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 131–140 of 333 questions
Browse Medieval Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies
Q131. Consider the following early conquests of Akbar: I. Conquest of Malwa II. Conquest of Gondwana III. Capture of Chittor IV. Capture of Ranthambore V. Conquest of Gujarat Which of the following combinations represents the correct chronological order of these conquests?
Explanation
Akbar’s expansion of the Mughal Empire followed a systematic chronological path starting with the conquest of Malwa in 1561. This was followed by the annexation of Gondwana in 1564. The strategic capture of the Rajput stronghold at Chittor occurred in 1568, followed by Ranthambore in 1569. Finally, the economically vital province of Gujarat was incorporated into the empire in 1572.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies
Q132. Which of the following statements regarding the early reign of Akbar and Bairam Khan’s regency is incorrect?
Explanation
Bairam Khan was Akbar’s regent with the title Khan-i-Khanan and won the Second Battle of Panipat. Akbar dismissed him in 1560 and told him to go to Mecca. He never set up an independent kingdom in Malwa, so C is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies
Q133. The document known as the Mahzar, issued by Akbar in 1579, is best defined as:
Explanation
The Mahzar of 1579 made Akbar the supreme arbiter of Islamic law, so that his ruling was binding when the learned Muslim scholars (ulema) differed.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies
Q134. Following the dismissal of Bairam Khan, Akbar’s administration experienced a brief phase heavily influenced by Maham Anaga and her relatives. This period (1560-1562) is historically referred to as the:
Explanation
The period from 1560 to 1562, when Maham Anaga and her relatives influenced the administration, is called the Petticoat Government.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies
Q135. Select the correct sequence of the Rajput states that submitted to Akbar’s suzerainty in chronological order:
Explanation
Amber and Merta submitted in 1562, Chittor was taken in 1568 and Ranthambore in 1569. The order is Amber, Merta, Chittor, Ranthambore.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Mughal Empire: Administration and Policies
Q136. Who was the first Rajput ruler to voluntarily accept Akbar’s suzerainty and enter into a matrimonial alliance with him?
Explanation
Raja Bharmal of Amber was the first Rajput ruler to accept Akbar’s suzerainty willingly, and he married his daughter to Akbar.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · The Marathas
Q137. The geographical features of the Maharashtra region contributed significantly to the rise of Maratha power by providing which of the following strategic advantages?
Explanation
The rugged topography of the Sahyadri ranges and the Western Ghats provided a formidable defensive advantage to the Maratha forces. The presence of numerous natural hill forts allowed for a highly effective defense system. This difficult terrain was perfectly suited for guerrilla warfare tactics, enabling smaller, mobile units to challenge and exhaust much larger conventional imperial armies.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · The Marathas
Q138. Which social movement in Maharashtra provided a strong cultural and ideological foundation for the political unity of the Marathas prior to Shivaji’s rise?
Explanation
The Bhakti movement in Maharashtra, spearheaded by influential saints, played a crucial role in fostering a sense of shared cultural identity and social cohesion. By emphasizing devotion and equality, it transcended narrow caste barriers and regional divisions. This spiritual awakening provided a robust ideological foundation that facilitated the eventual political unification of various Maratha clans under a single leadership.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · The Marathas
Q139. Shivaji’s early military campaigns began with the capture of a strategic fort in 1646. Which fort was the first to be captured by the young Shivaji?
Explanation
In 1646, at the young age of sixteen, Shivaji captured the strategic fort of Torna from the Bijapur Sultanate. This event marked the beginning of his military career and his quest for establishing an independent Maratha kingdom. The capture of this fort provided him with significant prestige and resources, laying the groundwork for his future territorial expansions and administrative consolidation.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · The Marathas
Q140. Consider the following statements regarding the early military campaigns of Shivaji: I. He acquired the fort of Javali from the Mores, which opened the path to the Konkan area. II. He defeated the Bijapuri general Afzal Khan at the Battle of Pratapgad. III. He formed a permanent military alliance with the Portuguese to counter the Mughals. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The acquisition of the Javali valley from the Mores was a turning point, as it provided Shivaji with a strategic base to penetrate the Konkan region. His victory over Afzal Khan at the Battle of Pratapgad significantly boosted Maratha morale and weakened the Bijapur Sultanate’s influence. However, Shivaji never established a permanent military alliance with the Portuguese against the Mughals.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
131
(a) I, II, III, IV, V
132
(c) Bairam Khan successfully established an independent kingdom in Malwa after his dismissal.
133
(d) A declaration making Akbar the supreme arbiter of Islamic law.
134
(c) Petticoat Government
135
(c) Amber, Merta, Chittor, Ranthambore
136
(d) Raja Bharmal of Amber
137
(b) Rugged terrain and natural hill forts conducive to guerrilla warfare
138
(a) The Bhakti movement led by saints like Tukaram and Ramdas
139
(c) Torna
140
(a) I and II only
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.
