Q1. The rate of discount charged on payments made through Hundi during medieval India was known as:
(1) Anth
(2) Foṭa
(3) Do-dāmi
(4) Satārahi
Correct Answer: (4) Satārahi
Explanation:
Hundi was a credit/transfer instrument used by merchants. The fee or discount charged on its encashment was called Satārahi, indicating the maturity rate in commercial transactions.
Q2. Match List-I with List-II regarding the artisans engaged in construction:
| List-I (Artisans) | List-II (Work field) |
|---|---|
| (a) Ahakpuzan | (i) Brick layer |
| (b) Khishtmalan | (ii) Lime burners |
| (c) Parchinkar | (iii) Engraver |
| (d) Surkhikob | (iv) Pounder |
Options:
(1) (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)
(2) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(3) (iii), (iv), (i), (ii)
(4) (iv), (i), (ii), (iii)
Correct Answer: (4)
Explanation:
Medieval building activity involved highly skilled workers such as lime-burners, engravers, and brick-layers. These job titles reflect specialization in urban architectural development.
Q3. “Of all the sovereigns of the House of Taimur, none since Sikandar Lodi was so distinguished for devotion, austerity and justice as him.”
The above remark praises:
(1) Akbar
(2) Jahangir
(3) Shahjahan
(4) Aurangzeb
Correct Answer: (4) Aurangzeb
Explanation:
Contemporary chroniclers admired Aurangzeb for strict adherence to Islamic law, justice, and personal austerity.
Q4. Who founded the Khalji dynasty in Delhi Sultanate?
(1) Jalal-ud-din Khalji
(2) Alauddin Khalji
(3) Mubarak Shah
(4) Qutbuddin Mubarak
Correct Answer: (1) Jalal-ud-din Khalji
Explanation:
Jalal-ud-din established the Khalji dynasty in 1290 CE after overthrowing the last ruler of the Mamluk dynasty.
Q5. Which Sultan attempted to shift the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?
(1) Balban
(2) Alauddin Khalji
(3) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
(4) Firuz Tughlaq
Correct Answer: (3) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
Explanation:
This experiment was part of his administrative innovations but resulted in hardship, leading to its reversal.
Q6. The institution of Iqta during the Sultanate period refers to:
(1) A hereditary landholding
(2) Revenue assignment in lieu of salary
(3) Trading license
(4) Land gifted to temple institutions
Correct Answer: (2) Revenue assignment in lieu of salary
Explanation:
Iqta was granted to nobles and military officers to collect revenue instead of receiving cash salary.
Q7. Which Sultan abolished the practice of hereditary appointment to offices and introduced daghand chehra system in the army?
(1) Iltutmish
(2) Balban
(3) Alauddin Khalji
(4) Firuz Tughlaq
Correct Answer: (3) Alauddin Khalji
Explanation:
Dagh (branding horses) and chehra (soldier description register) stopped corruption and ensured loyalty.
Q8. The main reason for the decline of the Delhi Sultanate was:
(1) Mongol invasions
(2) Rise of provincial kingdoms
(3) Weak successors and internal conflicts
(4) Economic bankruptcy
Correct Answer: (3) Weak successors and internal conflicts
Explanation:
After Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq and Firuz Tughlaq, constant factionalism among nobles weakened the Sultanate.
Q9. Who among the following was the author of Tarikh-i-Firozshahi?
(1) Amir Khusrau
(2) Ziauddin Barani
(3) Minhaz-us-Siraj
(4) Shams-i-Siraj Afif
Correct Answer: (4) Shams-i-Siraj Afif
Explanation:
He documented the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq and administrative reforms.
Q10. Which medieval institution served as a record room and administrative archive?
(1) Pothis
(2) Daftar-khana
(3) Dastur-ul-Amal
(4) Akhbarat
Correct Answer: (2) Daftar-khana
Explanation:
It functioned as an official bureau where farmaans, reports, and state orders were stored and processed.
UNIT 4 RECAP
Key coverage:
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Medieval historical sources: chronicles, inscriptions, foreign travelers, daftar records
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Delhi Sultanate political developments
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Key administrative reforms
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Decline of Sultanate
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Economic and military systems