Medieval History of India

31. Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the P

Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal ?

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Krishnadevaraya
Narasimha Saluva
Muhammad Shah III
Yusuf Adil Shah
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The correct answer is A, Krishnadevaraya.
Bhatkal was a significant port town under the control of the Vijayanagara Empire during the early 16th century. Krishnadevaraya, who reigned from 1509 to 1529, was one of the most powerful rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Portuguese, establishing their presence on the west coast of India after Vasco da Gama’s arrival, sought to control or gain access to profitable trading ports like Bhatkal, which was important for pepper trade. Historical accounts indicate that the Portuguese interacted and made agreements with the Vijayanagara rulers, including Krishnadevaraya, securing trade privileges and permission to build factories and fortifications in their territories, including Bhatkal.
The relationship between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Portuguese was complex, involving trade alliances against common enemies (like the Deccan Sultanates) as well as competition and conflict over coastal territories and trade routes. The Portuguese presence significantly impacted the maritime trade landscape of the region.

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32. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to

Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?

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Ahmad Shah
Mahmud Begarha
Bahadur Shah
Muhammad Shah
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Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, signed the Treaty of Bassein with the Portuguese in 1534. Under this treaty, he ceded the island of Bassein and its dependencies and granted the Portuguese permission to build a factory in Diu. Although the final Portuguese control over Diu was secured after conflicts and Bahadur Shah’s death in 1537, the process of surrendering control and allowing Portuguese presence in Diu began under his rule with this treaty, primarily to secure Portuguese help against the Mughal Emperor Humayun.
The strategic port of Diu was highly coveted by European powers, especially the Portuguese, for controlling trade routes. The internal political struggles in the Gujarat Sultanate, particularly conflicts with the Mughals, sometimes led rulers to seek alliances with European powers at the cost of territorial concessions.
The Portuguese eventually gained full control of Diu in 1537 after killing Bahadur Shah during negotiations and defeating subsequent attempts by the Gujarat Sultans and Ottoman Empire to retake it. Diu remained a Portuguese territory until 1961.

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33. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a la

Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and canal-cum-aqueduct several a kilometres long from the river to the capital city?

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Devaraya I
Mallikarjuna
Vira Vijaya
Virupaksha
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Devaraya I, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire (reigned 1406-1422 CE), is credited with undertaking significant hydraulic engineering works. Historical accounts, including that of the Italian traveler Niccolo de Conti who visited Vijayanagara during his reign, mention the construction of a large dam across the Tungabhadra river and an aqueduct system to supply water to the capital city, addressing the water scarcity issue in the region.
The rulers of Vijayanagara placed great importance on irrigation and water management due to the semi-arid climate of their region. Devaraya I’s hydraulic projects were crucial for the sustenance and growth of the capital city, Hampi.
Other notable Vijayanagara rulers like Krishnadevaraya also undertook irrigation projects, but the large dam and canal system on the Tungabhadra for the capital’s supply is specifically associated with Devaraya I. The remains of these structures can still be seen near Hampi.

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34. With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “

With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran” ?

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Arab merchants
Qalandars
Persian calligraphists
Sayyids
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The correct option is D. The term “Kulah-Daran” was used to refer to the Sayyids.
“Kulah-Daran” literally means “Cap-wearers”. This term was applied to the Sayyids during the Delhi Sultanate period because they wore a distinctive high, pointed cap as a symbol of their lineage. They claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Ali.
The Sayyids held positions of influence during the Delhi Sultanate, and a specific dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty (1414-1451), ruled Delhi for a period. Their distinctive attire helped distinguish them.

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35. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :

  • 1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
  • 2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
  • 3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 and 2
2 only
1 and 3
3 only
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The correct option is B, as only statement 2 is correct.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The first significant Mongol invasion of India occurred during the reign of Iltutmish when Jalal-ud-din Mangburni of Khwarazm sought refuge in India, leading to Mongol forces under Genghis Khan appearing on the Indus. The Khalji dynasty came later.
Statement 2 is correct. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, the Delhi Sultanate faced multiple Mongol invasions. A notable invasion led by Targhi in 1303 reached the gates of Delhi and besieged the city, forcing Ala-ud-din to take refuge in the Siri fort.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq did face Mongol invasions (e.g., by Tarmashirin), historical accounts suggest he often adopted policies like paying tribute or using diplomacy to repel them, rather than permanently losing significant portions of his core kingdom in the north-west *to* the Mongols as a result of these invasions. Control over frontier regions was often contested, but a sustained loss of territory to the Mongols during his reign is not a commonly accepted historical fact in the way implied by the statement.
The Mongol threat was a major challenge for the Delhi Sultanate rulers, particularly the Mamluks, Khaljis, and Tughlaqs. Ala-ud-din Khalji implemented extensive military and administrative reforms to counter the Mongol invasions effectively.

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36. In medieval India, the term ‘Fanam’ referred to :

In medieval India, the term ‘Fanam’ referred to :

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Clothing
Coins
Ornaments
Weapons
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In medieval India, the term ‘Fanam’ referred to a type of coin.
– The Fanam (also spelled Panam or Fanum) was a small gold coin widely circulated in South India during the medieval period, particularly under dynasties like the Vijayanagara Empire and later in various southern kingdoms.
– It was one of the smallest gold denominations used for everyday transactions.
– Historical records and numismatic studies confirm ‘Fanam’ as a monetary unit.
The value and appearance of the Fanam varied slightly across different regions and periods. It was an important part of the currency system in South India for several centuries, alongside larger gold coins (like the Varaha or Pagoda) and silver/copper coins.

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37. The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inau

The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?

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The best means of salvation was devotion.
Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
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The correct answer is A) The best means of salvation was devotion.
Ramanuja (1017-1137 CE) was a prominent philosopher, theologian, and social reformer. He was the most important Acharya of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition and a leading proponent of Vishishtadvaita philosophy. A central tenet of his teaching is that *bhakti* (devotion) to Vishnu is the most effective and primary means for an individual soul to attain *moksha* (salvation or liberation). He emphasized surrender (*prapatti*) to God’s grace. The statue inaugurated is called the ‘Statue of Equality’, reflecting his message of equality and devotion being accessible to all sections of society.
While Ramanuja respected the Vedas (B), his philosophy did not hold them to be solely self-existent independent of God’s will. He used logical arguments extensively in his commentaries (like Sri Bhashya on the Brahmasutras) (C), but logic was a tool for understanding, not the *primary* means for salvation. Meditation (D) was part of the spiritual practice, but it was devotion (*bhakti*) that he stressed as the ultimate path to liberation.

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38. “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati duri

“Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of :

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Akbar
Humayun
Shahjahan
Aurangzeb
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The correct answer is A) Akbar.
The translation of the Sanskrit philosophical text “Yogavasistha” into Persian was undertaken by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar was known for his interest in religious and philosophical discussions and patronised the translation of various Indian texts into Persian.
Other notable Sanskrit works translated into Persian during Akbar’s reign include the Mahabharata (as Razmnama), Ramayana, Atharva Veda, and Panchatantra. These translations were part of Akbar’s efforts to foster understanding and syncretism between different religious and cultural traditions in his empire.

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39. Consider the following pairs: King Dynasty 1. Nannuka — Chan

Consider the following pairs:

King Dynasty
1. Nannuka — Chandela
2. Jayashakti — Paramara
3. Nagabhata II — Gurjara-Pratihara
4. Bhoja — Rashtrakuta

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

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Only one pair
Only two pairs
Only three pairs
All four pairs
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The correct answer is B) Only two pairs.
1. Nannuka: Was the founder of the Chandela dynasty in the early 9th century. Correct.
2. Jayashakti: Was a ruler of the Chandela dynasty, grandson of Nannuka. The region Jejakabhukti was named after him. He was not a Paramara ruler. Incorrect.
3. Nagabhata II: Was a prominent ruler of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty in the early 9th century, known for expanding the empire. Correct.
4. Bhoja: While there was a famous Paramara king named Bhoja (Raja Bhoj of Dhara), there was no prominent king named Bhoja in the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The most famous Bhoja contemporary to the Rashtrakutas was Mihira Bhoja (Gurjara-Pratihara). Incorrect.
The Rashtrakuta dynasty’s important rulers included Dantidurga (founder), Krishna I, Dhruva Dharavarsha, Govinda III, Amoghavarsha I, Krishna III, etc.

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40. Consider the following statements : 1. It was during the reign of I

Consider the following statements :

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  • 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chenghiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.
  • 2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
  • 3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
1 and 2
3 only
2 and 3
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Only statement 1 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct: Chenghiz Khan did reach the banks of the Indus River in 1221 AD while pursuing the Khwarezmian prince Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu. This event occurred during the reign of Iltutmish (1211-1236 AD) in the Delhi Sultanate.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Timur invaded India and sacked Delhi in 1398 AD. At that time, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate was Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq (1394-1413 AD), the last ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, not Muhammad bin Tughluq (1324-1351 AD).
Statement 3 is incorrect: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut, on the coast of Kerala, in 1498 AD. Deva Raya II reigned the Vijayanagara Empire from 1422 to 1446 AD. The ruler of Vijayanagara around 1498 AD was Immadi Narasimha Nayaka or Vira Narasimha Raya.
Iltutmish’s decision to refuse asylum to Jalal ad-Din is considered a wise diplomatic move that saved the nascent Delhi Sultanate from a potential Mongol invasion. Timur’s invasion marked the end of the Tughluq dynasty’s effective rule over northern India. Vasco da Gama’s arrival marked the beginning of European sea trade with India and paved the way for colonial rule.

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