Table of Contents
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
1. Surdas was a disciple of which among the following?
[A] Ramanujacharya
[B] Ramananda
[C] Vallabhacharya
[D] Gyaneshwar
Correct Answer: C [Vallabhacharya]
Notes:
Surdas was a 16th-century blind Hindu devotional poet and singer known for his lyrics written in
praise of Krishna. He was a disciple of Vallabhacharya.
2. Which among the following Mughal painters is credited for painting Siberian Crane and the Dodo
for the first time?
[A] Abu al-Hasan
[B] Bishandas
[C] Farrukh Beg
[D] Ustad Mansur
Correct Answer: D [Ustad Mansur]
Notes:
Ustad Mansur as a painter started his career during the last few years of Akbar`s reign as a minor
painter. However, later he flourished during the time of Jahangir.
Ustad Mansur was a leading painter in Emperor Jahangir’s court who was famous for depicting plants
and animals. Most important paintings were of Siberian Crane and Dodo. The latter was an important
source of reference for Zoologists till date. The Siberian Crane painted on paper is highly intricate
showing the wrinkles on the bare skin, the legs and a small feather stuck to the claw.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
3. In which of the following forts Jahanagir Mahal is located ?
[A] Lahore Fort
[B] Agra Fort
[C] Red Fort
[D] Golconda Fort
Correct 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.
4. Who translated Baburnama from chagtai to Persian?
[A] Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana
[B] Abul Fazal
[C] Khawaja Reazuddin Atash
[D] Humayun
Correct Answer: A [Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana]
Notes:
Babur has written his biography i.e. Baburnama which is also known as Tuzk-e Babri. Babur and
Jahangir are the only two emperors of Mughal Empire who wrote their own biographies. Baburnama
is also known to be the first true autobiography in the Islamic literature. Baburnama was written in
Chagatai Turkic, which was Babur’s mother tongue. It was translated into Persian by Abdul Rahim
Khan-I-Khana. He was son of Bairam khan.
5. Which of the following was / were the new elements added by Muslims to Indian Architecture?
-
- Use of Calligraphy
-
- Use of shapes instead of natural forms
-
- Dome
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
- Dome
Notes:
The New Elements Added by Muslims to Indian Architecture
The Indo-Islamic architecture inculcates the elements of Saracenic, Turkish and Arab architecture.
The Muslims absorbed many features of local cultures and traditions and combined them with their
own architectural practices. So, a mix of many structural techniques, stylised shapes, and surface
decorations came about through constant interventions of acceptance, rejection or modification of
architectural elements. The first new element added in the Indian architecture was the use of shapes
instead of natural forms. This apart, use of calligraphy as inscriptional art was also a new element
added to by Muslims. Muslim added the inlay decoration and use of coloured marble, painted plaster
and brilliantly glazed tiles. The Dome was a new element added by the Muslims. In contrast to the
indigenous Indian architecture which was of the trabeated order i.e. all spaces were spanned by
means of horizontal beams, the Islamic architecture was arcuate i.e. an arch or dome was adopted as
a method of bridging a space. Here, we have to note that the arch or dome was not an invention of
the Muslims but was borrowed and improvised from the architectural styles of the post-Roman
period. The Muslims used the cementing agent in the form of mortar / Limestone / Chuna for the
first time in the construction of buildings in India. The Indo-Islamic monuments were typical mortar-
masonry works formed of dressed stones. It must be emphasized that the development of the Indo-
Islamic architecture was greatly facilitated by the knowledge and skill possessed by the Indian
craftsmen, who had mastered the art of stonework for centuries and used their experience while
constructing Islamic monuments in India.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
6. Kalhana’s Rajatrangini is written in which language?
[A] Persian
[B] Sanskrit
[C] Farsi
[D] Devnagri
Correct Answer: B [Sanskrit]
Notes:
Kalhana composed a chronicle of the kings of Kashmir in Sanskrit, which is known as Rajatrangini. The
work consists of 7826 verses, which are divided into eight books called Tarangas.
7. Which of the following books has been written as an account of India during Mahmud’s destruction
of Somnath temple?
[A] Rajatrangini
[B] Fatwa-i-Jahandari
[C] Tabaqat-i-Nasiri
[D] Tahqiq-i-Hind
Correct Answer: D [Tahqiq-i-Hind]
Notes:
Muhammad Ibn Ahmed Alberuni’s Book Tahqiq-i-Hind (The Reality of Hindustan or Hindus) gives a
graphic description of India as he had seen it. In this work, he describes the religious, literary, and
scientific traditions of India. Alberuni was one of the great Muslim scholars and experts of the
medieval period. He came to India with Mohammad Ghaznavi in 1017 and wrote about the
conditions and society of India in his account namely Tahqiq-i-Hind.
8. Which of the following are collections of biographical notes and historical events arranged dynasty-
wise it is a history of Muslim kings, their military chiefs and officials?
[A] Fatwa-i-Jahandari
[B] Tahqiq-i-Hind
[C] Tabaqat-i-Nasiri
[D] Insha-e-Mahru
Correct Answer: C [Tabaqat-i-Nasiri]
Notes:
Minhaj Siraj had written a political history called Tabaqat-i-Nasiri. It was written a few years before
and after the Khalji period. It is an elaborate history of the Islamic world written in Persian by Minhaj-
i-Siraj Juzjani and completed in 1260. The purpose of the Tabaqat-i Nasiri was to account for the
Muslim dynasties that originated in Iran and Central Asia. The Tabaqat-i Nasiri is the only source for
the Khaljis rebellion in Bengal against the sultan of Delhi from 1229-1230.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
9. Who among the following was the most reputed historian of the reign of Shah Jahan?
[A] Amir Khusrao
[B] Muhammad Sadiq Khan
[C] Abul Hamid Lahori
[D] Firishta
Correct Answer: C [Abul Hamid Lahori]
Notes:
Abul Hamid Lahori, the most reputed historian of the reign of Shah Jahan, wrote the detailed
account of Shah Jahan from his childhood to November 1649. Abdul Hamid Lahori’s Padshahnama is
a first-rate authority on the reign of Shah Jahan.
10. Which of the following works on Aurangazeb’s reign is based on state papers and was compiled
after his death?
[A] Ma’asir-i-Alamgiri
[B] Alamgirnama
[C] Futuhat-i-Almgiri
[D] Muntakhab-ul-Lubab
Correct Answer: A [Ma’asir-i-Alamgiri]
Notes:
Muhammad Saki Mustaid Khan was in the service of Aurangzeb for forty years. He was an eyewitness
to many of the events recorded by him. Ma’ asir-i-Alamgiri was written after Aurangzeb’s death but is
based on state papers. It is comparatively very brief as it deals with the history of fifty-one years in
only 541 pages.
11. Which among the following is / are true about Iqtadari system?
-
- The Iqta system was based upon salary during the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
-
- In the beginning, Iqta system was hereditary.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1 only
[B] 2 only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
- In the beginning, Iqta system was hereditary.
- Notes:
The Iqta system was provided institutional status by Iltutmish and later this system became the main
stay of the sultanate administration under the slave dynasty. In the beginning, an Iqta was based
upon salary. Later, under Firoz Shah Tughlaq it bacame hereditary.
12. Tazkireh-i Humayun va Akbar was written by which of the following?
[A] Bayazid Bayat
[B] Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat
[C] Nizamuddin Ahmad
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: A [Bayazid Bayat]
Notes:
Tazkireh-i Humayun va Akbar was written in 1590-91 CE by Bayazid Bayat. It is a history of the reigns
of Humayun and Akbar starting from 1542 CE to 1591 CE. Babur was the father of Humanyun.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
13. Who was Marco Polo?
[A] Persian traveller
[B] Moroccan traveller
[C] Venetian traveller
[D] Portuguese traveller
Correct Answer: C [Venetian traveller]
Notes:
Marco Polo was a Venetian traveller. His travelogues gives an illuminating account of contemporary
life, on his visit to South India during the thirteenth century. He travelled through Asia along Silk route.
14. Which of the following kings is credited with building a university at Ghazni?
[A] Alaptagin
[B] Subuktagin
[C] Mahmud
[D] Masud II
Correct Answer: C [Mahmud]
Notes:
Mahmud enhanced the image of Ghazni as a centre of civilization that rose from the shackles of
lawlessness into a cultured city. He is also credited with building a university at Ghazni and equipping
it with a library, museum and salaried teachers.
15. Qutub-ud-din Aibak ruled during which of the following periods?
[A] c.1202–10 CE
[B] c.1204–10 CE
[C] c.1206–10 CE
[D] c.1208–10 CE
Correct Answer: C [c.1206–10 CE]
Notes:
Qutub-ud-din Aibak ruled from c.1206 to 10 CE. He worked as a viceroy from 1192 to 1206 but after
the death of Mohammad Ghori he declared himself independent. He had the khutba read in his
name and became ruler.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
16. Who became the independent ruler of Bengal after death of Balban?
[A] Tughral Tughan Khan
[B] Ruknuddin Firoz
[C] Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
[D] Nasiruddin Bughra Khan
Correct Answer: D [Nasiruddin Bughra Khan]
Notes:
Nasiruddin Bughra Khan was son of Balban and ruled as Governor (1281–1287) and later an
independent Sultan (1287–1291) of Bengal. He had assisted his father Balban to crush the rebellion
of the governor of Lakhnauti, Tughral Tughan Khan. Ater his brother and eldest son of Balban, Prince
Muhammad was killed by Mongols, Bugra Khan was asked to take the throne of Delhi by Balban. But
Bughra refused and decided to remain in Bengal.
-
- 17. Who was the immediate successor of Alauddin Khilji?
[A] Malik Kafur
[B] Shihabuddin Omar
- 17. Who was the immediate successor of Alauddin Khilji?
-
- [C] Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
[D] Khizr Khan
- [C] Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
Correct Answer: B [Shihabuddin Omar]
Notes:
After Alauddin’s death, Mubarak Shah was imprisoned by Malik Kafur, who appointed his younger
brother Shihabuddin Omar as a puppet monarch. Omar was merely six years old when he was
appointed as successor of Alauddin. Other sons of Alauddin were either detained or blinded. Kafur
was later murdered and this led Mubarak Shah to dethrone Omar and become Sultan.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
18. What was the primary function of Diwan-i-Riyasat under Alauddin Khilji?
[A] To deal with military supplies
[B] To mobilize the tributes from different regions
[C] To implement economic regulations issued by the Sultan
[D] Organization and maintenance of the royal army
Correct Answer: C [To implement economic regulations issued by the Sultan]
Notes:
During the reign of Alauddin Khilji the supply of grain was ensured by holding stocks in the government
store houses. Prices of all commodities were fixed according to regulations. A separate department
called Diwan-i-Riyasat was created under an officer called Naib-i-Riyasat. Its primary function was to
implement the economic regulations issued by the Sultan and control the markets and prices.
19. Which of the following considered themselves as the custodians of the Hindu civilization?
[A] Rulers of Malwa
[B] Rulers of Mewar
[C] Rajput Rulers
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: B [Rulers of Mewar]
Notes:
The rulers of Mewar used the title “Maharana” instead of “Maharaja”. They believed themselves to
be merely custodians of the Hindu civilization epitomized in the temple of their lord Eklingaji.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
20. Who headed the finance department called Diwan-i-Wizarat?
[A] Naib
[B] Wazir
[C] Sadr
[D] Sultan
Correct Answer: B [Wazir]
Notes:
Wazir headed the finance department called Diwan-i-Wizarat during the Sultanate period. A separate
Auditor General was also appointed for scrutinising expenditure. Also an accountant general for
inspecting income worked under the Wazir.
21. Who destroyed the Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka?
[A] Ahmad Shah II
[B] Mahmud Shah I
[C] Ahmad Shah I
[D] Hasan Khan
Correct Answer: B [Mahmud Shah I]
Notes:
Mahmud Shah I who took the title of Mahmud Begarha was responsible for the destruction of the
Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka, Gujarat.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
22. Which of the following considered themselves as the custodians of the Hindu civilization?
[A] Rulers of Malwa
[B] Rulers of Mewar
[C] Rajput Rulers
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: B [Rulers of Mewar]
Notes:
The rulers of Mewar used the title “Maharana” instead of “Maharaja”. They believed themselves to
be merely custodians of the Hindu civilization epitomized in the temple of their lord Eklingaji.
23. India imported which of the following from West Asia during the Sultanate period?
-
- High-grade textiles
-
- Glassware
-
- Horses
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
During the age of the Delhi Sultanate India imported high-grade textiles such as satin, glassware, and
horses from West Asia. India also exported large number of commodities to the countries on the
Persian Gulf and West Asia.
- Horses
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
24. Parvathi temple is located at which of the following places?
[A] Tiruchirapalli
[B] Chidambaram
[C] Vellore
[D] Madurai
Correct Answer: B [Chidambaram]
Notes:
Parvathi temple is located at Chidambaram. Other distinguished temples of Vijayanagara Empire
include those of the Varadaraja and Ekambaranatha temples at Kanchipuram and the Jambukeswara
temple near Tiruchirapalli.
25. Which of the following kings built an observatory near Daultabad?
[A] Humayun Shah
[B] Ahmad Shah Ali
[C] Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah
[D] Hasan Gangu
Correct Answer: C [Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah]
Notes:
Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah was well acquainted with the religious sciences such as commentaries on the
Quran, jurisprudence, and natural sciences such as botany, geometry, logic, etc. He encouraged the
pursuit of astronomy and built an observatory near Daultabad.
26. Which of the following was granted the title of Malik-ul-Tujjar, i.e., ‘Chief of the Merchants’?
[A] Nizam Shah
[B] Hasan Gangu
[C] Mahmud Gawan
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: C [Mahmud Gawan]
Notes:
Mahmud Gawan was granted the title of Malik-ul- Tujjar which means ‘Chief of the Merchants’ by
the Bahmani ruler, Humayun Shah. He was 42 years old when he joined the services of Bahmani
kingdom.
27. Sufis came to India from which of the following countries?
1) Tibet
2) Persia
3) Afghanistan
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Correct Answer: C [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:
Turkish rule was established in northern India in the early thirteenth century and since then there was
a heavy influx of Sufis from Persia, Afghanistan, and Central Asia which led to a proliferation of
numerous Sufi orders in India.
28. Early sufi mystic Rabia al-Adawiya was from which of the following modern countries?
[A] Iran
[B] Iraq
[C] Lebanon
[D] Afghanistan
Correct Answer: B [Iraq ]
Notes:
Sufism or mysticism emerged in the 8th century. Some of the early known Sufis are as follows: Rabia
al-Adawiya, Al-Junaid, and Bayazid Bastami. Sufism evolved into a well-developed movement by the
end of the 11th century. Rabiʿa al-ʿAdawiyya al-Qaysiyya or Hazrat Bibi Rabia Basri, Rabia Al Basri or
simply Rabia Basri was from Basra in modern Iraq.
Top 100 Important Questions From Medival History
29. Which of the following popularized the Chisti order in Bijapur?
[A] Miranji Shams al Ushshaq
[B] Kamaluddin Biyabani
[C] Shaikh Piyara
[D] Sayyid Yadullah
Correct Answer: A [Miranji Shams al Ushshaq]
Notes:
The Chishti order took firm root in the Deccan because of Gesu Daraz’s presence in Gulbarga. Miranji
Shams al Ushshaq who was the disciple of Kamaluddin Biyabani popularized the Chisti order in
Bijapur.
30. Which of the following rulers adopted the system of Zabti-i-har-sal?
[A] Humayun
[B] Islam Khan
[C] Sher Shah Suri
[D] Akbar
Correct Answer: C [Sher Shah Suri]
Notes:
During the rule of Sher Shah Suri, the land revenue system was improved by adopting Zabti-i-har-sal
(land assessment every year) and classified all the cultivable lands into three heads which are good,
middle, bad.
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