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. During the Delhi Sultanate, who among the following were called the Barids?
[A] Craftsmen
[B] Bodyguards of the Sultan
[C] Officer-in-charge of state exchequer
[D] The spy / news reporters
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [The spy / news reporters]
Notes:
Barid-i-mumalik was the head of the information and intelligence department. Only a nobleman who enjoyed the fullest confidence of Sultan was appointed the chief barid. The Barid-i-Mumalik had to keep information of all that was happening in the Sultanate
2. Which of the following rulers of India issued Mahzarnama to take all the religious matters into his own hands ?
[A] Jahangir
[B] Akbar
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Shah Alam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar]
Notes:
Akbar declared or issued Mahzarnama to take all the religious matters into his own hands. This made him supreme in the religious matters. He issued Mahzarnama to curb the dominance of Ulema. It was written by Faizi in 1579.
3. The famous “Treaty of Purandhar” was signed between Shivaji and which among the following in 1665?
[A] Jaswant Singh
[B] Jai Singh
[C] Shaista Khan
[D] Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jai Singh]
Notes:
The treaty of Purandhar was signed on Jun 11th 1665 between Rajput ruler Jai Singh-I who was the commander of Mughal army and Maratha ruler Shivaji.
4. Bhakti saint Ramanujacharya was devotee of which god?
[A] Krishna
[B] Rama
[C] Vishnu
[D] Shiva
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vishnu]
Notes:
Rāmānuja presented the epistemic and soteriological importance of bhakti, or the devotion to a personal God (Vishnu in Rāmānuja’s case) as a means to spiritual liberation. His theories assert that there exists a plurality and distinction between Ātman (soul) and Brahman (metaphysical, ultimate reality), while he also affirmed that there is unity of all souls and that the individual soul has the potential to realize identity with the Brahman.
5. The Battle of Chandawar was fought in last decade of 12th century between which among the following rulers?
[A] Mohammad Ghori & Prithviraj Chauhan
[B] Mohammad Ghori and Jaichand
[C] Jaichand and Prithviraj Chauhan
[D] Prithviraj Chauhan and Bhimdev Solanki
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mohammad Ghori and Jaichand]
Notes:
The Battle of Chandawar (1193 or 1194) was fought between Muhammad Ghori and Jaichand of Kannauj of the Gahadavala dynasty. It took place at Chandawar on the Yamuna River close to Agra. Jaichand was defeated, giving Muhammad control of much of northern India.
6. Ibaadat Khana which was constructed by Akbar at fatehpur Sikri was basically for the purpose of ______?
[A] Discuss matters related to propagation of Islam
[B] Discuss matters related to expansion of Din-i-Ilahi
[C] Discuss matters related to all religions
[D] Discuss matters related to Hinduism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Discuss matters related to all religions]
Notes:
Abul Fazal encouraged Akbar for debates on doctrinal and philosophical enquiries. Akbar displayed a curiosity in these discussions. The debate took place in the Ibadat Khana or Hall of Worship. The Ibadat Khana is now recognized to be the Diwan-i-Khas, which was founded in 1574 at the City of Fatehpur Sikri. It was opened for Sunni Muslims initially and was opened to all religions viz. Sufis, Shias, Christians, Zoroastrians, Hindus and Jains.
7. Razia was immediate successor of which of the following to become Sultan of Delhi?
[A] Balban
[B] Ruknuddin Feroz
[C] Muizzudin Bahram Shah
[D] Iltumish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ruknuddin Feroz]
Notes:
Ruknuddin Firoz was half brother of Razia and remained ruler of the Delhi Sultanate for less than seven months in 1236. He was one of the many sons of Sultan Iltutmish of Delhi Sultanate. Ruknuddin Firoz was born to Shah Turkan, a mistress of Iltutmish. After the death of Iltutmish, a struggle for supremacy began between the Sultan and a group of forty slaves. Ruknuddin Firoz’s misadministration led to rebellions against him and his mother. Both were arrested and imprisoned. The nobles and the army then appointed his half-sister Razia on the throne. Ruknuddin Firoz died on November 19, 1236.
8. Who among the following was the last ruler of Slave Dynasty?
[A] Aram Shah
[B] Kaiqubad
[C] Khusrau
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kaiqubad]
Notes:
Qaiqubad, also known as Qaiqabad, was the last ruler of the Slave Dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate. His full name was Shams ud-Din Qaiqubad. He ruled from 1287 to 1290. Qaiqubad’s reign marked the decline of the Slave Dynasty and he was eventually overthrown by Jalal ud-Din Firuz Khalji, who founded the Khalji Dynasty in 1290.
9. Which of the following Mughal emperors was famous as Shah-i-Bekhabar ?
[A] Shah Alam
[B] Jahangir
[C] Shahjahan
[D] Bahadur Shah I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bahadur Shah I]
Notes:
Khafi khan called Bahadur Shah I popularly Shahi-i- Bekhabar. He was also known as as Shah Alam I. This is due to his appeasement parties by grants of title and rewards. He was ascended himself on the throne in 1707 after killing his brothers.
10. 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.
