Medieval Indian History MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Medieval Indian History - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is ​Qutb-ud-din Mubarak

Key Points

• Khilji Dynasty was founded by Jalal-ud-din Khalji who ruled from 1290 to 1296. 
• Alauddin Khalji was the first Delhi Sultan to depart from the practice of styling the sultan as the Caliph’s deputy and to receive investiture from him.
• Alauddin Khalji’s son Qutb-ud-din Mubarak Shah Khilji assumed the title of Khalifa for himself.
• After Alauddin died on 4 January 1316, his slave-general Malik Kafur appointed Alauddin's 6-year-old son Shihabuddin as a puppet monarch, and himself held the power as regent.
• Mubarak Shah ascended the throne with the title Qutubuddin on 14 April 1316, when he was 17 or 18 years old.
• After Kafur's murder, the nobles offered the post of regent (naib-i-mulk) to Mubarak Shah.

Image of Qutb-ud-din Mubarak Shah Khilji

​

The site of Somnath has been a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni Sangam (the confluence of three rivers: Kapila, Hiran, and the mythical Saraswati). Soma, the Moon-god, is believed to have lost his luster due to a curse, and he bathed in the Sarasvati River at this site to regain it.

Key Points

• In 1024, during the reign of Bhimdev, the prominent Turkic Muslim ruler Mahmud of Ghazni raided Gujarat, plundering the Somnath temple and breaking its jyotirlinga.
• He took away a booty of 20 million dinars. 
• Historians expect the damage to the temple by Mahmud to have been minimal because there are records of pilgrimages to the temple in 1038, which make no mention of any damage to the temple. 
• However, powerful legends with intricate detail developed in the Turko-Persian literature regarding Mahmud's raid, which "electrified" the Muslim world.
• They later boasted that Mahmud had killed 50,000 devotees who tried to defend the temple, a formulaic figure.
• The temple at the time of Mahmud's attack appears to have been a wooden structure, which is said to have decayed in time.
• Kumarapala (r. 1143–72) rebuilt it in "excellent stone and studded it with jewels," according to an inscription in 1169.
• During its 1299 invasion of Gujarat, Alauddin Khalji's army, led by Ulugh Khan, defeated the Vaghela king Karna and sacked the Somnath temple

​Hence, the correct answer is Bhimdev.

The correct answer is Sikandar Lodhi.

Key Points

• Sikander Lodi
  • Sikandar Lodi was the ruler of the Lodhi Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate between 1489 and 1517.
  • He was the second and most successful ruler of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi sultanate
  • He was also a poet of the Persian language and prepared a diwan of 9000 verses.
  • He brought the whole of Bihar under his control many Rajput chiefs were defeated. He attacked Bengal and forced its Ruler to conclude a treaty with him and extended his empire from Punjab to Bihar.

Additional Information

• Firoz Shah Tughlaq
  • He was a Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty who ruled over the Sultanate of Delhi.
  • He imposed a Jizya tax on all non-Muslims.
  • He built Firozabad City.
  • He established an employment office and Marriage Bureau- Diwan-e-Kharat.
•  Mohammad Bin Tughlaq
  • He was the ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
  • He established Diwan-i-Kohi- Department of Agriculture.
  • He transferred the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
  • Ibn Batutta came during his reign and wrote the book Rihala.
• ​​Alauddin Khilji
  • Alauddin Khilji was an emperor of the Khalji dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
  • He said the famous quote " Kingship knows no Kinship.
  • He established the revenue department- Diwan-i-Mustakhraj.
  • He acquired the title of Sikandar-e- Sahni.
  • He introduced military and market reforms.

Key Points

• Akbar, the third Mughal Emperor, did not build the forts at Lahore, Agra, and Delhi.
• The fort at Agra, known as the Agra Fort, was commissioned by Akbar, but the forts at Lahore and Delhi were not his constructions.
• The Lahore Fort was extensively modified during Akbar’s reign, but it existed before him.
• The Red Fort in Delhi, often mistaken as an Akbarian monument, was built later by Shah Jahan, Akbar's grandson..

Additional Information

• Divine Worship of Monarchs (Din-i-Ilahi):
  • Akbar propagated the idea of the divine right of kings through his new religion, Din-i-Ilahi.
  • Din-i-Ilahi blended elements of various religions and promoted the concept of the emperor as a spiritual figure.
  • This was intended to bring religious harmony and strengthen Akbar's position as a ruler.
• Jharokha-i-Darshan:
  • Akbar introduced the practice of appearing before his subjects from a balcony (jharokha) every morning.
  • This was a symbolic gesture to emphasize the emperor’s divine connection with his people.
  • The practice was inspired by Hindu traditions and reflected Akbar's efforts to bridge cultural differences in his empire.
• Ain-i-Dahsala:
  • This was a land revenue system introduced by Akbar around 1580 under the supervision of his finance minister, Raja Todar Mal.
  • Ain-i-Dahsala fixed land revenue based on the average produce and prices over the previous ten years.
  • It was a scientific and systematic approach to land revenue assessment, which contributed to the stability of Akbar’s empire.
• Forts Associated with Akbar:
  • Akbar constructed the Agra Fort in the 16th century, which became a symbol of Mughal power and authority.
  • He also built the fort at Fatehpur Sikri, which served as his capital for some time.
  • The Lahore Fort was expanded and modified by Akbar but was not originally built by him.

The correct answer is - Qubacha

Key Points

• Qutbuddin Aibak was the founder of the Mamluk Dynasty in India, also known as the Slave Dynasty.
• After the death of Qutbuddin Aibak in 1210 CE, several regional governors and commanders tried to assert independence due to the instability in the Sultanate.
• Qubacha was the governor of Multan and Sindh during this time. He took advantage of the political turmoil and declared his independence in the region of Sindh.
• Though he attempted to maintain his rule in Sindh, his ambitions were ultimately curtailed by Iltutmish, the successor of Qutbuddin Aibak.
• This event reflects the challenges faced by the early Delhi Sultanate in maintaining centralized authority over far-flung regions.

Additional Information

• Other notable figures during this period:
  • Bakhtiyar Khilji: A prominent military commander under Qutbuddin Aibak, known for his conquest of Bengal. However, he was not associated with Sindh.
  • Jalaluddin Mangarbarani: A ruler from the Khwarezmian dynasty, who had no direct role in Sindh’s independence under Qubacha.
  • Ali Mardan: He is not historically associated with the events in Sindh after Qutbuddin Aibak’s death.
• Iltutmish’s consolidation:
  • Iltutmish, the successor of Qutbuddin Aibak, played a critical role in re-establishing the authority of the Delhi Sultanate.
  • He defeated Qubacha and brought Sindh back under the control of the Sultanate.
  • His reign marked the stabilization of the Mamluk Dynasty and the expansion of the Sultanate's territories.

The correct answer is 1240.

Key Points

• Razia Sultan (1236 AD-1240 AD):
  • She belonged to the Slave Dynasty.
  • She was the first and last Muslim woman ruler of Medieval India.
  • She appointed Jamaluddin Yakoot as the highest officer of cavalry.
  • She abandoned Pardah and appeared before the public in male dress.
  • She saved the empire from Mongol invasion.
  • She died in the year 1240 AD.​

Additional Information

• Delhi Sultanate (1206 AD-1526 AD)
  • The First Muslim invasion was done by Mohammad Bin Qasim (712 AD).
  • The First Turkish Invasion was done by Mahmud Ghaznavi (998 AD-1030 AD):
    • In 1025, he attacked and raided the most celebrated Hindu temple of Somnath.
  • Dynasties of Delhi Sultanate:
    • The Slave dynasty (1206–1290)
    • The Khalji dynasty (1290–1320)
    • The Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414)
    • The Sayyid dynasty (1414–1451)
    • Lodi dynasty (1451–1526)

The correct answer is 1761.

Key Points

• The Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761 at Panipat between the Maratha Empire and the invading Afghan army (of Ahmad Shah Durrani), supported by four Indian allies.
• The Rohillas under the command of Najib-ud-daulah, Afghans of the Doab region, the Amb, Suba Khan and and the Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daula.
• The Maratha army was led by Sadashivrao Bhau who was third in authority after the Chhatrapati (Maratha King) and the Peshwa (Maratha Prime Minister).
• The main Maratha army was stationed in Deccan with the Peshwa. 

Additional Information

Some important Battles: 

• First Battle of Terrain - 1191
• First Battle of Panipat - 1526
• Battle of Khanwa - 1527
• Battle of Chausa - 1539
• Battle of Kannauj - 1540
• Second Battle of Panipat - 1556

The correct answer is Diwan-i-insha.

Key Points

• Diwan-i-Insha was the department of correspondence.
• Delhi Sultanate's administration was segregated into various parts – Central, Provincial, Judicial, Local, etc.
• There were many departments and officials who helped the Sultan in administration. 

Important Points

• Administration under the Sultanate:
• It was also influenced by the Iranian system of administration.
• The situation in India and Indian traditions was kept in mind during these systems.
• Organs of the Government:
  • Diwan-i-Wizarat: Department of revenue and finance headed by the Wazir.
  • Diwan-i-Arz: Department of Military headed by Ariz-i-Mamalik.
  • Diwan-i-Insha: Department of royal correspondence headed by Dabir-i-lnsha.
  • Diwan-i-Risalat: Department of foreign affairs 
  • Diwan-i-bandagan: ​Diwan-i-bandagan (department of slaves).
  • Diwan-i-Khairat: (charity department) was created by Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
  • Diwan-i-mustakhraj: Diwan-i-mustakhraj (to realize arrears) was created by Alauddin Khiiji.
  • Diwan- i-kohi: Diwan- i-kohi (department of agriculture) was created by Muhammad bin Tughluq.

The correct answer is Akbar.

• Buland Darwaza was built by Akbar.

Important Points

• Buland Darwaza
  • It was built in 1575.
  • The Time taken for its construction was 12 Years.
  • It is located at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra District, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • A mixture of Hindu and Persian styles of architecture is the architectural style.​

Additional Information

• Other masterpieces of Akbar are as follows.
  • Fatehpur Sikri
  • Allahabad Fort
  • Agra Fort

The correct answer is Wodeyars.

Key Points 

• The Mysore Palace is also known as Mysuru Palace.
• It is a historical place and the Royal Residence at Mysore in the Indian state of Karnataka.
• It was established in 1912 although started built-in 1897.

Important Points 

•  It was the residence of Wodeyars rulers who ruled Mysore for seven centuries.
•  Its architectural style of domes is Indo Saracenic with blends of Hindu, Mughal, Gothic, and Rajput style.

Additional Information 

• Palas 
  • It was an imperial power during the post-classical period which originated in the region of Bengal and ruled in Bihar too.
  • They flourished between 500-1300 AD.
• Chandelas
  • It was a dynasty in Central India, most of the region of Bundelkhand.
  • Ruled between the 9th-13th centuries.
• Bundelas
  • It was a clan of Rajputs who founded different states of the area in our country like now Bundelkhand.

The correct answer is Ibrahim Lodi.

Key Points

• Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty who was defeated and killed by Babur in the Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• The Tomb Of Ibrahim Lodi is situated in Panipat in Haryana.

Additional Information

• The Lodi dynasty was founded by Bahlul Khan Lodi.
  • The Lodi dynasty was an Afghan dynasty.
  • The Lodi dynasty was the last dynasty in Delhi Sultanate, ruled from 1451 to 1526.
  • Sikandar Lodi was the son of Bahlul founded Agra in 1504.
  • Ibrahim Lodi was the son of Sikandar Lodi and he was the last Lodi Sultan of Delhi.

The correct answer is Chandela.

• Rani Durgawati was a Chandel princess. 

Key Points

• She was the daughter of the king of Chandel Keerat Rai. 
• She was married to Dalpat Shah, the eldest son of the king of Gondwana kingdom, Sangram Shah in 1542.
• Dalpat Shah died in 1550. She was the ruling Queen of Gondwana from 1550  to 1564.
• Durgawati moved the capital of Gondwana from Singorgarh fort to Chauragarh.
• She killed herself on the battlefield on 24 June 1564.
• Her martyrdom day (24 June 1564) is commemorated as "Balidan Diwas".

The correct answer is 1761.

Key Points

• The third battle of Panipat was fought in the year 1761.
  • The Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761, at Panipat, about 60 miles (95.5 km) north of Delhi between a northern expeditionary force of the Maratha Empire and a coalition of the King of Afghanistan Ahmad Shah Durrani with two Indian Muslim allies—the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab and Shuja-ud-Daula, 
  • The battle of Panipat was fought to protect India from the raids that began with Nadir Shah in 1739 and to protect the effete Mughal dynasty.
  • Bhau declared Shah Alam as the absentee Mughal Emperor and Shujauddaulah as the Wazir.

Additional Information

• The Battle of Ghaghra was fought in the year 1529.
  • The Battle of Ghaghra, fought in 1529, was a major battle for the conquest of India by the Mughal Empire.
  • It followed the first Battle of Panipat in 1526 and the Battle of Khanwa in 1527.
  • The forces of now Emperor Zahir ud-Din Muhammad Babur of the emerging Mughal Empire were joined by Indian allies in the battle against the Eastern Afghan Confederates under Sultan Mahmud Lodi and Sultanate of Bengal under Sultan Nusrat Shah.
• Battle of Khatauli
  • The Battle of Khatoli was fought in 1518 between the Lodi dynasty under Ibrahim Lodi and the Kingdom of Mewar under Rana Sanga, during which Mewar emerged victoriously.
• Battle of Gagron
  • The Battle of Gagron was fought in 1519 between Sultan Mahmud Khalji II of Malwa and Rana Sanga of Mewar.
  • The conflict took place in Gagron and resulted in Sanga's victory, with him taking Mahmud captive and annexing significant territory.
• Battle of Bayana
  • The Battle of Bayana (1526) was a rare setback for Babur after his victory at Panipat on 21 April 1526.
  • Although this victory gave Babur control of Delhi and Agra, many other fortified places refused to accede to his authority.

• Tughlaq Nama (Book of the Tughlaqs), was written in the year 1320 by Amir Khusrau.
• It is a historic masnavi (an extensive poem) of the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty that describes the tragedy of Deval Devi.
• Deval Devi was a Vaghela dynasty Yadava princess who was married to Khizr Khan, the eldest son of Alauddin Khilji in 1308.
• Eight years later, Khizr Khan was executed by his brother Qutb ud din Mubarak Shah(1316–20), and Deval was taken to his harem.
• In 1320, Mubarak in turn was stabbed and beheaded by Khusro khan (the last ruler of the Khalji dynasty), and his followers. Deval was then married to Khusro Khan.
• Her story, of a cultured and high-born Hindu Yadav princess being passed from hand to hand amongst a series of ambitious, power-hungry men.

• Amir Khusrau was a prolific classical poet associated with the royal courts of more than seven rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.
• He wrote many playful riddles, songs, and legends that have become a part of popular culture in South Asia. His riddles are one of the most popular forms of Hindavi poetry today.
• Amir was the one who introduced the Ghazal style of singing in the Indian subcontinent. 
• The parrot of India was the title given to Amir Khusro.
• Amir Khusro saw the rule of 7 Sultans (Balban, Muhammad, Cakubad, Jalaluddin Khilji, Alauddin Khilji, Mubarak Shah Khaliji, Gaisuddin Tughlaq)

Lodhi Dynasty

1. Founder - Bahlol Lodhi (1451-88 AD)
2. Last king - Ibrahim Lodhi (1517-26 AD)
3. The city of Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517)
4. Daulat Khan Lodhi was the governor of Punjab who invited the Babur.

Note:

The duration of other dynasties in Sultani period and their chronology: