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. During the reign of whom Mahmud Gawan was the wazir of Bahmani Kingdom?
[A] Ahmad Shah
[B] Humayun Shah
[C] Muhammad Shah II
[D] Tajuddin Firoj Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Humayun Shah]
Notes:
Mahmud Gawan was appointed as the vakil-us-sultanate under Humayun Shah as well as the tarafdar of the Bijapur division. He also served in the dual capacity of both amir-i-jumla (finance minister) and wazir-i-kull (external affairs minister) of the province.
12. Who was the reigning ruler in Delhi when Tulsidas completed his epic text, Ramcharitmanas?
[A] Akbar
[B] Humayun
[C] Jahangir
[D] Sher Shah Suri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Akbar]
Notes:
Tulsidas completed the writing of his epic text, Ramcharitmanas, during the reign of Akbar. Akbar was known for his policy of religious tolerance and interest in literature, having many religious books translated into Persian under his rule. Tulsidas was a revered poet and remains an important figure in Indian literature, with Ramcharitmanas considered one of the greatest works of Indian literature.
13. Who among the following authors wrote “Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh”?
[A] Sujan Rai
[B] Iswar Das Nagar
[C] Ziauddin Barni
[D] Padma Shankar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sujan Rai]
Notes:
Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh, a chronicle in Persian language, written by Munshi Sujan Rai Bhandari of Batala, Punjab. The book covers the history of India from Hindushahi rulers of the 10th and 11th centuries to the accession of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
14. In the administration of Vijayanagar empire, who record the oral orders of the king?
[A] Nayaks
[B] Dandanayaka
[C] Rayasam
[D] Amar nayaks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rayasam]
Notes:
In the administration of Vijayanagar empire, Rayasam was one of the officials who wrote the oral orders of the king.
15. In context of Vijayanagar empire, the term meant “land or territory assigned to military chiefs” was
[A] Amaram
[B] Rayasam
[C] Nayakara
[D] Amar Nayaks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Amaram]
Notes:
In the Nayakar System, military chiefs were assigned certain pieces of land or territory called amaram. These chiefs were known as Amar Nayaks, had revenue and administrative rights on their lands.
16. In the administration of Vijayanagar empire, who was an accountant?
[A] Dandanayaka
[B] Rayasam
[C] Karanikam
[D] Kavalu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karanikam]
Notes:
For tax collection, the Vijayanagar empire was divided into five main rajyas or mandalam (provinces) which were divided into regions (Kottams). These were further divided into counties (Nadus) which were again sub-divided into municipalities (Sthales). To facilitate tax administration at the lowest level, a separate department Niyoga) was assigned with the function of tax collection duly supervised by feudal landlords (Goudas) and Karanikam (accountants).
17. Consider the following pairs:
- Ramanujacharya — South India
- Chaitanya — Central India
- Vallabhacharya — Gujarat and Brajarea
- Ramanand — North India
Of these pairs:
[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.
18. Who among the following is said to have witnessed the reigns of eight Delhi Sultans?
[A] Ziauddin Barani
[B] Shams-i-Siraj Afif
[C] Minhaj-us-Siraj
[D] Amir Khusrau
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Amir Khusrau]
Notes:
Amir Khusrau was an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent. He is said to have witnessed the reigns of eight Delhi Sultans from ‘Ghiyasuddin Balban to Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq’.
19. When Raja Wodeyar founded the Kingdom of Mysore, who was the ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire?
[A] Sadasiva
[B] Tirumala
[C] Ranga II
[D] Venkata II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Venkata II]
Notes:
Indigenous chieftains from Karnataka rose to become the founders of a dynasty after a series of internal bickerings with other local chieftains. Vijaya and Krishna, two brothers were responsible for the establishment of this small feudatory state of Vijayanagara Empire. Vijaya ascended the throne under the assumed name of Yaduraja in 1399 A.D. To begin with, this was a very small state containing only parts of Mysore district. Mysore was the capital city.
20. Which of the following is an extremely valuable source for the history of the reign of Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughluq and Sultan Firuz Shah, in the form of letters and official documents?
[A] Tughluknama
[B] Qiran-us-Sadin
[C] Insha-I-Mahru
[D] Tarikh-i-Firozshahi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Insha-I-Mahru]
Notes:
Insha-I-Mahru or Munshat-i-Mahru contains 133 letters on different subjects addressed to the leading and significant personalities of the age of Tuhlaqs. It is a collection of several official documents, petitions, letters, etc. as these letters are written to officials and distinguished persons, they discuss solutions for most of the economic, social, religious and administrative problems of the period.
