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 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.
2. Which among the following is the correct meaning of a word “Manigramam” used in medieval India?
[A] Association of Villages
[B] Complex of various markets
[C] Association of Merchants
[D] Unit of administration in a small village
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Association of Merchants]
Notes:
Manigramam guild was a localized merchant body which first appeared along the Kerala coast in the ninth century A.D. According to Herman Gundert, Manigramam people were descendants of Syrian Christian merchants who were converted to Saivism by Tamil Saivite poet Manikkavasagar. They gradually flourished in Tamil Nadu in the Pallava and Chola periods and then became supra-regional in character by being active in South-east Asia.
3. Muhammad bin Qasim, who was the first Muslim to have successfully invaded Sindh in 712 AD was commander of which caliphate?
[A] Rashidun Caliphate
[B] Umayyad Caliphate
[C] Abbasid Caliphate
[D] Fatimid Caliphate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Umayyad Caliphate]
Notes:
Muhammad bin Qasim, who was the first Muslim to have successfully invaded Sindh in 712 AD was commander of Umayyad Caliphate general, who, during the reign of Caliph al-Walid I led the Muslim conquest of Sindh and Multan. He was able to defeat the third and the last Maharaja of the Brahmin dynasty, Raja Dahir. Raja Dahir was killed in the Battle of Aror.
4. After the death of Aurangzeb , which of the following Mughals abolished jazia tax for the first time?
[A] Jahandar Shah
[B] Rafi Ul Darjat
[C] Mohammad Shah Rangila
[D] Farrukhsiyar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jahandar Shah]
Notes:
Jizya was abolished by the Mughal ruler Akbar in 16th century but was re-introduced by Aurangzeb in 17th century. After the death of Aurangzeb Jahandar Shah abolished Jazia tax.
5. In which year, Akbar had centralized the control and functioning of various mints?
[A] 1570
[B] 1572
[C] 1576
[D] 1578
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1570]
Notes:
Mughal Emperor issued coins from this mint in all the three metals in 1570. Silver coins of Akbar were issued from this mint with the mint epithet ‘Hazrat’. Copper coins were also issued along with gold.
6. Mirza Ghalib was a contemporary of which among the following Mughal Emperors?
[A] Alamgir II
[B] Muhammad Shah
[C] Bahadur Shah Zafar
[D] Farrukhsiyar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bahadur Shah Zafar]
Notes:
Mirza Ghalib was a prominent Urdu and Persian poet. He served during the last years of the Mughal Empire. He was contemporary of Bahadur Shah Zafar.
7. Octagonal shape of mausoleums is the distinctive feature of which of the following dynasties of Medieval India?
[A] Khalji
[B] Tughlaq
[C] Sayyid
[D] Lodi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lodi]
Notes:
‘Octagonal’ shape of mausoleums is the distinctive feature of Lodi dynasty. It is an eight sided mausoleum .This was one of the distinctive inventions of Lodis in architecture in India.
8. Who among the following was the religious guru of Shivaji?
[A] Tukaram
[B] Eknath
[C] Jnaneshwar
[D] Ram Das
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ram Das]
Notes:
Guru Samarth Ramdas taught Advaita Vedanta and Yoga to Shivaji.He was a Ram and Hanuman bhakt and honored the Kshatriya Dharma. He inspired Shivaji in his battles.
9. 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
10. In which year was the Treaty of Purandar between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Mughals signed?
[A] 1665 AD
[B] 1668 AD
[C] 1669 AD
[D] 1670 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1665 AD]
Notes:
The Treaty of Purandar was signed in 1665 AD. It was between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Raja Jai Singh of Amber, who was chosen by the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. This treaty resulted in Shivaji surrendering 23 out of his 35 forts to the Mughals, while simultaneously recognising Shivaji’s authority over Konkan and parts of Balaghat – a strategic win that reflected Shivaji’s diplomatic prowess.