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. Who among the following authors wrote “Tarikh-i-Shershahi”?
[A] Mulla Daud
[B] Abbas Khan Sherwani
[C] Ziauddin Barni
[D] Nizamuddin Ahmed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abbas Khan Sherwani]
Notes:
Abbas Khan Sherwani was the court historian of Shershah Suri and also adorned Mughal emperor Akbar’s royal court. On the orders of Mughal emperor Akbar, he wrote Tarikh-i- Shershahi (or Tuhfut-i-Akbarshahi) that deals with the descriptions from 1539 AD to 1555 AD.
12. When did Jizya reintroduced by Aurangzeb ?
[A] 1681
[B] 1682
[C] 1679
[D] 1680
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1679]
Notes:
In 1679 AD, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb reimposed Jizya on Hindus, at the usual rates of 48 dirhams on the rich, 24 on the middle class, and 12 on the poor. The Jizya was hated by the Hindus as it was a symbol of their inferiority and involved a lot of humiliation. In 1564 AD, the Mughal emperor Akbar abolished Jizya, a poll tax, on Hindus.
13. Which among the following state functionary in Delhi Sultanate was responsible for the collection of Land revenue ?
[A] Malik
[B] Amil
[C] Dabir
[D] Barid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amil]
Notes:
Amil was a revenue officer responsible for the collection of land revenue.
14. Who was the chief architect of Humayun’s tomb ?
[A] Mirza Inayatullah
[B] Mirza Khalid beg
[C] Mir Jafar
[D] Mirza Jaki ur Rehman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mirza Inayatullah]
Notes:
On January 27, 1556 AD, Mughal Emperor Humayun fell from the stairs of Sher Mandal, a library at Dinpanah and died in his fort at Delhi. Hazi Begum (Humayun’s wife) constructed a beautiful tomb near the fort of Dinpanah. The chief architect of Humayun’s tomb was Mirza Inayatullah.
15. Which among the following dynasties was the first to rule over Vijaynagar kingdom?
[A] Sangama Dynasty
[B] Tuluva Dynasty
[C] Aravidu Dynasty
[D] Saluva Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sangama Dynasty]
Notes:
The Sangama dynasty (1336 AD to 1485 AD) was the first dynasty to rule over Vijaynagar kingdom. When Tughlaqs lost their power in Deccan, Harihara- I and his brother Bukka I laid the foundation Vijaynagar empire in 1336 AD and named the first dynasty after their father Bhavana Sangama as Sangama dynasty .
16. The Sanskrit poetry of 11th century poet Jayadeva became the basis of which among the following dance forms?
[A] Odissi
[B] Bharatnatyam
[C] Kathak
[D] Manipuri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Odissi]
Notes:
Jayadeva was a 12th century poet. He was famous for his writings on love between radha and Krishna. Odissi was inspired from this poetry.
17. Which of the following rulers introduced “Rupee” in India?
[A] Akbar
[B] Alauddin Khilji
[C] Shershah Suri
[D] Shah Jahan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Shershah Suri ]
Notes:
Sher Shah Suri is known for introduction of three coins in different metals as follows: (1) A silver coin called Rupiya weighing 178 grains; (2) copper coins called dam, (3) gold coins called mohur that weighed 169 grains.
18. Which of the following was used in the buildings of Delhi Sultanate?
[A] Mehrab
[B] Gumbaj
[C] Arched openings
[D] Decoration figures
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arched openings]
Notes:
Fine arts, primarily architecture, made progress during the period of the Delhi Sultanate. The architecture of the period of the Sultanate can be divided into three categories for the sake of convenience. First is the Delhi or the Imperial style of architecture which grew under the patronage of Sultans of Delhi. It includes all those buildings which were constructed by different Sultans. The other is provincial style of architecture which grew under the patronage of provincial ruling dynasties which were mostly Muslims.
Features:
• Corbelled arches are constructed by laying stone blocks on top of each other
• The facade was decorated with Arabic calligraphy and vegetal motifs
• They used limestone, brick and plaster
19. Which of the following is not true about Mughal army? (UPSC Prelims 1987)
[A] Mughal army was mainly standing army
[B] It had large cavalry
[C] When Mughal army used to come out, it seemed as if population of a big city is emerging
[D] It had large infantry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mughal army was mainly standing army]
Notes:
Although its origins, like the Mughals themselves, were in the cavalry-based armies of central Asia, its essential form and structure was established by the empire’s third emperor, Akbar. The army had no regimental structure and the soldiers were not directly recruited by the emperor.
20. Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the ‘Jagadguru’ by his Muslim subjects because of his belief in secularism? (UPSC Prelims 2000)
[A] Husain Shah
[B] Zain-ul-Abidin
[C] Ibrahim Adil Shah
[D] Mahmud II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ibrahim Adil Shah]
Notes:
Ibrahim Adil Shah II of the Adil Shahi dynasty, was the king of Bijapur Sultanate.
Ibrahim Adil Shah II of the Adil Shahi dynasty was king of the Sultanate of Bijapur. Under his reign the dynasty had its greatest period as he extended its frontier as far south as Mysore. He was a skillful administrator, artist, poet and a generous patron of the arts.
