Indian history MCQ

1181. The language that the mughals spoke was

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Only (A) & (B).

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, History Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Mughal Empire used Persian as the official language for administration and courtly communication. Urdu, which developed under Mughal influence, was also widely spoken and written, especially among the elite and in literature.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that only Persian was used, or they might think that English was used due to later colonial influence.

Explanations: The Mughal Empire, which ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century, primarily used Persian as the language of administration and courtly communication. Persian was the lingua franca of the Mughal court and was used in official documents, decrees, and correspondence. Urdu, a language that developed under Mughal influence, was also widely used, especially in literature and among the elite. Therefore, both Persian and Urdu were significant languages during the Mughal period.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Persian was indeed one of the languages used by the Mughals.
Option B: Urdu was also widely used during the Mughal period.
Option C: English was not used by the Mughals, as it was introduced later during the British colonial period.
Option D: This option correctly identifies both Persian and Urdu as languages used by the Mughals.

1182. Which one among the following was not a demand of the Prarthana Samaj?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Abolition of untouchability.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, IAS, Competitive History Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Prarthana Samaj was a social and religious reform movement in India that focused on various social reforms. However, the abolition of untouchability was not one of its primary demands.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that the Prarthana Samaj addressed all major social issues of the time, including untouchability.

Explanations: The Prarthana Samaj, founded in 1867, was primarily concerned with social reforms such as widow remarriage, women's education, and raising the age of marriage for boys and girls. While these were significant issues, the abolition of untouchability was not a specific demand of the Prarthana Samaj. This movement focused more on internal Hindu reforms and social practices rather than broader caste issues.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Widow remarriage was a demand of the Prarthana Samaj.
Option B: Women's education was a demand of the Prarthana Samaj.
Option C: Abolition of untouchability was not a demand of the Prarthana Samaj.
Option D: Raising the age of marriage for boys and girls was a demand of the Prarthana Samaj.

1183. The African traveller who visited Indian during the period of the Sultanate was.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Ibn Batuta.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, History Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan scholar and traveler who visited India during the period of the Delhi Sultanate.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse Ibn Battuta with other travelers or scholars of the same period.

Explanations: Ibn Battuta is known for his extensive travels across the Islamic world, including a visit to India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq in the 14th century. His travel accounts provide valuable insights into the social, political, and cultural conditions of the regions he visited.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Ibn Battuta visited India during the Sultanate period.
Option B: Incorrect. There is no historical figure named Ibn Khatuta.
Option C: Incorrect. Amir Khusrau was a poet and scholar who lived in India but was not a traveler from Africa.
Option D: Incorrect. Ibn Battuta is the correct answer.

1184. Which of the following were exported from meluhha sometimes identified as an Harrappa area? Black wood Ivory Gold Lead

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) 1, 2& 3.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, Archaeology Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The correct answer identifies the goods that were exported from Meluhha, which is often identified with the Harappan civilization. The goods include black wood, ivory, and gold.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly include lead as an exported good, which is not supported by archaeological evidence.

Explanations: Meluhha, identified with the Harappan civilization, traded various goods. Archaeological evidence and historical records indicate that black wood, ivory, and gold were among the items exported. Lead, however, is not mentioned in the historical records or archaeological findings as a primary export from this region.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Black wood, ivory, and gold were exported from Meluhha.
Option B: Incorrect. Lead was not a primary export from Meluhha.
Option C: Incorrect. Lead was not a primary export from Meluhha.
Option D: Incorrect. Black wood was not included in this option.

Mnemonic: B-I-G: Black wood, Ivory, Gold

1185. Which of the following was the most important factor responsible for the extensive growth of foreign trade?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Surplus production of several commodities which were in great demand in foreign markets.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, GRE, GMAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The extensive growth of foreign trade was primarily driven by the availability of surplus commodities that were in high demand in foreign markets.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that the direct trade routes or the reputation of Tamils as seafarers were the primary factors, overlooking the fundamental economic driver of surplus production.

Explanations: The surplus production of commodities such as spices, textiles, and precious stones created a significant supply that could be exported to foreign markets. These commodities were in high demand in regions like Arabia, Egypt, and Rome, leading to a robust trade network. The availability of surplus goods ensured a steady flow of trade, which was essential for the growth and sustainability of foreign trade.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option correctly identifies the surplus production of commodities as the key factor driving foreign trade.
Option B: While direct trade routes were important, they were not the primary factor responsible for the extensive growth of foreign trade.
Option C: The colonization of parts of South India by the Yavanas is not a significant factor in the context of the extensive growth of foreign trade.
Option D: The reputation of Tamils as seafarers, while notable, does not directly explain the extensive growth of foreign trade.

Mnemonic: Surplus goods drive trade, remember "S-GDT".

1186. Which one of the following statements about ancient Indian Mahajanapadas is correct?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Buddhist and Jaina texts list sixteen Mahajanapadas.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, History Olympiad

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Mahajanapadas were powerful kingdoms or republics in ancient India, and their number and names are often recorded in religious texts such as the Buddhist Anguttara Nikaya and the Jaina Bhagavati Sutra.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that all Mahajanapadas had the same form of government or were located in a specific region of India.

Explanations: Buddhist and Jaina texts, particularly the Anguttara Nikaya and the Bhagavati Sutra, provide a list of sixteen Mahajanapadas. These texts are significant historical sources that document the political landscape of ancient India. The other options are incorrect because not all Mahajanapadas were oligarchies, they were not all located in Eastern India, and they did maintain armies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect, as not all Mahajanapadas were oligarchies. Some were monarchies or republics.
Option B: Incorrect, as Mahajanapadas were spread across various regions of ancient India, not just in the east.
Option C: Incorrect, as maintaining an army was a common practice among the Mahajanapadas for defense and expansion.
Option D: Correct, as Buddhist and Jaina texts indeed list sixteen Mahajanapadas.

Mnemonic: Sixteen States, Buddhist and Jaina say.

1187. The language of the Vedic period was:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Sanskrit.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, IAS, Competitive History Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The Vedic period is characterized by the composition and recitation of the Vedas, which are ancient sacred texts of Hinduism. These texts were composed in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the language of the Vedic period with other ancient languages such as Tamil or Dravidian, which were not the primary languages of the Vedic texts.

Explanations: The Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in Hinduism, were composed in Sanskrit. This language was used for religious and scholarly purposes during the Vedic period. Therefore, Sanskrit is the correct answer as it was the language of the Vedic period.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Sanskrit was the language of the Vedic period.
Option B: Incorrect. Tamil is a Dravidian language and not associated with the Vedic period.
Option C: Incorrect. Hindi is a modern Indo-Aryan language and not the language of the Vedic period.
Option D: Incorrect. Dravidian languages are not the primary languages of the Vedic texts.

1188. Consider the following statements related to the Aurangzeb Aurangzeb abolished Rahdari, Pandari and Pilgrim tax Aurangzeb discontinued the practice of inscribing the Kalima on the coins Choose the correct answer:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Only II.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, History Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Aurangzeb's policies and reforms are a significant part of Indian history, particularly focusing on his religious and economic policies.

Common Mistakes: Students often confuse the various taxes and reforms implemented by Aurangzeb, leading to incorrect answers.

Explanations: Aurangzeb did not abolish Rahdari, Pandari, and Pilgrim tax. These taxes were actually continued during his reign. However, Aurangzeb did discontinue the practice of inscribing the Kalima on the coins, which was a significant religious policy change.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect because Aurangzeb did not abolish Rahdari, Pandari, and Pilgrim tax.
Option B: Correct because Aurangzeb discontinued the practice of inscribing the Kalima on the coins.
Option C: Incorrect because both statements are not true.
Option D: Incorrect because at least one statement is true.

1189. Who was the representative from Afzalkhan towards Shivaji?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Krishna Bhaskar Pant.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, History Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Krishna Bhaskar Pant was a prominent figure in the historical context of the interactions between Shivaji and Afzalkhan.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the names of historical figures involved in the interactions between Shivaji and Afzalkhan.

Explanations: Krishna Bhaskar Pant was the representative sent by Afzalkhan to negotiate with Shivaji. This historical fact is significant in understanding the political and diplomatic relations between the two leaders during that period.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Daulatkhan was not the representative sent by Afzalkhan towards Shivaji.
Option B: Sayyad Brenda is not a historical figure associated with this interaction.
Option C: Anand Pant is not mentioned in historical records as the representative sent by Afzalkhan.
Option D: Krishna Bhaskar Pant was indeed the representative sent by Afzalkhan towards Shivaji.

Mnemonic: KBP for Krishna Bhaskar Pant, key figure in negotiations.

1190. The transformation of Delhi into a capital that controlled vast areas of the subcontinent started with the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate in the beginning of the

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Thirteenth century.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, History Olympiad

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The Delhi Sultanate was established in the early 13th century, marking the beginning of Delhi's transformation into a capital that controlled vast areas of the Indian subcontinent.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate with other significant historical events or periods, such as the Mughal Empire or earlier dynasties.

Explanations: The Delhi Sultanate was founded in 1206 AD when Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former slave of Muhammad Ghori, established the Mamluk dynasty. This marked the beginning of Delhi's rise as a major political and cultural center. The Sultanate expanded its control over much of the Indian subcontinent, making Delhi a significant capital city. Therefore, the transformation of Delhi into a capital that controlled vast areas of the subcontinent started in the thirteenth century.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Delhi Sultanate was established in the early 13th century.
Option B: Incorrect. The Delhi Sultanate was not established in the 12th century.
Option C: Incorrect. The Delhi Sultanate was not established in the 11th century.
Option D: Incorrect. The Delhi Sultanate was not established in the 18th century.

Mnemonic: Delhi's Rise: 1206, Sultanate's Start

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11 thoughts on “Indian history MCQ - Set 119”

ramanasri January 11, 2020
IAS UPSC Mathematics Optional Syllabus 2020
Ashish February 10, 2020
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Jumma February 21, 2020
Very Useful Or Informative Article For preparations.
DreamNaukri March 4, 2020
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Shankar March 12, 2020
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yoga ttc in india March 20, 2020
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Jayashankar Naik June 3, 2020
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Kunwar Yoga September 15, 2020
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Rajib Gosh February 28, 2021
It is helpful for preparing exam. Thanks
Krishna November 19, 2021
Bahut acche prashna hain
yoga school in rishikesh October 4, 2023
Thanks for sharing this MCQ.

11 thoughts on “Indian history MCQ - Set 119”

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