Medieval Indian History MCQs
Multiple choice questions on Medieval Indian History for General Studies and GK preparation of SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
1. Who was the first ruler to issue Pure Arabic coin in India?
[A] Mohammad Ghori
[B] Qutubuddin Aibak
[C] Iltutmish
[D] Razia Sultan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Iltutmish]
Notes:
Iltutmish introduced Silver Tanka and Copper Jital, the two coins of the Delhi Sultanate. The coins prior to Iltutmish were introduced by the invaders, which bear the Sanskrit characters and even Hindu Gods, Bull and Shivalinga. The name “Tanka” was derived from the Arabic word “Tankhah,” which means wage or salary.
2. Which of the following rulers died in the Kalinjar Fort situated in the Bundelkhand region of central India?
[A] Mahmud of Ghazni
[B] Sher Shah Suri
[C] Humayun
[D] Jahangir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sher Shah Suri]
Notes:
Kalinjar Fort is situated in the Bundelkhand region of central India. It is the place where Sher Shah Suri met his death in 1545.
3. Which among the following is the correct meaning of a word “Manigramam” used in medieval India?
[A] Association of Villages
[B] Complex of various markets
[C] Association of Merchants
[D] Unit of administration in a small village
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Association of Merchants]
Notes:
Manigramam guild was a localized merchant body which first appeared along the Kerala coast in the ninth century A.D. According to Herman Gundert, Manigramam people were descendants of Syrian Christian merchants who were converted to Saivism by Tamil Saivite poet Manikkavasagar. They gradually flourished in Tamil Nadu in the Pallava and Chola periods and then became supra-regional in character by being active in South-east Asia.
4. Muhammad bin Qasim, who was the first Muslim to have successfully invaded Sindh in 712 AD was commander of which caliphate?
[A] Rashidun Caliphate
[B] Umayyad Caliphate
[C] Abbasid Caliphate
[D] Fatimid Caliphate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Umayyad Caliphate]
Notes:
Muhammad bin Qasim, who was the first Muslim to have successfully invaded Sindh in 712 AD was commander of Umayyad Caliphate general, who, during the reign of Caliph al-Walid I led the Muslim conquest of Sindh and Multan. He was able to defeat the third and the last Maharaja of the Brahmin dynasty, Raja Dahir. Raja Dahir was killed in the Battle of Aror.
5. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Alauddin Khilji’s reign?
[A] Implementation of a Rationing system
[B] Introduction of Market regulation for affordable essential commodities
[C] Inception of fixed price market regulated by Diwan-I-Riyasat & Shahan-i-mandi
[D] Establishment of the Agricultural Department named Diwan-i-kohi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Establishment of the Agricultural Department named Diwan-i-kohi]
Notes:
Diwan-i-kohi, the Agricultural Department, was not established during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. It was actually created by Mohammed Bin Tughlaq. Alauddin Khilji, the second and the most powerful ruler of the Khilji Dynasty, was known for his economic reforms which included the systems of market regulation, rationing, and fixed pricing.
6. Alauddin Khilji attacked and captured Chittorgarh in Mewar, Rajasthan and changed its’ name as__:
[A] Khizarabad
[B] Mevabad
[C] Khilijabad
[D] Khasirabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Khizarabad ]
Notes:
In 1303, Alauddin Khilji attacked and captured Chittorgarh in Mewar, Rajasthan. Khizr khan, the eldest son of Alauddin Khilji, was made the governor of Chittor and on his name Chittor was renamed as Khizrabad.
7. What was the original name of Sultan Alauddin Khalji?
[A] Ali Gurshap
[B] Mubarak Hassan
[C] Ulguh Khan
[D] Lakh Bakhsh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ali Gurshap ]
Notes:
The original name of Sultan Alauddin Khalji was Ali Gurshasp. He was born between 1266 and 1267. His uncle, Jalal-ud-din Khilji, raised him and appointed him to important positions in his administration. In 1296, Alauddin took control of the kingdom by force, leading to his uncle’s death. He ruled as Sultan of Delhi from 1296 to 1316. In 1316, the Mongols assassinated him.
Alauddin was the eldest son of Shihabuddin Mas’ud, who was the elder brother of the Khalji dynasty’s founder, Sultan Jalaluddin. He had three brothers: Almas Beg, Qutlugh Tigin, and Muhammad.
8. Which among the following markets were introduced by Allauddin Khilji?
[A] Sahna-i-mandi and Sarai Adl
[B] Market for slaves
[C] Market for horses and cattle
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
In context of the economic reforms of Allauddin Khilji, he introduced three types of markets viz. Sahna-i-mandi (grain market), Sarai Adl (cloth and groceries market) and Market for horses, cattle and slaves.
9. In the reign of Allauddin Khilji, what does the ‘Ghari’ term denote?
[A] House Tax
[B] Irazing Tax
[C] Grain Tax
[D] Headmen cess
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [House Tax]
Notes:
In the reign of Allauddin Khilji, the taxes viz. Ghari ( House tax) and Charai (Irazing tax) levied on public.
10. In context of military administration of Marathas, “Bargis and Silahdars” represents whom?
[A] Finance Minister
[B] Cavalrymen
[C] Hawaldars
[D] Artisians
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cavalrymen]
Notes:
In context of military administration of Marathas, the cavalry was divided into Bargis and Silahdars. Bargis (troops) equipped and maintained by the state. On the other hand, Silahdars had to brought their own horses and equipments and took a stipulated amount from the state for meeting the expenses of services in the field.
