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. When did the third battle of Tarain took place?
[A] 1210
[B] 1216
[C] 1218
[D] 1219
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1216]
Notes:
The third battle of Tarain was fought between Iltutmish and Tajuddin, the Sultan of Ghazni in 1216 at Tarain. In that war Sultan of Ghazni defeated by Iltutmish.
12. Which pass did Timur use to enter India?
[A] Bolān Pass
[B] Khyber Pass
[C] Malakand Pass
[D] Shimla Pass
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Khyber Pass]
Notes:
Timur, a Turco-Mongol conqueror, invaded India in 1398, during the rule of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud of the Tughlaq dynasty. The invasion was aimed at looting the wealth of Delhi and asserting dominance rather than territorial conquest. Timur entered India through the Khyber Pass, a historically significant pathway for invaders due to its strategic location between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
13. During whose reign Ibn Battuta visited India?
[A] Allauddin Khilji
[B] Mohamad bin Tughlaq
[C] Akbar
[D] Iltutmish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mohamad bin Tughlaq]
Notes:
A Moroccan traveller, Ibn Butula (1333-1347 AD) visited India during the reign of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. His book Rehla (the Travelogue) throws a lot of light on the reign of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq and the geographical, economic and social conditions in India.
14. Consider the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire:
- Sangama Dynasty
- Saluva Dynasty
- Tuluva Dynasty
- Aravidu Dynasty
Which of the above dynasties ruled over the Vijayanagara Empire?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 2, 3 and 4
[C] Only 1, 3 and 4
[D] All of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the Above]
Notes:
The Vijayanagara Empire was one of the important kingdoms in the history of South India. It was ruled by four important dynasties namely Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
15. Which of the following saints of Bhakti Movement initially adopted Saguna / vaishnavism but later preached Nirguni beliefs of life?
[A] Raidas
[B] Gusainji
[C] Bhagat Pipa
[D] Vallabhacharya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhagat Pipa]
Notes:
Bhagat Pipa was a 14th century Rajput King of Gagaraungarh, who abdicated the throne to become a mystic poet and saint of the Bhakti movement. He was one of the early Shaivism and Sakta follower; who later adopted Vaishnavism as a disciple of Ramananda and finally preached Nirguni beliefs of life.
16. Who among the following accepted Din-i-Ilahi? (UPSC Prelims 1987)
[A] Raja Man Singh
[B] Birbal
[C] Raja Tansen
[D] Raja Todarmal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Birbal]
Notes:
The theory of Din-i-Ilahi was introduced by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is based on Monotheism(believe in one God).The first initiated disciples of Din-i-ilahi during emperor Akbar the Great’s time included Birbal, Prince Salim and Abu’l-Fazl ibn Mubarak.
17. “The king was freed from his people and they from their king”. On whose death did Badauni comment thus? (UPSC Prelims 1999)
[A] Balban
[B] Ala-ud-din Khalji
[C] Muhammad-bin-Tughlak
[D] Feroze Shah Tughlak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Muhammad-bin-Tughlak]
Notes:
The statement was given at the death of Muhammad-bin-Tughlak as he made many decisions that disturbed the normal life of people.
18. Identify the author and the book written on the lines of the Shahnama of Firdausi?
[A] Khwaja Abd Malik Isami and his Futuh-i-Salatin
[B] Sikander Bin Muhammad Manzu and his Mirat-i-Sikanderi
[C] Diwan Ali Muhammad Khan and his Mirat-i-Ahmadi
[D] Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq and his Futuhat-i-Firozshahi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Khwaja Abd Malik Isami and his Futuh-i-Salatin]
Notes:
Futuh-i-Salatin is a poetical history of the Sultans of India from the rise of the Ghazanvi dynasty up to the reign of Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughluq. Translated as “Gifts of the Sultans”, it is a history of Muslim rule in India until 1349-50. Isami also called it Shahnama-i Hind (“the Shahnameh of India”). According to Isami, his sources included anecdotes, legends, and reports by his friends and acquaintances.
19. Who is the medieval author whose work throws light on the Bahmani Sultans of Gulbarga and Bidar and the Nizamshahi dynasty of Ahmednagar?
[A] Burhan-i-ma’asir
[B] Sayyid Ali Tabataba
[C] Diwan Ali Muhammad Khan
[D] Rafiuddin Shirazi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burhan-i-ma’asir]
Notes:
Burhan-i-Ma’asir, named after Burhan Nizam Shah II of Nizam Shahi dynasty of the Muslim kingdom of Ahmadnagar, is written by Sayyid Ali Tabataba who came to India in 1580. Burhan-i-Ma’asir describes the events pertaining to the Bahmani kingdom and its subsequent break-up into five Muslim dynasties in South India.
20. Which dynasty started ‘Bull Hoarsemen’ type of coins?
[A] Ghurid dynasty
[B] Slave Dynasty
[C] Mughal Dynasty
[D] Khilji Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ghurid dynasty]
Notes:
When Ghoris established their reign in Lahore, they started the ‘Bull Hoarsemen’ type of coins. The ruler got the picture of Goddess Laxmi inscribed on one side and the other side imprinted his name. Some coins were patterned in a way that they bore horseman and some coins had the bull on the one side and an Arabic inscription on the other side.
