UPSC Prelims · GS Paper 1 · Medieval India
Medieval India: Prelims PYQs with answers
29 questions from 2014 to 2025, newest first. The 2026 answers are not yet final: UPSC releases its official key after the final result.
Q1Prelims 2025
The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was
- (a) a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
- (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
- (c) a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
- (d) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand
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Answer: (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
Q2Prelims 2025
Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?
- (a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
- (b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
- (c) Rajendra I (Chola)
- (d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
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Answer: (c) Rajendra I (Chola)
Q3Prelims 2024
Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
- (a) Krishnadevaraya
- (b) Narasimha Saluva
- (c) Muhammad Shah III
- (d) Yusuf Adil Shah
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Answer: (a) Krishnadevaraya
Q4Prelims 2023
Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
- (a) Devaraya I
- (b) Mallikarjuna
- (c) Vira Vijaya
- (d) Virupaksha
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Answer: (a) Devaraya I
Q5Prelims 2022
With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
- 1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-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 north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
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Answer: (b) 2 only
Q6Prelims 2022
“Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
- (a) Akbar
- (b) Humayun
- (c) Shahjahan
- (d) Aurangzeb
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Answer: (a) Akbar
Q7Prelims 2022
In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:
- (a) Clothing
- (b) Coins
- (c) Ornaments
- (d) Weapons
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Answer: (b) Coins
Q8Prelims 2022
Consider the following pairs:
King Dynasty 1. Nannuka Chandela 2. Jayashakti Paramara 3. Nagabhata II Gurjara-Pratihara 4. Bhoja Rashtrakuta How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one pair
- (b) Only two pairs
- (c) Only three pairs
- (d) All four pairs
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Answer: (b) Only two pairs
Q9Prelims 2021
Consider the following statements:
- 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 region 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
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only
Q10Prelims 2021
With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
- (a) Paragana—Sarkar—Suba
- (b) Sarkar—Paragana—Suba
- (c) Suba—Sarkar—Paragana
- (d) Paragana—Suba—Sarkar
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Answer: (a) Paragana—Sarkar—Suba
Q11Prelims 2021
With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad state.
- 2. The Mysore kingdom emerged out of 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
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Answer: (b) 2 only
Q12Prelims 2021
According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in the Vijayanagara Empire were experts in which of the following areas?
- 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
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q13Prelims 2019
Consider the following statements:
- 1. In the revenue administration of the Delhi Sultanate, the in charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
- 2. The iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
- 3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only
Q14Prelims 2019
Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to the album and individual portraits?
- (a) Humayun
- (b) Akbar
- (c) Jahangir
- (d) Shah Jahan
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Answer: (c) Jahangir
Q15Prelims 2019
With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
- (a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
- (b) Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.
- (c) Tansen composed songs for his patrons.
- (d) Tansen invented many Ragas.
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Answer: (a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
Q16Prelims 2019
With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/ differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
- 1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
- 2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and the revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q17Prelims 2019
Consider the following statements:
- 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
Show answer
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q18Prelims 2018
Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed diamonds and diamond mines of India?
- (a) Francois Bernier
- (b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
- (c) Jean de Thevenot
- (d) Abbe Barthelemy Carre
Show answer
Answer: (b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
Q19Prelims 2017
Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
- (a) Kakinada
- (b) Motupalli
- (c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
- (d) Nelluru
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Answer: (b) Motupalli
Q20Prelims 2016
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were
- (a) Agriculture
- (b) Warriors
- (c) Weavers
- (d) Traders
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Answer: (d) Traders
Q21Prelims 2016
With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to
- (a) bonded labor
- (b) land grants made to military officers
- (c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
- (d) wasteland converted to cultivated land
Show answer
Answer: (c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
Q22Prelims 2016
Regarding the taxation systems of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:
- 1. The tax rate of 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
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Q23Prelims 2016
With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:
- 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
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Q24Prelims 2015
With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?
- 1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority.
- 2. The emergence of an administrative structure based on control and possession of the land.
- 3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Q25Prelims 2015
Consider the following:
The arrival of Babur into India led to the
- 1. introduction of gunpowder
- 2. introduction of the arch and dome in the region’s architecture
- 3. establishment of the Timurid dynasty
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b) 3 only
Q26Prelims 2015
Consider the following pairs:
Medieval Indian State Present Region
1. Champaka Central India 2. Durgara Jammu 3. Kuluta Malabar Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only
Q27Prelims 2015
Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?
- (a) Amoghavarsha I
- (b) Ballala II
- (c) Harihara I
- (d) Prataparudra II
Show answer
Answer: (c) Harihara I
Q28Prelims 2014
Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
- (a) the mosque for the use of the Royal Family
- (b) Akbar’s private prayer chamber
- (c) the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
- (d) the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs
Show answer
Answer: (c) the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
Q29Prelims 2014
In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for
- (a) military officers
- (b) village headmen
- (c) specialists in Vedic rituals
- (d) chiefs of craft guilds
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Answer: (b) village headmen