Medieval History- Solved Questions (2018-2024) | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions PDF Download

Ans: (c)

• Early in the 16th century, the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, came under immense pressure when his kingdom was invaded by the second Mughal Emperor Humayun. At that juncture, he decided to remain on conciliatory terms with the Portuguese, who had arrived in India at the end of the 15th century, and were at the time an energetic and ambitious maritime power.
• In 1534, the Shah signed the Treaty of Bassein with the Portuguese, ceding Diu to the latter, as well as other territories of his empire such as Vasai and the islands that today form Mumbai. The Portuguese obtained Daman from the Shah in 1559.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Ans: (b)

• The Chandela or Chandel was an Indian Rajput clan of Central India. They were popularly termed as Chandelas or Jejakabhukti dynasty in Indian history.
  • As per legends, contained in Mahoba Khanda, Chandela family was descended from the union of Moon (in Hindi called Chandra) and Hemavati.
  • As per A954 CE Khajuraho inscriptions, first king of Chandela dynasty i.e. Nannuka was descendant of sage Chandratreya who was son of famous Vedic sage Atri. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.

• Jayashakti belonged to the Chandela dynasty and not the Paramara dynasty. Hence, Pair 2 is not correctly matched.
• Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, either of two dynasties of medieval Hindu India. The line of Harichandra ruled in Mandor, Marwar (Jodhpur, Rajasthan), during the 6th to 9th centuries CE, generally with feudatory status. The line of Nagabhata ruled first at Ujjain and later at Kannauj during the 8th to 11th centuries. Other Gurjara lines existed, but they did not take the surname Pratihara.
  • In the complicated and badly documented wars of the early 9th century— involving Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, and Palas—Nagabhata II played an important part.
  • Nagabhata II became the most powerful ruler of northern India and established his new capital at Kannauj. Nagabhata II was succeeded by his son Ramabhadra in about 833. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
• Mihir Bhoja belonged to the Paramara dynasty. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Therefore, option (b) is correct.

Ans: (b)

• The Fanam and Chuckram coins were the regular unit of currency in medieval Travancore and were extensively used for trading.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Ans: (b)

• Between 1240-66, the Mongols for the first time embarked upon the policy of annexation of India and the golden phase of mutual 'non-aggression pact with Delhi ended. In 1241, the Mongols under Tair Bahadur invaded Lahore and completely destroyed the city. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
• In 1299, Mongols invaded India, headed by Outlugh Khan (Outlugh Khwaja), the son of the Mongol ruler, Dawa Khan. This was an attempt by the Mongols to ravage Delhi for the first time. Hearing of their approach, Alauddin quickly gathered an army, and took a position outside Siri. The Mongols entrenched themselves at Killi, six miles north of Delhi. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The last significant Mongol invasion was under the leadership of Tarmashirin during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Tughluq. Ghiyasudclin Tughlaq marched against Tarmashirin, and pushed him back across the Indus and Indus which remained the frontier with the Mongols.

Hence statement 3 is not correct.

Ans: (d)

• The Sayyids claimed descent from the Prophet through his daughter Fatima. They commanded special respect in Muslim society. Evert Timur protected the lives of Sayyids during his in-vasion of India although his policy was one of general slaughter. A Sayyid accused of misappropriating state revenue was discharged by Sikandar Lodi and was allowed to keep to himself his dishonest gains. The Sayyids put on a pointed cap (Kulah) and they were known as Kulah-Daran.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Fernao Nuniz (1534-37) was a Portuguese traveller to the court of Vijaynagar King- Achyut Raya

Correct Answer is Option (a)

• Changez Khan attacked the Khwarizm Prince Jalaluddin Magbrani, who sought refuge to the court of Iltutmish. But Iltutmish decided not the give refuge to Jalauddin, and hence he avoided the invasion of Changez Khan to India → #1 is right.
• Taimur invaded India in 1398- During this period, Nasiruddin Mohammed Tughlaq was the ruler and not Mohammed bin Tughlaq (1325-1350) → #2 is wrong.
• Vasco de Gama came to India in 1498- was welcomed by the ruler of Calicut- Manna Vikrama- also called as Zamorin. Krishnadeva Raya, the Vijaynagar ruler came to power in 1509 onwards. → 3 also wrong.

Correct Answer is Option (a)

• Ascending order means- from smallest to largest
• Pargana- group of villages
• Sarkar- district unit during the Mughals
• Subah- Province of Mughal Empire- where Subahdars were appointed.

Correct Answer is Option (b)

• Aur ang-Persian term for Warehouse (given in NCERT class 8- Our Past- II, also covered in the Youtube Lecture). So, #1 is wrong, In both of this option (b & c) pair#3  (Mirasidar) isis common so we have to accept it as correct. Everything boils down to whether the second statement is correct or not. 
• Banian- Agent of East India Company, a term used for Bania (trader) So, #2 is correct– so the answer should be “b”. 
• Just to crosscheck the validity of the third statement: 
• Mirasidar- Designated revenue payer to the State

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Under Akbar, the painting appears to have been confined only to manuscript illustration. So b is wrong. Portrait reached great heights during Jahangir's reign. The portrait was painted with great care of details and finesse of drawing and modeling.

Correct Answer is Option (a)

• Tansen invented the night raga Darbari Kanhra, morning raga Mian Ki Todi, mid-day raga, Mian ki Sarang, seasonal raga Mian ki Malhar. So #d is right, therefore eliminated, because we've to find the wrong statement. 
• He composed much dhrupad on Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati, and Rama. He also composed songs for his patrons. Sob and c were also eliminated. 
• Tansen was the title given to him by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior. So, a is wrong, and therefore it's the answer.

Correct Answer is Option (d)

• In the 13th century, Nimbarka and Vallabhacharya were also other preachers of Vaishnavite Bhakti in the Telangana region. Akbar was 15th Century, so unlikely to be
  contemporaries. #1 is wrong. 
• "Naqshbandi school degraded Sufism to the status of a handmaid of orthodox Islam. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1563- 1624) became the leading spokesman of this school after Akbar's death. His teachings were not confined to the reform of Islam; he advocated a crusade against the Hindus." So, it's unlikely that Kabir would be 'greatly influenced' by such hardcore radical elements. #2 is wrong. Besides, Kabir Das timeline is (1398 or 1440-1518) so he was long dead before Sirhindi was even born.

Correct Answer is Option (a)

• The first stage of the Iqta system started in 1206. The system started with the assignment of different regions as iqtas (territorial areas or units whose revenues were assigned to officials in lieu of salaries) to military commanders, out of whose revenues they could maintain themselves and their troops as well. So, it means Iqta started in 1206 itself and it was not an ancient indigenous Indian institution. #2 is wrong. b and d eliminated. 
• Mughal Central Administration: Mir Bakshi was Head of the military department. So, #3 is wrong. We are left with answer a:1 only.

Correct Answer is Option (d)

• Two classes shared power of the State with the Mughal emperor: zamindars and the nobles. The zamindars were hereditary owners of their lands who  enjoyed certain privileges on hereditary basis. They occupied an important place in the empire because they helped in the collection of revenue and in local administration, for which they maintained soldiers. 
• The nobility comprised people who were either assigned  large jagirs / Mansabs or appointed Subahdars. Thus, both 1 and 2 are wrong

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Paintings at Kishangarh are associated with the most romantic legends - Sawant Singh and his beloved Bani Thani. and of the intertwining of lives and myths, romance and bhakti. It is sometimes argued that the women in 'bani are said to resemble the character of Radha.