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Q1History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2025
Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabharata'?
- AMahendravarman ICorrect
- BSimhavishnu
- CNarasimhavarman I
- DSimhavarman
Explanation
Correct. Mahendravarman I of the Pallava dynasty was renowned for his literary and artistic talents. He bore these titles reflecting his versatile genius — 'Mattavilasa' (lover of fun), 'Vichitrachitta' (curious-minded), and 'Gunabharata' (one endowed with virtues). He also authored the Sanskrit farce Mattavilasa Prahasana.
Q2History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2023
Who among the following rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
- ADevaraya ICorrect
- BMallikarjuna
- CVira Vijaya
- DVirupaksha
Explanation
Correct. Devaraya I (r. 1406-1422) is credited with major irrigation works on the Tungabhadra River, including a dam and an aqueduct system that channelled water to the capital Vijayanagara, significantly improving agriculture in the region.
Q3History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 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?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- COnly three
- DNoneCorrect
Explanation
Correct. The Hoysalas rose in the 11th century, the Gahadavalas in the 11th-12th century, the Kakatiyas in the 12th century, and the Yadavas of Devagiri in the 12th-13th century. None established their kingdoms in the early eighth century.
Q4History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 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?
- AOnly one pair
- BOnly two pairsCorrect
- COnly three pairs
- DAll four pairs
Explanation
Correct. Nannuka is correctly identified as the founder of the Chandela dynasty, and Nagabhata II was a famous Gurjara-Pratihara ruler. However, Jayashakti belonged to the Chandela line (not Paramara), and the famous Bhoja was a Paramara ruler (not Rashtrakuta).
Q5History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2022
In medieval India, the term 'Fanam' referred to
- AClothing
- BCoinsCorrect
- COrnaments
- DWeapons
Explanation
Correct. Fanam (also called panam) was a small denomination gold or silver coin widely circulated in medieval South India, used in the monetary systems of the Cholas, Vijayanagara, and other southern dynasties.
Q6History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2021
With reference to the post-Gupta period, which of the following dynasties had established their dominance over large parts of North India before the rise of Harsha?
1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras of Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1, 2 and 5
- B1, 3, 4 and 6Correct
- C2, 3 and 4
- D5 and 6
Explanation
Correct. In the post-Gupta transition (6th-7th century), the Later Guptas of Magadha, Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharis of Kanauj, and Maitrakas of Valabhi were the major powers in North India. Harsha himself came from the Pushyabhuti dynasty.
Q7History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2020
Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
- AAn advisory issued by the king to his subordinates
- BA diary to be maintained for daily accounts
- CA bill of exchangeCorrect
- DAn order from the feudal lord to his subordinates
Explanation
Correct. Hundi evolved as a financial instrument functioning essentially as a bill of exchange. It facilitated long-distance commercial transactions by allowing merchants to transfer funds without physically moving cash, reflecting the sophistication of medieval Indian commercial practices.
Q8History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2020
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Famous Place : Present State
1. Bhilsa : Madhya Pradesh
2. Dwarasamudra : Maharashtra
3. Girinagar : Gujarat
4. Sthanesvara : Uttar Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A1 and 3 onlyCorrect
- B1 and 4 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D2 and 4 only
Explanation
Correct. Bhilsa corresponds to Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and Girinagar is identified with the Girnar region in Gujarat. Dwarasamudra (Halebidu) was in Karnataka, not Maharashtra, and Sthanesvara (Thanesar) is in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh.
Q9History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 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?
- A2 - 1 - 4 - 3
- B3 - 1 - 4 - 2
- C2 - 4 - 1 - 3Correct
- D3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Explanation
Correct. Mahendravarman I (early 7th century) → Gopala (c. 750 CE) → Mihira Bhoja Pratihara (c. 836 CE) → Parantaka I Chola (early 10th century). This is the accurate chronological sequence.
Q10History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2016
With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to
- ABonded labour
- BLand grants made to military officers
- CWaterwheel used in the irrigation of landCorrect
- DWasteland converted to cultivated land
Explanation
Correct. Araghatta was a mechanical water-lifting device, essentially a waterwheel with attached pots used for irrigation. It is mentioned in various medieval Indian texts on agriculture and technology.
Q11History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2016
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?
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1 and 3 onlyCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Eripatti was tank-land whose revenue maintained the village irrigation tank, and ghatikas were educational institutions typically attached to temples in early medieval South India. Taniyurs, however, were large autonomous villages, not Brahmin donation villages.
Q12History & Culture·Early Medieval IndiaPYQ 2016
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
- AAgriculturists
- BWarriors
- CWeavers
- DTradersCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Banjaras (also called Vanjaras or Lambadas) were mobile trading and transport communities who moved grain, salt, and other goods over long distances using ox-caravans, serving as crucial links in medieval India's internal trade network.