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. What are Archer, Standard, Battle-axe, Kacha, and Tiger-slayer all types of?
[A] Inscriptions
[B] Bows
[C] Coins
[D] Swords
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Coins]
Notes:
All these coins were issued during the reign of Samudragupta. Archer, Standard, Battle-axe, Kacha, and Tiger-slayer all types of coins.
12. 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.
13. Who among the following is said to have witnessed the reigns of eight Delhi Sultans? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[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’.
14. After consolidating his power, Balban assumed which of the following grand titles? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] Tute-i-Hind
[B] Kaisr-i-Hind
[C] Zil-i-Ilahi
[D] Din-i-Ilahi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Zil-i-Ilahi]
Notes:
After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of Zil-i-Ilahi. Ghiyas ud din Balban was the ninth sultan of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi. Ghiyas ud Din was the wazir of the last Shamsi sultan, Nasir ud-Din. He reduced the power of the treacherous nobility and heightened the stature of the sultan.
15. Which metal was used to mint the Maratha coin of Peshwas called “Shivrai”?
[A] Gold
[B] Copper
[C] Silver
[D] Gold-Copper Alloy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Copper]
Notes:
Shivrai was a copper coin issued during Peshwas time and was in running until East India Company’s rule in Bombay Presidency.
16. 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.
17. Which of the following was the key objective of invasion of Mohammad Ghori on India?
[A] Loot and Plunder wealth of India
[B] To expand the Ghurid Empire
[C] To spread Islam by Sword
[D] To punish Rajputs who attacked his dominions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To expand the Ghurid Empire]
Notes:
The major objective of Ghori to attack India was to expand his empire and satisfy his imperialistic ambitions. The expansion of Islam and his ambition to glorify his name through his military exploits could be said to be his secondary aims. Similarly, loot and plunder may also be secondary aims because that was norm in those days to acquire Gold and wealth from defeated rulers.
18. In the first battle of Tarain, which of the following fort was captured by Mohammed Ghori’s forces, that triggered the battle between Ghurids and Chauhans?
[A] Kesgarh
[B] Phillaur
[C] Tabarhind
[D] Manuli
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tabarhind]
Notes:
After the annexation of the Punjab, Muhammad Ghori made Lahore the base of his operations against the Rajputs. He made thorough preparations for three years before challenging Prithvi Raj Chauhan of Delhi and Ajmer. In 1189, he captured Tabarhind (Bhatinda). This led to first battle of Tarain in which Ghurid army was crushed and Mohd. Ghori himself was wounded (but saved by a Khalji soldier in litter) by Gobind Rai (Brother of Prithviraj Chauhan).
19. Which region of India predominantly practiced the Bara Balutedar system during medieval times?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Bara Balutedar system, also known as the Twelve Balutedar system, was a hereditary system of village servants prevalent in villages of medieval Maharashtra. The Balutedars were paid through a barter system using village produce. This system included groups like goldsmiths, temple servants, barbers, washers, potters, carpenters, blacksmiths, cobblers, cattle ornament makers, water carriers, chougula, and mang. It bore similarities with the jajmani system of North India at that time. In the year 1958, an act was passed freeing village servants from this work.
20. The term Tarf , used during the reign of Qutubuddin Aibak , stands for –
[A] Higher nobility
[B] Department of central administration
[C] Subdivision of territory
[D] Provincial government
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Subdivision of territory]
Notes:
Wilayat was the territory governed by the governor or higher nobility called Wali , Muqti , Amir . Tarf denotes a subdivision of a wilayat . During the reign of Qutubuddin Aibak , Tarf was used to designate provinces.