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 one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
[A] Baz Bahadur- Malwa
[B] Sultan Muzaffar Shah-Gujarat
[C] Yusuf Adil Shah-Ahmednagar
[D] Qutub Shah -Golkunda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yusuf Adil Shah-Ahmednagar]
Notes:
Yusuf Adil Shah – Ahmednagar is not correctly matched. Yusuf Adil Shah founded the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur (not Ahmednagar) in 1489-90. Ahmednagar was founded by Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah. Qutub Shah correctly refers to the founder of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golkonda (Golconda). Baz Bahadur was the last Sultan of Malwa (1555-1562 CE). Sultan Muzaffar Shah ruled Gujarat.
2. Which among the following Muslim Scholar came to India during the time of Mahmud of Ghazni?
[A] Al-beruni
[B] Amir Khusrau
[C] Abu Zayd Balkhi
[D] Muhammad al-Idrisi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Al-beruni]
Notes:
Al-Biruni was an eleventh-century scholar associated with Mahmud of Ghazni’s period. He studied Sanskrit and Indian religious, philosophical and scientific traditions, which he discussed in Kitab-ul-Hind.
3. Which among the following rulers of Delhi Sultanate declared himself as Sikandar-I-Sani?
[A] Balban
[B] Kaiqubad
[C] Alauddin Khilji
[D] Firoz Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Alauddin Khilji]
Notes:
Alauddin Khilji was a militarist and imperialist to the core. He was very ambitious. Alauddin, whose original name was Ali Gurshap, assumed the title Sikandar-i-Sani (Alexander the Second) and proclaimed Delhi as Dar-ul-Khilafa (Seat of the Caliphate).
4. ‘Padshah-nama’ (Chronicle of the Emperor) written by Abdul Hamid Lahori, is the official visual history giving a detailed account of the reign of which of the following Mughal Emperor?
[A] Babur
[B] Jahanagir
[C] Shah Jahan
[D] Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shah Jahan]
Notes:
Padshahnama or Badshah Nama is a genre of works written as the official history of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan’s reign.
5. Faujdar and Amalguzar were the chief officials of the ‘Sarkars’ (administrative divisions) in Mughal Period. Amalguzar was related to which of the following operations?
[A] Law & Order
[B] Revenue
[C] Defence
[D] Audit and Accounts
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Revenue]
Notes:
During the Akbar’s reign the Amalguzar was assigned to exercise a general supervision over all types of lands for the purpose of imperial rules and regulations and the assessment and collection of land revenue uniformly.
6. Who among the following died in consequence of falling from his horse playing chaugan?
[A] Humayun
[B] Qutub Ud Din Aibak
[C] Mohd Ghori
[D] Alludin Khilji
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Qutub Ud Din Aibak]
Notes:
Qutbuddin Aibak died at Lahore in 1210 after falling from his horse while playing chaugan, or polo. His rule as an independent sultan lasted from 1206 to 1210.
7. Who is generally regarded as the last effective ruler of the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate?
[A] Aram Shah
[B] Kaiqubad
[C] Khusrau
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kaiqubad]
Notes:
Kaiqubad (Qaiqabad), who ruled from 1287 to 1290, is generally regarded as the last effective ruler of the Slave, or Mamluk, Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. During his final illness, his infant son Shamsuddin Kayumars was briefly installed as a nominal successor. Jalal-ud-Din Khalji soon displaced Kayumars and established the Khalji Dynasty in 1290, bringing Mamluk rule at Delhi to an end.
8. “Rihla” was a work of which of the following?
[A] Mir Hasan Dehlvi
[B] Ibn Battuta
[C] Malik Murtaza
[D] Muhammad al-Idrisi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ibn Battuta]
Notes:
Rihla records Ibn Battuta’s travels, which began in 1325 and continued into the 1350s. After his return to Morocco, his account was dictated to Ibn Juzayy, who compiled it. The work includes his experiences in India under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
9. Who among the following abolished Chalisa or Chehalgani ?
[A] Rajia
[B] Balban
[C] Masud Shah
[D] Nasiruddin Mahmud
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Balban]
Notes:
Due to growing influence of Turkan-i-Chahalgani or Chalisa (a group of 40 powerful Turkish nobles) in the administartion, Balban abolished Turkan-i-Chahalgani when he came in power in 1266 AD.
10. Which ruler of the Delhi Sultanate ordered the resumption of lands granted as milk, inam and waqf?
[A] Balban
[B] Razia Sultan
[C] Alauddin Khalji
[D] Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Alauddin Khalji]
Notes:
Alauddin Khalji ordered the resumption of lands held as milk (state grants), inam (gifts) and waqf (religious or charitable endowments). Their revenues were brought under the state’s direct control as part of his efforts to strengthen the royal treasury and central authority. This measure formed part of his broader fiscal policies during his reign in the Delhi Sultanate.
