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. Who are the only two emperors of the Mughal Empire to have written their own autobiographies?
[A] Humayun and Akbar
[B] Babur and Jahangir
[C] Akbar and Shah Jahan
[D] Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Babur and Jahangir]
Notes:
Babur and Jahangir were the only two Mughal emperors who penned their own autobiography. Babur created “Baburnama”, his memoirs recounted in a vivid and extremely rich prose. Jahangir, on the other hand, wrote his autobiography “Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri”, which is widely recognized for its unique storytelling and meticulous details covering his life and administration.
2. Shivaji had formed a council of eight ministers that administered the Maratha empire. The council was named as:
[A] Nyaya Pradhan
[B] Ashta Sena
[C] Ashta Siddhi
[D] Ashta Pradhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ashta Pradhan]
Notes:
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.
3. Ghazi Malik was the founder and first ruler of which among the following dynasties?
[A] Khilji Dynasty
[B] Mamluk Dynasty
[C] Tughlaq Dynasty
[D] Slave Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tughlaq Dynasty]
Notes:
Ghiasuddin Tughlaq, or Ghazi Malik , (died c. 1325) was the founder of the Tughluq dynasty in India. He reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1320 to 1325. He founded the city of Tughluqabad.
4. Who among the following Mughal rulers took measures against the practice of “Sati”?
[A] Jahanagir
[B] Akbar
[C] Shahjahan
[D] Humayun
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar]
Notes:
Mughal emperor Akbar is against sati. He had allowed Sati to take place only if the wife willingly wanted to follow it. But many times woman were forced to commit Sati or pushed into funeral pyre by her own relatives and this was against the law. Akbar banned “forced” Sati after the incident with his wife’s cousin Rani Damayenti.
5. “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 was written by Ibn Battuta. The book is also known as The Travels. It’s a travelogue that documents Battuta’s 29-year journey across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Battuta traveled over 120,000 kilometers, visiting countries including Morocco, Egypt, India, China, and Mali. The book’s formal title is A Masterpiece to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling. It provides insights into the cultures, societies, and historical events of the places Battuta visited. The book also includes his interactions with rulers, scholars, and ordinary people. Battuta’s travels lasted from 1304 to 1369. He returned home to Tangier in 1349. The book is an important historical document that offers a unique perspective on the medieval world.
6. 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.
7. Who among the following assumed the title of Islam Shah Suri, ?
[A] Shershah Suri
[B] Jalal Khan
[C] Firuz Shah Suri
[D] Ibrahim Khan Suri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jalal Khan]
Notes:
Jalal Khan assumed this title. He was son of Shershah and was his successor
8. Which among the following foreign travellers is not correctly paired with their respective period of visit in India?
[A] Fa Hien – Gupta Period
[B] Hiuen Tsang – Post Gupta Period
[C] Al Beruni – Early Medieval Period
[D] Ibn Batutta – Mughal Period
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ibn Batutta – Mughal Period]
Notes:
Ibn Batuta – Sultanate Period during the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
9. In context of Vijayanagara Empire, who was the successor of Krishna Dev Raya ?
[A] Sada Shiv Raya
[B] Venkata I
[C] Achyuta Dev Raya
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Achyuta Dev Raya ]
Notes:
The reign period of Tuluva dynasty ruler, Krishna Dev Raya was from 1509 AD to 1529 AD. In his life time, he nominated his half-brother Achyuta Deva Raya as his successor and died towards the end of 1529 AD
10. Who was the last king of Aravidu Dynasty ?
[A] Sri ranga III
[B] Venkata II
[C] Ramadeva
[D] Venkata III
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sri ranga III ]
Notes:
The Aravidu dynasty ruler, Sriranga III was the last ruler of the Vijayanagar empire, whose reign period was from 1642 AD to 1678 AD.
