Medieval Indian History MCQs

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Abu Rayhan Biruni or Alberonius (Latin) was a Persian Scholar and polymath of the 11th century. He accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in his conquests to South Asia.
Al Beruni was the First Muslim Scholar to study India and its ancient traditions. He is called father of Indology and the first anthropologist. He is called one of the earliest and greatest polymath of the Islamic World.

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Ashta Pradhan was a council of eight ministers that administered the Maratha empire. The council was formed in 1674 by founding Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji.The term Ashta Pradhan literally translates to “the Prime Eight”, from the Sanskrit ashta (“eight”) and pradhan (“prime”). The body discharged the functions of a modern council of ministers; this is regarded as one of the first successful instances of ministerial delegation in India. The council is credited with having implemented good governance practices in the Maratha heartland, as well as for the success of the military campaigns against the Mughal Empire.

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Akbar patronized lot of scholars like Abdul Qadir Badauani”, Naqib Khan & Shaikh Sultan of Thaneshwar. Akbar has never forced India’s Hindu majority population to convert to Islam, instead providing lands for them and abolishing the poll tax on non-Muslims. In addition, he translated Hindi literature and also participated in Hindu festivals in Fatehpur Sikri which was designed by Akbar in the Persian style where he built a temple and hosted scholars from various religions frequently including Hindus, Christians, Zoroastrians as well as Muslims.

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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.

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After Babar died on 26th December 1530 and was laid to rest at Arambagh in Agra. Then on his wish he was taken to Kabul during the reign of Sher Shah.

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In 1303 AD, Rana Rawal Ratan Singh was the ruler of Chittorgarh when Allauddin Khilji invaded and annexed it. The first Jauhar of royal Rajput ladies at Chittorgarh was also took place. It led by Rani Padmini, wife of Rawal Ratan Singh (King of Mewar) as she preferred to die rather than to surrender themselves against Sultan.

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Shivaji’s father Shahji Bhonsle was the military commander under the Nizam Shahi rulers of Ahmednagar. After the decline of  Ahmednagar, he transferred his services to Bijapur.

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Tuzuk -i-Baburi ( or Baburnama) was the autobiography of Babur, the founder of Mughal empire in India. It was written in Turki, in which he gave an excellent account of India and his empire. The autobiography of Babur was translated in Persian by Abdur Rahim Mirza.

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On August 31, 1569 AD, Mughal Emperor Jahangir was born in Fatehpur Sikri and died in Rajouri district, Kashmir on November 7, 1627 AD.

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In the autobiography “Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri”, Jahangir stated that he could distinguish between the work of each noted painter even if a painting was the product of joint work. The autobiography is a unique piece of literature that shows his power of expression and observation.