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. Which of the following ports during ancient / medieval era were situated on the west coast of South India?
- Kaveripattinam
- Korkai
- Musiri
- Tondi
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] 1, 2
[B] 2, 3
[C] 3, 4
[D] 2, 3, 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [3, 4]
Notes:
Musiri and Tondi were situated on the west coast of South India.
2. During the time period of Mughal Emperors, who was designated as the ultimate authority in justice?
[A] Qazi-ul-Quzat
[B] Qazi-ul-Hazat
[C] Qazi-Faiz-ul-Islam
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Qazi-ul-Quzat]
Notes:
The position of Qazi-ul-Quzat was significant during the Mughal era as they were regarded as the supreme authority in justice. Managing justice in all cases was challenging for the emperor hence, was delegated to Qazi-ul-Quzat. They were entrusted with upholding justice in accordance to Muslim Law. The position of Qazi-ul-Quzat is equivalent to the modern Chief Judge in contemporary legal systems.
3. What was the capital of the Bahamani Sultanate?
[A] Gulbarga
[B] Halebidu
[C] Hampi
[D] Badami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gulbarga]
Notes:
Gulbarga was the capital of the Bahamani Sultanate from 1347 to 1425.
Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (also known as Hasan Gangu or Zafar Khan) founded the sultanate in 1347 after rebelling against the Delhi Sultanate and established its headquarters at Aḥsanābād (Gulbarga).
In 1425, Ahmad Shah I shifted the capital to Bidar (Muḥammadābād).
Halebidu, Hampi, and Badami were capitals of Hoysala, Vijayanagara, and Chalukya dynasties, respectively.
4. 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.
5. The area around which among the following modern cities of India, a Hindu Silhara dynasty ruled from 9th to 13th century AD?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Chennai
[C] Kolkata
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mumbai]
Notes:
Silhara dynasty ruled the region around present-day Mumbai between 9th and 13th century. They were vassals of Rastrakutas. Kapardin is considered to be the founder of this dynasty and the princes of this dynasty held the title Tagara-puradhishvara. Tagara was an ancient place near Osmanabad.
6. Who among the following poets in the court of Srikrishna Devraya was known as ‘Grand father of Telugu Poetry’ ?
[A] Tenali Rama Krishna
[B] Allasani Peddana
[C] Pingali Surana
[D] Nandi Thimmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Allasani Peddana ]
Notes:
The famous Telugu poet Allasani Peddana (1510-1575 AD) is known as Andhra Kavita Pitamahudu or Grandfather of Andhra Poetry. He was in the group of eight poets in the court of Krishnadevaraya, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.
He composed Swaarochisha Manu Sambhavam ( one of the Pancha maha kavyas of Telugu literature). The book is a development of an episode in the Markandeya Purana relating to the birth of Svarochishamanu, who is one of the fourteen Manus
7. 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.
8. In which year did the coronation of Emperor Akbar occur?
[A] 1555 AD
[B] 1556 AD
[C] 1557 AD
[D] 1558 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1556 AD]
Notes:
On February 14, 1556, Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar was coronated at Kalanour (now in Gurdaspur, Punjab). Akbar, known for his great administrative reforms, is credited with establishing the Mughal empire’s cultural and economic prosperity. His court was adorned by the famous “Navaratnas” or “Nine Jewels,” which included outstanding personalities like Tansen, a legendary musician, and Birbal, renowned for his wit. His rule marked the flowering of art and cultural syntheses between Hindu and Muslim traditions.
9. Who among the following painters was sent to Persia by Mughal emperor Jahangir to draw portraits of Shah Abbas for Mughal Album ?
[A] Bishandas
[B] Ustad Mansur
[C] Govardhan
[D] Nainsukh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bishandas]
Notes:
In 1613 AD, Bishandas was sent on a diplomatic mission to Persia by Mughal emperor Jahangir, to paint the Shah Abbas’s portrait for Mughal Album.
10. Who among the following Mughal rulers banned singing and dancing in court ?
[A] Babur
[B] Akbar
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Bahadur Shah Jafar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aurangzeb]
Notes:
The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb banned singing and dancing in the royal court but not the playing of musical instruments. He himself was expert in playing rudra Veena. Many books on classical Indian music were written in Persian during his reign.