Medieval India MCQs with Explanations
1. Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India?
a) Akbar
b) Babur
c) Humayun
d) Ibrahim Lodi
Answer: b) Babur
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Explanation: Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, a Timurid prince from Central Asia, defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi, at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 . This victory is traditionally marked as the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
2. The 'Din-i-Ilahi' was a religious movement introduced by:
a) Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq
b) Sher Shah Suri
c) Akbar
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: c) Akbar
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Explanation: The Din-i-Ilahi ("Religion of God") was a syncretic religious philosophy propounded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1582. It aimed to merge elements from various religions like Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity to foster communal harmony and strengthen his political authority.
3. The famous traveler Ibn Battuta visited India during the reign of:
a) Alauddin Khalji
b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
d) Iltutmish
Answer: b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
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Explanation: The Moroccan scholar and explorer Ibn Battuta arrived in India in 1333. He was appointed as a qadi (judge) by the Delhi Sultan, Muhammad bin Tughlaq . His travelogue, The Rihla , provides a detailed account of the socio-political conditions of the Sultanate.
4. The land revenue system known as 'Zabt' was extensively developed under:
a) Sher Shah Suri
b) Akbar
c) Alauddin Khalji
d) Jahangir
Answer: b) Akbar
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Explanation: The Zabt system was a method of land revenue assessment and collection introduced by Akbar's finance minister, Raja Todar Mal . It was part of the Dhahsala system, where revenue was calculated based on the average produce and prices of land over a 10-year period. While Sher Shah Suri laid the groundwork, it was perfected under Akbar.
5. Who among the following was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
a) Ibrahim Lodi
b) Bahlul Lodi
c) Sikandar Lodi
d) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Answer: a) Ibrahim Lodi
6. The 'Ashtapradhan' was a council of eight ministers associated with:
a) The Vijayanagara Empire
b) The Chola Administration
c) The Maratha Administration of Shivaji
d) The Rajput Kingdoms
Answer: c) The Maratha Administration of Shivaji
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Explanation: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established an efficient administrative system with the Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers). Each minister was responsible for a specific department, such as finance (Amatya), foreign affairs (Sumant), and war (Senapati).
7. The 'Mansabdari System' was a distinctive feature of the administration under the:
a) Sultans of Delhi
b) Mughal Emperors
c) Rajput Rulers
d) Bahmani Sultans
Answer: b) Mughal Emperors
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Explanation: The Mansabdari System was a bureaucratic and military framework introduced by Akbar . All imperial officials were assigned a mansab (rank), which determined their salary, military responsibilities, and status. It was a central pillar of Mughal administration.
8. The Qutub Minar in Delhi was completed by:
a) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
b) Razia Sultan
c) Iltutmish
d) Alauddin Khalji
Answer: c) Iltutmish
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Explanation: The construction of the Qutub Minar was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak , the founder of the Slave Dynasty. However, it was completed by his successor, Iltutmish . It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. The 'Nauroz' festival was introduced in the Mughal court by:
a) Babur, from Central Asian traditions
b) Akbar, from Persian traditions
c) Aurangzeb, from Arabic traditions
d) Shah Jahan, from European traditions
Answer: b) Akbar, from Persian traditions
10. The 'Jizya' tax, re-imposed on non-Muslims, is most famously associated with the reign of:
a) Akbar
b) Shah Jahan
c) Aurangzeb
d) Jahangir
Answer: c) Aurangzeb
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Explanation: The Jizya was a poll tax levied on non-Muslim subjects. While it existed in earlier periods, the Mughal Emperor Akbar had abolished it . It was re-imposed by Aurangzeb in 1679, a move that has been widely noted by historians as a shift in Mughal religious policy.
Month: Current Affairs - Oct 26, 2025
Category: Business Economy and Banking