Islamic Studies/Islamiat MCQs
Topic Notes: Islamic Studies/Islamiat
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
11
What was the 'Nizam-i Djedid'?
Answer:
The 'New Order' military force created by Selim III
Selim III's Nizam-i Djedid was the first serious attempt to create a modern army trained by Europeans and armed with modern weapons to replace the obsolete Janissaries.
12
The 'Ottoman-Safavid War' of 1623–1639 ended with which treaty?
Answer:
Treaty of Zuhab (Qasr-e Shirin)
The Treaty of Zuhab established the border between the Ottoman and Safavid empires, which remains largely the same as the modern border between Turkey and Iran today.
13
Which Ottoman Sultan was known for his love of the arts and was a skilled calligrapher himself?
Answer:
All of the above
Many Ottoman Sultans were highly educated in the arts. Bayezid II, Ahmed III, and Mahmud II were all known for their skill in calligraphy and their patronage of music and literature.
14
Who was the 'Valide Sultan' who built the Yeni Cami (New Mosque) in Eminönü?
Answer:
Turhan Hatice Sultan
The Yeni Cami took 66 years to complete and was finished under the patronage of Turhan Hatice Sultan. It is one of the most prominent mosques in Istanbul's harbor area.
15
What was the 'Iltizam' system?
Answer:
A system of tax farming
In the Iltizam system, the right to collect taxes from a specific area was auctioned to individuals (Multazims). While it brought quick cash to the treasury, it often led to the exploitation of the peasantry.
16
Which city was the site of the Ottoman victory against the Mamluks in 1516?
Answer:
Marj Dabiq
The Battle of Marj Dabiq (near Aleppo) was the first major encounter. The Ottoman victory, aided by superior artillery, led to the collapse of Mamluk rule in Syria.
17
The 'Cavaliers of the Porte' referred to which elite group?
Answer:
The Six Divisions of Cavalry (Sultan's household cavalry)
While the Janissaries were the household infantry, the 'Kapi Kulu Suvarileri' were the household cavalry. They were professional soldiers who protected the Sultan and the imperial standards during battle.
18
The 'Treaty of Karlowitz' (1699) was significant because it was the first time the Ottomans:
Answer:
Ceded large territories in Europe (Hungary) to the Habsburgs
Karlowitz ended the Great Turkish War and forced the Ottomans to acknowledge that they were no longer the dominant power in Central Europe, marking the end of their expansionist phase.
19
What was the 'Akinjis'?
Answer:
Irregular light cavalry used for raiding and scouting
Akinjis were the 'raiders' who moved ahead of the main army to terrorize the enemy and gather intelligence. They lived off the spoils of war and were essential for the early rapid expansion of the empire.
20
Which Sultan was responsible for the construction of the 'Dolmabahce Palace'?
Answer:
Abdulmejid I
Built in the mid-19th century, Dolmabahce was a massive, Baroque-style palace intended to show that the Ottomans were a modern European power. It was extremely expensive and contributed to the state's financial crisis.