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.
31. The Tripartite Struggle for control of northern India took place between which of the following empires?
1) Rashtrakutas
2) Pratiharas
3) Palas
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
During the Post-Harsha period, the most important event was the tripartite struggle for supremacy among the Rashtrakutas, Pratiharas, and the Palas. The struggle started during the reign of Vatsaraja Pratihara.
32. Which of the following poets composed Khazain-ul-Futuh?
[A] Abdullah
[B] Amir Khusrau
[C] Muhammad Bihamad Khani
[D] Yahya ibn Ahmad Sihrindi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amir Khusrau]
Notes:
Amir Khusrau who was a Sufi musician, poet, and scholar from Medieval India who was also a courtier at the courts of the Khiljis and Tughlaqs, composed the Khazain ul Futuh in 1310 CE. It gives first-hand information on the sultans.
33. Which of the following was the author of ‘Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri’?
[A] Gulbadan Begum
[B] Abul Fazl
[C] Jahangir
[D] Abdul Hamid Lahori
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jahangir]
Notes:
Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri is the autobiography of Jahangir. It is also referred to as Jahangirnama. It is written in Persian language. Jahangir included information about arts, politics and family in it.
34. Qutbuddin made which of the following places as his headquarters before embarking on a campaign of expansion?
[A] Ajmer
[B] Punjab
[C] Delhi
[D] Agra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Delhi]
Notes:
When Ghori returned to Ghazni to carry out his conquests on the western frontiers he left his lieutenant, Qutbuddin Aibak, in charge of his Indian conquests. Qutbuddin made Delhi his headquarters in 1193 CE, before embarking on a campaign of expansion.
35. Who became independent ruler of Bengal after death of Balban?
[A] Tughral Tughan Khan
[B] Ruknuddin Firoz
[C] Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
[D] Nasiruddin Bughra Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nasiruddin Bughra Khan]
Notes:
Nasiruddin Bughra Khan was son of Balban and ruled as Governor (1281–1287) and later an independent Sultan (1287–1291) of Bengal. He had assisted his father Balban to crush the rebellion of the governor of Lakhnauti, Tughral Tughan Khan. Ater his brother and eldest son of Balban, Prince Muhammad, was killed by Mongols, Bugra Khan was asked to take the throne of Delhi by Balban. But Bughra refused and decided to remain in Bengal.
36. Diwan-i-Bandagan was the department of which of the following?
[A] Revenue
[B] Military Affairs
[C] Ceremonies
[D] Slaves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Slaves]
Notes:
Diwan-i-Bandagan managed slaves, led by Wakil-i-dar. Firoz Shah Tughlaq expanded it by capturing soldiers and youth, creating a “Bureau of Slaves” for state services. He founded Firozabad for their settlement and provided education and vocational training.
37. Who was the commander-in-chief of the army in Delhi Sultanate era?
[A] Sultan
[B] Ariz-i-mumalik
[C] Dabir-i-mamalik
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sultan]
Notes:
Ariz-i-mumalik was not the commander-in-chief of the army. The Sultan himself was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The military department was set up first by Balban and it was further improved by Alauddin Khalji.
38. What was the term of the provincial governor during the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom?
[A] 3 years
[B] 4 years
[C] 5 years
[D] Not fixed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Not fixed]
Notes:
Provincial governors (Dandanayaka or Mandalesvara) in the Vijayanagara Empire, often royal family members, were subject to transfer and dismissal by the king, with no specified term length. They held courts, appointed officers, maintained armies, collected taxes, and sent fixed contributions to the center, under greater royal control than autonomous nayakas. The empire divided into provinces (Rajya), further into districts and villages.
39. Which of the following was the commander of the Golconda forces who fought the Mughals at the risk of his life?
[A] Abdur Razzak Lari
[B] Abul Hasan
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Mir Muhammad Ibrahim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Abdur Razzak Lari]
Notes:
Mir Muhammad Ibrahim, the commander in chief of Abul Hasan joined hands with the Mughals which resulted in the surrendering of the Sultan. It was only Abdur Razzak Lari, the commander of the Golconda forces who fought the Mughals at the risk of his life.
40. ‘Zikr’ involved which of the following?
[A] Repeated recitation of a devotional formula in praise of Allah.
[B] Gathering where musical instruments were played.
[C] Ecstatic dancing.
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Repeated recitation of a devotional formula in praise of Allah.]
Notes:
‘Zikr’ involved the repeated recitation of a devotional formula in praise of Allah. It was considered a means of attaining bliss. Fist it began as a simple recitation of the Quran but later evolved into an elaborate ritual practiced in a congregation
