UPSC Prelims Medieval History Questions

Compilation of Medieval History questions from the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examinations (General Studies Paper I) from 2020 to 2024, along with answers and detailed explanations.

UPSC Prelims 2024: Medieval History Questions

Q1. Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
(a) Krishnadevaraya
(b) Narasimha Saluva
(c) Muhammad Shah III
(d) Yusuf Adil Shah

Answer: (a)
Explanation:

• Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529) of the Vijayanagara Empire maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese.
• The Portuguese governor Albuquerque sent ambassadors to Krishnadevaraya’s court. In 1510, Krishnadevaraya granted the Portuguese permission to build a fort at Bhatkal (in modern-day Karnataka) after they captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur. This alliance helped Vijayanagara secure a steady supply of horses for their cavalry.

UPSC Prelims 2023: Medieval History Questions

Q1. Consider the following dynasties:

1. Hoysala
2. Gahadavala
3. Kakatiya
4. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None

Answer: (d)
Explanation:

• Hoysalas: Rose to power in the 10th–11th centuries in the Karnataka region.
• Gahadavalas: Ruled Kannauj in the 11th–12th centuries (post-1090 AD).
• Kakatiyas: Became independent rulers in the 12th century (though they were feudatories earlier).
• Yadavas (of Devagiri): Rose to prominence in the 12th century.
• Conclusion: None of these dynasties established their independent kingdoms in the early 8th century AD (700–750 AD). The 8th century was dominated by the Chalukyas of Badami, Pallavas, and the rise of Rashtrakutas and Palas.

Q2. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
(a) Deva Raya I
(b) Mallikarjuna
(c) Vira Vijaya
(d) Virupaksha

Answer: (a)
Explanation:

• Deva Raya I (1406–1422) was a visionary ruler who focused on irrigation. He constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra River to bring water to the capital city of Vijayanagara via a canal.
• This helped solve the water shortage in the city and also irrigated the surrounding agricultural fields.

Q3. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
(a) Ahmad Shah
(b) Mahmud Begarha
(c) Bahadur Shah
(d) Muhammad Shah

Answer: (c)
Explanation:

• Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, facing an imminent threat from the Mughal Emperor Humayun, sought an alliance with the Portuguese.
• In 1534, he signed the Treaty of Bassein, surrendering the port of Diu (and Bassein) to the Portuguese in exchange for military support against the Mughals. Later, a dispute arose, and Bahadur Shah was killed by the Portuguese in 1537.

UPSC Prelims 2022: Medieval History Questions

Q1. In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:
(a) Clothing
(b) Coins
(c) Ornaments
(d) Weapons

Answer: (b)
Explanation:

• Fanam was a small gold coin used in South India, particularly in the Vijayanagara Empire and later in Travancore and Mysore. It was a currency unit widely used for trade.

Q2. 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

Answer: (b)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: The first Mongol invasion (by Changez Khan reaching the Indus) occurred during the reign of Iltutmish (1221), not Jalal-ud-din Khalji. Even the first proper incursion into Punjab occurred around 1241 (Bahram Shah’s reign).
• Statement 2 is Correct: In 1303, a Mongol army led by Targhi marched up to Delhi and besieged the city while Ala-ud-din Khalji was there. The Mongols retreated after two months without capturing the city.
• Statement 3 is Incorrect: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq did not lose territory; rather, he is said to have paid a huge ransom (or bribed) the Mongol leader Tarmashirin to avoid invasion, or defeated him (accounts vary), but he did not lose the northwest territories “temporarily” in the manner implied. The Tughlaq empire remained intact in the northwest during his early reign.

Q3. With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran”?
(a) Arab merchants
(b) Qalandars
(c) Persian calligraphists
(d) Sayyids

Answer: (d)
Explanation:

• Kulah-Daran (wearers of the pointed cap or Kulah) referred to the Sayyids during the Delhi Sultanate period. They claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad and wore a distinctive conical cap (kulah) to distinguish themselves.

Q4. “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
(a) Akbar
(b) Humayun
(c) Shahjahan
(d) Aurangzeb

Answer: (a)
Explanation:

• During Akbar’s reign, a Maktab Khana (translation bureau) was established.
• Nizamuddin Panipati translated the Yogavasistha (a text on Yoga and Vedanta) into Persian under the patronage of Akbar.

UPSC Prelims 2021: Medieval History Questions

Q1. 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

Answer: (a)
Explanation:

• This hierarchy was standardized during the Mughal administration:
  • Paragana: A cluster of villages (Smallest administrative unit in this list).
  • Sarkar: A district, comprising several Paraganas.
  • Suba: A province, comprising several Sarkars (Largest unit).

Q2. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in 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

Answer: (d)
Explanation:

• Fernao Nuniz, a Portuguese traveler who visited Vijayanagara during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya, wrote extensively about the society.
• He noted that women were employed in the royal palace and were versatile. He specifically mentioned they were experts in wrestling, astrology, accounting (checking state expenses), and soothsaying, as well as music and writing.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish 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

Answer: (a)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Correct: In 1221, Chengiz Khan reached the banks of the Indus pursuing Jalal-ud-din Mingbarnu (the Khwarazm prince). Iltutmish refused to give asylum to the prince, saving India from a Mongol invasion.
• Statement 2 is Incorrect: Taimur invaded India in 1398, during the reign of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah Tughlaq (one of the last Tughlaq rulers), not Muhammad bin Tughluq (who died in 1351).
• Statement 3 is Incorrect: Vasco da Gama arrived in Calicut in 1498. Deva Raya II ruled much earlier (1422–1446). The Vijayanagara ruler in 1498 was likely a regent or minor ruler of the Saluva dynasty (or transitioning to Tuluva), but definitely not Deva Raya II.

Q4. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla, and Kshemeshvara were famous:
(a) Jain monks
(b) Playwrights
(c) Temple architects
(d) Philosophers

Answer: (b)
Explanation:

• Bhavabhuti (8th Century): A famous Sanskrit playwright in the court of Kannauj. His famous plays include Malatimadhava, Mahaviracharita, and Uttararamacharita.
• Hastimalla: A Kannada poet and playwright (associated with the Hoysala court) who wrote plays like Vikrantakaurava.
• Kshemeshvara: A Sanskrit playwright (associated with the court of Mahipala of Kannauj) who wrote Chanda-Kaushika.

UPSC Prelims 2020: Medieval History Questions

Q1. 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

Answer: (c)
Explanation:

• 2. Mahendravarman I (Pallava): Ruled roughly 600–630 AD. (Earliest)
• 4. Gopala (Pala): Founded the Pala dynasty around 750 AD.
• 1. King Bhoja (Pratihara): Mihira Bhoja ruled around 836–885 AD.
• 3. Parantaka I (Chola): Ruled around 907–955 AD. (Latest)
• Correct Order: 2 → 4 → 1 → 3.