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 of the following rulers is referred to as the ‘Mad Monarch’?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Mohammad bin Tughlaq
[C] Akbar
[D] Hyder Ali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mohammad bin Tughlaq]
Notes:
Mohammad bin Tughlaq belonged to the Tughlaq dynasty. He is best known for mad schemes like moving the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (not such a bad idea, except that he tried to move the whole population of Delhi to the newly built city) and trying to introduce new currency.
12. Who among the following built the Red Fort in Delhi?
[A] Qutb-ud-din Aibak
[B] Sher Shah Suri
[C] Shah Jahan
[D] Akbar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shah Jahan]
Notes:
Red fort was constructed in 1639 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shahjahanabad and is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone.
13. Who defeated Rajputs in Battle of Chanderi in 1528?
[A] Humayun
[B] Akbar
[C] Babur
[D] Jahangir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Babur]
Notes:
The Battle of Chanderi took place in the aftermath of the Battle of Khanwa in which the Mughal Emperor Babur had defeated a confederacy of Rajputs and Afghans which was headed by Rana Sanga of Mewar. Babur himself expressed surprise that the upper fort had fallen within an hour of the final assault.
14. The official associated with land revenue collection in the Maratha administration in medieval India was known by which of the following names?
[A] Patil
[B] Kulkarni
[C] Mirasdar
[D] Silhadar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Patil]
Notes:
Under Deccan sultanates, and the Maratha empire, the Patil was the village headman and the most important Vatandar of the village. His main duties were to be the collector of revenue, as well as being the head of police and justice.
15. Who among the following was the first Indian ruler to organize Haj pilgrimage at the expense of the state?
[A] Alauddin Khilji
[B] Feroz Tughlak
[C] Akbar
[D] Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Akbar]
Notes:
Akbar was the first Indian ruler to organize Haj pilgrimage at the expense of the state.
16. Who among the following was the member of Shivaji’s Astha Pradhana looking after foreign affairs?
[A] Peshwa
[B] Sachiv
[C] Pandit Rao
[D] Sumant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sumant]
Notes:
A Peshwa was the equivalent of a modern Prime Minister in the Maratha Empire of the Indian subcontinent. Originally, the Peshwas served as subordinates to the Chhatrapati, but later, they became the de facto leaders of the Marathas, and the Chatrapati was reduced to a nominal ruler.
The member of Shivaji’s Astha Pradhana who looked after foreign affairs was Sumant.
Sachiv was the minister in charge of royal correspondence.
Pandit Rao – religious matter.
17. Which of the following is a first-hand authority for much of what happened in Rajputana and Malwa between 1657 and 1698?
[A] Ma’asir-i-Alamgiri
[B] Alamgirnama
[C] Futuhat-i-Almgiri
[D] Muntakhab-ul-Lubab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Futuhat-i-Almgiri]
Notes:
Isar Das Nagar was a Mughal officer who held the charge of the Sarkar of Jodhpur for many years during the reign of Aurangzeb. His chronicle called Futuhat-i-Alamgiri describes important events of Aurangzeb’s reign up to 1698 and is a first-hand authority for much of what happened in Rajputana and Malwa between 1657 and 1698.
18. Which of the following places on Indian coast came under the earliest attack by Arabs on India?
[A] Kochi
[B] Thane
[C] Sindh
[D] Porbandar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thane]
Notes:
The earliest attacks on India by Arabs happened around 636 AD [four years after death of Prophet Mohammadin 632AD] when two naval expeditions against Thana on the coast of Maharashtra and Broach (Bharuch) on the coast of Gujarat, had been repulsed by Indian rulers in the reign of Caliph Umar (AD 634-644). The attack on Thane was repulsed by forces of Chalukya king Pulkeshin-II.
19. Most of the soldiers called “Pilwan” in Mahmud’s army were Hindus. The work of Pilwan was to __?
[A] Assist the infantry in war-fields
[B] Maintain supplies during War
[C] Elephant Drivers
[D] Cavalry Soldiers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Elephant Drivers]
Notes:
Pilwans were the elephants troops and most of them were Hindus. Their commanders were called Muqaddam-i-Pilbanan. The reason for Hindu elephant troops was that most of the elephants in his army were actually looted from Indian Kings as ransom or booty.
20. Which of the following was the author of ‘Maasir-i-Alamgiri’?
[A] Muhammad Saqi Mustaid Khan
[B] Shahnawaz Khan
[C] Ishwardas Nagaur
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Muhammad Saqi Mustaid Khan]
Notes:
The Maasir-i-Alamgiri was authored by Muhammad Saqi Mustaid Khan. It is based on the official accounts of Aurangzeb’s rule and covers a major part of his reign.
