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 51–60 of 61 questions
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q51. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Select the correct option. Assertion (A): Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin is often referred to as the ‘Akbar of Kashmir’. Reason (R): He abolished the Jizya tax, prohibited cow slaughter, and extended liberal patronage to both Sanskrit and Persian scholars.
Explanation
Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin is often compared to the Mughal Emperor Akbar because of his remarkably progressive and liberal policies. He was one of the first Muslim rulers to abolish the Jizya tax and prohibit the slaughter of cows out of respect for the local population. His patronage of both Persian and Sanskrit literature, and his inclusion of diverse communities in high administrative roles, mirrored the inclusive statecraft later adopted by Akbar.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q52. Which of the following statements regarding the Kashmir Sultanate under Zain-ul-Abidin is incorrect?
Explanation
The statement that Zain-ul-Abidin persecuted Kashmiri Pandits is historically incorrect; he was actually their great protector and benefactor. He ended the era of religious oppression, allowed the reconstruction of temples, and actively encouraged the return of the Pandit community. His other contributions, such as translating classical texts, introducing new crafts like paper-making, and building the island of Zaina Lanka, are well-documented and celebrated aspects of his rule.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q53. Consider the following statements regarding Zain-ul-Abidin’s contributions to Kashmir: I. He developed a vast network of canals for irrigation. II. He revived the shawl-making industry by inviting weavers from Central Asia. III. He strictly enforced Islamic criminal law on all his subjects, regardless of religion. IV. He appointed Hindus to high administrative positions, such as his physician Shri Bhatta. V. He patronized the historian Srivara, who continued Kalhana’s Rajatarangini. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Zain-ul-Abidin developed essential irrigation canals and modernized the textile industry by bringing skilled weavers from Central Asia. He maintained an inclusive administration, appointing Hindus like Shri Bhatta to senior roles and supporting historians like Srivara. However, he did not strictly enforce traditional Islamic criminal law on all subjects; instead, he allowed for legal pluralism and respected the customary practices of the different religious communities in Kashmir.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q54. Prior to the ascension of Zain-ul-Abidin, which ruler of the Shah Mir dynasty was notorious for his severe persecution of Hindus and destruction of temples in Kashmir?
Explanation
Sultan Sikandar, also known as ‘Butshikan’ (the Iconoclast), was notorious for his fanatical policies and the systematic destruction of Hindu temples in Kashmir. His reign was marked by the forced conversion or migration of the local population. It was only after his period of religious intolerance that Zain-ul-Abidin ascended the throne and restored communal harmony, earning a place in history as a benevolent and enlightened monarch.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q55. A candidate studying regional powers notes that a Rajput ruler built the Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame) at Chittorgarh to commemorate a major military victory. Who was this ruler and whom did he defeat?
Explanation
Maharana Kumbha of Mewar constructed the magnificent Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame), also known as Vijay Stambha, at Chittorgarh to celebrate his victory over the Sultan of Malwa, Mahmud Khalji, in the Battle of Sarangpur. The tower is a masterpiece of Rajput architecture, covered with intricate carvings of deities and mythological scenes. It stands as a lasting symbol of Mewar’s military resilience and cultural pride in the 15th century.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q56. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below.
Rajput Kingdom/Clan
Prominent Ruler/Founder
A. Mewar
i. Rao Bika
B. Marwar
ii. Maharana Sanga
C. Amber
iii. Rao Jodha
D. Bikaner
iv. Raja Bharmal
Explanation
Maharana Sanga was the legendary warrior king of Mewar who challenged the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. Rao Jodha was the founder of Jodhpur and a key figure in the history of Marwar. Raja Bharmal of Amber was one of the first Rajput rulers to establish a matrimonial alliance with the Mughals. Rao Bika, a son of Rao Jodha, moved north to found the independent kingdom and city of Bikaner.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q57. In the context of regional powers in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Battle of Khatoli was fought between which two rulers?
Explanation
The Battle of Khatoli (1517) was fought between Maharana Sanga of Mewar and Ibrahim Lodi of Delhi. Sanga won.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q58. Consider the following statements regarding the Rajput kingdoms and select the correct option. Statement I: During the 15th century, Mewar under Maharana Kumbha emerged as a formidable power that successfully checked the expansion of both Malwa and Gujarat sultanates. Statement II: Maharana Kumbha was a great patron of arts and authored the treatises ‘Samarangana Sutradhara’ and ‘Manasollasa’.
Explanation
Under Maharana Kumbha, Mewar checked the expansion of the Malwa and Gujarat sultanates, so Statement I is correct. Samarangana Sutradhara was written by Bhoja and Manasollasa by Someshvara III, not by Kumbha, so Statement II is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q59. Consider the following statements regarding the achievements of Maharana Kumbha: I. He constructed numerous forts, the most prominent being Kumbhalgarh. II. He authored several scholarly works on music, including ‘Sangita Raj’. III. He successfully allied with the Delhi Sultanate to defeat the Gujarat Sultanate. IV. He erected the Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Kumbha built many forts, notably Kumbhalgarh, wrote works on music such as Sangita Raj and raised the Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh. He did not ally with the Delhi Sultanate to defeat Gujarat, so III is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Vijayanagar Empire and Regional Kingdoms
Q60. Arrange the following rulers of the Guhila/ Sisodia dynasty of Mewar in the correct chronological order of their reign: I. Maharana Sanga II. Rana Hammir III. Maharana Pratap IV. Maharana Kumbha Select the correct order:
Explanation
The order of reign is Rana Hammir, Maharana Kumbha, Maharana Sanga and Maharana Pratap.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
51
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
52
(d) He fiercely persecuted the Kashmiri Pandits and forced them to migrate out of the valley.
53
(a) I, II, IV, and V only
54
(c) Sultan Sikandar
55
(a) Maharana Kumbha defeating Mahmud Khalji of Malwa
56
(d) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i
57
(b) Maharana Sanga and Ibrahim Lodi
58
(b) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
59
(d) I, II, and IV only
60
(a) II, IV, I, III
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.
