Q76. Who among the following Tomar rulers, is credited with founding the city of Delhi?
(a) Anangapal
(b) Vajrata
(c) Rudrane
(d) Devraja
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Anangpal Tomar was a Chandravanshi Rajput, a descendant of Samrat Parikshit of Mahabharat fame. He was the first ruler to make ancient Indraprastha, modern-day – Delhi his capital. Anang Pal founded the city of Lal Kot in AD 736. The Chauhans conquered Lal Kot in 1180 and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora.
Q77. Which one of the following was not a currency in circulation under the Sultans of Delhi?
(a) Dam
(b) Tanka
(c) Jital
(d) Dogani
Answer: (a)
Explanation: ‘Dam’ was not a currency in circulation under the Sultans of Delhi. It was circulated during Sher Shah, made up of copper, equal to 1/40th of one rupee coin.
Q78. Tansen, a great musician of his times, was in the Court of
(a) Jehangir
(b) Akbar
(c) Shah Jahan
(d)Bahadur Shah
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Tansen, the magical musician, was one of the ‘Navratna’ (nine gems) at the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Q79. Who destroyed Nalanda University in 1193 AD and burnt it down?
(a) Muizuddin Muhammad Ghori
(b) Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji
(c) Mahmud Ghazni
(d) Qutubuddin Aibak
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed the Nalanda University in 1193 AD and burnt it down. In 1193, the Nalanda University was sacked by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turk. This event is seen by scholars as a late milestone in the decline of Buddhism in India. The Persian historian Minhaj-i-Siraj reported this event in his chronicle the Tabaquat-i-Nasiri.
Q80. The first battle of Tarain took place between?
(a) Alauddin Khilji and Prithviraj Chauhan
(b) Mohammad Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan
(c) Mahmud Ghazni and Prithviraj Chauhan
(d) Mohammad Shah and Prithviraj Chauhan
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Battles of Tarain were fought in 1191 and 1192 between a Turkic Ghurid raiding force led by Sultan Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri and a Rajput army led by Prithviraj Chauhan. In the first of the two battles, Muhammad Ghauri was defeated but left to flee by the Chauhan king.
Q81. The following item consists of two statements: one labeled as the Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). You are to examine these two statements carefully and select the answers to these items using the codes given below:
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 northwest frontier.
(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: Shah Alam II spent the initial years as an emperor away from his capital due to the fear of Najib Khan-Rohilla who became very powerful in Delhi and not due to foreign invasions.
Q82. Which Sultan of the Sultanate period introduced irrigation tax for the first time?
(a) Allauddin Khilji
(b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
(c) Muhammad Tughlaq
(d) Firoz Tughlaq
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Firoz Tughlaq introduced the irrigation tax. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the cousin brother of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and became the ruler of Delhi on 23rd March 1351 AD. He imposed only four taxes sanctioned by Islam, viz., kharaj (land tax), khams (1/5 of the looted property during wars), Jizya (religious tax on the Hindus), and Zakat (2½per cent of the income of the Muslims which was spent for the welfare of Muslim subjects and their religion). He imposed an irrigation tax after getting it sanctioned by the Ulema.
Q83. Which is the tallest of all Medieval Indian temples?
(a) Kailasa Temple at Ellora
(b) Sun Temple at Konark
(c) Nilakantheswara Temple at Udaipur
(d) Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjore
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas Tamil architecture. The vimana or (temple tower) is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. Built-in 1010 AD by Raja Raja Chola I in Thanjavur, Brihadeeswarar Temple, also popularly known as the ‘Big Temple’, turned 1000 years old in 2010.
Q84. With which Sufi saint of Delhi is associated with the famous saying ‘Hanooz Dilli Door Ast’?
(a) Nizamuddin Aulia
(b) Sheikh Salim Chisti
(c) Bhakhtiyaruddin Kaki
(d) Mohammad Ghaus
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Nizamuddin Aulia, the Sufi saint of Delhi is associated with the famous saying ‘Hanooz Dilli Door Ast’. Sultan Ghiasuddin was annoyed with a Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya. During one of his expeditions, he vowed that he would behead the saint in Delhi. The saint responded, “Hunooz Dilli door Ast”, which means ‘it’s a long way to Delhi’.
Q85. In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?
(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) An official historian of the reign of Shahjahan.
Explanation: Abdul Hamid Lahori (d. 1654) was a traveler during the period of Shahjahan who later became a court historian of Shahjahan. He wrote the book PadshahNama also referred to as Badshahnama, about the reign of Shahjahan.
Q86. The Sultan who described himself as ‘The Second Alexander’ (Sikander -i- Sani) was
(a) Balban
(b) Alauddin Khilji
(c) Muhammad bin Tughluq
(d) Sikander Lodi
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Ala-ud-din Khilji described himself as the Second Alexander on his own. He dreamt of founding a worldwide empire, which is depicted in his era’s coinage.
Q87. Which of the following works describes the qualities of an ideal Muslim ruler?
(a) Taj-ul-Masir
(b) Tabqat-e-Nasiri
(c) Khazain-ul-Futuh
(d) Fatwa-e-Jahandari
Answer: (d)
Explanation:Fatwa-e-Jahandari’ describes the qualities of an ideal Muslim ruler. The Fatwa-i-Jahandari is a work containing the political ideals to be pursued by a Muslim ruler to earn religious merit and the gratitude of his subjects.
Q88. Where is the Bada Imambara located?
(a) Agra
(b) Lucknow
(c) Patna
(d) Allahabad
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Bara Imambara is an imambara complex in Lucknow, India, built by Asaf-ud-Daulah, Nawab of Lucknow, in 1784. It is also called the Asafi Imambara.
Q89. Where is the famous Virupaksha temple located?
(a) Bhadrachalam
(b) Chidambaram
(c) Hampi
(d) Srikalahasti
Answer: (c) Hampi
Explanation: The oldest temple in Hampi (Pattadkal) is located on the southern bank of the river Tungabhadra. It is now a World Heritage site. It was built by Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikramaditya II (A.D.733-745) in about A.D.740 to commemorate her husband’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.
Q90. The basic purpose of the formulation Din-i-Ilahi was:
(a) Universal brotherhood
(b) Universal Faith
(c) Universal harmony
(d) Universal belief
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Din-e-Ilahi (Divine Faith) was a syncretic religious doctrine propounded by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the year 1582 A.D., intending to merge the best elements of the religions of his empire, and thereby reconcile the differences that divided his subjects. It had to do purely with one’s faith, beliefs, and convictions. It was essentially an ethical system, prohibiting such sins as lust, sensuality, slander, and pride and enjoining the virtues of piety, prudence, abstinence, and kindness.
Q91. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq shifted his capital from Delhi to
(a) Lahore
(b) Kalinjan
(c) Kannauj
(d) Daulatabad
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq shifted his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. It appears that the Sultan wanted to make Deogir the second capital so that he might be able to control south India better. Deogir was named Daulatabad. However, after a couple of years, Muhammad Tughlaq decided to abandon Daulatabad largely because he soon found that just as he could not control south India from Delhi, he could not control North from Daulatabad.
Q92. Regarding 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
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All statements are correct.
Q93. The Muslim adventurer who destroyed the Nalanda University was
(a) Alla-ud-din Khilji
(b) Muhammad-bin-Tughlak
(c) Muhammad-bin-Bhaktiyar
(d) Muhammad-bin-Quasim
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji was a Turkic military general of Qutb-ud-din Aybak. It is alleged by some writers that he was responsible for the destruction of Nalanda, which was an ancient Buddhist University in Bihar, India, nearby to the stronghold of Bihar. The main Persian source for this explains that Khalji attacked the fortress unaware that it was a University.
Q94. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
List-I
List-II
A. Muftis
1. Intelligence of Agents
B. Baird
2. Expander of Law
C. Kotwal
3. Minister of Incharge of Army
D. Arz-i-mama like
4. Head of City Administration
Codes: A B C D
(a) 2 4 1 2
(b) 1 2 3 4
(c) 2 1 4 3
(d) 4 3 2 1
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Muftis were expanders of law. Barid was an Agent of intelligence. Kotwal was the head of the city administration. Arz-i-mamalik was the minister in charge of the Army. The braid-i-malik was the head of the central office, and his agents sent in reports from all over the country. This system was of great importance in controlling local governments. Kotwals often controlled the fort of a major town or an area of smaller towns on behalf of another ruler. It was similar in function to a British India Zaildar. During his time the army was directly recruited by the army minister (Ariz—Mamalik). It was paid in cash from the royal treasury.
Q95. 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
Answer: (b) Village headmen
Explanation: In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for village headmen.
Q96. The famous Sun Temple at Konark was built by
(a) Prataparudra
(b) Anantavarman
(c) Narasimha–I
(d) Narasimha–II
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as the Black Pagoda), at Konark, in Odisha. It was supposedly built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty around 1250.
Q97. 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 the 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) 3 only
Explanation: In the fourteenth and fifteenth century gun gunpowder was used for military purposes in India and even artillery in its rudimentary form was known. The Babur’s first real expedition took place in India in 1519 when he captured Bhera. The Delhi Sultanate’s greatest contribution to Indian fine arts was the introduction of Islamic architectural features, including true domes and arches, and the integration of Indian and Islamic styles of architecture. The Timurid dynasty was a Sunni Muslim dynasty. Members of the Timurid dynasty were strongly influenced by the Persian culture and had established two well-known empires in history, namely the Timurid Empire (1370-1507) in Persia and Central Asia and the Mughal Empire (1526-1857) in the Indian subcontinent.
Q98. Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A): Alauddin Khilji conquered the southern states, but did not annex them.
Reason (R): He wanted to expand his empire but not add to his responsibilities. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
(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: (d)
Explanation: Alauddin Khilji conquered the Southern States, but didn’t collaborate with them, because he wanted to expand his empire but not add to his responsibilities of them. He was a strategist and military commander who commanded forces across the Indian subcontinent. Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji is also noted in history for being one of the few rulers in the world to have repeatedly defended his empire against Mongol invasions. He defeated large Mongol armies and then launched punitive expeditions against them in Central Asia, around modern-day Afghanistan It was only after a fierce battle Malik Kafur was able to occupy the Warangal fort and he was able to force the ruler of Warangal to sue for peace, to surrender all their treasures, and to promise an annual tribute.
Q99. Arrange the following programs of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq in chronological order.
Transfer of capital
Increase of Taxation in Doab
Promulgation of Token Currency
Khurasan Expedition
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 1, 3 and 4
(c) 2, 3, 1, and 4
(d) 3, 2, 1, and 4
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The correct chronological order of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq’s program is; an increase of taxation in Doab, the promulgation of token currency, the transfer of capital, Khurasan expedition. During his reign, Tughluq imposed a heavy tax on the land between the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers. Muhammad took a very modern step in introducing bronze coins as the token currency. Nevertheless, the absence of a central mint created a huge problem as the Government was not able to prevent the forgery of coins. He transferred his capital in 1327 to Deogir (now Daulatabad). The Sultan had a vision of universal conquest. He decided to conquer Khurasan and Iraq and mobilized a huge army for the purpose. But his expedition proved a failure.
Q100. Who was Akbar’s guardian?
(a) Amir Khusru
(b) Abul Fazal
(c) Tansen
(d) Bairam Khan
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Bairam Khan was a powerful statesman and regent at the court of Humayun who later acted as the guardian, chief mentor, advisor, teacher, and most trusted person of Akbar. Following Humayun’s death in 1556, Bairam Khan was appointed Regent over the young monarch Akbar. As regent, he consolidated Mughal authority in northern India and most notably led Mughal forces at the Second Battle of Panipat in November 1556.
