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 wrote famous Hindi work “Padmavat”?
[A] Malik Muhammad Jayasi
[B] Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana
[C] Amir Khusro
[D] Bulleh Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Malik Muhammad Jayasi]
Notes:
Padmavat of Malik Muhammad Jayasi is a poem about the beauty and Jauhar of Padmani.
2. Hamim Humam who was the chief of Royal School (Pathshala) adorned the court of which Mughal Emperor?
[A] Akbar
[B] Jahanagir
[C] Humayun
[D] Shahjahan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Akbar]
Notes:
Hamim Humam was one of the Nav Ratnas of Akbar.
3. Which of the following achievements is not associated with Iltutmish?
[A] Initiation of the silver tanka and copper jetal
[B] Establishment of the iqtadari system
[C] Formation of the Chalisa
[D] Advocacy of the Divine Right Theory
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Advocacy of the Divine Right Theory]
Notes:
Iltutmish was known for innovations including the introduction of a new currency system and administrative reforms. He introduced the silver tanka and copper jetal, organized the Chalisa (a group of forty noblemen), and implemented the iqtadari system to manage land. The concept of the Divine Right Theory, however, is credited to Balban, one of his successors. This doctrine asserts the monarch’s authority is derived directly from God, and it was not a part of Iltutmish’s governance.
4. 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
5. The exhaustive codification of Islamic laws in the name of ‘Fatwa-i-Alamgiri’ was done at the behest of which among the following rulers of Medieval India?
[A] Alauddin Khalji
[B] Sher Shah Suri
[C] Akbar
[D] Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Aurangzeb]
Notes:
Fatawa-i-Alamgiri is a sharia based compilation on statecraft, general ethics, military strategy, economic policy, justice and punishment. It was done at the behest of Aurangzeb.
6. Padmavat, an epic poem was composed by
[A] Malik Muhammad Jayasi
[B] Amir Khusro
[C] Firdausi
[D] Tulsi das ji
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Malik Muhammad Jayasi]
Notes:
An epic poem, Padmavat was written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540 AD. The epic poem is a fictionalized version of the historic siege of Chittor by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 AD, who attacks Chittor after hearing of the beauty of Queen Rani Padmini, the wife of King Rawal Ratan Singh.
7. The autobiography of Babur was translated into Persian by whom ?
[A] Abdur Rahim
[B] Abul Fazl
[C] Babur
[D] Faizi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Abdur Rahim]
Notes:
During the reign of Akbar, Tujuk-i-Babri was completely translated to Persian by a Mughal courtier, Abdul Rahim Khane khana and named it Baburnama.
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.
8. In which year did the coronation of Emperor Akbar occur?
[A] 1555 AD
[B] 1556 AD
[C] 1557 AD
[D] 1558 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1556 AD]
Notes:
On February 14, 1556, Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar was coronated at Kalanour (now in Gurdaspur, Punjab). Akbar, known for his great administrative reforms, is credited with establishing the Mughal empire’s cultural and economic prosperity. His court was adorned by the famous “Navaratnas” or “Nine Jewels,” which included outstanding personalities like Tansen, a legendary musician, and Birbal, renowned for his wit. His rule marked the flowering of art and cultural syntheses between Hindu and Muslim traditions.
9. Who among the following foreign explorers visited court of Emperor Shahjahan?
[A] Jean-Baptise Tavernier
[B] Manucci
[C] Bernier
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
The foreign explorers who visited court of Emperor Shahjahan are Jean-Baptise Tavernier (France), Manucci (Italy) and Bernier(France).
10. In which year, Somnath Temple was plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni?
[A] 1021 AD
[B] 1025 AD
[C] 1027 AD
[D] 1030 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1025 AD]
Notes:
The Somnath Temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva, was plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 AD. Due to his attack and plunder on Hindu temples, Mahmud was also known as But-Shikan (or the destroyer of idols). The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was rebuilt by the Paramara king Bhoja of Malwa and the Solanki king Bhimdev I of Anhilwara between 1026 and 1042 AD. This temple was later destroyed and repaired many times during the entire history of medieval India.
