Medieval India/Muslim Rule in India
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
50 MCQs
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of 50 MCQs
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1
Who is considered the founder of the Ghaznavid Empire (state)?
Answer:
Alptigin
Alptigin, a Turkic slave commander of the Samanids, established the independent state of Ghazni in 962 AD, though Sabuktigin is often credited with establishing the dynasty's power.
2
Mahmud of Ghazni was the son of which ruler?
Answer:
Sabuktigin
Mahmud was the son of Sabuktigin, who was a slave and later son-in-law of Alptigin.
3
In which year did Mahmud of Ghazni ascend the throne?
Answer:
998 AD
Mahmud ascended the throne in 998 AD after defeating his brother Ismail in a war of succession following Sabuktigin's death.
4
Mahmud of Ghazni is famous for undertaking how many expeditions to India?
Answer:
17
According to the historian Sir Henry Elliot, Mahmud of Ghazni led 17 expeditions into India between 1000 AD and 1027 AD.
5
Who was the first ruler in history to assume the title of 'Sultan'?
Answer:
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni is credited with being the first Muslim ruler to adopt the title of 'Sultan', signifying independence from the Caliph's temporal authority.
6
Which Hindu Shahi ruler did Mahmud defeat in his first major battle (Battle of Peshawar) in 1001 AD?
Answer:
Jayapala
In 1001 AD, Mahmud defeated King Jayapala of the Hindu Shahi dynasty near Peshawar. Jayapala later committed suicide out of shame.
7
The famous raid on the Somnath Temple was which number expedition of Mahmud?
Answer:
16th
The attack on the Somnath Temple in Gujarat (1025 AD) was Mahmud's 16th and most famous expedition.
8
Who was the ruler of Gujarat (Solanki dynasty) when Mahmud attacked Somnath?
Answer:
Bhima I
Bhima I of the Chalukya (Solanki) dynasty was the ruler of Gujarat who fled when Mahmud attacked Somnath.
9
Which famous scholar accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India and wrote 'Kitab-ul-Hind'?
Answer:
Al-Biruni
Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni accompanied Mahmud and wrote 'Tahqiq-i-Hind' (or Kitab-ul-Hind), a detailed account of Indian society, culture, and science.
10
Who wrote the famous epic 'Shahnameh' and was a court poet of Mahmud?
Answer:
Firdausi
Firdausi wrote the 'Shahnameh' (Book of Kings), the national epic of Greater Iran. He famously fell out with Mahmud over payment for the work.
11
Mahmud's court historian Utbi wrote which book?
Answer:
Kitab-ul-Yamini
Al-Utbi was the court historian of Mahmud and wrote 'Kitab-ul-Yamini' (or Tarikh-i-Yamini), recounting the history of Sabuktigin and Mahmud.
12
The title 'Yamin-ud-Daula' (Right Hand of the State) was conferred upon Mahmud by:
Answer:
The Abbasid Caliph Al-Qadir
The Abbasid Caliph Al-Qadir Billah recognized Mahmud's authority and conferred upon him the titles Yamin-ud-Daula and Amin-ul-Millat.
13
Mahmud's last expedition (17th) in 1027 AD was against whom?
Answer:
Jats of Sindh/Multan
His final expedition was a punitive campaign against the Jats who had harassed his army during the return journey from Somnath.
14
Which battle was fought in 1008 AD between Mahmud and a confederacy of Hindu princes led by Anandapala?
Answer:
Second Battle of Waihind
The Second Battle of Waihind (1008 AD) was a decisive victory for Mahmud against Anandapala and a confederacy of rulers from Ujjain, Gwalior, Kalinjar, etc.
15
Mahmud of Ghazni belonged to which Turkic tribe?
Answer:
Yamini
The dynasty is often referred to as the Yamini dynasty.
16
Which Chandela king is known for successfully resisting Mahmud of Ghazni?
Answer:
Vidyadhara
Vidyadhara, the Chandela king of Khajuraho, is one of the few rulers who offered strong resistance to Mahmud and was not decisively defeated.
17
What was the primary motive behind Mahmud's invasions of India according to most modern historians?
Answer:
To acquire wealth and plunder
While there was a religious dimension, the primary objective was to plunder India's vast wealth to finance his Central Asian campaigns and beautify his capital, Ghazni.
18
In which year did Mahmud of Ghazni die?
Answer:
1030 AD
Mahmud died in Ghazni in 1030 AD.
19
Which city did Mahmud plunder in 1018 AD, describing it as a city of marble palaces?
Answer:
Mathura
In 1018, Mahmud sacked Mathura. He was awestruck by its architectural beauty, stating it would take 200 years and millions of dinars to build such a city.
20
Who was the ruler of Kannauj (Gurjara-Pratihara) when Mahmud invaded in 1018?
Answer:
Rajyapala
Rajyapala was the Pratihara ruler who fled Kannauj when Mahmud approached. He was later killed by the Chandela king Vidyadhara for his cowardice.
