History

Medieval and Islamic History

3,307 Questions

Medieval and Islamic history focuses on the political, cultural, and administrative developments during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire. Key topics include military campaigns, administrative reforms, court artisans, and architectural marvels like the Red Fort. This is a highly scoring subject for SSC and civil services preliminary exams.

Delhi Sultanate rulersMughal empire emperorsAdministrative and judicial reformsHistorical monuments constructionMedieval court art and culture

Medieval and Islamic History Questions

Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places vijayanagara epoch traders, craftspersons and explorers forts and temples in medieval period

Hauz-i-Sultani, built by Sultan Iltutmish, was a huge _____________.

  1. Mosque

  2. Palace

  3. Garden

  4. Reservoir
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

During the medieval time, it was widely believed that the rule of a just king would be an age of plenty when there was plenty of rainfall. At the same time, making precious water available by constructing tanks and reservoirs was highly praised. Sultan Iltutmish won universal respect for constructing a large reservoir just outside Dehli-i-Kuhna. It was called the Hauz-i-Sultani or the Kings Reservoir. 

Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places vijayanagara epoch traders, craftspersons and explorers forts and temples in medieval period

The ceremonial halls of public and private audience were called as __________ during the Mughal period.

  1. Mahamandapa

  2. Qibla

  3. Diwan-i-aam / Diwan-i-khaas

  4. Hasht bihisht
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
In the Mughal architecture, the ceremonial halls of public and private audience were known as diwan-i-aam and diwan-i khaas. Placed within a large courtyard, these courts were also described as chihil sutun or forty-pillared halls.
The pedestal on which Shah jahan's throne was placed was frequently described as the qibla.
Hasht bihist was a central hall surrounded by eight rooms.
Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places vijayanagara epoch traders, craftspersons and explorers forts and temples in medieval period

The Persian court chronicles described the Sultan as the ______________.

  1. The Shadow of God

  2. God

  3. The incarnation of God

  4. The Emperor of Gods
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Muslim Sultans and Padshahs did not claim to be incarnations of god but Persian court chronicles described the Sultan as the Shadow of God. An inscription in the Quwwat al-Islam mosque explained that God chose Alauddin (Sultan) as a king because he had the qualities of Moses and Solomon, the great lawgivers of the past. The greatest lawgiver and architect was God Himself. He created the world out of chaos and introduced order and symmetry.

Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places vijayanagara epoch traders, craftspersons and explorers forts and temples in medieval period

According to inscription in the Quwwat al-Islam, Whom the god chose as king?

  1. Aurangzeb

  2. Akbar

  3. Alaunddin

  4. Babar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

An inscription in the Quwwat al-Islam mosque explained that god chose Alauddin as a king because he had the qualities of Moses and Solomon, the great lawgivers of the past.

Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places vijayanagara epoch traders, craftspersons and explorers forts and temples in medieval period

The tomb architecture, first visible in ____________ tomb.

  1. Akbar

  2. Humayun

  3. Shah Jahan

  4. Aurangzeb
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A tomb architecture, first visible in Humayun's tomb. The tomb was placed in the centre of a huge formal chahar bagh and built in the tradition known as "eight paradises" or hasht bihisht- a central hall surrounded by eight rooms. The building was constructed with red sandstone, edged with white marbles.

Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places vijayanagara epoch traders, craftspersons and explorers forts and temples in medieval period

Why was the direction of the pedestal of Shah Jahan's throne referred to as the Quibla?

  1. To indicate that he was the representative of God.

  2. To indicate that he was more powerful than God.

  3. To indicate that he was the dispenser of divine justice.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Shah Jahans audience halls were specially constructed to resemble a mosque. The pedestal on which his throne was placed was frequently described as the qibla, the direction in which Muslims pray, since everybody faced that direction when court was in session. The idea of the king as a representative of God on earth was suggested by these architectural features.
It was during Shah Jahans reign that the different elements of Mughal architecture were fused together in a grand harmonious synthesis. His reign witnessed a huge amount of construction activity, especially in Agra and Delhi.

Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places vijayanagara epoch traders, craftspersons and explorers forts and temples in medieval period

With respect to Mughal architecture, what does the term 'diwan-i-khas' refer to?

  1. Ceremonial halls of private audience

  2. Ceremonial halls of divine audience

  3. Ceremonial halls of public audience

  4. Ceremonial halls of public and private audience
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The ceremonial hall private audience was referred to as the diwan-i-khaas. It was the hall in the Red Fort of Delhi where the Mughal emperor received courtiers and state guests. It was also known as the Shah Mahal.

The ceiling was originally inlaid with silver and gold but was stripped bare by successive financial crises of the empire by the Jats or Marathas.

Through the centre of the hall flowed the Stream of Paradise (Nahar-i-Bihish). The building used to have red awnings, or shamianas. Over the corner-arches of the northern and southern walls below the cornice is inscribed the verse of Amir Khusrou: "If there be a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this."

Multiple choice medieval world history world history general knowledge

The name Pahlavi Dynasty in Iran is derived from the _________.

  1. Language

  2. King

  3. Religion

  4. River
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The name Pahlavi is derived from the Pahlavi language, which is a Middle Persian language used during the Sassanid Empire. Reza Shah chose this name to emphasize Iranian heritage.

Multiple choice history urban changes during the british period towns towns, traders and craftsmen towns, traders and craftsmen in medieval india

Formal gardens, placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels during the Mughal regime was known as ___________. 

  1. Pishtaq

  2. Hasht Bihisht

  3. Chahar Baghs

  4. Chihil Sutun
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

These gardens were called chahar baghs, four gardens, because of their symmetrical division into quarters. Beginning with Akbar, some of the most beautiful chahar baghs were constructed by Jahangir and Shah Jahan in Kashmir, Agra and Delhi.

Multiple choice history urban changes during the british period towns towns, traders and craftsmen towns, traders and craftsmen in medieval india

Who was responsible for the construction of Hauz-i Sultani or the Kings Reservoir in Delhi?

  1. Babar

  2. Akbar

  3. Bahadur Shah.

  4. Iltumish
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

It was widely believed that the rule of a just king would be an age of plenty when the heavens would not withhold rain. At the same time, making precious water available by constructing tanks and reservoirs was highly praised. Sultan Iltutmish won universal respect for constructing a large reservoir just outside Dehli-i kuhna. It was called the Hauz-i Sultani or the Kings Reservoir.

Multiple choice history urban changes during the british period towns towns, traders and craftsmen towns, traders and craftsmen in medieval india

Who constructed Qutub Minar?

  1. Akbar

  2. Aurangzeb

  3. Qutbuddin Aibak

  4. Babar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Qutub Minar is a towering 73-meter high tower built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1193. The construction of the Qutub Minar was started by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, but he only constructed the basement. The construction of the tower was later taken over by his successor Iltutmish who constructed three more stories. The last two stories were completed Firoz Shah Tuglak.

Multiple choice history guru nanak dev ji and his contemporary society guru nanak dev ji and his teachings political and social conditions of punjab before guru nanak dev ji sufism in india

Who was the ruler of Kabul when Guru Nanak Dev Ji promulgated his teachings in Kabul?

  1. Muhammad Ghori

  2. Mahmud Ghazini

  3. Babur

  4. Mahmud Gawan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Guru Nanak Dev Ji's travels (Udasis) took him to various regions, and historical records indicate he visited Kabul during the reign of the Mughal emperor Babur.

Multiple choice history guru nanak dev ji and his contemporary society guru nanak dev ji and his teachings political and social conditions of punjab before guru nanak dev ji sufism in india

According to Guru Nanak Salvation could be obtained __________.

  1. In the service of God

  2. Taking the Brahmas and Mullahs as their guides

  3. In fighting for the country

  4. In fighting against Islam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Guru Nanak emphasized that salvation (Mukti) is achieved through devotion, meditation on the Name of God (Naam Simran), and selfless service, rather than ritualistic adherence to specific clergy.

Multiple choice history guru nanak dev ji and his contemporary society guru nanak dev ji and his teachings political and social conditions of punjab before guru nanak dev ji sufism in india

Who objected Guru Nanak Dev Ji when he slept with his feet towards the Kaaba?

  1. Qazi Rukun-ud-Din

  2. Qazi Muhammad

  3. Qazi Al-Fazil

  4. Qazi Akbar Turajanzade
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

At Mecca, Guru Nanak slept with his feet towards the Kaba. He was objected by Qazi Rukun-ud-Din, who was the shrine caretaker at Mecca. When he tried to rotate his feet away from the Kaba, all of Kaba moved to remain in the direction of Guru Nanak's feet. Seeing this, he became astonished and became his disciple.