UPSC Prelims 2013–2026 — Medieval India
1. Delhi Sultanate (1206 AD to 1526 AD)
Q1. The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was (2025)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes. The araghatta, referenced in the Rajatarangini, was an early water- lifting device used for diverting river water and drawing well water, and is an early form of the Persian wheel, or ‘noria.’
Q2. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal- cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city? (2023)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Devaraya I. Deva Raya-I from vijayanagar empire constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra River to relieve the regions in the Vijayanagar Empire that faced shortage of water and to promote agriculture, which led to increase in revenues by 350000 pardos.
Q3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north- west of his kingdom to Mongols. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect: The first Mongol invasion of India took place in the reign of Sultan Shams-ud-din lltutmish. Statement 2 is correct: The Mongols besieged the city during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. Statement 3 is incorrect: Mongols did not annex the North-West part of the kingdom of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. Elimination Technique: During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
Q4. It was during the region of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala. Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 1 and 2. Statement 1 is incorrect: The first Mongol invasion of India took place in the reign of Sultan Shams-ud-din lltutmish. Statement 2 is correct: The Mongols besieged the city during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. Statement 3 is incorrect: Mongols did not annex the North-West part of the kingdom of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. Elimination Technique: During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
Q5. 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?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect: The first Mongol invasion of India took place in the reign of Sultan Shams-ud-din lltutmish. Statement 2 is correct: The Mongols besieged the city during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. Statement 3 is incorrect: Mongols did not annex the North-West part of the kingdom of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. Elimination Technique: During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
Q6. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were (2016)
Explanation: Correct option: (d) Traders. Choice (d) is the right one: Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally traders. Banjaras played a role in Alaudin khilji ‘s market reforms. The Banjara are a community of nomadic people with their origins in Rajasthan. They were the trading groups that moved from one place to another in buying and selling goods.
Q7. With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to (2016)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land. Choice (c) is the right one: The term ‘Araghatta’ comes from the combination of the words ‘ara’ meaning spoke and ‘ghatta’ meaning pot. It is a Persian wheel used in irrigation in medieval India. It is a mechanical device used to lift water. It uses animal power to lift water from sources, especially from open wells.
Q8. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect: The first Mongol invasion of India took place in the reign of Sultan Shams-ud-din lltutmish. Statement 2 is correct: The Mongols besieged the city during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. Statement 3 is incorrect: Mongols did not annex the North-West part of the kingdom of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. Elimination Technique: During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
2. Mughal Empire (1526 AD to 1761 AD)
Q9. “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of: (2022)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Akbar. Choice (a) is the right one: YogaVasistha was translated into Persian multiple times throughout the Mughal Dynasty, as commanded by Akbar, Jahangir, and Darah Shikuh. Nizam al-Din Panipati completed one of these translations, known as the Jug-Basisht, in the late sixteenth century AD.
Q10. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size? (2021)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Paragana—Sarkar—Suba. Choice (a) is the right one: In Mughal administration, the correct order of divisions was Pargana (sub-district) → Sarkar (district) → Suba (province), with local officials like qanungo, chaudhuri, and qazi overseeing administration at the pargana level.
Q11. Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portraits? (2019)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Jahangir. Choice (c) is the right one: Akbar’s reign saw illustrations of manuscripts, the prominent being Razmnama which is the Persian translation of Mahabharata. It was during Jahangir’s reign that manuscripts became less significant and there was more focus on individual portraits. Under Jahangir, paintings acquired greater charm, refinement, and dignity.
Q12. With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct? (2019)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.. Option (a) is not correct: Tansen was first a musician in the court of Raja Ram Chandra of Rewa before Akbar invited him to his court, where he became a famed Navaratna and was given the title “Mian.”
Q13. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and the revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 1 only. Choice (a) is the right one: In Mughal administration, the correct order of divisions was Pargana (sub-district) → Sarkar (district) → Suba (province), with local officials like qanungo, chaudhuri, and qazi overseeing administration at the pargana level.
Q14. establishment of the Timurid dynasty Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation: Correct option: (c) 1 and 3 only. Choice (c) is the right one: Akbar’s reign saw illustrations of manuscripts, the prominent being Razmnama which is the Persian translation of Mahabharata. It was during Jahangir’s reign that manuscripts became less significant and there was more focus on individual portraits. Under Jahangir, paintings acquired greater charm, refinement, and dignity.
Q15. Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was (2014)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions. Choice (c) is the right one: Akbar built the Ibadat Khana in 1575 as a forum for religious debate, which later welcomed scholars of various faiths and led to his creation of Din-i-Ilahi, reflecting his emphasis on reason and secularism.
3. Provincial Kingdoms in Medieval India
Q16. Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed diamonds and diamond mines of India? (2018)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. This choice matches the concept tested under Provincial Kingdoms in Medieval India; the other alternatives do not satisfy the wording of the item.
Q17. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom? (2017)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Motupalli. The Kakatiya dynasty’s capital was Warangal (Orugallu), with Motupalli as a major seaport visited by Marco Polo, known for vibrant trade during Queen Rudrama Devi’s reign.
Q18. Private owners of workshops paid an industry tax. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (a) 1 only. Bhatkal in Karnataka gained prominence after Vasco da Gama’s arrival. Local chiefs paid tribute to the Portuguese and in 1510, Krishnadevaraya allowed them to build a fort at Bhatkal.
Q19. Kuluta Malabar Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 only. During the Vijayanagar Empire, Fanams were small denomination coins widely used in South India, especially in regions like Travancore, and the term still denotes “money” in Malayalam.
Q20. 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? (2015)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Harihara I. Vijayanagara, founded by Harihara I and Bukka in the 14th century, was both a city and an empire that extended from the Krishna River to the southern tip of the peninsula.
Q21. In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for (2014)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) village headmen. In medieval India, Mahattara referred to the most respected or senior person, often a headman. Pattakila was a village headman and the king’s official representative.
Q22. Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands? (2025)
Explanation: Correct option: (c) Rajendra I (Chola). In 1025, Rajendra Chola launched a major naval expedition against the Srivijaya empire, capturing its ruler and decisively defeating it.
Q23. Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal? (2024)
Explanation: Correct option: (a) Krishnadevaraya. Bhatkal in Karnataka gained prominence after Vasco da Gama’s arrival. Local chiefs paid tribute to the Portuguese and in 1510, Krishnadevaraya allowed them to build a fort at Bhatkal.
Q24. In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to: (2022)
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Coins. During the Vijayanagar Empire, Fanams were small denomination coins widely used in South India, especially in regions like Travancore, and the term still denotes “money” in Malayalam.
Q25. Bhoja Rashtrakuta How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation: Correct option: (b) Only two pairs. Both Nannuka and Jayashakti were Chandela rulers. Nagabhata II belonged to the Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty. Bhoja was a ruler of the Paramara Dynasty.
Q26. Rohilkhand kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation: Correct option: (b) 2 only. During the Vijayanagar Empire, Fanams were small denomination coins widely used in South India, especially in regions like Travancore, and the term still denotes “money” in Malayalam.
4. Religious movement during medieval period
Q27. Soothsaying Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation: This item was not linked to a dependable official key during extraction, so the quiz does not force one marked answer for it.
Q28. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Statement 1 is not correct: Saint Nimbarka lived in the 13th century, not during Akbar’s 16th-century reign. Statement 2 is not correct: Kabir was a 15th-century poet-saint, while Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi lived in the 17th century.
Q29. Lingayats of the Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Correct option: (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Religious Movement During Medieval Period 4 48. Statement 1 is not correct: Saint Nimbarka lived in the 13th century, not during Akbar’s 16th-century reign. Statement 2 is not correct: Kabir was a 15th-century poet-saint, while Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi lived in the 17th century.