Early medieval invasions and Sultanates - Arab conquest of Sindh, Muslim invasions, Slave dynasty, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaqs, Society, religion and culture under Vijayanagar rule - Question Bank

1. The economic prosperity of the Vijayanagar Empire was also boosted by its control over the lucrative trade in:
A) Horses
B) Spices and precious stones
C) Iron ore
D) Textiles
2. The socio-religious movement associated with the Vijayanagar period, emphasizing Bhakti, was led by figures like:
A) Adi Shankaracharya
B) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
C) Kabir and Guru Nanak
D) Vidyaranya and Vadiraja Tirtha
3. The Vijayanagar rulers' policy towards their feudatories (Nayakas) was:
A) To grant them complete autonomy
B) To maintain strict central control and demand tribute
C) To abolish the Nayankara system entirely
D) To replace them with direct royal officials
4. The Vijayanagar Empire faced significant cultural exchange with:
A) The Roman Empire
B) The Chinese Empire
C) The Persian and Arab traders
D) The Byzantine Empire
5. The city of Jaunpur was founded by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in memory of:
A) His father Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
B) His cousin Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) His own victory
D) His mentor
6. Balban's theory of kingship emphasized:
A) Divine right of kings
B) Consultation with nobles
C) Popular sovereignty
D) Equality of all subjects
7. The 'Chihalgani' or 'The Forty', a council of Turkish nobles, was a significant power block during the reign of:
A) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Balban
D) Raziya Sultana
8. The first major Muslim invasion of North India that established a lasting Sultanate was led by:
A) Mahmud of Ghazni
B) Muhammad Ghori
C) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
D) Iltutmish
9. The 'Diwan-i-Kohi' (Department of Agriculture) was established by which ruler to promote cultivation?
A) Alauddin Khilji
B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Feroz Shah Tughlaq
D) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
10. Which historical event marked the end of the direct rule of the Tughlaq dynasty over Delhi?
A) The invasion of Timur (Tamerlane) in 1398
B) The establishment of the Sayyid dynasty
C) The rise of the Lodi dynasty
D) The Battle of Panipat
11. The Vijayanagar Empire's economy was heavily reliant on:
A) Fur trade
B) Agriculture and extensive trade networks
C) Forest produce
D) Slave labor
12. The term 'Amuktamalyada' refers to a significant literary work in Telugu, authored by:
A) Allasani Peddana
B) Nandi Timmana
C) Krishnadevaraya
D) Tenali Ramakrishna
13. The Vijayanagar rulers were great patrons of:
A) Islamic architecture
B) Buddhist art
C) Dravidian architecture and sculpture
D) Indo-Islamic fusion art
14. The practice of Sati was prevalent in the Vijayanagar society, as noted by foreign travelers. This indicates:
A) A matriarchal social structure
B) A patriarchal social structure with specific customs
C) A society with no regard for women's lives
D) A practice unique to the Vijayanagar rulers
15. Which of the following was a major rival of the Vijayanagar Empire in the Deccan?
A) The Rajput states
B) The Delhi Sultanate
C) The Bahmani Sultanate
D) The Pala Empire
16. The Hampi ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are remnants of which historical entity?
A) The Bahmani Sultanate
B) The Vijayanagar Empire
C) The Chera Kingdom
D) The Pandya Kingdom
17. The 'Nayankara' system in the Vijayanagar Empire was a form of:
A) Land revenue administration
B) Military organization and provincial governance
C) Judicial system
D) Religious endowment
18. The Vijayanagar rulers used the title 'Swayamvara' to signify:
A) Their military prowess
B) Their religious authority
C) Their claim to divine right
D) Their patronage of arts and literature
19. The religious policy of the Vijayanagar rulers was generally:
A) Exclusively Shaivite
B) Exclusively Vaishnavite
C) Tolerant towards different Hindu sects and other religions
D) Forced conversion to Hinduism
20. Which of the following was a significant economic activity promoted by the Vijayanagar rulers?
A) Silk production
B) Diamond mining and trade
C) Spice cultivation
D) Indigo farming
21. The administrative system of the Vijayanagar Empire was characterized by:
A) Centralized bureaucracy
B) Decentralized village assemblies (Ur and Sabha)
C) Abolition of provincial governors
D) Direct rule by the king without intermediaries
22. Which European traveler visited the Vijayanagar Empire during the reign of Deva Raya II and described its grandeur?
A) Marco Polo
B) Ibn Battuta
C) Domingos Paes
D) Nicolo Conti
23. The Battle of Talikota (1565) resulted in the defeat and decline of:
A) The Bahmani Sultanate
B) The Vijayanagar Empire
C) The Sultanate of Delhi
D) The Rajput Confederacy
24. What was the primary language of administration and literature in the Vijayanagar Empire?
A) Sanskrit and Kannada
B) Tamil and Telugu
C) Sanskrit and Telugu
D) Kannada and Tamil
25. The 'Ashtadiggajas' were a group of eight renowned Telugu poets patronized by:
A) Harihara II
B) Deva Raya II
C) Krishnadevaraya
D) Sadasiva Raya
26. The famous Virupaksha Temple at Hampi is associated with which empire?
A) Chola Empire
B) Pala Empire
C) Vijayanagar Empire
D) Bahmani Sultanate
27. Krishnadevaraya was a contemporary of which Mughal emperor?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Jahangir
28. Which dynasty ruled the Vijayanagar Empire during its peak period under Krishnadevaraya?
A) Sangama Dynasty
B) Saluva Dynasty
C) Tuluva Dynasty
D) Aravidu Dynasty
29. The capital of the Vijayanagar Empire was:
A) Madurai
B) Warangal
C) Hampi
D) Mysore
30. The Vijayanagar Empire was founded in the 14th century by:
A) Krishnadevaraya
B) Harihara I and Bukka I
C) Sadasiva Raya
D) Vira Narasimha
31. The Diwan-i-Bandagan, a department for slaves, was created by:
A) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
B) Feroz Shah Tughlaq
C) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
D) Alauddin Khilji
32. Feroz Shah Tughlaq established several cities, including:
A) Agra
B) Fatehpur Sikri
C) Jaunpur and Hissar
D) Srinagar
33. Which ruler introduced the token currency system in India?
A) Alauddin Khilji
B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Feroz Shah Tughlaq
D) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
34. Muhammad bin Tughlaq is infamous for his controversial policy of:
A) Transfer of capital from Delhi to Daulatabad
B) Abolition of the Iqta system
C) Introduction of the Jaziya tax
D) Construction of the Qutub Minar
35. The Tughlaq dynasty was founded by:
A) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
B) Feroz Shah Tughlaq
C) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
D) Nasir-ud-din Khusrau Shah
36. The Diwan-i-Arz, a military department, was established by:
A) Alauddin Khilji
B) Balban
C) Iltutmish
D) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
37. Which of the following was NOT a reform of Alauddin Khilji?
A) Market regulations (Sahan-i-Mandis)
B) Introduction of the Jaziya tax
C) Establishment of the Diwan-i-Mustakhraj
D) Creation of a standing army
38. Alauddin Khilji's market control policy was primarily aimed at:
A) Increasing the revenue of the state
B) Ensuring the welfare of the soldiers and common people
C) Encouraging foreign trade
D) Promoting agricultural production
39. The Khilji dynasty was founded by:
A) Jalal-ud-din Khilji
B) Alauddin Khilji
C) Malik Kafur
D) Shihab-ud-din Omar
40. Who was known as the 'Lakh Baksh' (giver of lakhs)?
A) Iltutmish
B) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
C) Balban
D) Raziya Sultana
41. Balban, a ruler of the Slave Dynasty, adopted the policy of 'Blood and Iron' primarily to:
A) Expand the empire
B) Suppress internal rebellions and consolidate power
C) Promote religious tolerance
D) Encourage trade and commerce
42. Iltutmish is known for introducing which administrative reform?
A) Introduction of the Iqta system
B) Creation of the Diwan-i-Bandagan
C) Establishment of the Diwan-i-Arz
D) Abolition of the Jaziya tax
43. The famous 'Tughlaqnama' was written by which contemporary poet during the Tughlaq era?
A) Amir Khusrau
B) Kalhana
C) Vidyapati
D) Raskhan
44. Who completed the construction of the Qutub Minar?
A) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Alauddin Khilji
D) Feroz Shah Tughlaq
45. The founder of the Slave Dynasty (Mamluk Dynasty) in Delhi was:
A) Iltutmish
B) Raziya Sultana
C) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
D) Balban
46. The Battle of Tarain (1191) saw Muhammad Ghori defeated by:
A) Prithviraj Chauhan
B) Jayachandra
C) Ghaznavid forces
D) The Chola king
47. Mahmud of Ghazni famously raided which important Indian temple city multiple times?
A) Bodh Gaya
B) Varanasi
C) Mathura
D) Somnath
48. Which ruler is credited with initiating the first significant Turkish invasions into India in the early 11th century?
A) Muhammad Ghori
B) Alauddin Khilji
C) Mahmud of Ghazni
D) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
49. The Arab conquest of Sindh primarily targeted which major city?
A) Multan
B) Uch
C) Debal
D) Mansura
50. Who led the Arab conquest of Sindh in 712 CE?
A) Mahmud of Ghazni
B) Muhammad bin Qasim
C) Muhammad Ghori
D) Genghis Khan