Medieval History of India

1. Which one of the following UNESCO world heritage sites was severely da

Which one of the following UNESCO world heritage sites was severely damaged by the victors of the battle of Talikota, leading it to be abandoned?

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Kakatiyas
Elephanta
Art Deco
Hampi
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The UNESCO world heritage site severely damaged by the victors of the battle of Talikota is Hampi.
The Battle of Talikota in 1565 resulted in the decisive defeat of the Vijayanagara Empire by the allied Deccan Sultanates. Following the battle, the capital city of the empire, located at present-day Hampi, was sacked, plundered, and largely destroyed over several months by the victorious armies, leading to its eventual abandonment.
The ruins of Hampi are located in Karnataka, India, and represent the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its historical significance and architectural remnants. The Battle of Talikota marked a turning point in South Indian history and the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire.

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2. Consider the following statements with reference to Rudramadevi : 1.

Consider the following statements with reference to Rudramadevi :

  • 1. Rudramadevi is also known as Raya-gaja-kesari.
  • 2. The inscriptions largely project her as a heroic king not queen.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect. Rudramadevi was a Kakatiya ruler, and inscriptions often projected her as a heroic king. The title ‘Raya-gaja-kesari’ is not typically associated with her.
Rudramadevi (reigned 1263–1289 or 1295) was one of the most prominent rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty in the Deccan. Upon her father Ganapatideva’s death, she was designated as the male heir (Rudradeva) and ruled as a king, often depicted in inscriptions and sculptures in male attire to secure her succession and authority.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The title ‘Raya-gaja-kesari’ (meaning ‘lion to the elephant-like kings’) is associated with rulers who defeated powerful enemies, often the Gajapati rulers of Odisha or used by Vijayanagara rulers in their conflicts. It is not a title primarily attributed to Rudramadevi in historical records. Statement 2 is correct. To ensure acceptance as a ruler in a patriarchal society and continue the lineage, she was formally designated as Rudradeva and portrayed as a king, highlighting her administrative capabilities and martial prowess in inscriptions and contemporary accounts like that of Marco Polo.

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3. Who among the following is the author of the book ‘Rajtarangini’ ?

Who among the following is the author of the book ‘Rajtarangini’ ?

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Bilhana
Kalhana
Banabhatta
Bhavabhuti
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‘Rajtarangini’ (meaning “River of Kings”) is a historical chronicle of early Kashmir written in Sanskrit by Kalhana in the 12th century CE. It is considered one of the earliest and most important works of history from India.
– Kalhana was a Kashmiri Brahman poet, historian, and philosopher.
– ‘Rajtarangini’ is a comprehensive history of the kings of Kashmir up to Kalhana’s time, drawing upon various sources.
– The other options are authors known for different works in Sanskrit literature: Bilhana (Vikramankadevacharitam), Banabhatta (Harshacharita, Kadambari), and Bhavabhuti (Mahaviracharitam, Uttararamacharitam).
‘Rajtarangini’ stands out among classical Indian texts for its attempt at presenting a chronological history, although it mixes historical accounts with myths and legends. It remains a valuable source for the history of Kashmir and north-western India.

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4. Which one of the following statements about the headman of the village

Which one of the following statements about the headman of the village panchayat in medieval India is not true ?

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The office of the headman was always hereditary
The chief function of the headman was to supervise the preparation of village accounts
One of the duties of the headman was to ensure the proper working of the caste system
In eastern India, all marriages were held in the presence of the headman
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The statement “In eastern India, all marriages were held in the presence of the headman” is not true about the headman of the village panchayat in medieval India.
Village headmen (known by various names like Muqaddam, Chaudhuri, Mandal, etc.) played a crucial role in medieval Indian village administration, acting as intermediaries between the state and the village community.
While the office of the headman often became hereditary (A), the state retained the power of appointment and dismissal. Headmen were responsible for revenue collection and keeping village accounts (B). They also played a role in maintaining social order and ensuring the proper functioning of the caste system within the village (C). However, mandatory presence of the headman at *all* marriages across vast regions like eastern India is not a well-documented, universal duty. Marriages were primarily social and religious ceremonies governed by caste rules and family customs, often involving caste elders rather than solely the village headman.

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5. Which one of the following was not a Shaiva tantric sect ?

Which one of the following was not a Shaiva tantric sect ?

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Sahajiyas
Kapalikas
Kalamukhas
Nathas
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Sahajiyas are primarily associated with Vaishnavism and Buddhism, emphasizing the concept of Sahaja, the innate or natural state of being, often explored through devotional practices and esoteric rituals. While they might incorporate elements from various traditions, they are not classified as a Shaiva tantric sect in the same way as Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, or Nathas, which are direct branches of Shaivism with distinct tantric practices.
– Kapalikas and Kalamukhas were ascetic Shaiva sects known for their extreme tantric rituals, often involving practices considered outside mainstream norms.
– The Nath tradition is a major Shaiva movement, particularly known for Hatha Yoga and tantric sadhanas aimed at achieving physical immortality and spiritual liberation.
– Sahajiyas belong to a different stream of religious thought, focusing on innate truth and spontaneous expression of devotion or realization, more aligned with certain Tantric Buddhist and Vaishnava traditions.
The question asks which was NOT a Shaiva tantric sect. Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, and Nathas are well-documented historical and contemporary Shaiva tantric traditions or sects. Sahajiyas, while Tantric, are not typically considered a branch of Shaivism.

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6. Which one of the following was the homeland of Babur ?

Which one of the following was the homeland of Babur ?

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Farghana
Samarkand
Bukhara
Sogdiana
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Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was born in Andijan in the Fergana Valley (modern Uzbekistan), which was part of Transoxiana. Fergana was his ancestral homeland.
– Babur was a descendant of Timur on his father’s side and Genghis Khan on his mother’s side.
– He inherited the rule of Fergana at a young age and spent much of his early life trying to secure and expand his control in the region, including attempts to capture Samarkand.
Samarkand and Bukhara were important cities in Transoxiana, which Babur contested for control, but they were not his original homeland. Sogdiana was a larger historical region in Central Asia encompassing areas including Samarkand and Bukhara, but Fergana was the specific state where he was born and began his rule.

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7. When was tobacco introduced in Northern India ?

When was tobacco introduced in Northern India ?

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15<sup>th</sup> century
16<sup>th</sup> century
17<sup>th</sup> century
18<sup>th</sup> century
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Tobacco was introduced to India by the Portuguese towards the end of the 16th century, during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar (1556-1605).
– It quickly gained popularity and was widely used across India by the early 17th century.
– Emperor Jahangir (1605-1627) issued orders against the use of tobacco, indicating its widespread adoption by his time.
While introduced in the late 16th century, its widespread use and cultural integration happened more in the 17th century. However, the question asks for when it was ‘introduced’, which places it firmly in the 16th century. The Portuguese brought it from the Americas following the Columbian Exchange.

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8. Krishnadevaraya’s capital city Vijayanagara was situated on the banks

Krishnadevaraya’s capital city Vijayanagara was situated on the banks of

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Tungabhadra.
Krishna.
Godavari.
Mahanadi.
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The capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, was located on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River.
– The ruins of the city are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Hampi, situated in present-day Karnataka.
– The Tungabhadra River provided water resources and also formed a natural defense for the city.
The Vijayanagara Empire ruled much of South India from the 14th to the 17th centuries. Krishnadevaraya (reigned 1509–1529) was the most famous ruler of the empire, known for his administrative skills, military campaigns, and patronage of art and literature. The Krishna, Godavari, and Mahanadi rivers flow further north and east of the Vijayanagara region.

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9. Early Bhakti Saints, Alvars in South India were immersed in the devoti

Early Bhakti Saints, Alvars in South India were immersed in the devotion of

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Ram.
Krishna.
Shiva.
Vishnu.
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The Alvars were a group of 12 Tamil poet-saints of South India who were proponents of Vaishnavism, deeply devoted to Vishnu and his avatars.
– Their devotional poems, compiled as the Divya Prabandha, are central texts of Tamil Vaishnavism.
– Their devotion encompassed various forms and avatars of Vishnu, including Rama and Krishna.
The Nayanars were their Shaivite counterparts, devoted to Shiva. The Alvars and Nayanars played a significant role in the early Bhakti movement in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries AD. While they sang praises of Rama and Krishna, these are considered incarnations of the supreme deity Vishnu in Vaishnavism.

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10. Who among the following European travellers was the physician of Princ

Who among the following European travellers was the physician of Prince Dara Shukoh ?

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François Bernier
Niccolao Manucci
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
Jean de Thévenot
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François Bernier was a French physician and traveller who served as the physician to Prince Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
– Bernier was in India from 1658 to 1669.
– His book, ‘Travels in the Mughal Empire’, provides a detailed account of the Mughal court, society, and the war of succession between Shah Jahan’s sons.
Niccolao Manucci was an Italian adventurer who also served at the Mughal court, initially as a physician to Shah Alam (Aurangzeb’s son). Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a French gem merchant and traveller known for his accounts of India’s trade and wealth. Jean de Thévenot was a French traveller who visited India after Bernier.

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