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1. Shivaji had formed a council of eight ministers that administered the Maratha empire. The council was named as:
[A] Nyaya Pradhan
[B] Ashta Sena
[C] Ashta Siddhi
[D] Ashta Pradhan
Correct Answer: D [Ashta Pradhan]
Notes:
The Ashta Pradhan was an assembly of eight ministers responsible for the administration of the Maratha Empire. Established in 1674 by the founding Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji, the term Ashta Pradhan translates to “the Prime Eight,” derived from the Sanskrit words ashta (“eight”) and pradhan (“prime”). This council functioned similarly to a contemporary council of ministers and is recognized as one of the earliest successful examples of ministerial delegation in India. The Ashta Pradhan is credited with promoting effective governance practices within the Maratha region and contributing to the success of military operations against the Mughal Empire.
2. Akbar had adopted the ‘Ray’ System of revenue assessment which he had abolished later on as part of his land revenue reforms. Who among the following had introduced the ray system ?
[A] Alauddin Khilji
[B] Balban
[C] Iltutmish
[D] Sher Shah Suri
Correct Answer: A [Alauddin Khilji]
Notes:
The origins of Akbar’s revenue system can be linked to the practices established by Alauddin Khilji. Akbar embraced this framework, and until 1566, the tenth year of his reign, he made no alterations to the crop rate (ray) policy that he had inherited. Following this period, Akbar implemented a system of annual assessment.
3. After the attack of Mahmud of Ghazanavi, who among the following reconstructed the Somnath Temple?
[A] Bhimraja -I
[B] Bhimdev
[C] Mularaj I
[D] Jay Singh Siddharaaj
Correct Answer: B [Bhimdev]
Notes:
After the attack by Mahmud of Ghazni, Bhimdev commenced the restoration of the Somnath Temple. In the year 1024, Mularaja began the rebuilding of the Somnath temple, which had been devastated by the famous Afghan invader, Mahmud of Ghazni, during his expedition across the Thar Desert.
4. In which year Vir Pandya (Pandya ruler of Madurai) was defeated by Allaudin Khilji’s army?
[A] 1311 AD
[B] 1309-10 AD
[C] 1307 AD
[D] 1303 AD
Correct Answer: A [1311 AD]
Notes:
In March 1311, after defeating Ballala III, the Khalji army moved into Pandya land. The Pandya brothers escaped from their base, and the Khaljis tried to catch them but failed. By the end of April 1311, the Khaljis abandoned their chase of the Pandya princes and went back to Delhi with their loot. In that same year, Vir Pandya, the ruler of Madurai, was defeated by Malik Kafur, who was the commander under Allaudin Khilji.
5. In the Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan, who looked after the foreign affairs?
[A] Surnavis
[B] Dabir
[C] Sar-i-Naubat
[D] Pratinidhi
Correct Answer: B [Dabir]
Notes:
In the Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan ( or Council of Eight Ministers), Dabir ( or Samant) looked after the foreign affairs ministry. He helped the king on matters relating to foreign states and on problems of war and peace.
6. Mahmud of Ghaznavi attacked Somnath temple in which year?
[A] 1025 AD
[B] 1026 AD
[C] 1027 AD
[D] 1029 AD
Correct Answer: A [1025 AD]
Notes:
In 1025 AD, Somnath Temple was destroyed and plundered by the Afghan ruler, Mahmud of Ghazni. The temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva, was rebuilt by the Paramara king Bhoja of Malwa and the Solanki king Bhimdev I of Anhilwara between 1026 and 1042 AD.
7. Who laid the foundation of Lodhi dynasty?
[A] Bahlol Lodhi
[B] Sikandar Lodhi
[C] Ibrahim Lodhi
[D] Daulat Khan Lodhi
Correct Answer: A [Bahlol Lodhi]
Notes:
In 1451 AD, Bahlol Lodhi laid the foundation of Lodhi dynasty by taking over the throne of Delhi by Ala-ud-Din Alam Shah, the last ruler of Sayyid dynasty. He captured Jaunpur and annexed the Sharqui Kingdom in 1484 AD and died in 1488 AD.
8. Who wrote the history of Sher Shah Suri ?
[A] Abbas Khan Sarwani
[B] Mirja Ajij
[C] Khawas khan Marwt
[D] Sher Shah Suri
Correct Answer: A [Abbas Khan Sarwani]
Notes:
Abbas Khan Sarwani wrote Tarikh-i-Shershahi for Sher Shah Suri (or History of Sher Shah) and Tarikh-i-Akabarshahi for Akbar that covers the history of both the empires from 1539 AD to 1555 AD. He was a waqia-navis under Mughal Emperor Akbar. In the Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi, he provides a detailed documentation about Sher Shah’s administration.
9. The Bahmani Kingdom was divided into:
[A] Subhas
[B] Bhukties
[C] Iktas
[D] Tarafs
Correct Answer: D [Tarafs]
Notes:
The Bahmani Kingdom was divided into four provinces i.e. Daulatabad, Gulbarga, Berar and Bidar, which were called taraf. The governors of these atraf were known as tarafdars. (Taraf means province and Atraf is plural of Taraf).
10. Who was the ruler of Bahamani Kingdom whose nickname was ‘Zalim’?
[A] Tajuddin Firoj Shah
[B] Ahmad Shah
[C] Muhammad Shah II
[D] Humayun
Correct Answer: D [Humayun]
Notes:
Alauddin Humayun Shah Bahmani was the sultan of the Bahmani Sultanate, who reigned between 1458 and 1461. Also known as Humayun Shah Zalim ( lit. ‘Humayun Shah the cruel’), he is described as a cruel ruler, known for executing people in torturous ways.
