1. Which of the following ports during ancient / medieval era were situated on the west coast of South India?
- Kaveripattinam
- Korkai
- Musiri
- Tondi
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] 1, 2
[B] 2, 3
[C] 3, 4
[D] 2, 3, 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [3, 4]
Notes:
Musiri and Tondi were situated on the west coast of South India.
2. Which of the following Mughal Emperors was known as Firdaus Manzil?
[A] Mohammad Shah Rangila
[B] Shah Alam II
[C] Farrukhsiyar
[D] Rafi ul Darjat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shah Alam II]
Notes:
Ali Gohar, historically known as Shah Alam II, was the sixteenth Mughal Emperor and the son of Alamgir II. He is also known as Firdaus Manzil. Shah Alam II became the emperor of a crumbling Mughal empire.
3. “Sur Sagar”, a treatise on music was written during the reign of which of the following Mughal emperors?
[A] Humayun
[B] Akbar
[C] Jahanagir
[D] Shahjahan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar]
Notes:
Surdas was born somewhere between 1478 and 1483; and died somewhere between 1579 and 1584. He was contemporary of Akbar (reign. 1556-1605). Thus, Sur Sagar was composed during his reign. Tulsidas was also a contemporary of Akbar.
4. During the reign of which among the following Mughal rulers, maximum number of books on classical music were written?
[A] Akbar
[B] Jahanagir
[C] Shahjahan
[D] Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Aurangzeb]
Notes:
It was during the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb maximum number of books on classical music and Persian music were written. He himself was a player of veena and patronized music.
5. Who among the following written Manmaul Bahrain?
[A] Aurangzeb
[B] Akbar
[C] Darashikoh
[D] Abu Fazal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Darashikoh]
Notes:
Majma-ul-Bahrain is a book on comparative religion authored by Dara Shukoh. It was devoted to a revelation of the mystical and pluralistic affinities between sufi and vendanta.
6. Which among the following markets were introduced by Allauddin Khilji?
[A] Sahna-i-mandi and Sarai Adl
[B] Market for slaves
[C] Market for horses and cattle
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
In context of the economic reforms of Allauddin Khilji, he introduced three types of markets viz. Sahna-i-mandi (grain market), Sarai Adl (cloth and groceries market) and Market for horses, cattle and slaves.
7. In which year was the Treaty of Purandar between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Mughals signed?
[A] 1665 AD
[B] 1668 AD
[C] 1669 AD
[D] 1670 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1665 AD]
Notes:
The Treaty of Purandar was signed in 1665 AD. It was between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Raja Jai Singh of Amber, who was chosen by the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. This treaty resulted in Shivaji surrendering 23 out of his 35 forts to the Mughals, while simultaneously recognising Shivaji’s authority over Konkan and parts of Balaghat – a strategic win that reflected Shivaji’s diplomatic prowess.
8. When did the battle of Haldighati took place ?
[A] 1576 AD
[B] 1577 AD
[C] 1578 AD
[D] 1579 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1576 AD]
Notes:
On February 18, 1576 AD , the Battle of Haldighati was fought between Mughal army led by Raja Man singh of Amber and Maharana Pratap, the son of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar. Though the Mughal army won but Mewar was not subdued.
9. What was the real name of Mughal Empress Nurjahan ?
[A] Mihar-un-nisa
[B] Nihar-un-nisa
[C] Jehar-un-nisa
[D] Jodha Bai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mihar-un-nisa]
Notes:
Mughal Empress Nur Jahan ( Noor Jahan) was the wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir, her real name was Mehr-un-nisa (Nur Jahan). She was one of the most powerful personalities in the Mughal empire that the coins were struck in her name and on all farmans her name was attached to the imperial signature.
10. The 11th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Al Hujuiri was also known as
[A] Data Ganj Baksh
[B] Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti
[C] Khawaja Bahauddin Zakariya
[D] Baba Farid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Data Ganj Baksh]
Notes:
The 11th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Al Hujuiri ( also known as Data Ganj Baksh) was the author of the celebrated manual on Sufism entitled “Kashful Mahjub”.