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.
1. What was the largest import item for the Vijayanagar Empire?
[A] Precious stones
[B] Luxury goods
[C] Raw silk
[D] Horses
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Horses]
Notes:
Horses were the biggest import to Vijayanagar Empire, imported mainly from West Asia including Balkh, Herat, and Bukhara. They were brought to improve cavalry breeds as local horses were unsuitable for warfare. Traveler Fernão Nunes recorded purchases at three horses for 1,000 pardaos, with annual expenditures up to 30,000 pardaos. The horse trade was managed by local merchants called Kudirai Chettis.
2. Which among the following terms was used for the Royal cavalry of the Maratha Army System?
[A] The Shiledars
[B] The Bargirs
[C] The Hazari
[D] The Subedars
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The Bargirs]
Notes:
Bargir was the Royal cavalry of the Maratha army system. There were two kinds of cavalry viz. Bargirs and the Shiledars. Bargirs were provided horses from the state and thus, the horses were property of the royal household and were looked after by state o
3. Which of the following rulers earned the title of Purvapaschima Samudradhishavara?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Karikala Chola
[C] Harihara I
[D] Parantaka-I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Harihara I]
Notes:
Harihara I of the Vijayanagara Kingdom earned the title Purvapaschima Samudradhishavara (“master of the eastern and western seas”). He founded the empire in 1336 CE with his brother Bukka Raya I and gained control over most territory south of the Tungabhadra River, from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal.
4. Areas of which of the following current states did not come under control of Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadeva Raya?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1529) controlled areas of modern Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, parts of Kerala, and Odisha. He conquered Raichur Doab from Bijapur Sultanate in 1520, defeated Gajapatis of Odisha by 1514 with Krishna River as boundary, and subdued Ummattur chiefs on Kaveri banks in Tamil Nadu and Malabar regions in Kerala. No sources record control over Maharashtra areas.
5. Which among the following towns / cities of Karnataka is most famous for monuments of Vijayanagar Empire?
[A] Gulbarga
[B] Belgaum
[C] Gadag
[D] Hampi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hampi]
Notes:
Vijayanagara Empire or Karnata Empire or Kingdom of Bisnegar was established in 1336 by Harihara-I and his brother Bukka Raya I of Sangama Dynasty. Its ruins are located in current day Hampi in Karnataka. Four dynasties – Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu – ruled Vijayanagar from A.D. 1336 to 1672.
The most important temples of Vijaynagar Empire include Vitthalaswamy and the Hazara Ramaswamy temples at Hampi. The Tadapatri and Parvati temples at Chidambaram, Varadaraja and Ekambaranatha temples at Kanchipuram.
6. In which year Mohd. Ghori attacked first in India on Multan?
[A] 1172 A.D
[B] 1175 A.D
[C] 1185 A.D
[D] 1190 A.D
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1175 A.D]
Notes:
Muhammad Ghori led a series of the campaigns in India. He began with Multan in 1175 against a Muslim ruler and got victorious.
7. Who among the following are known as King Makers in Indian History?
[A] Sayyid Brothers
[B] Hussain Brothers
[C] Hassan Family
[D] Tardi Begh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sayyid Brothers]
Notes:
Sayyif brothers is known as king makers in Indian History. Nawab Sayyid Hussain Ali and and his brother Abdullah Khan Barha, were kingmakers of the later Mughal Period. He is Best known for ordering the death of the Emperor Farrukh siyar.
8. Who wrote famous Hindi work “Padmavat”?
[A] Malik Muhammad Jayasi
[B] Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana
[C] Amir Khusro
[D] Bulleh Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Malik Muhammad Jayasi]
Notes:
Padmavat of Malik Muhammad Jayasi is a poem about the beauty and Jauhar of Padmani.
9. Which gold coin was issued during the Vijayanagar Empire?
[A] Varaha
[B] Tara
[C] Kakini
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Varaha]
Notes:
Varaha was a gold coin issued by the Vijayanagar Empire featuring the boar emblem. It was minted during the reigns of rulers like Harihara II and Krishnadevaraya between the 14th and 16th centuries CE. Tara was a silver coin, and Kakini was a copper coin used in the empire.
10. In context with the Ashta Pradhan, that helped with the administration of the Maratha empire of Shivaji, who among the following was in charge of General Administration?
[A] Moro Trimbak Pingale
[B] Ramchandra Neelkanth Mujumdar
[C] Annaji Datto
[D] Dattaji Trimbak Waknis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Moro Trimbak Pingale]
Notes:
Ashta Pradhan of Shivaji:
1. Pantpradhan(Moro Trimbak Pingale) – General administration of the kingdom.
2. Amatya(Ramchandra Neelkanth Mujumdar) – Accounts of the kingdom.
3. Sachiv(Annaji Datto) – To prepare royal edicts.
4. Mantri(Dattaji Trimbak Waknis) – state correspondence.
5. Senapati(Hambirrao Mohite) – Managing the army and protection of the kingdom.
6. Sumant(Ramchandra Trimbak Dabir) – Foreign relations.
7. Nyayadhish(Niraji Raoji) – to dispense justice.
8. Panditrao(Moreswar Panditrao) – Religious matters.
