Basic Quiz – 14 October 2026 | Medieval History

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was a prominent Sufi saint associated with Ajmer, which became an important centre of Chishti devotion.

Statement 2 is correct: Nizamuddin Auliya was a leading Chishti saint based in Delhi. He emphasised compassion, spiritual discipline and service to humanity.

Statement 3 is correct: Bahauddin Zakariya was a prominent figure of the Suhrawardi order in Multan.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Chishti tradition generally emphasised spiritual independence from political authority and did not require saints to hold administrative offices.

Additional Information:

• A Khanqah was a Sufi hospice or spiritual centre where disciples gathered for instruction and communal activities.
• A Silsila refers to a Sufi spiritual lineage or order.
• A Pir or Shaikh was a spiritual guide, while a Murid was a disciple.
• Sama refers to spiritual audition, including devotional music in certain Sufi traditions.
• Important Sufi orders in medieval India included the Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri and Naqshbandi orders.

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Harihara and Bukka founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 CE. They are associated with the Sangama dynasty.

Statement 2 is correct: Krishnadevaraya, who ruled from 1509 to 1529 CE, belonged to the Tuluva dynasty and was one of Vijayanagara’s most prominent rulers.

Statement 3 is correct: Under the Amara-Nayaka system, military commanders exercised authority over assigned territories, collected revenue and maintained troops for the ruler.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Battle of Talikota in 1565 was fought between Vijayanagara and an alliance of Deccan Sultanates, not the Mughal Empire.

Additional Information:

• The capital of Vijayanagara was located at Hampi, in present-day Karnataka.
• Krishnadevaraya authored Amuktamalyada in Telugu.
• Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz were Portuguese travellers whose accounts provide information about Vijayanagara.
• The empire was associated with important developments in temple architecture, irrigation and trade.
• Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Akbar developed the Mansabdari system as an important framework for organising imperial officers and military obligations.

Statement 2 is correct: Zat represented the personal rank of a mansabdar and helped determine status and remuneration.

Statement 3 is correct: Sawar indicated the cavalry obligation associated with the mansabdar, subject to the regulations applicable to the rank.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Mansabs were not automatically hereditary. Jagirs were generally transferable revenue assignments rather than permanent ownership of land.

Additional Information:

• The term Mansab means rank or position.
• Mansabdars could receive remuneration through cash payments or jagir assignments.
• A jagir was an assignment of revenue from a specified territory.
• The emperor retained authority over appointments, promotions, transfers and dismissals.
• The system helped integrate military and administrative service under imperial control.

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Ramanuja was a major exponent of Vishishtadvaita, or qualified non-dualism, which emphasises devotion to a personal God.

Statement 2 is correct: Kabir criticised caste-based discrimination, religious formalism and ritualism. His teachings emphasised devotion to a formless divine reality.

Statement 3 is correct: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu popularised Krishna devotion, particularly through congregational singing and chanting, in Bengal and Odisha.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Basavanna was a 12th-century social and religious reformer associated with the Virashaiva or Lingayat movement in Karnataka, not the Chishti Sufi order.

Additional Information:

• The Alvars were devotees of Vishnu, while the Nayanars were devotees of Shiva.
• Mirabai was a prominent Krishna devotee associated with Rajasthan.
• Guru Nanak emphasised devotion to one God, ethical conduct and rejection of caste discrimination.
• Bhakti traditions were diverse and included both Saguna (with attributes) and Nirguna (without attributes) forms of devotion.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Qutb-ud-din Aibak established the Mamluk dynasty in 1206 CE. He had earlier served as a military commander under Muhammad Ghori.

Statement 2 is correct: Iltutmish is credited with establishing the silver Tanka and copper Jital as important denominations in the Sultanate’s monetary system.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Muhammad bin Tughlaq, not Alauddin Khalji, introduced token currency using brass and copper coins intended to circulate at the value of silver currency.

Additional Information:

• The Delhi Sultanate comprised five major dynasties: Mamluk, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi.
• Razia Sultan, daughter of Iltutmish, ruled from 1236 to 1240 CE.
• Alauddin Khalji is known for his market-control measures, price regulations and military reforms.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq also attempted to transfer the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
• Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.