Medieval Indian History MCQs

Notes:
In 1347 AD, Hasan Gangu, a turkish officer revolted against the Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq and founded the Bahmani  kingdom with its capital at Gulbarga which was later shifted to Bidar by King Ahmad Shah. In all, the Bahmani Sultanate was  ruled by 18 rulers.

Notes:
Sher Shah Suri is known for introduction of three coins in different metals as follows: (1) A silver coin called Rupiya weighing 178 grains; (2) copper coins called dam, (3) gold coins called mohur that weighed 169 grains.

Notes:
The Bijak is one of the most important anthologies, being the sacred book of the Kabir and the main representative of the Eastern tradition of Kabirís verses. All versions of the Bijak include three main sections called Ramaini, Sabda and Sakhi, plus a fourth section containing a number of miscellaneous folk-song forms.

Notes:
Bhakti movement in Hinduism refers to ideas and engagement that emerged in the medieval era on love and devotion to religious concepts built around one or more gods and goddesses. Bhakti movement preached against the caste system using the local languages so that the message reached the masses.

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.

Notes:
Qunum-i-Humayuni was written by Khwand Mir, also known as Ghiyasuddin Muhammad. It is an account of rules and ordinances established by emperor Humayun and of some building erected by him.

Notes:
Tabaqat-I-Akbari was written by Khwaja Nizammuddin Ahmed Harawi, written during the reign of Akbar. It is a history in nine parts from the first appearance of Islam in India up to the date of its composition in 1593-94. Tabaqat-i-Akbari is a very important source for the history of the Saiyid and Lodi Sultans.

Notes:
Muhammad Qasim Hindu Shah Astarbadi wrote Gulshan-i-Ibrahimi, known as Tarikh-i-Firishta, and presented into Ibrahim Adil Shah in 1609-10 under the name of Tarikh-i-Naurasnama. Tarikh-i-Farishta, is a general history of India from the earliest lines to 1607. His book is most authentic for the history of the Sultans of the Deccan.

Notes:
Abdul Hamid Lahori’s Padshahnama is a first-rate authority on the reign of Shah Jahan. Two other historians of the reign of Shah Jahan wrote two other historical accounts of his reign, which are also entitled Padshanama. One such Padshahnama was written by Muhammad Amir Khan Qazyini who prepared an exhaustive history of the first ten years of Shah Jahan’s reign. The third Padshahnama was written by Muhammad Waris, a pupil of Lahori, which is an account of the last ten years of the reign of Shah Jahan.

Notes:
Bhima I (reign 1022–1064 AD) was a king of Chalukya of Gujarat dynasty who ruled parts of Gujarat (including Somnath) when Mahmud’s plunder happened. During the invasion, Bhima-I had to flee and take shelter at Kanthkot. After return of Mahmud, he regained his power. He also appeared to have built earliest Dilwara temples and Modhera sun temple. In end of his career, he made an alliance with the Kalachuri king Lakshmi-Karna, and played an important role in the downfall of the Paramara king Bhoja. His queen Udayamati is known to have constructed the Rani ki Vav step-well in Patan in Gujarat, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.