1. The main occupation of people in medieval India was?
A) Trade
B) Agriculture
C) Handicrafts
D) Military service
Answer: B
Explanation: Despite urban growth, medieval Indian economy remained predominantly agrarian.
2. The primary source of state revenue during medieval India was?
A) Trade duties
B) Land revenue
C) Jizya tax
D) War booty
Answer: B
Explanation: Around 70–80% of state income came from land tax.
3. The system of assigning land revenues to military officers in Delhi Sultanate was called?
A) Jagirdari system
B) Iqtadari system
C) Zamindari system
D) Ryotwari system
Answer: B
Explanation: Introduced by Iltutmish, Iqtadars collected revenue in lieu of military service.
4. The person who received an Iqta was called?
A) Jagirdar
B) Zamindar
C) Muqti
D) Mansabdar
Answer: C
Explanation: The Muqti was responsible for collecting revenue and maintaining law & order.
5. Which Delhi Sultan reformed the Iqta system by introducing central checks?
A) Iltutmish
B) Balban
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: C
Explanation: He kept strict control, transferred iqtadars frequently, and collected surplus revenue.
6. During Akbar’s reign, land revenue was assessed mainly through?
A) Iqtadari system
B) Dahsala system
C) Jagirdari system
D) Zamindari system
Answer: B
Explanation: Introduced by Raja Todar Mal, it fixed average produce of 10 years and one-third as revenue.
7. The Dahsala system is also known as?
A) Zabti system
B) Mansabdari system
C) Ain-i-Dahsala
D) Iqta system
Answer: A
Explanation: Land revenue was fixed per bigha according to crop and region.
8. Akbar’s land revenue reforms were implemented mainly in?
A) Bengal and Assam
B) Northern and central India
C) Deccan
D) Sindh
Answer: B
Explanation: Zabti system was applied in fertile regions where measurement was possible.
9. In Mughal times, the hereditary landholders who collected revenue were called?
A) Jagirdars
B) Zamindars
C) Iqtadars
D) Amils
Answer: B
Explanation: Zamindars acted as intermediaries between peasants and the state.
10. The Mansabdari system combined?
A) Civil and military duties
B) Trade and agriculture
C) Religious and judicial work
D) Zamindari and Iqta
Answer: A
Explanation: Introduced by Akbar, mansabdars held ranks combining administrative and military responsibilities.
11. The Jagirdari system was mainly associated with?
A) Mughals
B) Mauryas
C) Pallavas
D) Satavahanas
Answer: A
Explanation: Jagirdars received revenue assignments in place of salaries.
12. The Jagir system under Mughals was most problematic under?
A) Akbar
B) Shah Jahan
C) Aurangzeb
D) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: C
Explanation: Due to shortage of jagirs (Jagir crisis), nobles became discontented.
13. The peasants in Mughal India were called?
A) Raiyats
B) Khudkasht
C) Muqti
D) Zamindars
Answer: A
Explanation: Raiyat = peasant cultivators who paid revenue to the state.
14. In Mughal records, the term Khudkasht refers to?
A) Tenant cultivators
B) Owner-cultivators
C) Landless laborers
D) Moneylenders
Answer: B
Explanation: Khudkashts tilled their own land and were considered more reliable.
15. The system of Batai referred to?
A) Cash revenue collection
B) Crop-sharing between peasants and state
C) Village self-rule
D) Irrigation tax
Answer: B
Explanation: Batai was a share of actual produce, collected in kind.
16. The Mughal system where peasants paid revenue in cash after crops were valued was?
A) Nasaq
B) Zabti
C) Batai
D) Kankut
Answer: D
Explanation: Kankut combined crop estimation and land measurement for cash revenue.
17. The revenue officer in Mughal empire was called?
A) Faujdar
B) Amil
C) Mufti
D) Qazi
Answer: B
Explanation: Amil was responsible for revenue collection and local administration.
18. The Mughal village headman was known as?
A) Muqaddam
B) Zamindar
C) Jagirdar
D) Subedar
Answer: A
Explanation: He organized village revenue collection and represented peasants.
19. The Patwari in Mughal India was?
A) Village accountant
B) Village priest
C) Military commander
D) Market inspector
Answer: A
Explanation: Maintained land records and accounts.
20. Who standardized revenue measurement with bigha and gaz?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Sher Shah Suri
C) Akbar
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: Introduced uniform land measurement for fair revenue assessment.
21. The maximum revenue share demanded by Mughal state was?
A) One-fourth
B) One-third
C) One-half
D) One-fifth
Answer: C
Explanation: State’s demand varied but could go up to 50% of produce.
22. The major irrigation works during medieval India were undertaken by?
A) Cholas
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C
Explanation: Built canals from Yamuna and Sutlej for irrigation.
23. The Mughal Empire’s agrarian surplus mainly supported?
A) Trade with Europe
B) Nobility and military aristocracy
C) Peasant prosperity
D) Religious charities only
Answer: B
Explanation: Revenue was redistributed to maintain a large nobility and army.
24. The agrarian crisis under Aurangzeb was mainly due to?
A) Deccan wars and jagir shortages
B) Famines
C) High revenue demands
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Over-expansion, fiscal pressure, and famines weakened Mughal economy.
25. The introduction of cash nexus in Mughal India was mainly due to?
A) Growth of moneylending
B) Monetization of revenue demand
C) Expansion of trade
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Increasing monetization linked peasants, markets, and state revenue in cash.
26. The most important industry in medieval India was?
A) Shipbuilding
B) Textile industry
C) Mining
D) Metalwork
Answer: B
Explanation: India was world-famous for its cotton, silk, and muslin textiles; they were key exports.
27. The fine cotton cloth produced in Bengal and exported abroad was called?
A) Ikat
B) Muslin
C) Pashmina
D) Brocade
Answer: B
Explanation: Muslin of Dhaka was extremely fine and prized in global markets.
28. The centre of silk production during the medieval period was?
A) Kashmir
B) Gujarat
C) Bengal
D) Delhi
Answer: A
Explanation: Known for silk weaving and shawl production.
29. The city famous for brocade and zari work was?
A) Agra
B) Varanasi (Banaras)
C) Surat
D) Lahore
Answer: B
Explanation: Banarasi brocades with gold and silver threads were highly valued.
30. The craft of Bidriware (metal inlay work) developed in?
A) Gujarat
B) Andhra
C) Bidar (Deccan)
D) Bengal
Answer: C
Explanation: A unique form of art involving silver inlay on blackened metal.
31. The most important urban centre of medieval India for overseas trade was?
A) Surat
B) Agra
C) Delhi
D) Lahore
Answer: A
Explanation: A major port city, especially under the Mughals, with connections to Europe and West Asia.
32. Gujarat was famous for the production of?
A) Indigo and textiles
B) Opium
C) Tea
D) Wool
Answer: A
Explanation: Gujarat produced indigo, cotton textiles, and was a hub of trade.
33. The main item exported from Bengal during medieval times was?
A) Silk and muslin
B) Pepper
C) Diamonds
D) Wool
Answer: A
Explanation: Bengal’s fine textiles and silk were world-famous.
34. The major Indian import during the medieval period was?
A) Spices
B) Precious metals (gold & silver)
C) Cotton textiles
D) Iron
Answer: B
Explanation: India exported goods but imported bullion, creating a favourable balance of trade.
35. The Indian steel that was highly valued abroad was?
A) TISCO steel
B) Wootz steel
C) Damascus steel
D) Tamahagane steel
Answer: B
Explanation: South India produced wootz steel, exported to West Asia (Damascus blades were made from it).
36. The major spice exported from South India was?
A) Cardamom and pepper
B) Turmeric only
C) Cinnamon
D) Nutmeg
Answer: A
Explanation: Malabar coast (Kerala) was world-famous for pepper trade.
37. The guilds of artisans and merchants in medieval India were known as?
A) Puhar
B) Shrenis
C) Karkhanas
D) Banjaras
Answer: B
Explanation: Guilds regulated production, quality, and trade of crafts.
38. The term Karkhana in Mughal India referred to?
A) Royal workshops
B) Village markets
C) Grain godowns
D) Military barracks
Answer: A
Explanation: State-controlled workshops producing luxury goods, textiles, arms, jewelry.
39. The Mughal karkhanas mainly produced?
A) Agricultural goods
B) Luxury goods and military equipment
C) Cotton only
D) Paper only
Answer: B
Explanation: Items for the royal household and army were produced.
40. The Banjaras in medieval India were?
A) Peasants
B) Itinerant traders in food grains and cattle
C) Weavers
D) Moneylenders
Answer: B
Explanation: They transported goods in bulk across long distances.
41. Who introduced the practice of fixing prices of commodities in medieval India?
A) Balban
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Sher Shah
D) Akbar
Answer: B
Explanation: His Market Control Policy fixed prices of food, cloth, slaves, horses, etc.
42. Which Sultan of Delhi maintained large state granaries to control famine and prices?
A) Balban
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B
Explanation: To regulate grain supply for the army and city dwellers.
43. The Indian textile which impressed European traders the most was?
A) Muslin of Dhaka
B) Banarasi brocade
C) Kashmir shawl
D) Calico cloth
Answer: A
Explanation: Known as “woven air,” it was extremely fine and light.
44. The word “Calico” derives from?
A) Calicut (Kozhikode)
B) Calcutta (Kolkata)
C) Kalyani
D) Kannauj
Answer: A
Explanation: Europeans named cotton cloths after Calicut, a major export centre.
45. The main technological innovation in agriculture during medieval India was?
A) Wooden plough
B) Persian wheel (Araghatta) for irrigation
C) Iron sickle
D) Use of oxen
Answer: B
Explanation: Widely used for irrigation with wells.
46. The important shipbuilding centres during medieval India were?
A) Masulipatnam, Surat, Calicut
B) Madurai, Hampi, Bidar
C) Delhi, Agra, Lahore
D) Goa, Mysore, Hyderabad
Answer: A
Explanation: Major ports for maritime trade and ship construction.
47. The famous port of Andhra Pradesh used for export in medieval times was?
A) Surat
B) Masulipatnam
C) Cochin
D) Calicut
Answer: B
Explanation: A flourishing port on Coromandel coast.
48. The word Patan Patola refers to?
A) Textile weaving of Gujarat
B) Woolen cloth of Kashmir
C) Silk of Bengal
D) Metal craft of Deccan
Answer: A
Explanation: A special double-ikat weaving style from Patan (Gujarat).
49. The major craft centre for paper-making in Mughal India was?
A) Lahore
B) Agra
C) Sialkot
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Paper production was widespread, used in administration, education, and art.
50. The Indian Ocean trade during medieval times was dominated by?
A) Arabs
B) Portuguese
C) Chinese
D) Dutch
Answer: A
Explanation: Arab traders controlled Indian Ocean trade until the arrival of Portuguese in late 15th century.
Currency
51. The silver coin introduced by Iltutmish was called?
A) Rupiya
B) Tanka
C) Jital
D) Dam
Answer: B
Explanation: Iltutmish introduced the silver tanka and copper jital as standard currency.
52. The copper coin of Delhi Sultanate was called?
A) Rupiya
B) Tanka
C) Jital
D) Mohur
Answer: C
Explanation: Tanka = silver; Jital = copper; system standardized by Iltutmish.
53. The coin Dam was introduced by?
A) Sher Shah Suri
B) Iltutmish
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Akbar
Answer: A
Explanation: He issued silver Rupiya and copper Dam, which became the basis of Mughal coinage.
54. The Mughal silver coin Rupiya weighed around?
A) 100 grains
B) 178 grains (about 11.4 grams)
C) 250 grains
D) 50 grains
Answer: B
Explanation: Standardized by Sher Shah, maintained by Mughals.
55. Akbar’s gold coin was called?
A) Dinar
B) Mohur
C) Pagoda
D) Fanam
Answer: B
Explanation: Akbar issued mohur (gold), rupiya (silver), dam (copper).
Inland & Maritime Trade
56. The main medium of long-distance inland trade in medieval India was?
A) Bullock carts
B) Camel caravans and Banjaras
C) Boats on rivers
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Banjaras carried bulk goods; rivers and roads facilitated trade.
57. The Grand Trunk Road from Bengal to Punjab was first developed by?
A) Akbar
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Sher Shah Suri
D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: C
Explanation: Built rest-houses (sarais), improving communication and trade.
58. The biggest trading port on the western coast during Mughal period was?
A) Surat
B) Calicut
C) Goa
D) Masulipatnam
Answer: A
Explanation: Called the “gate of Mecca,” it was India’s busiest port in 17th century.
59. The main trading port on the Coromandel (eastern) coast was?
A) Surat
B) Goa
C) Masulipatnam
D) Cambay
Answer: C
Explanation: Famous for textiles, spice trade, and shipbuilding.
60. Which medieval Indian port was called the “Bab-ul-Makkah” (Gate of Mecca)?
A) Cambay
B) Surat
C) Calicut
D) Cochin
Answer: B
Explanation: Because it was the main embarkation point for Hajj pilgrims.
61. The Malabar Coast was famous for which export?
A) Indigo
B) Pepper
C) Silk
D) Jute
Answer: B
Explanation: Pepper from Kerala was known as “black gold” in global trade.
62. The chief Indian trading partners in Indian Ocean before Europeans were?
A) Chinese
B) Arabs
C) Portuguese
D) Persians
Answer: B
Explanation: Arab merchants dominated maritime trade until the 15th century.
63. The medieval Indian traders who specialized in carrying bulk goods were?
A) Banjaras
B) Shrenis
C) Seths
D) Mahajans
Answer: A
Explanation: Nomadic traders transported grain, salt, and cattle in caravans.
European Trading Companies
64. The Portuguese first arrived in India in?
A) 1492
B) 1498
C) 1505
D) 1510
Answer: B
Explanation: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut (Kozhikode) in 1498.
65. The Portuguese Governor who captured Goa in 1510 was?
A) Vasco da Gama
B) Almeida
C) Albuquerque
D) Cabral
Answer: C
Explanation: Afonso de Albuquerque made Goa the capital of Portuguese India.
66. The Dutch East India Company was established in?
A) 1592
B) 1602
C) 1608
D) 1612
Answer: B
Explanation: VOC (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) entered Indian trade in early 17th century.
67. The first English factory in India was established at?
A) Surat
B) Calicut
C) Madras
D) Hooghly
Answer: A
Explanation: In 1613, after a farman of Jahangir, English set up their first factory.
68. The French East India Company was established in India in?
A) 1600
B) 1612
C) 1664
D) 1700
Answer: C
Explanation: Colbert founded it under Louis XIV, focused on Pondicherry.
69. The first Danish settlement in India was at?
A) Masulipatnam
B) Tranquebar (Tamil Nadu)
C) Goa
D) Calicut
Answer: B
Explanation: Danes established a trading post at Tranquebar in 1620.
70. The Portuguese monopoly in Indian Ocean trade declined due to?
A) Rise of Dutch and English naval power
B) Mughal resistance
C) Local rebellions
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Dutch and English displaced them; Mughals restricted Portuguese trade; locals resisted.
71. The English East India Company received royal charter from Queen Elizabeth in?
A) 1588
B) 1600
C) 1602
D) 1612
Answer: B
Explanation: The charter gave monopoly of eastern trade to English merchants.
72. The first English factory on the eastern coast was at?
A) Masulipatnam
B) Hooghly
C) Madras (Fort St. George)
D) Calcutta
Answer: A
Explanation: Set up in 1611, later expanded to Madras in 1639.
73. The English founded Madras after getting land from?
A) Vijayanagara Empire
B) Golkonda rulers
C) Portuguese
D) Marathas
Answer: B
Explanation: In 1639, land was granted to English; they built Fort St. George.
74. The French East India Company made Pondicherry its capital in India in?
A) 1674
B) 1690
C) 1707
D) 1720
Answer: A
Explanation: Francois Martin developed Pondicherry as French headquarters.
75. Which European power never established a colony in India?
A) Portuguese
B) Dutch
C) Spanish
D) French
Answer: C
Explanation: Though Spain had colonies elsewhere, it never established one in India.
Economic Policies – Delhi Sultans
76. The first Delhi Sultan to introduce price control measures was?
A) Balban
B) Iltutmish
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Answer: C
Explanation: He fixed prices of grains, cloth, slaves, cattle, and regulated markets for maintaining a large army at low cost.
77. Alauddin Khalji’s Market Reforms were supervised by?
A) Diwan-i-Riyasat
B) Diwan-i-Arz
C) Diwan-i-Kohi
D) Diwan-i-Insha
Answer: A
Explanation: This office controlled markets, checked hoarding, and regulated supply.
78. Which Delhi Sultan created a separate department for agriculture called Diwan-i-Kohi?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
D) Balban
Answer: B
Explanation: For increasing cultivation, giving loans (takavi) to peasants, but project failed.
79. Who introduced token currency of copper and brass coins?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
D) Sikandar Lodi
Answer: B
Explanation: Issued bronze/copper coins valued as silver; failed due to counterfeiting.
80. Which Sultan abolished the tax on grain merchants and established irrigation canals?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: B
Explanation: He reduced taxes, built canals from Yamuna and Sutlej to promote agriculture.
Economic Policies – Mughals
81. The Mughal emperor who introduced land revenue reforms under Todar Mal was?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: A
Explanation: Todar Mal introduced Dahsala/Zabti system (one-third of average produce fixed as revenue).
82. Akbar’s land revenue system was based on?
A) Measurement of land and average yield
B) Share of actual produce
C) Cash rent
D) Jagirdari assignment
Answer: A
Explanation: Fields were measured and assessed systematically.
83. The Mughal system of assigning revenue rights to nobles instead of cash salary was?
A) Iqta
B) Jagirdari
C) Zamindari
D) Ryotwari
Answer: B
Explanation: Jagirdars collected revenue from assigned lands in lieu of salary.
84. The Jagir Crisis under Aurangzeb was due to?
A) Expansion of empire
B) Shortage of jagirs
C) Nobles’ discontent
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Too many nobles, too few jagirs → fiscal strain.
85. Which Mughal emperor encouraged indigo cultivation in Bihar?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: European demand for indigo increased; Mughals promoted its production.
86. Which Mughal emperor standardized weights and measures, and introduced zarr coins?
A) Akbar
B) Sher Shah Suri
C) Jahangir
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: A
Explanation: He continued Sher Shah’s system, introduced consistent coinage.
87. The “Rupee” as a standard silver coin was introduced by?
A) Iltutmish
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Sher Shah Suri
D) Akbar
Answer: C
Explanation: He issued a silver rupiya of 178 grains (~11.4 g), later adopted by Mughals.
88. The Mughal economy under Akbar was primarily?
A) Agrarian with strong commercial networks
B) Industrialized
C) Mining-based
D) Maritime-trade dominated
Answer: A
Explanation: Agriculture was the backbone, but internal and overseas trade flourished.
Applied & Legacy Questions
89. Which Indian region was called the “Paradise of the merchants” by Duarte Barbosa?
A) Gujarat
B) Bengal
C) Malabar
D) Coromandel
Answer: B
Explanation: Famous for textiles, silk, muslin; center of international trade.
90. Which commodity was called “Black Gold” in medieval Indian trade?
A) Indigo
B) Pepper
C) Muslin
D) Jute
Answer: B
Explanation: Malabar pepper was in high global demand.
91. The Mughal port known as “Bab-ul-Makkah” (Gate of Mecca) was?
A) Calicut
B) Surat
C) Cambay
D) Hooghly
Answer: B
Explanation: Key port for Hajj pilgrims and overseas trade.
92. The most urbanized Mughal province was?
A) Bengal
B) Gujarat
C) Deccan
D) Punjab
Answer: B
Explanation: It had several ports, commercial towns, and industries.
93. The largest source of wealth for the Mughal empire was?
A) Foreign trade
B) Land revenue
C) Loot and plunder
D) Mining
Answer: B
Explanation: Contributed up to 70% of imperial income.
94. The Portuguese monopoly in Indian Ocean was broken mainly by?
A) Dutch
B) English
C) French
D) Both A and B
Answer: D
Explanation: Dutch displaced them in Southeast Asia; English in India.
95. The Mughal officer responsible for market regulation was?
A) Diwan-i-Riyasat
B) Muhtasib
C) Faujdar
D) Amil
Answer: B
Explanation: A market inspector, also ensured moral conduct.
96. The agrarian economy of medieval India suffered the most during?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: D
Explanation: Continuous wars, heavy taxation, and famines ruined peasantry.
97. The Mughal empire’s favorable balance of trade was due to?
A) Export of textiles and spices
B) Import of bullion
C) Low imports of daily goods
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: India exported more, imported mostly bullion → inflow of gold and silver.
98. The Indian economy during medieval times is often described as?
A) Closed economy
B) Self-sufficient village economy with commercial links
C) Industrialized economy
D) Capitalist economy
Answer: B
Explanation: Agriculture was subsistence-based, yet there was active long-distance trade.
99. The decline of Mughal economy was mainly caused by?
A) Deccan wars & Aurangzeb’s policies
B) Jagirdari crisis
C) European trading dominance
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Political overexpansion, fiscal breakdown, and European entry undermined economy.
100. The legacy of medieval Indian economy includes?
A) Agricultural systems like Zabti & Jagirdari
B) Urban crafts and textile dominance
C) Growth of Indo-Islamic trade networks
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Medieval economy laid foundations of India’s agrarian-commercial structure, later exploited by Europeans.