Medieval History (Part-II)

Total Questions: 57

41. With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar? [2019-1]

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.

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:
  • Two classes shared power of the State with Mughal emperor: zamindars and the nobles. The zamindars were hereditary owners of their lands who enjoyed certain privileges on hereditary basis. They occupied an important place in the empire because they helped in the collection of revenue and in local administration, for which they maintained soldiers.
  • The nobility comprised people who were either assigned large jagirs/Mansabs or appointed Subahdars. Thus, both 1 and 2 are wrong

42. Consider the following statements: [2019-1]

1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as 'Amil'.

2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.

3. 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?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:
  • The first stage of Iqta system started in 1206. The system started with the assignment of different regions as iqtas (territorial areas or units whose revenues were assigned to officials in lieu of salaries) to military commanders, out of whose revenues they could maintain themselves and their troops as well. So, it means Iqta started in 1206 itself and it was not an ancient indigenous Indian institution. #2 is wrong. b and d eliminated.
  • Mughal Central Administration: Mir Bakshi was Head of the military department. So, #3 is wrong. We are left with answer a:1 only.

43. Consider the following statements: [2019-1]

1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.

2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:
  • In the 13th century, Nimbarka and Vallabhacharya were also other preachers of Vaishnavite Bhakti in the Telangana region. Akbar was 15th Century, so unlikely to be contemporaries. #1 is wrong.
  • "Naqshbandi school degraded Sufism to the status of a handmaid of orthodox Islam. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1563-1624) became the leading spokesman of this school after Akbar's death. His teachings were not confined to the reform of Islam; he advocated a crusade against the Hindus." So, it's unlikely that Kabir would be 'greatly influenced' by such hardcore radical element. #2 is wrong. Besides, Kabir Das timeline is (1398 or 1440-1518) so he was long dead before Sirhindi was even born.

44. With reference to the Mian Tansen, which one of the following statement is not correct [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
Solution:
  • Tansen invented the night raga Darbari Kanhra, morning raga Mian Ki Todi, mid-day raga, Mian ki Sarang, seasonal raga Mian ki Malhar. So #d is right, therefore eliminated, because we've to find wrong statement.
  • He composed many dhrupads on Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati and Rama. He also composed songs on his patrons. So b and c also eliminated.
  • Tansen was the title given to him by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior. So, a is wrong, and therefore it's the answer.

45. Who among the following Mughal Emperors Shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait? [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (c) Jahangir
Solution:Under Akbar, painting appears to have been confined only to manuscript illustration. So b is wrong. Portrait reached great heights during Jahangir's reign. The portrait were painted with great care of details and finesse of drawing and modeling.
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.

46. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: [2020-1]

1. Aurang: In-charge of treasury of the State

2. Banian: Indian agent of the East India Company

3. Mirasidar: Designated revenue payer to the State

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:
  • Aurang- Persian term for Warehouse. So, #1 is wrong, In both of this option (b & c) pair#3 (Mirasidar) isis common so we have to accept it as correct. Everything boils down to whether second statement is correct or not.
  • Banian-Agent of East India Company, term used for Bania (trader) So, #2 is correct so the answer should be ""b".
  • Just to crosscheck the validity of third statement:
  • Mirasidar- Designated revenue payer to the State

47. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size? [2021-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Paragana-Sarkar-Suba
Solution:

Ascending order means- from smallest to largest

  • Pargana- group of villages
  • Sarkar-district unit during the Mughals
  • Subah- Province of Mughal Empire- where Subahdars were appointed

48. Consider the following statements [2022-1]

1. It was during the reign of Iltumish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.

2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq 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?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:
  • Changez Khan attacked the Khwarizm Prince Jalaluddin Magbrani, who sought refuge to the court of Iltutmish. But Iltutmish decided not the give refuge to Jalauddin, and hence he avoided the invasion of Changez Khan to India
  • Taimur invaded India in 1398- During this period, Nasiruddin Mohammed Tughlaq was the ruler and not Mohammed bin Tughlaq (1325-1350)
  • Vasco de Gama came to India in 1498- was welcomed by the ruler of Calicut- Manna Vikrama- also called as Zamorin.
  • Krishnadeva Raya, the Vijaynagar ruler came to power in 1509 onwards.

49. Consider the following pairs [2022-11]

King Dynasty
1. NannukaChandela
2. JayashaktiParamara
3. Nagabhata IIGurjara-Pratihara
4. BhojaRashtrakuta

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

Correct Answer: (b) Only two pairs
Solution:Pair 1 is correct: Nanuka was the founder of Chandela Dynasty. Pair 2 is wrong: Jayashakti was a Chandela Ruler. Pair 3 is correct: Nagbhata II belonged to Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty. Pair 4 is wrong: Bhoja belonged to Parmara dynasty

50. "Yogavasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of: [2022-11]

Correct Answer: (a) Akbar
Solution:Option (a) is correct: Yoga Vasistha (Vasishtha's Treatise on Yoga) was translated into Persian on the command Akbar.