Medieval History of India

21. The Diwan-i-Aam referred to

The Diwan-i-Aam referred to

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a collection of popular poetry
the hall of public audience
the senior most citizen
a rank in the Mughal Government
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The Diwan-i-Aam referred to the hall of public audience in Mughal palaces.
– The term ‘Diwan’ in Mughal administration generally refers to a hall or court. ‘Aam’ means ‘public’ or ‘common’.
– The Diwan-i-Aam was a large hall or courtyard within Mughal palaces where the emperor would hold public audiences. In this hall, the emperor would meet common people, hear their petitions, and dispense justice.
– This architectural feature was a standard part of Mughal palaces built during the reigns of emperors like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, seen in forts like Agra Fort and Red Fort, Delhi.
In contrast to the Diwan-i-Aam, the Diwan-i-Khas was the hall of private audience, where the emperor would meet with ministers, nobles, and selected visitors for important discussions. Both were significant parts of the ceremonial and administrative structure of the Mughal court.

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22. Which of the following statements are true of Bahadur Shah I? He suc

Which of the following statements are true of Bahadur Shah I?

  • He succeeded Aurangzeb.
  • He had to fight his brothers for the throne.
  • He reversed many policies of his predecessor.
  • He ordered for the destruction of some temples.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1, 2 and 3
2, 3 and 4
2 and 3 only
1 and 4
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Statements 1, 2, and 3 are true of Bahadur Shah I.
– Bahadur Shah I (also known as Mu’azzam) was the eldest surviving son of Aurangzeb. He succeeded Aurangzeb to the Mughal throne after his father’s death in 1707.
– Like many Mughal successions, it was marked by a war of succession. Bahadur Shah I had to defeat his brothers, Muhammad Azam Shah (at the Battle of Jajau) and Muhammad Kam Bakhsh (in the Deccan), to secure the throne.
– Bahadur Shah I pursued a policy of compromise and conciliation, which reversed many of Aurangzeb’s stricter policies. He adopted a more tolerant attitude towards the Rajputs and the Marathas, attempting to settle disputes through negotiation rather than conflict. He also tried to pacify the Sikhs.
– Statement 4 is incorrect. While Aurangzeb was known for ordering the destruction of temples, Bahadur Shah I pursued a policy of greater religious tolerance compared to his father and did not order the destruction of temples; rather, he attempted reconciliation with Hindu groups.
Bahadur Shah I reigned from 1707 to 1712. His reign is seen as the beginning of the decline of the Mughal Empire, although he managed to maintain some semblance of authority. His conciliatory policies were aimed at reducing rebellions and consolidating power, but they also reflected the weakening central control.

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23. Aurangzeb had compiled the greatest digest of Islamic Law called

Aurangzeb had compiled the greatest digest of Islamic Law called

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Fatawa-i-Alamgiri
Fatawa-i-Jahandari
Miraz-i-Mughals
Fatah-i-Saltan
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Aurangzeb (reigned 1658-1707) commissioned the compilation of a comprehensive legal code based on Islamic law (Sharia), specifically following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, which was prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. This massive work, compiled by several hundred Islamic scholars over years, was named Fatawa-i-Alamgiri (Decrees of Alamgir), after Aurangzeb’s regnal title ‘Alamgir’. It became a standard legal reference in Mughal India.
– Compiled during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb.
– It is a comprehensive digest of Islamic law.
– Based on the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.
– Named after Aurangzeb’s title, ‘Alamgir’.
The Fatawa-i-Alamgiri was a monumental effort aimed at providing a standardized legal framework for the administration of justice in the Mughal Empire according to the prevailing Islamic legal tradition. It served as the main legal authority in British India until the enactment of modern codes like the Indian Penal Code. Fatawa-i-Jahandari is a historical and political treatise written by Ziauddin Barani during the Delhi Sultanate period, not a legal digest compiled by Aurangzeb.

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24. Which one of the following prompted the Mughals to enter into trade ne

Which one of the following prompted the Mughals to enter into trade negotiations with the English in the early 17th century?

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The English victory over the Portuguese fleet off Swally in 1612
The gifts sent by the English king to the Mughal emperor
The diplomatic skills of William Hawkins
The skills of Sir Thomas Roe
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The English victory over the Portuguese fleet off Swally in 1612 prompted the Mughals to enter into trade negotiations with the English.
The Portuguese held a dominant position in maritime trade on the west coast of India in the early 17th century and were hostile to other European powers. When the English East India Company ship, the *Hector*, under William Hawkins, arrived at Surat in 1608 seeking permission for trade, the Portuguese actively obstructed their efforts. The English victory over the Portuguese fleet at the Battle of Swally (or Suvali) near Surat in November 1612 was a crucial turning point. This naval defeat demonstrated the English’s superior fighting capabilities and broke the perception of Portuguese invincibility at sea, impressing the Mughal authorities in Surat and the Emperor Jahangir. It convinced the Mughals that the English could be effective partners and rivals to the Portuguese, opening the door for formal trade agreements.
While diplomatic efforts by figures like William Hawkins and later Sir Thomas Roe (who arrived in 1615 and successfully secured a trade treaty) were important, the tangible demonstration of military strength at Swally was the key event that significantly altered the Mughal calculus and paved the way for sustained negotiations and the establishment of English factories. Gifts were common diplomatic tools but not the primary prompt in this context.

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25. Which one of the following statements about the Bhakti movement in Ind

Which one of the following statements about the Bhakti movement in India is not correct ?

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Ramanuja taught at the Meenakshi temple of Madurai.
The founder of Madhava sect was a Kanarese Brahmin.
Telugu Brahmin Nimbarka settled near Mathura and greatly influenced the Bhakti movement.
Impact of Sahajiyas, Tantrics and Nath yogis led to the development of North Indian Sant tradition.
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The statement “Ramanuja taught at the Meenakshi temple of Madurai” is not correct.
Ramanuja (c. 1017–1137 CE), a prominent philosopher and theologian of Hinduism, was a key figure in the Bhakti movement and the most important exponent of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta. While Madurai has a significant Vaishnavite temple (Meenakshi Temple is primarily Shiva-Parvati, with Vaishnavite shrines), Ramanuja’s main center of activity and teaching was Srirangam, home to the Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the most important Vaishnava pilgrimage sites. He did travel widely, but his primary base and major philosophical works are strongly associated with Srirangam.
– Madhvacharya (c. 1238–1317 CE), the founder of the Dvaita Vedanta school, was born near Udupi in present-day Karnataka and was a Kanarese Brahmin. Statement B is correct.
– Nimbarka (c. 13th century CE?), founder of the Dvaitadvaita Vedanta school, is traditionally believed to be a Telugu Brahmin from the Andhra region who settled near Mathura (Vrindavan), significantly contributing to the Radha-Krishna devotional tradition. Statement C is correct.
– The North Indian Sant tradition (figures like Kabir, Nanak, Dadu Dayal, etc.) evolved through complex interactions with various pre-existing religious and philosophical streams, including elements from Sahajiya Buddhists, Tantrics, Nath Yogis, Vaishnava Bhakti, and Sufism. Statement D is correct.

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26. Which of the following statements about the Virasaiva Movement is/are

Which of the following statements about the Virasaiva Movement is/are correct?

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  • 1. Virasaiva followers are also known as Lingayats.
  • 2. The Movement is closely associated with Basaveshwara.
  • 3. The Movement became institution-alized over a period of time.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
3 only
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The correct answer is A, meaning all three statements are correct.
– Statement 1 is correct. The followers of the Virasaiva Movement are commonly known as Lingayats, referring to their practice of wearing a small Linga (Ishtalinga) on their person.
– Statement 2 is correct. The Virasaiva Movement, which emerged in the 12th century in South India, is strongly associated with Basaveshwara (Basavanna), a philosopher, statesman, and social reformer who championed radical social reforms, including challenging caste distinctions and patriarchal norms.
– Statement 3 is correct. Over time, the Virasaiva Movement developed into an established religious and social tradition with its own organizational structures, such as mathas (monasteries), significant body of literature (Vachanas), and philosophical schools, thus becoming institutionalized.
The Virasaiva tradition emphasizes monotheism (worship of Shiva), equality, and devotion (bhakti). It played a significant role in the social and religious landscape of the Deccan region.

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27. Which one of the following statements about Mahapurush Srimanta Sankar

Which one of the following statements about Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva is not correct?

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He was the leading proponent of Vaishnavism in Assam.
His teachings are known as 'Bhagavati Dharma'.
One of his major compositions is Bhakti-Ratnakara.
He rejected the traditional Bhakti form of Satsang, the Naam-Kirtan.
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The correct option is D.
Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568) was a polymath from Assam who founded the Ekasarana Dharma, a socio-religious movement that spread Vaishnavism in the region.
– Statement A is correct: He is indeed the leading proponent of Vaishnavism in Assam.
– Statement B is correct: His teachings are known as Ekasarana Dharma or Bhagavati Dharma, emphasizing devotion to Lord Krishna/Vishnu based on texts like the Bhagavata Purana.
– Statement C is correct: Bhakti-Ratnakara is one of his important compilations.
– Statement D is incorrect: Srimanta Sankardeva strongly emphasized and developed the practice of Satsang, particularly the congregational chanting of devotional songs and prayers known as Naam-Kirtan. The Naam Ghar (house of names) is a central institution of Ekasarana Dharma.
Sankardeva also introduced Bhaona (religious theatre), Borgeets (devotional songs), Ankia Naat (one-act plays), and contributed significantly to Assamese literature, music, and culture.

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28. Who among the following Bhakti poetesses belonged to Kashmir Valley?

Who among the following Bhakti poetesses belonged to Kashmir Valley?

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Rupa Bhawani
Akka Mahadevi
Janabai
Bahinabai
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The correct option is A.
Rupa Bhawani (1621-1720) was a Kashmiri saint and poetess who is considered a significant figure in the syncretic Kashmiri religious tradition, often linked to the Rishi order and reflecting Bhakti influences.
Akka Mahadevi was a prominent figure of the 12th-century Virashaiva movement in Karnataka. Janabai and Bahinabai were prominent Marathi Bhakti poetesses associated with the Varkari tradition in Maharashtra, living in the 13th and 17th centuries respectively. Lalleshwari (Lal Ded) is another famous earlier Kashmiri poetess-saint (14th century) known for her mystic poetry (Vakhs), preceding Rupa Bhawani.

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29. Who among the following is the author of the famous travel book Rihla?

Who among the following is the author of the famous travel book Rihla?

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Al-Biruni
Ibn Battuta
Seydi Ali Reis
Mahmud Wali Balkhi
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The correct option is B.
Rihla (meaning “The Journey”) is the famous travelogue written by the Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. He travelled extensively throughout the Islamic world and beyond in the 14th century, including visiting India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Al-Biruni was a Persian scholar and polymath who wrote ‘Kitab al-Hind’ (Book of India) in the 11th century. Seydi Ali Reis was an Ottoman admiral and geographer who wrote ‘Mirat ul Memalik’ (Mirror of Countries). Mahmud Wali Balkhi was a Central Asian traveler who visited India in the 17th century.

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30. Who among the following Chola Kings conquered and annexed the

Who among the following Chola Kings conquered and annexed the Maldives?

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Parantaka
Rajaraja
Rajendra
Gandaraditya
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The correct option is B.
Rajaraja I (also known as Rajaraja the Great), who ruled the Chola kingdom between 985 and 1014 CE, was a powerful ruler and naval commander. He significantly expanded the Chola empire through conquests. His military campaigns included the conquest of parts of Sri Lanka, the Chera kingdom, the Pandya kingdom, and the Maldives.
His son, Rajendra I, further expanded the empire, including expeditions to North India and Southeast Asia, but the conquest of the Maldives is attributed to Rajaraja I.

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