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 31–40 of 333 questions
Browse Medieval Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q31. Consider the following statements about Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq: I. He was the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. II. He built the fortified city of Tughlaqabad. III. He had bitter relations with the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. IV. He abolished the Iqta system entirely to centralize military command. Which of the combinations of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty and focused on restoring order after the Khalji period. He built the formidable city of Tughlaqabad as a defense against invaders. His reign was marked by a tense relationship with the famous Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. However, he did not abolish the Iqta system; instead, he refined it to ensure a more stable revenue collection process.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q32. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct option to describe the relationship between them. Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri). Reason (R): He wanted a central location to efficiently administer and control the newly conquered territories in South India.
Explanation
Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s decision to move the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad was a strategic attempt to govern his vast empire more effectively. He believed that a more centrally located capital would allow for better administrative control over the newly conquered and distant southern territories. This move was intended to bridge the geographical gap between northern and southern India as he expanded.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q33. Which of the following structures was NOT commissioned by Alauddin Khalji?
Explanation
Alauddin Khalji contributed significantly to the architectural landscape of Delhi with structures like the Alai Darwaza, the Siri Fort, and the water tank at Hauz Khas. These monuments reflected the strength and style of the Khalji era. However, the Moth ki Masjid was built much later during the Lodi period by the Wazir of Sikandar Lodi, representing a different phase.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q34. Under the Delhi Sultanate revenue system, what did the term ‘Zakat’ strictly refer to?
Explanation
In the administrative and religious framework of the Delhi Sultanate, Zakat was a mandatory tax specifically collected from well-to-do Muslim subjects. It was calculated as a fixed percentage of a person’s accumulated wealth and property. The revenue generated from Zakat was reserved exclusively for charitable purposes, such as helping the poor and supporting other welfare activities within the Islamic community.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q35. In which year did the Central Asian conqueror Timur invade India and sack Delhi, severely weakening the Sultanate?
Explanation
The late fourteenth century witnessed a devastating blow to the Delhi Sultanate when the Central Asian conqueror Timur invaded India. In 1398 AD, his forces sacked Delhi, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. This invasion shattered the remaining authority of the Tughlaq dynasty and paved the way for the emergence of various independent provincial kingdoms and regional powers.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q36. Consider the following statements regarding Balban’s administrative policies: I. He established a separate military department called Diwan-i-Arz. II. He appointed spies called Barids to keep himself informed about the nobles. III. He strictly adhered to a policy of ‘Iron and Blood’ to suppress rebellions. IV. He claimed descent from the mythical Iranian king Afrasiyab to enhance royal prestige. V. He abolished the rigid court etiquettes to become more accessible to the common masses. Which of the combinations of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ghiyasuddin Balban strengthened the Sultanate through a series of rigorous administrative and military measures. He established a separate military department and a pervasive spy network to monitor the nobility. He followed a harsh policy of ‘Iron and Blood’ to maintain order and claimed legendary Persian ancestry. Far from being accessible, he actually introduced extremely formal and rigid court etiquettes and rituals.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q37. Match List I (Titles/Names) with List II (Sultan) and select the correct answer.
Titles/Names
Sultan
A. Lakh Bakhsh
i. Alauddin Khalji
B. Sikandar-i-Sani (Second Alexander)
ii. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
C. Prince of Moneyers
iii. Ghiyasuddin Balban
D. Ulugh Khan (Title given by Nasiruddin Mahmud)
iv. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation
Many Sultans of Delhi adopted unique titles that reflected their character or ambitions. Qutb-ud-din Aibak was known for his charity, while Alauddin Khalji aspired to be a world conqueror. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was recognized for his numerous coinage experiments. Balban received a prestigious title from Nasiruddin Mahmud long before he ascended the throne, highlighting his growing influence in the royal court.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q38. Identify the incorrect pair of a Delhi Sultanate ruler and their respective administrative measure.
Explanation
Muhammad bin Tughlaq established the Diwan-i- Amir Kohi, a specialized department dedicated to agricultural development and land reclamation. Other rulers also introduced key measures, such as Iltutmish organizing the elite Turkish nobility and Alauddin Khalji implementing military reforms like horse branding. Sikandar Lodi later shifted the capital to Agra. The agricultural department, however, was a distinct innovation of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q39. What was the immediate background event that allowed Qutb-ud-din Aibak to establish independent rule in India?
Explanation
Qutb-ud-din Aibak served as the primary lieutenant of Muhammad Ghori in India. Following Ghori’s assassination in 1206 AD, the central authority of the Ghorid Empire fragmented. Aibak took this opportunity to declare his independence and establish the Delhi Sultanate. This transition marked the beginning of sovereign Muslim rule in India, as Aibak shifted his focus to consolidating his local power.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q40. What was the major political consequence of the weakened central authority during the later Tughlaq and Sayyid periods?
Explanation
As the central authority in Delhi weakened during the late Tughlaq and Sayyid periods, the empire began to disintegrate. This decline allowed powerful provincial governors and local leaders to assert their autonomy. Consequently, several prosperous and independent kingdoms emerged across the subcontinent, including the sultanates of Gujarat, Malwa, and Jaunpur. These regional states became significant centers of political and cultural development.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) I, II and III only
32
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
33
(c) Moth ki Masjid
34
(d) A religious tax collected from wealthy Muslims for the purpose of charitable activities.
35
(b) 1398 AD
36
(a) I, II, III and IV only
37
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
38
(a) Establishment of Diwan-i-Amir Kohi (Department of Agriculture) - Firoz Shah Tughlaq
39
(c) The assassination of Muhammad Ghori in 1206 AD
40
(d) The emergence of independent provincial states like the kingdoms of Gujarat, Malwa, and Jaunpur.
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.
