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. In context of Mughal administration, Akbar divided the entire kingdom into how many Subas?
[A] 12
[B] 14
[C] 16
[D] 18
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [12]
Notes:
In 1580 AD, Akbar divided the entire kingdom into 12 Parganas. The administration in each Suba or Pargana was almost duplicated. Each Suba had a Subedar (Governor),a Diwan, a Bakshi, a Sadar, a Qazi and also a waqia navis. The job of the waqia navis was to document the events. The peace and security was the job of Kotwal.
12. During the reign of which Chandella ruler Mahmud Ghazni invaded Kannauj in 1018 and Kalinjar in 1019 AD?
[A] Ganda
[B] Vidyadhara
[C] Paramdideva
[D] Nannuka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vidyadhara]
Notes:
During the reign of Vidyadhara, the great ruler of the Chandella dynasty, Mahmud Ghazni invaded Kannauj in 1018, Kalinjar in 1019 AD and again in 1022 AD. Though, he was not able to capture the fort and had to retire with friendly terms. During attack on Kannauj, its ruler Rajyapala had fled the city and was later killed by Vidyadhara.
13. In the Vijayanagar Kingdom, who among the following poet composed “Parijatapaharanamu”?
[A] Allasani Peddana
[B] Pingali Surana
[C] Nandi Thimmana
[D] Dhurjati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nandi Thimmana]
Notes:
Parijatapaharanamu is a Telugu poem composed by Nandi Thimmana. It is based on a story from Harivamsam. The story is about love quarrel between Krishna and his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. The other notable work by Nandi Thimmana was Vanivilasam
14. Who completed the construction of Qutb Minar at Delhi?
[A] Humayun
[B] Babur
[C] Iltutmish
[D] Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Iltutmish]
Notes:
Qutb-ud-din Aibak started the construction of Qutb Minar. But he died without completing it, and the next ruler, Iltutmish, completed the work.
15. Consider the following pairs:
- Ramanujacharya — South India
- Chaitanya — Central India
- Vallabhacharya — Gujarat and Brajarea
- Ramanand — North India
Of these pairs: (UPSC Prelims 1990)
[A] 1, 2 and 3 are correctly matched
[B] 2, 3 and 4 are correctly matched
[C] 1 and 4 are correctly matched
[D] 1, 3 and 4 are correctly matched
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 and 4 are correctly matched]
Notes:
• Chaitanya was also known as Sri Gauranga. He was a popular Vaishnava saint and reformer from Bengal.
• Vallabhacharya was also known as Vallabha. He was an Indian Telugu philosopher who founded the Krishna-centered Pushti sect of Vaishnavism only in the Braj region of India, and the philosophy of Shuddha advaita.
16. Which of the following is an account of the life and reign of Sher Shah between 1539 and 1545?
[A] Rajatarangini
[B] Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi
[C] Sher-e-Sultin
[D] Miftah-ul-Futuh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi]
Notes:
Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi was written by Abbas Khan Sarwani. He was a descendant of an Afghan noble, in the service of Sultan Sher Shah. Abbas Khan Sarwani himself was in the service of emperor Akbar. It talks of the reign of Sher Shah and his successors.
17. Which of the following was the Chalukya King in power when Mahmud attacked and plundered Somnath?
[A] Nagaraja
[B] Bhima-I
[C] Durlabhraja
[D] Vallabhraja
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bhima-I]
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.
18. What was the main objective of Mahmud of Ghazni’s Indian conquests?
[A] Propagation of Religion
[B] Extension of Empire
[C] Acquisition of Wealth
[D] All of Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Acquisition of Wealth]
Notes:
Acquisition of wealth, Hindu women and Hindu child slaves were the main objectives of Mahmud and his bandit brotherhood to invade India. Further, it was also a religious duty as per Ghazwa-i-Hind doctrine to slay the kafir Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.
19. During medieval history of India, who were called ‘Dastar – Bandan’?
[A] Sufi saint
[B] Ulema
[C] Khan
[D] Malik
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ulema]
Notes:
During sultanate period high positioned or designated religious and judicial authorities honourables (ulema) were collectively called Dastar – Bandan.
20. Which of the following was the first independent ruler of the Turkic dynasty of Ghaznavids?
[A] Ibrahim
[B] Mahmud
[C] Masud
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahmud]
Notes:
Mahmud of Ghazni was the first independent ruler of the Turkic dynasty of Ghaznavids which ruled from 999 A.D. to 1030 A.D. He was the eldest son of Subuktagin, and had inherited his father’s martial spirit and organizational abilities.
