Medieval History of India

141. Which one of the following was not a Chishti Sufi saint ?

Which one of the following was not a Chishti Sufi saint ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Khwaja Moinuddin” option2=”Baba Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar” option3=”Nizamuddin Auliya” option4=”Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya.
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Baba Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar, and Nizamuddin Auliya were all prominent saints of the Chishti order of Sufism in India. Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya, however, was the founder and leading saint of the Suhrawardi order in India.
The Chishti order was established in India by Khwaja Moinuddin in Ajmer. Baba Farid and Nizamuddin Auliya were key figures in its development and spread. The Suhrawardi order, established by Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya in Multan, was another major Sufi order in India, often differing from the Chishtis in their approach, particularly regarding association with the state.

142. Which one of the following travelogues has given an insight on the rei

Which one of the following travelogues has given an insight on the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ibn Battuta’s Rihla” option2=”Francois Bernier’s Travels in the Mogul Empire” option3=”Niccolao Manucci’s Storia do Mogor” option4=”Tavernier’s Travels in India” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is Ibn Battuta’s Rihla.
Ibn Battuta, a famous Moroccan traveler and scholar, visited India during the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 AD) and served him for several years. His detailed travelogue, ‘Rihla’ (meaning ‘journey’), provides invaluable insights into the political, social, and economic conditions of the Delhi Sultanate under Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
Francois Bernier, Niccolao Manucci, and Jean-Baptiste Tavernier were European travelers who visited India much later, during the Mughal period (primarily the 17th century), and their accounts describe the Mughal emperors like Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan, etc., not the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq of the Delhi Sultanate.

143. The Senia tradition is:

The Senia tradition is:

[amp_mcq option1=”musical tradition that emerged from the colonial army (Sena)” option2=”dance drama written by Keshab Chandra Sen” option3=”textile tradition of eastern UP” option4=”musical tradition that invoked the name of Tansen, the celebrated musician of Akbar’s Court” correct=”option4″]

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The Senia tradition refers to a significant lineage or gharana within Hindustani classical music that traces its origins or key influences back to the legendary musician Tansen, who was one of the ‘Navaratnas’ (nine gems) in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This tradition encompasses specific styles of singing and instrumental playing.
The Senia tradition is a major school or style of Hindustani classical music, directly linked to the historical figure of Tansen, known for his contributions to North Indian music.
Tansen is considered one of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music. Various gharanas (musical schools) claim connection to Tansen’s lineage through his descendants or disciples, collectively referred to as the Senia tradition. Examples include the Senia Maihar gharana, Senia Rampur gharana, etc., propagating specific instrumental and vocal styles associated with Tansen.

144. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I (Dynasty)List II (Architecture)
A. Chalukyas1. Sun Temple, Konark
B. Hoysalas2. Pattadakal
C. Pandyas3. Kesava Temple, Somnathpur
D. Eastern Gangas4. Eastern gopura of Chidambaram Temple

Code:

[amp_mcq option1=”1 3 2 4″ option2=”1 2 3 4″ option3=”2 4 3 1″ option4=”2 3 4 1″ correct=”option4″]

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Matching List I (Dynasty) with List II (Architecture):
A. Chalukyas are known for their temple architecture at Pattadakal, Aihole, and Badami. Pattadakal (2) is a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing Chalukyan architecture.
B. Hoysalas are famous for their intricate temple carvings and unique architectural style found in sites like Halebidu, Belur, and Somnathpur. The Kesava Temple at Somnathpur (3) is a prime example of Hoysala architecture.
C. Pandyas significantly contributed to the development of temple complexes in South India, especially through the construction of large gopurams (gateway towers). The eastern gopura of Chidambaram Temple (4) is often attributed to Pandya patronage, reflecting their architectural style and grandeur.
D. Eastern Gangas were a prominent dynasty in Odisha and are credited with building magnificent temples like the Sun Temple at Konark (1) and the Jagannath Temple at Puri.
Thus, the correct match is A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1.
This question tests knowledge of major South Indian dynasties and their contributions to temple architecture. Identifying key sites and architectural styles associated with each dynasty is crucial.
The Chalukyan architecture (6th-12th centuries) shows a blend of Nagara and Dravidian styles. Hoysala architecture (10th-14th centuries) is known for its stellate plans, intricate carvings, and soapstone material. Pandya architecture (6th-14th centuries, peak during the Later Pandyas) is characterized by massive temple complexes, elaborate gopurams, and tank construction. The Eastern Ganga dynasty (5th-15th centuries) played a vital role in the Kalinga style of architecture, seen in the famous temples of Odisha.

145. Consider the following statements about the travellers who visited Ind

Consider the following statements about the travellers who visited India:
1. Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi from Herat visited Delhi and Daulatabad.
2. Ibn Battuta provides detailed accounts of both Delhi and Daulatabad.
3. According to Francois Bernier there was no private property in land in Mughal India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1, 2 and 3″ option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”2 and 3 only” correct=”option4″]

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The correct option is D) 2 and 3 only.
1. Statement 1 is incorrect: Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi, a Persian traveler and ambassador, visited the Vijayanagara Empire (during the reign of Devaraya II in the 15th century). His detailed account focuses on the city of Vijayanagara. He did not primarily visit Delhi and Daulatabad for his renowned observations in India.
2. Statement 2 is correct: Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveler of the 14th century, spent several years in India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq of the Delhi Sultanate. His travelogue, the Rihla, provides extensive and detailed accounts of life in Delhi and also describes Daulatabad, where Tughluq briefly shifted his capital.
3. Statement 3 is correct: Francois Bernier, a French physician and traveler who visited India in the 17th century during the Mughal Empire, wrote extensively about his observations. In his “Travels in the Mogul Empire,” he famously argued that there was no private ownership of land in Mughal India and that the land ultimately belonged to the Emperor. While historians debate the accuracy and nuances of this claim, Bernier *did* state this in his account.
These travellers’ accounts are valuable primary sources for understanding the history, society, and economy of the regions they visited in India. However, it’s important to evaluate their perspectives and potential biases, as they were often writing from an outsider’s viewpoint.

146. The Vijayanagara Empire received its death blow at the battle of:

The Vijayanagara Empire received its death blow at the battle of:

[amp_mcq option1=”Talikota in 1565″ option2=”Panipat in 1661″ option3=”Talikota in 1665″ option4=”Raichur in 1510″ correct=”option1″]

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The correct option is A) Talikota in 1565.
The Vijayanagara Empire suffered a decisive defeat in the Battle of Talikota (also known as the Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi) in 1565 against a confederacy of Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, and Bidar). This battle led to the sacking of the capital city Vijayanagara and marked the beginning of the decline and eventual collapse of the empire.
– Option B (Panipat in 1661): The Battles of Panipat were fought in 1526, 1556, and 1761, and are primarily associated with the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, and the Marathas, not the Vijayanagara Empire. 1661 is not a date of a major Panipat battle.
– Option C (Talikota in 1665): The year is incorrect; the battle was in 1565.
– Option D (Raichur in 1510): The Battle of Raichur (1520, not 1510) was a major victory for Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara against the Sultan of Bijapur, representing a peak of the empire’s power, not its death blow.

147. Who among the following was associated with the Mughal Court as a phys

Who among the following was associated with the Mughal Court as a physician to Prince Dara Shukoh?

[amp_mcq option1=”Hakim Afzal Khan” option2=”Ibn Battuta” option3=”Francois Bernier” option4=”Duarte Barbosa” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) Francois Bernier. Francois Bernier was a French physician, traveller, and philosopher who visited India during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He was, for a time, the personal physician of Prince Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, before Dara’s defeat and execution in the war of succession. Bernier’s travelogue, “Travels in the Mughal Empire,” is a valuable source of information about 17th-century India.
Francois Bernier was a European traveler who served as a physician in the Mughal court, including attending to Prince Dara Shukoh.
Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan traveller who visited India much earlier, in the 14th century, during the Delhi Sultanate period (reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq). Duarte Barbosa was a Portuguese writer who visited the Vijayanagara Empire in the early 16th century. Hakim Afzal Khan was likely a physician, but Francois Bernier is specifically documented as being associated with Dara Shukoh’s court.

148. Which one of the following texts is a commentary written by Chakrapani

Which one of the following texts is a commentary written by Chakrapanidatta (11 Century CE from Bengal) on the Sushrut Samhita ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sabdachandrika” option2=”Bhanumati” option3=”Nitiratnakara” option4=”Lohasarvasava” correct=”option2″]

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Chakrapanidatta was a prominent physician and scholar from Bengal in the 11th century CE. He is known for his significant contributions to Ayurveda through commentaries and independent works. He wrote a commentary on the Charaka Samhita titled ‘Ayur-veda-dipika’ and a commentary on the Sushruta Samhita titled ‘Bhanumati’. He also authored the ‘Chakradatta’ (or Chikitsa-Samgraha), a comprehensive work on therapeutics.
– Chakrapanidatta was an 11th-century physician from Bengal.
– He wrote commentaries on key Ayurvedic texts.
– His commentary on Sushruta Samhita is called Bhanumati.
– His commentary on Charaka Samhita is called Ayur-veda-dipika.
Other options are either unrelated or associated with different authors/subjects. Sabdachandrika is a Sanskrit dictionary by Varadaraja. Nitiratnakara is a text on polity/ethics. Lohasarvasava is a medicinal preparation (Arishta/Asava) mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, not a commentary title.

149. Which of the following statements about Vijayanagara king Krishnadevar

Which of the following statements about Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya’s expeditions are correct ?

  • 1. In the early years of his reign he marched against the ruler of Orissa.
  • 2. In 1520 CE, he captured the fort of Raichur from Ismail Adil Khan.
  • 3. Krishnadevaraya restored Sultan Mahmud Shah to power and assumed the title of Yavanasthapanacharya.

Select the answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 3 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”1 and 2 only” correct=”option3″]

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All three statements about Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya’s expeditions are correct.
– **Statement 1: In the early years of his reign he marched against the ruler of Orissa.** This is correct. Krishnadevaraya (reigned 1509-1529 CE) engaged in military campaigns against the Gajapati kingdom of Orissa (under Prataparudra Deva) in the early part of his rule (around 1513-1518 CE) to recover territories previously lost by the Vijayanagara Empire, such as Udayagiri and Kondavidu.
– **Statement 2: In 1520 CE, he captured the fort of Raichur from Ismail Adil Khan.** This is correct. The Battle of Raichur in 1520 CE was a major military engagement where Krishnadevaraya decisively defeated the forces of Ismail Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, and captured the strategic fort of Raichur Doab, located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers.
– **Statement 3: Krishnadevaraya restored Sultan Mahmud Shah to power and assumed the title of Yavanasthapanacharya.** This is correct. Krishnadevaraya intervened in the affairs of the Bahmani Sultanate (which had fragmented into Deccan Sultanates). After defeating some factions, he helped restore the rightful Bahmani Sultan, Mahmud Shah II, who had been imprisoned, to the throne. In recognition of this act of re-establishing the “Yavana” (Muslim) kingdom, he took the title ‘Yavanarajya sthapanacharya’ or ‘Establisher of the Yavana Kingdom’.
Krishnadevaraya is considered one of the greatest rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. His reign was marked by successful military campaigns that extended the empire’s influence and secured its borders, as well as significant administrative reforms, patronage of arts and literature (he himself was a scholar and poet), and the flourishing of trade and economy. His victories against the rulers of Orissa and the Deccan Sultanates solidified Vijayanagara’s position as the dominant power in South India during his time.

150. Yashovarman was ruler of which one of the following kingdoms ?

Yashovarman was ruler of which one of the following kingdoms ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Kannauj” option2=”Mewar” option3=”Marwar” option4=”Kalinga” correct=”option1″]

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Yashovarman was a powerful king who ruled Kannauj (Kanyakubja) in the early 8th century CE. He is known for his military campaigns and patronage of arts and literature. The famous poet Bhavabhuti lived in his court. Yashovarman’s reign represents a period of prominence for Kannauj before the rise of the Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas who contested control over the region.
Yashovarman was a ruler of the kingdom of Kannauj.
Kannauj was a strategically important city in North India and was the capital of the Harsha’s empire before becoming a major political centre contested by various dynasties after his death. Yashovarman’s achievements are mentioned in historical texts and inscriptions.
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