Medieval Indian History MCQs Quiz Set 1

Medieval Indian History - Quiz Section

Medieval Indian History - Multiple Choice Questions - SET 1

Specially Designed for UPSC-related exams, and State Level Group-1 & Group-2 Exams

Also Useful for SSC-CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, CDS, RRB, and all other Competitive Exams

Source of Questions - NCERT 6th to 12th Textbooks and

Questions Included from UPSC previous year papers, State level Group-1 and group-2 Previous Papers

1Q) The Battle of Haldighati was fought between:

(A) Akbar and Rana Pratap

(B) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi

(C) Sher Shah and Humayun

(D) Alauddin Khilji and Rana Ratan Singh

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⇨ The Battle of Haldighati was a battle fought on 18 June 1576 between the Mewar forces led by Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal emperor Akbar's forces, led by Raja Man Singh I of Amber.

⇨ Maharana Pratap was supported mainly by the Bhil tribe in this war.

⇨ The battle took place in the Haldighati mountain pass located in present-day Rajasthan, India.

⇨ At that time, the Mughal Empire, under the leadership of Akbar, was expanding its territories in northern India. Maharana Pratap, the valiant Rajput king, refused to submit to Mughal authority and continued to resist their dominance. The battle was a result of escalating tensions between the two powers.

⇨ Maharana Pratap, along with his loyal Rajput warriors, fought bravely against the well-trained and organized Mughal army. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Rajputs displayed extraordinary valor and fought with great determination.

⇨ The Rajputs, known for their expertise in guerrilla warfare and mounted cavalry, utilized their strategic advantage in the hilly terrain of Haldighati. They launched repeated attacks on the Mughal forces, inflicting heavy casualties and causing significant disruption to their ranks.

⇨ However, the superior resources and military tactics of the Mughals eventually turned the tide in their favor. The Mughal artillery and firearms played a crucial role in breaking the Rajput resistance. Maharana Pratap, realizing that victory was not possible, decided to retreat and live to fight another day.

⇨ Although the Battle of Haldighati was considered a tactical victory for the Mughals, Maharana Pratap's defiance and refusal to surrender became symbolic of Rajput's bravery and resistance against foreign rule. Despite the defeat, Maharana Pratap continued his struggle against the Mughals and never accepted their supremacy.

⇨ The Battle of Haldighati holds a prominent place in Indian history as it represents the clash between the powerful Mughal Empire and the unwavering Rajput spirit. It is remembered for the valor and courage displayed by both sides, with Maharana Pratap emerging as a legendary figure in the annals of Indian resistance against foreign invasions

2Q) The Bhakti movement in medieval India emphasized:

(A) Caste hierarchy

(B) Rituals and ceremonies

(C) Social equality and devotion to God

(D) Asceticism and renunciation

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⇨ The Bhakti movement in medieval India emphasized social equality and devotion to God. The movement, which emerged around the 14th century and continued until the 17th century, cut across caste and class barriers, promoting the idea that all individuals, regardless of their social status, could attain salvation through personal devotion to God.

⇨ The Bhakti movement sought to bridge the gap between different religious communities and challenged the rigid caste hierarchy prevalent in society at that time. It rejected the idea that one's social position determined their spiritual worth and advocated for a direct and personal relationship with the divine.

⇨ The movement emphasized the importance of inner spiritual experience and personal devotion (bhakti) rather than external rituals and ceremonies. It encouraged individuals to cultivate a deep love and devotion for their chosen deity or form of God, often through the recitation of hymns, prayers, and devotional songs.

⇨ The Bhakti saints, known as bhaktas or poet-saints, played a crucial role in popularizing the movement. These saints came from various backgrounds, including both lower and upper castes, and composed devotional poetry in regional languages that resonated with the masses. Their poetry expressed the intensity of their love and devotion to God and conveyed the message of social equality, moral values, and spiritual unity.

⇨ The Bhakti movement also emphasized the universality of religion and sought to foster harmony among different religious communities. The saints of the movement often incorporated elements from different religious traditions, blending Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh themes in their devotional compositions.

⇨ Overall, the Bhakti movement aimed to reform society by promoting a path of personal devotion, emphasizing equality among individuals, and challenging social divisions based on caste and religion. Its teachings and ideals continue to have a profound impact on Indian society and culture.

3Q) The Sufi saint who is known as the "Love of God" is:

(A) Moinuddin Chishti

(B) Nizamuddin Auliya

(C) Sheikh Salim Chishti

(D) Baba Farid

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⇨ The Sufi saint who is known as the "Love of God" (or) "Beloved of God" is Nizamuddin Auliya. He is revered as one of the most prominent Sufi saints in Indian history and is known for his deep love and devotion to God. His teachings and spiritual practices focused on the concept of divine love and the pursuit of a personal relationship with God.

⇨ Nizamuddin Auliya lived during the 13th and 14th centuries in Delhi, India. He was a disciple of the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and later became the spiritual successor of his teachings. Nizamuddin Auliya established a khanqah, which served as a spiritual center for his disciples and followers.

⇨ His teachings emphasized the importance of love, compassion, and service to humanity. He believed that true love and devotion to God could be attained through sincere and selfless acts of service toward others. Nizamuddin Auliya's teachings advocated for spiritual upliftment and moral values, focusing on the inner transformation of individuals.

⇨ His life and teachings have had a significant impact on the development of Sufism in India. Nizamuddin Auliya's khanqah became a place of spiritual gathering, where people from different backgrounds and faiths would come to seek his guidance and blessings. His teachings and spiritual practices continue to inspire people to this day.

4Q) The Mansabdari system was introduced by:

(A) Akbar

(B) Aurangzeb

(C) Sher Shah Suri

(D) Jahangir

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⇨ Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system, which was a system of ranking and grading officials in the Mughal administration.

⇨ The Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was a unique administrative and military system implemented during the Mughal Empire. The term "mansab" translates to "rank" or "position," and the system aimed to organize and control the nobility and the military forces under the central authority.

⇨ Under the Mansabdari system, every noble or military officer, known as a mansabdar, was assigned a specific rank or mansab. The mansabdar's rank was denoted by a numerical value called "zat" and a separate numerical value called "sawar" representing the number of cavalrymen or horses the mansabdar was required to maintain.

⇨ The Mansabdari system served multiple purposes. Firstly, it provided a hierarchical structure within the nobility, enabling the emperor to maintain a balance of power and control over the regional nobles. Each mansabdar's rank determined their status, privileges, and salary, which were provided through grants of land, revenue assignments, or cash stipends.

⇨ Secondly, the system acted as a mechanism for organizing and mobilizing the military forces of the empire. The number of cavalrymen a mansabdar had to maintain reflected their military capabilities and responsibilities. This system allowed the Mughal Empire to maintain a well-structured and powerful cavalry, crucial for their military campaigns and defense.

⇨ Furthermore, the Mansabdari system established a framework for the recruitment, promotion, and dismissal of the mansabdars. The emperor had the authority to grant or revoke ranks based on performance, loyalty, and other factors. This ensured a merit-based system where promotion was possible through demonstrating competence, loyalty, and military achievements.

⇨ The Mansabdari system also facilitated revenue administration. Mansabdars were assigned revenue assignments or jagirs, which were territories or regions from which they collected revenue. The revenue collected was used to maintain their contingent of cavalry and fulfill their administrative responsibilities.

⇨ Overall, the Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was a comprehensive administrative and military system that played a crucial role in consolidating and maintaining the Mughal Empire. It provided a hierarchical structure, organized the nobility and military, and established a framework for recruitment, promotion, and revenue administration. The system continued to be an integral part of the Mughal administration even after Akbar's reign, although it underwent some modifications in later years.

5Q) The Maratha Empire reached its peak under the rule of:

(A) Shivaji

(B) Baji Rao I

(C) Balaji Baji Rao

(D) Peshwa Madhavrao

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⇨ Balaji Baji Rao was the third Peshwa of the Maratha Empire and played a significant role in expanding its territories.

⇨ Balaji Baji Rao, also known as Nanasaheb, was a prominent figure in the Maratha Empire during the 18th century. He served as the third Peshwa, which was the highest administrative and military position in the Maratha government. Balaji Baji Rao played a crucial role in expanding and consolidating the Maratha Empire, and his leadership marked the peak of Maratha's power.

⇨ Balaji Baji Rao was born on December 8, 1721, in Pune, Maharashtra, into the influential Peshwa family. His father, Baji Rao I, was the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire and established the foundation of Maratha dominance.

6Q) Who among the below was preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?

(1) DaduDayal

(2) Guru Nanak

(3) Tyagaraja

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 2

(C) Only 1 and 2

(D) Only 2 and 3

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⇨ Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over in 1526.

⇨ Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539) - He was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.

⇨ Dadu Dayal (1544–1603) - He was a poet-saint from Gujarat, India, a religious reformer who spoke against formalism and priestcraft.

⇨ Kakarla Tyagabrahmam (1767 – 1847) - Kakarla Tyagabrahmam, popularly known as Tyagaraja, was a renowned composer and saint in the Carnatic music tradition of South India. He was born on May 4, 1767, in the town of Tiruvarur in present-day Tamil Nadu.

7Q) According to the Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were experts in which of the following areas?

(1) Wrestling

(2) Astrology

(3) Accounting

(4) Soothsaying

(A) 2 and 4 only

(B) 1, 2, and 3 only

(C) 1, 3, and 4 only

(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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⇨ Fernao Nuniz visited Vijayanagara Empire in the time period of 1535-1537 AD.

⇨ According to the Portuguese writer Nuniz, there were women wrestlers in the kingdom, astrologers and soothsayers, and also those who wrote accounts of expenses.

⇨ He also observed that women were employed in royal palaces as dancers, judges, bailiffs, and watchwomen.

8Q) “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:

(A) Akbar

(B) Humayun

(C) Shahjahan

(D) Aurangzeb

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⇨ "Yogavasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of Emperor Akbar.

9Q) Which of the following statements given below is correct?

(1) Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.

(2) Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

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⇨ Saint Nimbarka is not a contemporary of Akbar, because Saint Nimbarka lived in the 11th and 12th centuries, but on the other hand, Mughal Emperor Akbar lived from 1556-1605.

⇨ Saint Nimbarka also known as Nimbarkacharya, Nimbaditya (or) Niyamananda.

⇨ Saint Nimbarka is the founder of the Nimbarka Sampradaya.

⇨ He is one of four main traditions of the Hindu sect Vaishnavism.

⇨ Saint Kabir was not influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi, because Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi also known as Imam Rabbani was a prominent Islamic scholar and sufi of the 16th century, But on the other hand, Kabir was a 15th-century poet-saint who is considered as a great Bhakti Saint of India.

10Q) Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portraits?

(A) Humayun

(B) Akbar

(C) Jahangir

(D) Shah Jahan

Show/Hide The Explanation of Answer

⇨ The Mughal Emperor who shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portraits was Jahangir.

⇨ Jahangir, who ruled from 1605 to 1627, was known for his love for art, particularly paintings.

⇨ Under his patronage, the Mughal painting underwent significant developments and innovations.

⇨ Jahangir encouraged the creation of albums (called "muraqqa") that contained individual portraits, naturalistic scenes, and depictions of flora and fauna.

⇨ He also had a keen interest in portraiture, commissioning artists to create detailed and realistic portraits of himself, his family members, and important courtiers. Jahangir's reign marked a shift in the Mughal painting tradition, with a greater emphasis on individual portraits and album compositions.

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