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 was the superintendent of ports under the Mughals ?
[A] Mutsaddi
[B] Mir-i-Bahar
[C] Tahvildar
[D] Mushrif
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mir-i-Bahar]
Notes:
Administration under Akbar: The Mir-i-Bahar was incharge of customs and boats and ferry taxes, and port duties in coastal towns.
2. Which among the following was the real name of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah ?
[A] Khujasta Akhtar
[B] Shahriyar Shah Bahadur
[C] Nadir Shah
[D] Raushan Akhtar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Raushan Akhtar]
Notes:
Muhammad Shah, who reigned from 1719 to 1748, had the birth name of Roshan Akhtar. He was the son of Khujista Akhtar, the fourth son of Bahadur Shah I. With the throne name of Muhammad Shah, he is known as one of the last effective Mughal emperors before the empire’s decline.
3. Who was Sultan of Delhi Sultanate when Timur invaded India in 1398?
[A] Mahmud Shah Tughluq
[B] Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji
[C] Aram Shah
[D] Ghiyas-ud-din Balban
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mahmud Shah Tughluq]
Notes:
Mahmud Shah Tughlaq was the last sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty to rule the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. During his reign in 1398, Amir Timur the Chagtai ruler invaded India. He carried away with him a large booty from Delhi and the surrounding area. Soon after the invasion, the Tughlaq dynasty came to an end.
4. Who among the following is associated with translation of Rajatarangini in Persian?
[A] Dara Shikoh
[B] Zain-ul-Abidin
[C] Abdul Razzaq Jilani
[D] Bande Nawaz
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zain-ul-Abidin]
Notes:
Rajatarangini is a metrical legendary and historical chronicle of the north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir. It was written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri historian Kalhana in the 12th century CE. It was translated into Persian by the orders of the later Muslim ruler Zain-ul-Abidin.
5. The most important reason for collection of “Chauth” and “Sardeshmukhi” by Marathas was __?
[A] To increase the source of income
[B] To expand his territories
[C] To consolidate his political influence
[D] Because of the opposition of Muslim rulers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To increase the source of income]
Notes:
Shivaji collected the chauth and sardeshmukhi from the territory which was either under his enemies or under his own influence. The chauth was one fourth part of the income of a particular territory while the sardeshmukhi was one tenth. Shivaji collected these taxes simply by force of his arms. These constituted of the primary sources of income of Shivaji and helped in the extension of the power and territory of the Marathas.
6. 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.
7. Rajasekhara, the eminent Sanskrit poet, dramatist and critic, who is best known for his work Kavyamimamsa, has described himself as guru of which king of Gurjara Pratiharas?
[A] Bhoj II
[B] Mihirbhoja I
[C] Mahendrapala I
[D] Mahipala I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mahendrapala I]
Notes:
Rajasekhara was an eminent Sanskrit poet, dramatist and critic of 10th century and was court poet of the Gurjara Pratihara Kings. His most important works are Kavyamimamsa and Karpurmanjari. He had written Karpurmanjari to please his wife Avantisundari. Karpurmanjari is written in Sauraseni Prakrit. In his plays, Rajshekhara has described himself as teacher / guru of Gurjara Pratihara King Mahendrapala I.
8. In whose times the Mughal Empire reached its territorial climax ?
[A] Akbar
[B] Shah Jahan
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Bahadur Shah I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aurangzeb]
Notes:
The Mughal empire reached territorial climax during the reign of Aurangzeb. He ruled from 1658 to 1707. Aurangzeb policies lead to the dissolution of the empire.
9. Which among the following terms precisely defines the loans given to cultivators for seeds, farm implements etc. in the Sultanate and Mughal period?
[A] Dams
[B] Dahsala
[C] Taqqavi
[D] Nasaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Taqqavi]
Notes:
Taqqavi is the loan given to the people for agriculture for rehabilitation. It is started by Tughlaqs. The loans are given also for agriculture development.
10. Who was the first Indian Ruler who could bring Kabul and Kandhar under Indian Empire only after Kushanas?
[A] Alauddin Khilji
[B] Ibrahim Lodi
[C] Babur
[D] Akbar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Babur]
Notes:
Babur is the first Indian ruler who could bring Kabul and Kandhar under Indian Empire only after Kushans. Having both Kabul and Kandhar didn’t happen every time in the Indian medieval History. Babur was born in Uzbekisthan.
