UPSC Prelims Medieval History Questions, Check Previous Tends

 Medieval History Questions in UPSC Prelims Year Wise

There is no fixed pattern of the Medieval History questions in the UPSC Prelims exam. In some years, only 1 question was asked, while in other years, 7 to 8 questions were asked from the Medieval History subject. Candidates should note that Medieval History also overlaps with Art and Culture subjects similar to Ancient History.  Therefore, the exact number of questions may vary as per the inclusion or exclusion of Art and Culture-based questions. Here is the overall trend of the Medieval History questions in UPSC Prelims till 2022.

Topic Wise Medieval History Questions in UPSC Prelims

Based on the previous year's question paper analysis, it can be concluded that candidates need to focus more on the important themes in Medieval History. Neither can they leave this subject and nor are all topics equally important. While studying for the UPSC Prelims exam, make a note of topic-wise analysis of Medieval History questions as given below:

 Early Medieval India

1. Consider the following statements: (2021)

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 the 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

 Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

 (a) Kakinada

(b) Motupalli

(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)

 (d) Nelluru

Delhi Sultanate

  With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalalud- 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 the north-west of his kingdom to the Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

Mughal Empire

Consider the following: (2015) The arrival of Babur into India led to the:

1. Introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent
2. Introduction of the arch and dome in the region’s architecture
3. establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region

Select the correct answer using the codes given

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Terms/Cultural Traditions

 With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran”? (2022)

(a) Arab merchants

(b) Qalandars

 (c) Persian calligraphists

(d) Sayyids

With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size? (2021)

 (a) Paragana—Sarkar—Suba

  (b) Sarkar—Paragana—Suba

  (c) Suba—Sarkar—Paragana

 (d) Paragana—Suba—Sarkar

 Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to albums and individual portraits? (2019)

(a) Humayun

(b) Akbar

(c) Jahangir

(d) Shah Jahan

 With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to: (2016) 

(a) bonded labour 

(b) land grant made to military officers

(c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land

 (d) wasteland converted to cultivated land

Bhakti and Sufi Movements

  The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja? (2022)

 (a) The best means of salvation was devotion.

  (b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.

  (c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.

 (d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.

 Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  (a) 1 only

  (b) 2 only

  (c) Both 1 and 2

  (d) Neither 1 nor 2

 With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements: (2016)

1. Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. Lingayats of the Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  (a) 1 only

  (b) 2 only

  (c) Both 1 and 2

  (d) Neither 1 nor 2

 Vijayanagara Empire

  With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2021)

1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged from Hyderabad.
2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged from the Vijayanagara Empire.
3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  (a) 1 and 2

  (b) 2 only

  (c) 2 and 3

  (d) 3 only  

Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:  (2016)

1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
2. Private owners of workshops paid an industry tax.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  (a) 1 only

  (b) 2 only

 (c) Both 1 and 2

 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

 Travelers

 Which one of the following foreign travelers elaborately discussed diamonds and diamond mines in India? (2018)

 (a) Francois Bernier

  (b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

  (c) Jean de Thevenot

  (d) Abbe Barthelemy Carre

According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were experts in which of the following areas ? (2021)

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

Medieval History Questions in UPSC Prelims with Answers

Since the syllabus is vast in the Medieval History section, candidates should study this subject with integrated PYQ practice of Medieval History questions. To ease your preparation, the Udaan History Booklets by Physics Wallah offered comprehensive notes. The strategy is to read NCERTs and go through the Medieval History questions with answers. Check the explanation and include important points in your notes. Here is the direct link to download the PYQs with answers:

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