1. During the reign of Aurangzeb, a monumental legal digest was compiled to standardize Islamic jurisprudence in India. What was the name of this comprehensive work?
[A] Fatwa-i-Jahandari
[B] Fatawa-i-Alamgiri
[C] Muntakhab-ul-Lubab
[D] Kitab-ul-Hind
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fatawa-i-Alamgiri]
Notes:
To ensure the “unqualified supremacy of Islamic law,” Aurangzeb commissioned a syndicate of theologians to draft the Fatawa-i-Alamgiri. It served as the primary legal reference for the judiciary, focusing on the Hanafi school of thought.
2. Which of the following groups constituted the “Nobility” during the early years of the Delhi Sultanate (13th Century)?
- Turkish slave-nobles
- Taziqs (Non-Turkish foreigners)
- Indian converts to Islam
- Mongol Sadah Amirs
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 2 and 4
[D] 1 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Notes:
In the 13th century Delhi Sultanate, the nobility mainly consisted of Turkish slave-nobles and Taziqs (immigrants from West and Central Asia). Indian converts to Islam and Mongol Sadah Amirs were largely excluded from top nobility during this period, gaining prominence only in later dynasties such as the Khaljis and Tughluqs.
3. According to Islamic practice, one official expounded the law while another delivered judgement. Who were these two officials respectively?
[A] Mufti and Qazi
[B] Qazi and Mufti
[C] Qazi and Sadr
[D] Qazi and Muqti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mufti and Qazi]
Notes:
In Islamic jurisprudence, the Mufti and Qazi had distinct roles. The Mufti is a jurist who expounds Islamic law by issuing fatwas—authoritative legal opinions and interpretations of Sharia. The Mufti provides scholarly legal views but cannot enforce them. The Qazi, conversely, is the judge who delivers binding judgements and possesses enforcement power. The Qazi applies Islamic jurisprudence in Sharia courts, hearing both criminal and civil cases. While both interpret Sharia law, their functions are complementary: the Mufti advises on law’s meaning, while the Qazi implements and enforces judicial decisions.
4. Consider the following architectural features:
- True Arch and Dome
- Use of Red Sandstone
- Pietra Dura
- Human and Animal motifs
How many of the above features are characteristic of the Early Indo-Islamic architecture (Sultanate period) before the Mughals?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:
The True Arch using a keystone and the use of red sandstone were characteristic features of Sultanate architecture, such as the Alai Darwaza and Qutub Minar. Pietra Dura inlay and human/animal motifs were not typical, as they became prominent in the later Mughal period and were mostly avoided in the Sultanate due to religious norms.
5. Consider the following departments/officials of the Mughal Empire:
- Mir Bakshi
- Sadr-us-Sudur
- Mustaufi
- Sadr-i-Jahan
Which of the above were primarily concerned with religious grants, judicial recommendations, and Islamic law?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 4 only
[C] 3 and 4 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 4 only]
Notes:
Sadr-us-Sudur and Sadr-i-Jahan (2 and 4) were heads of the religious and judicial departments responsible for Madad-i-Maash land grants and appointing Qazis, overseeing Islamic law and judicial recommendations. Mir Bakshi (1) led military and intelligence, while Mustaufi (3) handled state accounts auditing.
6. Where are the headquarters of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) located? (UPSC Prelims 2007)
[A] Dubai
[B] Jeddah
[C] Islamabad
[D] Ankara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jeddah]
Notes:
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), formerly known as the Organization of the Islamic Conference, has its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Established in 1969, it is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the UN, with 57 member states. The permanent secretariat is located in Jeddah due to Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting the 1971 summit and its religious significance. Despite occasional proposals, the headquarters have never relocated from Jeddah.
7. Consider the following personalities and their primary fields:
- Jugal Kalita — Computer Science
- K. M. Baharul Islam — Management and Public Policy
- Mrinal Miri — Philosophy
- Bhabendra Nath Saikia — Astrophysics
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only One
[B] Only Two
[C] Only Three
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only Three]
Notes:
Jugal Kalita is a professor of Computer Science. K. M. Baharul Islam works in management and public policy. Mrinal Miri is a philosopher. Bhabendra Nath Saikia, though trained in physics, is mainly known as a writer and filmmaker, not an astrophysicist. Therefore, three pairs are correctly matched.
8. Who was the first Mech tribe member to convert to Islam during Kamrupa’s Muslim invasion?
[A] Ali Mech
[B] Prithu Mech
[C] Kanai Barasi
[D] Bakhtiyar Khilji
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ali Mech]
Notes:
Ali Mech was the first Mech tribe member to convert to Islam during Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji’s 13th-century invasion of Kamrupa (Assam). Bakhtiyar Khilji was the Muslim general who led the invasion but did not convert. The Mech tribe traditionally inhabits areas in northeastern India, including Assam and Bengal.
9. In which century was Islam introduced in Assam?
[A] 13th century
[B] 10th century
[C] 11th century
[D] 12th century
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [13th century]
Notes:
Islam was introduced in Assam in the 13th century. Assam has a significant Muslim population, including indigenous groups like Goria, Moria, Deshi, Juluha, and Syed. The 2011 census reports over 34% of the state’s population as Muslim. Assam also includes 11 Muslim-majority districts.
10. Who led the first Islamic invasion of Assam in 1206?
[A] Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah
[B] Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji
[C] Turbak
[D] Akbar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji]
Notes:
The first Islamic invasion of Assam occurred in 1206 under Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji. Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah led Bengal Sultanate invasions later in 1356-57. Turbak invaded Assam in 1532 but was repelled. Akbar was Mughal emperor associated with later conflicts in Assam but did not lead the first invasion.