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 among the following was the Sultan at Delhi when the Vijayanagar empire was founded?
[A] Firoz Tughlaq
[B] Sikandar Lodi
[C] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[D] Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq]
Notes:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was the Sultan of Delhi when the Vijayanagar empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka. He reigned from 1325 to 1351 as the second Tughlaq ruler after Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325). Rebellions in South India during his rule, including by Harihara and Bukka, led to Vijayanagar’s establishment as Delhi lost control.
2. 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.
3. Which among the following was the work of Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq?
[A] Fautuhat-i-Ferozshahi
[B] Fatawa-i-Jahandari
[C] Tarikh-i-Ferozshahi
[D] Tughlaqnama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fautuhat-i-Ferozshahi]
Notes:
Fautuhat-i-Ferozshahi was authored by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq himself. He was a Turkic Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty, who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388 A.D.
4. Who was Sultan of Delhi Sultanate when Timur invaded India in 1398?
[A] Mahmud Shah Tughluq
[B] Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji
[C] Aram Shah
[D] Ghiyas-ud-din Balban
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mahmud Shah Tughluq]
Notes:
Mahmud Shah Tughlaq was the last sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty to rule the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. During his reign in 1398, Amir Timur the Chagtai ruler invaded India. He carried away with him a large booty from Delhi and the surrounding area. Soon after the invasion, the Tughlaq dynasty came to an end.
5. The year 1576, is famous for which among the following battles?
[A] Battle of Talikota
[B] Battle of Haldighati
[C] Battle of Gagron
[D] Battle of Khargaon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Battle of Haldighati]
Notes:
Battle of Haldighati took place in 1576 between Rana of Mewar Maharana Pratap and Akbar forces led by Man Singh. It was a decisive victory for Akbar’s chieftain Man Singh. Abul Fazal called this war as “Battle of Khamnaur”.
6. “Hasan Nizami” and “Fakh-e-Mudabbir” were the court poets of which ruler of Mamluk Sultanate?
[A] Qutb-ud-din Aybak
[B] Iltutmish
[C] Balban
[D] Razia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Qutb-ud-din Aybak]
Notes:
“Hasan Nizami” and “Fakh-e-Mudabbir” were the court poets of Qutb-ud-din Aybak. Hasan Nizami was a Persian language poet and historian. Fakh-e-Mudabbir was a Persian author and courtier under successive Ghaznavid, Ghūrid, and Shamsī sultans in South Asia.
7. Which among the following travelers has recorded his experiences in “Kitab-i-Rehla” ?
[A] Amir Khusro
[B] Ibn Battuta
[C] Malik Murtaza
[D] Al-Bayhaqi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ibn Battuta]
Notes:
Ibn batutta was an Arab traveler and adventure frm Morocoo. His book is a primary source of history of the region of Muhmmad bin Tughluq it throws ligh on the socio-political condition of his times.
8. Who among the following assumed the title of Islam Shah Suri, ?
[A] Shershah Suri
[B] Jalal Khan
[C] Firuz Shah Suri
[D] Ibrahim Khan Suri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jalal Khan]
Notes:
Jalal Khan assumed this title. He was son of Shershah and was his successor
9. Which among the following was prevalent in the Indian Society before the Muslim conquest?
[A] Purdah System
[B] Child Marriage
[C] Sati System
[D] Slavery
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Slavery]
Notes:
Comparing to the other options, some sort of slavery was prevalent before Muslim conquests. The Purdah was a gift of Muslim invasions, and same applies to Child marries which came into practice to avoid the new danger of lifting Hindu girls by Muslims as an holy act of Jihad, Sati & Jauhar also got established as the wives of the invaded used to kill themselves before their husbands went on the last battle.
Slavery became more prevalent because it was a fashion and a status symbol among the Muslims at that time. As we read Aladdin had 84000 slaves and Firuz Tughlaq had 2 lakhs, all of them were maintained at the state cost.
10. Which type of coins were issued by the king of Vijayanagar empire, Tirumala Raya ?
[A] Varaha
[B] Garuda
[C] BalaKrishna
[D] Hanuman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Varaha ]
Notes:
Inscriptions tells that “Varaha”, a gold coin with an approximate weight of 3.4 grams ( 52 grains), was made the basic monetary unit in the Vijayanagar empire. These coins were issued by Tirumala Raya, the first Crowned King from the Aravidu Dynasty