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. What was the real name of Afzal Khan, commander of the Adil Shahi dynasty?
[A] Samsuddin
[B] Sabar
[C] Abdullah Bhatari
[D] Muhammad Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Abdullah Bhatari]
Notes:
Afzal Khan was a general of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur Sultanate. His real name was Abdullah Bhatari. He led military campaigns in former Vijayanagara territories, capturing forts such as Sira and Belur. In 1659, he was sent to fight Shivaji but died during a truce meeting at Pratapgad on November 10 or 20, followed by his army’s defeat.
2. 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.
3. Nadir Shah attacked India, at the time of which among the following later Mughals?
[A] Jahandar Shah
[B] Shah Alam
[C] Akbar II
[D] Muhammad Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Muhammad Shah]
Notes:
Muhammad Shah was able to keep the throne for around 29 years partially because the first thing he did was to eliminate the Sayyid Brothers. During his time Nadir Shah attacked and looted Delhi and took the Peacock Throne with himself. The invasion of Nadir Shah fastened the disintegration of the Mughal Empire. During his time, the states of Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh were established as independent Kingdoms.
4. Who among the following was defeated by Mohammed Ghori in battle of Chandawar?
[A] Prthviraj Chauhan
[B] Mularaja
[C] Jaichandra
[D] Jaypala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jaichandra]
Notes:
Jaichandra was defeated by Mohammed Ghori in the battle of Chandawar in 1193-94. It took place at Chandawar (modern Chandawal near Ferozabad), on the Yamuna River close to Agra.
5. Chishti Order is a Sufi order which arose from Chisht, a small town in which among the following countries?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Turkmenistan
[C] Kazakhstan
[D] Uzbekistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Afghanistan]
Notes:
The Chishti Order is a Sufi order which arose from Chisht, a small town near Herat, in western Afghanistan. It was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in about 930 CE. Before returning to western Asia he trained and deputed the son of local emir, Abu Ahmad Abdal, under whose leadership the Chishtiyya flourished as a regional mystical order. Moinuddin Chishti is credited with laying its foundations in India. Other famous saints of the Chishti Order are Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Fariduddin Ganjshakar, Nizamuddin Auliya and Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari.
6. Mongol invasions were repulsed by whom in the reign of Allauddin Khilji?
[A] Zafar Khan
[B] Malik Kafur
[C] Khizr Khan
[D] Alp Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zafar Khan]
Notes:
Mongol invasions were repulsed by Zafar Khan who was military general in the reign of Allauddin Khilji. In 1298, as per order of Sultan Allauddin Khilji , about 30,0000 New Muslims were slaughtered in a day, as he suspected them of being involved in a conspiracy against him and of being a threat to his power. (Mongolians who settled near Delhi and accepted Islam were called “New Muslims”).
7. Who among the following rulers sent Afzal Khan to crush the growing power of Shivaji in 1659?
[A] Ali Adil Shah
[B] Aurangzeb
[C] Raja Jai Singh
[D] Shaista Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ali Adil Shah]
Notes:
In 1659 AD, Sultan Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur sent Afzal Khan (Governor of Deccan) to crush the growing power of Shivaji. But, Shivaji killed Afzal Khan with his baghnakh (or tiger’s claws).
8. Whom among the following Rana of Mewar submitted to Jahangir ?
[A] Rana Pratap Singh
[B] Rana Amar Singh
[C] Rana Karan Singh
[D] Rana Uday Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rana Amar Singh]
Notes:
Maharana Amar Singh of Mewar fought many battles with Jahangir. Due to depletion in financial and manpower of Mewar, he signed a treaty with Jahangir in 1615 AD. The treaty between Rana Amar Singh and Jahangir stands on a different platform. In it , it was agreed that the Ruler of Mewar will not be bound to present himself in person at the Mughal court and will not forced to enter into a matrimonial alliance with the Mughals. Owing to generous nature, Jahangir gave back the territories around Chittor along with the Chittorgarh Fort to Mewar in 1616 AD. Maharana Amar Singh was the eldest son of Maharana Pratap, ruled Mewar from 1597 AD to 1620 AD.
9. Who among the following rulers awarded the title of Khan-i-Khana to Mahabat Khan?
[A] Akbar
[B] Shahjahan
[C] Jahangir
[D] Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shahjahan]
Notes:
The Mughal Emperor Shahjahan awarded the title of “Khan-i-Khana” to Mahabat Khan, who rebelled against the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1626 AD. Later, under the reign of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, he was appointed the Governor of Ajmer.
10. Sultan Mahmud Ghazni who invaded India seventeen times was also known as
[A] But-Shikan
[B] Jahan-soz
[C] Lakha Baksha
[D] Both a & b
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [But-Shikan]
Notes:
Mahmud of Ghazni was also known as But-Shikan (or the destroyer of idols), who attacked and plundered India 17 times.