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 among the following rulers was the founder of Qutub Shahi dynasty?
[A] Quli Qutub Shah
[B] Abul Hasan Qutb Shah
[C] Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah
[D] Muhammad Qutb Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Quli Qutub Shah]
Notes:
The Qutub Shahi dynasty was founded by Sultan Quli Qutub Shah in 1518 AD with its capital at Golcunda, Hyderabad. The dynasty ruled over the sultanate of Golcunda till Mughal emperor Aurangzeb annexed it in 1687 AD.
13. Who among the following introduced Naqshabandi order in India?
[A] Shah Waliullah
[B] Bahauddin Naqshband
[C] Mujaddid Alif Sani
[D] Baqi Billah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Baqi Billah]
Notes:
Hazrat Baqi Billah (1563-1603), a Sufi saint from Kabul, established and propagated the Naqshbandi order in India.
14. The political treatise of Amuktamalyamada in teulgu was written by whom?
[A] Harihara & Bukka
[B] Saluva Narsimha
[C] Krishna Deva Raya
[D] Devaraya II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krishna Deva Raya]
Notes:
The emperor of Vijayanagar empire, Krishna Deva Raya wrote the political treatise of Amuktamalyamada in Telugu (Jambbavati Kalyannam in Sanskrit) and emphasized on the welfare of people.
15. Why did Md-Bin-Tughlak change his capital from Delhi to Hyderabad/Deogiri?
[A] Because he wanted to improve trade in Deccan
[B] Because he wanted to spread Islam in the Deccan
[C] Because he wanted to punish the people of Delhi
[D] Because he wanted to escape from Mongolian invasion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Because he wanted to escape from Mongolian invasion]
Notes:
By the time people reached Daulatabad, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq changed his mind and decided to abandon the new capital and move to his old capital Delhi. It is believed that he wished to shift the capital as a safeguard measure from Mongol Invasion. The plan of shifting capital was completely failed.
16. The historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic due to which of the following reasons?
[A] the majority of the population did not follow Islam
[B] the Muslims theologists were often disregarded
[C] the Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations
[D] religious freedom was accorded to non-Muslims
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [the Muslims theologists were often disregarded]
Notes:
Zia-ud-din-Barani was a contemporary of Muhammad Tughlaq and Firoz Tughlaq. He enjoyed the patronage of both the sultans. He composed Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi and Fatwa-i-Jahandari.
17. Which book, written in 1611, is an account of the social and cultural life of Gujarat?
[A] Mirat-i-Sikanderi
[B] Tazkirat-ul-Muluk
[C] Mirat-i-Ahmadi
[D] Burhan-i-ma’asir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mirat-i-Sikanderi]
Notes:
Mirat-i-Sikanderi, written by Sikander Bin Muhammad Manzu in 1611, gives the history of Gujarat from its Muslim conquest by Jafar Khan (Muzaffar Shah I) to the death of Muzaffar Shah III (1591) and subsequent events in Gujarat.
18. 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.
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 clearly defines ‘Batai’ which was reintroduced during the time of Ranit Singh?
[A] The land where cultivation occurred throughout the whole year
[B] The land where cultivation occurred at least half of a year
[C] The proportion of the crop which was divided between Peasant and the Government
[D] The charge levied on the basis of land holdings
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The proportion of the crop which was divided between Peasant and the Government]
Notes:
The Batai system was first started during the time of the Mughal era. During the time of Ranjit Singh, it was reintroduced. This system helped to distribute crops between the cultivators and the Government in a fixed proportion. It lasted till 1823.
