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 241–250 of 333 questions
Browse Medieval Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q241. Arrange the following artistic traditions or developments chronologically based on their historical emergence and peak periods in medieval India: I. Establishment of the formal Mughal imperial atelier under Akbar II. Peak of the refined Kangra style of Pahari painting III. Development of the pre-Mughal Western Indian (Jain) manuscript illustrations IV. Maturation of Jahangir’s naturalistic album paintings Which of the above sequences is correct?
Explanation
Pre-Mughal Jain manuscript painting came first, then the Mughal atelier under Akbar, then Jahangir’s album paintings, and later the peak of Kangra. The order is III, I, IV, II.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q242. The famous miniature painting ‘Bani Thani’, often referred to as the Mona Lisa of India, was painted by Nihal Chand under the patronage of which Rajput ruler?
Explanation
The Bani Thani, called the Mona Lisa of India, was painted by Nihal Chand under the patronage of Raja Savant Singh of Kishangarh.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q243. Which of the following statements highlighting the contrast between Mughal and Rajput painting traditions is incorrect?
Explanation
Mughal painting was court-centred and realistic, and Rajput painting was poetic and often religious. Rajput painters did not abandon paper, so A is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q244. The acclaimed medieval Sanskrit text ‘Rajatarangini’, composed in the 12th century, is fundamentally focused on which of the following subjects?
Explanation
Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana in the 12th century, is a chronological history of the kings of Kashmir.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q245. Consider the following statements regarding medieval Sanskrit literature: Statement I: The medieval period saw a complete halt in the production of Sanskrit philosophical texts due to the rise of Persian as the court language. Statement II: Important Sanskrit commentaries on ancient legal texts (Dharmashastras) continued to be composed in kingdoms like Vijayanagara and Mithila. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Sanskrit philosophical works did not stop in the medieval period, so Statement I is wrong. Commentaries on the Dharmashastras continued in Vijayanagara and Mithila, so Statement II is correct.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q246. Match List I (Medieval Sanskrit Author) with List II (Notable Work): List I: (Medieval Sanskrit Author) A. Jayadeva B. Kalhana C. Somadeva D. Bilhana List II: (Notable Work) i. Rajatarangini ii. Gita Govinda iii. Vikramankadevacharita iv. Kathasaritsagara Select the correct code:
Explanation
Jayadeva wrote the Gita Govinda, Kalhana the Rajatarangini, Somadeva the Kathasaritsagara and Bilhana the Vikramankadevacharita. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q247. What was the primary effect of the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire on the status of Sanskrit literature?
Explanation
Under the Sultanate and the Mughals, Sanskrit stopped being the language of administration, but it continued to flourish in religion, philosophy and regional courts.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q248. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding the Awadhi literary tradition during the medieval period?
Explanation
Malik Muhammad Jayasi wrote the epic Padmavat in Awadhi, combining Sufi allegory with Rajput romance. Sufi poets did use Awadhi, so B is wrong.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q249. The prominent medieval poet Surdas is celebrated for his unparalleled contribution to which specific vernacular literary tradition?
Explanation
Surdas is celebrated for his devotional poetry in Braj Bhasha.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
Q250. Consider the following statements regarding vernacular literature in medieval India: I. Chand Bardai’s Prithviraj Raso is an early and significant milestone in the Rajasthani- Hindi literary tradition. II. Vidyapati wrote extensively in the Maithili language, focusing on the love of Radha and Krishna. III. The Mangalkavyas were narrative poems written in Bengal to propagate the glory of indigenous local deities. IV. The devotional works of the Alvars and Nayanars formed the foundation of medieval Awadhi literature. Which of the combinations given above is incorrect?
Explanation
Prithviraj Raso is a milestone in the Rajasthani-Hindi tradition, Vidyapati wrote in Maithili and the Mangalkavyas were Bengali narrative poems. The Alvars and Nayanars wrote in Tamil, not Awadhi, so IV is incorrect.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
241
(a) III, I, IV, II
242
(b) Raja Savant Singh of Kishangarh
243
(a) Rajput painters completely abandoned paper and primarily used cloth for their miniatures, unlike the paper-reliant Mughal artists.
244
(c) A chronological history of the kings of Kashmir
245
(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
246
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
247
(d) It ceased being the primary imperial administrative language but thrived in religion, philosophy, and regional courts.
248
(a) Malik Muhammad Jayasi composed the epic Padmavat, a blend of Sufi allegory and Rajput romance, in the Awadhi language.
249
(c) Braj Bhasha
250
(c) IV 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.
