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. The irrigation tax was charged on the farmers for the first time by which among the following Sultans?
[A] Alauddin Khilji
[B] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[C] Mohammad Tughlaq
[D] Firoz Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Firoz Tughlaq]
Notes:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who ascended Delhi’s throne on March 23, 1351, introduced four taxes based on Islamic law: kharaj (land tax), khams (one-fifth of spoils of war), jizya (tax on non-Muslims), and zakat (2% on property). The kharaj, or land tax, was the precursor to the first irrigation tax, equalling one tenth of the land produce. This first irrigation tax marked a significant shift in the economic policy of the Sultanate and had a lasting impact on Indian agriculture.
2. Which of the following regions was known as Jejakabhukti in early Medieval India?
[A] Rohelkhand
[B] Bundelkhand
[C] Deccan
[D] Saurastra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bundelkhand]
Notes:
Bundelkhand was known as Jejakabhukti, which roughly corresponds to the old Mahajanapadas of Chedi. The notable Kings among notable kings among the Chandels of Jejakabhukti were Dhanga, Ganda and Parmal. The legacy of the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti lies in their art and architecture, most notably for the temples at their original capital Khajuraho.
3. Which of the following rulers earned the title of Purvapaschima Samudradhishavara?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Karikala Chola
[C] Harihara I
[D] Parantaka-I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Harihara I]
Notes:
Harihara-I of Vijayanagara Kingdom gained control over most of the area south of the Tungabhadra River and earned the title of Purvapaschima Samudradhishavara (“master of the eastern and western seas”).
4. Which among the following was the Capital of Bahamani Sultanate?
[A] Halebidu
[B] Gulbarga
[C] Humpi
[D] Badami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gulbarga]
Notes:
From 1347 to 1425 Gulbarga was the capital of Bahamani Sultanate
In 1425, Ahmad Shah shifted capital from Gulbarga to Bidar
5. Nadir Shah attacked India, at the time of which among the following later Mughals?
[A] Jahandar Shah
[B] Shah Alam
[C] Akbar II
[D] Muhammad Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Muhammad Shah]
Notes:
Muhammad Shah was able to keep the throne for around 29 years partially because the first thing he did was to eliminate the Sayyid Brothers. During his time Nadir Shah attacked and looted Delhi and took the Peacock Throne with himself. The invasion of Nadir Shah fastened the disintegration of the Mughal Empire. During his time, the states of Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh were established as independent Kingdoms.
6. “Sur Sagar”, a treatise on music was written during the reign of which of the following Mughal emperors?
[A] Humayun
[B] Akbar
[C] Jahanagir
[D] Shahjahan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar]
Notes:
Surdas was born somewhere between 1478 and 1483; and died somewhere between 1579 and 1584. He was contemporary of Akbar (reign. 1556-1605). Thus, Sur Sagar was composed during his reign. Tulsidas was also a contemporary of Akbar.
7. Moti Masjid was built in Red Fort by which of the following Mughal Emperor?
[A] Shahjahan
[B] Aurangazeb
[C] Shah Aalam II
[D] Akbar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aurangazeb]
Notes:
Moti Masjid is a mosque built in Red Fort. It was built by Aurangzeb in 1659 for his second wife. It was used by the ladies of the Zenana.
8. Chishti Order is a Sufi order which arose from Chisht, a small town in which among the following countries?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Turkmenistan
[C] Kazakhstan
[D] Uzbekistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Afghanistan]
Notes:
The Chishti Order is a Sufi order which arose from Chisht, a small town near Herat, in western Afghanistan. It was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in about 930 CE. Before returning to western Asia he trained and deputed the son of local emir, Abu Ahmad Abdal, under whose leadership the Chishtiyya flourished as a regional mystical order. Moinuddin Chishti is credited with laying its foundations in India. Other famous saints of the Chishti Order are Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Fariduddin Ganjshakar, Nizamuddin Auliya and Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari.
9. 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.
10. Who among the following Tuluva dynasty ruler wrote ‘Amuktamalayada’ ?
[A] Krishna Devraya
[B] Venkata I
[C] Achyuta Devraya
[D] VirNarsimha Raya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Krishna Devraya ]
Notes:
The emperor of Vijayanagar empire, Sri Krishna Devraya wrote the epic peom ‘Amuktamalayada’ in telugu. The epic poem tells the well-known story of the daughter of Periazhvar, Goda Devi, who used to wear the garlands intended for Lord Ranganatha before they were offered to the deity. Therefore, the name ‘Amukta Malya Da’ was given that means one who wears and gives away garlands
