Q51. The head of the military department under the recognized central machinery of administration during Akbar’s reign was:
(a) Diwan
(b) Mir Bakshi
(c) Mir Saman
(d) Bakshi
Answer:(b) Mir Bakshi
Explanation: He was the head of the military and intelligence department. He was not the Commander-in-Chief but was the paymaster-general. All intelligence officers (bands) and news reporters (Waqia-navis) reported to him.
Q52. The dead body of Babar by his own choice lies buried in
(a) Agra
(b) Farghana
(c) Samarqand
(d) Kabul
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Babur died at the age of 47 in 1531. Though he wished to be buried in his favourite garden in Kabul, a city he had always loved, he was first buried in a mausoleum in the capital city of Agra. His remains were later moved to Bagh-e Babur (Babur Gardens) in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Q53. Which one of the following pairs of composers in different languages and their works on the Mahabharata theme is correctly matched?
(a) Sarladasa–Bengali
(b) Kasirama–Oriya
(c) Tikkana–Marathi
(d) Pampa–Kannada
Answer:(d) Pampa–Kannada
Explanation: Pampa was a Kannada poet whose works reflected his philosophical beliefs. VikramarjunaVijaya, also known as Pampa Bharata, is a Kannada version of the Mahabharata of Vyasa.
Q54. Who among the following had joined Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi?
(a) Birbal
(b) Bhagwan Das
(c) Man Singh
(d) Surjan Rai
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Birbal had joined Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi. Akbar had started a religion called Din-i-Ilahi, which acknowledges Akbar as God’s representative on earth and has a combination of Hindu and Muslim beliefs. In the Ain-i-Akbari (The Institutes of Akbar), it is mentioned that Birbal was one of the few people other than Akbar who were its followers, besides being the only Hindu.
Q55. . Match the capitals of the ruling dynasties of early Medieval India:
I II
A. Pratiharas 1. Kannauj
B. Chandellas 2. Khajuraho
C. Parmars 3. Dhar
D. Chalukyas 4. Anhilwad
(a) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
(b) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
(c) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
(d) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Kannauj: Kannuaj remained a focal point for the three powerful dynasties, namely the Gurjara Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas, between the 8th and 10th centuries; Khaujraho: was the cultural capital of Chandel Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10-12th centuries; Dhar: the seat of rule of the Parmar Rajputs; and Ahilwara: Chalukyas.
Q56. Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message?
(a) Dadu
(b) Kabir
(c) Ramananda
(d) Tulsidas
Answer:(c) Ramananda
Explanation: Ramananda (1360-1470) was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message.
Q57. The famous ‘Jama-Masjid’ of Delhi was built by
(a) Humayun
(b) Akbar
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid in Delhi, was built by the Mughal emperor, Shahjahan in 1656 AD. The mosque in Old Delhi, displaying both Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture, was built to replicate Moti Masjid at Red Fort in Agra.
Q58. Before assuming the office of the Sultan of Delhi Balban was the Prime Minister of Sultan
(a) Nasir-ud-din
(b) Qutub-ud-din-Aibak
(c) Bahram Shah
(d) Aram Shah
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Balban was initially the Prime Minister of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud from 1246 to 1266 and married his daughter. Since Sultan Nasiruddin did not have a male heir, after his death, Balban declared himself the Sultan of Delhi. Balban ascended the throne in 1266.
Q59. Which is the holy book of the Sikh religion?
(a) Bhagwad Gita
(b) Baani
(c) Gurmukhi
(d) Guru Granth Sahib
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Guru Granth Sahib is the central religious text of Sikhism, considered by Sikhs to be the final, sovereign guru among the lineage of 11 Sikh Gurus of the religion. It is a voluminous text of 1430 pages, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus from 1469 to 1708.
Q60. Which among the following was also known as the bandobast system?
(a) Zabti
(b) Dahsala
(c) Nasaq
(d) Kankut
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Dahsala was also known as the bandobast system. In 1580, Akbar instituted a new system called the Dahsala the Bandobast Arazi, or the Zabti system. Under this, the average production of different crops, as well as the average prices prevailing over the last ten years, was calculated. One-third of the average produce was the state share, which was, however, stated in cash.
Q61. Who founded the City of Delhi?
(a) Khilji
(b) Lodhi
(c) Tamara
(d) Tughlaq
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The present-day Delhi was founded by Anang Pal of the Rajput Tomar dynasty in 736 A.D. It was then known as Lal Kot. As per the Prithviraj Raso of Chandabardai, Anangpal established the “Killi” (nail) in Dhilli. From here, the name Dhillika came up which later developed in Dilli or Delhi.
Q62. Concerning medieval Indian rulers, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Alauddin Khalji first set up a separate area’s department.
(b) Balban introduced the branding of horses in his military.
(c) Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his uncle in the military.
(d) Firoz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves.
Answer:(d) Firoz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves.
Explanation: Firoz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves known as ‘Diwan-i-Bandagan’. Mohd Bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his cousin (not uncle) Firoz Tughlaq. Alauddin Khalji introduced the branding system of horses in his military.
Q63. The motive behind Shah Jahan’s Balkh campaign was to: [2002]
(a) Secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakshanwhich 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) Secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakshan which bordered Kabul
Explanation: The motive behind Shah Jahan’s Balkh and Badakshan campaign in central Asia was to secure the defense of North-West India. That’s why the statement is correct.
Q64. DIRECTIONS: The following item consists of two statements, one labeled as “Assertion A” and the other as “Reason R”. You are to examine these two statements carefully and decide if “Assertion A” and “Reason R” are individually true and if so, whether the “Reason R” is the correct explanation for the given Assertion A”. Select your answers to these items using the codes given below and mark your Answer Sheet accordingly.
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 the plague, and many people died.
(a) Both A and R are individually true but 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)
Explanation: Both A and R are individually true but R is the correct explanation of A
Q65. Which Turkish ruler invaded India 14 times between 1000 and 1026 AD?
(a) Mahamud of Ghazni
(b) Mauhamed Tughlaq
(c) Changez Khan
(d) Mahmood Ghalib
Answer:(a)
Explanation: Mahmud of Ghazni, the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire, invaded and plundered India seventeen times between 1000 and 1027 A.D. In 1027 AD, he invaded the famous Somnath temple in Gujarat. The main aim of his frequent invasions was to obtain wealth.
Q66. Between 1309 and 1311, Malik Kafur led two campaigns in South India. The significance of the expeditions lies in that they reflected a high degree of boldness and spirit of adventure on the part of the Delhi rulers.
the invaders returned to Delhi with untold wealth.
they provided fresh geographical knowledge.
Alauddin promoted Malik Kafur to the rank of Malik-naib or Vice-Regent of the empire.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 2 and 4
(d) All of the above
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Malik Kafur was the slave general of Sultan Alauddin Khilji who had won for him the Deccan territories of Warangal, Devgiri, Madura Dwarasamudra, etc. Malik Kafur was originally a Hindu slave who fell into the hands of the Muslims at Cambay after the conquest of Gujarat. Alauddin’s general Nusrat Khan had paid 1,000 dinars to buy him and that is why Malik Kafur is also known as the “Hazardinari.
Q67. Which battle led to the downfall of the Vijayanagar Empire?
(a) Battle of Takkolam
(b) Battle of Talikota
(c) Battle of Kanwah
(d) Battle of Panipat
Answer:(b)
Explanation: The Battle of Talikota (26 January 1565) was a watershed battle fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Deccan sultanates of Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Golkonda, Berar, and Bidar. It ended in the defeat of Vijayanagara, resulting in its subsequent weakening.
Q68. Who was the founder of Pushtimarg?
(a) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
(b) Vallabhacharya
(c) Madhavacharya
(d) Yamunacharya
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Vallabhacharya was the founder of Pushtimarg. He wanted to preach his message of devotion to God and God’s grace called Pushtimarg. Vallabhacharya represented the culmination of philosophical thought during the Bhakti Movement in the middle ages. The sect established by him is unique in its facets of devotion to Krishna, especially his child manifestation, and is enriched with the use of traditions, music, and festivals. Today, most of the followers of this sect reside in western and northern India.
Q69. Historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because:
(a) The majority of the population did not follow Islam
(b) Muslim theologies were often disregarded
(c) The Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his regulations
(d) Religious freedom was accorded to Non-Muslims
Answer:(c) The Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his regulations
Explanation: Zia-ud-din-Barani was a contemporary of Muhammad Tughlaq and Firoz Tughlaq. He enjoyed the patronage of both the sultans. He composed Tarikh-i-FirozShahi and Fatwa-i-Jahandari.
Q70. The first Muslim woman who ruled Northern India was
(a) Razia Sultana
(b) Mumtaz
(c) Nurjahan
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Razia Sultana was the Sultana of Delhi in India from 1236 to May 1240. She succeeded her father Shams-ud-din Iltutmish to the Sultanate of Delhi in 1236. Iltutmish became the first sultan to appoint a woman as his successor when he designated his daughter Razia as his heir apparent. Razia was the first and last woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
Q71. Which type of work was looked after by the department of Diwan-i-Kohi under Muhammad Tughlaq?
(a) Agriculture
(b) Army
(c) Justice
(d) Royal correspondence
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Agriculture was looked after by the department of Diwan-i-kohi under Muhammad Tughlaq.
Q72. The Sikh military sect ‘the Khalsa’ was introduced by—
(a) Har Rai
(b) Harkishan
(c) Gobind Singh
(d) Tegh Bahadur
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Khalsa is the collective body of Singhs and Kaurs represented by the five beloved ones and is the final temporal Guru/leader of the Sikhs. It was inaugurated on March 30, 1699, by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. The Khalsa is responsible for all executive, military, and civil authorities.
Q73. 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 Ferghana in Central Asia. [2003]
(a) Both A and R are individually true but 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) A is true but R is false
Explanation: A is correct as Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 to conquer Kabul to expand his kingdom. R is incorrect as he had no intention of reclaiming his ancestral country of Ferghana.
Q74. Shivaji ceded the forts to the Mughals by the treaty of—
(a) Chittor
(b) Pune
(c) Purandar
(d) Torna
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Treaty of Purandar was signed on June 11, 1665, between the Rajput ruler Jai Singh-I, who was commander of the Mughal Empire, and Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to this treaty, Shivaji kept twelve forts, along with an area worth an income of one lakh hun, while the rest of his forts were ceded to the Mughals. Along with these requirements, Shivaji agreed to visit Agra to meet Aurangzeb for further political talks.
Q75. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
List-I
List-II
A. Alauddin Khilji
1. Agra
B. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
2. Siri Fort
C. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
3. Tughlaqabad
D. Sikander Lodi
4. Hissar
Codes: A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 2 1 3 4
(c) 2 3 4 1
(d) 2 4 3 1
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Alauddin Khilji built the Siri Fort. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq established Tughlaqa-bad. Feroz Shah Tughlaq established Hisar. Sikander Lodi established Agra city. Siri Fort, in the city of New Delhi, was built during the rule of Ala-ud-Din Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate to defend the city from the onslaught of the Mongols. Tughlaqabad Fort is a ruined fort in Delhi, stretching across 6. 5 km, built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, of the Delhi Sultanate of India in 1321, as he established the fifth historic city of Delhi, which was later abandoned in 1327.
