Correct Answer: A [Qutub-ud-din Aibak] Notes: Qutub-ud-din Aibak, a Turk from the Aibak tribe—whose name translates to “Lord of the Moon” in Turkish—holds a significant place in Indian history as the founder of the Mamluk dynasty, also referred to as the Slave dynasty. This dynasty governed India from 1206 to 1290 AD.
2. What was the ruling period of Muhammad Bin Tughluq as Sultan of Delhi Sultanate? [A] 1320-1325 CE [B] 1325-1351 CE [C] 1330-1351 CE [D] 1351-1371 CE
Correct Answer: B [1325-1351 CE] Notes: The ruling period of Muhammad Bin Tughluq as Sultan of Delhi Sultanate was from 1325-1351 CE. He became the Sultan after his father, Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq, passed away in 1325. Muhammad Bin Tughluq was known for his controversial and ambitious policies, including moving the capital and introducing token currency.
3. In the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, land tax was known as: [A] Zakat [B] Jaziya [C] Kharaj [D] Khams
During the rule of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the taxation system, in accordance with the Quran, consisted of four primary types of taxes imposed on the populace.
The Kharaj was a land tax amounting to one-tenth of the agricultural yield.
Zakat represented a tax of 2% on personal property.
The Jaziya was a tax imposed on non-Muslims, specifically targeting Hindus as a form of religious taxation.
Lastly, Khams constituted one-fifth of the spoils acquired in warfare.
4. Sultan Sikandar lodi wrote poetry in Persian using the pen name: [A] Gulmarg [B] Gulmukhi [C] Gulmar [D] Gulrukhi
Correct Answer: D [Gulrukhi] Notes: Sikandar Lodi, originally named Nizam Khan Sultan, succeeded his father Bahlul Lodi. Sultan Sikandar lodi was fond of literature and poetry and wrote 130 verses in Persian language using the pen name Gulrukhi. Notably, a book on Ayurveda called Farhang-i-Sikandri was translated during his rule.
5. Which of the following Bhakti saints / poets was monotheist? [A] Surdas [B] Kabir [C] Tulsidas [D] Raskhan
Correct Answer: B [Kabir] Notes: Historians categorize the Bhakti traditions into two main types: Saguna and Nirguna. Saguna Bhakti encompasses those traditions that emphasize the veneration of deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and the Goddess, along with their numerous manifestations and incarnations. Notable figures within this category include Tulsidas, a devotee of Rama, and Surdas and Raskhan, who were devoted to Krishna. In contrast, Nirguna Bhakti refers to the worship of a formless conception of God, representing a monotheistic belief in a singular divine entity. Key saints associated with Nirguna Bhakti include Kabir, Raidas, and Guru Nanak.
6. Famous painter Ustad Mansur was patronized by which Mughal emperor? [A] Akbar [B] Jahangir [C] Shah Jahan [D] Shah Alam
Correct Answer: B [Jahangir] Notes: Mughal Emperor Jahangir was a great patron of painting from the days of his Viceroyalty. He patronised many great painters of the time including Ustad Mansur. Mughal painting remained confined to the Mughal court and did not reach the people. Jahangir had a very discriminating eye of Mughal painting. Ustad Mansur was a leading nature painter at the court of Mughal emperor Jahangir, who had a keen interest in the natural world. Jahangir bestowed upon Mansur the title of “Nadir al-Asr” (the Wonder of the Age).
7. MatchList I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below them :
List-I (Works)
List-II (Authors)
A. Dayabhaga
1. Harsha
B. Mitakshara
2. Jimutavahana
C. Nagananda
3. Krittivasa
D. Ramayana
4. Vijnanesvara
A B C D [A] 2 3 1 4 [B] 2 4 1 3 [C] 4 2 3 1 [D] 4 1 2 3
The Dayabhaga is a significant Hindu legal text authored by Jimutavahana, which primarily addresses the procedures of inheritance.
Vijnaneshwara, a distinguished jurist from twelfth-century India, authored the Mitakshara, a treatise that focuses on inheritance and is regarded as one of the most impactful legal works in Hindu jurisprudence. The Mitakshara is based on the Smriti of Rishi Yajnavalkya, known as the Yajnavalkya Smriti.
Nagananda is a celebrated Sanskrit play attributed to King Harsha and is recognized as one of the most esteemed dramas in the Sanskrit literary tradition.
The Krittivasi Ramayan, also referred to as Krittibasi Ramayan or Sri Ram Panchali, is a Bengali adaptation of the Ramayana, created by the 15th-century poet Krittivasa Ojha.
8. Jayasi’s ‘Padmavat’ is written in which of the following dialects and scripts respectively? [A] Awadhi and Persian [B] Hindi and Urdu [C] Farsi and Urdu [D] Awadhi and Arabi
Correct Answer: A [Awadhi and Persian] Notes: Padmavat, also known as Padmawat, is an epic poem composed in 1540 by the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. It was written in the Awadhi dialect of the Hindustani language and was originally inscribed using the Persian Nastaliq script.
9. Which of the following Caliphate was in power when Delhi Sultanate was established in India? [A] Rashidun Caliphate [B] Ottoman Caliphate [C] Umayyad Caliphate [D] Abbasid Caliphate
Correct Answer: B [Sehwan] Notes: After the conquest of Debal and Nirun, Muhammad-bin-Qasim moved forward to Sehwan, a town ruled by Bajhra, who was the cousin of Dahir. Confronted with the aggressive advance of the Arabian troops, Bajhra was unable to protect the town and escaped in a state of fear.
