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. Who drafted the Mahzar, often called the Infallibility Decree, issued under Akbar in 1579?
[A] Birbal
[B] Shaikh Mubarak
[C] Abul Fazl
[D] Tansen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shaikh Mubarak]
Notes:
The Mahzar of 1579 was drafted by Shaikh Mubarak, a scholar at Akbar’s court and the father of Abul Fazl and Faizi. Signed by leading Islamic scholars, the document established Akbar’s authority to choose among differing interpretations of Islamic law when jurists disagreed. It strengthened the emperor’s role in religious and legal affairs. The term “Infallibility Decree” is commonly used for the Mahzar, though it is a conventional label for the document.
2. Who founded the Bijapur Sultanate?
[A] Murad II
[B] Mehmood II
[C] Ibrahim Zubayri
[D] Yusuf Adil Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Yusuf Adil Shah]
Notes:
Yusuf Adil Shah founded the Bijapur Sultanate around 1489-1490 after Bahmani Sultanate’s decline. He made Bijapur an independent sultanate and ruled until 1510. He established Shia Islam as the official religion in 1503 and built significant monuments like the citadel Arkilla and Faroukh Mahal palace during his reign.
3. Alauddin Khilji had sent Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan to invade which region?
[A] Deccan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajputana
[D] Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat ]
Notes:
Alauddin Khalji sent Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan to invade Gujarat in 1299. Ulugh Khan was his brother; Nusrat Khan was a senior commander.
4. What was the main responsibility of Mir Bakshi during the Mughal Era?
[A] All incomes and expenditures
[B] Military department
[C] Revenue department
[D] Royal correspondence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Military department]
Notes:
The Mir Bakshi headed the military establishment and handled mansabdar appointments, service records and troop inspection. Mansabdars could receive salaries through revenue assignments called jagirs or in cash.
5. Which of the following battles helped Shershah to establish Suri Dynasty ?
[A] Battle of Kanauj 1540
[B] Battle of Chausa 1539
[C] Battle of Duhariya 1532
[D] Battle of Chandewar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Battle of Chausa 1539]
Notes:
The Battle of Chausa was a notable military engagement between the Mughal emperor, Humayun, and the Afghan, Sher Shah Suri. It was fought on 26 June 1539 at Chausa, modern-day Bihar. It helped Shershah to establish Suri Dynasty.
6. Which among the following Mughal emperors prohibited the use of tobacco?
[A] Aurangzeb
[B] Jahnagir
[C] Akbar
[D] Babur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jahnagir]
Notes:
Jahangir prohibited the use of tobacco in 1617. Jahangir was the fourth Mughal emperor, holding the throne from 1605-1627.
7. Which chronicler’s Tarikh-i Firoz Shahi contains the account of Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Nagarkot campaign?
[A] Shams-i Siraj Afif
[B] Ziauddin Barani
[C] Amir Khusrau
[D] Minhaj-us-Siraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shams-i Siraj Afif]
Notes:
Afif describes Firoz Shah’s campaigns, including Nagarkot. Barani also wrote a chronicle with a similar title, which must not be confused with Afif’s account.
8. In the context of Alauddin Khalji’s economic reforms, land revenue was generally fixed at what share of the produce?
[A] One-sixth
[B] One-fourth
[C] One-third
[D] One-half
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [One-half]
Notes:
Alauddin Khalji fixed the state’s land-revenue demand at one-half of the produce in the territories where his agrarian reforms were enforced. Assessment was based on measurement of cultivated land, known as masahat, rather than relying solely on estimates. The reforms strengthened the Sultan’s control over revenue collection and sought to limit the influence of local intermediaries. Thus, the correct share of the produce was one-half.
9. The battle of Khanwa took place in the year:
[A] 1527 AD.
[B] 1528 AD.
[C] 1529 AD.
[D] 1526 AD.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1527 AD.]
Notes:
The battle of Khanwa was fought between Rana of Mewar, Sangram Singh (Rana Sanga ) and Babur on the bank of river Pilikhar in 1527 AD. In this battle, Babur defeated Rana Sanga and this decisive victory consolidated Mughal power in India.
10. When did Akbar abolished Pilgrimage Tax ?
[A] 1563 AD
[B] 1564 AD
[C] 1565 AD
[D] 1566 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1563 AD]
Notes:
Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax in 1563. He abolished jizya in 1564 as part of his policy of religious accommodation.
