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 most important reason for collection of “Chauth” and “Sardeshmukhi” by Marathas was __?
[A] To increase the source of income
[B] To expand his territories
[C] To consolidate his political influence
[D] Because of the opposition of Muslim rulers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To increase the source of income]
Notes:
Shivaji collected the chauth and sardeshmukhi from the territory which was either under his enemies or under his own influence. The chauth was one fourth part of the income of a particular territory while the sardeshmukhi was one tenth. Shivaji collected these taxes simply by force of his arms. These constituted of the primary sources of income of Shivaji and helped in the extension of the power and territory of the Marathas.
2. During the reign of which among the following Mughal Emperors, Mughal Architecture reached its zenith?
[A] Akbar
[B] Jahangir
[C] Shahjahan
[D] Aurangazeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shahjahan]
Notes:
The Mughal emperor Shahjahan was the last great Mughal emperor who patronized the architecture. Taj Mahal was built during his reign. Architecture declined completely after Aurangzeb.
3. Which Mughal King sat on the throne with title of “Padshah Gazi”?
[A] Jahangir
[B] Shah Jahan
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Mohammad Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jahangir]
Notes:
Jahangir, son of Akbar, ascended the Mughal throne in 1605 AD and adopted the title of Nur-ud-din Jahangir Padshah Ghazi. “Padshah Ghazi” is an honorific title implying “Defender of the Faith” and was traditionally used by Muslim sovereigns. Reigning from Agra, Jahangir was known for his justice, administrative reforms, and patronage of the arts.
4. Which among the following is not a work of Amir Khusrau?
[A] Khazyan-ul-Futuh
[B] Tughluq Nama
[C] Tarik-i-Alai
[D] Tabqat-i-Naisiri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tabqat-i-Naisiri]
Notes:
Tabaqat-i Nasiri (named after Sultan Nasir-ud-Din) is a mega history of Islamic world writen in Persian by Minhaj-i-Siraj. It gives details of early Islamic empires in 23 volumes.
5. 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.
6. Which Tuluva Dynasty ruler was contemporary of Babur ?
[A] Achyuta Dev Raya
[B] Sadashiva Raya
[C] Krishna Dev Raya
[D] Venkata I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krishna Dev Raya ]
Notes:
An emperor of Vijayanagar empire, Krishna Dev Raya was the most illustrious ruler of Deccan and a contemporary of Babur. In his reign (1509 AD –1529 AD) the empire reached to its zenith in peace, order, power, prosperity and learning.
In the biography of Mughal Emperor Babur, “Baburnama”, he described Krishna Dev Raya as the most powerful ruler of India.
7. In which year Veera Ballal III (Hoyasala ruler of Dwarsamudra) was defeated by Allauddin Khilji’s army?
[A] 1307 AD
[B] 1309 AD
[C] 1311 AD
[D] 1313 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1311 AD]
Notes:
In 1311 AD, Veera Ballal III (Hoyasala ruler of Dwarsamudra) was defeated by Allauddin Khilji’s army.
8. Who among the following Ashsta Pradhan’s was also known as Chitnis?
[A] Surnavis
[B] Dandaphyaksha
[C] Sar-i-Naubat
[D] Pratinidhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Surnavis]
Notes:
In the Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers), Surnavis (or Sachiv or Chitnis)) was in-charge of royal secretariat and King’s correspondence.
9. Who among the following authors wrote “Tarikh-i-Shershahi”?
[A] Mulla Daud
[B] Abbas Khan Sherwani
[C] Ziauddin Barni
[D] Nizamuddin Ahmed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abbas Khan Sherwani]
Notes:
Abbas Khan Sherwani was the court historian of Shershah Suri and also adorned Mughal emperor Akbar’s royal court. On the orders of Mughal emperor Akbar, he wrote Tarikh-i- Shershahi (or Tuhfut-i-Akbarshahi) that deals with the descriptions from 1539 AD to 1555 AD.
10. When did the battle of Haldighati took place ?
[A] 1576 AD
[B] 1577 AD
[C] 1578 AD
[D] 1579 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1576 AD]
Notes:
On February 18, 1576 AD , the Battle of Haldighati was fought between Mughal army led by Raja Man singh of Amber and Maharana Pratap, the son of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar. Though the Mughal army won but Mewar was not subdued.
