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. Which among the following terms was used for the Royal cavalry of the Maratha Army System?
[A] The Shiledars
[B] The Bargirs
[C] The Hazari
[D] The Subedars
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The Bargirs]
Notes:
Bargir was the Royal cavalry of the Maratha army system. There were two kinds of cavalry viz. Bargirs and the Shiledars. Bargirs were provided horses from the state and thus, the horses were property of the royal household and were looked after by state o
3. 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.
4. In whose times the Mughal Empire reached its territorial climax ?
[A] Akbar
[B] Shah Jahan
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Bahadur Shah I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aurangzeb]
Notes:
The Mughal empire reached territorial climax during the reign of Aurangzeb. He ruled from 1658 to 1707. Aurangzeb policies lead to the dissolution of the empire.
5. Which among the following terms precisely defines the loans given to cultivators for seeds, farm implements etc. in the Sultanate and Mughal period?
[A] Dams
[B] Dahsala
[C] Taqqavi
[D] Nasaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Taqqavi]
Notes:
Taqqavi is the loan given to the people for agriculture for rehabilitation. It is started by Tughlaqs. The loans are given also for agriculture development.
6. Which among the following is best example of Vijaynagar Art?
[A] Hampi
[B] Pattadakal
[C] Amaravati
[D] Puri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hampi]
Notes:
Hampi is an ancient village in the south Indian state of Karnataka. It was build by the Vijayanagara Empire. On the south bank of the River Tungabhadra is the 7th-century Hindu Virupaksha Temple was build.
7. Mir Bakshi was the officer in Akbar’s reign with which of the following responsibilities?
[A] Revenue Collection
[B] Payment of salaries
[C] Head of the military administration
[D] Head of Nobility
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Head of the military administration]
Notes:
Mir Bakshi was the Head of the military administration in the reign of Akbar’s reign. The mir bakshi was in charge of intelligence gathering, and also made recommendations to the emperor for military appointments and promotions.
8. What was the term used in the medieval India for the land directly ruled by the Central Government?
[A] Muqtis
[B] Khalisa
[C] Inam
[D] Inam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Khalisa]
Notes:
Khalisa is the term used in the medieval India for the land directly ruled by the central government. It is an Arabic word. It was the term used during the Delhi Sultanates.
9. Which legendary Sufi saint of Chishti order was popularly known as ‘Chirag-e-Dehlavi (Chirag of Delhi)’?
[A] Nizamuddin Auliya
[B] Shaikh Nasiruddin Mahmud
[C] Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shaikh Nasiruddin Mahmud]
Notes:
Nasiruddin Mahmud Chirag-e-Delhi (ca 1274-1356) was a 14th century mystic-poet and a Sufi saint of the Chishti Order. He was a murid (disciple) of noted Sufi saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and later his successor. He was the last important Sufi of the Chishti Order from Delhi. He was given the title, “Roshan Chirag-e-Delhi”, which in Urdu, means “Illuminated Lamp of Delhi”
10. In the reign of Allauddin Khilji, what does the ‘Ghari’ term denote?
[A] House Tax
[B] Irazing Tax
[C] Grain Tax
[D] Headmen cess
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [House Tax]
Notes:
In the reign of Allauddin Khilji, the taxes viz. Ghari ( House tax) and Charai (Irazing tax) levied on public.
