UPSC 1997 Medieval History Questions with Answers

Explanation

Abul Fazl, a historian and one of Navratnas in Akbar’s court, mentioned the discovery of America by Europeans in his monumental work ‘Ain-i-Akbari’. His writings provide insights into Akbar’s court, administration, and cultural milieu, showing the reach of Mughal intellectual pursuits. Other important writings of the Abul Fazl are:

Akbarnama The History of Akbar Insh-i-Abu’l Fazl Persian translation of the Bible

Explanation

Balban (reigned 1266-1287) was one of the most prominent rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, particularly known for his strong and centralized rule. He was part of the Slave dynasty which began with Qutb-ud-Din Aibak. After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of "Zil-i-Ilahi", which means "The Shadow of God" or "The Shadow of the Divine." This title was a reflection of his absolute authority and divine right to rule. By adopting this title, Balban sought to emphasize the sacred nature of his rule and his unquestionable authority, essentially equating his position with the will of God.

Explanation

Sufi orders, also known as tariqas, are mystical paths within Islam, characterized by a focus on spiritual purification, ritualism, and asceticism. These orders, such as the Naqshbandi, Qadiri, and Chishti, provide a framework for spiritual growth, emphasizing practices like dhikr (invocation), muraqaba (meditation), and sama (music and poetry) to attain spiritual stations and ultimately union with God. Assertion (A) is correct: Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti introduced the Chisti order in India in the 12th century. His teachings focused on love, humility, and devotion to God, and his dargah in Ajmer became a symbol of communal harmony. Reason (R) is incorrect: The Chisti order derives its name from Chisht, a village in present-day Afghanistan not Ajmer. The Chisti Sufis were instrumental in fostering spiritual and cultural exchanges in medieval India.

Explanation

The Mir Bakshi was a pivotal figure in the military administration under Akbar’s reign. They managed the recruitment, organization, and payment of the army. Additionally, they supervised military campaigns and oversaw overall military affairs. Diwan was the head of the revenue department in the provinces and oversaw revenue and finance. Mir Saman was in charge of the imperial household. He was responsible for managing the purchase and procurement of goods and supplies for the royal household, including furniture, clothing, and other necessities. Bakshi was head of the military department at provincial level.

Explanation

The Mahabharata has been a significant source of inspiration for numerous literary works across India, influencing many regional languages. Pair (a) is incorrectly matched: Saraladasa (born as Siddheswara Parida) was a 15th-century poet and scholar of Odia literature and not Bengali. He is best known for three Odia books - Sarala Mahabharata, Vilanka Ramayana and Chandi Purana. Pair (b) is incorrectly matched: Kasirama, an important figure in Oriya literature, is most renowned for his adaptations of the Ramayana rather than the Mahabharata. Pair (c) is incorrectly matched: Tikkana was a Telugu poet who contributed to Andhra Mahabharatam, not Marathi. Pair (d) is correctly matched: Pampa was a Kannada poet, who authored Vikramarjuna Vijaya, also known as Pampa Bharata, based on the Mahabharata theme. His rendition of the Mahabharata focuses on the story of Arjuna and his heroic exploits.