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 221–230 of 333 questions
Browse Medieval Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q221. Consider the following statements regarding the layout and significance of Fatehpur Sikri: I. The city was meticulously planned along an exact, symmetrical grid pattern with broad intersecting avenues. II. The architectural designs heavily reflect a synthesis of Timurid structural forms and indigenous Indian decorative styles. III. The capital was largely abandoned a few decades after its construction, historically attributed to a severe water shortage. Which of the combinations given above is correct?
Explanation
Fatehpur Sikri blends Timurid forms with Indian decoration and was largely abandoned after a few decades, usually attributed to a water shortage. It was not laid out on an exact grid, so I is wrong.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q222. Which of the following statements concerning the Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri is incorrect?
Explanation
The Panch Mahal is a five-storied pavilion that gets smaller as it rises, supported only by carved columns without walls, and it may have been inspired by Indian pavilions. It was not a treasury or mint, so A is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q223. Match List I (Regional Medieval Monument) with List II (Associated Regional Style/ Location):
Regional Medieval Monument
Associated Regional Style/Location
A. Adina Mosque
i. Jaunpur Architecture
B. Atala Mosque
ii. Bengal Architecture
C. Gol Gumbaz
iii. Malwa Architecture
D. Hindola Mahal
iv. Bijapur Architecture
Select the correct code:
Explanation
The Adina Mosque is in the Bengal style, the Atala Mosque in the Jaunpur style, the Gol Gumbaz is a Bijapur monument and the Hindola Mahal is in Malwa. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q224. The medieval architectural style of Bengal is distinctly recognized by the adoption of which of the following indigenous elements?
Explanation
Bengal architecture is known for the Bangla roof, a curved, sloping roof derived from traditional thatched huts. Brick and terracotta were used because stone was scarce.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q225. Consider the following statements about regional architectural styles in medieval India: I. The Bengal style frequently utilized terracotta tiles and brick for surface decoration due to the lack of stone. II. The Jaunpur style is characterized by massive, sloping pylons on the main mosque facades. III. The Jaunpur mosques prominently featured towering, elaborate minarets at the corners of their courtyards. IV. The Bijapur style utilized deeply overhanging cornices supported by elaborate stone brackets. Which of the combinations given above is incorrect?
Explanation
Bengal used terracotta and brick because stone was scarce, Jaunpur mosques had massive sloping pylons and Bijapur had deep cornices on brackets. Jaunpur mosques had no tall corner minarets, so III is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q226. Identify the odd one out among the following historical monuments based on their regional architectural classification:
Explanation
Ibrahim Rauza, the Jama Masjid and the Gol Gumbaz are in the Bijapur style, while Bara Gumbad is a Lodi-period monument in Delhi. So it is the odd one out.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q227. Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur is famous for its ‘whispering gallery’ where even the softest sound can be heard across the dome. Reason (R): The structure utilizes a highly complex system of intersecting arches designed by European acoustical engineers imported by the Adil Shahis. Select the correct answer from the codes below:
Explanation
The Gol Gumbaz has a famous whispering gallery, so the assertion is true. The effect comes from the shape and acoustics of its huge dome, not from European engineers, so the reason is false.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q228. Which two Persian master painters were brought to India by Emperor Humayun, subsequently laying the foundational style of the Mughal atelier?
Explanation
Humayun brought the Persian painters Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd al-Samad to India. They laid the base of the Mughal atelier.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q229. Consider the following features regarding early Mughal painting: I. It originated primarily to illustrate grand historical and mythological manuscripts. II. The earliest surviving major project of this period is the monumental Hamza Nama. III. It completely rejected the use of vibrant colors, preferring muted, monochromatic Persian tones. IV. The style reflects a synthesis of Safavid elegance and vibrant, dynamic Indian traditions. V. The inclusion of elaborate decorative borders (margins) became a hallmark of the style. Which of the combinations given above is correct?
Explanation
Early Mughal painting began with illustrated manuscripts, the Hamza Nama is its major early project, it blended Safavid elegance with Indian vigour and had decorative borders. It was not muted or monochromatic, so III is wrong.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q230. The establishment of a formal imperial painting workshop (Tasvir Khana) in the Mughal court was formally initiated during the reign of which emperor?
Explanation
The formal imperial painting workshop, the Tasvir Khana, was set up under Akbar.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
221
(b) II and III only
222
(a) It was exclusively designed to serve as the main treasury and mint for Akbar’s empire.
223
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
224
(d) The ‘Bangla’ roof, featuring a distinctively sloping, convex shape derived from traditional thatched huts.
225
(b) III only
226
(c) Bara Gumbad
227
(c) A is true but R is false.
228
(b) Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd al-Samad
229
(a) I, II, IV and V
230
(a) Akbar
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.
