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 rulers earned the title of Purvapaschima Samudradhishavara?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Karikala Chola
[C] Harihara I
[D] Parantaka-I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Harihara I]
Notes:
Harihara I of the Vijayanagara Kingdom earned the title Purvapaschima Samudradhishavara (“master of the eastern and western seas”). He founded the empire in 1336 CE with his brother Bukka Raya I and gained control over most territory south of the Tungabhadra River, from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal.
2. Which Sultan had forbidden the Nobles to hold banquets & Festivities, and make marriage alliances without his permission?
[A] Iltutmish
[B] Alauddin Khilji
[C] Balban
[D] Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Alauddin Khilji]
Notes:
Alauddin Khilji lavishly distributed money and gold among his people, noble and ministers so that they might forget the murders he committed. He adopted a conciliatory policy towards Nobles and held banquets & Festivities.
3. What was the main responsibility of Mir Bakshi during the Mughal Era?
[A] All incomes and expenditures
[B] Military department
[C] Revenue department
[D] Royal correspondence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Military department]
Notes:
During Mughal Era, Mir Bakshi was in charge of military pay and accounts office. Since civil service was based on Mansabdari system and all Mansabdars received their pay from Military accounts office, the post of Mir Bakshi was of utmost importance as imperial paymaster.
4. Who among the following forbade the inscription of kalma on Coins?
[A] Akbar
[B] Shahjahan
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Jahangir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aurangzeb]
Notes:
Kalima or Islamic religious messages were introduced in the inscriptions of the coins in accordance with the orthodox Islamic belief of the emperor. They were forbade by Aurangzeb.
5. 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.
6. Who among the following was the religious guru of Shivaji?
[A] Tukaram
[B] Eknath
[C] Jnaneshwar
[D] Ram Das
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ram Das]
Notes:
Guru Samarth Ramdas taught Advaita Vedanta and Yoga to Shivaji.He was a Ram and Hanuman bhakt and honored the Kshatriya Dharma. He inspired Shivaji in his battles.
7. 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.
8. Who among the following Vijayanagar rulers assumed titles “Vaidika Marga Parvatika” and “Veda Marga Prathisthapaka” ?
[A] Harihara
[B] Bukka-I
[C] Sri krishnadevaraya
[D] Harihara-II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Harihara-II]
Notes:
Harihara II (1342 – 1404 CE), an Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from the Sangama Dynasty, patronized the Jaina poet Madhura. An important work on the Vedas was completed during his time. Earning the titles Vaidikamarga Sthapanacharya and Vedamarga Pravartaka, these denote his contribution and patronage to the Vedic traditions and rituals.
9. 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.
10. In the Maratha Land revenue system, what was the unit of measurement of land?
[A] Jarib
[B] Kathi
[C] Bigha
[D] Acre
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kathi]
Notes:
In the Maratha Land revenue system, assessment of land revenue was based on measurement. The Kathi of Malik Ambar was adopted as the unit of measurement. The length of this kathi was five cubits and five closed fists and was later called Shivkathi. (Malik Ambar was the regent of the Nizamshahi dynasty of Ahmednagar from 1607 to 1626 and pioneer in guerilla warfare). Other common land measurement units in West India states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa include Bigha, Biswa, and Biswansi.
