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93 questions across 12 sub-topics. Practice all Medieval History PYQs with detailed explanations, or explore specific sub-topics below.
93
Total Questions
12
Sub-topics
28
Years
The Medieval period of Indian history consistently commands 10–15 % of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, and understanding its contours can be the difference between clearing and missing the cut-off. A close audit of 1995-2025 UPSC Prelims previous year questions (PYQs) reveals 93 direct questions from Medieval History. Two clusters dominate: the Delhi Sultanate (21 questions) and the Mughal Empire (21 questions). Trailing them are Medieval Culture & Historiography (8), the Vijayanagara-Bahmani phase (8), Administrative & Socio-Economic institutions such as Iqta, Mansabdari or Jagirdari (6), the Bhakti-Sufi movement (6), Regional & Frontier kingdoms like the Rajputs, Ahoms or Kashmir (5), South Indian post-Chola dynasties (5), the Marathas (4) and early European contacts, including the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French (4).
UPSC’s pattern shows three recurrent question types. First, factual MCQs on rulers, chronology or military events—for example, “Arrange the following Mughal rulers in chronological order.” Second, conceptual questions that link institutions with their functions—“Iqta system was primarily meant for…”. Third, culture-centric items on architecture, literature, numismatics or Sufi silsilahs. In recent years, statement-based questions have become the norm; aspirants must judge multiple assertions on one theme, e.g., “Consider the following pairs: (1) Zabt – Revenue assessment; (2) Dagh – Branding of horses. Which of the above is/are correctly matched?”
Given this trend, a smart preparation strategy for UPSC Prelims Medieval History centres on high-yield sub-topics:
• Delhi Sultanate: founder–successor lists, administrative innovations (Iqta, Chahalgani), market reforms of Ala-ud-din Khilji, architecture (Quwwat-ul-Islam, Alai Darwaza).
• Mughal Empire: Mansabdari, revenue reforms of Akbar (Todar Mal’s bandobast), policies of Aurangzeb, provincial revolts, art & culture (miniature schools, Pietra-Dura in Taj Mahal).
• Vijayanagara: dynastic phases (Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, Aravidu), Rayas vs Bahmanis, Hampi architecture, the Amara-nayaka system.
• Bhakti–Sufi: mutual influences, doctrinal lines (Saguna/Nirguna), major saints and orders.
• Socio-economic institutions: land grants, trade guilds, currency (tanka, dam, mohur), urbanisation patterns.
• European entry: chronology of Portuguese-Dutch-English-French settlements and charters.
Preparation Toolkit: Start with the NCERTs—Class 7 ‘Our Past-II’ and Class 11 ‘Themes in Indian History-II’—for narrative clarity. Follow up with Satish Chandra’s ‘Medieval India’ or the Tamil Nadu Class 11 text for deeper coverage. Complement books with visual aids: timeline charts for dynasties, flowcharts for administrative systems, and ‘architecture flashcards’ for major monuments. Most toppers allocate 12–15 hours exclusively for PYQ mapping—solving all 93 medieval questions and tagging them to topics uncovers weak spots faster than random reading.
Revision Hacks: Use reverse chronology—start with the Mughals, then move backward to the Delhi Sultanate and early medieval South India. Club art & culture with polity and economics of the same ruler to build contextual memory. Practise 30-second recall drills for dates like 1206 (Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s ascension) or 1526 (Panipat I) because UPSC still occasionally asks single-line date questions. Lastly, integrate medieval history with modern history’s ‘Continuity-Change’ perspective; themes such as revenue systems or European trade links often appear in both segments, enabling two-for-one preparation benefits.
Q: With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements : 1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji. 2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city. 3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as "Kulah-Daran" ?
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince. 2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus. 3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: 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?
Q: Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued a new gold coin which was called Dinar by Ibn Batutah. Reason (R): Muhammad bin Tughlaq wanted to issue token currency in gold coins to promote trade with West Asian and North African countries.
Q: Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the Afghan rulers to the throne of Delhi?
Q: Who was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate?
Q: Alam Khan, one of those who invited Babar to invade India was
Q: How did Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak die?
Q: The historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because
Q: With reference to medieval Indian rulers, which one of the following statements is correct?
Q: Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi, and, for two years lived in a camp called Swarga-dwari. Reason (R): At that time, Delhi was ravaged by a form of plague and many people died.
Q: The Mongols under Genghis Khan invaded India during the reign of
Q: Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
Q: “The king was freed from his people and they from their king”. On whose death did Badauni comment thus?
Q: To which Lodi Sultan does the given map relate and what town does the site marked A on the map represent?
Q: Assertion (A): At first the Turkish administration in India was essentially military. Reason (R): The country was parcelled out as ‘Iqta’s among leading military leaders.
Q: Fawazil in the Sultanate period meant
Q: The Sultan of Delhi who is reputed to have built the biggest network of canals in India was
Q: After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of
Q: Consider the map given below: The route indicated in the map was followed, during the course of his military exploits, by
Q: With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
Q: 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:
Q: Consider the following : The arrival of Babur into India led to the 1. introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent 2. introduction of the arch and dome in the region's architecture 3. establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Q: Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
Q: The battle of Dharmat was fought between
Q: How did the Mughal Emperor Jahandar Shah’s reign come to an early end?
Q: Assertion (A): Emperor Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 with a huge army. Reason (R): He was on his way to reclaim his ancestral country of Ferghana in Central Asia.
Q: The motive behind Shahjahan’s Balkh campaign was to
Q: Assertion (A): The Battle of Khanua was certainly more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat. Reason (R): Rana Sanga, the Rajput hero, was certainly a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi.
Q: The shaded area in the above map shows the empire of
Q: Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal Period?
Q: The given map refers to the kingdom of
Q: Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
Q: Assertion (A): During the time of Akbar, for every ten cavalrymen, the mansabdars had to maintain twenty horses. Reason (R): Horses had to be rested while on march and replacements were necessary in times of war.
Q: Assertion (A): During the reign of Shahjahan, Dara Sikoh was sent on expedition to Balkha, Badakh-shan and Qandahar. Reason (R): The expedition sent by Shahjahan to the Middle East was a marvellous success.
Q: Consider the following statements: Ahadis were those troopers who I. offered their services singly. II. did not attach themselves to any chief. III. had the emperor as their immediate colonel. IV. attached themselves to Mirzas. Of these statements:
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. 1556 II. 1600 III. 1686 IV. 1739 List II A) Battle of Haldighati B) Nadir Shah’s capture of Delhi C) Death of Shivaji D) Grant of Charter to East India Company E) Accession of Akbar Codes:
Q: In the given map, the shaded part represents Akbar’s empire at a certain juncture: ‘A’ stands for an independent country and ‘B’ marks the site of a city. Which one of the following alternatives gives all correct information?
Q: The loss of Qandahar was a big blow to the Mughal empire from the viewpoint of
Q: The head of the military department under the reorganised central machinery of administration during Akbar’s reign was
Q: In medieval India, Mansabdari system was introduced mainly for
Q: मध्यकालीन भारत के निम्नलिखित शासकों में से किसने पुर्तगालियों को भटकल में एक किला बनाने की अनुमति दी थी ?
Q: Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
Q: According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas? 1. Wrestling 2. Astrology 3. Accounting 4. Soothsaying Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q: Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements: 1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land. 2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?
Q: When Raja Wodeyar founded the kingdom of Mysore, who was the ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire?
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Narasimha Saluva ended the Sangama dynasty and seized the throne for himself and started the Saluva dynasty. 2. Vira Narasimha deposed the last Saluva ruler and seized the throne for himself. 3. Vira Narasimha was succeeded by his younger brother, Krishnadeva Raya. 4. Krishnadeva Raya was succeeded by his half-brother, Achyuta Raya. Which of these statements given above are correct?
Q: Assertion (A): Saluva Narasimha put an end to the old dynasty and assumed the royal title. Reason (R): He wanted to save the kingdom from further degeneration and disintegration.
Q: किसके राजकाल में ‘योगवाशिष्ठ’ का निजामुद्दीन पानीपती द्वारा फ़ारसी में अनुवाद किया गया ?
Q: With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Famous Place — Present State 1. Bhilsa — Madhya Pradesh 2. Dwarasamudra — Maharashtra 3. Girinagar — Gujarat 4. Sthanesvara — Uttar Pradesh Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Q: निम्नलिखित विदेशी यात्रियों में से किसने भारत के हीरों और हीरे की खदानों की वस्तुपरक रूप से चर्चा की?
Q: In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?
Q: Consider the following events: I. Reign of Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara. II. Construction of Qutab Minar. III. Arrival of Portuguese in India. IV. Death of Firoz Tughlaq. Which one of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
Q: Consider the following: I. Tughluqabad Fort. II. Lodi Garden. III. Qutub Minar. IV. Fatehpur Sikri. The correct chronological order in which they were built is:
Q: The medieval Indian writer who refers to the discovery of America is
Q: Who among the following were famous jurists of medieval India? I. Vijnanesvara II. Hemadri III. Rajasekhara IV. Jimutavahana Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
Q: मध्यकालीन भारत में, शब्द "फणम्" किसे निरूपित करता था ?
Q: Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
Q: With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghata’ refers to
Q: With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system? 1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority 2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land 3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q: In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I I. Iqta II. Jagir III. Amaram IV. Mokasa List II A) Marathas B) Delhi Sultans C) Mughals D) Vijayanagara Codes:
Q: हाल ही में हैदराबाद में भारत के प्रधान मंत्री द्वारा रामानुज की आसन मुद्रा में विश्व की दूसरी सबसे ऊँची बैठी हुई मूर्ति का उद्घाटन किया गया था। निम्नलिखित कथनों में कौन-सा एक, रामानुज की शिक्षाओं को सही निरूपित करता है ?
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar. 2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements: 1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry. 2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following Bhakti Saints : 1. Dadu Dayal 2. Guru Nanak 3. Tyagaraja Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
Q: Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message?
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I (Bhakti Saint) I. Namdev II. Kabir III. Ravidas IV. Sena List II (Profession) A) Barber B) Weaver C) Tailor D) Cobbler
Q: इनमें से किसने शक्तिशाली सामुद्राती राज्य श्रीविजय के विरुद्ध, जिसका शासन मलय प्रांत, सुमात्रा, जावा और निकटवर्ती द्वीपों पर था, एक सफल सैन्य अभियान का नेतृत्व किया था?
Q: Consider the following dynasties: 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadvala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
Q: Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
Q: In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: Term — Description 1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank 2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins 3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in early medieval times. 2. The Cholas sent an expedition against the Sailendra empire of South-East Asia and conquered some of the areas. Which of these statements is/are correct?
Q: Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
Q: Consider the following pairs: Medieval Indian State — Present Region 1. Champaka : Central India 2. Durgara : Jammu 3. Kuluta : Malabar Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
Q: How did the dynasty of Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar come to an end?
Q: Consider the following statements about Sikh Gurus: 1. Banda Bahadur was appointed as the military leader of the Sikhs by Guru Tegh Bahadur. 2. Guru Arjun Dev became the Sikh Guru after Guru Ram Das. 3. Guru Arjun Dev gave to Sikhs their own script – Guru mukhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the ‘Jagadguru’ by his Muslim subjects because of his belief in secularism?
Q: With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices? 1. Meditation and control of breath 2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place 3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Q: With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. Shaikh Ahmad Sarhandi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi 2. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chirag-i-Dehlavi was a disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya 3. Aurangzeb was contemporary of Shaikh Salim Chisti 4. The Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Shaikh Niamtullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani Which of these statements are correct?
Q: Assertion (A): The sponsor and the most prominent figure of the Chisti order of Sufis in India is Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Reason (R): The Chisti order takes its name from a village Chisti in Ajmer. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Q: The sufi saint who maintained that devotional music was one way of coming close to God was
Q: With whose permission did the English set up their first factory in Surat?
Q: During the time of which Mughal Emperor did the English East India Company establish its first factory in India?
Q: Which one of the following is the correct statement?
Q: Hugly was used as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal by
Q: Who among the following streamlined the Maratha administration after Sambhaji?
Q: The member of Shivaji’s Astha Pradhana who looked after foreign affairs was
Q: Ashtapradhan was a Council of Ministers
Q: The ‘Modi script’ was employed in the documents of the
Q: निम्नलिखित युग्मों पर विचार कीजिए : राजा — राजवंश 1. नानुक — चंदेल 2. जयशक्ति — परमार 3. नागभट्ट द्वितीय — गुर्जर-प्रतिहार 4. भोज — राष्ट्रकूट उपरोक्त युग्मों में से कितने सही सुमेलित हैं ?
An analysis of 1995-2025 papers shows 93 questions in 31 years—roughly 3 questions per year, though the range varies between 1 and 6 depending on the year.
The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire together account for about 45 % of all PYQs. Next in importance are Vijayanagara-Bahmani conflicts, Bhakti-Sufi traditions, and administrative systems like Iqta and Mansabdari.
Begin with NCERT Class 11 ‘Themes in Indian History – Part II’. Follow it up with Satish Chandra’s ‘Medieval India’ or the Tamil Nadu Class 11 history text. For culture, refer to ‘Indian Art & Culture’ by Nitin Singhania, focusing on the medieval sections.
Use mnemonic chains (e.g., ‘Q, Iltu Bal, Ala, Tughlot, Sai Lod’ for Sultanate) and couple each ruler with one signature reform or monument. Repeated timeline revision through wall charts and weekly quick-fire quizzes cements the order.
Yes. About one-third of medieval questions test architecture, literature, music and Sufi-Bhakti traditions. Therefore, integrate art & culture notes with political history rather than studying them in isolation.
