Q1. What was the main objective of Sultan Mahmud’s Indian conquests?
(a) Propagation of Religion
(b) Extension of Empire
(c) Acquisition of Wealth
(d) None of these
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Acquisition of wealth was the main objective of Sultan Mahmud’s Indian conquests. In 1001, Mahmud of Ghazni had first invaded India. Mahmud defeated, captured, and later released Shahi ruler Jaya Pala who had moved his capital to Peshawar. In 1005, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Bhatia (probably Bhera) and in 1006 he invaded Multan at which time Ananda Pala’s army attacked him.
Q2. Where is the Muslim mosque situated where a hair of pagamber Mohammad Saheb has been preserved?
(a) Ajmer
(b) Ahmedabad
(c) Srinagar
(d) Mecca
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Hazratbal Shrine is a Muslim shrine in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. It contains a relic believed by many Muslims of Kashmir to be the hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The name of the shrine comes from the Arabic word Hazrat, meaning holy or majestic, and the Kashmiri word BAL, (BAL is a corrupted form of Sanskrit Vala which means an enclosure) meaning place.
Q3. Who among the following were famous jurists of medieval India?
(a) Vijnanesvara
(b) Hemadri
(c) Rajasekhara
(d) Jimutavahana
Answer: (c) Rajasekhara
Explanation: He was a Sanskrit poet and dramatist.
Q4. Which of the following works of Amir Khusro deals with the military expeditions of Alauddin Khilji?
(a) Qairanus Sadain
(b) Miftah-Ul-Futuh
(c) Nuh Siphar
(d) Khazain-Ul-Futuh
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Khazain-ul-Futuh, work of Amir Khusro describes the military expeditions of Alauddin Khilji containing Gujarat (1299), Ranthambhor (1301), Mewar (1303), Malva (1305), Devagiri (1307-08) Warangal (1309-10), and Dwarsamudra (1310-11).
Qiran-us-Sa’dain: It is based on the reconciliation meeting of Sultan Kaiqubad of Delhi and his father Sultan Bughra Khan of Bengal on the banks of the river Saryu.
Miftah-Ul-Futuh: It describes four victories achieved by Jalaluddin Khilji.
Q5. Which of the following languages was in vogue during the Mughal period in the courts of India?
(a) French
(b) Persian
(c) Portuguese
(d) Arabic
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Although early Mughals spoke the Chagatai language and maintained some Turko-Mongol practices, they became essentially personalized and transferred the Persian literary and high culture to India, thus forming the base for the Indo-Persian culture. The Persian language became the lingua franca of the court and empire.
Q6. Consider the following statements: Ahmadis 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
Of these statements:
(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) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
Explanation: Ahmadis were the gentlemen troopers who were recruited individually and were under the command of a separate mansabdar or officer, and had a diwan and a Bakshi of their own. They were considered very efficient and loyal troops and were paid high salaries.
Q7. Who among the following died while playing Chaugan?
(a) Iltutmish
(b) Alauddin Khilji
(c) Mohammad Tughlaq
(d) Qutubuddin Aibak
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Qutubuddin Aibak died while playing Chaugan. Qutubuddin Aibak died in 1210 by falling from his horse while playing Cahugan (the precursor of the game of Polo).
Q8. Which of the undermentioned facts about the Taj Mahal is not correct?
(a) It is a magnificent mausoleum
(b) It was built by Shah Jahan
(c) It is situated outside Agra Fort
(d) The names of artisans who built it are engraved on it?
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal (also “the Taj”) is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Indian and Persian architectural styles. The building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision including Abd ul-Karim Ma’mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.
Q9. 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 the city.
Which one of the following alternatives gives all correct information?
(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) Akbar in 1605: (A) Gondwana, (B) Lahore
Explanation: The shaded part represents Akbar’s territory at the time of his death in 1605. A – Gondwana; B – Lahore.
Q10. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
List-I
List-II
A. Alberuni
1. Tarikh-i-Fakhruddi
B. Ainul Mulk Multani
2. Khazan-ul-Futuh
C. Amir Khusro
3. Insha-i-Mahru
D. Fakhre Mudabbir
4. Tarikh-i-Hind
Codes: A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 1 3 2 4
(d) 2 1 4 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Tarikh-i-Hind was written by Alberuni Insha-i-Mahru was written by Ainul Mulk Multani. Khazinat-ul-Futuh was written by Amir Khusrav. Tarikh-i-Fakhurddin Mubarakshahi was written by Fakhre Mudabbir. Al-Biruni wrote an encyclopedic work on India called “Tarikh Al-Hind” (History of India) in which he explored nearly every aspect of Indian life, including religion, history, geography, geology, science, and mathematics. Amir Khusro wrote a short auto-biographical Masnavi called “Shah Name mun” of Alauddin’s life. Khusro in his book “Khazinat-ul-Futuh” (the treasures of victory) recorded Alauddin’s construction works, wars, peace and security, administrative services. Ibn Battuta writes that Sultan Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah Khilji (1316-1320) used to encourage Hindus to accept Islam by presenting a convert with a robe of honour and gold ornament.
