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. Ruqaiya Sultan Begum was the wife of which Mughal Ruler?
[A] Humayun
[B] Jahangir
[C] Akbar
[D] Shah Jahan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Akbar]
Notes:
Ruqaiya Sultan Begum was the first wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar. She was Empress consort of the Mughal Empire from 1557 to 1605. Ruqaiya was a first cousin of her husband, and was a Mughal princess by birth. Her father, Hindal Mirza, was the youngest brother of Akbar’s father Humayun.
3. Kamal-ud-Din Abd-ur-Razzaq ibn Ishaq Samarqandi, a Persian Islamic Scholar, visited which Indian city during early 1440s?
[A] Surat
[B] Calicut
[C] Chennai
[D] Chinsurah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Calicut]
Notes:
Calicut is a metropolitan city in the state of Kerala in southern India on the Malabar Coast. Kamal-ud-Din Abd-ur-Razzaq ibn Ishaq Samarqandi visited Calicut in early 1440s. He wrote a narrative of what he saw in Calicut which is valuable as information on Calicut’s society and culture.
4. “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.
5. Rajasekhara, the eminent Sanskrit poet, dramatist and critic, who is best known for his work Kavyamimamsa, has described himself as guru of which king of Gurjara Pratiharas?
[A] Bhoj II
[B] Mihirbhoja I
[C] Mahendrapala I
[D] Mahipala I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mahendrapala I]
Notes:
Rajasekhara was an eminent Sanskrit poet, dramatist and critic of 10th century and was court poet of the Gurjara Pratihara Kings. His most important works are Kavyamimamsa and Karpurmanjari. He had written Karpurmanjari to please his wife Avantisundari. Karpurmanjari is written in Sauraseni Prakrit. In his plays, Rajshekhara has described himself as teacher / guru of Gurjara Pratihara King Mahendrapala I.
6. 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:
During Mughal Era, Mir Bakshi was in charge of military pay and accounts office. Since civil service was based on Mansabdari system and all Mansabdars received their pay from Military accounts office, the post of Mir Bakshi was of utmost importance as imperial paymaster.
7. Who among the following shifted the pillars from Topra and Meerut to New Delhi?
[A] Ghayasuddin Tughlaq
[B] Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
[C] Ferozshah Tughlag
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ferozshah Tughlag]
Notes:
Ferozshah Tughlaq shifted the pillars from Topra and meerut to New Delhi. He has a sense of history. The pillars belonged to Ahoka’s reign.
8. Who among the following sultan declared himself “Khalifa”?
[A] Jallaluddin Khilji
[B] Allauddin Khilji
[C] Mubarak Khan
[D] Shihabuddin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mubarak Khan ]
Notes:
After the death of Sultan Alauddin Khilji, Mubarak Khiliji ascended the throne and later he declared himself the Khalifa and took the title of ‘Al wasiq Billah’.
9. What was the real name of Mughal Empress Nurjahan ?
[A] Mihar-un-nisa
[B] Nihar-un-nisa
[C] Jehar-un-nisa
[D] Jodha Bai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mihar-un-nisa]
Notes:
Mughal Empress Nur Jahan ( Noor Jahan) was the wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir, her real name was Mehr-un-nisa (Nur Jahan). She was one of the most powerful personalities in the Mughal empire that the coins were struck in her name and on all farmans her name was attached to the imperial signature.
10. In which year Sikandar Lodi transferred his capital from Delhi to Agra?
[A] 1503 AD
[B] 1506 AD
[C] 1510 AD
[D] 1517 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1506 AD]
Notes:
To conquer the Gwalior Fort, Sikandar Lodi established the city of Agra in 1503 AD and in 1506 AD, he transferred his capital from Delhi to Agra. Though, till his death he was not able to capture the Gwalior fort. Agra was known as Shiraz of India during his time.
