Medieval Indian History MCQs

Notes:
Shivaji’s empire was divided into sixteen parts for the purpose of collecting the revenue. These sixteen parts were further divided into tarfs and each tarf was further subdivided into mauzs / mauzas. The revenue officer of a province was called the subedar while the officer in a tarf was called the karkun. Thus, during the rule of Shivaji the Mauzas or villages were the lowest unit of administration. The police officer in rural area was known as Faujdar and in urban area was called Kotwal. The Maratha Kingdom was also known as Swarajya or Mulk-e-Kadim.

Notes:
Chauth was a 1/4th land revenue paid to Marathas to prevent raids, formalized by Shivaji Maharaj. Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% levy on lands with Maratha hereditary claims. The term “Chauth” comes from Sanskrit “Chaturth.” This system enabled Maratha influence expansion without military conquest and was institutionalized by Peshwa Baji Rao I.

Notes:
The lack of a monetary economy during the first phase (700 to 900 AD) of this period suggests declining trade. Very few coins of the rulers of important dynasties such as Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas and Palas have also been found. Palas and Senas did not mint coins during their government. Relative to the growing population and the growing settlement area, the volume of money in circulation was negligible. Furthermore, the coins in circulation were of very poor quality and had little purchasing power. The fragmentation of political authority, frequent political disputes, and excessive taxes from middle landowners affected trade.

Notes:
The temple as an institution played a more central role in agrarian development and organization from the 8th century AD. Temple were given grants such as plots of land, or entire villages were known as Devadana in the South Indian context. The process of acquiring landed property was not confined to brahmanical temples. Non-Brahmin religious institutions such as Jain and Buddhist monasteries, especially in Andhra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and eastern India (Odisha and Bihar) competed with each other to become landowners.

Notes:
The Bahmani ruler granted Quli Hamadani the title of Qutbul Mulk, a title which gave its name to the dynasty. He assumed independence in 1512.

Notes:
There was a definite pattern of diplomatic relations between the mughals and the empires of Central and West Asia such as Uzbek, Safavid and Ottoman. The most common mode of diplomacy was the exchange of diplomatic mission. The status of the mission depended largely on the status of the ambassadors, called elchi or safir, specially his proximity to the ruler.

Notes:
In 1441, Shah Rukh of Persia sent Kamal-ud-din Abdur Razzaq to Vijayanagar as an emissary. He visited during Deva Raya II’s reign and began his mission on January 13, 1442. His accounts provide insights into Vijayanagar’s topography, administration, and social life, highlighting the Mahanavami festival and the empire’s military strength, including war elephants and organized infantry.

Notes:
During the 1567-1568 siege of Chittor, the Mughal army defeated the Rajputs. Akbar honored warriors Jaimal and Patta by erecting their statues at Fatehpur Sikri and building cenotaphs near Suraj Pol in Chittorgarh fort. Jaimal was shot by Akbar, and Patta fought bravely despite his youth.

Notes:
The Ahoms migrated from present-day Myanmar to the Brahmaputra Valley in the thirteenth century. He created a new state by suppressing the old political system of Bhuyans (zamindars). During the sixteenth century, they captured the kingdoms of the Chuttiyas (1523) and Koch-Hajo (1581) and subjugated several other tribes. In 1662, the Mughals under Mir Jumla attacked the Ahom kingdom. Despite their brave defense, the Ahoms were defeated. But direct Mughal control over this region could not last long.

Notes:
Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya (c. 1238 – 1325 CE) was a Sufi saint of Chishti order. He was based in Delhi. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s ascent to the throne was facilitated by an untimely death of Giyasuddin Tughlaq. The mysterious circumstances of his death spread a rumor that this was a curse from heaven, for Giyasuddin had threatened to punish Nizamuddin Auliya. Jinaprabha Suri was a Jain saint who lived in the 14th century. He composed some Jain prayers in Persian language. He possibly lived in Delhi during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and conversed with him. So, correct answer is option d.