Medieval History Previous Year Questions in UPSC Prelims
(2023-2012)
1. Consider the following dynasties:
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
2. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and canalcum- aqueduct several a kilometer’s long from the river to the capital city?
(a) Devaraya I
(b) Mallikarjuna
(c) Vira Vijaya
(d) Virupaksha
2022
1.In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:
(a) Clothing
(b)Coins
(c) Ornaments
(d) Weapons.
2.With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
- The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
- During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
- 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
3.With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran” ?
(a) Arab merchants
(b) Qalandars
(c) Persian calligraphists
(d) Sayyids
4.Consider the following pairs:
King Dynasty
- Nannuka Chandela
- Jayashakti Paramara
- Nagabhata II Gurjara-Pratihara
- Bhoja Rashtrakuta
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
5.“Yogavãsistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
(a) Akbar
(b) Humayun
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb
6.The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently.
Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c) Logical arguments were meant for the highest bliss.
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
2021
- According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in the Vijayanagara empire were experts in which the following areas?
(1) Wrestling
(2) Astrology
(3) Accounting
(4) Soothsaying
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
2.Consider the following statements:
(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 Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
(3) It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of the 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 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
3.With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
(a) Paragana – Sarkar – Suba
(b) Sarkar – Paragana – Suba
(c) Suba – Sarkar – Paragana
(d) Paragana – Suba – Sarkar
4.With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?
(1) The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad state.
(2) The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of the Vijayanagara empire.
(3) Rohilkhand kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
2020
Consider the following events in the history of India :
- Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
- Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I
- Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I
- The Pala dynasty was 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
2.With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote
(a) measurement of land
(b) coins of different monetary value
(c) classification of urban land
(d) religious rituals
2019
- With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
- 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.
- 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
2.With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
(b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
(c) The forced labor was entitled to weekly wages.
(d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
3.Consider the following statements:
- In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
- The lqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
- 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
4.Consider the following statements:
- Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
- 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
5.With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
(b) Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.
(c) Tansen composed songs on his patrons.
(d) Tansen invented many Ragas.
6.Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portraits?
(a) Humayun
(b) Akbar
(c) Jahangir
(d) Shah Jahan
2018
1.Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?
(a) Francois Bernier
(b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
(c) Jean de Thevenot
(d) Abbe Barthelemy Carre
2017
2.Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
(a) Kakinada
(b) Motupalli
(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
(d) Nelluru
2016
1.With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to
(a) bonded labour
(b) land grants made to military officers
(c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
(d) wasteland converted to cultivated land
2.With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories, and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?
(a) Shramana
(b) Parivraajaka
(c) Agrahaarika
(d) Maagadha
3.Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:
- The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
- 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
4.Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
(a) agriculturists
(b) warriors
(c) weavers
(d) traders
2015
1.Consider the following pairs:
Medieval Indian State Present Region
- Champaka : Central India
- Durgara : Jammu
- Kuluta : Malabar
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
2.Consider the following:
The arrival of Babur into India led to the
- introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent
- introduction of the arch and dome in the region’s architecture
- 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
3.With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?
- A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority
- Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of the land
- 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
4.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?
(a) Amoghavarsha I
(b) Ballala II
(c) Harihara I
(d) Prataparudra II
2014
1.badat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
(a) the mosque for the use of Royal Family
(b) Akbar’s private prayer chamber
(c) the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
(d) the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs
2.In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for
(a) military officers
(b) village headmen
(c) specialists in Vedic rituals
(d) chiefs of craft guilds
2013
1.Consider the following Bhakti Saints:
- Dadu Dayal
- Guru Nanak
- Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
2012
1.With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?
- Meditation and control of breath
- Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place
- Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3