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 211–220 of 333 questions
Browse Medieval Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q211. Consider the following statements regarding Mughal architecture: I. Babur introduced the concept of the formally laid-out Charbagh garden to India. II. Humayun’s Tomb was designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. III. Akbar’s architectural projects were exclusively built using white marble. IV. The Agra Fort was primarily constructed using red sandstone during Akbar’s reign. Which of the combinations given above is incorrect?
Explanation
Babur brought the formal Charbagh garden to India, and Humayun’s Tomb was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. Akbar’s buildings used red sandstone as well, so III is wrong.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q212. Identify the odd one out among the following historic monuments based on the primary patron who commissioned them:
Explanation
The Buland Darwaza, the Jahangiri Mahal and the Allahabad Fort were commissioned by Akbar. Itimad-ud-Daula’s Tomb was built by Nur Jahan, so it is the odd one out.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q213. Consider the following statements regarding Humayun’s Tomb: Statement I: It was the first monumental garden-tomb constructed on the Indian subcontinent. Statement II: Its architectural style relies strictly on indigenous trabeate techniques, showing absolutely no Persian influence. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Humayun’s Tomb was the first monumental garden-tomb in India, so Statement I is correct. It shows strong Persian influence, so Statement II is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q214. Which of the following medieval monuments is an exception, having not been constructed during the reign of Emperor Akbar?
Explanation
Agra Fort, Lahore Fort and Fatehpur Sikri were built in Akbar’s reign. The Purana Qila was built by Sher Shah and Humayun, so it is the exception.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q215. Consider the following statements regarding the Taj Mahal: I. Its fundamental architectural design is based on the Timurid hasht-bihisht (eight paradises) plan. II. The structure is entirely devoid of indigenous Indian motifs, consciously avoiding elements like the lotus finial. III. The main mausoleum utilizes the structural concept of a massive double dome. IV. The sophisticated pietra dura technique was extensively used for floral inlay work on marble. V. The four minarets at the corners of the main plinth lean slightly outwards to prevent damage in case of an earthquake. Which of the combinations given above is correct?
Explanation
The Taj Mahal follows the Timurid hasht-bihisht plan, has a double dome, uses pietra dura and has minarets that lean slightly outward. It does contain Indian motifs such as the lotus finial, so II is wrong.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q216. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding the architectural symbolism of the Taj Mahal?
Explanation
The Taj Mahal complex is an earthly replica of paradise, with the mausoleum standing for the throne of God.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q217. Match List I (Taj Mahal Feature/Contributor) with List II (Details):
Taj Mahal Feature/Contributor
Details
A. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
i. Source of the high-quality white marble
B. Makrana
ii. Technique for semi-precious stone inlay
C. Pietra Dura
iii. The four-part formal Persian garden layout
D. Charbagh
iv. The chief architect of the monument
Select the correct code:
Explanation
Ustad Ahmad Lahauri was the chief architect of the Taj Mahal, Makrana supplied the white marble, pietra dura is the technique of inlay with semi-precious stones and the Charbagh is the four-part Persian garden. This gives A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q218. Which of the following design elements was intentionally employed in the Taj Mahal to create a specific optical illusion?
Explanation
On the Taj Mahal the calligraphy letters get larger toward the top so that they look uniform from the ground. This is a deliberate optical correction.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q219. Which of the following represents the correct spatial sequence of structures one encounters when entering Fatehpur Sikri through the Buland Darwaza and proceeding toward the secular royal complex?
Explanation
Going from the Buland Darwaza into Fatehpur Sikri, one first meets the Jama Masjid, then the Tomb of Salim Chishti, then the Panch Mahal and the Diwan-i-Khas. This is the sequence in option C.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q220. The towering Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri was constructed by Emperor Akbar primarily to commemorate which of the following historical events?
Explanation
Akbar built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his conquest of Gujarat in 1573.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
211
(b) III only
212
(c) Itimad-ud-Daula’s Tomb
213
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
214
(a) Purana Qila
215
(b) I, III, IV and V
216
(b) The complex represents an earthly replica of paradise with the mausoleum symbolizing the throne of God.
217
(a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
218
(d) Calligraphy on the facades increases in size towards the top to appear uniform from the ground level.
219
(c) Jama Masjid Tomb of Salim Chishti Panch Mahal Diwan-i-Khas
220
(b) The successful annexation of the Gujarat province
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.
