Medieval Indian History MCQs

Notes:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who ascended Delhi’s throne on March 23, 1351, introduced four taxes based on Islamic law: kharaj (land tax), khams (one-fifth of spoils of war), jizya (tax on non-Muslims), and zakat (2% on property). The kharaj, or land tax, was the precursor to the first irrigation tax, equalling one tenth of the land produce. This first irrigation tax marked a significant shift in the economic policy of the Sultanate and had a lasting impact on Indian agriculture.

Notes:
The Sena Dynasty was established by Hemanta Sen, a vassal of the Pala Empire who revolted against it. Third king in line, Ballala Sena, introduced Kulinism in Bengal, a social structure system believed to have imposed strict marriage rules and led to the socio-political stratification of Bengali Hindu society. Ballala Sena also authored important literature including Adbhuta Sagara, Dan Sagara, and Bhasa-Chintamoni.

Notes:
Mehrunnissa Begum was also known as Nur Jahan, wife of Jahangir. Nur Jahan was the last wife of Jahangir. She was born in 1577 In Persian Family, Nur Jahan Was The Most Powerful Woman In Jahangir’s Court.

Notes:
Iltutmish was known for innovations including the introduction of a new currency system and administrative reforms. He introduced the silver tanka and copper jetal, organized the Chalisa (a group of forty noblemen), and implemented the iqtadari system to manage land. The concept of the Divine Right Theory, however, is credited to Balban, one of his successors. This doctrine asserts the monarch’s authority is derived directly from God, and it was not a part of Iltutmish’s governance.

Notes:
Qutub Shahi of Golconda was not an independent kingdom. The Qutub Shahi dynasty ruled Golconda from 1518, initially as a breakaway state from the Bahmani Sultanate. It lost independence after Aurangzeb’s Mughal conquest in 1687, becoming a Mughal suba. Later, as the Nizam’s state and under British paramountcy post-1858, it was a princely state until 1948.

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In the Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan ( or Council of Eight Ministers), Surnavis (or Sachiv) was in-charge of royal secretariat and King’s correspondence.

Notes:
In context of Maratha Land revenue system, Chauth was 1/4th i.e 25% of the land revenue was paid to the Marathas. It was collected from those territories which were not under direct control of Marathas.

Notes:
Aurangzeb was an accomplished Veena player. However, later in his life due to strict Islamic beliefs, he prohibited music in his court and supposedly buried his musical instruments.

Notes:
In 1025 AD, Somnath Temple was destroyed and plundered by the Afghan ruler, Mahmud of Ghazni. The temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva, was rebuilt by the Paramara king Bhoja of Malwa and the Solanki king Bhimdev I of Anhilwara between 1026 and 1042 AD.

Notes:
Hamida Banu Begam (also known as Maryam Makani) was a wife of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the mother of Akbar. In the memory of Humayun, she built a magnificent mausoleum near the fort.