Medieval History- Solved Questions (1995-2002) | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions PDF Download

Directions: 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:
Question 1:
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. [2002]
(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

Correct Answer is Option (c)
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.

Question 2:
Assertion (A): Saluva Narasimha put an end to the old dynasty and assumed the royal title. 
Reason (R): He wanted to save the kingdom from further degeneration and disintegration. [2002]
(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

Correct Answer is Option (c)
He assumed the royal title not to save the kingdom but due to his greed for power.

Question 3:
With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements: [2002] 
1. Sheikh Ahmad Sarhandi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi 
2. Sheikh Nasiruddin Chirag-I-Dehlavi was a disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya 
3. Aurangzeb was a contemporary of Sheikh Salim Chisti 
4. Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Sheikh Niamutullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani 
Which of these statements are correct? 
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) 1 and 3 
(c) 2 and 3 
(d) 2 and 4

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Sheikh Ahmad Sarhandi of Naqshbandi order was a contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir. The Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Sheikh Nizamatullah (He died in 1430 AD) and Makhdum (or Nasiruddin) Muhammad Jilani (died in 1517).

Question 4:
Historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because   [2002] 
(a) majority of the population did not follow Islam 
(b) Muslim theologists were often disregarded 
(c) Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations 
(d) religious freedom was accorded to non-muslims

Correct Answer is Option (c)
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-Firoz Shahi and Fatwa-i-Jahandari.

Question 5:
Direction: The following item consists of two statements, one labelled 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. [2002]
(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

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Like Allauddin Khalji, Muhammad bin Tughlaq also tried to bring changes in the agrarian setup. Some historians point out that he made an over-assessment because of which many peasants fled the region. But the states share remained half. A severe famine in this period worsened the situation. Muhammad bin Tughlaq tried to provide relief to those affected and made efforts to improve and extend cultivation. The sultan left Delhi and was rendered in a camp called swargadwari near kanauj. He also set up a separate department called diwan-i amir-i kohi whose function was to extend cultivation by providing loans.

Question 6:
The motive behind Shah Jahan's Balkh campaign was to  [2002] 
(a) secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakshan which bordered Kabul 
(b) conquer Samarqand and Fargh ana, the Mughal homelands 
(c) fix the Mughal frontier on the 'scientific line', the Amu Daria 
(d) expand the Mughal Empire beyond the sub-continent

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The motive behind Shah Jahan's Balkh and Badakshan campaign in central Asia was to secure the defence of NorthWest India. That's why the statement a is correct.

Question 7:
With reference to medieval Indian rulers, which one of the following statements is correct? [2002] 
(a) Alauddin Khalji first set up a separate ariz's department. 
(b) Balban introduced the branding of horses in his military. 
(c) Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his uncle to the military. 
(d) Firoz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
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.

Question 8:
Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message?   [2002] 
(a) Dadu 
(b) Kabir 
(c) Ramananda 
(d) Tulsidas

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Ramananda (1360-1470) was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message.

Question 9:

The shaded area in the above map shows the empire of: [2000]
(a) Alauddin Khalji 
(b) Mohammad Tughlaq 
(c) Shahjahan 
(d) Aurangzeb

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Shah Jahan assumed the Mughal throne on 24 January 1628 in Agra, a few days after the death of Jahangir. He inherited a vast and rich empire; and at mid-century this was perhaps the greatest empire in the world, exhibiting a degree of centralized control rarely matched before. Shah Jahan expanded his empire in all directions: he annexed the Rajput kingdoms of Baglana and Bundelkhand to the west, and in 1635 he captured the kingdoms of Bijapur and Golconda in the Deccan.

Question 10:
Direction: The following item consists of two statements. One labeled the 'Assertion A' and the other as 'Reason R'. You are to examine these two statements carefully and decide if the 'Assertion A' and the 'Reason R' are individually true and if so, whether the 'Reason R' is the correct explanation of the given 'Assertion A'. Mark your Answer-Sheet accordingly.
Assertion (A): The battle of Khanwa was certainly more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat
Reason (R): Rana Sanga, the Rajput hero, was certainly a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi.     [2001]
(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

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Battle of Khanua (1527, Rana Sanga was defeated by Babar); First Battle of Panipat (1526, Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated by Babur). Rana Sangha once defeated Ibrahim Lodhi so R explains A.

Question 11:
Which of the following pairs is correctly matched? [2001] 
(a) Dewan-i-Bandagani – Tughlaq 
(b) Dewan-i-Mustakhraj – Balban 
(c) Dewan-i-Kohi – Alauddin Khilji 
(d) Dewan-i-Arz – Muhammad Tughlaq

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Dewan-i-Bandagani (Department of Slaves) was constituted by Firoz Tughlaq; Dewan-i-Mustakhraj (Dept of Arrears) – Alauddin Khalji; Dewan-i-Kohi (Dept of Agriculture) – Muhammad Bin Tughlaq; Dewan-i-Arz (Dept of Military) - Balban.

Question 12:
Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal period?    [2001] 
(a) Calicut 
(b) Broach 
(c) Cambay 
(d) Surat

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Surat was called the Gate of Makka because the pilgrimage to Makka started from Surat.

Question 13:
Mongols under Chengiz Khan invaded India during the reign of [2001] 
(a) Balban 
(b) Firoz Tughlaq 
(c) Iltutmish 
(d) Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Mongols under Chengiz Khan (died in 1227) invaded India during the reign of Iltutmish (1211-36) but did not enter deep in India as Iltutmish refused to give shelter to the Persian king, Khwarizm Shah, whom Chengiz Khan was chasing.

Question 14:
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:   [2001]

(a) A – 2; B – 3; C – 1; D – 4 
(b) A – 3; B – 2; C – 4; D – 1 
(c) A – 3; B – 2; C – 1; D – 4 
(d) A – 2; B – 3; C – 4; D – 1

Correct Answer is Option (b)
These Bhakti saints were disciples of Saint Ramananda.

Question 15:
In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located? [2001] 
(a) Bhubaneswar 
(b) Bijapur 
(c) Kolkata 
(d) Shravananbelagola

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Lingaraja Temple was constructed by Yayati Kesari, ruler of Orissa. It is located in Bhubaneshwar.

Question 16:
Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the 'Jagadguru' by his Muslim subject because of his belief in secularism? [2000] 
(a) Hussain Shah 
(b) Zain-ul-Abidin 
(c) Ibrahim Adil Shah 
(d) Mahmud II

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1556 – 1627), of the Adil Shahi dynasty, was the king of Bijapur Sultanate.

Question 17:
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

(a) A – 3; B – 2; C – 1; D – 4 
(b) A – 2; B – 3; C – 4; D – 1 
(c) A – 2; B – 3; C – 1; D – 4 
(d) A – 3; B – 2; C – 4; D – 1

Correct Answer is Option (b)
These are the land grants given during the period of different dynasties.

Question 18:
Consider the following events:  [2000] 
1. Reign of Krishna Deva of Vijaynagara 
2. Construction of Qutab Minar 
3. The arrival of Portuguese in India 
4. Death of Firoz Tughlaq 
Correct chronological sequence of these events is: 
(a) 2, 4, 3, 1 
(b) 2, 4, 1, 3 
(c) 4, 2, 1, 3 
(d) 4, 2, 3, 1

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Reign of Krishna Deva of Vijaynagara – (1509 – 30); Construction of Qutab Minar (1206 – 1210); Arrival of Portuguese in India (1498); Death of Firoz Tughlaq (1388).

Question 19:
The given map refers to the kingdom of  [2000]

(a) Akbar at the time of capture of Khandesh in 1601
(b) Akbar at the time of his death in 1605
(c) Aurangzeb at the time of capture of Hyderabad
(d) Aurangzeb at the time of his death in 1707

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Khandesh was the ancient name of the north-western region of Maharashtra. Asirgarh was an important fort in Khandesh. In 1601, Mughal emperor Akbar annexed the Khandesh sultanate and Burhanpur became the capital of Khandesh Subah of the Mughal empire. The shaded portion in the given map indicates Khandesh during Akbar.

Question 20:
Who among the following streamlined the Maratha administration after Sambhaji?    [2000] 
(a) Raja Ram    
(b) Balaji Vishwanath 
(c) Ganga Bai    
(d) Nanaji Deshmukh

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Best an swer i s Balaji Vi sh wan ath . Sambhaji (1680-89) was succeeded by Rajaram, Shivaji II, Tarabai, and Shahu Ji. Balaji Vishwanath played a crucial role in the final victory of Shahu by winning over almost all the Maratha sardars to the side of Shahu.

Question 21:
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list:   [2000]

(a) A – 1; B – 3; C – 2; D – 4 
(b) A – 1; B – 4; C – 2; D – 3 
(c) A – 3; B – 4; C – 1; D – 2 
(d) A – 2; B – 1; C – 3; D – 4

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Under the Mahalwari system, revenue, the settlement was to be made by village or estates with the landlords. In the Ryotwari system, a direct settlement was made between the government and the ryot (cultivator). In the Zamindari system, the land is allotted to revenue farmers of Zamindars (rent collectors).

Question 22:
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [1999]
(a) Jahangir: William Hawkins 
(b) Akbar: Sir Thomas Roe 
(c) Shahjahan: Travernier 
(d) Aurangzeb: Manucci

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Sir Thomas Roe also visited the court of Jahangir. He was an ambassador of James – I, king of England. Tavernier’s account covers the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.

Question 23:
Consider the following statements: The striking feature of the Jama Masjid in Kashmir completed by Zain-ul-Abdin include(s): [1999] 
1. turret 
2. similarity with Buddhist pagodas 
3. Persian style 
Which of the above statements is/are correct? 
(a) 1 alone 
(b) 1, 2 and 3 
(c) 2 and 3 
(d) 1 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Jama Masjid is a mosque in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. The Jama Masjid of Srinagar is situated at Nowhatta, in the middle of the old city. It was built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD. Later, the son of Sultan Sikandar, Zain-ul-Abidin had the mosque extended.

Question 24:
'The king was freed from his people and they from their king'. On whose death did Badauni comment thus?  [1999]
(a) Balban
(b) Ala-ud-din Khalji
(c) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
(d) Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq died in 1351 CE. He was succeeded by his cousin Firoz Tughlaq.

Question 25:
One consistent feature found in the history of southern India was the growth of small regional kingdoms rather than large empires because of : [1999] 
(a) absence of minerals like iron 
(b) too many divisions in the social structure 
(c) absence of vast areas of fertile land 
(d) scarcity of manpower

Correct Answer is Option (c)
One consistent feature found in the history of southern India was the growth of small regional kingdoms rather than large empires because of the absence of vast areas of fertile land.

Question 26:
Assertion (A): During the time of Akbar, for every ten cavalrymen, the mansabdars had to maintain twenty horses. 
Reason (R): Horses had to be rested while on march and replacements' were necessary in times of war.   [1999]
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A 
(b) Both A and R are 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

Correct Answer is Option (d)
A is in correct as the Duaspa Sihaspa system was introduced by Jahangir (not Akbar). So the answer is d.

Question 27:
To which Lodi Sultan does the given map relate and what town does the site marked. A represents  [1999]

A on the map represent? 
(a) Bahlol Lodi – Jaunpur 
(b) Sikandar Lodi – Aligarh 
(c) Ibrahim Lodi – Jaunpur 
(d) Ibrahim Lodi – Aligarh

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Bahlol Lodi defeated Hussain Shah Sharqi of Jaunpur in 1479.

Question 28:
The first writer to use Ur du as the medium of poetic expression was: [1999] 
(a) Amir Khusrau 
(b) Mirza Ghalib 
(c) Bahadur Shah Zafar 
(d) Faiz

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Amir Khusrau (1253 –1325 CE), a Persian poet was associated with the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. He composed poetry in Arabic and Persian besides being the first writer to use Urdu as a medium of poetic expression.

Question 29:
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?     [1998]

(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

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The shaded part represents Akbar’s territory at the time of his death in 1605. A – Gondwana; B – Lahore

Question 30:
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:   [1998]

(a) A – 3; B – 4; C – 2; D – 1 
(b) A – 5; B – 4; C – 3; D – 2 
(c) A – 5; B – 2; C – 1; D – 4 
(d) A – 1; B – 5; C – 3; D – 2

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The Battle of Haldighati was fought between the Mughal Empire and the forces of Mewar on June 21, 1576, at Haldighati in Rajasthan, India. It was a decisive victory for the Mughal Emperor Jalal ud-Din Muhammad Akbar’s general Raja Man Singh against the Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. Akbar was 14 years old when he was crowned at Kalanaur in 1556.

Question 31:
Consider the following: [1998] 
1. Tughlaqabad fort 
2. Lodi Garden 
3. Qutab Minar 
4. Fatehpur Sikri 
The correct chronological order in which they were built is: 
(a) 3, 1, 4, 2 
(b) 3, 1, 2, 4 
(c) 1, 3, 2, 4 
(d) 1, 3, 4, 2

Correct Answer is Option (b)
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, which was later abandoned in 1327. Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar beginning in 1570, in honor of Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti. Qutab Minar – 1206 –1236; Lodi Garden – 1451 – 1526.

Question 32:
Consider the following statements: [1998] Ahmadis were those troopers who: 
1. offered their services singly 
2. did not attach themselves to any chief 
3. had the emperor as their immediate colonel 
4. 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

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Ahmadis were the gentlemen troopers who were recruited individually and were under the command of a separate man Sardar 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.

Question 33:
Assertion (A): During the reign of Shahjahan, Dara Sikoh was sent on an expedition to Balkh, Badakhshan, and Qandahar. 
Reason (R): The expedition sent by Shahjahan to the Middle East was a marvelous success. [1998] 
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A 
(b) Both A and R are 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

Correct Answer is Option (c)
R is incorrect as this expedition failed miserably.

Question 34:
Assertion (A): At first the Turkish administration in India was essentially military. 
Reason (R):  The country was parcelled out as 'Iqtas' among leading military leaders. [1998] 
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A 
(b) Both A and R are 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

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Iqta is that part of the land granted by the sultan to its military chiefs for maintenance of troopers. The land was taken back when the Iqtadars were not in a position to maintain the army.

Question 35:
Sultan of Delhi who is reputed to have built the biggest network of canals in India was: [1998] 
(a) Iltutmish 
(b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq 
(c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq 
(d) Sikandar Lodi

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Firoz Shah Tughlaq built and repaired a large number of canals.

Question 36:
Fawazil in the Sultanate period meant: [1998] 
(a) extra payment to the nobles 
(b) revenue assigned in lieu of salary 
(c) excess amount paid to the exchequer by the Iqtadars 
(d) illegal exactions extracted from the peasants

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Fawazil was a balance between the income and expenditure of Iqta-holders.

Question 37:
The loss of Qandahar was a big blow to the Mughal empire from the viewpoint of [1998] 
(a) natural resources 
(b) buffer territory 
(c) communication 
(d) strategic stronghold

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Shah Jahan recovered Kandhar in 1638 from the Iranians but lost it again in 1649 despite three campaigns. The loss of Kandhar was a big blow as it was a strategic stronghold.

Question 38:
The member of Shivaji's Ashtapradhan who looked after foreign affairs were: [1998] 
(a) Peshwa 
(b) Sachiv 
(c) Pandit Rao 
(d) Sumant

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Sachiv was the minister in charge of royal correspondence. Pandit Rao – religious matter. Sumant worked as Foreign Minister.

Question 39:
The medieval Indian writer who refers to the discovery of America is : [1997] 
(a) Malik Muhammad Jayasi 
(b) Amir Khusrau 
(c) Raskhan 
(d) Abul Fazl

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Abu Fazl refers to the discovery of America.

Question 40:
Which one of the following pairs of composers in different languages and their works on the Mahabharata theme is correctly matched? [1997] 
(a) Sarladasa–Bengali 
(b) Kasirama–Oriya 
(c) Tikkana–Marathi 
(d) Pampa–Kannada

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Pampa was a Kannada poet whose works reflected his philosophical beliefs. Vikramarjuna Vijaya, also known as Pampa Bharata, is a Kannada version of the Mahabharata of Vyasa.

Question 41:
Assertion (A): The sponsor and the most prominent figure of the Chisti order of Sufis in India are Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. 
Reason (R): The Chisti order takes its name from a village Chisti in Ajmer. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct? [1997] 
(a) Both A and R are true but 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

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The Chishti Order is a Sufi order within the mystic branches of Islam that was founded in Chishti, a small town near Herat, Afghanistan about 930 CE. The order was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami (“the Syrian”). The most famous of the Chishti saints is Moinuddin Chishti popularly known as Gharib Nawaz meaning “Benefactor of the Poor” who settled in Ajmer, India.

Question 42:
Head of the military department under the recognized central machinery of administration during Akbar's reign was:   [1997] 
(a) Diwan 
(b) Mir Bakshi 
(c) Mir Saman 
(d) Bakshi

Correct Answer is Option (b)
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-Davis) reported to him.

Question 43:
After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of [1997] 
(a) Tute-Hind 
(b) Kaisr-I-Hind 
(c) Zil-I-Ilahi 
(d) Din-I-Ilahi

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The Persian court model influenced Balaban's conception of Kingship. He took up the title of Zil-i-Ilahi (Shadow of God).

Question 44:
Prem Vatika, poems on the life of Krishna, were composed by:   [1996]
(a) Bihari
(b) Surdas
(c) Raskhan
(d) Kabir

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Raskhan (approx. 1558–1628) was a Hindi poet who was both a Muslim and follower of Lord Krishna.

Question 45:
Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?  [1996] 
(a) Guru Amar Das–Miri and Piri 
(b) Guru Arjun Dev–Adi Granth 
(c) Guru Ram Das–Dal Khalsa 
(d) Guru Gobind Singh– Manji

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Guru Hargobind–Miri and Piri; Guru Gobind Singh – Dal Khalsa

Question 46:
In medieval India, the Mansabdari system was introduced for:  [1996]  
(a) making recruitment to the army 
(b) facilitating revenue collection 
(c) ensuring religious harmony 
(d) effecting clean administration

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Mansabdari system was introduced in 1595–96, was a combined status showing a noble’s civil and military capacity.

Question 47:
Mughal painting reached its zenith under [1996] 
(a) Humayun 
(b) Akbar 
(c) Jahangir 
(d) Shahjahan

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Jahangir was the Mughal Emperor from 1605–1627.

Question 48:
The Sufi saint who maintained that devotional music was one way of coming close to God was; [1996] 
(a) Muin-ud-din Chisti 
(b) Baba Farid 
(c) Saiyid Muhammad Gesudaraz 
(d) Shah Alam Bukhari

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Shaikh Muin-ud-din Chishti was a saint of Chishti Silsilah, introduced in India by Shaikh Muin-ud-din Sijzi (1236 A.D.) Wahd-tul-wajud (unity of the phenomenal world) by Sama and Mehfil, which is the recitation of the names of God, was a prominent feature of the silsilah, underlined by Muin-ud-din Chishti.

Question 49:
Nastaliq was: [1996] 
(a) a Persian script used in medieval India 
(b) a raga composed by Tansen
(c) a cess levied by the Mughal rulers 
(d) a manual of code of conduct for the Ulemas

Correct Answer is Option (a)
It was a persian script during the Mughal period.

Question 50:
The term 'Apabhramsa' was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote: [1996] 
(a) outcastes among the Rajputs 
(b) deviations from Vedic rituals 
(c) early forms of some of the modern Indian language 
(d) non-Sanskrit verse meters

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Before the rise of modern language, Apabhrams was the most vibrant language of colloquial and literary works in north India.