Sources of Medieval India 7th Social Science Lesson 24 Questions in English

7th Social Science Lesson 24 Questions in English

24] Sources of Medieval India

1. Which of these periods is denoted as Early Medieval Period of Indian History?

a) 700 to 1700 CE

b) 1200 to 3500 CE

c) 700 to 1200 CE

d) 200 to 700 CE

Explanation

The periods from A.D. (CE) 700 to 1200 and from A.D. (CE) 1200 to 1700 are classified as Early Medieval and Later Medieval periods, respectively, in Indian history.

2. By which of the following people accounts we can infer Medieval India’s history?

a) Arabians

b) Persian

c) Turkish

d) All the above

Explanation

Numerous and varied sources are fortunately available to the historians engaging in the study of Medieval India. Added to the information that can be gleaned from inscriptions, monuments and coins are the accounts left by Arab, Persian and Turkish chroniclers.

3. Assertion: Medieval India’s history sources give all information of the life of kings and common people.

Reasoning: The opinions of the courtiers and chroniclers are often one-sided, written in a hyperbolic language, exaggerating the king’s achievements.

a) Both A and R is True and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R is True and R does not explain the A.

c) A is False and R is true.

d) Both A and R is False.

Explanation

Numerous and varied sources are fortunately available to the historians engaging in the study of Medieval India. Added to the information that can be gleaned from inscriptions, monuments and coins are the accounts left by Arab, Persian and Turkish chroniclers. These accounts are rich in detail and have given first-hand information on the life of kings, though they provide very little information on the life of the common people. The opinions of the courtiers and chroniclers are often one-sided, written in a hyperbolic language, exaggerating the king’s achievements.

4. Who quotes as “The duty of historian to be faithful, no hope of profit and to not show any partiality”?

a) Khafi khan

b) Aurangazeb

c) Akbar

d) Chanakya

Explanation

Khafi Khan, a courtier of Emperor Aurangzeb? He says, ‘It is the duty of an historian to be faithful, to have no hope of profit, no fear of injury, to show no partiality on one side, or animosity on the other, to know no difference between friend and stranger, and to write nothing but with sincerity.’

5. Which of these are called as sources?

a) Materials

b) Documents

c) Records

d) All the above

Explanation

Sources are the supporting materials, documents or records in the form of evidence that help to reconstruct the past.

6. Choose the Incorrect statements.

i) Inscriptions, monuments and coins, and the information available in them are Primary sources.

ii) Additional sources are literary works, chronicles, travelogues, biographies and autobiographies.

iii) Sources can be used to examine the political, economic and socio-cultural developments of the past.

a) i only

b) ii only

c) iii only

d) All the above

Explanation

We examine the details of political, economic and socio-cultural developments with the aid of sources. Primary Sources: Inscriptions, monuments and coins, and the information available in them. Secondary Sources: Literary works, chronicles, travelogues, biographies and autobiographies.

7. In which of these inscriptions cannot be found?

a) Rocks

b) Stones

c) River

d) Temple Walls

Explanation

Inscriptions are writings engraved on solid surfaces such as rocks, stones, temple walls and metals. The king’s royal decrees, dedications and donations, monuments raised in commemoration of victories in wars, those built in memory of deceased warriors, contain rich information about the concerned era.

8. Which of these metals were used as legal documents?

a) Copper

b) Gold

c) Mercury

d) Silver

Explanation

Copper-plate grants, which were treated as legal documents, have significant source value.

9. From which century Palm leaf and Paper were used as a alternative to Copper plates?

a) 10^th Century

b) 16^th Century

c) 13^th Century

d) 18^th Century

Explanation

The Islamic-Persian practices and the relatively high cost of copper plates made palm leaf and paper cheaper alternatives from 13th century onwards.

10. Later Chola Period copper-plates describe the gifts to Priests or Teachers of ____ religion.

a) Hindu

b) Jaina

c) Buddhist

d) All the above

Explanation

Several copper-plate grants issued during the later Chola period (10th to 13th century) record gifts to individual priests or teachers who were Hindu, Buddhist, or Jaina, or to persons of eminence.

11. Choose the Correct statements.

i) Copper plates of later Chola describe the giver and receiver of gifts in elaborate manner.

ii) Stone inscriptions mainly focus upon the giver of the gifts.

a) i only

b) ii only

c) Both i and ii

d) None of the above

Explanation

Several copper-plate grants issued during the later Chola period (10th to 13th century) record gifts to individual priests or teachers who were Hindu, Buddhist, or Jaina, or to persons of eminence. Both the giver and the receiver are very elaborately described. By contrast, most stone inscriptions differ in their content. In stone inscriptions, the beneficence of a donor is recorded. The major focus is upon the giver.

12. Which of the following are notable inscriptions of Sundara Chola?

a) Anbil plates

b) Arikkamedu Inscriptions

c) Uraiyur Inscriptions

d) Tiruvalangadu Plates

Explanation

Tiruvalangadu plates of Rajendra Chola I and the Anbil plates of Sundara Chola are notable examples of Inscriptions of later Chola.

13. What are the key details of the Uttiramerur inscriptions?

a) Village Administration

b) Rajendra Chola’s Ganges victory

c) Common people lifestyle

d) Sundara Chola life

Explanation

Uttiramerur inscriptions in Kanchipuram district provide details of the way in which the village administration was conducted.

14. Match the following

A B

i. Pallichchandam 1. Non-brahmin proprietors

ii. Vellanvagai 2. maintenance of a school

iii. Devadana 3. Jaina institutions

iv. Shalabhoga 4. gifted to temples

a) 3, 2, 4, 1

b) 2, 1, 4, 3

c) 3, 1, 4, 2

d) 4, 1, 2, 3

Explanation

Various types of lands gifted by the Chola kings are known from the inscriptions and copper plates. They are: Vellanvagai land of non-brahmin proprietors Brahmadeya land gifted to Brahmins Shalabhoga land for the maintenance of a school Devadana land gifted to temples Pallichchandam land donated to Jaina institutions

15. Which of the following place does not fall under Monuments?

a) Roadways

b) Palace

c) Minarets

d) Tombs

Explanation

Temples, palaces, mosques, tombs, forts, minars and minarets are called by the collective name monuments.

16. What were the main features introduced by the Delhi sultans architecture?

a) Arches

b) Domes

c) Minarets

d) All the above

Explanation

The Sultans of Delhi introduced a new type of architecture. The monuments they built had arches, domes and minarets as the main features.

17. Identify the Incorrect match.

A. Dilwara i. Rajasthan

B. Konark Temple ii. Odisha

C. Khajuraho iii. Gujarat

a) i only

b) ii only

c) iii only

d) None of the above

Explanation

The medieval Khajuraho monuments (Madhya Pradesh) and temples in Konark (Odisha) and Dilwara (Mt.Abu, Rajasthan) constitute valuable sources to understand the religion-centered cultural evolution in northern India.

18. To which of these centuries Vitala and Virupaksha temples belong?

a) 13^th century

b) 15^th century

c) 17^th century

d) 14^th century

Explanation

Vitala and Virupaksha temples at Hampi similarly speak of the contribution of Vijayanagara rulers (15th century).

19. Choose the correct statements.

i) Quwwat-ul Islam Masjid, Moth-ki-Masjid, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri Dargah are situated in and around Delhi.

ii) Charminar in Hyderabad is the important mosque belongs to the medieval times of India.

a) i only

b) ii only

c) Both i and ii

d) None of the above

Explanation

Quwwat-ul Islam Masjid, Moth-ki-Masjid, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri Dargah (all in and around Delhi) and Charminar (Hyderabad) are the important mosques belonging to the medieval times.

20. Choose the Incorrect statements.

i. The forts of historical importance are Agra Fort, Chittor Fort, Gwalior Fort and Delhi Red Fort as well as the forts of Daulatabad (Aurangabad).

ii. Firoz Shah Kotla in Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur signify the greatness of the Mughal dynasty.

a) i only

b) ii only

c) Both i and ii

d) None of the above

Explanation

The forts of historical importance are Agra Fort, Chittor Fort, Gwalior Fort and Delhi Red Fort as well as the forts of Daulatabad (Aurangabad) and Firoz Shah Kotla (Delhi). Palaces in Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur signify the greatness of the Rajput dynasty that wielded enormous power from these places.

21. Which of the following is not a ruined city in India?

a) Ajmer

b) Hampi

c) Tughlaqabad

d) Firozobad

Explanation

Cities in ruin such as Firozabad and Tughlaqabad in north India and Hampi in south India remain rich repositories of the history of medieval India.

22. Assertion: Muhammad Ghori had stamped the figure of Goddess Lakshmi on his gold coins and his name inscribed on it.

Reasoning: Turkish invaders were very ferocious and greedy about the wealth of India.

1. Both A and R is True and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R is True and R does not explain the A.
3. A is True But R is False.
4. Both A and R is False.

Explanation

Muhammad Ghori had stamped the figure of Goddess Lakshmi on his gold coins and had his name inscribed on it. This coin tells us that this early Turkish invader was in all likelihood liberal in religious outlook

23. Jitals made of ___ are available for the study of Delhi sultan period.

a) Copper

b) Diamond

c) Clay

d) Gold

Explanation

Copper Jitals are available for the study of the period of the Delhi Sultans.

24. How many jitals were equal to one silver tanka?

a) 10

b) 36

c) 48

d) 100

Explanation

Jital contained 3.6 grains of silver. Forty-eight jitals were equal to 1 silver tanka.

25. Find the Incorrect Match

A. Iltutmish 1. Silver Tanka

B. Muhammad-binTughluq’s 2. Paper currency

C. Alaud-din Khalj 3. Gold Coins

a) i only

b) ii only

c) iii only

d) All the above

Explanation

Silver Tanka introduced by Iltutmish, Alaud-din Khalji’s gold coins, Muhammad-binTughluq’s copper token currency are indicative of coinage as well as the economic prosperity or otherwise of the country of the time.

26. Who compiled the devotional literatures of the Chola period?

a) Nathamuni

b) Tholagappiar

c) Agasthiyar

d) Sekkizhar

Explanation

The Chola period was known as the period of devotional literature and works such as Kamba Ramayanam, Sekkizhar’s Periyapuranam, Nalayira Divyaprabhandham, composed by 12 Azhwars and compiled by Nathamuni.

27. Which of these people composed Devaram?

a) Appar, Sambandhar, Sundarar

b) Appar, Sundarar, Azhwar

c) Kambar, Sekkizhar, Nathamuni

d) Manikkavasakar, Nambiyandar Nambi, Thiruthondar

Explanation

Devaram composed by Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar and compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi, Manikkavasakar’s Thiruvasagam, all were scripted during the Chola times.

28. Choose the incorrect statements.

i. Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam of 10^th century was a follow-up of the Bhakti Movement in South India.

ii. Kabir Das a 15th century mystic poet also had an influence on the Bhakti Movement in India.

a) i only

b) ii only

c) Both i and ii

d) None of the above

Explanation

Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam (12th century) was a follow-up of the Bhakti Movement in South India. Kabir Das, a 15th century mystic poet, also had an influence on the Bhakti Movement in India.

29. Who composed Madura Vijayam of Vijaynagara Empire?

a) Krishnadevaraya

b) Tenali Raman

c) Gangadevi

d) Kondadev

Explanation

Madura Vijayam and Amuktamalyada were poems composed by Gangadevi and Krishnadevaraya respectively that help us gain insight into the events and individuals associated with the Vijayanagara Empire.

30. Which of this work of Kalhana describes the pre-Islamic history of India?

a) Amuktamalyada

b) Rajatharangini

c) Thiruvasagam

d) Gita Govindam

Explanation

Chand Bardai’s Prithiviraj Raso portrays the Rajput king’s valour. For pre-Islamic periods, the only exception was Kalhana’s Rajatharangini (11th century).

31. Who wrote Tabakat-i-Nasari deals with the conquest of Muhammad ghori?

a) Minhaj-us-Siraj

b) Chand Bardai

c) Nazir-ud-din Mahmud

d) Hasan Nizami

Explanation

Minhaj-us-Siraj, patronised by Sultan Nazir-ud-din Mahmud of Slave Dynasty, wrote Tabakat-i-Nasiri. The compendium deals with the period from the conquest of Muhammad Ghori to A.D. (CE) 1260. The compendium was named after his patron.

32. Which of these was considered as the first official history of Delhi Sultanate?

a) Tarikh-i-Frishta

b) Prithiviraj Raso

c) Taj-ul-Ma’asir

d) Ain-i-Akbari

Explanation

In the 13th century, Hasan Nizami, a migrant from Ghazni wrote. Taj-ul-Ma’asir towards the end of Iltutmish’s rule. It provides information about Qutb-uddin Aibak and is considered the first official history of the Delhi Sultanate.

33. Who provided information about the Qutb-uddin Aibak in his book Taj-ul-Ma’asir?

a) Hasan Nizami

b) Abul Fazal

c) Al Beruni

d) Zia-ud-din Barani

Explanation

In the 13th century, Hasan Nizami, a migrant from Ghazni wrote. Taj-ul-Ma’asir towards the end of Iltutmish’s rule. It provides information about Qutb-uddin Aibak and is considered the first official history of the Delhi Sultanate.

34. To whose court Zia-ud-din Barani belonged to?

a) Akbar

b) Muhammad Tughluq

c) Iltumish

d) Muhammad Ghazni

Explanation

Zia-ud-din Barani, a courtier of Muhammad Tughluq, wrote Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi, in which he dealt with the history of Delhi Sultanate from Ghiyasud-din Balban to the early years of the reign of Firoz Shah Tughluq.

35. Ferishta’s “Tarikh-i-Frishta” deals with the history of ____?

a) Fall of Rajput

b) Rise of Chola

c) Rise of Mughal

d) Fall of Delhi Sultans

Explanation

Ferishta’s Tarikh-i-Frishta (16th century) deals with the history of the rise of the Mughal power in India.

36. Match the following

A. Tabakat 1. Persian i. Generations

B. Tarikh (Tahquiq) 2. Arabic ii. History

C. Tuzk 3. Arabic iii. Autobiography

a) 2, iii 1, ii 3, i

b) 1, iii 3, i 2, ii

c) 2, i 3, ii 1, iii

d) 1, i 3, ii 2, iii

Explanation

Tabakat is an Arabic word meaning ‘generations or centuries’. Tuzk is a Persian word meaning ‘autobiography’. Tarikh or Tahquiq are Arabic words meaning ‘history’

37. Choose the correct statements.

i. Babur’s Babur Nama and Abul Fazal’s Ain-i-Akbari and Akbar Nama belong to the 17^th century.

ii. Jahangir wrote his memories as ‘Tuzk-i-Jahangiri’

a) i only

b) ii only

c) Both i and ii

d) None of the above

Explanation

In the 16th century, Emperor Babur’s Babur Nama and Abul Fazal’s Ain-i-Akbari and Akbar Nama provided detailed information about these two emperors. In the 17th century, Jahangir wrote his memoir, Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, throwing a lot of light on the period.

38. Which of these were considered as a reliable source than the auto biographies of emperors of medieval India?

a) Tabakat-i-Akbari, by Nizam-ud-din Ahmad

b) Babur Nama, Babur

c) Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, Jahangir

d) Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazal

Explanation

Apart from autobiographies of emperors, Tabakat-i-Akbari, authored by Nizam-ud-din Ahmad, is considered reliable than the exaggerated account of Abul Fazal.

39. In which year Badauni’s Tarik-i-Badauni book was published?

a) 1595

b) 1423

c) 1490

d) 1674

Explanation

Badauni’s outstanding work, Tarikh-i-Badauni (Badauni’s History), was published in 1595. This work spans three volumes. The volume on Akbar’s reign is a frank and critical account of Akbar’s administration, particularly of his religious policy.

40. Which of these Emperor’s administration and religious policy was discussed in badauni’s history book?

a) Babur

b) Akbar

c) Shah Jahan

d) Raziya Sultana

Explanation

Badauni’s outstanding work, Tarikh-i-Badauni (Badauni’s History), was published in 1595. This work spans three volumes. The volume on Akbar’s reign is a frank and critical account of Akbar’s administration, particularly of his religious policy

41. Which of this Kingdom became the leading power in Southern India in 13^th century?

a) Pandya

b) Chola

c) Vijaynagara

d) Chera

Explanation

Marco Polo, a Venetian traveler, visited when the Pandya kingdom was becoming the leading Tamil power in the 13th century.

42. Marco polo was a ____ traveler visited Pandya Kingdom in the 13^th century.

a) Japanese

b) Venetian

c) Portugal

d) English

Explanation

Marco Polo, a Venetian traveler, visited when the Pandya kingdom was becoming the leading Tamil power in the 13th century.

43. To which of this city Marco polo visited twice in southern India?

a) Vanji

b) Travancore

c) Kayal

d) Multan

Explanation

Marco Polo was twice in Kayal, which was a port city (presently in Thoothukudi district of Tamilnadu). It was full of ships from Arabia and China.

44. From which of the following country ship Marco Polo travelled to India?

a) Portugal

b) China

c) Roman

d) Arab

Explanation

Marco Polo was twice in Kayal, which was a port city (presently in Thoothukudi district of Tamilnadu). It was full of ships from Arabia and China. Marco Polo tells us that he himself came by a ship from China.

45. What were imported to Southern India from Arabia and Persia according to Marco Polo’s accounts?

a) Spices

b) Diamond

c) Horses

d) Silk

Explanation

According to Marco Polo, thousands of horses were imported into southern India by sea from Arabia and Persia.

46. In which century does Al Beruni accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in his campaigns?

a) 10^th century

b) 17^th century

c) 11^th century

d) 13^th century

Explanation

Al-Beruni (11th century) accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in one of his campaigns, and stayed in India for 10 years.

47. How many years did Al Beruni stay in India?

a) 10 years

b) 2 years

c) 30 years

d) 7 years

Explanation

Al-Beruni (11th century) accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in one of his campaigns, and stayed in India for 10 years.

48. Which of these was the most accurate account of Al Beruni in India?

a) Foreign Invaders and their campaigns.

b) Fall of Sultans in India.

c) Mahmud of Ghazni’s Somnath expedition

d) Mughal Architecture and Philosophy.

Explanation

The most accurate account of Mahmud’s Somnath expedition is that of Alberuni.

49. Choose the incorrect statements.

i) In India Al Beruni travelled only with Mahmud of Ghazni with his campaigns.

ii) Al Beruni learnt Sanskrit and studied the philosophy of India.

a) i only

b) ii only

c) Both i and ii

d) None of the above

Explanation

As learned man and a scholar Al Beruni travelled all over India trying to understand India and her people. He learnt Sanskrit and studied the philosophy of India.

50. Which of these were not discussed in Alberuni’ s book “Tahquiq-i-Hind”?

a) Foreign Invaders

b) Indian Social Norms

c) Indian System of knowledge

d) Indian Religion

Explanation

In his book Tahquiq-i-Hind, Alberuni discussed the Indian conditions, systems of knowledge, social norms and religion.

51. Assertion: Ibn Battuta an Arab-born Morocco scholar travelled straight away from Morocco to India in 14^th century.

Reasoning: His travelogue Rihla [The Travels]) contains rich details about the people of India.

1. Both A and R is True and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R is True and R does not explain the A.
3. A is False and R is true.
4. Both A and R is False.

Explanation

Ibn Battuta (14th century), an Arab-born Morocco scholar, travelled from Morocco right across North Africa to Egypt and then to Central Asia and India. His travelogue (Rihla [The Travels]) contains rich details about the people and the countries he visited.

52. According to Ibn Battuta which city was rich because of Indian trade?

a) Egypt

b) Iran

c) Morocco

d) Spain

Explanation

According to Ibn Battuta, Egypt was rich then, because of the whole of the Indian trade with the West passed through it.

53. Which of the following statements is correct regarding to the accounts of Ibn Battuta?

i) Practice of Sati and caste system was not in practice in Medieval India.

ii) Indian merchants were involved in trade activities in foreign ports with their ships.

a) i only

b) ii only

c) Both i and ii

d) None of the above

Explanation

Ibn Battuta tells us of caste in India and the practice of sati. We learn from him that Indian merchants were carrying on a brisk trade in foreign ports and Indian ships in the seas.

54. Which of this Indian city was described by Ibn Battuta as a vast and magnificent city?

a) Delhi

b) Travancore

c) Multan

d) Varanasi

Explanation

Ibn Battuta describes the city of Delhi a vast and magnificent city.

55. Which Sultan transferred his capital from Delhi to Devagiri?

a) Mohammed Ghori

b) Muhammad Bin Tughluq

c) Firuz Sha Tughluq

d) Iltumish

Explanation

Those were the days when Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq transferred his capital from Delhi to Devagiri (Daulatabad) in the south, converting this city into a desert.

56. Which of these empires had many foreign visitors compared to other in Southern India?

a) Vijaynagara

b) Kakatiya

c) Hoysala

d) Maratha

Explanation

In the South, Vijayanagar had many foreign visitors who left behind their detailed accounts of the state.

57. Match the following

A. Abdur Razzaq i. Portugal

B. Domingo Paes ii. Italy

C. Nicolo Conti iii. Central Asia

a) i, iii, ii

b) ii, iii, i

c) iii, i, ii

d) ii, i, iii

Explanation

In the South, Vijayanagar had many foreign visitors who left behind their detailed accounts of the state An Italian named Nicolo Conti came in 1420. Abdur-Razzaq came from Heart (the court of Great Khan in Central Asia) in 1443. Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveller, visited the city in 1522. All of them recorded their observations, which are very useful for us today to know the glory of the Vijayanagar Empire.

58. Which of this traveler visited the Vijayanagar Empire in the year 1522?

a) Domingo Paes

b) Nicolo Conti

c) Marco polo

d) Ibn Battuta

Explanation

Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveller, visited the city in 1522. All of them recorded their observations, which are very useful for us today to know the glory of the Vijayanagar Empire.