives of Shivaji encounter with Afzal Khan, of Mahabat Khan rebellion during Jahangir reign and Nur Jahan efforts, of Akbar conflict with Rana Pratap, and of Aurangzeb repeated clashes with Shivaji. In contrast, Bairam Khan career is linked primarily with Humayun and especially Akbar as regent and military leader. Babar is associated with commanders like Mir Baqi and other early supporters, not with Bairam Khan as a central figure. This distribution of associations confirms that Babar – Bairam Khan is the incorrectly matched pair.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shivaji – Afzal Khan: This is correctly matched because Afzal Khan was sent to subdue Shivaji, leading to a dramatic meeting in which Shivaji killed him.

Nur Jahan – Mahabat Khan: Their conflict around Mahabat Khan capture of Jahangir is a well known episode demonstrating Nur Jahan political skill.
Akbar – Rana Pratap: The Mughal emperor Akbar and the Rajput ruler Rana Pratap are historical opponents linked with the long resistance of Mewar.
Aurangzeb – Shivaji: Their relationship is defined by struggles over forts, taxes, and sovereignty in the Deccan and western India.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Bairam Khan is a familiar name in Mughal history, some students may assume he must be paired with any famous emperor, including Babar, without recalling the actual timeline. Others may mistakenly think that any two powerful names listed together must have a direct association. To avoid such errors, mentally check the century and generation of each figure and confirm whether they were contemporaries. Once you recall that Bairam Khan served Akbar and not Babar, it becomes easy to see why this pair is not correctly matched.

Final Answer:
The pair that is not correctly matched is Babar – Bairam Khan.