Q81. Which of the following pairs regarding Krishnadeva Raya’s campaigns is incorrectly matched?
Medieval Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
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.
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Q82. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Select the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Nayakas under the Vijayanagar Empire often posed a threat to the central authority during the reigns of weak kings.
Reason (R): The Nayakas maintained their own armies, collected taxes within their territories, and were essentially autonomous regional powers.
Assertion (A): The Nayakas under the Vijayanagar Empire often posed a threat to the central authority during the reigns of weak kings.
Reason (R): The Nayakas maintained their own armies, collected taxes within their territories, and were essentially autonomous regional powers.
Explanation
The Nayankara system inherently decentralized power by allowing Nayakas to control local resources and maintain private armies. During the reigns of strong monarchs like Krishnadeva Raya, these officials remained loyal. However, when central authority weakened under less capable rulers, the autonomous nature of the Nayakas allowed them to withhold revenue, defy imperial orders, and eventually assert independence, contributing to the empire’s political fragmentation.
Q83. Identify the odd one out among the following terms related to the territorial divisions of the Vijayanagar Empire:
Explanation
Mandalam, Valanadu, and Nadu were traditional South Indian administrative units used by the Vijayanagar Empire, largely inherited from the Chola administrative legacy. These terms designated provinces, large districts, and smaller districts respectively. In contrast, ‘Paragana’ is an administrative term primarily associated with the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, representing a different geographic and political tradition of governance.
Q84. Consider the following statements regarding the revenue and economic system of Vijayanagar:
I. Land revenue was the primary source of income for the state.
II. The central revenue department was known as the ‘Athavana’.
III. Land revenue was generally fixed at half of the total agricultural produce.
IV. Professional taxes, such as those on potters and shoemakers, were strictly abolished.
V. Commercial taxes were collected at market towns and ports.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Land revenue was the primary source of income for the state.
II. The central revenue department was known as the ‘Athavana’.
III. Land revenue was generally fixed at half of the total agricultural produce.
IV. Professional taxes, such as those on potters and shoemakers, were strictly abolished.
V. Commercial taxes were collected at market towns and ports.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Land revenue was the most critical income source, managed by the central ‘Athavana’ department. The state also collected various commercial taxes at active ports and market towns. While land revenue was high, it was generally fixed at one-sixth of the produce according to traditional law, rather than half. Additionally, numerous professional and social taxes, including those on artisans and marriages, were commonly levied.
Q85. Which of the following definitions best explains the term ‘Sist’ in the context of the Vijayanagar Empire?
Explanation
‘Sist’ was the term used for the standard land revenue assessment in the Vijayanagar Empire. It represented the state’s share of agricultural produce and was the primary pillar of the imperial economy. The assessment was based on detailed land surveys that accounted for soil fertility and irrigation facilities. This systematic taxation provided the necessary funds for maintaining the large military and financing grand architectural projects.
Q86. Which of the following taxes was NOT typically levied by the Vijayanagar state?
Explanation
The Vijayanagar state practiced a policy of religious pluralism and generally did not impose the Jizya, which was a specific tax levied on non-Muslims in Islamic states. Instead, the empire’s revenue was derived from land taxes, professional taxes on various trades, customs duties at maritime ports, and social taxes such as those on marriages. This diverse tax base supported the complex needs of the vast imperial administration.
Q87. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below.
| Economic/Revenue Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A. Athavana | i. The military department |
| B. Kandachara | ii. Standard gold coin of the empire |
| C. Pagoda/Varaha | iii. Revenue department |
| D. Amaram | iv. Land granted for military service |
Explanation
The Athavana was the central department responsible for revenue administration. Kandachara referred to the military department that oversaw army organization. The Varaha, also known as the Pagoda, was the standard gold coin used for high-value transactions. Amaram denoted the land grants provided to military commanders in exchange for their service. These terms highlight the organized nature of Vijayanagar’s fiscal and military structures.
Q88. The famous Hazara Rama temple, known for its intricate bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana, was built by which Vijayanagar ruler?
Explanation
The Hazara Rama temple was built by Krishnadeva Raya in the early 16th century within the royal enclosure of Hampi. It was designed primarily as a private place of worship for the royal family. The temple is renowned for its beautifully sculpted outer walls, which contain multiple rows of bas-reliefs depicting episodes from the Ramayana, showcasing the high artistic standards of the Tuluva period.
Q89. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below.
| Vijayanagar Monument | Key Architectural Feature |
|---|---|
| A. Vittalaswami Temple | i. Blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements |
| B. Virupaksha Temple | ii. Musical pillars and a stone chariot |
| C. Lotus Mahal | iii. Massive platform used for royal ceremonies during Navaratri |
| D. Mahanavami Dibba | iv. Earliest shrine expanded significantly by Krishnadeva Raya |
Explanation
The Vittalaswami temple is famous for its stone chariot and musical pillars that emit different notes when struck. The Virupaksha temple, an ancient shrine, was greatly expanded with a large gopuram by Krishnadeva Raya. The Lotus Mahal displays a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, while the Mahanavami Dibba was a massive ceremonial platform used by the kings during the important Navaratri festivals.
Q90. Which of the following pairs regarding Vijayanagar architecture is correctly matched?
Explanation
The iconic Stone Chariot, a masterpiece of Dravidian sculpture, is situated within the courtyard of the Vittalaswami temple complex at Hampi. In contrast, the Mahanavami Dibba was a ceremonial platform, not a granary. The Elephant Stables exhibit significant Indo-Islamic influences, such as arched openings and domes. Raya Gopurams were actually massive and highly decorative gateways, rather than small or unadorned structures.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 81 | (d) Malabar Campaign - Expulsion of the Portuguese from Goa |
| 82 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 83 | (a) Paragana |
| 84 | (b) I, II, and V only |
| 85 | (b) The standard land revenue tax collected from peasants |
| 86 | (a) Jizya on non-Hindus |
| 87 | (c) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv |
| 88 | (b) Krishnadeva Raya |
| 89 | (c) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 90 | (d) Stone Chariot - Located within the Vittalaswami temple complex |
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.