Caste & Social Hierarchy
1. The medieval Indian society was primarily organized on the basis of?
A) Feudal relations
B) Caste system
C) Clan confederacies
D) Religion only
Answer: B
Explanation: The caste system continued from ancient times, adapting to new rulers and occupations.
2. Under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughals, new occupational groups often became?
A) New castes or sub-castes
B) Nobility
C) Priestly class
D) None of these
Answer: A
Explanation: Guilds and occupational communities (weavers, smiths, traders) formed jatis.
3. The highest position in traditional Hindu caste order was held by?
A) Kshatriyas
B) Brahmanas
C) Vaishyas
D) Shudras
Answer: B
Explanation: Brahmanas retained ritual supremacy, even under Muslim rule.
4. The untouchables in medieval Indian society were referred to as?
A) Sudras
B) Dalits
C) Ati-Shudras
D) Ashraf
Answer: C
Explanation: Engaged in polluting jobs, lived outside villages, faced severe discrimination.
5. Conversion to Islam during medieval India often occurred among?
A) Brahmins
B) Peasants & lower castes
C) Rulers only
D) Traders only
Answer: B
Explanation: They sought social equality, escaping caste oppression.
Nobility & Classes
6. The nobles under Delhi Sultanate were known as?
A) Umara
B) Zamindars
C) Mansabdars
D) Rajputras
Answer: A
Explanation: Umara formed the ruling elite, mostly Turks, Afghans, Persians.
7. The Mughal nobles were classified mainly into?
A) Turks and Afghans
B) Hindustani and Turani-Irani
C) Zamindars and Raiyats
D) Rajputs and Marathas
Answer: B
Explanation: Akbar included Rajputs and Deccanis too, balancing factions.
8. The Persian-speaking immigrant nobles under the Mughals were called?
A) Afghans
B) Turanis
C) Iranis
D) Shaikhzadas
Answer: C
Explanation: Nobles who migrated from Iran (Persia).
9. The Indian-born Muslim nobles under the Delhi Sultanate were called?
A) Shaikhzadas
B) Turanis
C) Irani
D) Afghans
Answer: A
Explanation: Descendants of early converts; often considered socially inferior by foreign nobles.
10. Under the Mughals, the nobility was linked with?
A) Iqta system
B) Jagirdari & Mansabdari systems
C) Zamindari system
D) Ryotwari system
Answer: B
Explanation: Nobles held mansabs (ranks) and jagirs (revenue assignments).
Peasantry & Economy
11. The largest section of medieval Indian society was?
A) Nobles
B) Priests
C) Peasantry
D) Artisans
Answer: C
Explanation: Agriculture was the economic backbone, peasants paid heavy revenue.
12. The Mughal term for peasants was?
A) Raiyat
B) Zamindar
C) Mansabdar
D) Muqti
Answer: A
Explanation: Raiyats were cultivators who paid land revenue to the state.
13. The hereditary revenue collectors and landholders were called?
A) Zamindars
B) Jagirdars
C) Umara
D) Mansabdars
Answer: A
Explanation: They acted as intermediaries between peasants and state.
14. The rural headman in a Mughal village was called?
A) Amil
B) Muqaddam
C) Patwari
D) Faujdar
Answer: B
Explanation: He organized revenue collection at the village level.
15. The village accountant in Mughal India was called?
A) Qanungo
B) Patwari
C) Muqaddam
D) Zamindar
Answer: B
Explanation: Maintained land records, crop data, and tax registers.
Slavery
16. Slavery in medieval India increased under?
A) Rajputs
B) Delhi Sultans
C) Marathas
D) British
Answer: B
Explanation: Large numbers of war captives were converted into slaves.
17. The Sultan who maintained the largest number of slaves was?
A) Iltutmish
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
D) Balban
Answer: C
Explanation: He kept around 1,80,000 slaves for agricultural & construction work.
18. Slaves in medieval India were used for?
A) Domestic service
B) Military service
C) Agricultural labor
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: They were employed in households, armies, and fields.
19. The slave soldiers of the Delhi Sultanate formed?
A) Umara
B) Slave nobility (Chihalgani)
C) Rajput clans
D) Mansabdars
Answer: B
Explanation: Iltutmish organized Turkish slave officers into a powerful political group.
20. Slavery was legitimized in medieval India under?
A) Hindu law
B) Islamic law (Sharia)
C) Customary practice only
D) None of the above
Answer: B
Explanation: War captives and non-Muslims could be enslaved under Sharia provisions.
Women in Medieval India
21. The status of Hindu women in medieval India?
A) Improved compared to ancient times
B) Declined further
C) Equal to men
D) Political leaders mostly
Answer: B
Explanation: Child marriage, purdah, and Sati became more widespread.
22. The practice of Sati increased especially in?
A) Rajput society
B) Mughal nobility
C) Peasantry
D) Artisan classes
Answer: A
Explanation: Sati became linked with notions of honor and valor among Rajputs.
23. The purdah system became more prevalent in India due to?
A) Rajputs
B) Influence of Turks and Afghans
C) Buddhist influence
D) Marathas
Answer: B
Explanation: Veiling and seclusion of women was reinforced under Islamic influence.
24. Women of Mughal nobility like Nur Jahan were known for?
A) Political influence
B) Economic activities
C) Architectural patronage
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Nur Jahan issued farmans, engaged in trade, and built monuments.
25. In Bhakti and Sufi movements, women saints like Mirabai gained prominence because?
A) They challenged caste and gender restrictions
B) They were rulers
C) They were teachers in madrasas
D) They were zamindars
Answer: A
Explanation: Mirabai (Rajput princess) composed devotional poetry, rejecting patriarchal norms.
Hinduism
26. The dominant mode of Hindu worship in medieval India was?
A) Vedic sacrifices
B) Idol worship in temples
C) Fire rituals (havan)
D) None of these
Answer: B
Explanation: Temple worship became central, with festivals, fairs, and pilgrimages.
27. Bhakti saints primarily emphasized?
A) Ritual sacrifices
B) Devotion (bhakti) over caste and rituals
C) Idol destruction
D) Royal patronage only
Answer: B
Explanation: Saints like Kabir, Mirabai, Tulsidas spread devotion accessible to all.
28. Important Hindu pilgrim centres during medieval India included?
A) Benares, Puri, Rameswaram
B) Ajmer, Mecca, Baghdad
C) Ellora, Ajanta, Nalanda
D) Gaya, Amaravati, Taxila
Answer: A
Explanation: These continued as major Hindu pilgrimage sites.
29. Festivals like Holi and Diwali were celebrated widely during?
A) Ancient India only
B) Medieval India
C) British period only
D) Post-independence India
Answer: B
Explanation: These became community events with social and cultural significance.
Islam
30. The Islamic institution of prayer congregations in medieval India was?
A) Jizya
B) Jamaat (Friday prayers)
C) Zakat
D) Hajj
Answer: B
Explanation: Friday congregational prayers in mosques strengthened community life.
31. The tax levied on non-Muslims under the Delhi Sultanate was?
A) Zakat
B) Jizya
C) Khums
D) Kharaj
Answer: B
Explanation: Jizya was a poll-tax imposed on non-Muslims (except women, children, Brahmins at times).
32. The first Sultan to reimpose Jizya after its abolition was?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
C) Akbar
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: He reimposed Jizya strictly after Iltutmish had relaxed it.
33. The Mughal emperor who abolished Jizya was?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: A
Explanation: In his policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal tolerance), Akbar abolished Jizya.
34. The Mughal emperor who revived Jizya in 1679 was?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Aurangzeb
D) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: C
Explanation: His orthodox policies included revival of Jizya.
Sufism
35. The Chishti order of Sufis was introduced in India by?
A) Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
B) Nizamuddin Auliya
C) Shaikh Salim Chishti
D) Sirhindi
Answer: A
Explanation: He settled in Ajmer, preached love, tolerance, and devotion.
36. The Sufi saint known as “Mehboob-i-Ilahi” (Beloved of God) was?
A) Moinuddin Chishti
B) Nizamuddin Auliya
C) Baba Farid
D) Sirhindi
Answer: B
Explanation: Great Chishti saint of Delhi, emphasized love of God and humanity.
37. The Suhrawardi Sufi order was centered mainly in?
A) Bengal
B) Multan
C) Gujarat
D) Kashmir
Answer: B
Explanation: It emphasized close relations with state unlike Chishtis.
38. The Naqshbandi Sufi order became popular in India during the reign of?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: It stressed orthodoxy and strict adherence to Sharia.
39. The Sufis used which method for teaching?
A) Madrasa education
B) Preaching through poetry, music (sama) and stories
C) Royal edicts
D) Battles
Answer: B
Explanation: Qawwali and devotional gatherings popularized their teachings.
Bhakti Movement
40. Kabir emphasized devotion to?
A) Rama and Krishna only
B) Nirguna God (formless God)
C) Prophet Muhammad
D) Goddess Durga
Answer: B
Explanation: Kabir rejected idol worship, emphasized unity of God.
41. The Bhakti saint Mirabai was a devotee of?
A) Lord Rama
B) Lord Shiva
C) Lord Krishna
D) Lord Vishnu
Answer: C
Explanation: Her poems and songs celebrated Krishna-bhakti.
42. Tulsidas, author of Ramcharitmanas, belonged to?
A) Nirguna Bhakti
B) Saguna Bhakti
C) Sufi movement
D) Sikhism
Answer: B
Explanation: He worshipped Rama with attributes.
43. Guru Nanak preached?
A) Strict Vedic rituals
B) Devotion to Allah alone
C) Oneness of God and equality of mankind
D) Idol worship
Answer: C
Explanation: He rejected caste distinctions and emphasized ethical living.
Sikhism
44. The religious text of Sikhs, compiled by Guru Arjan, is?
A) Guru Granth Sahib
B) Adi Granth
C) Dasam Granth
D) Both A and B
Answer: D
Explanation: The Adi Granth later became Guru Granth Sahib, sacred scripture of Sikhism.
45. The last Sikh Guru in human form was?
A) Guru Tegh Bahadur
B) Guru Arjan
C) Guru Gobind Singh
D) Guru Hargobind
Answer: C
Explanation: He declared Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru.
46. Guru Nanak’s followers were first organized as a distinct community under?
A) Guru Nanak
B) Guru Angad
C) Guru Amar Das
D) Guru Arjan
Answer: D
Explanation: He compiled Adi Granth and gave Sikhism institutional foundation.
47. The Sikh institution of free community kitchen is called?
A) Sangat
B) Pangat
C) Langar
D) Akhara
Answer: C
Explanation: Symbolized equality; all sat together irrespective of caste.
Festivals & Practices
48. The Urs festival is associated with?
A) Hindu deities
B) Sufi saints’ death anniversaries
C) Jain Tirthankaras
D) Buddhist monks
Answer: B
Explanation: Celebrated at dargahs like Ajmer Sharif.
49. The festival of Basant Panchami was patronized by which Delhi Sultan?
A) Balban
B) Iltutmish
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Nizamuddin Auliya (by association)
Answer: D
Explanation: The Sufi saint encouraged Basant songs, merging Hindu-Muslim traditions.
50. The blending of Hindu and Muslim traditions in medieval festivals and practices is an example of?
A) Cultural decline
B) Religious orthodoxy
C) Syncretism (Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb)
D) Western influence
Answer: C
Explanation: Indo-Islamic fusion in music, art, and festivals symbolized composite culture.
Education
51. The primary centers of education in medieval Hindu society were?
A) Pathshalas and temples
B) Madrasas
C) Gurukuls only
D) Mission schools
Answer: A
Explanation: Pathshalas attached to temples taught Sanskrit, philosophy, and scriptures.
52. The primary Islamic institutions of learning in medieval India were?
A) Gurukuls
B) Madrasas and maktabs
C) Jain Pathshalas
D) Sanghas
Answer: B
Explanation: They imparted Quranic studies, theology, Persian, and law.
53. The first madrasa in India was established by?
A) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Balban
D) Alauddin Khalji
Answer: A
Explanation: He set up the first madrasa in Delhi near Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.
54. The famous madrasa of Firoz Shah Kotla was established by?
A) Balban
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
D) Sikandar Lodi
Answer: C
Explanation: A center for Islamic studies in Delhi.
55. Mughal education promoted which language most?
A) Sanskrit
B) Arabic
C) Persian
D) Hindi
Answer: C
Explanation: Persian became the court and administrative language under the Mughals.
Literature & Languages
56. Amir Khusrau, a famous poet in Alauddin Khalji’s court, is credited with?
A) Introducing Persian ghazals in India
B) Development of Hindavi language
C) Writing historical chronicles
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: He wrote in Persian, developed Hindavi, composed music, and wrote chronicles.
57. The language that developed as a fusion of Persian and local dialects in medieval India was?
A) Hindi
B) Urdu
C) Gujarati
D) Bengali
Answer: B
Explanation: Urdu (camp language) evolved from Persian-Turkish with Hindavi.
58. The official language of Delhi Sultanate administration was?
A) Sanskrit
B) Persian
C) Hindi
D) Arabic
Answer: B
Explanation: Persian remained the language of administration till the British period.
59. The author of Padmavat (Sufi romance) was?
A) Kabir
B) Malik Muhammad Jayasi
C) Tulsidas
D) Amir Khusrau
Answer: B
Explanation: Written in Awadhi, it symbolized Sufi-Bhakti cultural blending.
60. Who wrote Ain-i-Akbari and Akbarnama?
A) Abul Fazl
B) Badauni
C) Amir Khusrau
D) Nizamuddin Auliya
Answer: A
Explanation: He was Akbar’s court historian and one of the “Navaratnas.”
61. The famous chronicle Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi was authored by?
A) Amir Khusrau
B) Ziauddin Barani
C) Minhaj-us-Siraj
D) Abul Fazl
Answer: B
Explanation: It gives details of Delhi Sultanate, especially Muhammad bin Tughlaq & Firoz Shah.
62. The Ain-i-Akbari is important because?
A) It records Mughal administration, society, and economy
B) It is a biography of Akbar only
C) It is a Persian dictionary
D) It is a war diary
Answer: A
Explanation: It’s a detailed account of Akbar’s empire.
63. The famous Sanskrit poet Jagannatha Panditaraja lived in whose court?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C
Explanation: He was a celebrated poet at Shah Jahan’s court.
64. The Persian translation of the Mahabharata (Razmnama) was commissioned by?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: B
Explanation: Done under Abul Fazl’s supervision, reflecting Akbar’s cultural synthesis.
65. The Mughal ruler known for his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) was?
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Jahangir
D) Humayun
Answer: B
Explanation: Written in Turkish (Chagatai); gives insight into Babur’s life and India.
66. Jahangir’s autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri is notable for?
A) Naturalistic descriptions
B) Political intrigues only
C) Persian poetry
D) Religious preaching
Answer: A
Explanation: Jahangir loved nature, paintings, and recorded details of flora and fauna.
Science & Technology
67. The famous astronomer and mathematician in Akbar’s court was?
A) Jagannath Pandit
B) Faizi
C) Fathullah Shirazi
D) Tansen
Answer: C
Explanation: He introduced scientific instruments, including a new gun carriage.
68. The Unani system of medicine in India was patronized by?
A) Mughals and Delhi Sultans
B) Cholas
C) Rajputs only
D) Vijayanagara rulers
Answer: A
Explanation: Based on Greek-Arabic tradition, it flourished under Muslim rule.
69. The Indian physician who compiled the Ain-i-Akbari medical section was?
A) Abul Fazl
B) Hakim Ali
C) Hakim Humam
D) Faizi
Answer: C
Explanation: He contributed on medicine and health practices.
70. The Mughal ruler who showed personal interest in astronomy and had an observatory built was?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Jahangir
Answer: B
Explanation: He was fascinated with astrology and built an observatory in Delhi.
71. The Indian steel famous in medieval times was?
A) TISCO steel
B) Wootz steel
C) Damascus steel
D) Tamahagane
Answer: B
Explanation: Produced mainly in South India, exported for Damascus swords.
72. Gunpowder technology was introduced in India by?
A) Arabs
B) Turks and Mongols
C) Portuguese
D) British
Answer: B
Explanation: Used by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526).
73. Paper technology was introduced in India during?
A) Gupta period
B) Delhi Sultanate
C) Mauryan period
D) British period
Answer: B
Explanation: Paper replaced palm-leaves and birch-bark, aiding education.
74. The Mughal rulers encouraged which art and science for military purposes?
A) Astronomy
B) Metallurgy & ballistics
C) Yoga
D) Ayurveda only
Answer: B
Explanation: Cannon-making and metallurgy advanced under Mughals.
75. The Indian astronomer Nilakantha Somayaji (15th century) belonged to which tradition?
A) Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics
B) Ujjain School
C) Mughal Darbar
D) Rajput tradition
Answer: A
Explanation: Kerala mathematicians made pioneering advances in calculus and planetary models.
Social Customs & Daily Life
76. The medieval Indian joint family system was strongest among?
A) Peasants and zamindars
B) Nomadic groups
C) Muslim nobles
D) Soldiers only
Answer: A
Explanation: Collective cultivation, inheritance, and joint responsibility for revenue reinforced joint families.
77. The practice of purdah became more widespread in India due to?
A) Vedic influence
B) Influence of Turks and Afghans
C) Buddhist traditions
D) Maratha practices
Answer: B
Explanation: Veiling and seclusion of women spread from Muslim elites to Hindu upper classes.
78. The custom of sati was most prevalent among?
A) Rajputs
B) Mughals
C) Peasantry
D) Traders
Answer: A
Explanation: It was linked to honor and martial traditions, especially during defeats.
79. The practice of child marriage in medieval India was?
A) Rare
B) Increasingly common
C) Legally banned
D) Encouraged by Sufis
Answer: B
Explanation: Social insecurity and caste rigidity led to early marriage practices.
80. The Mughal nobility’s daily life was marked by?
A) Simple living
B) Luxurious lifestyle and conspicuous consumption
C) Agricultural work
D) Military training only
Answer: B
Explanation: Nobles built grand mansions, hosted lavish feasts, and displayed wealth.
Diet & Lifestyle
81. The staple diet of medieval Indian peasants consisted of?
A) Meat and fish
B) Rice, millets, pulses
C) Wheat and barley only
D) Fruits and milk
Answer: B
Explanation: Regional variations existed, but vegetarian food dominated peasant diets.
82. The Mughal emperors preferred which dish that later became famous in India?
A) Biryani and kebabs
B) Idli and dosa
C) Rasgulla
D) Dal-baati
Answer: A
Explanation: Persian-Turkish cuisine blended with Indian spices → Mughlai food.
83. Tobacco, introduced in the 16th century, became popular during the reign of?
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B
Explanation: Tobacco spread rapidly despite opposition from orthodox ulema.
84. Hookah smoking was introduced into Mughal India by?
A) Europeans
B) Iranians
C) Rajputs
D) Turks
Answer: B
Explanation: It spread in Mughal courts and among nobles.
Clothing & Society
85. Cotton clothes in medieval India were mainly produced in?
A) Bengal and Gujarat
B) Kashmir and Punjab
C) Rajasthan and Deccan
D) Delhi and Oudh
Answer: A
Explanation: Bengal → muslin, Gujarat → calico and brocade.
86. The Mughal emperors popularized which clothing style?
A) Sherwani, jama, paijama
B) Saree with blouse
C) Dhoti-kurta
D) European trousers
Answer: A
Explanation: Persian-Turkish attire blended with Indian fabrics.
87. The traditional dress of women in Vijayanagara Empire as depicted in sculptures was?
A) Saree with blouse and ornaments
B) Salwar kameez
C) Ghaghra choli
D) Robes like Persian women
Answer: A
Explanation: Stone carvings show sarees with heavy jewelry.
Economy-Society Linkages
88. The majority of medieval Indian population lived in?
A) Cities
B) Villages
C) Forts
D) Ports
Answer: B
Explanation: Nearly 85–90% of people were agrarian, forming village-based societies.
89. Urban centers like Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore grew mainly due to?
A) Agricultural surplus & state patronage
B) Mining industries
C) European settlement
D) Peasant migration alone
Answer: A
Explanation: Cities thrived as centers of administration, trade, and craft production.
90. The banjaras in medieval society were?
A) Peasant laborers
B) Nomadic grain traders and transporters
C) Soldiers
D) Zamindars
Answer: B
Explanation: They moved in caravans, carrying bulk goods over long distances.
91. The caste system adapted to new occupations by?
A) Rejecting them
B) Creating new jatis (sub-castes)
C) Abolishing old castes
D) Mixing upper and lower castes freely
Answer: B
Explanation: Weaver, potter, smith groups were classified into distinct castes.
92. Social mobility in medieval India was limited but possible mainly through?
A) Caste reforms
B) Conversion to Islam or joining Bhakti/Sufi movements
C) Gurukul education
D) European influence
Answer: B
Explanation: Lower castes sought dignity and equality through religion.
Applied/Exam-Oriented
93. The “Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb” refers to?
A) Geographical unity of Ganga and Yamuna
B) Composite Indo-Islamic culture
C) Mughal taxation system
D) Water harvesting system
Answer: B
Explanation: It symbolized Hindu-Muslim cultural synthesis in north India.
94. The Bhakti and Sufi movements influenced medieval society by?
A) Reinforcing caste system
B) Promoting harmony and equality
C) Banning all rituals
D) Supporting only rulers
Answer: B
Explanation: They reduced caste barriers and emphasized devotion and love.
95. Which Mughal emperor issued farmans allowing Jesuit priests in his court?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Jahangir
Answer: C
Explanation: He encouraged debates at Ibadat Khana (Fatehpur Sikri) with Christians, Hindus, Muslims.
96. The Sikh tradition of Langar promoted?
A) Free food and equality
B) Military recruitment
C) Education
D) Religious conversion
Answer: A
Explanation: All sat and ate together, breaking caste distinctions.
97. In Mughal India, women of nobility like Nur Jahan participated in?
A) Politics
B) Trade
C) Art patronage
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Nur Jahan issued coins, built monuments, engaged in commerce, and influenced Jahangir.
98. The condition of peasants under Mughal revenue system was?
A) Prosperous always
B) Burdened with heavy revenue demands
C) Free from taxes
D) Dependent only on zamindars
Answer: B
Explanation: Land revenue often took one-third of produce, leading to peasant revolts.
99. The decline of Mughal society in the 18th century was linked to?
A) Agrarian crisis
B) Rise of jagirdari corruption
C) Religious orthodoxy and regional uprisings
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Social, political, and economic decline went hand in hand.
100. The greatest legacy of medieval Indian society was?
A) Rigid caste divisions only
B) Indo-Islamic cultural synthesis and diversity
C) Military conflicts
D) Decline of women’s status
Answer: B
Explanation: Despite divisions, medieval society produced a rich composite culture (art, music, festivals, language).