Medieval History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

/(c) Shah Alam II (1728-1806) was the Mughal Emperor, ruling from 1759 to 1806. His reign marked a period of decline for the Mughal Empire, as it faced significant challenges, including invasions and internal rebellions. Assertion (A) is Correct: Shah Alam II spent his early years away from Delhi, primarily in Bihar and Allahabad, due to political instability, including internal rivalries and external threats, such as Ahmed Shah Durrani’s invasions. Reason (R) is correct: During Shah Alam II’s reign, invasions from the northwest, especially by Ahmed Shah Durrani, posed significant threats to the Mughal Empire. The primary reason for Shah Alam II’s absence was internal threats and the dominance of nobles like Najib-ud-Daula in Delhi, rather than solely the danger of foreign invasions. Hence Reason (R) does not explain Assertion (A). Hence, Option (b) is the correct answer.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Kitab-I-Nauras (The Book of 9 Rasas), a collection of songs praising both Hindu deities and Muslim saints, was composed by Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Adil Shahi dynasty in the 16th century. The fifty-nine songs and seventeen couplets of the book are written in Dakhni Urdu. It also indicates the ragas in which they were to be sung. He was a dhrupad singer and the player of an instrument called tambour.

Statement 2 is correct: Amir Khusrau, a renowned Sufi poet, musician, and scholar, is credited with the foundation of Qawwali music in India. Qawali is a devotional form of Islamic music deeply embedded in the mystical traditions of Sufism, and Amir Khusrau is often regarded as its spiritual and musical architect in the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351) was a highly ambitious Sultan of Delhi, known for his bold and often impractical reforms. His policies like introduction of token currency and the shift of capital to Daulatabad was aimed at centralizing administration but led to economic chaos and unrest. Assertion (A) is true: Swarg Dwari was a temporary camp or encampment established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. Reason (R) is true: Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi and resided in Swarg Dwari for approximately two years (1334-1335) due to the devastating effects of the bubonic plague, which had ravaged the city and killed nearly half of his army. Thus R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

Zia-ud-Din Barani (1285-1357) was a prominent historian and political thinker during the period of Tughlaq Dynasty. His most famous work, "Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi", chronicles the history of the Delhi Sultanate and provides valuable insights into the political and social conditions of the time. He advocated a theocratic system of governance, where Islamic law would guide the state’s policies.

Option (c) is correct:

The Sultans of Delhi, frequently made decisions based on political and administrative pragmatism rather than strictly following Islamic laws. He argued that the state was not "truly Islamic" because the Sultans often supplemented or modified Sharia (Islamic law) with their own administrative and secular regulations (Zawabit).

Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect: Balban (1266 to 1287) was the first to establish the Diwan-i-Ariz department in the Delhi Sultanate. This department was related to the military and was headed by Ariz-i-Mumalik. Statement (b) is incorrect: Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) of the Khilji dynasty introduced the practice of branding horses in his military. Branding the horses helped in preventing the fraud of soldiers who might try to misuse government-owned horses for personal benefit. Statement (c) is incorrect: Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 AD) was succeeded by his cousin, Firoz Shah Tughlaq, not his uncle. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign was marked by several controversial decisions, such as the shifting of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and the introduction of token currency. Statement (d) is correct: Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) was the first cousin of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and the most prominent ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. He was known for his public welfare measures, including the construction of canals, hospitals, schools and implemented various administrative reforms to stabilize his empire. He (Firoz Shah Tughlaq 1351-88) established a separate department for slaves called the Diwan-i-Bandagan under the Wakil-i-dar. He increased the number of slaves by capturing the defeated soldiers and young people.

Explanation

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, known as Mujaddid Alf Sani, lived during the Mughal period and was a contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir long after Ibrahim Lodi (who ruled from 1517 to 1526).

Statement 2 is Correct: Sheikh Nasiruddin Chirag-i-Dehlavi was a prominent disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya, carrying forward the Chishti Sufi order in Delhi.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: Sheikh Salim Chisti, a revered Sufi saint of the Chishti order, was associated with Akbar’s reign and was not contemporary to Aurangzeb. He is known for his spiritual influence at Emperor Akbar’s court and for blessing him with the birth of his son, Salim (later Emperor Jahangir).

Statement 4 is Correct: The Qadiri Sufi order was one of the oldest in India and was introduced by saints like Sheikh Niamutullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani in the Deccant. These saints and orders significantly influenced Indian society by promoting spiritualism, tolerance, and equality.

Explanation

Ramananda, a 14th-century Bhakti saint, was the first to use Hindi and its dialects to spread devotional teachings, making Bhakti accessible to the common people. He focused on devotion to Lord Rama, rejected caste hierarchies, and advocated equality in worship. His followers, including Kabir, Ravidas, Tulsidas, and Dadu, further popularized Hindi, solidifying Ramananda’s role in using the vernacular for religious reform.

Explanation

Balkh, in modern day Northern Afghanistan, was a gateway to Central Asia and a significant center of trade and culture. The region was also critical for securing the northwestern frontier of the Mughal Empire from Uzbek threats.

Option (a) is correct: Shah Jahan’s Balkh Campaign (1646 to 1647) was a military expedition to consolidate and expand the Mughal Empire’s influence in Central Asia. The campaign was aimed at asserting Mughal control and securing a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakshan which bordered Kabul. During this period Balkh was controlled by Uzbeks, under Nazr Muhammad Khan. The Mughal forces successfully captured Balkh and Badakhshan with minimal resistance, as Nazr Muhammad fled to Iran. In 1647, Shah Jahan decided to withdraw Mughal forces from Balk and the region reverted to Uzbek control.

Explanation

Pair (a) is correctly matched: Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) established the Diwan-i-Bandagan, a department for slaves, during the Tughlaq Dynasty. The officer in charge of the Diwan-i-Bandagan was the Wakil-i-dar. It oversaw the management of slaves and servants in the royal palace and administrative offices. Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: The Diwan-i-Mustakhraj was a department of the Delhi Sultanate that was created by Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) to collect revenue arrears and to address corruption. It was responsible for investigating and collecting outstanding revenue from collectors. Pair (c) is incorrectly matched: The Diwan-i-Kohi was an agricultural department established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-51) to improve agricultural productivity and food security in the Delhi Sultanate. He also developed a slew of measures to provide relief to famine victims. Pair (d) is incorrectly matched: The Diwan-i-Arz was the military department of the Delhi Sultanate and was established by Ghiyas ud din Balban (1266 to 1287). It was headed by Ariz-i-Mamalik.

Explanation

The establishment of Mughal rule in India began with Babur’s (1526 - 1530) victory over Sultan Ibrahim Lodiin the First Battle of Panipat (1526) and Rana Sanga in the Battle of Khanua(1527). These victories laid the foundation for the Mughal Empire, which was further consolidated by Akbar, who expanded and solidified Mughal authority across India. Assertion (A) is true: The Battle of Khanua was more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat because it strengthened the Mughal rule in India, while the First Battle of Panipat only laid its foundation. Reason (R) is true: Rana Sanga was a skilled warrior and leader who had built a strong alliance of Rajput kingdoms. He was a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi. The Battle of Khanua was more significant because it neutralized the threat from the Rajputs and consolidated Babur’s authority. Thus, the Reason (R) is the correct explanation for the Assertion (A).