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.
11. Which one of the following pairs of kings of ancient and medieval periods of Indian history and the works authored by them is correctly matched?
[A] Somesvara: Samaranganasutradhara
[B] Mahendravarman : Mattavilasaprahasana
[C] Mahendravarman : Mattavilasaprahasana
[D] Krishnadevaraya: Amuktamalayada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Krishnadevaraya: Amuktamalayada]
Notes:
Sri Krishnadevaraya wrote the Amuktamalyada in Telugu, in which he beautifully describes the pangs of separation suffered by Andal (one of the twelve bhakti era alwars) for her lover Lord Vishnu.
12. Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal Period?
[A] Calicut
[B] Broach
[C] Cambay
[D] Surat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Surat]
Notes:
Surat was called Gate of Makka because the pilgrimage to Makka started from Surat. Surat is the main city in Gujarat. It is familiar for its textiles and, now, it is one of the main centres of “diamond cutting and polishing”. It is an important seaport in the history of the world, during the medieval period. It is known as gate to mecca as many pilgrims set sail from Surat via sea route. It is also known as the gateway of West Asia as Surat is one of the main hubs of goods and clothing traded via sea routes to other Asian countries.
13. Which of the following was the motive behind Shahjahan’s Balkh campaign?
[A] secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakshan which bordered Kabul
[B] conquer Samarqand and Farghana, the Mughal homelands
[C] fix the Mughal frontier on the ‘scientific line’, the Amu Daria
[D] expand the Mughal Empire beyond the sub-continent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakshan which bordered Kabul]
Notes:
The motive behind Shah Jahan’s Balkh and Badakshan campaign in central Asia was to secure the defence of North-West India. That’s why the statement ‘a’ is correct.
14. Which of the following is commissioned work on Aurangazeb, which was later forbidden before completion?
[A] Ma’asir-i-Alamgiri
[B] Alamgirnama
[C] Futuhat-i-Almgiri
[D] Muntakhab-ul-Lubab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Alamgirnama]
Notes:
Muhammad Qazim was appointed Munshi by Aurangzeb in the first year of his reign and was later on commissioned by the emperor to complete the annals of his reign. After the eleventh year, up to which point Muhammad Qazim recorded his history, Aurangzeb forbade its continuation. On the manuscript being shown to Aurangzeb, he withdrew his permission for the preparation of this official history. Alamgirnama is a good detailed history of the first ten years of Aurangzeb’s reign from 1658 to 1668.
15. Who among the following is the author of Shahnameh, one of the world’s longest epic and the national epic of Greater Iran?
[A] Firishta
[B] Firdausi
[C] Ibn Batuta
[D] Minhas-i-Siraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Firdausi ]
Notes:
Firdausi was a persian poet and the author of Shahnameh also known as “Book of Kings”, which is one of the world’s longest epic and the national epic of Greater Iran.
16. “Kurja-Patti” or “Tasti-Patti” is referred to as which of the following during the time of the Maratha empire under Peshwas?
[A] Irrigation tax
[B] Agricultural tax
[C] One year income of the tax payers
[D] The fine charged for tax evasion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [One year income of the tax payers]
Notes:
“Kurja-Patti” or “Tasti-Patti” is referred to as one-year income of the taxpayers. It was levied from all landholders during the time of financial emergency.
17. Who created the political ideology of Niyamat – i – Khudai ?
[A] Qutubuddin Aibak
[B] Iltutmish
[C] Balban
[D] Raziya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Balban]
Notes:
Balban had created his political ideology inspired from the popular heroes of Persia. The king was considered the God’s representative on earth – Niyamat – i – Khudai . According to him , he is only after the prophet in the pride and prejudice. He also gave the concept of Jille Allah or Jilleilahi which means that the king is a reflection of god.
18. The Tripartite Struggle for control of northern India took place between which of the following empires?
1) Rashtrakutas
2) Pratiharas
3) Palas
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
During the Post-Harsha period, the most important event was the tripartite struggle for supremacy among the Rashtrakutas, Pratiharas, and the Palas. The struggle started during the reign of Vatsaraja Pratihara.
19. Which of the following authors wrote Taj ul Maasir?
[A] Hamdullah Mastauti Qazwini
[B] Ziyauddin Barani
[C] Hasan Nizami
[D] Muhammad Bihamad Khani
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hasan Nizami]
Notes:
The Taj ul Maasir which is written by Hasan Nizami deals with the political events in North India from about 1192 CE to 1228 CE. It also focuses on the reign of Qutbuddin Aibak and the early rule of the king Iltutrnish.
20. Which of the following poets composed Khazain-ul-Futuh?
[A] Abdullah
[B] Amir Khusrau
[C] Muhammad Bihamad Khani
[D] Yahya ibn Ahmad Sihrindi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amir Khusrau]
Notes:
Amir Khusrau who was a Sufi musician, poet, and scholar from Medieval India who was also a courtier at the courts of the Khiljis and Tughlaqs, composed the Khazain ul Futuh in 1310 CE. It gives first-hand information on the sultans.
