Medieval History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

The Mughal school of painting achieved increased charm, elegance, and grandeur during Jahangir’s rule. Mughal Emperor Jahangir shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to albums and individual portraits. The portrait of Jahangir, who is pictured holding a picture of the Virgin Mary in his right hand, is the best representation of this time period. Ayar-i-Danish and Anwar-i-sunavli are two further animal fable books with illustrations that date to Jahangir’s reign.

Explanation

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a French traveler and gem merchant who traveled extensively in India during the 17th century. He was an independent traveller and trader who, between the years of 1630 and 1668, made travels to Persia and India in the courts of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. He is well-known for his detailed accounts of the diamonds and diamond mines of India, particularly the famous Golconda mines. Tavernier provided extensive information on the diamond trade, the mines in places like Golconda, and the prized diamonds, such as the Koh-i-Noor.

Explanation

The Kakatiya dynasty ruled in South India. The dynasty governed much of the eastern Deccan region, which includes modern-day Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka and southern Odisha, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Their capital was Orugallu, now called Warangal.

Option (b) is correct: Motupalli was the chief port of the Kakatiyas and this port was visited by the Venetian traveller, Marco Polo. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Kakinada emerged as a significant port much later, after the decline of the Kakatiya dynasty. While Machilipatnam was the main port of Golconda Kingdom, In the thirteenth century, the port town of Nelluru was a part of the Kakatiya kingdom. After a while, it passed back and forth between Kakatiya and Pandyas until Pandyas was vanquished by Prataprudra II. But Motupalli was more important than this.

Explanation

In the context of the economic history of medieval India, the term ’Araghatta’ refers to a waterwheel, an important piece of technology used for irrigation. The term ‘Araghatta’ derives from the words "ara" which means "spoke" and "ghatta" means "pot". The waterwheels were used to lift water from wells or rivers to irrigate crops. This technology played a significant role in agricultural productivity, particularly in regions with an agrarian economy by providing a reliable and efficient method of irrigation. Baburnama provides a comprehensive explanation and a picture of the Persian Wheel which was in use in the Punjab province. 2 Medieval History

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya (ruler of Vijayanagar empire), the taxation system was quite well-organized and efficient. The tax rate was fixed between one-third and one-sixth depending on the quality of the land. This method ensured that the tax burden was more equitable, as fertile land produced higher yields and therefore could bear a higher tax rate.

Statement 2 is correct: Commercial taxes consisting of levies, duties and customs on manufactured articles of trade were also levied. Private owners of workshops also paid an industry tax. In addition to the land tax, there were taxes levied on shopkeepers, farm workers, farm servants, laborers, posters, shoemakers, musicians, etc. Grazing and house taxes were also imposed.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a monotheistic movement, mystical in nature, developed within Shaivism in the Tamil region. This was known as the Sittars or Siddhas. The term siddha literally means one who has attained perfection as distinct from a bhakta who is attempting to perceive god.

Statement 2 is correct: The Lingayats of kannada region challenged the idea of caste-heirarchy and the "pollution" attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth. The Lingayats are devotees of Basaveshwara, a poet and social reformer who lived in the 12th century. The term "Linga" refers to universal consciousness as defined by the universal energy, not to Lingas seen in temples (Shakti). Lingayats are Shaivites and have been categorized as a Hindu subcaste known as "Veerashaiva Lingayats."

Explanation

During the Indian, banjaras were generally merchants. They referred to their caravans as tanda.

Option (d) is correct: During the reign of Alauddin Khalji, banjaras had a significant impact. For the purpose of transporting grain to the markets in the cities, Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras. They were responsible for moving goods from one location to another. According to the Emperor Jahangir’s chronicles, the Banjaras transported grain from various regions on their bullocks and sold it in towns.

Explanation

In the medieval era, feudalism was the predominant socio-economic structure.

Statement 1 is incorrect: As a political principle of organization that divided the power of lords, feudalism laid the foundations for a decentralization of political power, wherein the nobility owned land from the Crown in return for military service, and vassals were tenants of the nobles. The peasants were required to reside on their lord’s land and to offer him homage, labor, and a share of the production in exchange for military protection.

Statement 2 is correct: In a feudal system, land is the main economic resource, and it is the key to political power and authority. The feudal system is built around the concept of land ownership, where lords or landholders control vast estates and manage them with the help of vassals, peasants, or serfs. Land is granted in exchange for military service, loyalty, or other obligations, forming the basis for the entire administrative and economic structure.

Statement 3 is correct: One of the key features of the feudal system is the lord-vassal relationship, which forms the backbone of feudal society. A vassal is granted land (a fief) by a lord in return for military service, loyalty, and other obligations. This relationship is often hierarchical, with the vassal owing loyalty and service to a superior lord, who in turn may be a vassal to a higher lord or the king. The lord-vassal relationship is not just a social contract but a legal one, with specific duties and rights that define the relationship between the two parties.

Explanation

The 9th century saw the rise of a number of hill states, some of which maintained their identity until recent years, despite their wars with each other and frequent raids from the plain areas. Medieval Indian State Present Region Champaka Chamba (Himachal Pradesh) Durgara Jammu Kuluta Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) Malwa Central India Kamarupa Assam Trigarta Jalandhar Utkala Odisha Twipra Tripura

Explanation

Harihara I, along with his brother Bukka Raya I, laid the foundation for the city of Vijayanagara in 1336 on the south bank of the river Tungabhadra, a tributary to the river Krishna. Harihara I believed that the land south of the river Krishna belonged to the deity Virupaksha (a form of Lord Shiva). He undertook the responsibility of ruling the kingdom on behalf of this deity, considering himself as an agent of the deity. This reflects the deep religious and cultural connection to the land and the empire’s association with divine authority. The rulers of Vijayanagara were often referred to as the "servants of Virupaksha", showcasing their role as divine agents.