Medieval Indian History MCQ for General Studies and GK Preparation of SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
1. Who was Dilawar Khan?
[A] Founder of Jaunpur [B] Founder of Kashmir [C] Founder of Khandesh [D] Founder of Malwa
Answer: D [Founder of Malwa]
Notes:
The kingdom of Malwa founded by Hussain Ghuri, whom Firuz Tughluq had made a noble, giving him the title Dilawar Khan.
2. What was the title given to Sultan Alp Khan?
[A] Baadshah [B] Hushang Shah [C] Sher Shah [D] None of the above
Answer: B [Hushang Shah]
Notes:
After Dilawar Khan’s death in 1406-07, his son, Alp Khan, became the Sultan of Malwa with the title Hushang Shah (1406-35).
3. What was the capital of Malwa during Dilawar Khan?
[A] Dhar [B] Birha [C] Munad [D] Kakkubina
Answer: A [Dhar]
Notes:
After Taimur’s departure from India, Dilawar proclaimed himself the independent ruler of Malwa with his capital at Dhar.
4. Who got constructed ‘Grand Trunk Road’?
[A] Ashoka [B] Shershah Suri [C] Akbar [D] Samudra Gupta
Answer: B [Shershah Suri ]
Notes:
The Grand Trunk Road was built by Sher Shah Suri, a 16th-century ruler. It was known as “Sadak – e – Azam”. The road ran from sonargaon in Bengal to Lahore in the Punjab and thence to Multan. The road was constructed for good governance and smooth and efficient administration. The intention of the sultan was to connect the outlying provinces with his capital.
5. Who translated Ramayana into Persian?
[A] Badauni [B] Abul Fazl [C] Abdul Latif [D] Isar Das
Answer: A [Badauni]
Notes:
Ramayana was translated by Mulla Abdul Qadir Badayuni. Badayuni also took up the task of Singhasan Batisi into Persian , which was later titled Khurd Afza in Persian.
6. Who was founder of Mughal Empire in India?
[A] Babur [B] Akbar [C] Humayun [D] Jahangir
Answer: A [Babur]
Notes:
Babur founded the Mughal Empire in India after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi in the Battle of Panipat in 1526. At the age of 14, Babur ascended the throne of the Central Asian kingdom of Farghana .Panipat was merely the beginning of the Mughal rule. Akbar laid its real foundation in 1556.
7. Who is also known by the name of ‘Tiger of Mysore’?
[A] Tipu Sultan [B] Haidar Ali [C] Yaduraya Wodeyar [D] Krishna Devaraya
Answer: A [Tipu Sultan]
Notes:
Tipu Sultan, a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, was also known as the Tiger of Mysore. Evidences show that Tipu had a strong liking for the animal tiger. He in fact considered tiger as his personal symbol. When he ascended the throne in the year 1782, he made tiger the official symbol of the Mysore state. In all his armour, the image of tiger was engraved or embossed or at least printed.
8. During whose reign did Timur invaded India?
[A] Bahlol Lodi [B] Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah [C] Firoz Shah Tughlaq [D] Allauddin Khilji
Answer: B [Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah]
Notes:
In 1398, Timur invaded northern India, attacking the Delhi Sultanate ruled by Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq of the Tughlaq Dynasty. Timur carried away with him a large booty from Delhi and the surrounding area. Soon after the invasion, the Tughlaq dynasty came to an end.
9. The Suri king _____ was defeated by Humayun to regain his kingdom:
[A] Sikander Suri [B] Sher Shah Suri [C] Mahmood Suri [D] Bahalol Suri
Answer: B [Sher Shah Suri ]
Notes:
In December 1530, Humayun succeeded his father to the throne of Delhi as ruler of the Mughal territories in the Indian subcontinent. Huma-yun lost Mughal territories to Sher Shah Suri, but regained them 15 years later with Safavid aid. At the Battle of Sirhind on 22 June 1555, the armies of Sikandar Shah Suri were decisively defeated and the Mughal Empire was re-established in India.
10. Which emperor’s army did Maharana Pratap fight in the Battle of Haldighati?
[A] Humayun [B] Ibrahim Lodi [C] Akbar [D] Mahmud Shah
Answer: C [Akbar]
Notes:
The Battle of Haldighati was a battle fought on 18 June 1576 between cavalry and archers supporting the Rana of Mewar, Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal emperor Akbar’s forces, led by Man Singh I of Amber. The Siege of Chittorgarh in 1568 had led to the loss of the fertile eastern belt of Mewar to the Mughals.
11. Which of the following was given the epithet of Tana Shah as he was considered to be of dictatorial nature?
[A] Abdullah Qutb Shah [B] Abul Hasan [C] Ibrahim Qutb Shah [D] Muhammad Quli
Answer: B [Abul Hasan]
Notes:
Abul Hasan was given the epithet of Tana Shah as he was considered to be of dictatorial nature. He was not at all interested in the matters of state. He spent most of his time in the pursuit of music, fine arts and sensuality.
12. Which of the following was the commander of the Golconda forces who fought the Mughals at the risk of his life?
[A] Abdur Razzak Lari [B] Abul Hasan [C] Aurangzeb [D] Mir Muhammad Ibrahim
Answer: A [Abdur Razzak Lari]
Notes:
Mir Muhammad Ibrahim, the commander in chief of Abul Hasan joined hands with the Mughals which resulted in the surrendering of the Sultan. It was only Abdur Razzak Lari, the commander of the Golconda forces who fought the Mughals at the risk of his life.
13. In Sufi philosophy, the term Wali’ refers to which of the following?
[A] Teacher [B] Beloved [C] Friend [D] Servant
Answer: C [Friend]
Notes:
Every Sufi in Sufism aspires to be a wali, which literally means a friend or patron; in Sufi terminology referring to a saint. The Sufis proposed that the fulfilment of god’s will was to be realized out of love, rather than from a sense of duty.
14. Which of the following is identified as the founder of the Ram cult in north India?
[A] Kabir [B] Ramananda [C] Guru Nanak [D] Dadu Dayal
Answer: B [Ramananda]
Notes:
Ramananda looked upon Ram as the object of bhakti and not Vishnu. He worshiped Ram and Sita and later he came to be identified as the founder of the Ram cult in north India.
15. Tansen accepted Islam at the hand of which of the following great Sufi Saint?
[A] Salim Chishti [B] Sheikh Muinuddin Chisti [C] Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki [D] Muhammad Ghaus
Answer: D [Muhammad Ghaus]
Notes:
Tansen was a Hindu of Gwalior and also a great musician. He was one of the courtiers who were collectively known as Akbar’s Navratnas or the nine jewels. He also served as a court musician to King Ramachandra. He accepted Islam at the hand of great Sufi mystic saint Muhammad Ghaus of Gwalior.
16. Akbar bestowed which of the following with the title of Diwan-i- Ashraf?
[A] Salim Chisti [B] Abul Fazl [C] Raja Todar Mal [D] Sheikh Muinuddin Chisti
Answer: C [Raja Todar Mal]
Notes:
Raja Todar Mal who looked over the revenue system introduced the standard weights and measurements, revenue districts, and officers. In 1582 CE, Akbar bestowed on him the title of Diwan-i- Ashraf.
17. Which of the following was given the title of Shah Jahan II?
Rafi-us-Daula who ruled in c.1719 CE was given the title of Shah Jahan II. He had the shortest reign and died very quickly as he too suffered from consumption (tuberculosis) like Rafi-us-Darajat.
18. Which of the following broke the orthodox Brahmanical framework that worked as one of the factors behind rise of Bhakti cult in Northern India?
[A] Caste System [B] Scientific Temper [C] Turkish Conquest [D] Rise of Jainism and Buddhism
Answer: C [Turkish Conquest]
Notes:
Popular bhakti movement in Northern India took shape after the Turkish conquest because dominance of Rajput-Brahman alliance was broken and it gave way to nonconformist movements, anti-caste and anti-Brahmanical ideologies.
19. In which of the following architecture styles, the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan is formed?
[A] Indo-Islamic [B] Indo-Greek [C] Versara [D] Indian Rock Cut
Answer: A [Indo-Islamic]
Notes:
The Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan was an educational institute which was founded by Mahmud Gawan who was a wise scholar and administrator.
20. Which of the following is not an architecture of Bahmani Kingdom?
Takhat Mahal was the throne palace of the Bahmani Kingdom, Tarkash Mahal was a place for the wives of the ruler and Shahi Matbakh was the great kitchen of Bahmani Kingdom.
21. The Sayyid dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate is called so because__?
[A] Its founder and his successors adopted the title Sayyid.
[B] Its founder and his successors belonged to the Sayyid tribe of eastern Turkistan.
[C] Its founder and his successors were descendant of the prophet Muhammad.
[D] Its founder was a scholar of Islamic theology.
Answer: C [Its founder and his successors were descendant of the prophet Muhammad]
Notes:
Khizr Khan was the descendant of the prophet Muhammad .The Sayyid dynasty was the fourth dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate from 1414 to 1451 A.D. Khizr Khan was the founder ruler of Sayyid dynasty and he is said to be a descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
22. The Vijay Stambh of Chittorgarh was built to commemorate the victory of Rana Kumbha in which among the following battles?
[A] Battle of Chittor [B] Battle of Sarangpur [C] Battle of Gagron [D] Battle of Gogunda
Answer: B [Battle of Sarangpur]
Notes:
The Battle of Sarangpur was fought between Rana Kumbha and Sultan Mahmud Khilji. It was fought in 1437 C.E.Rana Kumbha built the Vijay Stambh of Chittorgarh to commerate the victory.
23. 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
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.
24. In which among the following territories, Marco Polo had travels in the last decade of 13th century in India?
[A] Chola [B] Pandya [C] Madurai Sultanate [D] Cheras
Answer: B [Pandya]
Notes:
Marco polo, an Italian traveler landed in Pandya Empire (at Kayal) in 13th century and impressed by the wealth and magnificence of the King, Prince as well as people, tagged it as the richest kingdom in existence.
25. Which among the following travelers has recorded his experiences in “Kitab-i-Rehla” ?
[A] Amir Khusro [B] Ibn Battuta [C] Malik Murtaza [D] Al-Bayhaqi
Answer: B [Ibn Battuta]
Notes:
Ibn batutta was an Arab traveler and adventurer from Morocoo. His book is a primary source of history of the region of Muhmmad bin Tughluq. It throws light on the socio-political condition of his time.
26. Faujdar and Amalguzar were the chief officials of the ‘Sarkars’ (administrative divisions) in Mughal Period. Amalguzar was related to which of the following operations?
[A] Law & Order [B] Revenue [C] Defence [D] Audit and Accounts
Answer: B [Revenue]
Notes:
During the Akbar’s reign, the Amalguzar was assigned to exercise a general supervision over all types of lands for the purpose of imperial rules and regulations and the assessment and collection of land revenue uniformly.
27. Who was the first Indian Ruler who could bring Kabul and Kandahar under Indian Empire only after Kushanas?
[A] Alauddin Khilji [B] Ibrahim Lodi [C] Babur [D] Akbar
Answer: C [Babur]
Notes:
Babur was the first ruler to entitle himself ‘Badshah’. His victory led to the rapid popularisation of gunpowder and artillery in India. After the Kushanas, he was the first to bring Kabul and Kandahar into the Indian empire. He died in 1530 AD, buried at Aram Bagh in Agra.
28. Which among the following was a unit of Mughal Empire for the purpose of Administration and Revenue Collection?
[A] Paraganas [B] Subahs [C] Parautis [D] Grama
Answer: B [Subahs]
Notes:
The subhas held the primary position of revenue collection among them and looked after revenue and finance, but kept an overview of all matters of expenditure and related departments recording all imperial orders and assigning duties.
29. Dwarasamudra was the capital of which of the following dynasties?
[A] Hoysala [B] Satavahana [C] Pandyas [D] Cholas
Answer: A [Hoysala]
Notes:
In late 1310, the Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji sent his general, Malik Kafur for an expedition to the south India. In February 1311, Malik Kafur besieged the Hoysala capital Dwarasamudra and the defending ruler Veera Ballala III surrendered without much resistance.
30. In which of the following forts Jahanagir Mahal is located ?
[A] Lahore Fort [B] Agra Fort [C] Red Fort [D] Golconda Fort
Answer: B [Agra Fort]
Notes:
Jahangir Mahal is located In Agra fort , built by Akbar in Hindu Design and was used by the Rajput wives of Akbar.
Harihara I and Bukka Raya I who are also considered as the founder of the Sangama dynasty were converted to Islam by Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Both of them returned to the Hindu fold with the help of saint Vidyaranya.
32. Who of the following is also known as Alauddin I?
[A] Abul Muzaffar Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah [B] Ahmah Shah Wali [C] Muhammad Shah I [D] Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah
Answer: A [Abul Muzaffar Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah]
Notes:
In 1347 CE Zafar Khan Alai ascended the throne at Daulalabad as Abul Muzaffar Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah-also known as Alauddin I. He founded the Bahmani Sultanate and played a conspicuous role in the politics of the Deccan for nearly two centuries.
33. During the reign of which of the following kings, Deccan brahmans became dominant in administration?
[A] Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah [B] Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah [C] Muhammad Shah I [D] Ahmah Shah Wali
Answer: B [Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah]
Notes:
Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah, who was one of the most prominent kings of the Bahamani kingdom inducted a large number of Hindus in his administration. During the reign of Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah, the Deccan brahmans became dominant in administration.
34. Every province under the rule of Bahamani kingdom was headed by which of the following?
The Administrative System of the Bahamani kingdom was very well organized. The kingdom was divided into four units called provinces. These provinces were headed by Tarafdars also known as subedars.
35. Dadu Dayal belonged to which of the following regions?
[A] Gujarat [B] Rajasthan [C] Kerala [D] Bihar
Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
Dadu Dayal, one of the major representatives of the Nirguna Sant traditions in Northern India, was a saint from Gujarat. He spent the best part of his spiritual life in Rajasthan.
36. What was the personal royal force of Sher Shah Suri called?
Sher Shah Suri supervised the recruitment of soldiers. He divided the army into sawars (serving as the linchpin of the entire organization), elephants and frontmen. He also maintained his personal royal force, which was known as Khasa Kail.
37. Akbar ruled during which of the following years?
[A] 1456 CE to 1505 CE [B] 1156 CE to 1205 CE [C] 1556 CE to 1605 CE [D] 1506 CE to 1565 CE
Answer: C [1556 CE to 1605 CE]
Notes:
Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar ruled as Mughal emperor from 1556 CE to 1605 CE.
38. Who of the following defeated Baz Bahadur?
[A] Humayun [B] Bairam Khan [C] Akbar [D] Adham Khan
Answer: D [Adham Khan]
Notes:
Adham Khan who was the son of Akbar’s foster mother Maham Anaga defeated Baz Bahadur who was an accomplished magician and poet. Adham Khan was victorious at Malwa by defeating Baz Bahadur in 1561 CE. After defeat, Baz Bahadur fled towards Burhanpur. After wandering from one area to another, he finally surrendered at Akbar’s court and was enrolled as a Mughal mansabdar.
39. After defeating Baz Bahadur, Adham Khan fled towards which of the following place?
[A] Malwa [B] Burhanpur [C] Gujarat [D] Bengal
Answer: B [Burhanpur]
Notes:
In 1561 CE, after defeating the Malwa ruler, Baz Bahadur, Adham Khan fled towards Burhanpur. After wandering from one area to another, he finally surrendered at Akbar’s court and was enrolled as a Mughal mansabdar.
40. The famous Battle of Haldighati took place in which year?
[A] 1576 A.D. [B] 1580 A.D. [C] 1584 A.D. [D] 1586 A.D.
Answer: A [1576 A.D.]
Notes:
The famous Battle of Haldighati took place in the year 1576 A.D. In this battle, Rana Pratap was defeated by the Mughal army, which was led by Man Singh.
41. Which of the following statements about Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq is correct?
[A] He introduced paper currency [B] He introduced the postal system [C] He was the ablest man among the crowned heads of the medieval age [D] None of the above
Answer: C [He was the ablest man among the crowned heads of the medieval age]
Notes:
Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq introduced token currency in brass and copper, in place of gold and silver. He was the ablest man of the medieval age.
The first post office in India was established by British East India Company in Bombay in 1764.
42. Which of the following books has been written by Ab’ul Hasan Yamin ud-Din Khusrau?
Miftah-ul-Futuh enumerates the military campaigns and victories of Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji, which he achieved in the first year after his accession. It was written by Amir Khusrau or Ab’ul Hasan Yamin ud-Din Khusrau. He was better known as Amir Khusrau Dehlavi, was a Sufi musician, poet, and scholar from India. He was an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent. Khusrau is regarded as the “father of qawwali” and introduced the ghazal style of music into India, both of which still exist widely in India and Pakistan.
43. Which of the following is an extremely valuable source for the history of the reign of Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughluq and Sultan Firuz Shah, in the form of letters and official documents?
Insha-I-Mahru or Munshat-i-Mahru contains 133 letters on different subjects addressed to the leading and significant personalities of the age of Tuhlaqs. It is a collection of several official documents, petitions, letters, etc. as these letters are written to officials and distinguished persons, they discuss solutions for most of the economic, social, religious and administrative problems of the period.
44. What was the name of the coin issued under Babur’s rule?
[A] Dam [B] Shah Rukh [C] Rupee [D] Pagoda
Answer: B [Shah Rukh]
Notes:
Shah Rukh was made of 72-grain silver. One side of the coin contained the name of the king along with his title and date. Initially round in shape, they were later converted to square-shaped coins.
45. Which of the following kings appointed spies to monitor the activities of the nobles?
[A] Ruknuddin Firuz Shah [B] Balban [C] Bahram Shah [D] Nasiruddin Mahmud
Answer: B [Balban]
Notes:
Ghiyas-ud-din Balban, the Sultan of Delhi, appointed spies to monitor the activities of the nobles. Balban created a powerful spy network to keep an eye on the nobles and the common people. He appointed spies, called “Barids”, to watch the activities of his governors, military and civil officers, and even his own sons. The spies were well-paid and reported suspicious activities to Balban.
Balban was determined to break the power of the Turkish nobles. He spared only the most obedient nobles and eliminated all others by fair or foul means. For example, he publicly flogged Malik Baqbaq, the governor of Badaun, for his cruelty towards his servants.
Balban’s strong army helped him to quell rebellions and invasions from neighboring kingdoms.
46. Muhammad Shah was succeeded by which of the following kings?
[A] Khizr khan [B] Alauddin Alam Shah [C] Mubarak Shah [D] Feroz shah
Answer: B [Alauddin Alam Shah]
Notes:
After the death of Muhammad Shah in 1445, he was succeeded by his son Alauddin Alam Shah. He proved to be an incompetent Sultan and the weakest of the Sayyid princes.
47. Which of the following is considered as the last ruler of the Sayyid dynasty?
[A] Khizr khan [B] Alauddin Alam Shah [C] Muhammad Shah [D] Mubarak Shah
Answer: B [Alauddin Alam Shah]
Notes:
Alauddin Alam Shah who ruled the Sayyid dynasty from 1443 CE to 1451 CE was the last ruler of the Sayyid dynasty. It is believed that Alam Shah’s Wazir, Hamid Khan, invited Bahlol Lodhi to take charge of the army which later founded the Lodhi dynasty.
48. During the Sultanate period, the village accountant was known as?
[A] Patwari [B] Wazir [C] Naib [D] Sadr
Answer: A [Patwari]
Notes:
During the Sultanate period, the village was the basic unit of the administration. The village headman was known as muqaddam or chaudhri whereas the village accountant was called patwari.
49. Who of the following added an entrance to the Qutub Minar called Alai Darwaza?
[A] Jalauddin Khilji [B] Alauddin Khalji [C] Mubark Shah [D] Khusrau Shah
Answer: B [Alauddin Khalji]
Notes:
Qutub Minar, a magnificent building of the 13th century was founded by Aibak and completed by Iltutmish. Alauddin Khalji added an entrance to the Qutub Minar called Alai Darwaza later.
50. The palace complex called Tughlaqabad with its beautiful lake was built during the period of which of the following Sultans?
The palace complex known as the Tughlaqabad with its beautiful lake was built during the period of Ghyasuddin Tughlaq. Muhammad bin Tughlaq also built the tomb of Ghyasuddin on a high platform.
