Medieval History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Babur successfully conquered Bhira (1519-1520), Sialkot (1520), and Lahore (1524) in Punjab. The decisive encounter between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi took place at the Battle of Panipat in 1526. Despite having fewer soldiers, Babur’s army was better organized and strategically superior. Babur’s battlefield tactics were distinctive, he strategically flanked Ibrahim’s army on both sides while his cavalry launched a central assault using arrows and gunfire from skilled Ottoman gunners.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Gunpowder was first used in the Indian subcontinent during the 14th century earlier than Babur’s arrival. However it gained prominence during Babur’s campaign for control of Bhera in India in 1519.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The introduction of Islamic architectural details, such as true domes and arches, and the fusion of Indian and Islamic architectural forms were the Delhi Sultanate’s biggest contributions to Indian fine arts. This was much before the arrival of Babur.

Statement 3 is correct: The Timurids, an islamic Sunni dynasty, had two notable empires in history. The Timurid Empire (1370-1507) in Persia and Central Asia The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Bijak is the collection of ideas and teachings of Kabir. Kabir was an Indian mystic poet and saint who lived in the 15th century. His verses may be found in the Sikhism’s holy book Guru Granth Sahib and his writings had an impact on the Bhakti movement in Hinduism. It is widely believed that Kabir was associated with Ramananda.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Vallabhacharya’s philosophy came to be known as Pushti Marga. He was one of the first to promote Krishna Bhakti on the basis of Maha Bhagavata Purana. He founded the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita which believed in the absolute union. He prescribed Pushtimarg as the means for salvation (extreme devotion to God).

Explanation

In Medieval India, particularly during the Delhi Sultanate and the early Mughal period, the terms Mahattara and pattakila were the village headmen. Pattalika is generally identified with the modern Patel, believed to be the king’s representative in the village. Mahattara was a non-official and possibly a representative of the people. The Mahattara had significant authority within the village and was often tasked with overseeing the community’s activities and ensuring that taxes were collected and local disputes were settled.

Explanation

The Bhakti movement began to spread across eastern and northern India from the 15th century. The movement’s central idea was love, devotion, and the pursuit of equality. Prominent Bhakti saints such as Ramanuja, Chaitanya, Jaidev, Kabir, and Ramanand emphasized the unity of God. Guru Nanak was born in India during the period 1469-1539. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the First battle of Panipat in 1526. Therefore, when Babur was strengthening the Mughal dynasty in India Guru Nanak was preaching Sikhism in India. Tyagaraja, a Carnatic music composer was born in 1767 and Daddu Dayal was a poet-saint of Gujrat born in 1544. These events do not match with the timeline of Battle of Panipat when the Lodi dynasty fell.

Explanation

Sufism is a mystic branch of Islam that puts emphasis on the search for God on a spiritual level and rejects materialism.

Statement 1 and 2 are correct: Sufism focuses on love and devotion to God. Devotees used music and dance for expression of their devotion. They also practiced breath-control techniques and meditation. They also used to perform severe ascetic exercises in solitude.

Statement 3 is correct: The practice of Sama is a musical performance that aims to elicit a mystical feeling of ecstasy. Murid, or disciple, must pass through countless phases while engaging in spiritual activities in a lonely setting.

Explanation

Buddhism emerged in India around the 6th century BCE, and reached its zenith during the reign of Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism and instituted dharma as the state ideology. (3rd century BCE). Later, it began to decline in the 4th-6th century CE due to increasing influence of Brahmanism and was mostly replaced by Hinduism by the 12th century.

Statement 1 is correct: Buddhism declined during the entire phase of Bhakti movement absorbing various aspects of Hinduism such as Buddha’s inclusion as 9th incarnation of Vishnu thus becoming a part of Vaishnavism. This assimilation made Buddhist practices and beliefs blend into mainstream Hinduism.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Kushans, the Sakas, the Greeks, and the Parthians were some of the Central Asian tribes that invaded India. Though some tribes like the Huns adopted Hinduism during the period 200 B.C. to 300 A.D. Buddhism gained a strong foothold in the north western India. Many of the foreigners like the Indo-Greeks and the Kushanas, who invaded India during this time accepted Buddhism

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Gupta rulers gave patronage to Bhagvatism. But they were tolerant to other religions too. The Chinese pilgrims Fa Hien and Hsuan Tsang, who came to India during the reign of Chandragupta II and Harsha respectively, clearly give the impression that Buddhism was also flourishing.

Explanation

Nagarjuna (2nd century A.D.), a key figure in Mahayana Buddhism, founded the Madhyamaka school, emphasizing philosophical concepts like emptiness (shunyata). He was not associated with the Bhakti cult, which focused on devotional worship of a personal deity. In contrast, Tukaram (a Marathi saint), Tyagaraja (a Carnatic music composer), and Vallabhacharya (proponent of Pushtimarg) were central figures in the Bhakti movement, emphasizing love and devotion to God.

Explanation

The English East India Company set up its first factory in Surat in 1613 with the permission of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir, who ruled from 1605 to 1627, granted the English the permission to establish a trading post, and this marked the beginning of English trading activities in India. This significant development was achieved through the diplomatic efforts of Sir Thomas Roe, who was sent as an ambassador by King James I of England to Jahangir’s court.

Explanation

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been operational since the 7th century AD. It is a prime example of Vijayanagara architecture built by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under King Deva Raya II and features intricate carvings, sculptures, and towering Gopuras adorned with Hindu mythological scenes. The temple’s central shrine houses Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva. Surrounding the temple are smaller shrines, mandapas (pillared halls), and a spacious courtyard. Over the centuries, various dynasties have contributed to its expansion and preservation. Beyond its religious significance, the temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, which showcases the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Explanation

Indian temple architecture is categorized into three styles. The Nagara Style (North) features beehive-shaped Shikharas and intricate carvings, as seen in the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple and Konark Sun Temple. The Dravida Style (South) is known for pyramid-like structures and towering Vimanams, exemplified by the Brihadeshwara and Meenakshi Temples. The Vesara Style blends Nagara and Dravida elements, seen in the Chenna-Keshava Temple at Somanathapura.

Option (a) is correct: The correct pairings are as follows:

Vidyashankara Temple, located in Sringeri, Karnataka, is a 14th-century temple that showcases ancient Indian astronomy and architecture. Built in 1338 AD, it combines Hoysala and Dravidian styles, with a shrine honoring Sri Vidyathirtha, a key figure in Vijayanagara history. Rajarani Temple is situated in Bhubaneswar, Orissa is famous for its exquisite Kalinga architecture and temple built with red and yellow coloured sandstone, which referred as Rajarani in local language Kandariya Mahadeo Temple is one of the largest and most artistically important Hindu temples, found in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Bhimesvara Temple is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and its architecture dates back to the Eastern Chalukya period characterized by Dravidian and Vesara elements.