Medieval History of India

41. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire

According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas?

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  • 1. Wrestling
  • 2. Astrology
  • 3. Accounting
  • 4. Soothsaying

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1, 2 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4 only
2 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Fernao Nuniz, a Portuguese horse trader who spent time in Vijayanagara in the 16th century, provided one of the most detailed accounts of the Vijayanagara Empire. His chronicle describes various aspects of life, including the roles and activities of women. Nuniz explicitly mentions that women in Vijayanagara held positions in administration, accounted for expenses, were skilled wrestlers, astrologers, and soothsayers. Therefore, women were considered expert in all the listed areas according to Nuniz’s account.
– Portuguese chronicler Fernao Nuniz described the Vijayanagara Empire.
– He noted that women were active and skilled in various fields.
– According to Nuniz, women excelled in wrestling, astrology, accounting, and soothsaying.
Nuniz’s account is a valuable primary source for understanding the social and political life of the Vijayanagara Empire, alongside the accounts of other foreign visitors like Domingo Paes. These accounts provide insights into the diverse roles played by women in society, which was remarkable for the time.

42. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, conside

With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements :

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  • 1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
  • 2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
  • 3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
  • 4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2
2 and 3 only
1 and 4
2, 3 and 4
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Statement 1 is correct. The Chausath Yogini Temple near Morena (Mitaoli, Madhya Pradesh) is a circular, hypaethral (open to the sky) temple. Historical evidence and inscriptions suggest it was built by the Kachchhapaghata dynasty, likely in the 11th century (though some sources give later dates, the attribution to Kachchhapaghatas is common).
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Mitaoli temple is not the *only* circular temple in India. Other notable circular Yogini temples exist at Hirapur (Odisha) and Ranipur Jharial (Odisha).
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Chausath Yogini temples are primarily associated with the Shakta and Shaiva cults, particularly Tantric practices involving the worship of Goddesses (Yoginis) and Shiva. They are not related to the Vaishnava cult.
Statement 4 is correct. The unique circular design of the Mitaoli Chausath Yogini temple, with its central courtyard and cells arranged in a circle, is widely believed to have served as an inspiration for the design of the Indian Parliament building (Sansad Bhavan) in New Delhi, which was designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. While not officially documented by the original architects, the structural resemblance is striking and the belief is popular.
– The Chausath Yogini Temple near Morena is a circular temple built by the Kachchhapaghata dynasty.
– It is NOT the only circular temple in India.
– It is associated with Shakta/Shaiva cults, not Vaishnava.
– Its design is popularly believed to have inspired the Indian Parliament building.
The Chausath Yogini temples represent a distinct tradition of temple architecture and religious practice in medieval India, primarily found in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. They are significant for understanding Tantric religious traditions and their role in the political and social life of the time.

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43. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the co

With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct ascending order in terms of size?

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Paragana-Sarkar-Suba
Sarkar-Paragana-Suba
Suba-Sarkar-Paragana
Paragana-Suba-Sarkar
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The correct ascending order of administrative divisions in medieval India in terms of size is Paragana – Sarkar – Suba.
During the Mughal administration, the empire was divided into several provinces, known as Subas. Each Suba was headed by a Subedar. Subas were further divided into divisions called Sarkars. A Sarkar was administered by a Faujdar. Below the Sarkar were smaller units called Paraganas (or Mahals), consisting of a number of villages. A Paragana was overseen by officials like the Shiqdar, Amin, Qanungo, etc. The smallest unit of administration was the village. Thus, the hierarchy from smallest to largest was Village < Paragana < Sarkar < Suba < Empire. The ascending order of the given options is Paragana (smallest) < Sarkar < Suba (largest).
This administrative structure evolved over time, with roots in the administrative systems of the Delhi Sultanate. The Mughals, particularly Akbar, refined and standardized this system across their vast empire. Understanding these administrative divisions is crucial for studying the political and economic history of medieval India.

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44. Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustra

Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?

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Humayun
Akbar
Jahangir
Shah Jahan
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Emperor Jahangir (reigned 1605-1627) is widely considered the emperor who shifted the emphasis in Mughal painting from large-scale illustrated manuscripts (popular under Akbar) to individual portraits, album painting, and naturalistic studies of birds, animals, and plants. Jahangir was a keen connoisseur of art and favored realistic portraiture and detailed observation.
Jahangir’s reign marked a shift towards individual portraits and album painting in Mughal art.
Humayun brought Persian artists, laying the foundation. Akbar commissioned massive manuscript projects like the Hamzanama, employing a large number of artists and developing a distinct Mughal style blending Persian and Indian elements. While portraiture existed under Akbar, it gained unprecedented prominence and naturalism under Jahangir. Shah Jahan’s era saw refinement and formality, particularly in architectural illustration and court scenes.

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45. With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements i

With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?

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Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.
Tansen composed songs on his patrons.
Tansen invented many Ragas.
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Statement A is not correct. The title ‘Tansen’ was not given to him by Emperor Akbar. His original name was Ramtanu Pandey. The title ‘Tansen’ is believed to have been conferred upon him earlier, possibly by Raja Vikramajit of Gwalior or by his guru Swami Haridas’s disciples, before he joined the court of Raja Ram Singh of Rewa and subsequently Akbar’s court. Statements B, C, and D are correct. Tansen, a Hindu musician, composed many Dhrupads on Hindu deities. He also composed songs praising his patrons, such as Raja Ram Singh and Emperor Akbar. Tansen is credited with inventing several new ragas (like Miyan Ki Malhar, Miyan Ki Todi, Darbari Kanada) and refining existing ones.
The title ‘Tansen’ predates his entry into Akbar’s court.
Tansen was one of the ‘Navaratnas’ (nine gems) of Emperor Akbar’s court and is considered one of the greatest figures in Hindustani classical music. His musical lineage continues through various gharanas. His compositions are primarily in the Dhrupad style.

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46. Consider the following statements: Saint Nimbarka was a contem- pora

Consider the following statements:

  • Saint Nimbarka was a contem- porary of Akbar.
  • Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Statement 1 is incorrect. Saint Nimbarka, a philosopher and theologian, lived around the 11th or 12th century AD, significantly earlier than Emperor Akbar who reigned in the 16th century (1556-1605). Statement 2 is incorrect. Saint Kabir, a prominent Bhakti movement poet and mystic, lived in the 15th century (roughly 1440-1518). Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was a major figure of the Naqshbandi Sufi order who lived from 1564 to 1624, primarily during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir. Kabir predates Sirhindi, so Kabir could not have been influenced by him. Therefore, neither statement is correct.
Nimbarka and Kabir belonged to earlier centuries than Akbar and Sirhindi.
Nimbarka is associated with the Dvaitadvaita (dualistic non-dualistic) philosophy. Kabir was a syncretic saint whose verses are found in the Guru Granth Sahib. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was known for advocating for a strict adherence to Sharia and is sometimes referred to as a ‘Mujaddid’ or reviver of the second millennium of Islam.

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47. Consider the following statements: In the revenue administration of

Consider the following statements:

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  • In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
  • The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
  • The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
1 and 2 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Statement 1 is correct. ‘Amil’ or ‘Amalguzar’ was indeed an official responsible for revenue collection in the revenue administration of the Delhi Sultanate, a position that continued into the Mughal period. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Iqta system was not an ancient indigenous Indian institution but was introduced by the Delhi Sultans, derived from similar practices in the Islamic world. Statement 3 is incorrect; the office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ was the head of the military department and existed during the Mughal Empire, not the Delhi Sultanate. The equivalent during the Sultanate was Ariz-i-Mumalik. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
‘Amil’ was a revenue collector. The Iqta system was a land distribution system introduced by the Sultans. ‘Mir Bakshi’ was a Mughal office.
The Iqta system involved assigning territories (iqtas) to military commanders or nobles in lieu of cash salaries. The Iqta holder (Iqta’dar or Muqti) was responsible for collecting revenue from the Iqta and maintaining troops for the Sultan. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Statement 2’s incorrect influence) was a prominent figure of the Naqshbandi Sufi order during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir.

48. Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple const

Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

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Chalukya
Chandela
Rashtrakuta
Vijayanagara
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Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ (ceremonial halls, often used for divine marriages) within temple complexes was a particularly notable and distinctive feature of temple architecture that flourished under the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th centuries) in South India.
The Kalyaana Mandapa is a characteristic architectural element of Vijayanagara temples, showcasing elaborate pillars and sculptures.
While mandapas were part of temple architecture in various periods, the scale, prominence, and decorative richness of Kalyaana Mandapas reached their zenith during the Vijayanagara period. Dynasties like the Chalukyas, Chandelas, and Rashtrakutas had their own distinct architectural styles, but the Kalyaana Mandapa as a central, elaborate feature is most strongly associated with Vijayanagara.

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49. With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences

With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?

  • 1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
  • 2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Jagirdars were holders of revenue assignments (jagirs) given in lieu of cash salaries for their service to the state (military, administrative, etc.). They were primarily concerned with revenue collection from their assigned areas, not necessarily judicial or police duties directly, though they might hold administrative posts that included such duties. Zamindars were hereditary landholders or intermediaries who had rights to collect revenue from peasant cultivators, often with additional local administrative powers. Their primary obligation to the state was the punctual payment of the agreed-upon revenue.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Land assignments (jagirs) to Jagirdars were temporary and transferable, not hereditary. They were usually transferred every few years to prevent the Jagirdar from developing strong local roots. Revenue rights of Zamindars, on the other hand, were largely hereditary, often based on long-standing claims or customs, although the state could sometimes modify or abolish these rights.
The Jagirdari system was a system of assigning revenues of a territory to nobles and officers in lieu of salary during the Mughal period. The Zamindari system pre-existed the Mughals in various forms and was adopted and formalized by them as a method of revenue collection. The key difference lies in the nature of their relationship with the state and the land/revenue: Jagirdars were assignees of revenue for service, while Zamindars were hereditary intermediaries with rights over land/revenue collection.

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50. Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed ab

Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India ?

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Francois Bernier
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
Jean de Thevenot
Abbe Barthelemy Carre
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Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689) was a 17th-century French gem merchant and traveller who made six voyages to Persia and India. His book “Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier” contains extensive descriptions of the diamond mines and the diamond trade in India, including detailed accounts of places like Golconda.
Tavernier’s accounts are considered a valuable historical source for the diamond industry and economic conditions in India during the Mughal period.
Francois Bernier was a French physician and traveller who wrote “Travels in the Mogul Empire”. Jean de Thevenot was a French traveller known for his accounts of the Middle East and India. Abbe Barthelemy Carre was a French cleric and traveller. While all were foreign travellers to India, Tavernier’s work is particularly noted for its detailed discussion of diamonds and mines.

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