Medieval History of India

81. Who among the following assumed the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah to

Who among the following assumed the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah to set himself up as an independent ruler with his base in Hyderabad?

[amp_mcq option1=”Kartalab Khan” option2=”Bahadur Shah” option3=”Alivardi Khan” option4=”Chin Qilich Khan” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan, a prominent Mughal noble, was granted the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Fath Jang by the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar. He later consolidated his control over the Deccan region and effectively established the independent state of Hyderabad, although he continued to pay nominal allegiance to the Mughal emperor. He is also known by his alternative name Chin Qilich Khan and was the founder of the Asaf Jahi dynasty of Hyderabad.
– Chin Qilich Khan (Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan) was a key figure in the Deccan during the decline of the Mughal Empire.
– He was granted the title Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah.
– He established the virtually independent state of Hyderabad in the early 18th century.
Alivardi Khan was the Nawab of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, who also established a degree of independence from the Mughals around the same period. Bahadur Shah refers to Mughal Emperors. Kartalab Khan was a title held by various individuals; Murshid Quli Khan, the founder of the independent Nawabdom of Bengal, was also known by this title earlier in his career.

82. Which of the following statements about Amaranayakas of Vijayanagara a

Which of the following statements about Amaranayakas of Vijayanagara are correct?

  • 1. The Amaranayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the Raya.
  • 2. In lieu of their service and also to maintain their contingents, they were paid in cash.
  • 3. They maintained stipulated contingents and elephants.
  • 4. They used to send tribute to the king annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3 only” option2=”1, 3 and 4 only” option3=”2 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statement 1 is correct: The Amara-Nayaka system was a key feature of the Vijayanagara Empire. Amaranayakas were military commanders or provincial governors appointed by the Raya (king) who were granted territories (known as ‘amaram’ or ‘amaramagani’) in exchange for their services.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Amaranayakas were primarily paid not in cash, but through the revenue collected from the territories granted to them. They were allowed to retain a portion of the revenue to maintain their contingents and for their personal expenses, while the rest was due to the king as tribute.
Statement 3 is correct: A major obligation of the Amaranayakas was to maintain a stipulated number of soldiers, horses, and elephants ready for service to the king.
Statement 4 is correct: The Amaranayakas were required to send tribute to the king annually from the revenue of their amaram lands and personally appear in the royal court with gifts to demonstrate their loyalty and allegiance.
– Amaranayakas were military chiefs or governors under the Vijayanagara rule.
– They were granted land (amaram) for their services.
– Their pay was primarily through revenue from the granted land, not cash.
– They maintained troops and were obliged to render military service to the king.
– They paid annual tribute and presented gifts to the king.
The Amara-Nayaka system is often compared to the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate and the feudal systems elsewhere, though it had its unique characteristics. The system played a crucial role in the military strength and administration of the Vijayanagara Empire, but also contributed to its eventual decline as Nayakas became increasingly independent.

83. Which of the following statements about Akbar are correct? 1. In 156

Which of the following statements about Akbar are correct?

  • 1. In 1560s, Akbar had the Fort of Agra constructed.
  • 2. In 1570s, Akbar decided to build a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri.
  • 3. Akbar also commissioned a white marble tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Sikri.
  • 4. In 1585, Akbar decided to shift the capital back to Agra.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 4″ option2=”1, 2 and 3″ option3=”2, 3 and 4″ option4=”3 and 4 only” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statement 1 is correct: Akbar began the construction of the Agra Fort around 1565, transforming the existing fort into a major Mughal stronghold.
Statement 2 is correct: In the 1570s, specifically after the birth of his son Jahangir (in 1569) and the victory over Gujarat, Akbar decided to build a new capital city at Fatehpur Sikri, near the khanqah of Shaikh Salim Chishti. Construction was largely completed by the mid-1570s.
Statement 3 is correct: Akbar commissioned the construction of the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Fatehpur Sikri. While the original tomb was likely sandstone, it was later encased in white marble by Akbar himself, and the entire complex is a significant part of Fatehpur Sikri.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Akbar shifted his capital from Fatehpur Sikri to Lahore in 1585 to oversee the frontier in the northwest and respond to the Yusufzai rebellion. He remained in Lahore until 1598, only returning to Agra later.
– Akbar initiated construction of Agra Fort in the 1560s.
– Fatehpur Sikri was built as a new capital in the 1570s.
– The marble tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti is located at Fatehpur Sikri and was commissioned by Akbar.
– Akbar moved his capital to Lahore in 1585, not back to Agra.
Fatehpur Sikri was the Mughal capital for about 15 years (c. 1571-1585) before it was abandoned, likely due to water scarcity or strategic reasons leading to the move to Lahore. Akbar returned to Agra in 1598 where he died in 1605.

84. Consider the following statements: 1. Under Akbar, the system of Zab

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. Under Akbar, the system of Zabt was established over a large area from Punjab to Awadh.
  • 2. In the seventeenth century North India, the system of Zabt lost much ground to the system of Kankut.

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=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is (A) 1 only.
Statement 1 is correct. The Zabt system, also known as the Dahsala system, was a comprehensive land revenue assessment method based on measurement and average produce over the past ten years. It was implemented by Raja Todar Mal during Akbar’s reign in the core areas of the Mughal Empire, covering fertile regions from Punjab to Awadh, and parts of Malwa, Delhi, and Agra.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While other methods of assessment like Batai (crop-sharing) and Kankut (estimation of standing crop) were used alongside Zabt, especially in areas where Zabt was difficult to implement, it is not accurate to say that Zabt “lost much ground” to Kankut specifically across North India in the 17th century. Zabt remained the preferred and most systematic method in the well-administered regions, though its efficiency varied, and other methods continued to be prevalent or even gained importance in certain areas due to practical reasons or administrative challenges.
The Zabt system was a significant administrative reform of Akbar’s reign, aiming for a more rational and stable revenue collection. However, it was complex and required detailed land surveys and record-keeping, which limited its universal application throughout the vast empire.

85. Which one of the following pairs of Deccan Sultanates and their respec

Which one of the following pairs of Deccan Sultanates and their respective regions is not correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”Nizam Shahis : Bijapur” option2=”Barid Shahis : Bidar” option3=”Qutb Shahis : Golkonda” option4=”Imad Shahis : Berar” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is (A) Nizam Shahis : Bijapur.
The Deccan Sultanates were five medieval kingdoms that emerged from the break-up of the Bahmani Sultanate. Their correct regions were:
– Nizam Shahis ruled the Sultanate of Ahmednagar.
– Adil Shahis ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur.
– Barid Shahis ruled the Sultanate of Bidar.
– Qutb Shahis ruled the Sultanate of Golkonda.
– Imad Shahis ruled the Sultanate of Berar.
Therefore, the pair Nizam Shahis : Bijapur is incorrectly matched.
These sultanates played a significant role in the political and cultural history of the Deccan region from the late 15th to the late 17th centuries. They eventually fell to the Mughal Empire.

86. Qutb Minar was originally four-storied. Who among the following Delhi

Qutb Minar was originally four-storied. Who among the following Delhi Sultans raised the height to the structure by adding the fifth storey?

[amp_mcq option1=”Balban” option2=”Alauddin Khalji” option3=”Muhammad Tughlaq” option4=”Firoz Shah Tughlaq” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is (D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Construction of the Qutb Minar was initiated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and largely completed by his successor, Iltutmish. The minar originally had four storeys. It was damaged by lightning in 1368. Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi from the Tughlaq dynasty, undertook repairs to the damaged upper storeys and added a fifth storey, increasing the height of the structure. He replaced the damaged top (originally fourth) storey with two new smaller storeys made of marble and sandstone.
Later, Sikandar Lodi also carried out some repairs to the Qutb Minar in the early 16th century. The Qutb Minar complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

87. Consider the following statements: 1. The early Sikh Gurus were rel

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. The early Sikh Gurus were religious preachers and did not interfere in politics but Guru Arjan extended his good wishes for the rebel prince Khusrau.
  • 2. Guru Arjan attempted to organize the finances by introducing the system of more or less compulsory tribute’ to be collected by his agents called Masands.

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″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is (C) Both 1 and 2.
Statement 1 is correct. The early Sikh Gurus primarily focused on spiritual and religious teachings. Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, did extend blessings to Prince Khusrau when he rebelled against his father, Emperor Jahangir. This act was seen as supporting a rebel and contributed to Guru Arjan’s subsequent persecution and martyrdom by Jahangir.
Statement 2 is also correct. Guru Arjan Dev played a crucial role in organizing the Sikh community’s finances. He systematized the collection of Dasvandh (a tenth of one’s income), which Sikhs were encouraged to contribute. He appointed Masands (local representatives) in different areas to collect these contributions and forward them to the Guru. While initially a voluntary contribution, the system developed into a structured and expected form of collection, which some later described as ‘more or less compulsory tribute’.
The Masand system helped in unifying the community and funding the Guru’s activities, including building Gurdwaras and managing community kitchens (Langar). However, the system eventually suffered from corruption, leading Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Guru) to abolish it.

88. Tulsidas was the author of 1. Ramcharitmanas 2. Padavali 3. Kavita

Tulsidas was the author of

  • 1. Ramcharitmanas
  • 2. Padavali
  • 3. Kavitavali

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2020
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is D.
Statement 1 is correct: Ramcharitmanas, an epic poem based on the Ramayana, was authored by Tulsidas.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Padavali is a collection of devotional songs, primarily associated with the poet Vidyapati (Maithili language) and also Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami (in Bengali, describing Chaitanya Mahaprabhu). It is not primarily attributed to Tulsidas.
Statement 3 is correct: Kavitavali, another important work by Tulsidas, is a collection of poems in the Kavitta metre, dealing with various aspects of Rama’s life.
Tulsidas (c. 1532–1623) was a Ramanandi Sampradaya saint and poet renowned for his devotion to the deity Rama. Besides Ramcharitmanas and Kavitavali, his other notable works include Gitavali, Dohavali, Vairagya Sandipani, and Vinaya Patrika. Vidyapati (c. 1352–1448) was a Maithili poet and a devotee of Shiva, though his Padavali contains many poems dedicated to Krishna.

89. Which one of the following statements about the religious policies of

Which one of the following statements about the religious policies of the Mughal kings is NOT correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”The tax on pilgrimage was abolished in 1563, and the jizya tax on non-Muslim Subjects was abolished in 1564″ option2=”Akbar issues instructions to his officers to follow the policy of religious toleration” option3=”Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for the building and mainte-nance of places of worship” option4=”Grants were issued for the repair of a number of temples in the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, after they had been destroyed during war” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2020
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is D.
The question asks which statement about the religious policies of Mughal kings is NOT correct.
A) This statement is correct. Akbar abolished the pilgrimage tax in 1563 and the jizya tax (tax on non-Muslims) in 1564 as part of his policy of religious tolerance.
B) This statement is correct. Akbar’s policy of sulh-i kul explicitly instructed officers to follow a policy of religious toleration.
C) This statement is correct. While emperors like Akbar were known for granting funds for the building and maintenance of places of worship of different religions, later emperors, particularly Aurangzeb, adopted more restrictive policies, although even he made some grants to temples under certain circumstances. So, it is true that not all Mughal emperors consistently gave grants for all places of worship.
D) This statement is incorrect. While Shah Jahan was relatively tolerant and may have issued grants for temple repairs, Aurangzeb is generally known for policies involving temple destruction or restrictions, not for issuing grants for the repair of temples destroyed during war. His reign saw instances of temple destruction, particularly in areas annexed or during conflicts. Therefore, claiming that grants were issued for the repair of ‘a number of temples’ after destruction during war in Aurangzeb’s reign is not historically accurate as a general policy or significant practice.
Aurangzeb’s religious policy was more orthodox compared to his predecessors. While there are complex debates about the extent and nature of his policies, the statement about issuing grants for the repair of a number of temples destroyed during war does not align with the overall historical evidence regarding his approach towards temples damaged or destroyed during conflicts.

90. Consider the following statements about sulh-i kul : It means ‘absol

Consider the following statements about sulh-i kul :

  • It means ‘absolute peace’
  • It provided for freedom of expres-sion to all religions and schools of thought
  • The ideal of sulh-i kul was imple-mented through state policies

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2020
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is B.
Sulh-i kul (literally “peace with all”) was a concept formulated by Mughal emperor Akbar.
Statement 1 is correct: ‘Sulh-i kul’ translates to ‘absolute peace’ or ‘peace with all’.
Statement 2 is correct: It was based on the idea of religious tolerance and universal harmony among all people, regardless of their religion or beliefs. It aimed at peaceful coexistence and freedom of expression for all religions and schools of thought.
Statement 3 is correct: Akbar implemented the ideal of sulh-i kul through various state policies, such as the abolition of the jizya tax and the pilgrimage tax, granting freedom to build and repair places of worship, discouraging forced conversions, and appointing people from diverse religious backgrounds to positions in the state administration.
The policy of sulh-i kul contributed to the cultural and religious synthesis during Akbar’s reign and helped in building a stable empire comprising diverse populations.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5