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UPSC Prelims PYQs: Medieval India

This compilation presents UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on Medieval Indian History from 2003 to 2025. It is designed to help aspirants understand the pattern, key themes, and recurring topics essential for effective preparation.

Early Medieval Period

Q1. Consider the following dynasties: [2023]
1. Hoysala
2. Gahadavala
3. Kakatiya
4. Yadava
How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Q2. Consider the following pairs [2022]
No.KingDynasty
1NannukaChandela
2JayashaktiParamara
3Nagabhata IIGurjara-Pratihara
4BhojaRashtrakuta
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
Answer: (b)
Q3. Consider the following events in the history of India: [2020]
1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I
3. Establishment of Chola Parantaka – I
4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala
What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
(a) 2-1-4-3
(b) 3-1-4-2
(c) 2-4-1-3
(d) 3-4-1-2
Answer: (c)
Q4. With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system? [2015]
1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority.
2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land.
3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Q5. In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for [2014]
(a) military officers
(b) village headmen
(c) specialists in Vedic rituals
(d) chiefs of craft guilds
Answer: (b)
Q6. Who among the following laid the foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire? [2006]
(a) Amostghavarsa I
(b) Dantidurga
(c) Dhruva
(d) Krishna I
Answer: (b)
Q7. Which one of the Chola Kings conquered Ceylon? [2001]
(a) Aditya I
(b) Rajaraja I
(c) Rajendra
(d) Vijayalaya
Answer: (b)
Q8. 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]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a)

Delhi Sultanate

Q9. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: [2022]
1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
Q10. Consider the following statements: [2019]
1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Q11. Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued a new gold coin which was called Dinar by Ibn Batutah.
Reason (R): Muhammad bin Tughlaq wanted to issue token currency in gold coins to promote trade with West Asian and North African countries. [2006]
(a) Both A are R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Q12. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the Afghan rulers to the throne of Delhi? [2006]
(a) Sikandar Shah-Ibrahim Lodi-Bahlol Khan Lodi
(b) Sikandar Shah-Bahlol Khan Lodi-Ibrahim Lodi
(c) Bahlol Khan Lodi-Sikandar Shah-Ibrahim Lodi
(d) Bahlol Khan Lodi-Ibrahim Lodi-Sikandar Shah
Answer: (c)
Q13. Who was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate? [2004]
(a) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
(b) Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq Shah II
(c) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud
(d) Nasrat Shah
Answer: (c)
Q14. How did Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak die? [2003]
(a) He was treacherously stabbed to death by one of his ambitious nobles
(b) He was killed in a battle with Taj-u-din Yildiz, the ruler of Ghazni who entered into a contest with him over the capture of Punjab
(c) He sustained injuries while besieging the fortress of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand and succumbed to them later
(d) He died after a fall from his horse while playing Chaugan
Answer: (d)
Q15. Historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because: [2002]
(a) majority of the population did not follow Islam
(b) muslim theologists were often disregarded
(c) Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations
(d) religious freedom was accorded to non-Muslims
Answer: (c)
Q16. With reference to medieval Indian rulers, which one of the following statement is correct? [2002]
(a) Alauddin Khalji first set up a separate ariz’s department.
(b) Balban introduced the branding of horses in his military.
(c) Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his uncle to the military.
(d) Firoz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves.
Answer: (d)
Q17. 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]
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a)
Q18. Mongols under Chengiz Khan invaded India during the reign of: [2001]
(a) Balban
(b) Firoz Tughlaq
(c) Iltutmish
(d) Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
Answer: (c)
Q19. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched? [2001]
(a) Dewan-i-Bandagani – Tughlaq
(b) Dewan-i-Mustakhraj – Balban
(c) Dewan-i-Kohi – Alauddin Khilji
(d) Dewan-i-Arz – Muhammad Tughlaq
Answer: (a)
Q20. ‘The king was freed from his people and they from their king’. On whose death did Badauni comment thus? [1999]
(a) Balban
(b) Ala-ud-din Khalji
(c) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
(d) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: (c)
Q21. To which Lodi Sultan does the given map relate and what town does the site marked A on the map represent? [1999]
(a) Bahlol Lodi – Jaunpur
(b) Sikandar Lodi – Aligarh
(c) Ibrahim Lodi – Jaunpur
(d) Ibrahim Lodi – Aligarh
Answer: (a)
Q22. Sultan of Delhi who is reputed to have built the biggest network of canals in India was: [1998]
(a) Iltutmish
(b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
(c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
(d) Sikandar Lodi
Answer: (c)
Q23. Fawazil in the Sultanate period meant: [1998]
(a) extra payment to the nobles
(b) revenue assigned in lieu of salary
(c) excess amount paid to the exchequer by the Iqtadars
(d) illegal exactions extracted from the peasants
Answer: (c)
Q24. After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of: [1997]
(a) Tute-Hind
(b) Kaisr-I-Hind
(c) Zil-I-Ilahi
(d) Din-I-Ilahi
Answer: (c)
Q25. Consider the map given below: [1995]
The route indicated in the map was followed, during the course of his military exploits, by:
(a) Chandragupta II
(b) Harshavardhana
(c) Rajendra Chola
(d) Malik Kafur
Answer: (d)

Mughal

Q26. “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of: [2022]
(a) Akbar
(b) Humayun
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (a)
Q27. With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar? [2019]
1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Q28. With reference to the Mian Tansen, which one of the following statement is not correct? [2019]
(a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
(b) Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu god and goddesses.
(c) Tansen composed songs on his patrons.
(d) Tansen invented many Ragas.
Answer: (a)
Q29. Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait? [2019]
(a) Humayun
(b) Akbar
(c) Jahangir
(d) Shah Jahan
Answer: (c)
Q30. Consider the following: [2015]
The arrival of Babur into India led to the
1. introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent
2. introduction of the arch and dome in the region’s architecture
3. establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Q31. With whose permission did the English set up their first factory in Surat? [2009]
(a) Akbar
(b) Jahangir
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (b)
Q32. During the time of which Mughal Emperor did the English East India Company establish its first factory in India? [2008]
(a) Akbar
(b) Jahangir
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (b)
Q33. Bhakta Tukaram was a contemporary of which Mughal emperor? [2006]
(a) Babar
(b) Akbar
(c) Jahangir
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (c)
Q34. In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori? [2006]
(a) An important military commander during Akbar’s reign.
(b) An official historian of the reign of Shahjahan.
(c) An important noble and confidant of Aurangzeb.
(d) A chronicler and poet during the reign of Muhammad Shah.
Answer: (b)
Q35. How did the dynasty of Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar come to an end? [2004]
(a) Ahmadnagar was annexed into Mughal empire and Hussain Shah was given life imprisonment
(b) Mughal troops destroyed Daulatabad fort and killed Nizam-ul Mulk of Ahmadnagar
(c) Fateh Khan usurped the throne from Nizam-ul-Mulk
(d) Malik Ambar was defeated in a battle with Mughals in 1631 and the entire royal family was killed by the Mughal troops
Answer: (a)
Q36. Alam Khan, one of those who invited Babur to invade India was: [2003]
(a) an uncle of Ibrahim Lodi and a pretender to the throne of Delhi
(b) a cousin of Ibrahim Lodi who was ill-treated and expelled from the country
(c) the father of Dilawar Khan to whom cruel treatment was meted out by Ibrahim Lodi
(d) a high official in Punjab province who was discontented with Ibrahim Lodi’s treatment to his tribe
Answer: (a)
Q37. The Battle of Dharmat was fought between: [2003]
(a) Muhammad Ghori and Jai Chand
(b) Babur and Afghans
(c) Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
(d) Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Marathas
Answer: (c)
Q38. How did the Mughal Emperor Jahandarshah’s reign come to an early end? [2003]
(a) He was deposed by his Wazir
(b) He died due to a slip while climbing down the steps
(c) He was defeated by his nephew in a battle
(d) He died of sickness due to too much consumption of wine
Answer: (c)
Q39. Assertion (A): Emperor Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 with a huge army.
Reason (R): He was on his way to reclaim his ancestral country of Fergiohana in Central Asia. [2003]
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Q40. Assertion (A): Shah Alam II spent the initial years as an emperor far away from his capital.
Reason (R): There was always a lurking danger of foreign invasion from the north-west frontier. [2003]
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Q41. Assertion (A): Marathas emerged as the strongest native power in India after the decline of Mughal empire.
Reason (R): Marathas were the first to have a clear concept of a united Indian nation. [2003]
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Q42. The motive behind Shah Jahan’s Balkh campaign was to: [2002]
(a) secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakshan which bordered Kabul
(b) conquer Samarqand and Farghana, the Mughal homelands
(c) fix the Mughal frontier on the ‘scientific line’, the Amu Daria
(d) expand the Mughal Empire beyond the sub-continent
Answer: (a)
Q43. Assertion (A): The Battle of Khanwa 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]
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a)
Q44. The shaded area in the above map shows the empire of [2001]
(a) Ala-ud-din Khalji
(b) Mohammad Tughlaq
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (c)
Q45. Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal period? [2001]
(a) Calicut
(b) Broach
(c) Cambay
(d) Surat
Answer: (d)
Q46. The given map refers to the kingdom of [2000]
(a) Akbar at the time of capture of Khandesh in 1601
(b) Akbar at the time of his death in 1605
(c) Aurangzeb at the time of capture of Hyderabad
(d) Aurangzeb at the time of his death in 1707
Answer: (a)
Q47. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [1999]
(a) Jahangir: William Hawkins
(b) Akbar: Sir Thomas Roe
(c) Shahjahan: Travernier
(d) Aurangzeb: Manucci
Answer: (b)
Q48. 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]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a)
Q49. 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]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Q50. 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]
Map for Akbar's empire - Q50
(a) Akbar in 1557: (A) Gokunda, (B) Lahore
(b) Akbar in 1557: (A) Khandesh, (B) Multan
(c) Akbar in 1605: (A) Gondwana, (B) Multan
(d) Akbar in 1605: (A) Gondwana, (B) Lahore
Answer: (d)
Q51. The loss of Qandhar was a big blow to the Mughal empire from the view point of: [1998]
(a) natural resources
(b) buffer territory
(c) communication
(d) strategic stronghold
Answer: (d)
Q52. Consider the following statements: [1998]

Ahadis were those troopers who:
1. offered their services singly
2. did not attach themselves to any chief
3. had the emperor as their immediate colonel
4. attached themselves to Mirzas
(a) 1, 3 and 4 are correct
(b) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
(c) 2 and 3 are correct
(d) 1 and 4 are correct
Answer: (b)
Q53. The head of the military department under the reorganised central machinery of administration during Akbar’s reign was: [1997]
(a) Diwan
(b) Mir Bakshi
(c) Mir Saman
(d) Bakshi
Answer: (b)
Q54. In medieval India, Mansabdari system was introduced mainly for: [1996]
(a) making recruitment to the army
(b) facilitating revenue collection
(c) ensuring religious harmony
(d) effecting clean administration
Answer: (d)

Vijayanagar

Q55. Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal? [2024]
(a) Krishnadevaraya
(b) Narasimha Saluva
(c) Muhammad Shah III
(d) Yusuf Adil Shah
Answer: (a)
Q56. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city? [2023]
(a) Devaraya I
(b) Mallikarjuna
(c) Vira Vijaya
(d) Virupaksha
Answer: (a)
Q57. Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements: [2016]
1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Q58. Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong? [2015]
(a) Amoghavarsha I
(b) Ballala II
(c) Harihara I
(d) Prataparudra II
Answer: (c)
Q59. When Raja Wodeyar founded the kingdom of Mysore, who was the ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire? [2006]
(a) Sadasiva
(b) Tirumala
(c) Ranga II
(d) Venkata II
Answer: (d)
Q60. Assertion (A): Saluva Narasimha put an end to the old dynasty and assumed the royal title.
Reason (R): He wanted to save the kingdom from further degeneration and disintegration. [2003]
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Q61. Consider the following statements: [2003]
1. Narasimha Saluva ended the Sangama dynasty and seized the throne for himself and started the Saluva dynasty.
2. Vira Narasimha deposed the last Saluva ruler and seized the throne for himself.
3. Vira Narasimha was succeeded by his younger brother, Krishnadeva Raya.
4. Krishnadeva Raya was succeeded by his half-brother, Achyuta Raya.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)

Bhakti

Q62. In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to: [2022]
(a) Clothing
(b) Coins
(c) Ornaments
(d) Weapons
Answer: (b)
Q63. Consider the following statements: [2019]
1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Q64. Consider the following Bhakti Saints: [2013]
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
(a) 1 & 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 & 3
(d) 1 & 2
Answer: (b)
Q65. 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?
(a) 1 & 2
(b) 1 & 3
(c) 2 & 3
(d) 2 & 4
Answer: (d)
Q66. Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message? [2002]
(a) Dadu
(b) Kabir
(c) Ramananda
(d) Tulsidas
Answer: (c)
Q67. 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. Namdev1. Barber
B. Kabir2. Weaver
C. Ravidas3. Tailor
D. Sena4. Cobbler
Codes:
(a) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
(b) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
(c) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
(d) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
Answer: (b)
Q68. 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]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)

Miscellaneous

Q69. Consider the following fruits: [2025]
I. Papaya
II. Pineapple
III. Guava

How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Q70. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese? [2023]
(a) Ahmad Shah
(b) Mahmud Begarha
(c) Bahadur Shah
(d) Muhammad Shah
Answer: (c)
Q71. With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran”? [2022]
(a) Arab merchants
(b) Qalandars
(c) Persian calligraphists
(d) Sayyids
Answer: (d)
Q72. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size? [2021]
(a) Paragana-Sarkar-Suba
(b) Sarkar-Paragana-Suba
(c) Suba-Sarkar-Paragana
(d) Paragana-Suba-Sarkar
Answer: (a)
Q73. Consider the following statements [2021]
1. It was during the reign of Iltumish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.

2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.

3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 & 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 & 3
Answer: (a)
Q74. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: [2020]
1. Aurang: In-charge of treasury of the State
2. Banian: Indian agent of the East India Company
3. Mirasidar: Designated revenue payer to the State

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Q75. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom? [2017]
(a) Kakinada
(b) Motapalli
(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
(d) Nelluru
Answer: (b)
Q76. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally [2016]
(a) agriculturists
(b) warriors
(c) weavers
(d) traders
Answer: (d)
Q77. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: [2016]
TermDescription
1. EripattiLand, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank.
2. TaniyursVillages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. GhatikasColleges generally attached to the temples
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (d)
Q78. With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to [2016]
(a) bonded labour
(b) land grants made to military officers
(c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
(d) wasteland converted to cultivated land
Answer: (c)
Q79. Consider the following pairs: [2015]
Medieval Indian StatePresent Region
1. ChampakaCentral India
2. DurgaraJammu
3. KulutaMalabar
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 & 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
Q80. Consider the following statements: [2012]
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of soil and the quality of crops
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chilies

Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Q81. Who among the following streamlined the Maratha administration after Sambhaji? [2000]
(a) Raja Ram
(b) Balaji Vishwanath
(c) Ganga Bai
(d) Nanaji Deshmukh
Answer: (b)
Q82. Consider the following events: [2000]
1. Reign of Krishna Deva Raya 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:
(a) 2, 4, 3, 1
(b) 2, 4, 1, 3
(c) 4, 2, 1, 3
(d) 4, 2, 3, 1
Answer: (a)
Q83. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2000]
List-IList-II
A. Iqta1. Marathas
B. Jagir2. Delhi Sultans
C. Amaram3. Mughals
D. Mokasa4. Vijayanagara
Codes:
(a) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
(b) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
(c) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
(d) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
Answer: (b)
Q84. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list: [2000]
List-IList-II
A. Land allotted to big feudal landlords1. Jagirdari System
B. Land allotted to revenue farmers or rent collectors2. Ryotwari System
C. Land allotted to each peasant with the right to sublet, mortgage, transfer, gift or sell3. Mahalwari System
D. Revenue settlements made at village level4. Zamindari System
Codes:
(a) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
(b) A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
(c) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
(d) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
Answer: (b)
Q85. Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the ‘Jagadguru’ by his Muslim subject because of his belief in secularism? [2000]
(a) Hussain Shah
(b) Zain-ul-Abidin
(c) Ibrahim Adil Shah
(d) Mahmud II
Answer: (c)
Q86. One consistent feature found in the history of southern India was the growth of small regional kingdoms rather than large empires because of: [1999]
(a) absence of minerals like iron
(b) too many divisions in the social structure
(c) the absence of vast areas of fertile land
(d) the scarcity of manpower
Answer: (c)
Q87. Consider the following: [1998]
1. Tughlaqabad fort
2. Lodi Garden
3. Qutab Minar
4. Fatehpur Sikri

The correct chronological order in which they were built is:
(a) 3, 1, 4, 2
(b) 3, 1, 2, 4
(c) 1, 3, 2, 4
(d) 1, 3, 4, 2
Answer: (b)
Q88. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [1998]
List-IList-II
A. 15561. Battle of Haldi Ghati
B. 16002. Nadir Shah’s capture of Delhi
C. 16863. Death of Shivaji
D. 17394. Grant of Charter to East India Company
5. Accession of Akbar
Codes:
(a) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
(b) A-5, B-4, C-3, D-2
(c) A-5, B-2, C-1, D-4
(d) A-1, B-5, C-3, D-2
Answer: (b)
Q89. The member of Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan who looked after foreign affairs was: [1998]
(a) Peshwa
(b) Sacheev
(c) Pandit Rao
(d) Sumant
Answer: (d)
Q90. Nastaliq was: [1996]
(a) a persian script used in medieval India
(b) a raga composed by Tansen
(c) a cess levied by the Mughal rulers
(d) a manual of code of conduct for the Ulemas
Answer: (a)
Q91. Who among the following were famous jurists of medieval India? [1995]
1. Vijnanesvara
2. Hemadri
3. Rajasekhara
4. Jimutavahana

Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (c)
Q92. Ashtapradhan was a council of ministers: [1995]
(a) in the Gupta administration
(b) in the Chola administration
(c) in the Vijayanagar administration
(d) in the Maratha administration
Answer: (d)