Q41. The Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda is widely renowned for the construction of which famous monument?
Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms: RAS Prelims MCQs
61 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Vijayanagar Empire and the regional kingdoms cover the four dynasties, the great rulers, the struggle with the Bahmanis and the Rajput states of the north. Krishnadeva Raya’s campaigns, the Battle of Talikota, the Bahmani rise in 1347 and Maharana Kumbha and Sanga of Mewar are all tested.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 41–50 of 61 questions
Q42. Which of the following statements about the internal politics of the Bahmani Kingdom is correct?
Explanation
The internal political landscape of the Bahmani Kingdom was dominated by a persistent and often violent rivalry between two factions of the nobility: the ‘Deccanis’ (local Muslim converts and residents) and the ‘Afaqis’ (foreign immigrants from Persia, Iraq, and Central Asia). This factionalism weakened the central administration, led to the execution of talented leaders like Mahmud Gawan, and ultimately caused the kingdom’s fragmentation into five independent states.
Q43. Select the correct sequence of the establishment of the Deccan Sultanates as independent states from the disintegrating Bahmani Empire:
Explanation
The disintegration of the Bahmani Kingdom began in the late 15th century. Berar was the first to secede in 1490, followed closely by Bijapur and Ahmadnagar in the same year. Golconda established its independence later in 1512. Finally, the Barid Shahi dynasty of Bidar formally declared independence in 1528. This sequential breakdown transformed the political map of the Deccan into a collection of competing regional powers.
Q44. Identify the odd one out among the following rulers based on the dynasties of the Deccan Sultanates:
Explanation
Firoz Shah Bahmani was a prominent ruler of the unified Bahmani Kingdom before its collapse. In contrast, Ibrahim Adil Shah II (Bijapur), Burhan Nizam Shah (Ahmadnagar), and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (Golconda) were rulers of the independent successor Sultanates that emerged after the Bahmani state’s disintegration. This distinction highlights the transition from a single major Deccan power to multiple regional dynasties in the late medieval period.
Q45. The Adina Mosque at Pandua, considered one of the largest mosques in the Indian subcontinent, was built during the reign of which Bengal Sultan?
Explanation
The Adina Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Sikandar Shah of the Ilyas Shahi dynasty in 1374 CE at Pandua, the then-capital of Bengal. Modeled after the Great Mosque of Damascus, it was designed to be one of the largest religious structures in India, symbolizing the power and prestige of the independent Bengal Sultanate. Its architecture features a vast central courtyard surrounded by hundreds of domes and arched bays.
Q46. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below.
| Regional Kingdom | Prominent Ruler/Founder |
|---|---|
| A. Malwa | i. Mahmud Begada |
| B. Gujarat | ii. Hoshang Shah |
| C. Jaunpur | iii. Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah |
| D. Bengal | iv. Malik Sarwar (Khwaja Jahan) |
Explanation
Hoshang Shah was a notable ruler of Malwa who developed its distinct architectural style. Mahmud Begada was the most powerful Sultan of Gujarat, known for his military conquests. Malik Sarwar founded the independent Sharqi dynasty in Jaunpur during the decline of the Tughlaqs. Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah united various regions to establish the powerful and independent Sultanate of Bengal, laying the foundation for its long-term stability.
Q47. The regional kingdom of Jaunpur emerged as a prominent center of art and culture, earning the title ‘Shiraz of the East’. It was ruled by which dynasty?
Explanation
The regional kingdom of Jaunpur was governed by the Sharqi dynasty, founded by Malik Sarwar. Under its rulers, particularly Ibrahim Shah Sharqi, Jaunpur became a major center for Islamic learning and fine arts, earning the title ‘Shiraz-i-Hind’ or the ‘Shiraz of the East.’ The dynasty is also famous for its unique architectural style, characterized by massive sloping pylons and grand gateways, as seen in the Atala Masjid.
Q48. Which of the following accurately describes the cultural contribution of the Husain Shahi dynasty in the Bengal Sultanate?
Explanation
The Husain Shahi dynasty, especially under Alauddin Husain Shah, is remembered for its liberal cultural policies and patronage of the Bengali language. This era saw the translation of several Sanskrit epics into Bengali and the promotion of local literature. The dynasty also showed great respect towards the saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his Vaishnava movement, fostering a period of religious harmony and cultural flourishing in the Bengal delta.
Q49. Consider the following statements regarding the regional kingdom of Gujarat:
I. Ahmad Shah I founded the city of Ahmedabad and made it his capital.
II. Mahmud Begada was known for his conquest of the forts of Girnar and Champaner.
III. The Portuguese captured Diu during the reign of Bahadur Shah.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Ahmad Shah I founded the city of Ahmedabad and made it his capital.
II. Mahmud Begada was known for his conquest of the forts of Girnar and Champaner.
III. The Portuguese captured Diu during the reign of Bahadur Shah.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ahmad Shah I was the architect of Ahmedabad, making it a prominent political center. Mahmud Begada earned his nickname by capturing the two ‘Gadhs’ (forts) of Girnar and Champaner. During the reign of Bahadur Shah, the Sultanate faced intense pressure from the Portuguese, who eventually secured the strategic island of Diu. These events reflect Gujarat’s status as a major naval and territorial power in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Q50. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir earned the title ‘Bud Shah’ (Great King). What does this title fundamentally signify in the historical context of his rule?
Explanation
The title ‘Bud Shah’ or ‘Great King’ bestowed upon Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin signifies his exceptional legacy of justice, economic development, and religious tolerance. He reversed the persecutory policies of his predecessors, restored temples, and invited back those who had fled the valley. His focus on public welfare, through irrigation projects and the promotion of new industries, transformed Kashmir into a prosperous and peaceful kingdom during his long reign.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (b) Charminar |
| 42 | (c) Persistent power struggles between the ‘Deccani’ (indigenous) and ‘Afaqi’ (foreign) nobility |
| 43 | (a) Berar, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar |
| 44 | (a) Firoz Shah Bahmani |
| 45 | (b) Sikandar Shah |
| 46 | (b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 47 | (a) Sharqi Dynasty |
| 48 | (c) Patronage of Bengali literature and respectful treatment of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu |
| 49 | (d) I, II, and III |
| 50 | (c) His administrative benevolence, public infrastructure, and religious inclusivity |
Key facts from Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
- Harihara and Bukka, founders of Vijayanagar, are said to have been feudatories of the Kakatiyas; the Raichur Doab between the Tungabhadra and Krishna was a zone of conflict with the Bahmanis.
- Deva Raya II earned the title Gajabetegara; Krishnadeva Raya took the title Abhinava Bhoja and defeated Prataparudra Deva of Odisha and Ismail Adil Shah in 1520.
- Saluva Narasimha, governor of Chandragiri, started the Saluva dynasty in the First Usurpation.
- Sadasiva Raya was the de jure king at the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
- The Bahmani Kingdom arose in 1347 after the revolt of the centurions against Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
- Sist was the standard land revenue tax; the Hazara Rama temple was built by Krishnadeva Raya; the Gol Gumbaz is at Bijapur.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms?
This page has 61 practice MCQs on Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms (Medieval Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who won the Battle of Raichur in 1520?
Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar defeated Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur and captured the Raichur Doab, the fertile land between the Krishna and Tungabhadra. It is regarded as his greatest victory over the Deccan Sultanates.
Who was the king of Vijayanagar at Talikota?
Sadasiva Raya was the de jure ruler at the Battle of Talikota in 1565, though real power was held by Rama Raya of the Aravidu family. The defeat led to the sack of Hampi.
What was Sist in Vijayanagar?
Sist was the standard land revenue tax collected from peasants in the Vijayanagar Empire. Knowing such terms matters because the exam often asks for the meaning of a revenue term rather than a date.