Question 1

Which Delhi Sultan is credited with establishing the Delhi Sultanate after defeating Muhammad of Ghor's forces and consolidating power in North India?

Accepted Answer

Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, a former slave general of Muhammad of Ghor, founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206 after Muhammad of Ghor's death. He established the Slave Dynasty (Mamluk Dynasty) and is considered the first Sultan of Delhi. He also commissioned the Qutb Minar in Delhi.

Question 2

The Vijayanagara Empire reached its greatest territorial extent and power under which ruler during the 16th century?

Accepted Answer

Krishna Deva Raya (r. 1509–1529 CE) was the most powerful ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. He expanded the empire's territory, strengthened its administration, and made it a major cultural and economic power in South India. He is also known for his patronage of arts and literature.

Question 3

Which Mughal Emperor is known for his policy of 'Sulh-i-Kul' (universal peace) and for abolishing the Jizya tax on non-Muslims?

Accepted Answer

Akbar (r. 1556–1605 CE) implemented the policy of Sulh-i-Kul, which promoted religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different religious communities. He abolished the Jizya tax (a tax levied on non-Muslims) in 1564 CE, demonstrating his commitment to religious harmony and inclusive governance.

Question 4

The Battle of Plassey (1757 CE) was fought between the British East India Company and which Indian ruler?

Accepted Answer

The Battle of Plassey was fought between the British East India Company (under Robert Clive) and Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. The British victory, aided by the betrayal of Mir Jafar, marked the beginning of British political dominance in India and the decline of the Mughal Empire's power.

Question 5

Which Delhi Sultan is famous for building the Qutb Minar in Delhi as a tower of victory?

Accepted Answer

Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, initiated the construction of the Qutb Minar in 1192 CE. However, the tower was completed by his successor Iltutmish. The Qutb Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, built to commemorate the victory of Islam in Delhi.

Question 6

Which Delhi Sultan is credited with establishing the first permanent capital of the Delhi Sultanate and constructing the Qutub Minar?

Accepted Answer

Qutb-ud-Din Aibak (r. 1206–1210), the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar in Delhi in 1193 (as a victory tower) and made Delhi the capital. His successor Iltutmish completed the monument. Aibak is recognized as the first Sultan of Delhi after the fall of the Ghurid Empire.

Question 7

In which year did the Battle of Talikota (also known as the Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi) take place, marking a major defeat for the Vijayanagara Empire?

Accepted Answer

The Battle of Talikota was fought on 26 January 1565 between the Vijayanagara Empire and an alliance of Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar, and Bidar). This battle resulted in a decisive defeat for Vijayanagara and marked the beginning of the empire's decline, though it continued to exist for another century.

Question 8

Which Mughal Emperor is known for his policy of 'Sulh-i-Kul' (universal peace) and the abolition of the Jizya tax on non-Muslims?

Accepted Answer

Akbar (r. 1556–1605) implemented the policy of Sulh-i-Kul, which promoted religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different religious communities. He abolished the Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) in 1564, a landmark decision that reflected his inclusive administrative approach and contributed to the stability and prosperity of the Mughal Empire.

Question 9

Which ruler of the Delhi Sultanate is famous for his ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to shift the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri) in the Deccan?

Accepted Answer

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (r. 1325–1351) attempted to shift the capital of the Delhi Sultanate from Delhi to Daulatabad in 1327. This ambitious project involved the forced migration of the entire court and population, which proved economically disastrous and was eventually abandoned. The capital was moved back to Delhi, and this failed policy contributed to the weakening of his empire.

Question 10

Which Delhi Sultan is credited with establishing the first regular standing army in India and implementing the 'Iqta' system of land grants to military officers?

Accepted Answer

Alauddin Khilji (r. 1296–1316) of the Delhi Sultanate established a professional standing army (Lashkar-i-Qalb) and reformed the Iqta system to prevent feudal lords from becoming independent. This was a watershed moment in medieval Indian military administration.

Question 11

The Battle of Talikota (1565) resulted in the defeat of which South Indian empire and marked the beginning of its decline?

Accepted Answer

The Battle of Talikota (also called the Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi) in 1565 saw the Deccan Sultanates defeat the Vijayanagara Empire. This battle marked the end of Vijayanagara's dominance in South India and led to its eventual collapse by 1614.

Question 12

The Mughal Emperor Akbar's revenue system was based on the assessment of land productivity. What was the name of this land revenue assessment system?

Accepted Answer

Akbar implemented the 'Zabti' or 'Dahsala' system of land revenue assessment, which was based on a 10-year average of crop yields and prices. This system was more rational and equitable than earlier arbitrary taxation and was administered by Raja Todar Mal.

Question 13

The Delhi Sultanate's administrative division into provinces was called 'Iqtas' or 'Sarkars.' Which Delhi Sultan first systematically organized these provincial divisions?

Accepted Answer

Muhammad of Ghor and his successors established the Iqta system, but it was Iltutmish (r. 1211–1236) who first systematically organized the Delhi Sultanate into well-defined provinces (Sarkars) with appointed governors (Muqtis), creating a more centralized administrative structure.

SSC CPO Medieval India

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Medieval India — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Medieval India