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. The irrigation tax was charged on the farmers for the first time by which among the following Sultans?
[A] Alauddin Khilji
[B] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[C] Mohammad Tughlaq
[D] Firoz Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Firoz Tughlaq]
Notes:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who ascended Delhi’s throne on March 23, 1351, introduced four taxes based on Islamic law: kharaj (land tax), khams (one-fifth of spoils of war), jizya (tax on non-Muslims), and zakat (2% on property). The kharaj, or land tax, was the precursor to the first irrigation tax, equalling one tenth of the land produce. This first irrigation tax marked a significant shift in the economic policy of the Sultanate and had a lasting impact on Indian agriculture.
2. Kamal-ud-Din Abd-ur-Razzaq ibn Ishaq Samarqandi, a Persian Islamic Scholar, visited which Indian city during early 1440s?
[A] Surat
[B] Calicut
[C] Chennai
[D] Chinsurah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Calicut]
Notes:
Calicut is a metropolitan city in the state of Kerala in southern India on the Malabar Coast. Kamal-ud-Din Abd-ur-Razzaq ibn Ishaq Samarqandi visited Calicut in early 1440s. He wrote a narrative of what he saw in Calicut which is valuable as information on Calicut’s society and culture.
3. Which among the following place is the birth place of Humayun?
[A] Agra
[B] Kabul
[C] Badakhashan
[D] Sasaram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kabul]
Notes:
Nasir-ud-Din Muḥammad (6 March 1508 – 27 January 1556), is known by his name, Humayun was the second emperor of the Mughal Empire, who ruled over territory in what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, and Bangladesh from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556. Like his father, Babur, he lost his kingdom early but regained it with the aid of the Safavid dynasty of Persia, with additional territory. At the time of his death in 1556, the Mughal Empire spanned almost one million square kilometres.
4. Prithviraj Raso of Chand Bardai was originally written in which of these languages?
[A] Hindi
[B] Awadi
[C] Mewari
[D] Brij Bhasha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Brij Bhasha]
Notes:
Chand Bardai, the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan had written the epic poem in Brij Bhasha.
5. When Nader Shah invaded India, who among the following was emperor at Delhi ?
[A] Muhammad Shah
[B] Alamgir I
[C] Alamgir II
[D] Farrukhsiyar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Muhammad Shah]
Notes:
Muhammad Shah was the Mughal Emperor during Nader Shah’s invasion. Nader Shah Afshar was one of the most powerful Iranian rulers in the history of the nation, ruling as Shah of Iran from 1736 to 1747 when he was assassinated during a rebellion.
6. 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.
7. “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.
8. That part of land granted by the sultan to military chiefs for maintenance of a given number of troopers called ?
[A] Muahatsib
[B] Iqta
[C] Nazir
[D] Usharaf
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iqta]
Notes:
Iqta referred to that part of land granted by the sultan to its military chiefs for maintenance of troopers.
9. Mausoleum of Baiju Bawra is located at which place?
[A] Chanderi
[B] Mandu
[C] Dhamoni
[D] Gwalior
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chanderi ]
Notes:
Baiju Bawra was a dhrupad musician from medieval India.He was one of the court musicians of Raja Mansingh Tomar of Gwalher (now Gwalior).
10. Which Tuluva Dynasty ruler was contemporary of Babur ?
[A] Achyuta Dev Raya
[B] Sadashiva Raya
[C] Krishna Dev Raya
[D] Venkata I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krishna Dev Raya ]
Notes:
An emperor of Vijayanagar empire, Krishna Dev Raya was the most illustrious ruler of Deccan and a contemporary of Babur. In his reign (1509 AD –1529 AD) the empire reached to its zenith in peace, order, power, prosperity and learning.
In the biography of Mughal Emperor Babur, “Baburnama”, he described Krishna Dev Raya as the most powerful ruler of India.