11. Consider the following statements about the administration during the early Islamic period:
- The iqta system was used as a form of reward for services to the state in the early Islamic world.
- The iqta assignments were hereditary and non-transferable in nature.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- The iqta system as a reward (Correct): The iqta system was indeed used as a form of reward for services rendered to the state, allowing nobles to collect revenue from assigned regions.
- The iqta assignments were not hereditary (Incorrect): Contrary to the statement, iqta assignments were not hereditary and were transferable, with holders being reassigned every few years.
12. Consider the following pairs:
| Historical Figure | Known For |
| Ibn Battuta | Famous for his travels across the Islamic world |
| Marco Polo | Known for his journey to Asia and account of the Silk Road |
| Abdur Razzak | Noted for his observations of the Vijayanagar Empire |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three pairs]
Notes:- Ibn Battuta: He is indeed famous for his extensive travels across the Islamic world, documenting his journeys in ‘Rihla’. So, this pair is correct.
- Marco Polo: He is well-known for his travels to Asia and his detailed accounts of the Silk Road in ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’. This pair is also correct.
- Abdur Razzak: He was a Persian ambassador whose writings provide valuable insights into the Vijayanagar Empire, making this pair correct as well.
Thus, all three pairs are correct.
13. With respect to the coinage system of the Delhi Sultanate, which of the following observations is/are correct?
- Coins minted during the Delhi Sultanate often featured Islamic calligraphy.
- The tanka was the primary unit of account during the Delhi Sultanate coinage system.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Nor 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- Islamic calligraphy on coins (Correct): During the Delhi Sultanate, coins began to prominently feature Islamic calligraphy, replacing many existing motifs, which reflected the cultural and religious influences of the period.
- The tanka as a unit of account (Correct): The tanka became the consolidated unit of account in the Delhi Sultanate’s monetary system, with dirhams and jitals representing smaller denominations.
14. Consider the following pairs:
| Al-Biruni | Famous Persian scholar known for his work on India |
| Ibn Battuta | Noted for his travel accounts across the Islamic world |
| Fa-Hien | Chinese monk who traveled to India to study Buddhism |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three pairs]
Notes:- Al-Biruni: He was a Persian scholar who made contributions to various fields, including history and geography, and is well-known for his detailed accounts of India in his work “Kitab al-Hind”. So, this pair is correct.
- Ibn Battuta: He is famous for his extensive travels across the Islamic world and beyond, documented in “Rihla”, making this pair correct as well.
- Fa-Hien: He was a Chinese monk who traveled to India in the 5th century to study Buddhism and is known for his writings about his journey, thus making this pair correct too.
Thus, all three pairs are correct.
15. With reference to the historical accounts of Islamic scholars, consider the following statements:
- Alberuni traveled extensively throughout India and documented various cultural practices.
- The Taj ul Maasir was written during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- Alberuni’s travels (Correct): Alberuni traveled extensively throughout India, documenting cultural practices, scientific knowledge, and social customs, which provided a comprehensive view of Indian society during his time.
- Taj ul Maasir’s timeline (Incorrect): The Taj ul Maasir was written by Hasan Nizami at the behest of the sadr of Delhi, not during the reign of Akbar, but rather earlier, focusing on the Ghurid conquerors.
16. With reference to Mughal coinage, which of the following observations is/are correct?
- Mughal coins depicted portraits of emperors despite Islamic prohibitions on human images.
- Coins minted during Jahangir’s reign were noted for their finer and bolder designs compared to earlier coins.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Nor 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- Mughal coins with portraits (Correct): The Mughal emperors, notably Akbar and Jahangir, minted coins featuring their portraits, which was against the Islamic tradition that prohibits human representations.
- Jahangir’s coin design (Correct): Coins from Jahangir’s reign are distinguished by their finer and bolder designs, showcasing the evolution of Mughal numismatic art and craftsmanship.
17. Which of the following is / are central universities in India?
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Osmania University
- Banaras Hindu University
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1, 2, & 4
[C] 2, 3, & 4
[D] 1, 3, & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 2, & 4]
Notes:
Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Banaras Hindu University are central universities in India. Osmania University, however, is a public state university. The distinction between central and state universities is based on the administrative control and funding they receive from either the central government or the state government respectively.
18. Consider the following:
- United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)
- Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI)
- National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)
Which of the above is/are declared as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] Only 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
1. ULFA aims to secede Assam from India and has been involved in various criminal activities including extortion and violence. It has been banned multiple times since 1990. 2. SIMI has been accused of promoting radical ideologies and has faced multiple bans due to its alleged involvement in anti-national activities. 3. NDFB seeks an independent Bodoland and has been implicated in violent insurgency and criminal acts against the state, leading to its classification as an unlawful association.
19. Styangkung village shrine of Islamic preacher Akhone Muhammad Shareef is located in which state or UT?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Sikkim
[C] Ladakh
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh ]
Notes:
Styangkung village shrine of Islamic preacher Akhone Muhammad Shareef in Ladakh has been included in sustainable development programme by Kargil Development Authority for preservation as a heritage site. Shareef and his descendants contributed immensely to the culture and history of Purig region. Restoration of his shrine will boost village development.
20. Which city hosted the Joint summit of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)?
[A] Muscat
[B] Riyadh
[C] Dubai
[D] Manama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Riyadh]
Notes:
The Joint summit of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
During the summit, Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations reportedly blocked a move to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
