Medieval Indian History MCQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”).

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).

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.

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.

Notes:
Mahmud of Ghazni was also known as But-Shikan (or the destroyer of idols), who attacked and plundered India 17 times.