Under theme: History of India
11 PYQs. Learn elimination tricks first, then attempt the questions below.
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Every PYQ in this subtopic — exam mode with autosave, negative marking, and explanations after you submit.
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Common distractors and how to eliminate wrong options in this subtopic.
Associate specific translations and cultural patronage with the correct Mughal emperor.
Avoid assuming common materials like red sandstone or marble were universally applied to all grand structures.
“Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
Nizamuddin Panipati, a Persian scholar, translated the "Yogavasistha" into Persian during the reign of Emperor Akbar, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1556 to 1605. This translation occurred as part of Akbar's efforts to promote cultural exchange and translations of various works into Persian, the administrative language of the Mughal Empire.
With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
The correct sequence in ascending order of size for administrative divisions in medieval India is 1. Pargana 2. Sarkar 3. Suba Pargana: The smallest unit was the Pargana, which typically comprised a group of villages. It was the most basic level of administration. Sarkar: A group of Parganas formed a Sarkar, which can be understood as a district or province. Suba: The largest administrative division was the Suba, which encompassed several Sarkars. It was equivalent to a modern-day state or province.
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the State
2. Banian — Indian agent of the East India Company
3. Mirasidar — Designated revenue payer to the State
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is not correct. Aurang was a Persian term for a warehouse, a place where goods are collected before being sold; also refers to a workshop. Pair 2 is correct. Banians (banias) were agents of the company. A Banyan is a personby whom the English gentlemen in general conduct all their business. He is interpreter, head book-keeper, head secretary, head broker, the supplier of cash and cash-keeper, and in general also secretkeeper. They might appear to have become their masters? servants, merely managing their trade for them; but the reality was often less that of master and servant than of trading partners. The banian brought his skill and his capital to the partnership; the European contributed his privileges. Pair 3 is correct. Mirasdar in Urdu means hereditary landowner, co-proprietor. In Persian, miras is inheritance, estate. He was also a revenue payer to the state.
22 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
Consider the following statements:
1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: The 'Amil' was indeed the officer in charge of revenue collection in the revenue administration of the Delhi Sultanate. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Iqta system was not an ancient indigenous institution of India but was rather an administrative system borrowed from the Persianate world. It was introduced by the Delhi Sultanate, primarily under the rule of the Ghurid dynasty, to organize and administer their territories. Statement 3 is incorrect: The office of 'Mir Bakshi' was not established during the reign of the Khalji Sultans. It was introduced later during the Mughal period, under the reign of Emperor Akbar, as a military office responsible for managing the imperial army and its finances. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is incorrect. In Mughal India, Jagirdars under the Mansabdari system were assigned land in lieu of assigned duties towards the empire such as police, judicial, and military; Zamindars too apart from revenue collecting duties had to render military duties and performing Khidmat such as rendering soldiers to fill the ranks of the royal army at times of need and offer gifts at the royal court. Statement 2 is incorrect. Jagirdars were frequently transferred as promotion and demotion was a regular part of the empire as loyalties towards the Emperor were largely dependent on the rank of jagir/manual held by a Noble; on the other hand, Zamindars had hereditary rights over revenue as their sway over rural society was overarching in all aspects which rested on paternal and patronage application of rituals.
With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
* Tansen was the title given by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior. Tansen was a court musician in the darbar of Raja Ramachandra of Bandhavgarh. Thus, option 'A' is not correct. * Dhrupad Compositions: Tansen is credited with composing Dhrupad, a classical Indian vocal form, and some of these compositions might have been dedicated to Hindu deities. * Songs for Patrons: As a court musician, it was common for Tansen to compose songs in praise of his patrons, including Emperor Akbar. * Invention of Ragas: While the exact number of Ragas invented by Tansen is debatable, he is credited with innovating and popularising several Ragas in Hindustani classical music.
22 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements :
1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.
2. Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 (Incorrect): Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri were primarily constructed using red sandstone, not white marble. While the structures might incorporate some decorative elements with white marble inlay, red sandstone is the dominant material. Statement 2 (Incorrect): Bara Imambara in Lucknow is primarily constructed using brick with stucco plaster, not red sandstone and marble. Rumi Darwaza, on the other hand, is built mainly with bricks and lime plaster.
Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French traveller and gem merchant, extensively documented his travels to India in the 17th century. He wrote about various aspects of Indian society, culture, and economy, including detailed descriptions of diamond mines and the diamond trade in India. Tavernier's writings provided valuable insights into the diamond industry of India during his time. Francois Bernier (1625–1688): A French physician and traveler who visited India during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Jean de Thévenot (1633–1667): A French traveler who visited India in the 17th century. Abbe Barthelemy Carre (17th Century): A French traveler and envoy who visited India in the late 17th century.
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally -
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally traders. They were nomadic communities known for transporting goods like salt, grain, cattle, and other necessities across long distances using bullock caravans called tandas. They played a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce within the Indian subcontinent.
Consider the following :
The arrival of Babur into India led to the:
1. introduction of gunpowder
2. introduction of the arch and dome in the regions' architecture
3. establishment of Timurid dynasty
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Gunpowder was already known and used in India before Babur's arrival, likely introduced by the Mongols in the 13th or 14th century. Statement 2 is incorrect: The use of arches and domes in Indian architecture predates Babur. It was a prominent feature in earlier architectural styles like Indo-Islamic and Deccan Sultanate architecture. Babur did introduce new military tactics and technologies, but gunpowder wasn't a novelty. Statement 3 is correct: His victory at the Battle of Panipat in 1526 marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire, an extension of the Timurid dynasty he hailed from. So, the establishment of the Timurid dynasty is the most accurate consequence of Babur's arrival.