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 laid the foundation of Delhi Sultanate?
[A] Muhammad Ghori
[B] Qutub-ud-din Aibak
[C] Sultan Alauddin
[D] Mahmud of Ghazni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Qutub-ud-din Aibak]
Notes:
Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the commander of Muhammad Ghori marked the beginning of the Mamluk (Slave dynasty) rule and laid the foundation of Delhi Sultanate period in 1206 AD.
12. Balban got which title on defeating Mongols ?
[A] Ulagh Khan
[B] Diwan I Arj
[C] Zil -I Ilahi
[D] Nasir amir-ul momin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ulagh Khan]
Notes:
Balban got the tiltle of Ulagh Khan for defeating the Mongols.
13. Who among the following Sultans imposed water tax on the agriculture land which was irrigated by the waters of the canals dug by the state?
[A] Firoz Shah Tughlaq
[B] Mohammad-bin Tughlaq
[C] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[D] Mahmud Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Firoz Shah Tughlaq]
Notes:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq imposed water tax on the agriculture land which was irrigated by the waters of the canals dug by the state.
14. What was the ruling period of Muhammad Bin Tughluq as Sultan of Delhi Sultanate?
[A] 1351-1371 AD
[B] 1330-1351 AD
[C] 1325-1351 AD
[D] 1320-1325 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1325-1351 AD]
Notes:
The ruling period of Muhammad Bin Tughluq as Sultan of Delhi Sultanate was from 1325-1351 AD.
15. Who among the following Sultans of Delhi Sultanate introduced new coins “Adha and Bikh”?
[A] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II
[B] Firoz Shah Tughlaq
[C] Mohammad-bin Tughlaq
[D] Mahmud Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Firoz Shah Tughlaq]
Notes:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq introduced new coins Adha (50% Jital) and Bikh (25% Jital). The other coins prevalent during that period were Shashgani (6 jitals) and Hastgani (48 jitals).
16. In context of administration of Vijayanagar kingdom, Rajyas were divided into
[A] Niyoga
[B] Sthalas
[C] Kottam
[D] Mandalam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kottam]
Notes:
The structure of tax collection in Vijayanagar empire: The empire was divided into five main rajyas or mandalam (provinces) which were divided into regions (Kottams). These were further divided into counties (Nadus) which were again sub-divided into municipalities (Sthales). To facilitate tax administration at the lowest level, a separate department Niyoga) was assigned with the function of tax collection duly supervised by feudal landlords (Goudas) and Karanikam (accountants).
17. The Nathpanthis, Siddhacharas and Yogi advocated salvation through _?
[A] Meditation
[B] Knowledge
[C] Sacrifices
[D] Self-effort
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Meditation]
Notes:
Nathpanthis, Siddhacharas, and Yogis believed that the path to salvation was through meditation. They advocated renunciation of the world and intensive training of the mind and body through practices like yogasanas, breathing exercises, and meditation. They believed that meditation on the formless Ultimate Reality and the realization of oneness with it was the path to salvation.
The Nathpanthis, Siddhacharas, and Yogis criticized the ritualistic practices of conventional religion. They believed that the external rituals and elaborate ceremonies had become detached from their original purpose of spiritual growth and self-realization. Their criticism of conventional religion created the ground for devotional religion to become a popular force in Northern India.
18. Which Vijayanagara ruler bore the title of Gajabentakara?
[A] Harihara-I
[B] Bukka Raya-II
[C] Deva Raya-II
[D] Virupaksha Raya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Deva Raya-II]
Notes:
Deva Raya II, who ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1422–1446 CE, bore the title of Gajabentakara. The title, which translates to “Hunter of Elephants”, was a reference to his victories over enemies as strong as elephants.
Deva Raya II was also known as Gajabetekara, which means “the elephant hunter”. He was the greatest ruler of the Sangama family of the Vijayanagara empire. He was a scholar who wrote Sobagina Sone in Kannada and the dramas Sudhanidhi and Brahmasutra in Sanskrit. He also began the practice of employing Muslim cavalrymen and archers in the army.
19. Consider the following pairs:
- Ramanujacharya — South India
- Chaitanya — Central India
- Vallabhacharya — Gujarat and Brajarea
- Ramanand — North India
Of these pairs:
[A] 1, 2 and 3 are correctly matched
[B] 2, 3 and 4 are correctly matched
[C] 1 and 4 are correctly matched
[D] 1, 3 and 4 are correctly matched
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 and 4 are correctly matched]
Notes:
• Chaitanya was also known as Sri Gauranga. He was a popular Vaishnava saint and reformer from Bengal.
• Vallabhacharya was also known as Vallabha. He was an Indian Telugu philosopher who founded the Krishna-centered Pushti sect of Vaishnavism only in the Braj region of India, and the philosophy of Shuddha advaita.
20. Which of the following Islamic scholars was not a contemporary of Ghaznavid Sultan Mahmud?
[A] Abu’l-Fadl Bayhaqi
[B] Ferdowsi
[C] Al Biruni
[D] Firishta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Firishta]
Notes:
Bayhaqī or Bayhaqi was a Persian historian and author who served in court of Mahmud. His work Tarikh-i Bayhaqi is seen as a source of information about the Ghaznavid era. Al Biruni was court astrologer of Mahmud. Firdowsi was also a poet who wrote Persian magnum opus Shahnameh on a promise of Mahmud that the later would give him a gold piece for every couplet of the Shahnameh. But Firdausi could never get this promised prize money. Firishta was in 16th century.