Q: Consider the following dynasties : 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
(a)Only one
(b)Only two
(c)Only three
(d)None
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Medieval History — UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions (1995–2025)
90 questions across 12 sub-topics. Practice all Medieval History PYQs with detailed explanations, or explore specific sub-topics below.
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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.
Sub-topic Breakdown
South Indian Dynasties4Vijayanagara Empire7Delhi Sultanate21Medieval Regional Kingdoms / Central & North-Indian Dynasties1Mughal Empire21Regional Kingdoms & Frontier States5Maratha Empire4European Powers & Early Colonial Contacts4Bhakti Movement6Sufism4Medieval Administration & Socio-Economic Institutions5Medieval Culture & Historiography8
Year-wise Question Distribution
All Medieval History Questions
South Indian Dynasties(4 questions)
Q: Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
(a)Kakinada
(b)Motupalli
(c)Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
(d)Nelluru
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?
(a)1 and 2
(b)3 only
(c)2 and 3
(d)1 and 3
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?
(a)Only 1
(b)Only 2
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Vijayanagara Empire(7 questions)
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?
(a)Devaraya I
(b)Mallikarjuna
(c)Vira Vijaya
(d)Virupaksha
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.
(a)1, 2 and 3 only
(b)1, 3 and 4 only
(c)2 and 4 only
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
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?
(a)Amoghavarsha I
(b)Ballala II
(c)Harihara I
(d)Prataparudra II
Q: When Raja Wodeyar founded the kingdom of Mysore, who was the ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire?
(a)Sadasiva
(b)Tirumala
(c)Ranga II
(d)Venkata II
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?
(a)1, 2 and 3
(b)2, 3 and 4
(c)1 and 4
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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.
(a)Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Delhi Sultanate(21 questions)
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 ?
(a)1 and 2
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3
(d)3 only
Q: With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as "Kulah-Daran" ?
(a)Arab merchants
(b)Qalandars
(c)Persian calligraphists
(d)Sayyids
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?
(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2
(c)3 only
(d)2 and 3
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?
(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
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.
(a)Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the Afghan rulers to the throne of Delhi?
(a)Sikandar Shah-Ibrahim Lodi-Bahlol Khan Lodi
(b)Sikandar Shah-Bahlol Khan Lodi-Ibrahim Lodi
(c)Bahlol Khan Lodi-Sikandar Shah-Ibrahim Lodi
(d)Bahlol Khan Lodi-Ibrahim Lodi-Sikandar Shah
Q: Who was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate?
(a)Firoj Shah Tughlaq
(b)Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq Shah II
(c)Nasir-ud-din Mahmud
(d)Nasrat Shah
Q: Alam Khan, one of those who invited Babar to invade India was
(a)An uncle of Ibrahim Lodi and a pretender to the throne of Delhi
(b)A cousin of Ibrahim Lodi who was ill-treated and expelled from the country
(c)The father of Dilawar Khan to whom cruel treatment was meted out by Ibrahim Lodi
(d)A high official in Punjab province who was very much discontented with Ibrahim Lodi’s treatment to his tribe
Q: How did Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak die?
(a)He was treacherously stabbed to death by one of his ambitious nobles
(b)He was killed in a battle with Taj-u-din Yildiz, the ruler of Ghazni who entered into a contest with him over the capture of Punjab
(c)He sustained injuries while besieging the fortress of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand and succumbed to death later
(d)He died after a fall from his horse while playing Chaugan
Q: The historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because
(a)the majority of the population did not follow Islam
(b)the Muslim theologists were often disregarded
(c)the Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations
(d)religious freedom was accorded to non-Muslims
Q: With reference to medieval Indian rulers, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a)Alauddin Khalji first set up a separate Ariz's department
(b)Balban introduced the branding system of horses of military
(c)Muhammad bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his uncle to the Delhi throne
(d)Firuz Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves
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.
(a)Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: The Mongols under Genghis Khan invaded India during the reign of
(a)Balban
(b)Feroze Tughlaq
(c)Iltutmish
(d)Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Q: Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a)Dewan-i-bandagani … Tughlaq
(b)Dewan-i-Mustakhraj … Balban
(c)Dewan-i-Kohi … Alauddin Khilji
(d)Dewan-i-Arz … Muhammad Tughlaq
Q: “The king was freed from his people and they from their king”. On whose death did Badauni comment thus?
(a)Balban
(b)Ala-ud-din Khalji
(c)Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
(d)Feroze Shah Tughlaq
Q: To which Lodi Sultan does the given map relate and what town does the site marked A on the map represent?
(a)Behlol Lodi, Jaunpur
(b)Sikandar Lodi, Aligarh
(c)Ibrahim Lodi, Jaunpur
(d)Ibrahim Lodi, Aligarh
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.
(a)Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true, but R is false
(d)A is false, but R is true
Q: Fawazil in the Sultanate period meant
(a)Extra payment made to the nobles
(b)Revenue assigned in lieu of salary
(c)Excess amount paid to the exchequer by the iqtadars
(d)Illegal exactions extracted from the peasants
Q: The Sultan of Delhi who is reputed to have built the biggest network of canals in India was
(a)Iltutmish
(b)Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
(c)Feroz Shah Tughlaq
(d)Sikandar Lodi
Q: After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of
(a)Tute-i-Hind
(b)Kaisr-i-Hind
(c)Zil-i-Ilahi
(d)Din-i-Ilahi
Q: Consider the map given below: The route indicated in the map was followed, during the course of his military exploits, by
(a)Chandragupta II
(b)Harshavardhana
(c)Rajendra Chola
(d)Malik Kafur
Medieval Regional Kingdoms / Central & North-Indian Dynasties(1 questions)
Q: Consider the following pairs: King — Dynasty 1. Nannuka — Chandela 2. Jayashakti — Paramara 3. Nagabhata II — Gurjara-Pratihara 4. Bhoja — Rashtrakuta How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a)Only one pair
(b)Only two pairs
(c)Only three pairs
(d)All four pairs
Mughal Empire(21 questions)
Q: With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
(a)Pargana — Sarkar — Suba
(b)Sarkar — Pargana — Suba
(c)Suba — Sarkar — Pargana
(d)Pargana — Suba — Sarkar
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:
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
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?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
(a)the mosque for the use of Royal Family
(b)Akbar’s private prayer chamber
(c)the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
(d)the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs
Q: The battle of Dharmat was fought between
(a)Muhammad Gori and Jai Chand
(b)Babar and the Afghans
(c)Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
(d)Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Marathas
Q: How did the Mughal Emperor Jahandar Shah’s reign come to an early end?
(a)He was deposed by his wazir
(b)He died due to a slip while climbing down steps
(c)He was defeated by his nephew in a battle
(d)He died of sickness due to too much consumption of wine
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.
(a)Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: The motive behind Shahjahan’s Balkh campaign was to
(a)secure a friendly ruler in Balkh and Badakhshan which bordered Kabul
(b)conquer Samarqand and Farghana, the Mughal homelands
(c)fix the Mughal frontier on the ‘scientific line’, the Amu Daria
(d)expand the Mughal Empire beyond the sub-continent
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.
(a)Both A and R are individually true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are individually true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true, but R is false
(d)A is false, but R is true
Q: The shaded area in the above map shows the empire of
(a)Ala-ud-din Khilji
(b)Mohammad Tughlaq
(c)Shah Jahan
(d)Aurangzeb
Q: Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal Period?
(a)Calicut
(b)Broach
(c)Cambay
(d)Surat
Q: The given map refers to the kingdom of
(a)Akbar at the time of capture of Khandesh in 1601
(b)Akbar at the time of his death in 1605
(c)Aurangzeb at the time of capture of Hyderabad
(d)Aurangzeb at the time of his death in 1707
Q: Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a)Jahangir : William Hawkins
(b)Akbar : Sir Thomas Roe
(c)Shahjahan : Tavernier
(d)Aurangzeb : Manucci
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.
(a)Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true, but R is false
(d)A is false, but R is true
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.
(a)Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true, but R is false
(d)A is false, but R is true
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:
(a)I, II and IV are correct
(b)I, II and III are correct
(c)II and III are correct
(d)I and IV are correct
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:
(a)I-C, II-D, III-B, IV-A
(b)I-E, II-D, III-C, IV-B
(c)I-E, II-B, III-A, IV-D
(d)I-A, II-E, III-C, IV-B
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?
(a)Akbar in 1557:
(A) Golkunda
(B) Lahore
(b)Akbar in 1557:
(A) Khandesh
(B) Multan
(c)Akbar in 1605:
(A) Gondwana
(B) Multan
(d)Akbar in 1605:
(A) Gondwana
(B) Lahore
Q: The loss of Qandahar was a big blow to the Mughal empire from the viewpoint of
(a)Natural resources
(b)Buffer territory
(c)Communication
(d)Strategic stronghold
Q: The head of the military department under the reorganised central machinery of administration during Akbar’s reign was
(a)Diwan
(b)Mir Bakshi
(c)Mir Saman
(d)Bakshi
Q: In medieval India, Mansabdari system was introduced mainly for
(a)making recruitment to the army
(b)facilitating revenue collection
(c)ensuring religious harmony
(d)effecting clean administration
Regional Kingdoms & Frontier States(5 questions)
Q: Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
(a)Ahmad Shah
(b)Mahmud Begarha
(c)Bahadur Shah
(d)Muhammad Shah
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?
(a)1 and 2
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3
(d)3 only
Q: How did the dynasty of Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar come to an end?
(a)Ahmadnagar was annexed into Mughal empire and Husain Shah was consigned to life imprisonment
(b)Mughal troops destroyed Daulatabad fort and killed Nizam-ul-Mulk of Ahmadnagar
(c)Fateh Khan usurped the throne from Nizam-ul-Mulk
(d)Malik Ambar was defeated in a battle with Mughals in 1631 and the entire royal family was killed by the Mughal troops
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?
(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3
(c)1 and 3
(d)1 and 2
Q: Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the ‘Jagadguru’ by his Muslim subjects because of his belief in secularism?
(a)Husain Shah
(b)Zain-ul-Abidin
(c)Ibrahim Adil Shah
(d)Mahmud II
Maratha Empire(4 questions)
Q: Who among the following streamlined the Maratha administration after Sambhaji?
(a)Raja Ram
(b)Balaji Viswanath
(c)Ganga Bai
(d)Nanaji Deshmukh
Q: The member of Shivaji’s Astha Pradhana who looked after foreign affairs was
(a)Peshwa
(b)Sachiv
(c)Pandit Rao
(d)Sumant
Q: Ashtapradhan was a Council of Ministers
(a)in the Gupta Administration
(b)in the Chola Administration
(c)in the Vijayanagar Administration
(d)in the Maratha Administration
Q: The ‘Modi script’ was employed in the documents of the
(a)Wodeyars
(b)Zamorins
(c)Hoysalas
(d)Marathas
European Powers & Early Colonial Contacts(4 questions)
Q: With whose permission did the English set up their first factory in Surat?
(a)Akbar
(b)Jahangir
(c)Shahjahan
(d)Aurangzeb
Q: During the time of which Mughal Emperor did the English East India Company establish its first factory in India?
(a)Akbar
(b)Jahangir
(c)Shahjahan
(d)Aurangzeb
Q: Which one of the following is the correct statement?
(a)The modern Kochi was a Dutch colony till India’s independence.
(b)The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi.
(c)The modern Kochi was first a Dutch colony before the Portuguese took over from them.
(d)The modern Kochi never became a part of the British colony.
Q: Hugly was used as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal by
(a)the Portuguese
(b)the French
(c)the Danish
(d)the British
Bhakti Movement(6 questions)
Q: The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
(a)The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b)Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c)Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
(d)Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
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?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
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?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
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?
(a)1 and 3
(b)2 only
(c)2 and 3
(d)1 and 2
Q: Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message?
(a)Dadu
(b)Kabir
(c)Ramananda
(d)Tulsidas
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
(a)I-B, II-C, III-A, IV-D
(b)I-C, II-B, III-D, IV-A
(c)I-C, II-B, III-A, IV-D
(d)I-B, II-C, III-D, IV-A
Sufism(4 questions)
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:
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
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?
(a)1 and 2
(b)1 and 3
(c)2 and 3
(d)2 and 4
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?
(a)Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true, but R is false
(d)A is false, but R is true
Q: The sufi saint who maintained that devotional music was one way of coming close to God was
(a)Muin-ud-din Chishti
(b)Baba Farid
(c)Saiyid Muhammad Gesudaraz
(d)Shah Alam Bukhari
Medieval Administration & Socio-Economic Institutions(5 questions)
Q: Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
(a)agriculturists
(b)warriors
(c)weavers
(d)traders
Q: With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to
(a)bonded labour
(b)land grants made to military officers
(c)waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
(d)wasteland converted to cultivated land
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:
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for
(a)military officers
(b)village headmen
(c)specialists in Vedic rituals
(d)chiefs of craft guilds
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:
(a)I-C, II-B, III-A, IV-D
(b)I-B, II-C, III-D, IV-A
(c)I-B, II-C, III-A, IV-D
(d)I-C, II-B, III-D, IV-A
Medieval Culture & Historiography(8 questions)
Q: "YogaVasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
(a)Akbar
(b)Humayun
(c)Shahjahan
(d)Aurangzeb
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?
(a)1 and 3 only
(b)1 and 4 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)2 and 4 only
Q: Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India ?
(a)Francois Bernier
(b)Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
(c)Jean de Thevenot
(d)Abbe Barthelemy Carre
Q: In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?
(a)An important military commander during Akbar’s reign
(b)An official historian of the reign of Shah Jahan
(c)An important noble and confidant of Aurangzeb
(d)A chronicler and poet during the reign of Muhammad Shah
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?
(a)II, IV, III, I
(b)II, IV, I, III
(c)IV, II, I, III
(d)IV, II, III, I
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:
(a)III, I, IV, II
(b)III, I, II, IV
(c)I, III, II, IV
(d)I, III, IV, II
Q: The medieval Indian writer who refers to the discovery of America is
(a)Malik Muhammad Jayasi
(b)Amir Khusrau
(c)Raskhan
(d)Abul Fazl
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:
(a)I, II and III
(b)II, III and IV
(c)I, II and IV
(d)I and IV
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medieval History questions are asked in UPSC Prelims on average?▼
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.
Which Medieval History topics are most important for UPSC Prelims?▼
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.
What are the best books for Medieval Indian History UPSC preparation?▼
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.
How can I easily remember the chronology of Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rulers?▼
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.
Does UPSC ask art and culture from the Medieval period separately?▼
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.