Medieval History (Part-II)

Total Questions: 57

11. Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued a new gold coin which was called Dinar by Ibn Batutah. [2006]

Reason (R): Muhammad bin Tughlaq wanted to issue token currency in gold coins to promote trade with West Asian and North African countries.

Correct Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Solution:A is correct but R is wrong as he issued bronze coins as the token currency which was a great fiasco.
Experiments of Muhammad bin Tughlaq reflect a unique blend of ambition and innovation that aimed to consolidate his rule and address the challenges of governance. As the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351, Experiments of Muhammad bin Tughlaq highlighted his forward-thinking vision. However, the Experiments of Muhammad bin Tughlaq were often marred by poor execution, which undermined their intended benefits.
Among notable Experiments of Muhammad bin Tughlaq were the introduction of token currency to combat the shortage of precious metals, a sharp increase in taxation in fertile regions like the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, and ambitious military campaigns, including the Khorasan expedition. These efforts, though ambitious, caused economic instability, social unrest, and ultimately weakened his reign.

12. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the Afghan rulers to the throne of Delhi? [2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Bahlol Khan Lodi-Sikandar Shah-Ibrahim Lodi
Solution:Bahlol (1451-1489); Sikandar (1489-1517); Ibrahim (1517-1526)

Bahlol Khan Lodi (1451–1489)
• Founder of the Lodi Dynasty: He established the Lodi Dynasty by taking control of the Delhi Sultanate after the Sayyid rule ended.
• Consolidation and Expansion: He consolidated his rule and expanded the empire's territory.
• Afghan Origin: He was the chief of the Afghan Lodi tribe.

Sikandar Shah (Sikandar Lodi) (1489–1517)
• Second Ruler: He succeeded his father, Bahlol Lodi, to the throne.
• Achievements: Known for his military prowess, administrative reforms, and agrarian policies. He also commissioned the building of the city of Agra in 1503.
• Harsh Policies: He was a strict and orthodox ruler, which led to harsh restrictions and treatment of Hindus, contributing to public resentment.

Ibrahim Lodi (1517–1526)
• Last Ruler: He was the final ruler of the Lodi Dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate.
• Unpopular Rule: His rule was marked by cruelty and unpopularity, leading to rebellions within the kingdom.
• Battle of Panipat: In 1526, he was defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat.
• End of the Dynasty: His defeat marked the end of the Lodi Dynasty and the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.

13. Bhakta Tukaram was a contemporary of which Mughal emperor? [2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Jahangir
Solution:Best answer is c as Tukaram (1608-1650) was a Marathi Bhakti poet and a devotee of Lord Krishna. Time period of Jahangir was 1605-1627.
Tukaram (1608-1650)
• Tukaram was born in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Tukaram Bolhoba Ambile was his full name.
• The year of Saint Tukaram's birth and death has been the subject of investigation and debate among twentieth-century researchers.
• His parents were followers of Vithoba, a manifestation of the Hindu deity Vishnu (Vaishnavas). Tukaram's parents both died while he was a teenager.
• His master was Saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of the Bhakti movement.
• A 17th-century poet-saint who lived with Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj and saints such as Eknath and Ramdas.
• His poetry was dedicated to Vithoba or Vitthala, an avatar of Vishnu, the Hindu God.
• He is most known for his Marathi Abangas (dohas), which are a rich inheritance of Gatha - devotional poetry, and he was also crucial for laying the groundwork for Maratha nationalism.
• He emphasized community-based worship through spiritual melodies known as Kirtans. He promoted the virtues of piety, forgiveness, and inner tranquility.
• He was a vocal critic of caste and gender injustice.
• Tukaram opposed mechanical rites, rituals, sacrifices, and vows, favoring a direct type of bhakti instead.
• While being held in Yerwada Central Jail by the British colonial government for his nonviolent movement in the early twentieth century, Mahatma Gandhi read and translated Tukaram's poetry, as well as Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and poems by other Bhakti movement poet-saints.

14. In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori? [2006]

Correct Answer: (b) An official historian of the reign of Shahjahan.
Solution:Abdul Hamid Lahori (d. 1654) was a traveller during the period of Shahjahan who later became a court historian of Shahjahan. He wrote the book Padshah Nama also referred as Badshah nama, about the reign of Shahjahan.
• The Badshah Nama is considered a primary source for historians, providing detailed accounts of the medieval period.
• It offers insights into the geographical and ecological diversity under Mughal rule.
• The detailed descriptions, including mentions of flora and fauna, make it a valuable text for understanding the historical context of the Mughal Empire.

15. Where is the famous Vijaya Vittala temple having its 56 carved pillars emitting musical notes located? [2007]

Correct Answer: (c) Hampi
Solution:Vijaya Vittala temple is located at Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagar kingdom during the reign of Krishnadev Raya.

About Hampi

• Hampi was the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, established in 1336 CE by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama Dynasty.
• Location: Traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi is located in central Karnataka on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
• Foreign travellers like Domingo Paes described Vijayanagara as “as large and beautiful as Rome”, highlighting its architectural grandeur and prosperity.
• The empire fell in 1565 CE after the Battle of Talikota, where the Deccan Sultanates defeated Rama Raya, leading to mass destruction. The city reportedly burned for six months.
• Hampi remained forgotten until the late 18th century when British antiquarian Colin Mackenzie mapped it in 1799, creating the first cartographic records.
• Early photographs and restoration attempts were made by British officials like Alexander Greenlaw, showcasing colonial-era interest in Indian heritage.
• The first major conservation initiative, the Hampi National Project, was launched in 1976.
• Excavations revealed key sites such as the Vitthala Temple bazaar, Pushkarini (stepped tank), and Paan-supari bazaar.
• Prominent landmarks include the Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal, Queen’s Bath, and Elephant Stables.
• Hampi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, recognising it as one of India’s largest archaeological zones, covering 250 sq. km and housing over 1,600 monuments.

16. During the time of which Mughal Emperor did the English East India Company establish its first factory in India? [2008]

Correct Answer: (b) Jahangir
Solution:William Hawkins visited the court of Jahangir and received a farman which allowed East India Company to set up their first factory at Surat in 1613.
About Akbar
• Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, reigned from 1556 to 1605 and is often celebrated as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.
• Ascending to the throne at a young age, he rapidly expanded the Mughal Empire to encompass much of the Indian subcontinent.
• Renowned for his visionary policies, Akbar implemented administrative reforms promoting religious tolerance and cultural integration, establishing a legacy of pluralism and governance resonating throughout the empire.
• His commitment to fostering dialogue between different faiths and his patronage of the arts laid the foundation for a vibrant cultural renaissance.

17. Where is the famous Virupaksha temple located? [2009]

Correct Answer: (c) Hampi
Solution:Oldest temple in Hampi (Pattadkal) located on southern bank of river Tungabhadra. It is now a World Heritage site. It was built by Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya II (A.D.733-745) in about A.D.740 to commemorate her husband's victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.

About Hampi

• Hampi was the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, established in 1336 CE by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama Dynasty.
• Location: Traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi is located in central Karnataka on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
• Foreign travellers like Domingo Paes described Vijayanagara as “as large and beautiful as Rome”, highlighting its architectural grandeur and prosperity.
• The empire fell in 1565 CE after the Battle of Talikota, where the Deccan Sultanates defeated Rama Raya, leading to mass destruction. The city reportedly burned for six months.
• Hampi remained forgotten until the late 18th century when British antiquarian Colin Mackenzie mapped it in 1799, creating the first cartographic records.
• Early photographs and restoration attempts were made by British officials like Alexander Greenlaw, showcasing colonial-era interest in Indian heritage.
• The first major conservation initiative, the Hampi National Project, was launched in 1976.
• Excavations revealed key sites such as the Vitthala Temple bazaar, Pushkarini (stepped tank), and Paan-supari bazaar.
• Prominent landmarks include the Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal, Queen’s Bath, and Elephant Stables.
• Hampi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, recognising it as one of India’s largest archaeological zones, covering 250 sq. km and housing over 1,600 monuments.

18. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2009]

List-I (Famous temple) List-II (State)
A. Vidyashankara temple1. Andhra Pradesh
B. Rajarani temple2. Karnataka
C. Kandariya Mahadeo temple3. Madhya Pradesh
D. Bhimesvara temple4. Orissa

Codes:

ABCD
(a)2431
(b)2341
(c)1432
(d)1342
Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:Bhimeshwar (Kakinada); Kandariya Mahadeo (Khajuraho); Rajarani temple (Bhubneshvar); Vidyashankara Temple (Sringeri).
• The Vidyashankara Temple is a famous and ancient Hindu temple located in Shringeri in the Indian state of Karnataka.
• The Rajarani Temple, known for its remarkable architectural features, is situated in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa (Odisha).
• Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, one of the largest and artistically important Hindu temples, is located in Khajuraho of Madhya Pradesh.
• Bhimesvara Temple is located in Andhra Pradesh. Its architecture dates back to the Eastern Chalukya period.

19. With whose permission did the English set up their first factory in Surat? [2009]

Correct Answer: (b) Jahangir
Solution:James-I William Hawkins sent to the court of Jahangir and Jahangir provided the farman which allowed East India Co. to set up a factory at Surat in 1613.
About Jahangir
• Jahangir, the fourth emperor of the Mughal dynasty, ruled from 1605 to 1627.
• Born as Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim, he was the son of Akbar the Great and Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani.
• Jahangir is often remembered for his contributions to art and culture, the consolidation of the Mughal Empire, and his turbulent personal life and political challenges.

20. Among the following, who was not a proponent of Bhakti cult? [2010]

Correct Answer: (a) Nagarjuna
Solution:Nagarjuna was an early philosopher and was the founder of the Madhyamika philosophy.
Nagarjuna
• It is seldom contested that Nagarjuna was a Buddhist monk who lived between 150 and 250 CE, most likely in southern India.
• Nagarjuna was born into an upper-caste Brahmin family, most likely in the southern Andhra area of India, as a "Hindu," a term that meant religious loyalty to the Vedas at the time.
• Nagarjuna's flight from Andhra to study Buddhism in Nalanda in present-day Bihar, the eventual site of the largest Buddhist scholastic learning monastery in the tradition's illustrious history in India, may probably be based on Tibetan sources.
• Perhaps the Shaka monarchs' march to the north was followed by this exodus.
• Nagarjuna came into his own as a philosopher in the thriving intellectual life of a tumultuous north India at the time.
• Despite the tradition's claim that immersion in the scriptural texts of the competing movements of classical Theravada and emerging "Great Vehicle" (Mahayana) Buddhism sparked Nagarjuna's writings, there is only a few extended references to the early and voluminous classical Buddhist sutras and to the Mahayana texts, which were then being composed in Nagarjuna's preferred language, Sanskrit