Medieval Sources and Political Developments - Question Bank

1. The 'Shikdar' was an official responsible for administration at which level?
A) Provincial
B) District (Shiq)
C) Sub-district (Pargana)
D) Village
2. Which Sultan's reign saw the introduction of the 'Jital' as a copper coin, alongside the silver 'Tanka'?
A) Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Balban
D) Alauddin Khalji
3. The 'Khilafat' movement, though later, had roots in the concept of the Caliphate which was indirectly acknowledged by Delhi Sultans. Which Sultan explicitly sought investiture from the Abbasid Caliph in Cairo?
A) Iltutmish
B) Balban
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
4. The 'Qazi' was a judicial official responsible for:
A) Interpreting and applying Islamic law
B) Collecting land revenue
C) Leading the army in battles
D) Overseeing provincial administration
5. Which Sultan attempted to conquer Khwarazm and faced the wrath of Genghis Khan, leading to the establishment of a buffer state?
A) Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Balban
D) Alauddin Khalji
6. The 'Tarikh-i-Jahangir Shahi' is a valuable source for the reign of Jahangir, but the question pertains to the Delhi Sultanate. Which text by Barani covers the early period of the Delhi Sultanate extensively?
A) Fatawa-i-Jahandari
B) Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi
C) Hidayat-ul-Qawaid
D) Lataif-i-Ashrafi
7. The Persian poet Amir Khusrau is credited with the development of the 'Sama' musical tradition in the Indian subcontinent.
A) True
B) False
C) Partially True
D) Cannot be determined
8. The 'Diwan-i-Mustakhraj', an office for the recovery of arrears of revenue, was established by:
A) Ghiyasuddin Balban
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
9. Which Sultan is known for his efforts to restore law and order and suppress highway robbery in the Sultanate?
A) Iltutmish
B) Balban
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
10. The 'Sultani' era of coins, particularly the silver tanka, was standardized and introduced by which Sultan?
A) Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Balban
D) Alauddin Khalji
11. Which contemporary chronicler documented the economic policies and reforms of Alauddin Khalji?
A) Amir Khusrau
B) Ziauddin Barani
C) Isami
D) Yahya Sirhindi
12. The 'Insha' literature, comprising model letters and official documents, provides insights into the administrative functioning of the Sultanate. A prominent collection is:
A) Adab-ul-Harb wa Shuja'at
B) Tarjuman-ul-Balagha
C) Miftah-ul-Futuh
D) Insha-i-Mahru
13. The 'Waqf' system, related to religious endowments, was expanded during the reign of which Sultan?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
14. Which Sultan implemented the market control regulations, including price fixation and regulation of merchants?
A) Ghiyasuddin Balban
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
D) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
15. The 'Chihalgani' or 'Forty' was a powerful group of Turkish nobles that dominated the early Delhi Sultanate. Who is credited with breaking their power?
A) Iltutmish
B) Raziya
C) Balban
D) Alauddin Khalji
16. The concept of the Sultan as a 'Shadow of God on Earth' was propagated by which ruler to legitimize his authority?
A) Iltutmish
B) Balban
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
17. Which historian wrote the 'Sirat-i-Firuz Shahi', a biographical account of Firuz Shah Tughlaq?
A) Ziauddin Barani
B) Isami
C) Shams-i-Siraj Afif
D) Yahya Sirhindi
18. The 'Amir-i-Koh' department, established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, was concerned with:
A) Agriculture and land development
B) Warfare and military preparedness
C) Royal treasury management
D) Religious endowments
19. Which inscription mentions the grant of villages for the maintenance of a temple during the reign of a Rajput ruler in the medieval period?
A) Siyadoni Inscription
B) Bijolia Inscription
C) Gwalior Inscription
D) Pali Inscription
20. The 'Barid' system was responsible for the functioning of:
A) Royal post and intelligence
B) Judicial courts
C) Provincial administration
D) Trade routes
21. The 'Qaraunah Turks' were a group associated with which Sultanate dynasty?
A) Khalji
B) Tughlaq
C) Sayyid
D) Lodi
22. Which Sultan is known for his extensive building activities, including the construction of cities like Jaunpur, Firozabad, and Hissar?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
23. The 'Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi' by Abbas Khan Sherwani, though about the Sur period, provides context for the decline of the Sultanate. What is its primary focus?
A) Military campaigns of Alauddin Khalji
B) Administrative reforms of Firuz Shah Tughlaq
C) Rise and reign of Sher Shah Suri
D) The early life of Babur
24. The 'Masnad-i-Aala' was a high noble title, prominent during the rule of which dynasty?
A) Slave Dynasty
B) Khalji Dynasty
C) Tughlaq Dynasty
D) Sayyid Dynasty
25. Which foreign traveler, besides Ibn Battuta, visited India during the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq and left an account?
A) Al-Masudi
B) Al-Idrisi
C) Shams-i-Siraj Afif
D) Nicolo de Conti
26. The 'Shahnama-i-Hind' or 'Khamsa-i-Nizami' are works associated with which celebrated poet?
A) Faizi
B) Abul Fazl
C) Amir Khusrau
D) Mirza Ghalib
27. The rebellion of Tughril Khan, a governor of Bengal, occurred during the reign of which Sultan?
A) Iltutmish
B) Balban
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
28. Which Sultan is known for establishing the 'Diwan-i-Arz', the military department?
A) Iltutmish
B) Balban
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
29. The policy of 'Blood and Iron' to suppress rebellions and consolidate power is attributed to which Sultan?
A) Iltutmish
B) Raziya
C) Balban
D) Alauddin Khalji
30. The 'Kitab-i-Rehla', a detailed account of travel and observations in India, was written by:
A) Al-Biruni
B) Marco Polo
C) Ibn Battuta
D) Suleiman the Merchant
31. Which ruler commissioned the construction of the Qutb Minar, though it was completed by his successor?
A) Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Raziya
D) Balban
32. The 'Ain-ul-Mulk Multani' was a prominent noble and administrator during the reigns of which Sultans?
A) Jalaluddin Khalji and Alauddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq and Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firuz Shah Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq and Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah
33. The 'Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi' by Yahya Sirhindi is a crucial source for the history of which dynasty?
A) Khalji Dynasty
B) Tughlaq Dynasty
C) Sayyid Dynasty
D) Lodi Dynasty
34. Which Sultan is associated with the introduction of token currency (brass and copper coins for silver tankas)?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
35. The 'Barid-i-Mumalik' was the head of which department under the Delhi Sultanate?
A) Intelligence and Post
B) Military Affairs
C) Judiciary
D) Revenue Collection
36. Which of the following inscriptions mentions the establishment of a Brahmanical temple by a member of the Tomara dynasty?
A) Bijolia Inscription
B) Hans-i-Rampur Copper Plates
C) Siyadoni Inscription
D) Nagaur Inscription
37. The Mongol invasions posed a significant threat during the Delhi Sultanate. Which ruler successfully defended Delhi against Tarmashirin, the Chagatai Khan?
A) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
D) Alauddin Khalji
38. The 'Diwan-i-Bandagan', a department for slaves, was established by which Sultan?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
39. Which ruler is known for his ambitious but ultimately failed project of shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri)?
A) Ghiyasuddin Balban
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
40. The rebellion of Malik Chhajju is an important event during the reign of which Khalji ruler?
A) Jalaluddin Khalji
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
D) Nasiruddin Khusrau Shah
41. The introduction of the 'Taqavi' loans, agricultural loans provided by the state, is associated with which Sultan?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
42. Which administrative term under the Delhi Sultanate referred to the provinces or large administrative divisions?
A) Iqta
B) Shiq
C) Pargana
D) Sarkar
43. The 'Malfuzat' literature, consisting of conversations of Sufi saints, offers indirect insights into the political and social milieu of the Delhi Sultanate. A prominent example is:
A) Fawaid-ul-Fuwad
B) Siyar-ul-Auliya
C) Rahat-ul-Qulub
D) Asrar-ul-Haq
44. Which literary work by Kalhana, though earlier, provides context for political developments leading into the medieval period in Kashmir?
A) Ramcharitmanas
B) Gita Govinda
C) Rajatarangini
D) Kama Sutra
45. The 'Haqaiq-i-Hind' is a travelogue by which Persian traveler, offering insights into the socio-political conditions of the Delhi Sultanate?
A) Al-Biruni
B) Ibn Battuta
C) Abdul Razzaq Samarqandi
D) Nicolo de Conti
46. Which contemporary historian is credited with the 'Tarikh-i-Alai' (also known as Khazain-ul-Futuh), detailing Alauddin Khalji's reign?
A) Ziauddin Barani
B) Isami
C) Amir Khusrau
D) Yahya Sirhindi
47. The 'Chachnama' is a historical chronicle primarily detailing the Arab conquest of which region?
A) Bengal
B) Sindh
C) Punjab
D) Kashmir
48. Amir Khusrau, a prominent poet and scholar, served under several Delhi Sultanate rulers. Which ruler was he NOT associated with?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Balban
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Iltutmish
49. Which of the following inscriptions provides valuable information about the early Turkic rulers in North India?
A) Junagarh Inscription of Rudradaman
B) Gwalior Inscription of Bhoja
C) Banskhera Copper Plate of Harshavardhana
D) Adilabad Rock Inscription of Muhammad bin Tughlaq
50. The 'Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi' was authored by which medieval Indian historian?
A) Hasan Nizami
B) Yahya Sirhindi
C) Isami
D) Ziauddin Barani