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. The most important reason for collection of “Chauth” and “Sardeshmukhi” by Marathas was __?
[A] To increase the source of income
[B] To expand his territories
[C] To consolidate his political influence
[D] Because of the opposition of Muslim rulers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To increase the source of income]
Notes:
Shivaji collected the chauth and sardeshmukhi from the territory which was either under his enemies or under his own influence. The chauth was one fourth part of the income of a particular territory while the sardeshmukhi was one tenth. Shivaji collected these taxes simply by force of his arms. These constituted of the primary sources of income of Shivaji and helped in the extension of the power and territory of the Marathas.
2. Hazi Ibrahim Sarhindi is known to be a Persian Writer during the reign of Akbar was translated the following Sanskrit work in Persian?
[A] Ramayana
[B] Mahabharata
[C] Atharva Veda
[D] Rigveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Atharva Veda]
Notes:Akbar had a committee of scholars with cross lingual expertise. Some of them were Naqeeb Khan, Mulla Abdul Qadir Badayuni, Mulla Sheri and Sultan Haji Thanesari.
- In that era Mahabharat was translated into Persian and was renamed as Razm Namah (Saga of the Battlefield).
- Ramayana was translated by Mulla Abdul Qadir Badayuni. Badayuni also took up the task of Singhasan Batisi into Persian , which was later titled Khurd Afza in Persian.
- Atharva Veda was translated by Haji Ibrahim Sirhindi. Rajataringini by Kalhana was translated by Maulana Shah Mohammad Shahabadi. Panchtantra were rendered into Persian by Mulla Hussain Waiz and it was called Anwar-i-Suhaili.
- Panchatantra was also translated in Persian by Maulana Husain Faizi and its translated name was Yar-i-Danish.
- Abul Fazal, Vazeer of Akbar and author of Akbarnama had translated Panchatantra in persian as Anvar-i-Saadat.
3. Who among the following forbade the inscription of kalma on Coins?
[A] Akbar
[B] Shahjahan
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Jahangir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aurangzeb]
Notes:
Kalima or Islamic religious messages were introduced in the inscriptions of the coins in accordance with the orthodox Islamic belief of the emperor. They were forbade by Aurangzeb.
4. Shershah Suri introduced the coins made of _____?
[A] Silver & Copper Only
[B] Gold & Silver Only
[C] Gold, Silver & Copper
[D] Gold & Copper
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gold, Silver & Copper]
Notes:
Sher Shah’s currency reforms are conventionally associated with gold, silver and copper issues, especially the standard silver rupiya and copper dam. Coinage itself had existed in India for many centuries.
5. Which of the following Sikh Guru collected all the work of the previous Gurus and dictated it in the form of verses ?
[A] Guru Har Govind
[B] Guru Har Kishan
[C] Guru Arjun Dev
[D] Guru Gobind
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guru Arjun Dev]
Notes:
Guru Arjan Dev was born in 15 April 1563. He collected all the work of the previous Gurus and dictated it in the form of verses. He was arrested under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. He was asked to change his religion to Islam. He denied and for this reason he was executed in 1606 CE. The name of his son was Guru Hargobind.
6. Who among the following was considered as the “mixture of opposites”.?
[A] Firuz Tughlaq
[B] Mohammed bin Tughlaq
[C] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[D] Kaiqubad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mohammed bin Tughlaq]
Notes:
Muhammad bin Tughlaq is often described as a mixture of opposites because accounts contrast his intellectual abilities and ambitious policies with severe punishments and costly administrative failures. The phrase is a historical assessment, not a clinical diagnosis.
7. Which of the following Mughal emperors was famous as Shah-i-Bekhabar ?
[A] Shah Alam
[B] Jahangir
[C] Shahjahan
[D] Bahadur Shah I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bahadur Shah I]
Notes:
Khafi khan called Bahadur Shah I popularly Shahi-i- Bekhabar. He was also known as as Shah Alam I. This is due to his appeasement parties by grants of title and rewards. He was ascended himself on the throne in 1707 after killing his brothers.
8. 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.
9. Who among the following rulers sent Afzal Khan to crush the growing power of Shivaji in 1659?
[A] Ali Adil Shah
[B] Aurangzeb
[C] Raja Jai Singh
[D] Shaista Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ali Adil Shah]
Notes:
In 1659 AD, Sultan Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur sent Afzal Khan (Governor of Deccan) to crush the growing power of Shivaji. But, Shivaji killed Afzal Khan with his baghnakh (or tiger’s claws).
10. Who among the following was the greatest painter of animals and birds in the court of Jahangir ?
[A] Ustad Mansur
[B] Govardhan
[C] Majhar Ali Khan
[D] Nainsukh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ustad Mansur]
Notes:
Ustad Mansur was a court artist of Jahangir, who specialised in depicting plants, animals and birds and was bestowed the title Nadir-ul-‘Asr (“Miracle of the Age”) by the Mughal emperor Jahangir for his extraordinary talent in painting. He is best known for two paintings viz. siberian crane and Bengal Florican and also remembered for a famous painting on Dodo, now an extinct Bird.