This free medieval India MCQ test is the seventh set in our 72nd BPSC practice series. The 25 statement-based questions run from the imperial Cholas and the tripartite struggle for Kannauj through the Delhi Sultans, Vijayanagara and the Bahmani kingdom to Shivaji’s administration, the Peshwas and the regional states of Gujarat, Jaunpur, Bengal and Odisha. Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation as soon as you choose an option, and you can work out your score with BPSC-style negative marking at the end. For more practice, see our free BPSC mock test series.
What this test covers: Vijayalaya, Takkolam, Dharmapala and Nagabhatta II, the Kailasa temple, Rajendra’s Srivijaya expedition, Uttaramerur, the Tomaras and dehliwal coins, Balban, Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the Sayyids and Lodis, raya gopurams and the amara-nayakas, Mahmud Gawan, the Deccan sultanates, chauth and sardeshmukhi, Mahmud Begarha, Shiraz-i-Hind, Al-Idrisi, Marco Polo and Abdur Razzaq.
Cholas, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara & Marathas
25 questions · NCERT Class 7 & 12 · BPSC prelims pattern
How this test works
Click the option you think is right. It locks, turns green if correct or red if not, and the explanation opens underneath. Your score updates in the bar at the top as you go, and Calculate final score at the bottom gives the full breakdown. Choose (E) Not attempted when you would only be guessing, exactly as you would bubble E on the BPSC OMR sheet.
+1 mark — Correct answer
−1/3 mark — Wrong answer
0 — no penalty — (E) Not attempted, the fifth bubble on every question
−1/3 mark — Row left completely blank in the real exam
Cholas & tripartite struggle8 questions
1. Who founded the Imperial Chola dynasty of Tanjore in the mid-ninth century CE?
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Answer: (A) Vijayalaya
Vijayalaya captured Tanjore from the Muttaraiyars in the mid-ninth century and founded the imperial Chola line.
2. In the famous Battle of Takkolam (949 CE), the Chola prince Rajaditya was defeated and killed by the forces of which dynasty?
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Answer: (D) Rashtrakutas
At Takkolam in 949 CE the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III defeated the Cholas and the crown prince Rajaditya was killed.
3. Which Pala ruler took advantage of the temporary vacuum left by the Rashtrakutas in northern India and placed his nominee, Chakrayudha, on the throne of Kannauj?
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Answer: (B) Dharmapala
Dharmapala, the Pala king, installed Chakrayudha on the throne of Kannauj and held a grand durbar there.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the second phase of the Tripartite Struggle:
- Pratihara ruler Nagabhatta II invaded Kannauj, expelled Chakrayudha, and defeated Dharmapala in a battle near Munger.
- Nagabhatta II’s occupation of Kannauj was permanent and remained unchallenged by the Rashtrakutas.
- Rashtrakuta king Govinda III subsequently defeated Nagabhatta II before marching back to the Deccan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (D) 1 and 3 only
Nagabhatta II drove out Chakrayudha and defeated Dharmapala near Munger, and was in turn defeated by Govinda III of the Rashtrakutas. Statement 2 is wrong: his hold on Kannauj was not permanent.
5. With reference to the causes and strategic dimensions of the Tripartite Struggle, consider the following statements:
- Kannauj was fiercely contested because of its prime commercial location on the Ganga trade route linked to the Silk Route, as well as its prestige as Harshvardhana’s former capital.
- The opening clash of the Tripartite Struggle occurred around 790 AD at Prayag between the Pala king Dharmapala and the Pratihara king Vatsaraja.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Kannauj’s prestige as Harsha’s capital and its position on the Ganga trade route made it the prize of the tripartite struggle, whose first round was fought near Prayag between Dharmapala and Vatsaraja. Both statements are correct.
6. Consider the following statements regarding the Rashtrakutas and Gurjara-Pratiharas:
- The Kailash Temple at Ellora was commissioned by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.
- Amoghavarsha I shifted the imperial capital to Manyakheta and authored the Kavirajamarga.
- Gurjara-Pratihara ruler Mihira Bhoja adopted the title Adivaraha.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2, and 3
Krishna I built the Kailasa temple at Ellora, Amoghavarsha I made Manyakheta his capital and wrote the Kavirajamarga, and Mihira Bhoja took the title Adivaraha. All three are correct.
7. The famous naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire (Sumatra, Malaya) in 1025 CE was launched by:
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Answer: (B) Rajendra I
Rajendra I sent a naval expedition against the Srivijaya kingdom in 1025 to protect Chola trade with China and Southeast Asia.
8. The Uttaramerur Inscription, which provides detailed rules for qualifications, disqualifications, and election procedures of village committees, belongs to the reign of:
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Answer: (D) Parantaka I
The Uttaramerur inscriptions, from the reign of Parantaka I (tenth century), lay down the rules for electing village committees by lot (kudavolai).
Delhi sultanate7 questions
9. Under which dynasty did Delhi first become the capital of a kingdom?
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Answer: (A) Tomara Rajputs
Delhi first became the capital of a kingdom under the Tomara Rajputs, who were defeated by the Chauhans of Ajmer in the mid-twelfth century.
10. What were the coins minted in Delhi during the Tomara and Chauhan rule called?
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Answer: (C) Dehliwal
Coins minted at Delhi under the Tomaras and Chauhans were called dehliwal and had wide circulation.
11. Which language was used for official administrative records and historical chronicles (tawarikh) under the Delhi Sultans?
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Answer: (C) Persian
Persian was the language of administration and of the tawarikh (histories) written under the Delhi Sultans.
12. With reference to the territorial expansion of the Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq, consider the following statements:
- The term hinterland refers to fortified settlements garrisoned with troops meant to protect trade routes.
- The Sultanate’s internal expansion involved clearing forests in the Ganga-Yamuna doab and granting land to peasants to encourage agriculture.
- The first military expeditions into southern India beyond the Deccan were launched during Alauddin Khalji’s reign.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Forests of the doab were cleared and land given to peasants, and Alauddin Khalji’s armies first marched into the south. Statement 1 is wrong: hinterland means the lands around a garrison town, not the fortified settlement itself.
13. Which of the following measures were taken by Ghiyasuddin Balban to consolidate the Delhi Sultanate?
- Reorganisation of military department named Diwan-i-Arz to counter internal rebellions and Mongol threats.
- Introduction of court rituals such as Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the monarch’s feet).
- Establishing direct control over distant garrison towns in Bengal and Sind without encountering rebellion.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Balban strengthened the diwan-i-arz (military department) and introduced sijda and paibos. Statement 3 is wrong: Bengal and Sind were hard to control and often rebelled.
14. With reference to the architectural and public welfare activities of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, consider the following statements:
- He established a separate department for slaves called Diwan-i-Bandagan.
- He founded the Sultanate cities of Firuzabad and Hisar Firuza, and built his tomb complex near Hauz Khas.
- He abolished all iqtas and replaced them completely with direct cash payments (naqd) to the military nobility.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 2 only
Firoz Shah created the diwan-i-bandagan for slaves and founded Firuzabad and Hisar; his tomb is at Hauz Khas. Statement 3 is wrong: he expanded iqtas and made them hereditary rather than abolishing them.
15. Consider the following statements regarding the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate:
- Khizr Khan, the founder of the Sayyid dynasty, ruled as a representative of Timur’s son Shah Rukh.
- Sikandar Lodi shifted the Sultanate capital from Delhi to Agra and established strict administrative control over Afghan nobles.
- Bahlul Lodi introduced a new coinage system known as the Bahloli coin, which remained a medium of transaction until Akbar’s period.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Khizr Khan ruled as a deputy of Timur’s son Shah Rukh, Sikandar Lodi founded Agra as his capital in 1504, and the bahloli coin of Bahlul Lodi stayed in use until Akbar’s time. All three are correct.
Vijayanagara, Bahmani, Marathas & regional states10 questions
16. With reference to the temple architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire, consider the following statements:
- The Raya Gopurams (towering gateways) were constructed to mark royal presence and were visible from long distances.
- The Kalyana Mandapam was designed within temple complexes specifically to showcase divine marriage ceremonies of deities.
- The Vitthala Temple at Hampi features a monolithic stone chariot and pillar complexes that produce musical notes when struck.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Raya gopurams marked royal presence, kalyana mandapas staged the divine marriage festival, and the Vitthala temple has the stone chariot and musical pillars. All three are correct.
17. Consider the following statements regarding the administration and royal religious patronage of the Vijayanagara Empire:
- The Amara-Nayaka system derived key elements from the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.
- The Hazara Rama Temple situated in the Royal Centre was reserved primarily for the personal worship of the King and the royal family.
- Krishnadeva Raya wrote his famous political treatise Amuktamalyada in Kannada.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
The amara-nayaka system drew on the iqta system, and the Hazara Rama temple in the royal centre served the king and his family. Statement 3 is wrong: Amuktamalyada was written in Telugu.
18. With reference to the Bahmani Sultanate and its architectural development, consider the following statements:
- The Jami Masjid inside Gulbarga Fort, built by Muhammad Shah I, is unique in Indian Islamic architecture because it is completely covered without an open central courtyard.
- Mahmud Gawan established a magnificent three-story residential university (Madrasa) at Bidar featuring Central Asian Timurid architectural styles.
- Sultan Ahmad Shah Wali shifted the Bahmani capital from Bidar to Gulbarga to escape foreign Afaqi noble dominance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1 and 2 only
The Gulbarga Jami Masjid has no open courtyard and Mahmud Gawan built the madrasa at Bidar in Timurid style. Statement 3 reverses the move: Ahmad Shah Wali shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar.
19. Which of the following pairs of Deccan Sultanates and their flagship architectural monuments is/are correctly matched?
- Adil Shahi Dynasty of Bijapur – Gol Gumbaz (Whispering Gallery)
- Qutb Shahi Dynasty of Golconda – Charminar and Golconda Fort
- Nizam Shahi Dynasty of Ahmadnagar – Ibrahim Rauza
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1 and 2 only
Gol Gumbaz is Adil Shahi (Bijapur) and Charminar and Golconda fort are Qutb Shahi. Ibrahim Rauza is also at Bijapur, not Ahmadnagar, so pair 3 is wrong.
20. Consider the following statements regarding the administrative structure of the Maratha Kingdom under Chhatrapati Shivaji:
- The central executive council of eight ministers responsible to the king was known as the Ashtapradhan.
- Chauth was a tax amounting to one-fourth of the land revenue claimed by Marathas in lands outside their core territory in exchange for protection.
- Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10 per cent revenue levy Shivaji claimed as the hereditary chief headman of Maharashtra.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
The Ashtapradhan was Shivaji’s council of eight ministers, chauth was one-fourth of revenue claimed from lands outside Maratha territory, and sardeshmukhi an additional ten per cent. All three are correct.
21. With reference to the eighteenth-century Maratha expansion under the Peshwas, consider the following statements:
- Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath secured the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the six Mughal provinces of the Deccan.
- Under Peshwa Baji Rao I, the Maratha kingdom became a confederacy dominated by prominent military families like the Scindias, Holkars, and Gaekwads.
- The Marathas were decisively defeated in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) by the combined forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Nawab of Awadh.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Balaji Vishwanath obtained the right to chauth and sardeshmukhi over the six Deccan subas, Baji Rao I’s expansion created the confederacy of Scindias, Holkars, Gaekwads and Bhonsles, and Abdali with the Nawab of Awadh and the Rohillas defeated the Marathas at Panipat in 1761. All three are correct.
22. Consider the following statements regarding the regional states of Western India during the medieval period:
- Sultan Mahmud Begarha of Gujarat conquered the strategic mountain forts of Girnar (Junagadh) and Champaner.
- The Sun Temple at Modhera, built by Raja Bhimdev I of the Chalukya (Solanki) dynasty, features a large stepped water reservoir called the Surya Kund.
- Mahmud Khalji of Malwa constructed the famous Atala Masjid at Jaunpur to commemorate his military victories.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 2 only
Mahmud Begarha conquered Girnar and Champaner, and Bhimdev I built the Modhera Sun temple with its Surya kund. The Atala Masjid at Jaunpur was built by Ibrahim Shah Sharqi, so statement 3 is wrong.
23. With reference to the regional states of Jaunpur, Bengal, and Odisha, consider the following statements:
- Jaunpur gained the title Shiraz-i-Hind because it emerged as a paramount centre of Islamic learning and culture under the Sharqi rulers.
- The Gajapati dynasty of Odisha was established by Kapilendra Deva following the decline of the Eastern Gangas.
- The Ilyas Shahi dynasty of Bengal was noted for introducing brick-and-terracotta temple architectural traditions, such as the Chala roof style.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Jaunpur under the Sharqis earned the name Shiraz-i-Hind, Kapilendra Deva founded the Gajapati dynasty in 1435, and the Ilyas Shahi period saw brick-and-terracotta mosques with the chala (curved) roof. All three are correct.
24. Regarding the expansion of South Indian maritime power beyond the Indian subcontinent, consider the following statements:
- Rajaraja I launched naval campaigns and successfully annexed northern Sri Lanka.
- Rajendra I sent a major naval expedition across the Bay of Bengal against the Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia to protect Indian trade routes.
- The Chola state exacted vetti (forced labour tax) from coastal Southeast Asian ports under direct imperial administration.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Rajaraja I conquered northern Sri Lanka and Rajendra I sent the Srivijaya expedition. Statement 3 is wrong: the Cholas did not administer Southeast Asian ports directly or levy vetti there.
25. Consider the following statements regarding medieval India’s external commercial and cultural interactions:
- Al-Idrisi, a 12th-century Arab geographer, produced a world map depicting South India at the top where North India is modernly expected.
- The Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited the Pandya kingdom of Coromandel during his return journey from China in the late 13th century.
- Abdur Razzaq, an ambassador sent by the ruler of Persia, praised the extensive defence fortifications of the Vijayanagara capital.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1, 2 and 3
Al-Idrisi’s 1154 map placed south India at the top, Marco Polo visited the Pandya coast in the 1290s, and Abdur Razzaq described Vijayanagara’s seven lines of fortification in 1443. All three are correct.
Your result
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Until it runs, tally by hand: score = correct − (wrong ÷ 3).
Finished, or stopping here? This counts every question you have answered so far.
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1 A · 2 D · 3 B · 4 D · 5 C · 6 D · 7 B · 8 D · 9 A · 10 C · 11 C · 12 B · 13 A · 14 C · 15 D · 16 D · 17 A · 18 B · 19 D · 20 D · 21 D · 22 C · 23 D · 24 A · 25 B
Scoring: +1 correct, −1/3 wrong, 0 for (E) Not attempted, −1/3 for a row left blank in the real exam.
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