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. The irrigation tax was charged on the farmers for the first time by which among the following Sultans?
[A] Alauddin Khilji
[B] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[C] Mohammad Tughlaq
[D] Firoz Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Firoz Tughlaq]
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.
2. Who among the following was the founder of Bijapur state?
[A] Yusuf Adil Shah
[B] Murad II
[C] Mehmood II
[D] Ibrahim Zubayri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Yusuf Adil Shah]
Notes:
Yusuf Adil Shah, born in 1450, founded the Bijapur Sultanate in 1490. Coming from an Ottoman background, he established an independent state after the disintegration of the Bahmani kingdom. As a ruler, he implemented a system of efficient governance and constructed numerous architectural marvels in the city. His reign initiated the peak of Indo-Saracenic architecture, which was a blend of Islamic and Hindu styles.
3. Who among the following has written “Kitab Ul Hind” ?
[A] Al-Beruni
[B] Hākim Nishapuri
[C] Juwayni
[D] Malik ibn Dinar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Al-Beruni]
Notes:
Al Beruni was the First Muslim Scholar to study India and its Brahmanical tradition. He is called father of Indology and the first anthropologist. He is called one of the earliest and greatest polymath of the Islamic World.
Alberuni in his book Kitab-ul-Hind appreciated a very high degree of proficiency of Indians in construction of Tanks and reservoirs at holy places.
4. Elizabeth I was contemporary of which Mughal ruler?
[A] Babur
[B] Humayun
[C] Akbar
[D] Jahangir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Akbar]
Notes:
Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death on 24 March 1603. Akbar the Great was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. So Elizabeth I is the contemporary of Akbar.
5. Which among the following Mughal painters is credited for painting Siberian Crane and the Dodo for the first time?
[A] Abu al-Hasan
[B] Bishandas
[C] Farrukh Beg
[D] Ustad Mansur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ustad Mansur]
Notes:
Ustad Mansur as a painter started his career during the last few years of Akbar`s reign as a minor painter. However, later he flourished during the time of Jahangir.
Ustad Mansur was a leading painter in Emperor Jahangir’s court who was famous for depicting plants and animals. Most important paintings were of Siberian Crane and Dodo. The latter was an important source of reference for Zoologists till date. The Siberian Crane painted on paper is highly intricate showing the wrinkles on the bare skin, the legs and a small feather stuck to the claw.
6. In the council of 8 Ministers of Shivaji which was called as Ashtapradhan , who was known as chief Minister and was responsible for General Administration?
[A] Peshwa
[B] Amatya
[C] Sachiv or Shuru Navis
[D] Majumdar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Peshwa]
Notes:
Peshwa is the chief minister in the council of Shivaji who is responsible for General Administration. The council had 8 ministers in the council. Peshwa was the most powerful after the emperor.
7. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Alauddin Khilji’s reign?
[A] Implementation of a Rationing system
[B] Introduction of Market regulation for affordable essential commodities
[C] Inception of fixed price market regulated by Diwan-I-Riyasat & Shahan-i-mandi
[D] Establishment of the Agricultural Department named Diwan-i-kohi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Establishment of the Agricultural Department named Diwan-i-kohi]
Notes:
Diwan-i-kohi, the Agricultural Department, was not established during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. It was actually created by Mohammed Bin Tughlaq. Alauddin Khilji, the second and the most powerful ruler of the Khilji Dynasty, was known for his economic reforms which included the systems of market regulation, rationing, and fixed pricing.
8. 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.
9. The ‘Ashta Diggajas’ adorned in the court of which ruler of South India?
[A] Srikrishna Devraya
[B] Harihara Raya I
[C] Bukka Raya I
[D] Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Srikrishna Devraya ]
Notes:
In the court of an emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1529 AD), a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, the group of eight Telugu poets (also known as Ashtadiggajas) were regarded as the eight pillars of his literary assembly.
The Ashta Diggajas were Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagari Mallana, Dhurjati, Ayyalaraju Ramambhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Ramarajabhushanudu, and Tenali Ramakrishnudu. In his reign, Telugu literature and culture reached its zenith
10. Who amongst the following rulers of Delhi Sultanate built Jamait Khana Mosque?
[A] Qutub-ud-din-Aibak
[B] Ibrahim Lodhi
[C] Allauddin Khilji
[D] Mohammad Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Allauddin Khilji]
Notes:
Allauddin Khilji built Hauz Khas, Mahal Hazaar Satoon and Jamait Khana Mosque in Delhi.
