UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Prelims asked 28 Medieval History questions between 2016–2025. Reading them together shows which topics keep returning and how examiners frame them.
UPSC 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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
The araghatta was a water-lifting wheel with earthen pots tied around its rim (a Persian-wheel type device), usually turned by bullocks to lift water from wells.
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)
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Rajendra I (Chola)
Rajendra I Chola (r. 1014–1044) led a famous naval expedition around 1025 CE against the Srivijaya kingdom, which controlled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and the straits.
UPSC 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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara, who maintained good relations with the Portuguese because of their horse trade, permitted them to build a fort at Bhatkal on the Kanara coast.
UPSC 2023
Consider the following dynasties:
1. Hoysala
2. Gahadavala
3. Kakatiya
4. Yadava
How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) None
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) None
None of these dynasties established a kingdom in the early eighth century. The Hoysalas rose in the 10th–11th centuries, the Gahadavalas in the late 11th century, and the Kakatiyas and the Yadavas (Seunas) became independent powers in the 12th century.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Devaraya I
Devaraya I (r. 1406–1422) built a dam across the Tungabhadra and a long canal-cum-aqueduct to carry water to the capital, Vijayanagara.
Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
- (a) Ahmad Shah
- (b) Mahmud Begarha
- (c) Bahadur Shah
- (d) Muhammad Shah
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Bahadur Shah
Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, seeking Portuguese help against the Mughal Humayun, allowed the Portuguese to build a fort at Diu (Treaty of Bassein, 1534–35). Diu passed into Portuguese control.
UPSC 2022
In medieval India, the term "Fanam" referred to:
- (a) Clothing
- (b) Coins
- (c) Ornaments
- (d) Weapons
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Coins
The fanam was a small gold (later also silver) coin used in South India, including under Vijayanagara and later the Dutch and English companies; foreign travellers mention it often.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the first Mongol appearance on India's frontier was under Chengiz Khan in 1221, during Iltutmish's reign.
Statement 2 is correct: in 1303 a Mongol army under Targhi besieged Delhi during Alauddin Khalji's reign.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Muhammad bin Tughlaq faced the Mongol raid of Tarmashirin (c. 1327) but is not generally held to have lost north-western territory to the Mongols.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as "Kulah-Daran"?
- (a) Arab merchants
- (b) Qalandars
- (c) Persian calligraphists
- (d) Sayyids
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Sayyids
In the Delhi Sultanate, the Sayyids (claimed descendants of the Prophet) were called "Kulah-Daran" ("wearers of the peaked cap"), from the distinctive cap they wore; they enjoyed special social status.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Only two pairs
Pair 1 is correct: Nannuka founded the Chandela dynasty.
Pair 2 is wrong: Jayashakti (Jejja) was also a Chandela ruler, after whom Bundelkhand was called Jejakabhukti.
Pair 3 is correct: Nagabhata II was a Gurjara-Pratihara king.
Pair 4 is wrong: Bhoja belongs to the Gurjara-Pratiharas (Mihira Bhoja) or the Paramaras (Raja Bhoja), not the Rashtrakutas.
Two pairs are correct.
"Yogavasishtha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
- (a) Akbar
- (b) Humayun
- (c) Shahjahan
- (d) Aurangzeb
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Akbar
Nizamuddin Panipati translated the Yoga Vasishtha into Persian in Akbar's reign (c. 1597), under the patronage of Prince Salim; Akbar's translation bureau (maktab khana) rendered many Sanskrit works into Persian.
The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
- (a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
- (b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
- (c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
- (d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita) taught that the best path to salvation is bhakti, loving devotion and surrender (prapatti) to Vishnu.
The "Statue of Equality" at Hyderabad, inaugurated in February 2022, honours him.
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Statement 1 is correct: Somnath (Prabhas Patan, Gujarat) is the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Statement 2 is correct: Al-Biruni described the Somnath temple and Mahmud of Ghazni's raid (1025).
Statement 3 is incorrect: the pran pratishtha of the present temple in 1951 was performed by President Rajendra Prasad.
UPSC 2021
According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert 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 and explanation
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Fernão Nuniz wrote that in the Vijayanagara palace there were women who wrestled, astrologers and soothsayers, and women who kept the accounts of expenses.
All four are mentioned.
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 reign of Deva Raya II of 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 and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in 1221 chasing Jalal-ud-din Mangbarni during Iltutmish's reign.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Timur invaded in 1398, under Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Tughlaq, not Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498, long after Deva Raya II (d. 1446).
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Paragana-Sarkar-Suba
Under the Mughals, a suba (province) was divided into sarkars (districts), and sarkars into parganas.
In ascending order of size: pargana, sarkar, suba.
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
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Statement 1 is treated as correct: the Nawabs of Arcot (Carnatic) began as deputies of the Nizam of Hyderabad before becoming independent.
Statement 2 is correct: the Wodeyars of Mysore were Vijayanagara feudatories who became independent after its decline.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Rohilkhand was carved out by Ali Mohammad Khan from Mughal territory, not from lands occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
UPSC 2020
Consider the following events in the history of India:
1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I
3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I
4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala
What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
- (a) 2-1-4-3
- (b) 3-1-4-2
- (c) 2-4-1-3
- (d) 3-4-1-2
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) 2-4-1-3
Mahendravarman I (Pallava) ruled about 600–630 CE; Gopala founded the Pala dynasty about 750 CE; Mihira Bhoja raised the Pratiharas about 836 CE; and Parantaka I expanded Chola power from 907 CE.
The order is 2-4-1-3.
UPSC 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 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 and explanation
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is incorrect: jagirdars held revenue assignments (jagirs) in lieu of salary for military and administrative service, not specifically for judicial and police duties; zamindars, besides collecting revenue, also had duties such as maintaining order and supplying troops.
Statement 2 is incorrect: jagirs were transferable and not hereditary, whereas zamindari rights were hereditary.
Consider the following statements:
1. In the revenue administration of 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 and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: in the Delhi Sultanate the official who collected revenue was called the amil.
Statement 2 is incorrect: the iqta system came from West Asian Islamic practice, not an ancient Indian institution.
Statement 3 is incorrect: the office of Mir Bakshi belongs to the Mughal period, not the Khaljis.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
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 and explanation
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is incorrect: Nimbarka lived around the 12th–13th century, long before Akbar (16th century).
Statement 2 is incorrect: Kabir (15th century) predates Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564–1624), so he could not have been influenced by him.
UPSC 2018
Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?
- (a) Francois Bernier
- (b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
- (c) Jean de Thevenot
- (d) Abbe Barthelemy Carre
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a 17th-century French jeweller, wrote in detail about Indian diamonds and the Golconda mines (such as Kollur) in his Travels.
UPSC 2017
Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
- (a) Kakinada
- (b) Motupalli
- (c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
- (d) Nelluru
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Motupalli
Motupalli (Andhra Pradesh) was the chief seaport of the Kakatiyas; Marco Polo visited it and Ganapatideva's Motupalli inscription granted protection to traders.
UPSC 2016
Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:
1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries 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 and explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: under Krishnadeva Raya land revenue varied with the quality of land (wet, dry, garden), and owners of workshops paid an industries tax among other professional taxes.
With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:
1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. Lingayats of 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 and explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Tamil Siddhas were monotheists who condemned idol worship and ritual, and the Lingayats (Virashaivas) rejected caste hierarchy and questioned the theory of rebirth.
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
- (a) agriculturists
- (b) warriors
- (c) weavers
- (d) traders
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) traders
The Banjaras were itinerant traders who carried grain and goods over long distances on caravans of bullocks.
In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Term - Description
1. Eripatti - Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2. Taniyurs - Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. Ghatikas - Colleges generally attached to the temples
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 1 and 3
Pairs 1 and 3 are correct: eripatti was land whose revenue went to maintain the village tank, and ghatikas were centres of learning usually attached to temples.
Taniyurs were large Brahmin villages (brahmadeyas) given separate status as revenue units; the official key treats the description in pair 2 as wrong.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to
- (a) bonded labour
- (b) land grants made to military officers
- (c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
- (d) wasteland converted to cultivated land
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
The araghatta was a water wheel (Persian wheel type) with pots on a chain, used to lift water for irrigation.
