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. Ruqaiya Sultan Begum was the wife of which Mughal Ruler?
[A] Humayun
[B] Jahangir
[C] Akbar
[D] Shah Jahan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Akbar]
Notes:
Ruqaiya Sultan Begum was the first wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar. She was Empress consort of the Mughal Empire from 1557 to 1605. Ruqaiya was a first cousin of her husband, and was a Mughal princess by birth. Her father, Hindal Mirza, was the youngest brother of Akbar’s father Humayun.
3. Tanjore , Anhilwada, Dhara & Kanauj were the capitals of respectively which among the following dynasties?
[A] Pratihara, Parmara, Solanki, Chola
[B] Chola, Solanki, Parmara, Pratihara
[C] Pandya, Solanki, Pratihara, Chola
[D] Chola, Parmara, Pratihara, Solanki
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chola, Solanki, Parmara, Pratihara]
Notes:
The Chola dynasty was a Tamil dynasty of southern India, one of the longest-ruling dynasties. Its capital is Tanjore.
Anhilwada is the capital of Solanki dynasty.
The Paramara dynasty was an Indian dynasty that ruled Malwa and surrounding areas in west-central India between 9th and 14th centuries. Its capital city is Dhara.
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was an imperial power during the Late Classical period on the Indian subcontinent, that ruled much of Northern India from the mid-8th to the 11th century. They ruled first at Ujjain and later at Kannauj. Their capital city is Kanauj.
4. “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.
5. In the Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan, Waqia-i-navis was known as ?
[A] Finance minister
[B] Home Minister
[C] Prime Minister
[D] Foreign Affairs Minister
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Home Minister]
Notes:
In the Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan ( or Council of Eight Ministers), Waqia-i-navis ( home minister) keeps the daily record of the king’s activities and the proceedings of his court.
6. 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.
7. What was the real name of Mughal Empress Nurjahan ?
[A] Mihar-un-nisa
[B] Nihar-un-nisa
[C] Jehar-un-nisa
[D] Jodha Bai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mihar-un-nisa]
Notes:
Mughal Empress Nur Jahan ( Noor Jahan) was the wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir, her real name was Mehr-un-nisa (Nur Jahan). She was one of the most powerful personalities in the Mughal empire that the coins were struck in her name and on all farmans her name was attached to the imperial signature.
8. The book Fautuhat-i-Firoj Shah’ was composed by whom?
[A] Amir Khusrau
[B] Ibn Batuta
[C] Barani
[D] Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Feroz Shah Tughlaq]
Notes:
Fautuhat-i-Ferozshahi was authored by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq himself. The book was his autobiography.
9. Which among the following charity bureau formed under the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq?
[A] Shahna-i-Mandi
[B] Diwan-i-Arz
[C] Diwan-i-Mustakhraj
[D] Diwan-i-Khairat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Diwan-i-Khairat]
Notes:
As per the administrative reforms of Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq, ‘Diwan-i-Khairat’, a new department, was set up to make provisions for marriage for poor girls and also to provide financial help to the poverty-stricken people.
10. In context of Mughal administration, Loans to farmers was called
[A] takavi
[B] Diwan-i-Amir Kohi
[C] Diwan-i-Insha
[D] Mufti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [takavi]
Notes:
In the Mughal administration, the farmers were given loans ( also called takavi) for the purchase of seeds and cattle.