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Medieval Indian History MCQs

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Medieval Indian History MCQs

1. Which of the following rulers of Delhi Sultanate abolished the Iqtas?

[A] Alauddin Khilji
[B] Muhammad Tughlaq
[C] Firozshah Tughlaq
[D] Balban

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Alauddin Khilji] Notes: Alauddin Khilji suddenly abolished the system of small Iqtas with a stroke of pen and brought them under the central Government, it is regarded as one of the most important agrarian reform of Alauddin Khilji.

2. Who among the following was appointed as the supreme authority in justice during the era of Mughal Emperors?

[A] Qazi-ul-Quzat
[B] Qazi-ul-Hazat
[C] Qazi-Faiz-ul-Islam
[D] None of these

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Qazi-ul-Quzat] Notes: Besides Mughal rulers, Qazi-ul-Quzat was the supreme authority in justice. Since it was difficult for the emperor to do-away with justice in all the cases, he appointed Qazi-ul-Quzat to do the justice in accordance with Muslim Law. The Chief Judge of the

3. One of the cited reasons for the expedition of Muhammad Bin Qasim on Sindh was to punish the Bawarij of Sindh. Who were these people?

[A] Dacoits
[B] Pirates
[C] Soldiers
[D] Traders

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pirates ] Notes: Bawarij were Sindhi pirates who used special ships called barja warships. They looted Arab shipping bound for the Indian subcontinent and China. One of the cited reasons for the Arab conquest of Sindh was to punish the Bawarij who used to prey on Arab shipping from their bases at Kutch, Debal, and Kathiawar.

4. The silver coins of which among the following kings carried portraits and bilingual legends, which were inspired by the Kshatrapa types?

[A] Satavahanas
[B] Kushanas
[C] Guptas
[D] Mauryas

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Satavahanas ] Notes: Satavahana kings are noted for issuing bilingual coins featuring Middle Indo-Aryan language on one side, and Tamil language on the other side.

5. Mir Bakshi was the officer in Akbar’s reign with which of the following responsibilities?

[A] Revenue Collection
[B] Payment of salaries
[C] Head of the military administration
[D] Head of Nobility

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Head of the military administration] Notes: Mir Bakshi was the Head of the military administration in the reign of Akbar’s reign. The mir bakshi was in charge of intelligence gathering, and also made recommendations to the emperor for military appointments and promotions.

6. That part of land granted by the sultan to military chiefs for maintenance of a given number of troopers called?

[A] Muahatsib
[B] Iqta
[C] Nazir
[D] Usharaf

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iqta] Notes: Iqta referred to that part of land granted by the sultan to its military chiefs for maintenance of troopers.

7. Who among the following established the Mewar Kingdom in Rajasthan?

[A] Nagaditya
[B] Shiladitya
[C] Bappa Rawal
[D] Mahdenra II

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bappa Rawal] Notes: Mewar or Mewad is a region in the south-central part of Rajasthan state of India. It was established by Bappa Rawal. The bardic chronicles describe him as a member of the Guhila clan of Rajputs, and some of these consider him as the founder of the Guhila dynasty.

8. An Italian traveler, Gemelli Careri visited India in which year?

[A] 1695 AD
[B] 1699 AD
[C] 1656 AD
[D] 1687 AD

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1695 AD] Notes: An Italian Physician, Gemelli Careri visited India in 1695 AD during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and accounted for the military organization and administration of the Mughal empire at that time.

9. The supremacy and sovereignty of ‘Khalifa’ of Baghdad was strictly observed by Muslim kings in India due to which of the following reasons?

[A] ‘Khalifa’ was treated as the religious head of the Muslim community
[B] ‘Khalifa’ was treated as the legal head of the Muslim community
[C] All the Muslim States in the world used to pay tributes to him
[D] He used to decide all the cases efficiently

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All the Muslim States in the world used to pay tributes to him] Notes: KHALIFAH is an Arabic word literally meaning “one who replaces someone else who left or died”. In the context of Islam, however, the word acquires a narrower meaning. The Muslim Khalifa is the successor to Prophet Muhammad’s position as the political, military, and administrative leader of the Muslims. The prophetic role of Muhammad is strictly not included in this definition, as the Qur’an and Hadith clearly state that Muhammad was the last of the prophets. Khilafa is a related Arabic word which, in the context of Islam, is used to denote the government of the Muslim state, of which the Khalifa is the head.

10. What was the name of the coin issued under Babur’s rule?

[A] Dam
[B] Shah Rukh
[C] Rupee
[D] Pagoda

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shah Rukh] Notes: Shah Rukh was made of 72-grain silver. One side of the coin contained the name of the king along with his title and date. Initially round in shape, they were later converted to square-shaped coins.

11. Who wrote the Shahjan-Nama that covers Shah Jahan’s entire reign?

[A] Inayat Khan
[B] Muhammad Sadiq Khan
[C] Abul Hamid Lahori
[D] Muhammad Waris

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Muhammad Sadiq Khan] Notes: Other than Inayat Khan, another Shahjahan-Nama was written by Muhammad Sadiq Khan, who was a waqia-navis at the Mughal court. Sadiq was a selfless freelance writer who undertook the work just for the love of it and recorded the events of Shah Jahan’s reign from the death of Jahangir to the accession of Aurangzeb in an intelligent and impartial manner.

12. Which of the following is commissioned work on Aurangazeb, which was later forbidden before completion?

[A] Ma’asir-i-Alamgiri
[B] Alamgirnama
[C] Futuhat-i-Almgiri
[D] Muntakhab-ul-Lubab

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Alamgirnama] Notes: Muhammad Qazim was appointed Munshi by Aurangzeb in the first year of his reign and was later commissioned by the emperor to complete the annals of his reign. After the eleventh year, up to which point Muhammad Qazim recorded his history, Aurangzeb forbade its continuation. Alamgirnama is a good detailed history of the first ten years of Aurangzeb’s reign from 1658 to 1668.

13. Ilahi coins were issued by which Mughal King?

[A] Humayun
[B] Akbar
[C] Jahangir
[D] Shah Jahan

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar] Notes: In 1579, Akbar issued gold coins called Ilahi coins to propagate his new religious idea of ‘Din-i-Illahi’. On this coin, it was written ‘God is great, may his glory be glorified’. The value of an ilahi coin was equal to 10 rupees. Sahansah was the largest gold coin. These coins bore the names of the Persian solar months.

14. Which of the following was the author of ‘Alamgir Nama’?

[A] Ishwardas Nagaur
[B] Mirza Muhammad Kazim
[C] Shahnawaz Khan
[D] Abul Fazl

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mirza Muhammad Kazim] Notes: Mirza Muhammad Kazim was the court historiographer of emperor Aurangzeb. He composed in the Alamgir Nama. Aurangzeb ordered him to record and compile the history of his reign.

15. The Ghurids, rose rapidly to power during which of the following centuries?

[A] 10th century
[B] 11th century
[C] 12th century
[D] 13th century

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [12th century] Notes: In the early medieval period, the region between Ghazni and Herat was ruled by the kingdom of Ghurs. They rapidly rose to power during the last half of the twelfth century.

16. Which of the following laid the foundation of Lodhi dynasty?

[A] Sikander Lodhi
[B] Ibrahim Lodhi
[C] Bahlol Lodhi
[D] None of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bahlol Lodhi ] Notes: Bahlol Lodhi (r. 1451–88 AD) with the help of a few nobles took charge of the army, and became the Sultan and laid the foundation of Lodhi dynasty in the Indian subcontinent. He was the first Afghan Sultan.

17. Medhpaat was the earlier name of which of the following kingdoms?

[A] Malwa
[B] Mewar
[C] Kashmir
[D] None of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mewar] Notes: Medhpaat was the earlier name of Mewar or Udaipur Kingdom and over time, the name Medhpath became Mewar. The rise of Mewar during the 15th century was an important factor in the political life of north India.

18. Which of the following was Diwan-i-Rasalat during Delhi sultanate era?

[A] Department of revenue
[B] Department of military affairs
[C] Department of religious affairs
[D] Department of slaves

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Department of religious affairs] Notes: During the Delhi Sultanate period ‘Diwan-i-Rasalat’ was the department of religious affairs. It dealt with pious foundations and gave stipends to deserving scholars and men of piety.

19. Which Sultan called himself the Shadow of God on Earth?

[A] Iltutmish
[B] Balban
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Firozshah Tughlaq

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Balban] Notes: Balban used to say that after the Prophet the most important office was that of the sovereign. Therefore, he called himself the Shadow of God on Earth. However, he retained the name of the caliph in the khutba and on the coins but he made no other mention of the caliph anywhere else.

20. Which sultan of Delhi sultanate is known for laying the biggest network of canals in medieval India?

[A] Muhammad bin Tughlaq
[B] Firozshah Tughlaq
[C] Sikander Lodhi
[D] Ibrahim Lodhi

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Firozshah Tughlaq] Notes: Firoz Tughlaq (1351-86) is known to have laid one of the biggest networks of canals known in India until the nineteenth century. A canal running to Hisar (Haryana) was fed by two canals cut from the Yamuna, the Rajabwah and the Ulughkhani. The Firozshahi was cut from the Sutlej. A canal ran from Kali river to fall into the Yamuna at Delhi, and another was cut from Ghaggar river in eastern Punjab. The area around Hisar is said to have been so well-irrigated that the rabi harvest was added to the kharif.

21. Which of the following period is associated with Lodhi Dynasty?

[A] 1351-1426 AD
[B] 1451-1526 AD
[C] 1471-1536 AD
[D] 1491-1546 AD

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1451-1526 AD] Notes: The Lodhi Dynasty ruled from 1451 to 1526 AD. They were the last ruling family of the Sultanate period. They were also the first to be headed by the Afghans who were ruling over Sirhind when the Sayyids were in India.

22. The First Battle of Panipat was held in which of the following years?

[A] 1520
[B] 1526
[C] 1530
[D] 1535

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1526] Notes: The first Battle of Panipat was held in 1526 A.D. Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated and killed. With him, the Sultanate period ended. Babur was invited by Daulat Khan Lodi to invade India.

23. Which sultan used to write Persian verses with the pen name Gulrukhi?

[A] Ibrahim Lodi
[B] Sikandar Lodi
[C] Bahlol Ladi
[D] Firuz shah Tughlaq

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sikandar Lodi] Notes: Sikandar Lodi wrote Persian poetry using the pen name Gulrukhi.

24. Who headed the military department in the Sultanate period?

[A] Wazir
[B] Ariz-i-mumalik
[C] Wakil-i-dar
[D] Barid-i-mumalik

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ariz-i-mumalik] Notes: Diwan-i-Arz or the military department was headed by Ariz-i-mumalik. He was given the responsibility of organization and maintenance of the royal army. He also did the review of the army and branding of horses.

25. Which of the following was not a dominating community in Inland trade during the Sultanate period?

[A] Gujarati
[B] Marwari
[C] Muslim Bohra merchants
[D] Khurasanis

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Khurasanis] Notes: During the Sultanate period, overseas trade was under the control of Multanis (mostly Hindus) and Khurasanis (Afghan Muslims), whereas inland trade was dominated by Gujarati, Marwari, and Muslim Bohra merchants.

26. Virupaksha Raya was succeeded by which of the following kings?

[A] Bukka Raya I
[B] Deva Raya I
[C] Harihara II
[D] Bukka Raya II

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bukka Raya II] Notes: After the death of Harihara II, the throne became disputed between his three sons. Virupaksha Raya succeeded in 1404 CE and ruled for a few months before being murdered by his sons. Bukka Raya II succeeded Virupaksha Raya and ruled till 1406 CE.

27. Who was Parameshvara, in the court of Deva Raya II?

[A] Musician
[B] Mathematician
[C] Astrologer
[D] Poet

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mathematician] Notes: In the case of secular literature, Parameshvara, who was a noted South Indian mathematician from the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics, lived in the court of Deva Raya II.

28. King Albuquerque sent his ambassadors to the court of which of the following Vijayanagar rulers?

[A] Deva Raya II
[B] Krishna Deva Raya
[C] Achyuta Deva Raya
[D] Sada Siva Raya

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Krishna Deva Raya] Notes: Krishna Deva Raya maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese. King Albuquerque also sent his ambassadors to the court of Krishna Deva Raya. He established law and order and dealt with the Portuguese influence in the Deccan region.

29. The Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Barbosa came to India during his reign of which of the following?

[A] Deva Raya I
[B] Deva Raya II
[C] Krishna Deva Raya
[D] Achyuta Deva Raya

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krishna Deva Raya] Notes: King Albuquerque sent his ambassadors to the court of Krishna Deva Raya as he maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese. The Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Barbosa came to India during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya only.

30. Which of the following was patronized by the king Achyuta Deva Raya?

[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, & 3

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, & 3] Notes: The king Achyuta Deva Raya was a patron of music and art. He patronized the Kannada poet Chatu Vittalanatha, the great singer and composer Purandaradasa (father of Carnatic music), and the Sanskrit scholar Rajanatha Dindima II.

31. Who among the following was the prime minister in Bahamani sultanate?

[A] Vakil-us-Sultanat
[B] Amir-i-Jumla
[C] Vazir-i-Asraf
[D] Wazir-i-ashraf

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vakil-us-Sultanat] Notes: During the rule of the Bahmani kingdom, the prime minister was known as wazir or vakil-us-sultanate. The minister responsible for the finances of the kingdom was known as the amir-i-jumla, and wazir-i-ashraf was the Minister responsible for external affairs.

32. Which of the following Sufi saint was popularly known as Banda Nawaz?

[A] Hazrat Syed Muhammad Gesu Daraz
[B] Sirajuddin Junaidi
[C] Makhdoom Shaikh Alauddin Ansari
[D] None of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hazrat Syed Muhammad Gesu Daraz] Notes: The most important and widely venerated Sufi saint of the Deccan during the time of the Bahmani dynasty was Hazrat Syed Muhammad Gesu Daraz, who was popularly known as Banda Nawaz.

33. Mughal commander Abul Fazl invaded Ahmednagar in which of the following years?

[A] 1600 CE
[B] 1610 CE
[C] 1620 CE
[D] 1630 CE

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1600 CE] Notes: Abul Fazl, a Mughal commander, invaded Ahmednagar in 1600 CE. The task of organizing resistance devolved on Chand Bibi but in spite of her heroic efforts to overcome Mughal aggression, she was forced to purchase peace by ceding Berar to the Mughals.

34. Which of the following king entered into an alliance with Vijayanagar to besiege Ahmednagar?

[A] Ali Adil Shah I
[B] Burhan Nizam Shah
[C] Malik Hasan Bahri
[D] Ibrahim Adil Shah II

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ali Adil Shah I] Notes: During the reign of Ali Adil Shah I of Bijapur, the state of Bijapur and Vijayanagar came very close to each other, and Ali actually paid a visit to Vijayanagar City. He also entered into an alliance with Vijayanagar to besiege Ahmednagar.

35. Shri Jagadguru Fakireshwar Math built during Adil Shahi rule is located in which district of Karnataka?

[A] Gulmarga
[B] Belur
[C] Gadag
[D] Dharwad

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gadag] Notes: Shri Jagadguru Fakireshwar Math, established during the Adil Shahi rule about four centuries ago, is situated in Shirahatti village of Gadag district. The math is a heritage structure that depicts the harmony between Hindus and Muslims.

36. What was the citadel on top of the fort was called during the rule of Qutb Shahi’s kings?

[A] Akkanna
[B] Bala Hissar
[C] Madanna
[D] Darbar-e-Am

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bala Hissar] Notes: The citadel on top of the fort during the rule of Qutub Shahis was known as the Bala Hissar. It was generally the residence of the Qutb Shahi kings. The other places of interest inside the fort include the offices of Akkanna and Madanna.

37. During the reign of which of the following kings Gesu Daraz arrived in Gulbarga?

[A] Firoz Shah Bahmani
[B] Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani
[C] Ala-ud-Din Ahmed Shah Bahmani
[D] Nizam Shah Bahmani

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Firoz Shah Bahmani] Notes: After the death of his father in Daulatabad, Gesu Daraz, who was 16 years old, returned to Delhi where he joined the spiritual discipline of Shaikh Nasir-ud-din Chiragh. He arrived in Gulbarga during the reign of Sultan Firoz Shah Bahmani.

38. Battle of Ghagra was fought in which year?

[A] 1525 A.D.
[B] 1527 A.D.
[C] 1529 A.D.
[D] 1531 A.D.

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1529 A.D.] Notes: The Battle of Ghagra was fought near Bihar in 1529 A.D. This battle was fought between Babur and Mahmud Lodhi. Mahmud Lodhi was the brother of Ibrahim Lodhi who was the head of the Afghan chiefs.

39. Masnavi was written by which of the following?

[A] Abul Fazl
[B] Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana
[C] Babur
[D] Gulbadan Begum

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Babur] Notes: Masnavi was written by Babur. It is one of the popular works of Babur and is the Turkish translation of a well-known Sufi work. Babur was also the author of Babarnama.

40. Aurangzeb ascended the throne in which of the following year?

[A] 1658 CE
[B] 1568 CE
[C] 1707 CE
[D] 1690 CE

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1658 CE] Notes: Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad also known as Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal emperor, who ruled over almost the entire Indian subcontinent for a period of 49 years. Aurangzeb ascended the throne in 1658 CE.

41. During the early medieval period, the individual plots or entire villages given to the Brahmans were called as?

[A] Devadana
[B] Brahmadans
[C] Devadeya
[D] Brahmadeya

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Brahmadeya] Notes: Brahmadeya is the gift of land in individual plots or entire villages given to the Brahmans, making them the owners or stewards of the land. Brahmadeya was tax-free.

42. At the time of invasion of Alauddin, Warangal was ruled by ___?

[A] Chalukya Dynasty
[B] Chola Dynasty
[C] Kakatiya Dynasty
[D] Yadava Dynasty

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kakatiya Dynasty] Notes: Warangal, conquered by Alauddin Khilji in 1309, was ruled by the Kakatiya Dynasty at the time of invasion.

43. Which of the following Mughal emperors is known for promulgation of the doctrine of imperial infallibility?

[A] Akbar
[B] Jahangir
[C] Shahjahan
[D] Aurangzeb

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Akbar] Notes: Akbar is known for the promulgation of the doctrine of imperial infallibility, emphasizing his authority above legal and religious establishments.

44. Buland Darwaza was built by ____:

[A] Aurangzeb
[B] Akbar
[C] Babur
[D] Humayun

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar] Notes: Buland Darwaza, the “Door of victory,” was built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1575 A.D. to commemorate his victory over Gujarat.

45. What was the official language of the Sultanate?

[A] Persian
[B] Arabic
[C] Urdu
[D] Hindi

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Persian] Notes: Persian was declared the official language of the Mughal Sultanate during Akbar’s regime.

46. Mohammed Bin Tuglaq transferred his capital from _____:

[A] Delhi to Warangal
[B] Delhi to Devagiri
[C] Delhi to Madurai
[D] Delhi to Vijayanagar

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Delhi to Devagiri] Notes: In 1327, Muhammad bin Tughluq transferred the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri) in present-day Maharashtra.

47. During the reign of which Mughal ruler was the ‘Jizya’ re-imposed?

[A] Akbar
[B] Jahangir
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Humayun

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aurangzeb] Notes: Aurangzeb re-imposed the ‘Jizya’ tax on non-Muslims in 1679 as a means to promote Islam and weaken Hinduism.

48. Todarmal was ___ at Emperor Akbar’s Court:

[A] Minister of Education
[B] Minister of Culture
[C] Finance Minister
[D] Chief of Staff

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Finance Minister] Notes: Raja Todar Mal served as the Finance Minister of the Mughal empire during Akbar’s reign and introduced the zabt system of revenue.

49. During early medieval India, the term Delhiwal was used for __?

[A] Inhabitants of areas around present-day Old Delhi
[B] Coins minted in Delhi
[C] Dynasty that ruled Delhi
[D] None of the above

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Coins minted in Delhi] Notes: The term ‘Delhiwal’ during early medieval India referred to coins minted in Delhi.

50. In the context of the administration of Delhi Sultanate, ‘Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi’ dealt with which of the following issues?

[A] Spying
[B] Procurement and Store
[C] Maintenance of horses
[D] Agriculture

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Agriculture] Notes: Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi, established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, dealt with issues related to agriculture and rural development in the Delhi Sultanate.

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