Previous Years UPSC Prelims Questions - Medieval Indian History [2013- 2022]

IAS Prelims Medieval Indian History Questions 2022

Medieval History Prelims Questions of UPSC 2022 are provided below for your UPSC 2023 preparation

1. In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:

(a) Clothing 

(b)Coins

(c) Ornaments 

(d) Weapons 

2. 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

3. With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran” ? 

(a) Arab merchants 

(b) Qalandars 

(c) Persian calligraphists 

(d) Sayyids  

4. 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

5. “Yogavãsistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:

(a) Akbar

(b) Humayun 

(c) Shahjahan 

(d) Aurangzeb

6. 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 meant for the highest bliss.

(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.

Candidates can download the UPSC Prelims 2022 Question Papers for GS I and GS II from the linked page.

UPSC Medieval History of India Questions in Prelims 2022 – Answers
1. b	4. b
2. c	5. a
3. d	6. a

UPSC Medieval History Prelims 2022 Questions and Answers-Download PDF Here

Candidates can download the UPSC Prelims 2022 Answer Keys for GS I and GS II from the linked page.

Medieval History Prelims Questions of UPSC 2021 are provided below for your UPSC 2022 preparation.

1. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in the 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

2. Consider the following statements:

(1) It was during the reign of Iltumish 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

3. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

(a) Paragana – Sarkar – Suba

(b) Sarkar – Paragana – Suba

(c) Suba – Sarkar – Paragana 

(d) Paragana – Suba – Sarkar 

4. With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?

(1) The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad state. 

(2) The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of the Vijayanagara empire. 

(3) Rohilkhand kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani. 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 3 only

Medieval History Questions UPSC Prelims 2021 – Solutions
1. d	2. a	3. a
4. a

UPSC Medieval History Prelims 2021 Questions:-Download PDF Here

1. Consider the following events in the history of India :

(1) Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja

(2) Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I

(3) Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I

(4) Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?

(a) 2-1-4-3

(b) 3-1-4-2

(c) 2-4-1-3

(d) 3-4-1-2

2. With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote

(a) measurement of land

(b) coins of different monetary value

(c) classification of urban land

(d) religious rituals

Candidates can get the notes on the relevant articles from where the Medieval history questions were asked in IAS Prelims 2020:

Kingdoms of the Deccan	Chalukya Dynasty
Sangam Period	Literature in the Sangam Period
Political History of the Sangam Period

1. 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

(e) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2. 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

3. 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

4. Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portrait?

(a) Humayun

(b) Akbar

(c) Jahangir

(d) Shah Jahan

Mansabdari System	Mughal Empire
List of Mughal Emperors	Babur

1. 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?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Candidates can get the notes on the relevant articles from where the Medieval history questions were asked in IAS Prelims 2018:

Akbar	Humayun
Bahadur Shah Zafar	Shah Jahan

1. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

(a) Kakinada

(b) Motupalli

(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)

(d) Nelluru

Candidates can get the notes on the relevant articles from where the Medieval history questions were asked in IAS Prelims 2017:

Important Kingdoms and Dynasties of India	Pallavas: Society and Architecture
Types of Vedas	Vedic Civilisation

1. 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 industry 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

2. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally

(a) agriculturists

(b) warriors

(c) weavers

(d) traders

Candidates can get the notes on the relevant articles from where the Medieval history questions were asked in IAS Prelims 2016:

Vijayanagar Empire	Pala Empire
Satavahana Dynasty	Important Dynasties and Kingdoms of Medieval India

1. Consider the following pairs:

Medieval Indian State	Present Region
Champaka	Central India
Durgura	Jammu
Kuluta	Malabar

Which of the above pairs is / are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 1 and 3 Only

2. 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

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

3. With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential 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

Candidates can get the notes on the relevant articles from where the Medieval history questions were asked in IAS Prelims 2015:

Legacy and decline of the Gupta Empire	Pallavas: Origins and Rulers
Delhi Sultanate

1. 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

2. Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was

(a) the mosque for the use of Royal Family

(b) Akbar’s private chamber prayer

(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

Candidates can get the notes on the relevant articles from where the Medieval history questions were asked in IAS Prelims 2014:

Bhakti Movement	Mamluk Dynasty
The Satavahanas	Arab and Turkish Invasions

1. 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

Note: Candidates must understand that questions from ancient and medieval history also form a part of Indian culture and heritage. Hence, they shouldn’t get confused if they find a few questions here which overlap with art and culture questions. Topics from history have to be prepared holistically.

The answers to UPSC Medieval History Questions asked in Prelims from the year 2013 to 2020 is given in the table below:

2013-2020 IAS Prelims Medieval History Questions with Solutions
2020	C A
2019	D A A D
2018	A
2017	B
2016	C D
2015	B C B
2014	B C
2013	B

UPSC Medieval History Prelims 2013-2021 Questions and Answers-Download PDF Here

Aspirants can find the complete UPSC Syllabus through the linked article. More exam-related preparation materials will be found through the links given below

Related Links
NCERT Ancient History Notes	NCERT Medieval History Notes
NCERT Modern History Notes	History Optional Syllabus for UPSC
Topic-wise GS 1 Questions for UPSC Mains	Topic-Wise UPSC Prelims Questions PDF