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. Which of the following battles is subject matter of Alha Khand, a 12th Century epic poetic work in Hindi?
[A] Battle of Mandsaur
[B] Battle of Chittor
[C] Battle of Mahoba
[D] Battles of Tarain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Battle of Mahoba]
Notes:
Paradidev (Parmal) who fought Prithviraj Chauhan-III in 1182 AD in the Battle of Mahoba. This battle is the subject matter of the Alha Khand (c. 12th Century) is an early poetic work in Hindi which consists of a number of ballads describing the brave acts
2. “Silver Tanka” and “Copper Jital” coins were introduced by:
[A] Iltutmish
[B] Abu Bakr Shah
[C] Firuz Shah Tughlaq
[D] Sikander Lodi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Iltutmish]
Notes:
Iltutmish introduced Silver Tanka and Copper Jital , the two coins of the Delhi Sultanate. The coins prior to Iltutmish were introduced by the invaders which bear the Sanskrit characters and even Bull and Shivalinga. Iltutmish was the first to introduce a “Pure Arabic Coin” in India. The Coins were engraved with “The Mighty Sultan, Sun of the Empire and the Faith, Conquest-laden, Il-tutmish,” after he received an investiture of Sovereign Sultan of Delhi from the Caliph of Baghdad. The Silver Tanka issued by Iltutmish was weighing 175 grains. Gold Tanka of the same weight was later issued by Balban.
3. 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.
4. In which year, Akbar had centralized the control and functioning of various mints?
[A] 1570
[B] 1572
[C] 1576
[D] 1578
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1570]
Notes:
Mughal Emperor issued coins from this mint in all the three metals in 1570. Silver coins of Akbar were issued from this mint with the mint epithet ‘Hazrat’. Copper coins were also issued along with gold.
5. 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.
6. During the reign of Krishna Dev Raya who among the following Portuguese travellers visited Vijayanagar?
[A] Barbosa & Paes
[B] Caesar Frederick
[C] Vasco Da Gama
[D] All of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Barbosa & Paes ]
Notes:
The Portuguese travellers, Duarte Barbosa and Dominigo Paes, visited Vijayanagar during the reign of Krishna Dev Raya and recorded the detailed historic descriptions of Vijaynagar empire .
According to them, Vijayanagar was very prosperous with abundance of foodstuffs, vegetables, fruits and animals being sold in profusion in the markets of the city at cheap rates
7. During the reign of Jalaluddin Khilji, Ali Gurushap captured which of the following states?
[A] Bhilsa
[B] Devgiri
[C] Chanderi
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
During the reign of Jalaluddin Khilji, Allauddin Khilji ( or Ali Gurushap) captured Bhilsa, Devgiri and Chanderi.
8. Which mughal emperor laid the foundation of Fateh Pur Sikri ?
[A] Humayun
[B] Akbar
[C] Babur
[D] Jahangir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar]
Notes:
In 1571 AD, Mughal emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar laid the foundation of Fatehpur Sikri near Agra in the honour of Sufi saint Hazrat Shaikh Saleemuddin Chishti, who was popularly known as Salim Chisti.
9. Who among the following rulers began his / her ruling with the modest titles “Malik” and ” Siphasalar”?
[A] Qutb-ud-din Aibak
[B] Iltutmish
[C] Balban
[D] Rajia Sultan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Qutb-ud-din Aibak]
Notes:
Qutb-ud-din Aibak began his rule with the modest titles ‘Malik’ and ‘Sipahsalar’ which had been conferred upon him by Muhammad Ghori.
10. Which among the following Persian festival introduced by Balban in India?
[A] Navroj
[B] Mehregan
[C] Shab e Cheleh
[D] Jashn E sadeh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Navroj]
Notes:
Balban introduced the famous Persian festival of Navroj in India to impress the nobles and people with his wealth and power. The festival is a New Year celebration of Spring Equinox.