Exams > NCERT > History
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY II MEDIEVAL HISTORY MCQs
Total Questions : 10
Answer: Option B. -> Peasants
:
B
Explanation:
The term which Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period most frequently used to denote a peasant was raiyat (plural, riaya) or muzarian. In addition, we also encounter the terms kisan or asami.
Sources of the seventeenth century refer to two kinds of peasants – khud-kashta and pahi-kashta. The former were residents of the village in which they held their lands. The latter were non-resident cultivators who belonged to some other village, but cultivated lands elsewhere on a contractual basis. People became pahi-kashta either out of choice – for example, when terms of revenue in a distant village were more favourable – or out of compulsion – for example, forced by economic distress after a famine.
:
B
Explanation:
The term which Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period most frequently used to denote a peasant was raiyat (plural, riaya) or muzarian. In addition, we also encounter the terms kisan or asami.
Sources of the seventeenth century refer to two kinds of peasants – khud-kashta and pahi-kashta. The former were residents of the village in which they held their lands. The latter were non-resident cultivators who belonged to some other village, but cultivated lands elsewhere on a contractual basis. People became pahi-kashta either out of choice – for example, when terms of revenue in a distant village were more favourable – or out of compulsion – for example, forced by economic distress after a famine.
Answer: Option C. -> Mohammad bin Tughlaq
:
C
Ibn Battuta came from Morocco travelling overland through Central Asia. He reached Sind in 1333. At this time Muhammad bin Tughlaq was the ruler of Delhi (Sultan between 1325-1351). He had heard about Muhammad bin Tughlaq and lured by his reputation as a generous patron of arts and letters, set off for Delhi, passing through Multan and Uch. The Sultan was impressed by his scholarship, and appointed him the qazi or judge of Delhi. He remained in that position for several years, until he fell out of favour and was thrown into prison. Once the misunderstanding between him and the Sultan was cleared, he was restored to imperial service, and was ordered in 1342 to proceed to China as the Sultan’s envoy to the Mongol ruler. He has left a valuable account of his observations about India's socio-political and economic life in his book “Rihla”.
:
C
Ibn Battuta came from Morocco travelling overland through Central Asia. He reached Sind in 1333. At this time Muhammad bin Tughlaq was the ruler of Delhi (Sultan between 1325-1351). He had heard about Muhammad bin Tughlaq and lured by his reputation as a generous patron of arts and letters, set off for Delhi, passing through Multan and Uch. The Sultan was impressed by his scholarship, and appointed him the qazi or judge of Delhi. He remained in that position for several years, until he fell out of favour and was thrown into prison. Once the misunderstanding between him and the Sultan was cleared, he was restored to imperial service, and was ordered in 1342 to proceed to China as the Sultan’s envoy to the Mongol ruler. He has left a valuable account of his observations about India's socio-political and economic life in his book “Rihla”.
Question 3. Q. With reference to the Mughal Mansabdari system, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
- It was originally designed by Akbar.
- The mansabdars were appointed to perform military functions only.
- The mansabdars of higher ranks were called as Umara.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
Answer: Option C. -> 3 only
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mansabdari system was a unique system of administration developed by Mughals in India. It was originally a system introduced by ‘Khalifa’ Abba Saiyed and thereafter imported into India.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Mansabdars were employed for both civil and military administration. The Mansabdars held two designations: zat which was an indicator of position in the imperial hierarchy and the salary of the official (mansabdar), and sawar which indicated the number of horsemen he was required to maintain in service.
Statement 3 is correct: In the seventeenth century, mansabdars of 1,000 zat or above were ranked as nobles (umara, which is the plural of amir ). The nobles participated in military campaigns with their armies and also served as officers of the empire in the provinces.
There was an elaborate process for appointment of Mansabdars.Tajwiz was a petition presented by a nobleman to the emperor, recommending that an applicant be recruited as mansabdar .The system in theory was open to all but preference was given to the rulers and nobles of defeated states, royal lineages however many talented men from humble background also became Mansabdars.
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mansabdari system was a unique system of administration developed by Mughals in India. It was originally a system introduced by ‘Khalifa’ Abba Saiyed and thereafter imported into India.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Mansabdars were employed for both civil and military administration. The Mansabdars held two designations: zat which was an indicator of position in the imperial hierarchy and the salary of the official (mansabdar), and sawar which indicated the number of horsemen he was required to maintain in service.
Statement 3 is correct: In the seventeenth century, mansabdars of 1,000 zat or above were ranked as nobles (umara, which is the plural of amir ). The nobles participated in military campaigns with their armies and also served as officers of the empire in the provinces.
There was an elaborate process for appointment of Mansabdars.Tajwiz was a petition presented by a nobleman to the emperor, recommending that an applicant be recruited as mansabdar .The system in theory was open to all but preference was given to the rulers and nobles of defeated states, royal lineages however many talented men from humble background also became Mansabdars.
Answer: Option A. -> François Bernier
:
A
Explanation:
François Bernier, a Frenchman, was a doctor, political philosopher and historian. He was in India for twelve years, from 1656 to 1668, and was closely associated with the Mughal court, as a physician to Prince Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, and later as an intellectual and scientist, with Danishmand Khan, an Armenian noble at the Mughal court.
Bernier described Indian society as consisting of undifferentiated masses of impoverished people, subjugated by a small minority of a very rich and powerful ruling class. Between the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich, there was no social group or class worth the name. Bernier confidently asserted: “There is no middle state in India.”
:
A
Explanation:
François Bernier, a Frenchman, was a doctor, political philosopher and historian. He was in India for twelve years, from 1656 to 1668, and was closely associated with the Mughal court, as a physician to Prince Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, and later as an intellectual and scientist, with Danishmand Khan, an Armenian noble at the Mughal court.
Bernier described Indian society as consisting of undifferentiated masses of impoverished people, subjugated by a small minority of a very rich and powerful ruling class. Between the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich, there was no social group or class worth the name. Bernier confidently asserted: “There is no middle state in India.”
Answer: Option C. -> 2 only
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chisti sufi order originated in Chisti, a small town of Herat in Afghanistan. It was brought to India by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti in 12 th century at Ajmer.The Chishtis became more popular and influential than the other silsilas because they adapted successfully to the local environment and adopted several features of Indian devotional traditions.
Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya was the disciple of Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar(Baba Farid) and he set up his Khanaq at Delhi .Due to his liberal attitude and spirit of service towards the poor his khanaq attracted people of all faiths including those of royalty. He, like his predecessors, kept a distance from political power and preferred to live a life of austerity.
Statement 2 is correct: Amir Khusrao (1253 – 1325) was a prominent poet in Delhi sultanate and he became the disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya. He contributed to the development of quawali, a form of sacred singing in sufi traditions.
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chisti sufi order originated in Chisti, a small town of Herat in Afghanistan. It was brought to India by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti in 12 th century at Ajmer.The Chishtis became more popular and influential than the other silsilas because they adapted successfully to the local environment and adopted several features of Indian devotional traditions.
Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya was the disciple of Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar(Baba Farid) and he set up his Khanaq at Delhi .Due to his liberal attitude and spirit of service towards the poor his khanaq attracted people of all faiths including those of royalty. He, like his predecessors, kept a distance from political power and preferred to live a life of austerity.
Statement 2 is correct: Amir Khusrao (1253 – 1325) was a prominent poet in Delhi sultanate and he became the disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya. He contributed to the development of quawali, a form of sacred singing in sufi traditions.
Answer: Option A. -> Suba - Sarkar - Pargana
:
A
Explanation:
The Mughals in India established an elaborate administrative setup. The emperor was the head of the central administration aided by different officials like Mir Bakshi, Diwan etc.
The empire was divided into provinces called subas.The division of functions established at the centre was replicated in the provinces (subas) where the ministers had their corresponding subordinates (diwan, bakhshi and sadr). The head of the provincial administration was the governor (subadar) who reported directly to the emperor.
The sarkars, into which each suba was divided, often overlapped with the jurisdiction of faujdars (commandants) who were deployed with contingents of heavy cavalry and musketeers in districts. The local administration was looked after at the level of the pargana (sub-district) by three semi-hereditary officers, the qanungo (keeper of revenue records), the chaudhuri (in charge of revenue collection) and the qazi.
:
A
Explanation:
The Mughals in India established an elaborate administrative setup. The emperor was the head of the central administration aided by different officials like Mir Bakshi, Diwan etc.
The empire was divided into provinces called subas.The division of functions established at the centre was replicated in the provinces (subas) where the ministers had their corresponding subordinates (diwan, bakhshi and sadr). The head of the provincial administration was the governor (subadar) who reported directly to the emperor.
The sarkars, into which each suba was divided, often overlapped with the jurisdiction of faujdars (commandants) who were deployed with contingents of heavy cavalry and musketeers in districts. The local administration was looked after at the level of the pargana (sub-district) by three semi-hereditary officers, the qanungo (keeper of revenue records), the chaudhuri (in charge of revenue collection) and the qazi.
Answer: Option B. -> Cash crops like Sugarcane, Cotton
:
B
Explanation:
During the Mughal period also various sources like Ain-i-akbari by Abul Fazl inform about the variety of crops produced in India. However, the focus on the cultivation of basic staples did not mean that agriculture in medieval India was only for subsistence. The Mughal state also encouraged peasants to cultivate jins-i kamil (literally, perfect crops) as they brought in more revenue. Crops such as cotton and sugarcane were jins-i kamil par excellence.
Cotton was grown over a great swathe of territory spread over central India and the Deccan plateau, whereas Bengal was famous for its sugar. Such cash crops would also include various sorts of oilseeds (for example, mustard) and lentils. This shows how subsistence and commercial production were closely intertwined in an average peasant’s holding.
:
B
Explanation:
During the Mughal period also various sources like Ain-i-akbari by Abul Fazl inform about the variety of crops produced in India. However, the focus on the cultivation of basic staples did not mean that agriculture in medieval India was only for subsistence. The Mughal state also encouraged peasants to cultivate jins-i kamil (literally, perfect crops) as they brought in more revenue. Crops such as cotton and sugarcane were jins-i kamil par excellence.
Cotton was grown over a great swathe of territory spread over central India and the Deccan plateau, whereas Bengal was famous for its sugar. Such cash crops would also include various sorts of oilseeds (for example, mustard) and lentils. This shows how subsistence and commercial production were closely intertwined in an average peasant’s holding.
Question 8. Q. With reference to the “amara nayakas” in the Vijaynagar empire, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
- They were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya.
- They were employed by the Vijayanagar rulers for revenue collection.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
Answer: Option B. -> Both 1 and 2
:
B
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is likely that many features of this system were derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate. The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya.
Statement 2 is correct: They collected taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders in the area. They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants. These contingents provided the Vijayanagara kings with an effective fighting force with which they brought the entire southern peninsula under their control. Kings occasionally asserted their control over them by transferring them from one place to another.
:
B
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is likely that many features of this system were derived from the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate. The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya.
Statement 2 is correct: They collected taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders in the area. They retained part of the revenue for personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants. These contingents provided the Vijayanagara kings with an effective fighting force with which they brought the entire southern peninsula under their control. Kings occasionally asserted their control over them by transferring them from one place to another.
Answer: Option C. -> 2 and 3 only
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Shankardeva emerged as a prominent Vaishnava bhakti saint in the late fifteen century in Assam.His teachings were based on the Bhagavad purana and Bhagavad Gita and hence also called as Bhagavati dharma.It focused on absolute surrender to the supreme deity in this case Vishnu.
Statement 2 and 3 are correct: He emphasized the need for naam kirtan, recitation of the names of the lord in satsang or congregations of pious devotees. He also encouraged the establishment of satra or monsatries for transmission of spiritual knowledge and naam ghar or prayer halls. His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha.
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Shankardeva emerged as a prominent Vaishnava bhakti saint in the late fifteen century in Assam.His teachings were based on the Bhagavad purana and Bhagavad Gita and hence also called as Bhagavati dharma.It focused on absolute surrender to the supreme deity in this case Vishnu.
Statement 2 and 3 are correct: He emphasized the need for naam kirtan, recitation of the names of the lord in satsang or congregations of pious devotees. He also encouraged the establishment of satra or monsatries for transmission of spiritual knowledge and naam ghar or prayer halls. His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha.
Answer: Option C. -> 2 and 3 only
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Some of the earliest bhakti movements in the South (c. sixth century) were led by the Alvars (literally, those who are “immersed” in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva). They believed in saguna bhakti (God with attributes). The composition of Alvars is known as the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, and composition of poems of Saiva saints like Appar,Sambandar,Sundarar form the Tevaram.
Statement 2 is correct: One of the most striking features of these traditions was the presence of women. For instance, the compositions of Andal, a woman Alvar, were widely sung. Andal saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu; her versus expressing her love for the deity. Another woman, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva, adopted the path of extreme asceticism in order to attain her goal.
Statement 3 is correct: They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods. These saints initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and sought to reform the system.They opened the path of bhakti to all the sections irrespective of the caste and social status.
:
C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Some of the earliest bhakti movements in the South (c. sixth century) were led by the Alvars (literally, those who are “immersed” in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva). They believed in saguna bhakti (God with attributes). The composition of Alvars is known as the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, and composition of poems of Saiva saints like Appar,Sambandar,Sundarar form the Tevaram.
Statement 2 is correct: One of the most striking features of these traditions was the presence of women. For instance, the compositions of Andal, a woman Alvar, were widely sung. Andal saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu; her versus expressing her love for the deity. Another woman, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva, adopted the path of extreme asceticism in order to attain her goal.
Statement 3 is correct: They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods. These saints initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and sought to reform the system.They opened the path of bhakti to all the sections irrespective of the caste and social status.
Latest Videos
Latest Test Papers
Login With Google
Old way of Login
Login With Email