Medieval History of India

171. Consider the following statements about Sufism in India: Pilgrimage

Consider the following statements about Sufism in India:

  • Pilgrimage called ziyarat to tombs of Sufi saints is an important feature.
  • The most influential group of Sufis in India were the Chishtis.

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=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.
Statement 1 is correct. Pilgrimage, known as ziyarat, to the tombs (dargahs) of Sufi saints is a central and important practice in popular Sufism in India. Devotees visit dargahs to seek spiritual blessings (baraka), offer prayers, make vows, and participate in rituals and festivals like Urs, which commemorates the death anniversary of the saint.
Statement 2 is correct. The Chishti order, founded in India by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti in the 12th century, became the most prominent and influential Sufi order in India. Known for its emphasis on love for humanity, tolerance, simple living, music (sama), and living among the people, the Chishtis attracted a large following among both Muslims and non-Muslims. Other influential orders include the Suhrawardi, Qadiri, and Naqshbandi, but the Chishtis had unparalleled popularity and reach across the subcontinent.
Sufism played a significant role in the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent and fostered a syncretic culture due to its inclusive approach and emphasis on universal love and devotion. Dargahs of prominent Chishti saints like Muinuddin Chishti (Ajmer), Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi), and Salim Chishti (Fatehpur Sikri) are major pilgrimage sites visited by millions every year.

172. Consider the following statements about Rashtrakuta kings : They we

Consider the following statements about Rashtrakuta kings :

  • They were ardent patrons of Shaivism and did not support other forms of religion.
  • They promoted only Sanskrit scholars and gave them large grants.

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=”option4″]

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The correct answer is D) Neither 1 nor 2.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Rashtrakuta kings were known for their religious tolerance. While some rulers were patrons of Shaivism, they also supported and patronized other religions like Jainism, Vaishnavism, and Buddhism. Evidence includes the famous rock-cut caves at Ellora, which contain sculptures and monuments related to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, largely patronized by the Rashtrakutas.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Rashtrakutas were patrons of not just Sanskrit but also other languages, most notably Kannada. Their court produced important works in Kannada, such as the Kavirajamarga by Amoghavarsha I, which is considered a foundational work in Kannada literature. They patronized scholars of various linguistic and religious backgrounds.
The Rashtrakuta dynasty ruled parts of South India from the 8th to the 10th centuries. Important rulers included Dantidurga (founder), Krishna I (built the Kailasa temple at Ellora), and Amoghavarsha I (a great scholar and patron of letters). Their reign is noted for its cultural achievements, including architectural marvels like Ellora and Elephanta caves and significant literary contributions in multiple languages.

173. Consider the following statements about the Vedanta philosophy : 1.

Consider the following statements about the Vedanta philosophy :

  • 1. Shankara was the founder of Advaita Vedanta.
  • 2. The philosophy of Dvaita was elaborated by Madhva.

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=”option3″]

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Both statements are correct. Adi Shankara (Shankara) is the most prominent proponent and systematizer of Advaita Vedanta. Madhva is the founder and main exponent of the Dvaita (dualism) school of Vedanta philosophy.
Vedanta is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. Different schools within Vedanta offer various interpretations of the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita. Advaita emphasizes non-dualism (oneness of Atman and Brahman), while Dvaita emphasizes dualism (distinction between God and individual souls).
Other major schools of Vedanta include Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) founded by Ramanuja, Dvaitadvaita (dualistic non-dualism) by Nimbarka, and Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism) by Vallabha.

174. Who among the following is the writer of the Kirtana-Ghosha ?

Who among the following is the writer of the Kirtana-Ghosha ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Vatsadasa” option2=”Madhavdev” option3=”Rama Saraswati” option4=”Srimanta Sankaradev” correct=”option4″]

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D
The Kirtana-Ghosha is a highly revered collection of devotional songs (kirtans) in Assamese literature, primarily composed by the 15th-16th century Vaishnava saint and reformer, Srimanta Sankaradev. It is considered a foundational text of the Ekasarana Dharma (Neo-Vaishnavite) movement he founded in Assam.
Srimanta Sankaradev (c. 1449–1568) was a towering figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, contributing significantly to literature, music, dance, drama, and religious philosophy. His disciple Madhavdev wrote the Nama Ghosha, another important devotional text in Assamese.

175. Which among the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Nalayira D

Which among the following statements is/are correct ?

  • 1. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is an anthology of Alvar saints’ compositions.
  • 2. Tevaram is the collection of Tamil Shaiva hymns.
  • 3. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is also described as the Tamil Veda.

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

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C
All three statements are correct. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham is indeed a collection of 4000 hymns composed by the 12 Alvar saints, who were prominent figures in the Tamil Vaishnavite Bhakti movement. Tevaram is a collection of devotional hymns by the Nayanmar saints (Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar), who were leaders of the Tamil Shaivite Bhakti movement. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham holds immense religious significance in Tamil Vaishnavism and is often referred to as the “Tamil Veda” due to its scriptural authority and comprehensive nature.
The compilation of the Nalayira Divyaprabandham is traditionally attributed to Nathamuni in the 10th century. The Tevaram was compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi in the 11th century. Both collections are cornerstones of Tamil devotional literature and reflect the vibrant Bhakti movements that flourished in South India.

176. Who among the following has written three works on the science of musi

Who among the following has written three works on the science of music called *Sangitaraja*, *Sangita Mimansa* and *Sudha Prabandha* ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Tansen” option2=”Ibrahim Adil Shah” option3=”Amir Khusro” option4=”Maharana Kumbha of Mewar” correct=”option4″]

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D
Maharana Kumbha (Maharana Kumbhakarna Singh) of Mewar (ruled 1433–1468) was not only a powerful ruler but also a great scholar, poet, and patron of arts and architecture. He is credited with authoring several important works on music, including the monumental *Sangitaraja* (King of Music), *Sangita Mimansa* (Investigation of Music), and *Sudha Prabandha* (Treatise on the Essence).
Maharana Kumbha’s contributions to music theory and practice were significant. *Sangitaraja* is considered one of the most comprehensive treatises on Indian music from the medieval period, covering various aspects like raga, tala, instruments, and performance.

177. The two medieval period canals originating from the Sutlej and Yamuna

The two medieval period canals originating from the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers and joining at Karnal were made at the orders of :

[amp_mcq option1=”Alauddin Khalji” option2=”Mohammad Tughlaq” option3=”Firuz Tughlaq” option4=”Ibrahim Lodi” correct=”option3″]

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C
Firuz Shah Tughlaq (ruled 1351–1388) of the Delhi Sultanate was renowned for his extensive public works, including irrigation canals. He is credited with repairing and extending old canals and constructing new ones to promote agriculture and supply water to his newly founded cities like Hissar and Firuzabad. The canals originating from the Yamuna and Sutlej rivers, particularly the Western Yamuna Canal and its branches in the Haryana region, are associated with his reign.
Firuz Tughlaq was particularly interested in the economic prosperity of his kingdom and saw irrigation as crucial for agricultural output and revenue. While canal systems existed before him, he significantly expanded and improved the network. The junction near Karnal is a known feature of this historical canal system.

178. 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 (Traveller)
P. Seydi Ali Reis
Q. Ibn Battuta
R. Peter Mundy
S. Duarte Barbosa

List II (Country)
1. Morocco
2. Turkey
3. Portugal
4. England

Code :

P Q R S
(a) 2 1 4 3
(b) 3 4 1 2
(c) 3 1 4 2
(d) 2 4 1 3

[amp_mcq option1=”(a) 2 1 4 3″ option2=”(b) 3 4 1 2″ option3=”(c) 3 1 4 2″ option4=”(d) 2 4 1 3″ correct=”option1″]

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Correct Answer: A
– Seydi Ali Reis was an Ottoman Turkish admiral and traveler known for his travelogue “Mirat ul Memalik” (The Mirror of Countries), which includes descriptions of his journeys through India in the 16th century.
– Ibn Battuta was a famous Moroccan traveler who visited many parts of the world in the 14th century, including India during the Delhi Sultanate period under Muhammad bin Tughluq.
– Peter Mundy was an English traveler and merchant who visited India during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
– Duarte Barbosa was a Portuguese writer and explorer who travelled in South Asia in the early 16th century and wrote about his observations in the Book of Duarte Barbosa.
These travelers provide valuable historical accounts of the regions and periods they visited, offering insights into societies, cultures, trade, and political conditions from an external perspective. Their writings are significant primary sources for historical studies.

179. Which among the following statements about Vijayanagara are correct ?

Which among the following statements about Vijayanagara are correct ?

  • Colin Mackenzie was the first Surveyor General of India to visit Vijayanagara.
  • John Marshall was the first to take detailed photographs of the site.
  • James Burgess was the first to undertake conservation of Hampi.

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

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Correct Answer: A
– Statement 1 is correct: Colin Mackenzie, a surveyor and antiquarian, visited the ruins of Hampi (Vijayanagara) around 1800 and produced the first survey maps of the site. He is considered the first Surveyor General of India appointed in 1815.
– Statement 2 is incorrect: Detailed photography of Hampi started much earlier than John Marshall’s time. For example, Alexander Greenlaw took extensive photographs of Hampi in 1856. John Marshall served as the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928.
– Statement 3 is incorrect: While James Burgess contributed significantly to Indian archaeology and conservation principles, he was not the first to undertake conservation efforts at Hampi. Early efforts were limited, and systematic, large-scale conservation initiatives at Hampi came much later, involving various individuals and the Archaeological Survey of India over time. Mackenzie’s work was primarily documentation.
Colin Mackenzie’s documentation of Vijayanagara was crucial for later studies of the site. The ruins of Hampi, the site of the Vijayanagara empire, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and have been the subject of extensive archaeological research, documentation, and conservation over the centuries.

180. The structure of Mahanavami Dibba is situated in which one of the foll

The structure of Mahanavami Dibba is situated in which one of the following places?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ujjain” option2=”Gaur” option3=”Hampi” option4=”Mandu” correct=”option3″]

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The structure of Mahanavami Dibba is situated in Hampi.
Hampi is the site of the ruins of Vijayanagara, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Mahanavami Dibba is a massive stone platform located in the Royal Centre area of Hampi. It is believed to have been used by the Vijayanagara rulers for public ceremonies, especially during the Mahanavami festival (now celebrated as Navaratri or Dasara). Ujjain, Gaur, and Mandu were important historical cities but were not the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The Mahanavami Dibba is one of the most imposing structures at Hampi and is known for its intricately carved panels depicting various scenes, including processions, hunting, and religious rituals.
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