Medieval History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

The Jama Masjid in Kashmir, completed under the patronage of Zain-ul-Abidin (1420 - 1470 AD), is renowned for its unique blend of architectural features, including Persian influences, turrets, and a resemblance to Buddhist pagodas. This architectural synthesis reflects Kashmir’s historical interaction with Persian culture and Buddhist heritage.

Explanation

The geography of southern India is characterized by hills, plateaus, and river valleys, which limited the availability of large expanses of fertile land. This led to the emergence of small regional kingdoms that adapted to local conditions and focused on maritime trade and self-sufficient economies, rather than forming expansive empires. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Iron was present and utilized for tools and weapons. Social divisions existed but were not a primary factor behind political fragmentation. Manpower scarcity was not a major issue in southern India.

Explanation

The Mughal Empire began in 1526 and lasted for over 200 years. At its peak it covered modern day India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The empire was founded by Babur, a Muslim warrior prince from Central Asia, who descended from the Mongols. Several European travelers, including Ralph Fitch, William Hakins, Sir Thomas Roe, Francois Bernier, and Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, documented the Mughal Empire’s wealth, administration, society, and culture.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: William Hawkins visited Jahangir’s court as a representative of the East India Company. He gained favor with Jahangir and was granted trading privileges.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Sir Thomas Roe (1615-1619), an English ambassador sent by King James I to Jahangir’s court to negotiate trade rights for the East India Company.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a French gem (particularly diamond) trader and traveler in the 17th century Tavernier visited India six times between 1630 and 1668 and provided invaluable accounts of trade, society, and the Mughal court, particularly during the reign of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. He also provided descriptions of the Peacock Throne commissioned by Shah Jahan.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: Niccolao Manucci (1639-1717) was an Italian traveler who spent over fifty years in India during the Mughal period, primarily under the reign of Aurangzeb.

Explanation

Assertion is true: During Akbar’s reign, the Mansabdari system was an essential part of his military and administrative structure. The Mansabdar was a title given to officials who held military or civil offices. The Mansabdars were required to maintain a specific number of cavalrymen, and the ratio was set at 10 cavalrymen for every 20 horses. Reason is true: Horses needed rest during long marches, especially in difficult terrain or extended campaigns. Additionally, during war, horses might get injured or exhausted, and replacements were essential to ensure that the cavalry remained effective. Having extra horses provided the necessary logistical support for the Mansabdars to keep their cavalry functional during both long marches and active combat situations.

Explanation

Amir Khusrau (1253-1325) was a prolific poet, musician, and scholar during the Delhi Sultanate. He is credited with being one of the earliest to use a proto-Urdu form in his works, mixing Persian, Khari Boli, and Hindavi dialects, laying the foundation for Urdu poetry. He is regarded as the "father of Urdu literature" and played a crucial role in the development of this language. Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869) is renowned for his contributions to classical Urdu poetry, but he came centuries after Khusrau. Bahadur Shah Zafar (1775-1862) was a Mughal emperor and a poet, but not the first to use Urdu. Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984) was a modern Urdu poet known for poetry focused on social justice, resistance, and human rights.

Explanation

Fawazil was the surplus or excess revenue collected by the Iqtadars beyond their prescribed share and remitted to the central treasury, ensuring financial accountability and contributing to the Sultanate’s centralized economy. Sikandar Lodhi (1489 to 1517) of the Lodi dynasty abolished the practice of sending "fawazil" to the central treasury. This move by Sikandar Lodi was part of his efforts to consolidate his power and reduce the financial control of the central government over the military officials, allowing them greater autonomy.

Explanation

Firoz Shah Tughlaq (reigned 1351-1388 AD) was one of the most prominent rulers of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. His reign is remembered for a number of reforms and infrastructural developments. He is credited with building the largest and most significant canal network during this period, aimed at boosting agriculture and ensuring water availability. The Britisher used to call him the Father of the Irrigation Department because of the many gardens and canals he built like the canal connecting the Yamuna to Hissar city; Satluj to the Ghaggar, etc.

Explanation

Assertion is correct: The early Turkish rulers in India relied heavily on their military to establish and maintain control over the region. The Delhi Sultanate was founded on military conquest, and the rulers relied on military commanders for administrative control. During this time, the sultanate’s governance was largely militarized, and military leaders had significant power and influence over the territory. Reason is true: The concept of Iqta was introduced in India during the rule of Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish (r. 1211-1236). An Iqta was a land grant that was given to military leaders in return for their service. These military leaders, often called Iqtadars, were in charge of the administration of the land within their assigned Iqta and were responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting revenue, and providing military support to the Sultan. The system of Iqta created a decentralized form of administration, where military leaders had significant autonomy within their assigned territories. Thus, Reason (R) correctly explains the Assertion (A).

Explanation

Shivaji (1627-1680) opposed the Mughal dynasty and founded the Maratha kingdom in 17th-century India. His kingdom’s security was based on religious toleration and on the functional integration of Brahmans, Marathas, and Prabhus. He was assisted by a council of Eight members (Ashtapradhan) in his administration. The members of the council are:

1. Peshwa - Head of the administration, overseeing governance.

2. Sumant - In charge of foreign affairs and diplomacy.

3. Sachiv - Managed records and communications.

4. Amatya - Responsible for finances and revenue.

5. Dabir - Handled correspondence.

6. Senapati - Military commander-in-chief.

7. Nyayadhish - Chief justice, overseeing law and order. 8. Pandit Rao - Managed religious affairs and advised on spiritual matters.

Explanation

As direct descendants of Tamerlane, the Mughals of India considered Central Asia their true home and ancestral domain and thus desired to recover their ancestral lands. Also, the areas of Kandahar, Balkh, and Badakhshan were strategically important for the Mughal Empire due to their proximity to the borders of the Safavid Empire. Assertion (A) is correct: Dara Sikoh, the son of Shah Jahan, was sent on a military expedition to Balkh, Badakhshan, and Kandahar. These missions aimed to consolidate Mughal influence in these strategically important regions. Reason (R) is incorrect: Dara Shikoh’s expedition to the Middle east failed despite the use of a large army and advanced Mughal artillery. The campaign did not achieve its goals, and the Mughals suffered significant setbacks during Shah Jahan’s reign, including the permanent loss of Kandahar to the Safavids, weakening their influence in the region.