UPSC 2004 Medieval History Questions with Answers

Explanation

Tughlaq dynasty (1320-1413) which was the third ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was founded by the Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq who was commonly referred to as Ghazi Malik. Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah, another name for Mahmud Shah Tughluq was the final sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty to govern the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. The list of rulers who ruled the Tughlaq dynasty are:

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - 1320-25 Muhammed Bin Tuglaq - 1325-51 Feroz Shah Tughlaq - 1351-88 Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq shah II 1388-1390 Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah 1390-1394 Mahmud Shah Tughlaq 1394-1412

Explanation

The Nizam Shahi dynasty (1490 to 1633 AD) ended when the Mughals annexed Ahmadnagar in 1633. Hussain Shah, the last ruler, was captured and imprisoned for life by the Mughal forces, marking the dynasty’s end and strengthening Mughal control over the Deccan.

Option (b) is incorrect: Nizam-ul-Mulk, a key figure of the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar, did not die as a result of battle with the Mughals. Instead, he passed away from natural causes.

Option (c) is incorrect: The son of Malik Amber, Fateh Khan surrendered to the Mughals in the siege of Daulatabad in 1633 and handed over the young Nizam Shahi ruler Hussain Shah to the Mughals who was sent as a prisoner to the fort of Gwalior.

Option (d) is incorrect: Malik Ambar was a prominent general and regent in the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, but he died in 1626, and the Nizam Shahi dynasty’s formal end came in 1636. Furthermore, the entire royal family was not killed by Mughal troops.

Explanation

The Vijayanagara Empire experienced notable dynastic transitions, beginning with the founding Sangama dynasty, which was replaced by the Saluva dynasty due to internal instability. This was followed by the rise of the Tuluva dynasty. All the Statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct:

The Vijayanagar Empire witnessed significant dynastic changes, beginning with Narasimha Saluva, who ended the Sangama dynasty and established the Saluva dynasty. Subsequently, Vira Narasimha seized throne by deposing the last Saluva ruler, and his younger brother, Krishnadeva Raya succeeded him and became one of the greatest rulers of the empire. Following his death, Krishnadeva Raya was succeeded by his half-brother, Achyuta Raya.

Explanation

Shankaracharya (8th century AD) established Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the non-duality of Brahman. He also established 4 mathas at Jyotirmath, Dwarka, Puri and Sringeri. Ramanuja (11th-12th century AD) later founded Vishishtadvaita Vedanta (qualified non dualism), advocating devotion to a personal god. He played a pivotal role in the Bhakti movement, promoting inclusive spirituality and reforming temple rituals. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (15th-16th century AD) was a key figure in the Bhakti movement in Bengal, popularizing devotional worship of Lord Krishna. Their sequence reflects the historical progression of these philosophical and devotional traditions.