Medieval History of India

151. Which of the following statements about Lachit Borphukan is/are correc

Which of the following statements about Lachit Borphukan is/are correct ?

  • 1. He was a General of the Ahom Force.
  • 2. He is known for his leadership in the Battle of Saraighat.
  • 3. Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal is given to the best cadet at the National Defence Academy.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
All three statements about Lachit Borphukan are correct.
Lachit Borphukan was a prominent military general of the Ahom Kingdom in the 17th century. He is celebrated for his decisive leadership in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, where the Ahom forces successfully defeated the Mughal army, preventing their advance into Assam. His bravery, strategic acumen, and patriotism are widely revered. In his honour, the National Defence Academy (NDA) confers the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal upon the best cadet each year.
Lachit Borphukan’s leadership in the Battle of Saraighat, which was primarily a naval battle on the Brahmaputra river, is considered a significant event in the history of Assam and Northeast India, highlighting the resilience of the Ahom kingdom against Mughal expansion. He was the Borphukan (one of the five principal ministers) of the Ahom Kingdom appointed by King Chakradhwaj Singha.

152. Who among the following was the author of the Badshah Nama ?

Who among the following was the author of the Badshah Nama ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Abdul Hamid Lahori” option2=”Abul Fazl” option3=”Shah Jahan” option4=”Sadullah Khan” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
Badshah Nama (or Padshahnama) is the official chronicle of the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. While several authors contributed to the historical accounts of Shah Jahan’s reign, the most famous and widely accepted author of the official Badshah Nama covering the first twenty years of his rule is Abdul Hamid Lahori. Abul Fazl was the historian and chronicler during Emperor Akbar’s reign, famous for writing the Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari. Shah Jahan was the ruler whose reign was chronicled, not the author himself. Sadullah Khan was a prominent minister during Shah Jahan’s reign.
This question tests knowledge about important historical texts and their authors from the Mughal period in India.
Historical chronicles like Badshah Nama provide valuable primary source material for understanding the political, social, and cultural history of the Mughal Empire. Other notable Mughal historians include Nizamuddin Ahmad (Tabaqat-i-Akbari), Abdul Qadir Badauni (Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh), and Muhammad Waris (who continued Lahori’s work).

153. Which one of the following kingdoms was founded by the two brothers Ha

Which one of the following kingdoms was founded by the two brothers Harihar and Bukka ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Bahmani” option2=”Vijayanagara” option3=”Malwa” option4=”Maratha” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 CE by the two brothers, Harihar and Bukka, who were formerly associated with the Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal and later served the Delhi Sultanate.
Harihar I and Bukka Raya I established the Vijayanagara kingdom in the Deccan region in response to the instability and decline of the Delhi Sultanate’s control in the south.
The Bahmani kingdom was another major rival kingdom in the Deccan, founded by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah. Malwa was a kingdom in Central India. The Maratha kingdom rose later under Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century.

154. Which one among the following statements about the Mansabdari system i

Which one among the following statements about the Mansabdari system is correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”All army troopers were allotted mansabs.” option2=”Mansabs were usually assigned on the basis of ancestry.” option3=”Position and salary of mansabdars were indicated by a numerical designation called zat.” option4=”Mansabdars were never paid in cash.” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is C) Position and salary of mansabdars were indicated by a numerical designation called zat.
In the Mughal Mansabdari system, ‘Zat’ was a numerical value that determined the Mansabdar’s personal status, rank, and personal pay. It was distinct from ‘Sawar’, which indicated the number of cavalrymen the Mansabdar was required to maintain.
The Mansabdari system was a grading system used by the Mughals to fix rank, salary, and military responsibilities. Mansabs were not usually assigned solely based on ancestry, although it might have played a role; merit and loyalty were also considered, and the system incorporated people from various backgrounds. Not all army troopers were Mansabdars; the rank was assigned to nobles, officials, and military commanders. While Mansabdars were often paid through revenue assignments (jagirs), they were sometimes paid in cash (‘naqd’), particularly in the early phase or for specific appointments.

155. The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on which one

The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on which one of the following topics?

[amp_mcq option1=”Art of writing” option2=”Essay writing” option3=”Legal document” option4=”Epigraphic style” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2022
Download PDFAttempt Online
The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on Legal documents.
Lekhapaddhati is a medieval Sanskrit and Prakrit text originating from Gujarat. It is a collection of model documents, including various types of legal deeds, administrative orders, land grants, agreements, and private letters. It served as a practical guide for drafting documents and provides valuable insights into the administrative, legal, and socio-economic conditions of the period.
The text is a unique source for understanding the formulation and structure of official and private documents in medieval Western India. Its content covers practical aspects of daily life, governance, and transactions, offering more than just information on the ‘art of writing’ or ‘epigraphic style’. It’s fundamentally a manual for legal and administrative drafting.

156. Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not co

Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”It was written by Abu’l Fazl.” option2=”It is a part of a larger work called Akbar Nama.” option3=”It describes the Mughal Empire as having a diverse population and a composite culture.” option4=”It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan.” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is D) It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan.
The Ain-i-Akbari was written by Abu’l Fazl during the reign of Emperor Akbar and is the third volume of the Akbarnama. It is a detailed administrative document providing a comprehensive account of the Mughal Empire’s administration, economy, society, and culture. It was completed around 1598. There is no historical evidence to suggest that it was revised by Sadullah Khan (who served as a Wazir during Shah Jahan’s reign, much later) on the orders of Shah Jahan.
Options A, B, and C are correct statements about the Ain-i-Akbari. Abu’l Fazl was a close friend and court historian of Akbar. The work is indeed part of the larger Akbarnama. The detailed descriptions within the Ain reflect the empire’s diverse population and the composite nature of its culture, including information on various religious groups, castes, customs, and economic activities.

157. Consider the following statements about the Mahanavami Dibba : 1. It

Consider the following statements about the Mahanavami Dibba :

  • 1. It was the name of a giant box of sweets distributed at the Mahanavami festival.
  • 2. It was the name of a massive platform with a base covered with relief carvings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is 2 only.
The Mahanavami Dibba is a large stone platform located in the royal enclosure of Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It served as a central structure for royal ceremonies, particularly during the Mahanavami festival (equivalent to Dasara/Navaratri). Its multi-layered base is adorned with extensive relief carvings depicting various aspects of life, festivities, and tribute bearers. Statement 1 is incorrect as it was a physical platform, not a container for sweets. Statement 2 accurately describes the platform and its decorative carvings.
The Mahanavami festival was one of the most important annual celebrations in the Vijayanagara Empire, showcasing the power and grandeur of the king and his kingdom. European travelers like Domingo Paes described the elaborate ceremonies conducted on and around this platform.

158. Who among the following was considered to be the preceptor of Mirabai

Who among the following was considered to be the preceptor of Mirabai ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Dadu” option2=”Raidas” option3=”Ramanand” option4=”Surdas” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is Raidas.
Tradition holds that Mirabai, the famous Rajput princess and devotee of Krishna, was a disciple of Saint Raidas (also known as Ravidas). Raidas was a revered saint of the Bhakti movement from the 15th to 16th century, contemporary to Kabir and Guru Nanak.
Ramanand was an earlier saint (14th-15th century) considered the guru of Kabir and other prominent Bhakti figures. Dadu Dayal (16th-17th century) founded the Dadupanthis tradition. Surdas (15th-16th century) was a blind poet known for his devotion to Krishna and his compositions in Braj Bhasha. While these were all significant figures in the Bhakti movement, Raidas is widely accepted as Mirabai’s preceptor.

159. Which one of the following is the correct meaning of ziyarat ?

Which one of the following is the correct meaning of ziyarat ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Pilgrimage to the tombs of sufi saints” option2=”The practice of revenue farming” option3=”The death anniversary of a sufi shaikh” option4=”A form of Islamic divorce” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is A) Pilgrimage to the tombs of sufi saints.
Ziyarat is an Arabic term meaning “visit” or “pilgrimage”. In the context of Sufism, *ziyarat* specifically refers to the act of visiting the tomb (dargah) of a Sufi saint, which is considered a pious act by many followers. Devotees undertake these pilgrimages to pay homage, seek blessings, and pray for intercession.
Option B, revenue farming (Ijarah or Jagirdari in different contexts), is an economic/administrative practice. Option C, the death anniversary of a Sufi shaikh, is known as *Urs*. Option D refers to Islamic concepts of divorce (Talaq, Khula, etc.). Ziyarat distinctly means the act of visiting a holy place, most commonly a saint’s tomb in the Sufi context.

160. At which one of the following places was a Shiva temple not constructe

At which one of the following places was a Shiva temple not constructed under the patronage of the Chola rulers?

[amp_mcq option1=”Chidambaram” option2=”Thanjavur” option3=”Gangaikonda Cholapuram” option4=”Naneghat” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is D) Naneghat.
The Chola rulers, particularly the Imperial Cholas (9th to 13th centuries CE), were prolific builders of magnificent Shiva temples across their empire in South India. Prominent examples include the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram, the Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur (built by Rajaraja I), and the Brihadeshwara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram (built by Rajendra I). Naneghat, located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, is historically associated with the Satavahana dynasty (c. 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE) and is known for its ancient rock-cut caves and inscriptions, long before the rise of the Chola power.
The architectural style and patronage of the temples at Chidambaram, Thanjavur, and Gangaikonda Cholapuram are distinctly characteristic of the Chola period and their fervent devotion to Shiva. Naneghat, on the other hand, belongs to a much earlier period and different dynasty, geographically far from the core Chola territory and their architectural tradition.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5