Q101. Which of the following Deccan Sultanates did NOT participate in the grand alliance that defeated the Vijayanagar Empire at the Battle of Talikota?
Medieval Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
333 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on medieval Indian history are on this page, in 6 chapters. They cover the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagar Empire and regional kingdoms, the Mughal Empire, the Marathas, medieval art, architecture, literature and music, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements. Each question has an answer and an explanation, and the formats match the exam: facts, statements, match-the-list and assertion-reason.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 101–110 of 333 questions
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Q102. The Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda is widely renowned for the construction of which famous monument?
Explanation
The Charminar, an iconic monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of a devastating plague. It features four grand arches and four elegant minarets, serving as a landmark of Qutb Shahi architecture. In contrast, Ibrahim Rauza is in Bijapur, the Chand Minar is in Daulatabad, and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan is situated in Bidar.
Q103. Which of the following statements about the internal politics of the Bahmani Kingdom is correct?
Explanation
The internal political landscape of the Bahmani Kingdom was dominated by a persistent and often violent rivalry between two factions of the nobility: the ‘Deccanis’ (local Muslim converts and residents) and the ‘Afaqis’ (foreign immigrants from Persia, Iraq, and Central Asia). This factionalism weakened the central administration, led to the execution of talented leaders like Mahmud Gawan, and ultimately caused the kingdom’s fragmentation into five independent states.
Q104. Select the correct sequence of the establishment of the Deccan Sultanates as independent states from the disintegrating Bahmani Empire:
Explanation
The disintegration of the Bahmani Kingdom began in the late 15th century. Berar was the first to secede in 1490, followed closely by Bijapur and Ahmadnagar in the same year. Golconda established its independence later in 1512. Finally, the Barid Shahi dynasty of Bidar formally declared independence in 1528. This sequential breakdown transformed the political map of the Deccan into a collection of competing regional powers.
Q105. Identify the odd one out among the following rulers based on the dynasties of the Deccan Sultanates:
Explanation
Firoz Shah Bahmani was a prominent ruler of the unified Bahmani Kingdom before its collapse. In contrast, Ibrahim Adil Shah II (Bijapur), Burhan Nizam Shah (Ahmadnagar), and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (Golconda) were rulers of the independent successor Sultanates that emerged after the Bahmani state’s disintegration. This distinction highlights the transition from a single major Deccan power to multiple regional dynasties in the late medieval period.
Q106. The Adina Mosque at Pandua, considered one of the largest mosques in the Indian subcontinent, was built during the reign of which Bengal Sultan?
Explanation
The Adina Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Sikandar Shah of the Ilyas Shahi dynasty in 1374 CE at Pandua, the then-capital of Bengal. Modeled after the Great Mosque of Damascus, it was designed to be one of the largest religious structures in India, symbolizing the power and prestige of the independent Bengal Sultanate. Its architecture features a vast central courtyard surrounded by hundreds of domes and arched bays.
Q107. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below.
| Regional Kingdom | Prominent Ruler/Founder |
|---|---|
| A. Malwa | i. Mahmud Begada |
| B. Gujarat | ii. Hoshang Shah |
| C. Jaunpur | iii. Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah |
| D. Bengal | iv. Malik Sarwar (Khwaja Jahan) |
Explanation
Hoshang Shah was a notable ruler of Malwa who developed its distinct architectural style. Mahmud Begada was the most powerful Sultan of Gujarat, known for his military conquests. Malik Sarwar founded the independent Sharqi dynasty in Jaunpur during the decline of the Tughlaqs. Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah united various regions to establish the powerful and independent Sultanate of Bengal, laying the foundation for its long-term stability.
Q108. The regional kingdom of Jaunpur emerged as a prominent center of art and culture, earning the title ‘Shiraz of the East’. It was ruled by which dynasty?
Explanation
The regional kingdom of Jaunpur was governed by the Sharqi dynasty, founded by Malik Sarwar. Under its rulers, particularly Ibrahim Shah Sharqi, Jaunpur became a major center for Islamic learning and fine arts, earning the title ‘Shiraz-i-Hind’ or the ‘Shiraz of the East.’ The dynasty is also famous for its unique architectural style, characterized by massive sloping pylons and grand gateways, as seen in the Atala Masjid.
Q109. Which of the following accurately describes the cultural contribution of the Husain Shahi dynasty in the Bengal Sultanate?
Explanation
The Husain Shahi dynasty, especially under Alauddin Husain Shah, is remembered for its liberal cultural policies and patronage of the Bengali language. This era saw the translation of several Sanskrit epics into Bengali and the promotion of local literature. The dynasty also showed great respect towards the saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his Vaishnava movement, fostering a period of religious harmony and cultural flourishing in the Bengal delta.
Q110. Consider the following statements regarding the regional kingdom of Gujarat:
I. Ahmad Shah I founded the city of Ahmedabad and made it his capital.
II. Mahmud Begada was known for his conquest of the forts of Girnar and Champaner.
III. The Portuguese captured Diu during the reign of Bahadur Shah.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Ahmad Shah I founded the city of Ahmedabad and made it his capital.
II. Mahmud Begada was known for his conquest of the forts of Girnar and Champaner.
III. The Portuguese captured Diu during the reign of Bahadur Shah.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ahmad Shah I was the architect of Ahmedabad, making it a prominent political center. Mahmud Begada earned his nickname by capturing the two ‘Gadhs’ (forts) of Girnar and Champaner. During the reign of Bahadur Shah, the Sultanate faced intense pressure from the Portuguese, who eventually secured the strategic island of Diu. These events reflect Gujarat’s status as a major naval and territorial power in the 15th and 16th centuries.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 101 | (d) Berar |
| 102 | (b) Charminar |
| 103 | (c) Persistent power struggles between the ‘Deccani’ (indigenous) and ‘Afaqi’ (foreign) nobility |
| 104 | (a) Berar, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar |
| 105 | (a) Firoz Shah Bahmani |
| 106 | (b) Sikandar Shah |
| 107 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 108 | (a) Sharqi Dynasty |
| 109 | (c) Patronage of Bengali literature and respectful treatment of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu |
| 110 | (d) I, II, and III |
Key facts from Medieval Indian History
- The RPSC syllabus names the Sultanate period, the political and cultural achievements of Vijayanagar, Mughal administration and policies, the Marathas, medieval art and literature, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements.
- Delhi Sultanate questions revolve around reforms: Alauddin Khalji’s market control and cash salaries, Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s public works and the Iqta system.
- Mughal and Maratha questions pair a ruler with a battle, treaty or institution, such as Panipat 1526, Khanwa 1527, Purandar 1665 and the Ashtapradhan.
- Art questions link monuments, painters and poets to their patron, for example the Buland Darwaza with Akbar and the Bani Thani with Savant Singh of Kishangarh.
- Bhakti questions test founders, philosophies and texts, such as Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita and Kabir’s Bijak.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Medieval Indian History?
This page has 333 practice MCQs on Medieval Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters are in the medieval Indian history set?
Six chapters: the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagar Empire and regional kingdoms, the Mughal Empire (administration and policies), the Marathas, medieval art, architecture, literature and music, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements.
Is medieval history in the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. RPSC includes the Sultanate period, Vijayanagar, Mughal administration and policies, the Marathas, medieval art and literature, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements in the ancient and medieval part of Indian History.
How can I revise medieval history quickly?
Make a timeline of rulers, battles and treaties for each chapter, and a table of reforms, buildings and texts against their rulers. Then attempt the chapter questions, read each explanation, and repeat the ones you missed.