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. 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.
3. Raja Todar Mal introduced standard weights and measures, a land survey and settlement system, revenue districts and officers during Akbar’s reign. In whose reign as a finance minister Raja Todarmal developed his expertise?
[A] Humayun
[B] Akbar
[C] Shershah Suri
[D] Babur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shershah Suri]
Notes:
Raja Todar Mal was the finance minister of the Mughal empire during Akbar’s reign. He was one of the Navaratnas in Akbar’s ‘darbar’. He developed the expertise during Shershah suri.
4. Who among the following founded the principality of Ghazani in AD 962?
[A] Mahmood Ghazani
[B] Subuktgeen
[C] Alptigin
[D] Shah Mahmoud
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Alptigin]
Notes:
Alp-Tegin, was a Turkic slave commander of the Samanid Empire, who would later become the semi-independent governor of Ghazna from 962 until his death in 963. He founded th principality of Ghazani in AD 962.
5. Which among the follwing son of Jahangir received patronage of fifth Sikh Guru Arjun Dev ?
[A] Shahjahan
[B] Khusrau
[C] Shahryar
[D] Parvez
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Khusrau]
Notes:
The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev had given shelter to Prince Khusrau who had revolted against his father Jahangir. Later, in 1606 AD, the Mughal emperor Jahangir gave death sentence to Guru Arjun Dev for his blessings to his rebel son and for his refusal to remove all Islamic and Hindu references from the Holy book, Guru Granth Sahib.
6. 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.
7. Who among the following abolished Chalisa or Chehalgani ?
[A] Rajia
[B] Balban
[C] Masud Shah
[D] Nasiruddin Mahmud
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Balban]
Notes:
Due to growing influence of Turkan-i-Chahalgani or Chalisa (a group of 40 powerful Turkish nobles) in the administartion, Balban abolished Turkan-i-Chahalgani when he came in power in 1266 AD.
8. Who among the following rulers was known as Jauna Khan in the history of Sultanate period?
[A] Mahmud Tughlaq
[B] Firoz Shah Tughlaq
[C] Muhammad bin Tughlaq
[D] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Muhammad bin Tughlaq]
Notes:
Muhammad bin Tughluq (also known as Jauna Khan) who ruled Delhi from 1325 to 1351 AD. He was the son of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of Tughlaq dynasty.
9. Who among the following rulers of Delhi founded the city ‘Feroz Shah Kotla’?
[A] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[B] Mohammad-bin Tughlaq
[C] Firoz Shah Tughlaq
[D] Mahmud Tughlaq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Firoz Shah Tughlaq]
Notes:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq was a great city builder who founded the cities of Feroz Shah Kotla, Jaunpur, Hissar and Fatebabad.
10. Who among the following Pratihara ruler adopted the title of ‘Adivaraha’ ?
[A] Mihir Bhoja
[B] Nagabhatta I
[C] Vatsaraja
[D] Vijayapala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mihir Bhoja]
Notes:
Mihira Bhoja I (or Bhoja I), who was a devotee of Vishnu, adopted the title of Adivaraha i.e. inscribed on some of his coins.
