This compilation presents UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on Medieval Indian History from 1995 to 2002. It is designed to help aspirants understand the pattern, key themes, and recurring topics essential for effective preparation.
Q1. The Mughal school of painting formed the spinal column of different schools of Indian miniature art. Which one of the following painting styles was not affected by Mughal paintings? [1995]
Q2. Who among the following were famous jurists of medieval India? [1995]
Q3. Which one of the following monuments has a dome which is said to be one of the largest in the world? [1995]
Q4. Ashtapradhan was a council of ministers: [1995]
Q5. Consider the map given below: [1995]
Q6. The term 'Apabhramsa' was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote: [1996]
Q7. Nastaliq was: [1996]
Q8. The Sufi saint who maintained that devotional music was one way of coming close to God was: [1996]
Q9. Mughal painting reached its zenith under: [1996]
Q10. In medieval India, Mansabdari system was introduced for: [1996]
Q11. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched? [1996]
Q12. Prem Vatika, poems on the life of Krishna, were composed by: [1996]
Q13. After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of: [1997]
Q14. Head of the military department under the recognised central machinery of administration during Akbar's reign was: [1997]
Q15. Assertion (A): The sponsor and the most prominent figure of the Chisti order of Sufis in India is Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
Reason (R): The Chisti order takes its name from a village Chisti in Ajmer.
In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct? [1997]
Q16. Which one of the following pairs of composers in different languages and their works on the Mahabharata theme is correctly matched? [1997]
Q17. The medieval Indian writer who refers to the discovery of America is: [1997]
Q18. The member of Shivaji's Ashtapradhan who looked after foreign affairs was: [1998]
Q19. The loss of Qandhar was a big blow to the Mughal empire from the view point of: [1998]
Q20. Fawazil in the Sultanate period meant: [1998]
Q21. Sultan of Delhi who is reputed to have built the biggest network of canals in India was: [1998]
Q22. Assertion (A): At first the Turkish administration in India was essentially military.
Reason (R): The country was parcelled out as 'Iqtas' among leading military leaders. [1998]
Q23. Assertion (A): During the reign of Shahjahan, Dara Sikoh was sent on expedition to Balkha, Badakhshan and Qandahar.
Reason (R): The expedition sent by Shahjahan to the Middle- East was a marvellous success. [1998]
Q24. Consider the following statements: [1998]
Ahadis were those troopers who:
- offered their services singly
- did not attach themselves to any chief
- had the emperor as their immediate colonel
- attached themselves to Mirzas
Q25. Consider the following: [1998]
- Tughlaqabad fort
- Lodi Garden
- Qutab Minar
- Fatehpur Sikri
The correct chronological order in which they were built is:
Q26. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [1998]
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| A. 1556 | 1. Battle of Haldi Ghati |
| B. 1600 | 2. Nadir Shah's capture of Delhi |
| C. 1686 | 3. Death of Shivaji |
| D. 1739 | 4. Grant of Charter to East India Company |
| 5. Accession of Akbar |
Codes:
Q27. In the given map, the shaded part represents Akbar's empire at a certain juncture, A stands for an independent country and 'B' marks the site of city. Which one of the following alternative gives all correct information? [1998]
Q28. The first writer to use Urdu as the medium of poetic expression was: [1999]
Q29. To which Lodi Sultan does the given map relate and what town does the site marked A represent? [1999]
Q30. Assertion (A): During the time of Akbar, for every ten cavalrymen, the mansabdars had to maintain twenty horses.
Reason (R): Horses had to be rested while on march and replacements were necessary in times of war. [1999]
Q31. One consistent feature found in the history of southern India was the growth of small regional kingdoms rather than large empires because of: [1999]
Q32. 'The king was freed from his people and they from their king'. On whose death did Badauni comment thus? [1999]
Q33. Consider the following statements:
The striking feature of the Jama Masjid in Kashmir completed by Zain-ul-Abdin include(s):
1. turret
2. similarity with Buddhist pagodas
3. Persian style
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Q34. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [1999]
Q35. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list: [2000]
| List-I | List-II |
|---|---|
| A. Land allotted to big feudal landlords | 1. Jagirdari System |
| B. Land allotted to revenue farmers or rent collectors | 2. Ryotwari System |
| C. Land allotted to each peasant with the right to sublet, mortgage, transfer, gift or sell | 3. Mahalwari System |
| D. Revenue settlements made at village level | 4. Zamindari System |
Codes:
Q36. Who among the following streamlined the Maratha administration after Sambhaji? [2000]
Q37. The given map refers to the kingdom of [2000]
Answer: (a)
38. Consider the following events: [2000]
- 1. Reign of Krishna Deva of Vijaynagara
- 2. Construction of Qutab Minar
- 3. Arrival of Portuguese in India
- 4. Death of Firoz Tughlaq
Correct chronological sequence of these events is:
Answer: (a)
39. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2000]
| List-I | List-II |
|---|---|
| A. Iqta | 1. Marathas |
| B. Jagir | 2. Delhi Sultans |
| C. Amaram | 3. Mughals |
| D. Mokasa | 4. Vijayanagara |
Codes
Answer: (b)
40. Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the 'Jagadguru' by his Muslim subject because of his belief in secularism? [2000]
Answer: (c)
41. In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located? [2001]
Answer: (a)
42. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2001]
| List-I (Bhakti Saint) | List-II (Profession) |
|---|---|
| A. Namdev | 1. Barber |
| B. Kabir | 2. Weaver |
| C. Ravidas | 3. Tailor |
| D. Sena | 4. Cobbler |
Codes:
Answer: (b)
43. Mongols under Chengiz Khan invaded India during the reign of: [2001]
Answer: (c)
44. Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal period? [2001]
Answer: (d)
45. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched? [2001]
Answer: (a)
46. Assertion (A): Battle of Khanua was certainly more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat
Reason (R): Rana Sanga, the Rajput hero, was certainly a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi. [2001]
Codes:
Answer: (a)
47. The shaded area in the above map shows the empire of [2000]
- (a) Alauddin Khalji
- (b) Mohammad Tughlaq
- (c) Shahjahan
- (d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (c)
48. Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message? [2002]
Answer: (c)
49. With reference to medieval Indian rulers, which one of the following statements is correct? [2002]
Answer: (d)
50. The motive behind Shah Jahan's Balkh campaign was to: [2002]
Answer: (a)
51. Assertion (A): Muhammad Bin Tughlaq left Delhi, and for two years lived in a camp called Swarga-Dwari.
Reason (R): At that time, Delhi was ravaged by plague and many people died. [2002]
Codes:
Answer: (a)
Q52. Historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because: [2002]
Answer: (c)
Q53. With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements: [2002]
- 1. Sheikh Ahmad Sarhandi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi
- 2. Sheikh Nasiruddin Chirag-I-Dehlavi was a disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya
- 3. Aurangzeb was a contemporary of Sheikh Salim Chisti
- 4. Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Sheikh Niamutullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani
Which of these statements are correct?
Answer: (d)
More Prelims PYQs
- UPSC Prelims History PYQs: Ancient History, Part III
- UPSC Prelims History PYQs: Ancient History, Part II
- UPSC Prelims History PYQs: Ancient History, Part I
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