Medieval History of India

51. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the followin

With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements :

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  • White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.
  • Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.

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. While Fatehpur Sikri primarily used red sandstone, with some use of marble inlay for decoration or specific structures like the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, the Buland Darwaza and Khankah are predominantly built using red sandstone. Statement 2 is incorrect. Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow are examples of Awadhi architecture built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They primarily use brick and lime plaster (stucco) as building materials, not red sandstone or marble as the main components.
Mughal architecture at Fatehpur Sikri is characterized by the extensive use of red sandstone. Awadhi architecture in Lucknow often utilized brick and stucco.
The Buland Darwaza is a magnificent gateway made primarily of red sandstone. The Khankah (a Sufi lodge) at Fatehpur Sikri is also mainly of red sandstone. The Bara Imambara is famous for its large vaulted central hall and the Bhulbhulaiya, built using local materials like Lakhauri bricks and lime plaster.

52. With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following st

With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements:

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  • Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
  • Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
  • Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
  • Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3
2, 3 and 4
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The correct answer is B.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Most of Tyagaraja’s Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Rama, not Lord Krishna. He is one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music and a prominent figure in the Bhakti tradition.
Statement 2 is correct. Tyagaraja is credited with composing thousands of Kritis and is known for creating several new ragas and developing existing ones, significantly contributing to the structure and theory of Carnatic music.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Annamacharya (Tallapaka Annamacharya) lived from 1408 to 1503, while Tyagaraja lived from 1767 to 1847. They were not contemporaries; Annamacharya preceded Tyagaraja by over two centuries.
Statement 4 is correct. Annamacharya was a prolific composer of kirtanas (devotional songs), predominantly in Telugu. He is considered the Andhra Pada Kavita Pitamaha (Grandfather of Telugu song-poetry) and composed thousands of songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala.
Tyagaraja, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri, are considered the “Trinity” of Carnatic music, significantly shaping its form and content. Annamacharya’s compositions are considered the earliest examples of devotional songs in South India and are widely sung even today in temples, particularly at Tirumala.

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53. The well-known painting “Bani Thani” belongs to the

The well-known painting “Bani Thani” belongs to the

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Bundi school
Jaipur school
Kangra school
Kishangarh school
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The correct answer is D.
“Bani Thani” is a famous painting from the Kishangarh school of Rajput painting in Rajasthan. It was painted by Nihal Chand during the reign of Sawant Singh (who wrote poetry under the name Nagari Das). The painting depicts a stylized ideal of a woman, believed to be Bani Thani, a singer and poet in Sawant Singh’s court. The style is characterized by idealized facial features, elongated limbs, and delicate lines.
The Kishangarh school developed as a distinct style within the broader Rajput painting tradition. It is particularly known for its portraits, especially those related to the legend of Bani Thani and Sawant Singh, often drawing parallels with the divine love story of Radha and Krishna. The painting “Bani Thani” is sometimes referred to as the “Indian Mona Lisa”.

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54. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiy

Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

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Kakinada
Motupalli
Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
Nelluru
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The correct answer is B) Motupalli.
Motupalli was a prominent seaport during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty in the region corresponding to parts of modern-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Historical accounts, including the writings of Marco Polo, mention Motupalli as an important trading centre of the Kakatiya kingdom.
The Kakatiya kingdom flourished between the 12th and 14th centuries. Their territory included a coastline that facilitated maritime trade. Motupalli, located in the present-day Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, was their principal port. An inscription from the time of Kakatiya ruler Ganapatideva (1244 AD) at Motupalli promises safety to foreign traders and lists customs duties, highlighting its importance as a trading hub. While Kakinada, Machilipatnam, and Nelluru are also coastal areas, Motupalli is specifically historically documented as a major port of the Kakatiyas.

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55. With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Ar

With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to

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bonded labour
land grants made to military officers
waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
wasteland converted to cultivated land
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In the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to a water lifting device, specifically a waterwheel used for irrigation. It is often associated with the Persian wheel type of waterwheel, which utilized pots attached to a wheel or chain to lift water from a well or river. This technology significantly improved irrigation efficiency.
Options A, B, and D are incorrect. Araghatta is related to irrigation technology, not bonded labour, land grants, or wasteland conversion methods.
‘Araghatta’ is a term for a waterwheel used for irrigation in medieval India.
Inscriptions and texts from various periods of Indian history mention different irrigation techniques and devices. The Araghatta represents an advancement in water lifting technology compared to simpler methods.

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56. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally

Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally

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agriculturists
warriors
weavers
traders
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Banjaras were a historical nomadic community in India.
During the medieval period and earlier, they were primarily known for their role as itinerant traders and transporters. They moved in large groups called Tandas, carrying goods, especially grain, on their bullocks across long distances, often serving as supply lines for armies and urban centers.
They played a crucial role in the economy by connecting producers and consumers across different regions before the development of extensive road and rail networks. While some might have been involved in agriculture seasonally or other activities, their most prominent historical role was that of traders/carriers.

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57. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the

With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements :

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  • Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
  • Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

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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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2. Both statements correctly describe key aspects of the Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region and the Lingayats of the Kannada region in medieval India.
– Statement 1 is correct: The Siddhas (or Sittars) were mystic saints in Tamil Nadu known for their heterodox views. They often critiqued traditional Brahmanical practices, including caste hierarchy and idol worship, emphasizing an inner spiritual path. Many of their teachings can be interpreted as leaning towards monotheism, focusing on the ultimate reality (often Shiva) beyond forms.
– Statement 2 is correct: The Lingayats (Virashaivas), founded by Basavanna in the 12th century in the Karnataka region, strongly rejected caste hierarchy and traditional rituals. They questioned the theory of rebirth (samsara) as understood in conventional Hinduism, focusing instead on achieving union with the divine (isto-linga) and transcending the cycle of birth and death in this life.
Both Siddha and Lingayat movements represented significant challenges to the prevailing social and religious norms of their time, promoting more egalitarian and personal paths to spirituality.

58. Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanaga

Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements :

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  • 1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
  • 2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The Vijayanagar empire, particularly during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, had a sophisticated administrative and taxation system designed to generate revenue for the state while ensuring the welfare of the people and promoting economic activities.
Let’s evaluate each statement based on historical accounts of the Vijayanagar Empire:
1. **The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land:** Land revenue was the principal source of income for the Vijayanagar state. Historical sources, including accounts by foreign visitors like Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz, indicate that land was classified based on its fertility, irrigation facilities, and type of crop cultivated. The tax rate varied accordingly, ensuring a more equitable system where better quality land with higher productivity paid more tax. This statement is correct.
2. **Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax:** Besides land revenue, the state levied various other taxes, known as “professional taxes” or taxes on trades and industries. These included taxes on workshops, merchants, artisans, and other professionals. This tax was imposed on the income or output of these activities. This statement is correct.
Other sources of revenue included taxes on trade, customs duties, taxes on gardens and forests, taxes on social functions, and tributes from subordinate rulers. The state also maintained monopolies over certain industries. The taxation system was generally considered heavy but efficiently collected.

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59. With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the es

With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?

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  • 1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority
  • 2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land
  • 3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Statement 1 is incorrect. Feudalism, whether in the European context or as applied to Indian history (the concept of ‘Indian feudalism’ is debated but used by many historians), is characterized by political decentralization and a *weak* central authority, with power dispersed among regional lords. A very strong centralized authority is antithetical to the concept of feudalism.
Statement 2 is correct. A core element of feudalism is the intertwining of administrative power and landholding. Power structures emerge based on the control and possession of land, often granted by rulers in exchange for service (military, administrative).
Statement 3 is correct. The creation of a hierarchical relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal (or between different levels of lords, including an overlord) is a defining feature of the feudal system. This relationship involves mutual obligations, often centered around land grants and military service.
Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are considered essential elements of the feudal system as debated and described in the context of Indian history by scholars like R.S. Sharma.
– Feudalism involves political decentralization and weak central power.
– Control over land forms the basis of political and administrative power.
– Hierarchical relationships (lord-vassal) based on grants and obligations are characteristic.
The concept of ‘Indian Feudalism’ was prominently put forward by historian R.S. Sharma, who argued for the emergence of this system from the Gupta period onwards, marked by land grants to Brahmins, temples, and later to officials and military personnel, leading to the rise of intermediaries and decentralized polities. Other historians have debated the applicability of the term ‘feudalism’ to the Indian context, suggesting terms like ‘segmentary state’ or ‘integrated polity’.

60. Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributa

Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?

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Amoghavarsha I
Ballala II
Harihara I
Prataparudra II
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Harihara I, along with his brother Bukka I, founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 CE. The empire was established on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of the Krishna River. The founders initially ruled the kingdom as representatives of the deity Virupaksha, the principal deity of the region and the site of the new capital, Vijayanagara.
– The question describes the founding of the Vijayanagara Empire.
– The location is specified as the south bank of a tributary to the Krishna (Tungabhadra).
– The founders ruled as agents of a deity (Virupaksha).
– Harihara I was one of the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire and fits this description.
The Vijayanagara Empire grew into one of the most powerful South Indian kingdoms, known for its resistance to the Sultanates in the Deccan and its patronage of arts and culture. The worship of Virupaksha remained central to the state ideology.

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